bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Akkadian [e]
Authors: Karim Shuan O.
Published: July 2022

There are several features of Akkadian that set it apart from other Semitic languages. One such feature is the assumption of seven alefs that descended from Proto-Semitic phonemes, *ʔ, *h, *ʕ, *ɣ, *ħ, and sometimes *w and *j. The standard account is that they merged before being lost in nearly every environment. Additionally, ʔ3-5 interact with the low-back vowel, [a], producing [e]. Two other issues regarding the shift from [a] to [e] is which environments [e] surfaces in to be reanalyzed, and the fact that there are several roots that have [e] and no apparent conditioning environment. In this article I provide a solution to these issues clarifying the conditioning environments obscured by Akkadian orthography and Semitic derivational morphology. I show that voicing assimilation alone is responsible for the different outcomes of *ħ and *ʕ, which have the same distribution. This assimilation has parallels in non-guttural roots such as *√ntn, which becomes √ndn in Akkadian. Whether *ʕ and *ħ surface as <∅> or  depends less on the underlying form than on assimilation to the voicing value of the adjacent consonant radical. With this analysis, there is no reason left to reject Kowenburg’s theory (2006) that gutturals became glides which cause raising to [e], with the slight amendment that it is the voiced variant *ʕ alone which becomes a glide.
Catalogue of Sanskrit Manuscripts: The Paṇḍit Collection. By Hartmut Buescher
Authors: Zysk Kenneth
Published: July 2022

Catalogue of Sanskrit Manuscripts: The Paṇḍit Collection. By Hartmut Buescher. 2 vols. Copenhagen: Nias Press, 2019. Pp. 1,040, illus. $275, £200.
Plum Shadows and Plank Bridge: Two Memoirs about Courtesans. Translated and edited by Wai-yee Li
Authors: Ling Xiaoqiao
Published: July 2022

Plum Shadows and Plank Bridge: Two Memoirs about Courtesans. Translated and edited by Wai-yee Li. New York: Columbia University Press, 2020. Pp. 328. $60 (cloth), $20 (paper).
Theology of Hathor of Dendera: Aural and Visual Scribal Techniques in the Per-Wer Sanctuary. By Barbara A. Richter
Authors: Darnell Colleen
Published: July 2022

The Theology of Hathor of Dendera: Aural and Visual Scribal Techniques in the Per-Wer Sanctuary. By Barbara A. Richter. Brown University Department of Egyptology and Assyriology, Wilbour Studies, vol. 4. Atlanta: Lockwood Press, 2016. Pp. xxix + 543, illus. $145. [Distributed by ISD, Bristol, CT]
Archaeology and History of Eighth-Century Judah. Edited by Zev I. Farber and Jacob l. Wright
Authors: Crowell Bradley L.
Published: July 2022

Archaeology and History of Eighth-Century Judah. Edited by Zev I. Farber and Jacob l. Wright. Ancient Near East Monographs, vol. 23. Atlanta: SBL Press, 2018. Pp. xv + 593, illus. $79.95 (paper).
Humor under the Guise of Chan
Authors: Rao Xiao
Published: July 2022

This article examines a group of Song-dynasty biji 筆記 (miscellaneous jottings) anecdotes featuring the Northern Song literary giant Su Shi 蘇軾 (style name Dongpo 東坡, 1037–1101) playfully engaging with Buddhist encounter dialogues. These religious accounts are well known for their riddle-like language and the baffling effect they create among their readers, prompting the question of whether they were read for humor. Previous scholarship on encounter dialogues focuses on the religious perspective, demonstrating that their perplexing language and rheto- ric serve pedagogical and monastic functions. By contrast, this article explores Chan Buddhist humor from the perspective of the literati and vernacular culture by examining how encounter dialogues were incorporated in Song-dynasty vernacu- lar plays and literati storytelling. Focusing on stories that depict Su Shi’s playful engagement with encounter dialogues as a case study, this article reveals that an important part of Su Shi’s humorous image is inspired and shaped by Buddhism. It also shows that humor in these biji stories is contingent on the readers’ knowledge of Chan literature such as “recorded dialogues” (yulu 語錄) and “transmission records” (denglu 燈錄), which were popular among literati during the Song. The anecdotal materials preserved in biji suggests a mutual influence between Chan literature and vernacular entertainment during the Song. I argue that, in addition to religious functions, literary factors of performance and aesthetics played sig- nificant roles in conditioning the entertaining effect of encounter dialogues, par- ticularly when they were received outside of monastic circles.
Quantitative Approach to Variation in Case Inflection in Arabic Documentary Papyri
Authors: Kootstra Fokelien
Published: July 2022

The Arabic documentary papyri (seventh–ninth centuries Ce) are precious wit- nesses to the day-to-day written Arabic of their time. These texts exhibit consider- able variation in grammar and orthography. Classical Arabic and the prescriptive attitudes of the Arabic grammarians traditionally provided the lens through which the earliest documents of the Islamic period have been read. Since Classical Ara- bic was only fully canonized in the tenth century, approaching the early Arabic papyri, and the variation attested in them, through this standard is anachronistic. This article seeks to understand the language of these documents on their own terms. It employs a quantitative approach to investigate the nominal case system, focusing on the form of ʾab in construct, producing a fine-grained analysis of how inflection operated in early documentary Arabic, and attempts to account for points of divergence within a historical and sociolinguistic framework.
A Corpus of Ammonite Inscriptions. By Walter E. Aufrecht
Authors: Burlingame Andrew
Published: July 2022

A Corpus of Ammonite Inscriptions. By Walter E. Aufrecht. 2nd ed. University Park, PA: Eisenbrauns, 2019. Pp. xxviii + 619, illus. $69.50.
Ea’s Duplicity in the Gilgamesh Flood Story. By Martin Worthington
Authors: Foster Benjamin R.
Published: July 2022

Ea’s Duplicity in the Gilgamesh Flood Story. By Martin Worthington. The Ancient Word. London:

Routledge, 2020. Pp. xxxii + 489. $140.
Law and Politics under the Abbasids: An Intellectual Portrait of al-Juwayni. By Sohaira Z. M. Siddiqui
Authors: Griffel Frank
Published: July 2022

Law and Politics under the Abbasids: An Intellectual Portrait of al-Juwayni. By Sohaira Z. M. Siddiqui. Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2019. Pp. xiii + 312. $99.99 (cloth), $32.99 (paper), $26 (ebook).
Uṣūl al-Dīn (The Fundamentals of the Faith). By Tibghūrīn b. !īsā al-Malshūṭī. Edited by 'Amr Khalifa Ennami and translated into English by Trevor Le Gassick
Authors: Gaiser Adam
Published: July 2022

Uṣūl al-Dīn (The Fundamentals of the Faith). By Tibghūrīn b. !īsā al-Malshūṭī. Edited by 'Amr Khalifa Ennami and translated into English by Trevor Le Gassick. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2020. Pp. (Eng.) 115, (Ar.) 102. $82.80, €68.
Tractate Temurah and the Methodology of Talmud Text Criticism
Authors: Milgram Jonathan S.
Published: July 2022

The Babylonian Talmud has reached us in multiple versions in medieval manu- scripts, early printed editions, and in citations in the works of medieval and early modern scholars. The field of Talmud criticism has developed criteria for working with these materials and the scholar E. S. Rosenthal famously theorized about the implications of textual variants for the history of the Talmud’s redaction. Tractate Temurah of the Babylonian Talmud received special attention due to the frequency and, at times, unique usage of the term, lishana ’aḥarina, meaning “alternative textual reading,” found in it. In Temurah the term lishana ’aḥarina does not only signal a difference in formulation, as in other tractates of the Talmud, but some- times also seems to introduce a separately redacted text of the tractate that was integrated into a widespread and known base text.
Multiple Tortuous Arteries in Thoracic and Abdominal Walls: A Cadaveric Case Report
Authors: Yatagiri SandhyaVikas , Nuchhi Ashwini Balasaheb , Harwalkar Veena Srinivas , Bulagouda Ravi Siddanagouda
Published: July 2022

The thoracic aorta extends from lower border of 4th thoracic vertebra upto the aortic hiatus of thoracic-abdominal diaphragm at the lower border of 12th thoracic vertebra. Then after it continues as abdominal aorta upto lower border of 4th lumbar vertebra where it terminates as common iliac arteries.Commonly the facial, superficial temporal, splenic artery have tortuous course which are routinely taught to the undergraduate students. During routine dissection we noticed variations in the thoracic and abdominal aorta in a female cadaver.The thoracic and the abdominal aorta were found to have a tortuous course instead of a straight course. The bilateral renal arteries were also tortuous. Further the bilateral common iliac and internal and external iliac arteries were also tortuous in their course. Such a case of multiple arteries being tortuous indicates a possibility of arterial tortuosity syndrome which is autosomal recessively inherited. Familial screening is also needed in such cases. Marked tortuosity of the arteries may be an incidental finding and if so, should raise a suspicion for the underlying clinical condition and search for its cause. These many curves in the course of aorta is hazardous for any patient during vascular procedures. Probabilities of blockage or rupture of the arteries increase with the number of twists in the arteries.
Asymmetric Relationship between Changes in Food Prices and Household Consumption in Nigeria
Authors: Chidinma Mbah Catherine , Callistus Okeke Tabansi , Obi Chinasa Ifeoma
Published: July 2022

The influence of price changes on consumption is believed to be enormous. This is because consumption expenditure constitutes a significant part of a consumer’s expenditure. For the household, the most important expenditure is on food items. This makes food price changes an important factor in predicting the direction of household consumption in Nigeria. While ffod price changes can be positive or negative, the effect of each on household consumption in Nigeria has not been empirically examined. This study, therefore examined the asymmetric effect of negative and positive changes in food prices on household consumption in Nigeria. The study utilized time series data for Nigeria over 1981 to 2020. The Non-linear Auto Regressive Distributed Lags Model (NARDL) was used to evaluate the asymmetric effects. The study found that food price changes whether positive or negative have no significant effect on household consumption in Nigeria. However, household income was found to have significant short-run and long-run positive effect on household consumption in Nigeria. The study recommends deliberate efforts by households and the government targeted at increasing the income of household so as to meet up with consumption demands.
Different Areas of Carica papaya Linn Display Antifungal and Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Vighne Ram , Mude Gaurav , Dangore Chaitali , Kapse Mona , Behere Sudarshan
Published: July 2022

The plants of Carica papaya are utilised for nutritional and therapeutic purposes. The phytochemical examination of the leaf extract of Carica papaya reveals all phytochemical elements, including saponin, flavonoid, glycoside, alkaloid, carbohydrates, tannins, and steroids. A systematic phytochemical analysis was used to check all extracts for the presence of phytochemical components. Free radical scavenging; wound healing; neuroprotection; diuretic; abortifacient; antifertility; anti-sickling; neuroprotective; diuretic; abortifacient; Antimicrobial properties of papaya seed extracts have been shown to be effective against B. cereus, S. faecalis, S. aureus, and a variety of bacterial pathogens. Anti-inflammatory properties of an ethanolic extract of Carica papaya L. leaf were investigated in rats with paw oedema. In order to create the extract, many solvents were used such as alcohol, methanol, and ethanol as well as aqueous extracts such as acetone and chloroform. The research indicates that the latex of papaya fruits exhibits substantial efficacy against Candida albicans. The well diffusion approach inhibits S. aureus more effectively than E. coli when using methanol extract. It has antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, wound-healing, and analgesic properties, among others. According to the findings of this investigation, when given in doses of 50, 75, and 100 mg/ml, Carica papaya leaf extract had more antifungal activity against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides than Fusarium spp., Rhizopus stolonifer, and antibacterial activity than aqueous papaya leaf extract.
Communicating Environment in Literature: Designed Class Session Guides Streamlining Literary Greenness
Authors: N. Romero Brenfred
Published: July 2022

This study determined the literariness of the film, The Lorax, presented in environment−related sequences with the aid of cinematic elements; the environmental laws and principles violated by the film’s characters based on the issues they caused; the environmental value positions based on the characters’ belief statements; and the research participants’ modes of actions, reflective of their environmental ethics; which were the  bases of the researcher in the designing of session guides, showing the greenness of literature and in consolidating inputs for curricular revision. This study gave its lenses on the concepts in teaching literature reflected and shown in selected sequences in the film; pointed out environmental laws and UNCHE principles violated by “The Lorax” characters based on the environmental issues presented in the students’ concepts; identified environmental value positions based on the belief statements of the characters as recalled by the researcher and the research participants; elicited modes of citizen actions as suggested by the research participants, wherefrom the Environmental Ethics for Filipinos of the latter were determined; designed session guides in English Seven (7) showing greenness of literature through “The Lorax”; and devised inputs for curricular revision. The research participants indicated modes of citizen actions which revolve around ecomanagement, consumer action, persuasion, and political; wherefrom their ethical standards were based. These results enabled the researcher to design session guides showing greenness of literature.
Drug Utilization Evaluation in COVID- 19 Hospitalized Patients: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Ramanath K. V. , Venugopal Sharvari , Shadakshari A. , Pradhan Nimesh Kumar , Abinavi B. , Kaur Harsharan , Jacob Leeba
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Corona disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an airborne viral infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mutant. Transmission can occur if splashed or sprayed with contaminated fluids in the eyes, nose, or mouth, and, rarely, via contaminated surfaces. Symptoms are slightly variable with the mutants, and the general is fever, cough, headache, fatigue, breathing difficulties, and loss of smell and taste. The co-morbid diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic respiratory disease & the elderly are more likely to develop severe illnesses. The standard diagnostic method and treatment pattern varies from hospital to hospital, provokes to carry out this project. 

Objectives: To assess the drug treatment pattern, antibiotic usage patterns, and cost, determine the antiviral usage pattern and its price. Estimate anti–interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody (Tocilizumab) usage and cost.

Methodology: A retrospective observational study was conducted in Sagar Hospitals, Kumaraswamy Layout, Bangalore, for six months after obtaining ethical clearance using a well-designed questionnaire.

Results and Discussion: 155 Cases were collected from the medical records department. The most widely used antibiotic was Ceftriaxone, 60.6%, a cell wall synthesis inhibitor, followed by Azithromycin, 59.4%, a protein synthesis inhibitor. The most widely used antiviral was Oseltamivir in 51.6%, Remdesivir in 41.3% of patients, and Favipiravir in 12.3%. Other co-morbid drugs are corticosteroids, immunomodulators, mucolytics, antihistamines, blood thinners, and anti-helminthes. The mean cost of the antibiotics and antiviral are 224 ± 295.73; 1623.28 ± 2047.45.

Conclusion: This study showed that in the management of COVID 19, ICMR Guidelines were adopted. The cost of the drugs also played a significant role in selecting treatment regimens, especially antibiotics, antiviral, and immunomodulators. Hence the cost consideration studies may help in Rational drug usage promotion and cost-minimization in disease management.
Intestinal Microflora Vs Protozoan Parasites: From Interaction to Competition
Authors: Siagian Forman Erwin
Published: July 2022

Aims: To reveal the interaction between intestinal microflora and the protozoan parasite organisms and how it affect their host’s performance.

Discussion: The vertebrate gastro-intestinal system contain wide array of diverse but dynamic bacterial microbiota population that has ubiquitous consequences on its host’s well-being including physiology, nutrition, metabolism, and immunity, locally and systematically. Naturally, these bacteria share their milleu with a more or less similar population of parasitic eukaryotes (e.g., protozoan, helminths, and fungi). Both eukaryotes parasites in combination with the prokaryotic microorganisms as inhabitant normal microflora can dynamically shift the bio-physics and immune milleu of the intestine (locally) or even can affect its host as a whole (systematically), creating abundant chances for them to interact to each other; where ideally, both side is in equilibrium state. Beside their function, intestinal normal (commensal) microflora mainly contribute in several activities that control parasite survival and determines the outcome of several, if not many, parasite-base disease. Normal microflora actively limiting the pathogenicity of many parasites. The steadiness among the number and composition of normal microflora and its host seems vital to the host’s well-being perpetuation. But unfortunately, this interaction can further shifted into competition that can leads to the dominance of one party in number and probably also strength. Those spectrum of interactions may critically modify infection outcomes (active or dormant/carrier) and in turn affect the overall host condition. Active protozoan invasion may modify interaction between hosts and their normal resident microflora, either supporting or preventing against the condition of dysbiosis and inflammatory disease. Conversely, the microbiota controls parasite's settlement, multiplication, and even virulency; the properties that can modulate the interaction along the parasitism-mutualism sphere.

Conclusion: Intestinal microflora composition control the pathogenesis of the protozoan infections.
ANKLE2‐related microcephaly: A variable microcephaly syndrome resembling Zika infection
Authors: Thomas Ajay X. , Link Nichole , Robak Laurie A. , Demmler‐Harrison Gail , Pao Emily C. , Squire Audrey E. , Michels Savannah , Cohen Julie S. , Comi Anne , Prontera Paolo , Verrotti di Pianella Alberto , Di Cara Giuseppe , Garavelli Livia , Caraffi Stefano Giuseppe , Fusco Carlo , Zuntini Roberta , Parks Kendall C. , Sherr Elliott H. , Hashem Mais O. , Maddirevula Sateesh , Alkuraya Fowzan S. , Contractar Isphana A. F. , Neil Jennifer E. , Walsh Christopher A. , Bellen Hugo J. , Chao Hsiao‐Tuan , Clark Robin D. , Mirzaa Ghayda M.
Published: July 2022

Objective

This study delineates the clinical and molecular spectrum of ANKLE2‐related microcephaly (MIC), as well as highlights shared pathological mechanisms between ANKLE2 and the Zika virus.

Methods

We identified 12 individuals with MIC and variants in ANKLE2 with a broad range of features. Probands underwent thorough phenotypic evaluations, developmental assessments, and anthropometric measurements. Brain imaging studies were systematically reviewed for developmental abnormalities. We functionally interrogated a subset of identified ANKLE2 variants in Drosophila melanogaster.

Results

All individuals had MIC (z‐score ≤ −3), including nine with congenital MIC. We identified a broad range of brain abnormalities including simplified cortical gyral pattern, full or partial callosal agenesis, increased extra‐axial spaces, hypomyelination, cerebellar vermis hypoplasia, and enlarged cisterna magna. All probands had developmental delays in at least one domain, with speech and language delays being the most common. Six probands had skin findings characteristic of ANKLE2 including hyper‐ and hypopigmented macules. Only one individual had scalp rugae. Functional characterization in Drosophila recapitulated the human MIC phenotype. Of the four variants tested, p.Val229Gly, p.Arg236*, and p.Arg536Cys acted as partial‐loss‐of‐function variants, whereas the c.1421‐1G>C splicing variant demonstrated a strong loss‐of‐function effect.

Interpretation

Deleterious variants in the ANKLE2 gene cause a unique MIC syndrome characterized by congenital or postnatal MIC, a broad range of structural brain abnormalities, and skin pigmentary changes. Thorough functional characterization has identified shared pathogenic mechanisms between ANKLE2‐related MIC and congenital Zika virus infection. This study further highlights the importance of a thorough diagnostic evaluation including molecular diagnostic testing in individuals with MIC.
Insights into Micromorphological Effects of Cation Disordering on Co‐Free Layered Oxide Cathodes
Authors: Yu Lei , Zhao Hongan , Sun Jingwen , Han Qiaofeng , Zhu Junwu , Lu Jun
Published: July 2022

Controlling Li/Ni disordering has always been a priority in designing Co‐free layered oxide cathodes. The Li/Ni disordering is an atomic‐scale structural defect that has been extensively studied by macroscopic statistical characterizations. Significantly less is known about its microstructure in the layered structure and correlations with electrochemical performance. In this work, combining multiscale structural characterizations, it is found that Li/Ni disordering surprisingly takes various microstructural forms in Co‐free layered cathodes. Li/Ni disordering at insufficient calcination temperature tends to manifest as localized rock salt nanodomain in the layered structure. However, an excessively high calcination temperature causes Li/Ni disordering as a massive rock salt phase inside the particles. Only at an appropriate calcination temperature, the Li/Ni disordering is present in the layered structure as the form of well‐known anti‐site defects. These microstructural differences lead to widely varying electrochemical performance, and an in‐depth structure‐performance connection is built. Besides, the above results also reflect that more careful and precise control of experimental conditions is required to synthesize Co‐free layered cathodes. These findings may inspire the design of novel Co‐free cathodes and light the way forward.
3D Printing of Polymer Hydrogels—From Basic Techniques to Programmable Actuation
Authors: Puza Fatih , Lienkamp Karen
Published: July 2022

This review discusses the currently available 3D printing approaches, design concepts, and materials that are used to obtain programmable hydrogel actuators. These polymer materials can undergo complex, predetermined types of motion and thereby imitate adaptive natural actuators with anisotropic, hierarchical substructures. 3D printing techniques allow replicating these complex shapes with immense design flexibility. While 3D printing of thermoplastic polymers has become a mainstream technique in rapid prototyping, additive manufacturing of softer polymers including polymer hydrogels is still challenging. To avoid deliquescence of printed hydrogel structures, the polymer inks used for hydrogel manufacture need to be sheer‐thinning and thixotropic, with fast recovery rates of the high viscosity state. This is achieved by adding polymer or particle‐based viscosity modifiers. Further stabilization of the interfaces of the printed voxels, e.g., by UV cross‐linking, is often also required to obtain materials with useful mechanical properties. Here state‐of‐the‐art techniques used to 3D print stimulus responsive, programmable polymer hydrogels, and hydrogel actuators, as well as ink formulation and post‐printing strategies used to obtain materials with structural integrity are reviewed.
X‐Ray Markers for Thin Film Implants
Authors: Woodington Ben J. , Coles Lawrence , Rochford Amy E. , Freeman Paul , Sawiak Stephen , O'Neill Stephen J. K. , Scherman Oren A. , Barone Damiano G. , Proctor Christopher M. , Malliaras George G.
Published: July 2022

Implantable electronic medical devices are used in functional mapping of the brain before surgery and to deliver neuromodulation for the treatment of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Their electrode arrays are assembled by hand, and this leads to bulky form factors with limited flexibility and low electrode counts. Thin film implants, made using microfabrication techniques, are emerging as an attractive alternative, as they offer dramatically improved conformability and enable high density recording and stimulation. A major limitation of these devices, however, is that they are invisible to fluoroscopy, the most common method used to monitor the insertion of implantable electrodes. Here, the development of mechanically flexible X‐ray markers using bismuth‐ and barium‐infused elastomers is reported. Their X‐ray attenuation properties in human cadavers are explored and it is shown that they are biocompatible in cell cultures. It is further shown that they do not distort magnetic resonance imaging images and their integration with thin film implants is demonstrated. This work removes a key barrier for the adoption of thin film implants in brain mapping and in neuromodulation.
Weak Molecular Interactions in Organic Composite Dry Film Lead to Degradable, Robust Wireless Electrophysiological Signal Sensing
Authors: Park Taehyun , Jeong Jinwoo , Kim Young‐Joon , Yoo Hocheon
Published: July 2022

Long‐term and highly sensitive electrophysiological signal detection is the primary issue for wearable health monitoring. The critical issues of pre‐gelled wet electrodes as conventional approaches are limited conductivity and low adhesivity owing to the dependence of moisture concentration. Along this line, this paper presents a biocompatible, mechanically robust, water degradable, and intrinsically conductive organic composite dry film electrode based on poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), hydroxyethyl cellulose, and dopamine. The effects on PEDOT:PSS structure transition are studied systematically according to the combination of each component with various analytical methods including morphological, chemical, electrical, and mechanical characterization. The proposed film exhibits high conductivity (292 S m–1) and robust mechano‐electrical stability (only 8% of resistance change under 110 of fully flat‐bended cycles) owing to the weak but synergetic interactions between the components. Furthermore, low noise, clear signal, and long‐term stability for a wireless electrocardiogram and electromyogram signal sensing is achieved using the proposed dry electrode.
Propulsion of Magnetic Beads Asymmetrically Covered with DNA Origami Appendages
Authors: Pauer Christoph , Venczel Aron , Dass Mihir , Liedl Tim , Tavacoli Joe
Published: July 2022

Eukaryotic cells that swim by the beating of nanoscale elastic filaments (flagella) present a promising locomotion paradigm for man‐made analogues essential for next‐generation in‐vivo treatments and for the study of collective phenomena at the low Reynolds number limit. However, artificial analogues have been limited to many microns in size due to the engineering challenges of fabricating actable flexible filaments at the nanoscale—thereby narrowing the application scope. Here, made‐to‐order nanoscale filaments designed on the molecular level are fabricated using the DNA‐origami technique. It is found that magnetic beads anisotropically covered with such bundles move in a ballistic fashion when wagged back and forth under an external magnetic field. Furthermore, by comparing bead dynamics at a range of bundle coverages and driving frequencies, compelling evidence is amassed to suggest that this ballistic motion is imparted by the beating of the DNA origami filaments as synthetic flagella. This proof‐of‐concept work opens up avenues for further made‐for‐purpose appendages designed using DNA self‐assembly and with it ever more complex locomotion on the nano and microscale.
Advanced Bio‐Inspired Mechanical Sensing Technology: Learning from Nature but Going beyond Nature
Authors: Xin Qingqing , Zhang Junqiu , Han Zhiwu , Zhao Houqi , Hou Tao , Liu Yahua , Niu Shichao , Han Qigang , Mu Zhengzhi , Li Bo , Wang Ze , Ren Luquan
Published: July 2022

The high‐performance optimized design of industrial sensor has been a challenging point of breakthrough in high‐end equipment manufacturing technology since its invention. Highly sensitive detectors have emerged during a long evolutionary period and have shown to be essential tools for ensuring species survival and reproduction. As a result, bio‐sensors have served as a great source of inspiration for high‐sensitivity and high‐performance sensor. Mechanism of bio‐sensors in mechanical detection of three common arthropods, as well as the most recent research results in bio‐mimetic devices, have been discussed in this study. The structure of bio‐detectors and bio‐sensors has been creatively split into environmental information capture device and transduction unit from the standpoint of biological sensing mechanisms and engineering technology. And development of bio‐sensors will rely on design and exploitation of mechanical structures and functional materials with various couplings. Exploration of bionic mechanical sensors is in its early stages and further research is required. High‐performance research on biological detectors and multi‐level bionic design on industrial sensors have been enhanced by revealing mechanism of environmental information capture in environment capture device from basic science and synthesizing new multi‐functional materials of transduction unit with a combination of biological materials and production technology.
Nanoplatform‐Based Reactive Oxygen Species Scavengers for Therapy of Ischemia‐Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Ai Yongjian , He Meng‐Qi , Wan Chengxian , Luo Hua , Xin Hongbo , Wang Yitao , Liang Qionglin
Published: July 2022

Ischemia‐reperfusion is a characteristic disorder of many diseases, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral vascular diseases. Ischemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI) is one of the most frequent causes of debilitating diseases and death. Relieving organ damage caused by IRI is valuable in safeguarding human life and health. In recent years, nanoplatform‐based reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers have attracted widespread attention for alleviation of IRI. To highlight these achievements and to provide a quick perspective for researchers to understand the current research status, recent progress in nanoplatform‐based ROS scavengers for IRI therapy is summarized in this review. This review first summarizes information on the main sites and mechanisms of IRI. Thereafter, this review briefly summarizes and discusses the principles of design, fabrication, and administration of nanoplatform‐based ROS scavengers. Furthermore, the application of nanoplatform‐based ROS scavengers in the treatment of IRI in a variety of organs is also reviewed. Finally, limitations and possible breakthrough in developing ROS scavengers in the field of IRI are discussed. It is hoped that this review will be helpful and enlightening to researcher in medicine, pharmacy, biology, chemistry, and materials science.
Causal Paths Allowing Simultaneous Control of Multiple Nanoparticle Properties Using Multi‐Target Bayesian Inference
Authors: Ting Jonathan Y. C. , Li Sichao , Barnard Amanda S.
Published: July 2022

Machine learning can extract complex structure/property relationships but is often insufficient to explain how to control or tune the properties of materials, particularly when they are multi‐functional. This study demonstrates the value of combining multi‐target regression and multi‐target causal graphs to address the need to simultaneously control multiple properties of nanomaterials, and the need to translate these relationships into actionable insights. Using nanodiamonds as an exemplar, recursive feature elimination is first used to identify nine structural features that allow simultaneous prediction of their electron charge transfer properties and thermochemical stability to high accuracy by an interpretable random forest regressor. A multi‐target Bayesian network with domain knowledge incorporated via interactive learning using a hill‐climbing algorithm then determines how these important structural features of nanodiamonds relate to their functional properties, proposing causal paths that can be used to inform experimental design.
Printing Liquid Metal Elastomer Composites for High‐Performance Stretchable Thermoelectric Generators
Authors: Han Youngshang , Simonsen Leif‐Erik , Malakooti Mohammad H.
Published: July 2022

Continuous powering of wearable electronics and personalized biomonitoring systems remains a great challenge. One promising solution is the use of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) that convert body heat to electricity. These energy harvesters must conform to curved surfaces and minimize thermal barriers to maintain efficiency while still exhibiting durability under large deformations. Here, highly efficient, stretchable thermoelectric generators made of inorganic semiconductors and printed multifunctional soft matter are introduced. Liquid metal elastomer composites with tailored microstructures are printed as highly conductive thermal interface materials and stretchable interconnects. Additionally, elastomer composites with hollow microspheres are formulated to print a deformable and lightweight thermal insulator within the device. These stretchable thermoelectric wearables show an excellent performance by generating an open‐circuit voltage of 392 mV and a power density of ≈650 µW cm−2 at ∆T = 60 °C and withstanding more than 15 000 stretching cycles at 30% strain. Furthermore, the additive manufacturing process is leveraged by direct writing of the TEGs on textiles to demonstrate their seamless integration and by 3D printing of stretchable heatsinks to maintain a large temperature gradient across the device and to study the effect of convective heat transfer on device performance.
Cation‐Vacancy Ordered Superstructure Enhanced Cycling Stability in Tungsten Bronze Anode
Authors: Xiong Xuhui , Yang Liting , Liang Guisheng , Liu Zhengwang , Yang Ziqi , Zhang Ruixuan , Wang Chao , Che Renchao
Published: July 2022

Niobium‐based tungsten bronze oxides have recently emerged as attractive fast‐charging anodes for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), owing to their structural openings and adjustability. However, electrodes with tungsten bronze structures usually suffer from structural variability induced by Li+ intercalation/de‐intercalation, leading to unsatisfactory cycling performance. To circumvent this limitation, a novel tetragonal tungsten bronze (TTB) structure, Ba3.4Nb10O28.4 (BNO), is developed as an anode material for LIBs with prominent cycling performance. An unprecedented cation‐vacancy ordered superstructure with a periodic distribution of active and inactive sites is revealed inside the BNO. Through multiple characterizations and theoretical studies, it is demonstrated that this superstructure can improve the lithium‐ion diffusion and disperse the structural strain induced by Li+‐intercalation to enable stable Li+‐storage. Benefiting from the superstructure‐induced local structural stability, both the BNO bulk and Ba3.4Nb10O28.4@C (BNO@C) microspheres can deliver >90% capacity retention after 250 cycles at 2 C and close to 90% capacity retention after 2000 cycles at 10 C. These results are of significant importance for establishing the structure–property relationship between the cation‐vacancy ordered superstructure and Li+‐storage performance, facilitating the rational design of stable tungsten bronze anodes.
A Review of Single‐Cell Pose Adjustment and Puncture
Authors: Guo Xiangyu , Zhang Youchao , Jin Daoyuan , Zhou Mingchuan
Published: July 2022

Single‐cell manipulation technology is an essential method of cell research, with wide applications in biological engineering, medical engineering, agricultural engineering, and other precise manipulation fields. Cell pose adjustment and cell puncture are considered as two basic operations of single‐cell manipulation. Cell pose adjustment can be used for cell sorting, cell trapping, cell orientation, cell transportation, etc. It consists of direct contact manipulation methods and noncontact manipulation methods (e.g., mechanical contact method, electric field, optical field, magnetic field, acoustic field, and hydrodynamic methods). Cell puncture consists of ordinary glass needle puncture methods, piezoelectric‐assisted puncture methods, and rotational oscillatory drill puncture methods. It aims to achieve directional and quantified injection or sampling with minimal damage. Herein, the recent research progress on single‐cell pose adjustment and puncture methods is systematically summarized and discussed, which involves the basic mechanism, characteristics, limitations, and applications. Some potential directions for future research are proposed in accordance with the above analysis. It is hoped that this review can provide a reference for academic research and industrial applications of single‐cell manipulation technology.
Magnet‐Driven Microwalker in Surface Motion Based on Frictional Anisotropy
Authors: Jia Yuanjun , Liao Pan , Wang Yong , Sun Dong
Published: July 2022

Untethered magnet‐driven microrobots play an increasingly important role in various biomedical applications. Incorporating bionic technology into microrobot design is an emerging way to improve the work efficiency of microrobots. Herein, a magnetically powered and frictional anisotropy‐based microwalker that can be potentially used in in vivo nonliquid‐filled environment is proposed. The microwalker is constructed by two rigid segments with an equal length of 70 μm, connected by a rigid joint. Parallel gecko setae‐like tentacles are placed at the bottom of the segments as contact feet to generate friction with the contact surface. The microwalker is integrally fabricated from biocompatible materials with 3D laser lithography based on two‐photon polymerization. The microwalker can be well controlled to move in low‐Reynolds (Re)‐number regimes under an external oscillating magnetic field. In addition to moving in a liquid environment as existing microswimmers, the microwalker can move in surface in a nonliquid‐filled environment. It can also climb the slope driven by the planar magnetic field only. Several experiments were conducted to demonstrate good motion capability of the microwalker. This study provides a new solution to microrobot design for future biomedical applications.
Hypomethylating agents for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia: Past discoveries and future directions
Authors: Short Nicholas J. , Kantarjian Hagop
Published: July 2022

Azacitidine and decitabine are hypomethylating agents that have dose‐dependent epigenetic and cytotoxic effects and are widely used in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this review, we discuss the path to regulatory approval of azacitidine and decitabine, highlighting the substantial efforts that have been made to optimize the dosing schedule and administration of these drugs, including the development of new, oral formulations of both agents. We also review novel combination strategies that are being investigated in ongoing clinical trials for patients with MDS and AML, as well as efforts to expand the current indications of these agents.
SARS‐CoV‐2 humoral responses following booster BNT162b2 vaccination in patients with B‐cell malignancies
Authors: Terpos Evangelos , Fotiou Despina , Karalis Vangelis , Ntanasis‐Stathopoulos Ioannis , Sklirou Aimilia D. , Gavriatopoulou Maria , Malandrakis Panagiotis , Iconomidou Vassiliki A. , Kastritis Efstathios , Trougakos Ioannis P. , Dimopoulos Meletios A.
Published: July 2022

Patients with B‐cell malignancies have suboptimal immune responses to SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination and are a high‐risk population for severe COVID19 disease. We evaluated the effect of a third booster BNT162b2 vaccine on the kinetics of anti‐ SARS‐CoV‐2 neutralizing antibody (NAbs) titers in patients with B‐cell malignancies. Patients with NHL (n = 54) Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (n = 90) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (n = 49) enrolled in the ongoing NCT04743388 study and compared against matched healthy controls. All patient groups had significantly lower NAbs compared to controls at all time points. 1 month post the third dose (M1P3D) NAbs increased significantly compared to previous time points (median NAbs 77.9%, p < .05 for all comparisons) in all patients. NAbs ≥ 50% were seen in 59.1% of patients, 34.5% of patients with suboptimal responses post‐second dose, elicited a protective NAb titer ≥50%. Active treatment, rituximab, and BTKi treatment were the most important prognostic factors for a poor NAb response at 1MP3D; only 25.8% of patients on active treatment had NAbs ≥ 50%. No significant between‐group differences were observed. Patients with B‐cell malignancies have inferior humoral responses against SARS‐CoV‐2 and booster dose enhances the NAb response in a proportion of these patients.
Circulating TP73‐AS1 and CRNDE serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yuan Rong‐Xia , Dai Chun‐Hua , Chen Ping , Lv Meng‐Jia , Shu Yang , Wang Zhi‐Peng , Xu Ya‐Ping , Li Jian
Published: July 2022

Background

Circulating long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are considered a new class of biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of various malignancies. We aimed to identify circulating lncRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

The expression of 14 candidate lncRNAs was measured in matched cancer and ipsilateral normal lung tissues of 20 patients with NSCLC using quantitative reverse‐transcription PCR. In plasma samples from training and testing sets, significantly and aberrantly expressed lncRNAs, TA73‐AS1 and CRNDE, were further analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed, and the areas under the ROC curves (AUC) were obtained to assess diagnostic performance. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to assess the impact of plasma TA73‐AS1 and CRNDE expression on tumor‐free survival (TFS) of patients with NSCLC. The effect of TP73‐AS1 expression on NSCLC cells was investigated in vitro.

Results

AUC values of plasma TA73‐AS1 and CRNDE were 0.822 and 0.815 in the training set and 0.843 and 0.804 in the testing set, respectively, to distinguish NSCLC from healthy controls. The combination of plasma TP73‐AS1, CRNDE, and two classical tumor markers, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21‐1), showed excellent diagnostic performance for NSCLC (AUC =0.927 in the training set; AUC = 0.925 in the testing set). Furthermore, the high expression of the two plasma lncRNAs correlated with worse TFS in patients with NSCLC. In vitro cell model studies revealed that TP73‐AS1 overexpression facilitated NSCLC cell survival, invasion, and migration.

Conclusion

Circulating TP73‐AS1 and CRNDE could be potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognostic prediction of NSCLC.
Circulating cytokines allow for identification of malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas
Authors: Pu Ning , Chen Qiangda , Zhang Jicheng , Yin Hanlin , Wang Dansong , Ji Yuan , Rao Shengxiang , Kuang Tiantao , Xu Xuefeng , Wu Wenchuan , Lou Wenhui
Published: July 2022

Background

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are the precursor lesions of pancreatic cancers, requiring active surgical intervention during cancer development. However, the current criteria for predicting malignant IPMNs remain challenging and limited. Hence, this study aimed to assess the discriminatory performance of circulating cytokines, including TNF‐α, IL‐2R, IL‐6, and IL‐8, then build a novel predictive model to improve the diagnostic accuracy.

Method

A total of 131 retrospective (from March 2016 to December 2019) and 53 prospective (from March 2020 to January 2021) patients who were histologically confirmed as IPMNs were consecutively collected and analyzed.

Result

The circulating levels of TNF‐α, IL‐2R, IL‐6, and IL‐8 were significantly elevated in malignant IPMNs, and were verified as independent factors for malignant IPMNs (p < 0.05). Then, a novel score, the circulating cytokine score (CCS), was calculated and demonstrated as an independent predictive indicator with a higher area under the curve (AUC) than each cytokine alone (p < 0.001). Besides the CCS, two high‐risk stigmata features, the presence of solid component (PSC), and main pancreatic duct (MPD) dilation ≥10 mm were also demonstrated as independent indicators for predicting malignant IPMNs. Finally, a novel nomogram incorporating the CCS and these two high‐risk stigmata features presented a remarkable diagnostic performance, both in the training and validation cohorts with AUCs of 0.928 and 0.873, respectively.

Conclusion

The CCS can be considered a novel independent predictive indicator for malignant IPMNs. Additionally, the formulated nomogram model integrating the CCS, PSC, and MPD ≥10 mm can be a valuable and promising tool for predicting the malignant transformation of IPMNs during long‐term follow‐ups to assist in timely and accurate surgical decisions.