bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ceramic Biocomposites as Biodegradable Antibiotic Carriers in the Treatment of Bone Infections
Authors: Ferguson Jamie , Diefenbeck Michael , McNally Martin
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Local release of antibiotic has advantages in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis and infected fractures. The adequacy of surgical debridement is still key to successful clearance of infection but local antibiotic carriers seem to afford greater success rates by targeting the residual organisms present after debridement and delivering much higher local antibiotic concentrations compared with systemic antibiotics alone. Biodegradable ceramic carriers can be used to fill osseous defects, which reduces the dead space and provides the potential for subsequent repair of the osseous defect as they dissolve away. A dissolving ceramic antibiotic carrier also raises the possibility of single stage surgery with definitive closure and avoids the need for subsequent surgery for spacer removal.In this article we provide an overview of the properties of various biodegradable ceramics, including calcium sulphate, the calcium orthophosphate ceramics, calcium phosphate cement and polyphasic carriers. We summarise the antibiotic elution properties as investigated in previous animal studies as well as the clinical outcomes from clinical research investigating their use in the surgical management of chronic osteomyelitis.Calcium sulphate pellets have been shown to be effective in treating local infection, although newer polyphasic carriers may support greater osseous repair and reduce the risk of further fracture or the need for secondary reconstructive surgery. The use of ceramic biocomposites to deliver antibiotics together with BMPs, bisphosphonates, growth factors or living cells is under investigation and merits further study.We propose a treatment protocol, based on the Cierny-Mader classification, to help guide the appropriate selection of a suitable ceramic antibiotic carrier in the surgical treatment of chronic osteomyelitis.
Efficacy of Antibiotic Suppressive Therapy in Patients with a Prosthetic Joint Infection
Authors: Wouthuyzen-Bakker Marjan , Nijman Jasperina M. , Kampinga Greetje A. , Assen Sander van , Jutte Paul C.
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Introduction: For chronic prosthetic joint infections (PJI), complete removal of the infected prosthesis is necessary in order to cure the infection. Unfortunately, a subgroup of patients is not able to undergo a revision surgery due to high surgical risk. Alternatively, these patients can be treated with antibiotic suppressive therapy (AST) to suppress the infection. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of AST. Methods: We retrospectively collected data (period 2009-2015) from patients with a PJI (of hip, knee or shoulder) who were treated with AST at the University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. AST was defined as antibiotic treatment for PJI that was started after the usual 3 months of antibiotic treatment. The time of follow-up was defined from the time point AST was started. Treatment was considered as failed, when the patient still experienced joint pain, when surgical intervention (debridement, removal, arthrodesis or amputation) was needed to control the infection and/or when death occurred due to the infection. Results: We included 21 patients with a median age of 67 years (range 21 - 88) and with a median follow-up of 21 months (range 3 - 81). Coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) (n=6), S. aureus (n=6) and polymicrobial flora (n=4) were the most frequently found causative pathogens. Most patients with CNS and S. aureus were treated with minocycline (67%) and clindamycin (83%) as AST, respectively. Overall, treatment was successful in 67% of patients. Failure was due to persistent joint pain (n=1), surgical intervention because of an uncontrolled infection (n=3), and death due the infection (n=3). We observed a treatment success of 90% in patients with a 'standard' prosthesis (n=11), compared to only 50% in patients with a tumor-prosthesis (n=10). Also, treatment was successful in 83% of patients with a CNS as causative microorganism for the infection, compared to 50% in patients with a S. aureus. Patients who failed on AST had a higher ESR in comparison to patients with a successful treatment (mean 73 ± 25SD versus 32 ± 19SD mm/hour (p = 0.007), respectively. 43% of patients experienced side effects and led to a switch of antibiotic treatment or a dose adjustment in almost all of these patients. Conclusions: Removal of the implant remains first choice in patients with chronic PJI. However, AST is a reasonable alternative treatment option in a subgroup of patients with a PJI who are no candidate for revision surgery, in particular in patients with a 'standard' prosthesis and/or CNS as the causative micro-organism.
Hyaluronic Acid and Its Composites as a Local Antimicrobial/Antiadhesive Barrier
Authors: Romanò C.L. , Vecchi E. De , Bortolin M. , Morelli I. , Drago L.
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Living in biofilms is probably the most common condition for bacteria and fungi and biofilm-related infections account for the majority of bacterial infectious diseases worldwide.Among others biofilm-related infections, those associated with implanted biomaterials have an enormous and still largely underestimated impact in orthopaedics and trauma, cardio-surgery and several other surgical disciplines.Given the limited efficacy of existing antibiotics in the prevention and treatment of bacterial biofilms, new strategies are needed to protect implants and host tissues, overcoming the striking ability of the microorganisms to adhere on different surfaces and to immediately protect themselves by forming the biofilm matrix.Adhesion is a necessary first step in microbial colonization and pathogenesis and provides a potential target for new preventive and treatment approach.Among various polymers, tested as antibacterial coatings, hyaluronic acid and some of its composites do offer a well-established long-term safety profile and a proven ability to reduce bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation.Aim of the present review is to summarize the available evidence concerning the antiadhesion/antibiofilm activity of hyaluronic acid and some of its derivatives to reduce/prevent bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation in various experimental and clinical settings.
Portrait d’un patrimoine livresque d’intérêt national : la bibliothèque du Séminaire de Québec
Authors: Lafond Pierrette
Published: November 2016

La bibliothèque de livres rares et anciens du Séminaire de Québec, instituée en 1678, offre un patrimoine livresque d’une grande richesse. Constituée pour l’éducation des séminaristes, puis celle des écoliers fréquentant le cours classique, elle devient bibliothèque universitaire avec la fondation de l’Université Laval en 1852. Si les ouvrages et leurs différentes éditions encore présents sur ses rayonnages témoignent de l’état et de l’évolution des connaissances transmises académiquement et des efforts déployés par l’institution pour demeurer au diapason des savoirs européens, la typologie des traces inscrites dans la matérialité du livre est révélatrice des provenances et des réseaux de sociabilités, ainsi que du parcours du livre avec ses réceptions, ses inclusions et ses ruptures.
« De la dualité primitive de l’homme (autopsie de l’hétérogène) » : méta-réflexivité, transfictionnalité et modalisation autonymique dans Le Cas Jekyll de Christine Montalbetti
Authors: Girard Stéphane
Published: November 2016

Les romans de l’écrivaine française Christine Montalbetti font un usage étonnamment explicite de la modalisation autonymique, alors que l’énonciateur y revient constamment sur sa propre parole en pleine élaboration, témoignant ainsi d’une méta-réflexivité typique du roman de l’extrême contemporain. Cet article se consacre à l’analyse de l’ouvrage intitulé Le Cas Jekyll, texte dramatique de 2010 se voulant une version transfictionnelle du célèbre récit de Robert Louis Stevenson dans lequel l’énonciation montalbetienne fait de l’hétérogénéité constitutive du langage et du sujet l’objet même de la représentation. Ouvrage en apparence périphérique dans le corpus de Montalbetti, Le Cas Jekyll détiendrait peut-être néanmoins la clé de la poétique romanesque de cette dernière…
Pico and nanoplankton abundance and carbon stocks along the Brazilian Bight
Authors: Gérikas Ribeiro Catherine , Lopes dos Santos Adriana , Marie Dominique , Helena Pellizari Vivian , Pereira Brandini Frederico , Vaulot Daniel
Published: November 2016

Pico and nanoplankton communities from the Southwest Atlantic Ocean along the Brazilian Bight are poorly described. The hydrography in this region is dominated by a complex system of layered water masses, which includes the warm and oligotrophic Tropical Water (TW), the cold and nutrient rich South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) and the Coastal Water (CW), which have highly variable properties. In order to assess how pico- and nanoplankton communities are distributed in these different water masses, we determined by flow cytometry the abundance of heterotrophic bacteria,Prochlorococcus,Synechococcusand autotrophic pico and nanoeukaryotes along three transects, extending from 23°S to 31°S and 39°W to 49°W. Heterotrophic bacteria (including archaea, maximum of 1.5 × 106cells mL−1) were most abundant in Coastal and Tropical Water whereasProchlorococcuswas most abundant in open-ocean oligotrophic waters (maximum of 300 × 103cells mL−1).Synechococcus(up to 81 × 103cells mL−1), as well as autotrophic pico and nanoeukaryotes seemed to benefit from the influx of nutrient-rich waters near the continental slope. Autotrophic pico and nanoeukaryotes were also abundant in deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) layers from offshore waters, and their highest abundances were 20 × 103cells mL−1and 5 × 103cells mL−1, respectively. These data are consistent with previous observations in other marine areas whereSynechococcusand autotrophic eukaryotes dominate mesotrophic waters, whereasProchlorococcusdominate in more oligotrophic areas. Regardless of the microbial community structure near the surface, the carbon stock dominance by autotrophic picoeukaryotes near the DCM is possibly linked to vertical mixing of oligotrophic surface waters with the nutrient-rich SACW and their tolerance to lower light levels.
Reanalysis of the anthrax epidemic in Rhodesia, 1978–1984
Authors: Wilson James M. , Brediger Walter , Albright Thomas P. , Smith-Gagen Julie
Published: November 2016

In the mid-1980s, the largest epidemic of anthrax of the last 200 years was documented in a little known series of studies by Davies inThe Central African Journal of Medicine. This epidemic involved thousands of cattle and 10,738 human cases with 200 fatalities in Rhodesia during the Counterinsurgency. Grossly unusual epidemiological features were noted that, to this day, have not been definitively explained. This study performed a historical reanalysis of the data to reveal an estimated geographic involvement of 245,750 km2, with 171,990 cattle and 17,199 human cases. Here we present the first documented geotemporal visualization of the human anthrax epidemic.
Soymilk residue (okara) as a natural immobilization carrier forLactobacillus plantarumcells enhances soymilk fermentation, glucosidic isoflavone bioconversion, and cell survival under simulated gastric and intestinal conditions
Authors: Xiudong Xia , Ying Wang , Xiaoli Liu , Ying Li , Jianzhong Zhou
Published: November 2016

Cell immobilization is an alternative to microencapsulation for the maintenance of cells in a liquid medium. However, artificial immobilization carriers are expensive and pose a high safety risk. Okara, a food-grade byproduct from soymilk production, is rich in prebiotics. Lactobacilli could provide health enhancing effects to the host. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of okara as a natural immobilizer forL. plantarum70810 cells. The study also aimed to evaluate the effects of okara-immobilizedL. plantarum70810 cells (IL) on soymilk fermentation, glucosidic isoflavone bioconversion, and cell resistance to simulated gastric and intestinal stresses. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to show cells adherence to the surface of okara. Lactic acid, acetic acid and isoflavone analyses in unfermented and fermented soymilk were performed by HPLC with UV detection. Viability and growth kinetics of immobilized and freeL. plantarum70810 cells (FL) were followed during soymilk fermentation. Moreover, changes in pH, titrable acidity and viscosity were measured by conventional methods. For in vitro testing of simulated gastrointestinal resistance, fermented soymilk was inoculated with FL or IL and an aliquot incubated into acidic MRS broth which was conveniently prepared to simulate gastric, pancreatic juices and bile salts. Survival to simulated gastric and intestinal stresses was evaluated by plate count of colony forming units on MRS agar. SEM revealed that the lactobacilli cells attached and bound to the surface of okara. Compared with FL, IL exhibited a significantly higher specific growth rate, shorter lag phase of growth, higher productions of lactic and acetic acids, a faster decrease in pH and increase in titrable acidity, and a higher soymilk viscosity. Similarly, IL in soymilk showed higher productions of daizein and genistein compared with the control. Compared with FL, IL showed reinforced resistance to simulatedgastric and intestinal stresses in vitro that included low pH, low pH plus pepsin, pancreatin, and bile salt. Our results indicate that okara is a new potential immobilization carrier to enhance the growth and glucosidic isoflavone bioconversion activities ofL. plantarumin soymilk and improve cell survivability following simulated gastric and intestinal conditions.
Trapping Tetravalent Tin and Protecting Stannous in Tin‐Lead Mixed Perovskites for Efficient All‐Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells
Authors: Zeng Guojun , Chen Weiqing , Guan Hongling , Meng Weiwei , Cui Hongsen , Zhou Shun , Huang Lishuai , Pu Dexin , Fang Hongyi , Liu Haiyang , Hou Shaocong , Yu Ting , Fang Guojia , Ke Weijun
Published: September 2024

Tin‐lead (Sn‐Pb) mixed perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which serve as bottom subcells in all‐perovskite tandem solar cells, are pivotal for developing highly efficient solar cells. However, the vulnerability of stannous (Sn2+) to spontaneous oxidation to harmful tetravalent tin (Sn4+) presents significant challenges. Here, a “mouse glue trap” strategy is proposed to mitigate this issue by introducing a multifunctional additive, oxamidic acid potassium salt (OAPS). This approach effectively traps undesired Sn4+ impurities through strong interactions between the oxaminic acid groups of OAPS and Sn4+ impurities. Additionally, OAPS, with its unique functional groups, can inhibit Sn2+ oxidation, passivate defects, alleviate stress, and improve crystalline quality in Sn‐Pb mixed perovskite films. As a result, the enhanced Sn‐Pb mixed narrow‐bandgap PSCs incorporating OAPS achieve a power conversion efficiency of 22.04% and exhibit improved storage stability, with 91% retention after 3072 h of storage in an N2‐filled glovebox. Moreover, all‐perovskite tandem cells using OAPS‐incorporated Sn‐Pb narrow‐bandgap PSCs as subcells demonstrate efficiencies of 27.17% and 28.31% for two‐terminal and four‐terminal tandems, respectively, presenting a straightforward approach to optimizing performance in Sn‐Pb mixed PSCs and their tandems.
Flavin–Iodine‐Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Tandem C(sp3)−H Imination and Amination: Synthesis of Fluorescent Imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridines from Pyridylmethanes and Aminomethanes
Authors: Fukuda Tatsuki , Miyake Hazuki , Abe Sota , Yagishita Fumitoshi , Iida Hiroki
Published: September 2024

Aerobic oxidative tandem C(sp3)−H imination and amination between pyridylmethane and aminomethane derivatives was demonstrated using a flavin–iodine‐coupled catalyst. This method provides a simple and atom‐economical synthesis of various 1,3‐substituted imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridines with fluorescent properties. The flavin–iodine catalyst efficiently promoted multiple reactions, including the oxygenation of pyridylmethane and subsequent oxidative C−N bond formation, utilizing only molecular oxygen, which is a sustainable ideal oxidant. The resulting 1‐ester‐substituted imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine derivatives exhibited dual‐state emission in both solution and solid states. In particular, imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine with a bulky 2,6‐dichlorophenyl substituent showed an apparent blue emission with good photoluminescence (PL) quantum yields (0.49 in CH2Cl2 solution and 0.39 in the solid state), making it promising candidate for use in optoelectronic devices.
Organic wheat: Lessons learned and challenges remaining
Authors: Carr Patrick M.
Published: September 2024

Wheat has been an important part of the human diet for millennia. The increase in demand for wheat grown organically in the United States and globally reflects the growing interest in organic food and food products. A symposium on organic wheat production was held during the annual meeting of the American Society of Agronomy in Baltimore, MD, during 2021. Presenters discussed the state‐of‐the‐science on organic wheat research. Papers were solicited following the symposium for inclusion in this special section. As a result, five papers are included in this special section: four focus on organic wheat research in North America while one discusses results of a European study.
Practical Access to Trisubstituted Morita‐Baylis‐Hillman‐Type Products Through Copper‐Catalyzed Reductive Aldol Reactions of Alkynones
Authors: Scheeff Stephan , Chiu Pauline
Published: September 2024

We report a convenient and diastereoselective copper‐catalyzed reductive alkynone aldol addition to aldehydes, with pinacolborane as stoichiometric reductant, that results in the generation of densely functionalized, trisubstituted (Z)‐enone products analogous to Morita‐Baylis‐Hillman adducts. We demonstrate that the reaction proceeds via an allenolborate, which we have characterized by NMR spectroscopy. A range of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes can be reductively coupled with various non‐terminal alkynones.
Robo‐compliance in Australian employment services
Authors: Casey Simone
Published: September 2024

Since the late 1990s, Australia's employment services have enforced mutual obligation compliance as part of a transition to a disciplinary regime of conditional welfare. In recent years, the digitisation of employment services has extended the disciplinary approach to self‐activation. Notably, self‐activation extends mutual obligation requirements so that online reporting is a condition of benefit eligibility, or a digital obligation, enforced by threats to financial security in the form of automated payment suspensions. Guided by recent developments in the conceptualisation of digital welfare to work programs, case study analysis is used to explore the ways the technologies of self‐activation have changed the location of power in mutual obligation compliance decisions. This shift represents a move from street‐level decision making to Robo‐compliance. The article discusses the significance of this shift in the digital administration of disciplinary social policy in employment services. It highlights the need for further empirical research to explore this shift and how it affects individuals whose social security payments depend on interactions with these technologies.
Dynamic Asymmetric Diamination of Allylic Alcohols through Borrowing Hydrogen Catalysis: Diastereo‐Divergent Synthesis of Tetrahydrobenzodiazepines
Authors: Liu Yufeng , Ji Peng , Zou Gongfeng , Liu Yongbing , Yang Bin‐Miao , Zhao Yu
Published: September 2024

We present herein a catalytic enantioconvergent diamination of racemic allylic alcohols with the construction of two C−N bonds and 1,3‐nonadjacent stereocenters. This iridium/chiral phosphoric acid cooperative catalytic system operates through an atom‐economical borrowing hydrogen amination/aza‐Michael cascade, and converts readily available phenylenediamines and racemic allylic alcohols to 1,5‐tetrahydrobenzodiazepines in high enantioselectivity. An intriguing solvent‐dependent switch of diastereoselectivity was also observed. Mechanistic studies suggested a dynamic kinetic resolution process involving racemization through a reversible Michael addition, making the last step of asymmetric imine reduction the enantiodetermining step of this cascade process.
Visualizing Triplet Energy Transfer in Organic Near‐Infrared Phosphorescent Host‐Guest Materials
Authors: Deng Zihao , Kong Fan‐Cheng , Deng Ziqi , Zhou Jiaming , Yang Shengyi , He Shan , Zhang Jianyu , Zuo Yunfei , Wang Jin , Chen Xinmeng , Kwok Ryan T. K. , Jia Guocheng , Chow Philip C. Y. , Phillips David Lee , Alam Parvej , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Zhong Tang Ben
Published: September 2024

Limited by the energy gap law, purely organic materials with efficient near‐infrared room temperature phosphorescence are rare and difficult to achieve. Additionally, the exciton transition process among different emitting species in host–guest phosphorescent materials remains elusive, presenting a significant academic challenge. Herein, using a modular nonbonding orbital‐π bridge‐nonbonding orbital (n‐π‐n) molecular design strategy, we develop a series of heavy atom‐free phosphors. Systematic modification of the π‐conjugated cores enables the construction of a library with tunable near‐infrared phosphorescence from 655 to 710 nm. These phosphors exhibit excellent performance under ambient conditions when dispersed into a 4‐bromobenzophenone host matrix, achieving an extended lifetime of 11.25 ms and a maximum phosphorescence efficiency of 4.2 %. Notably, by eliminating the interference from host phosphorescence, the exciton transition process in hybrid materials can be visualized under various excitation conditions. Spectroscopic analysis reveals that the improved phosphorescent performance of the guest originates from the triplet‐triplet energy transfer of abundant triplet excitons generated independently by the host, rather than from enhanced intersystem crossing efficiency between the guest singlet state and the host triplet state. The findings provide in‐depth insights into constructing novel near‐infrared phosphors and exploring emission mechanisms of host–guest materials.
Selective Cross‐Metathesis Versus Ring‐Closing Metathesis of Terpenes, Taking the Path Less Travelled
Authors: Iudanov Keren , Nechmad Noy B. , Poater Albert , Lemcoff N. Gabriel
Published: September 2024

A diiodo ruthenium olefin metathesis pre‐catalyst was employed to achieve remarkably selective cross‐metathesis reactions of prenylated 1,6‐dienes, effectively overcoming the entropically favored intramolecular ring‐closing metathesis. This reaction was investigated using Density Functional Theory (DFT) computations and fine‐tuned through the application of a Design of Experiments (DoE) approach. The potential of this innovative process was demonstrated through the unprecedented functionalization of various terpene natural products via cross‐metathesis, resulting in the synthesis of new derivatives in a single step.
Tuning Reaction Kinetics of Fluorinated Molecules to Construct Robust Solid Electrolyte Interphases on SiOx Anode
Authors: Chen Shiming , Deng Zhikang , Li Jiangxiao , Zhao Wenguang , Nan Bowen , Zuo Yue , Fang Jianjun , Huang Yuxiang , Yin Zu‐Wei , Pan Feng , Yang Luyi
Published: September 2024

Introducing fluorinated electrolyte additives to construct LiF‐rich solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) on Si‐based anodes is proven an effective strategy for coping with its massive volume changes during cycling. However, most current research on fluorine‐containing additives focuses on their thermodynamics of decomposition, lacking studies on the correlation between the molecular structure of additives and their decomposition kinetics. Herein, two fluorinated ester additives, diethyl fluoromalonate (F1DEM) and diethyl 2,2‐difluoromalonate (F2DEM) were designed and synthesized. Through combining a wealth of characterizations and simulations, it is revealed that despite the similar reduction thermodynamics, the favorable reduction kinetics of single‐fluorinated F1DEM facilitate a LiF‐rich layer during the early stage of SEI formation, contributing to the formation of a more robust SEI on SiOx anode compared to the difluorinated F2DEM. Consequently, the proposed additive achieves excellent cycling stability (84 % capacity retention after 1000 cycles) for 5 Ah 21700 cylindrical batteries under practical testing conditions. By unveiling the role of reaction kinetics, a long‐overlooked aspect for the study of electrolyte additives, this work sheds light on how to construct a stable SEI on Si‐based anodes.
Nucleophilic Fluoride Anion Delivery from Triazacyclononane‐Supported Molecular Ca–F Complexes
Authors: Apolinar Omar , Struijs Job J. C. , Sarkar Debotra , Gouverneur Véronique , Aldridge Simon
Published: September 2024

The major source of fluoride, namely calcium difluoride (CaF2), is derived from the mineral fluorspar. Recent advances in the activation of CaF2 via mechanochemical methods have inspired investigation of the fundamental properties of Ca–F bonds in molecular complexes. However, the paucity of well‐defined molecular Ca–F‐containing complexes undermines systematic understanding of the factors governing nucleophilic fluoride delivery. Here we report the use of a multidentate bis(phenoxide) ligand based on a 1,4,7‐triazacyclononane (TACN) scaffold for the formation of well‐defined Ca–F complexes and demonstrate their capabilities in fluoride delivery. Key to this synthesis is a desymmetrization step carried out on the TACN ligand within the Ca coordination sphere. A series of stable anionic dinuclear calcium fluoride complexes has then been accessed and characterized by NMR spectroscopy (critically by 19F NMR) and X‐ray crystallography. Nucleophilic fluoride delivery can be used to generate C−F, Si–F and S−F bonds, with a notable advance over amide‐derived ligand scaffolds being the reduced extent of side reactions derived from competing attack on the electrophile by the less nucleophilic O‐donor anionic ligand set.
Single‐Component High‐Resolution Dual‐Tone EUV Photoresists Based on Precision Self‐Immolative Polymers
Authors: Cen Jie , Liu Wen , Xu Jie , Wang Xiuxia , Zhang Jialin , Zhang Jin , Deng Zhengyu , Zhou Chenggang , Hu Jinming , Liu Shiyong
Published: September 2024

Electron beam (EB) and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography are advanced techniques capable of achieving sub‐10 nm resolutions, critical for fabricating next‐generation nanostructures and semiconductor devices. However, developing EUV photoresists that meet all demands for resolution, line edge roughness (LER), and sensitivity (RLS) remains a significant challenge. Herein, we introduce high‐performance photoresists based on single‐component self‐immolative polymers (SIPs) with inherent signal amplification via cascade degradation. These SIPs function as dual‐tone photoresists under both EB and EUV lithography, with performance primarily determined by the exposure dose. Lithographic evaluations show that discrete SIPs provide significant improvements over disperse counterparts, achieving higher resolution and reduced LER. Specifically, a discrete SIP with a DP of 12 produces a line‐space pattern with a resolution of approximately 18 nm and an LER of 1.8 nm, compared to 21 nm resolution and 2.5 nm LER for disperse SIPs. Additionally, these SIP‐based photoresists, enriched with aromatic structures, exhibit excellent etch resistance. The single‐component nature and potential to address the RLS trade‐off underscore the promise of discrete SIPs for EUV lithography.
Quantum Spin Exchange Interactions Trigger O p Band Broadening for Enhanced Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Battery Performance
Authors: Wang Shiyu , Yao Shuyun , Zhang Feike , Ji Kang , Ji Yingjie , Li Jingxian , Fu Weijie , Liu Yuanming , Yang Jinghua , Liu Ruilong , Xie Jiangzhou , Yang Zhiyu , Yan Yi‐Ming
Published: September 2024

The pressing demand for large‐scale energy storage solutions has propelled the development of advanced battery technologies, among which zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) are prominent due to their resource abundance, high capacity, and safety in aqueous environments. However, the use of manganese oxide cathodes in ZIBs is challenged by their poor electrical conductivity and structural stability, stemming from the intrinsic properties of MnO2 and the destabilizing effects of ion intercalation. To overcome these limitations, our research delves into atomic‐level engineering, emphasizing quantum spin exchange interactions (QSEI). These essential for modifying electronic characteristics, can significantly influence material efficiency and functionality. We demonstrate through density functional theory (DFT) calculations that enhanced QSEI in manganese oxides broadens the O p band, narrows the band gap, and optimizes both proton adsorption and electron transport. Empirical evidence is provided through the synthesis of Ru−MnO2 nanosheets, which display a marked increase in energy storage capacity, achieving 314.4 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 and maintaining high capacity after 2000 cycles. Our findings underscore the potential of QSEI to enhance the performance of TMO cathodes in ZIBs, pointing to new avenues for advancing battery technology
Recent Advances of Organic Cocrystals in Emerging Cutting‐Edge Properties and Applications
Authors: Wang Xin , Wang Zongrui , Wang Xiang , Kang Fangyuan , Gu Qianfeng , Zhang Qichun
Published: September 2024

Organic cocrystals, representing one type of new functional materials, have gathered significant interest in various engineering areas. Owing to their diverse stacking modes, rich intermolecular interactions and abundant functional components, the physicochemical properties of organic cocrystals can be tailored to meet different requirements and exhibit novel characteristics. The past few years have witnessed the rapid development of organic cocrystals in both fundamental characteristics and various applications. Beyond the typical properties like ambipolarity, emission tuning ability, ferroelectricity, etc. that are previously well demonstrated, many novel, impressive and cutting‐edge properties and applications of cocrystals are also emerged and advanced recently. Especially during the nearest five years, photothermal conversion, room‐temperature phosphorescence, thermally activated delay fluorescence, circularly polarized luminescence, organic solid‐state lasers, near‐infrared sensing, photocatalysis, batteries, and stimuli responses have been reported. In this review, these new properties are carefully summarized. Besides, some neoteric architecture and methodologies, such as host–guest structures and machine learning‐based screening, are introduced. Finally, the potential future developments and expectations for organic cocrystals are discussed for further investigations on multiple functions and applications.
Antimony Component Schottky Nanoheterojunctions as Ultrasound‐Heightened Pyroptosis Initiators for Sonocatalytic Immunotherapy
Authors: Nie Jihu , Yang Nailin , Sun Shumin , Wang Li , Pei Zifan , Wu Jie , Yu Qiao , Han Zhihui , Chen Youdong , Cheng Liang
Published: September 2024

Pyroptosis, an inflammatory modality of programmed cell death associated with the immune response, can be initiated by bioactive ions and reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, bioactive ion‐induced pyroptosis lacks specificity, and further exploration of other ions that can induce pyroptosis in cancer cells is needed. Sonocatalytic therapy (SCT) holds promise due to its exceptional penetration depth; however, the rapid recombination of electron‐hole (e−‐h+) pairs and the complex tumor microenvironment (TME) impede its broader application. Herein, we discovered that antimony (Sb)‐based nanomaterials induced pyroptosis in cancer cells. Therefore, Schottky heterojunctions containing Sb component (Sb2Se3@Pt) were effectively designed and constructed via in situ growth of platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs) on Sb2Se3 semiconductor with narrow band gaps, which were utilized as US‐heightened pyroptosis initiators to induce highly effective pyroptosis in cancer cells to boost SCT‐immunotherapy. Under US irradiation, excited electrons were transferred from Sb2Se3 nanorods (NRs) to the co‐catalyst Pt via Schottky junctions, and band bending effectively prevented electron backflow and achieved efficient ROS generation. Moreover, the pores oxidized and depleted the overexpressed GSH in the TME, potentially amplifying ROS generation. The biological effects of the Sb2Se3@Pt nanoheterojunction itself combined with the sonocatalytic amplification of oxidative stress significantly induced Caspase‐1/GSDMD‐dependent pyroptosis in cancer cells. Therefore, SCT treatment with Sb2Se3@Pt not only effectively restrained tumor proliferation but also induced potent immune memory responses and suppressed tumor recurrence. Furthermore, the integration of this innovative strategy with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) treatment elicited a systemic immune response, effectively augmenting therapeutic effects and impeding the growth of abscopal tumors. Overall, this study provides further opportunities to explore pyroptosis‐mediated SCT‐immunotherapy.
Structure‐Guided Discovery of a Potent Inhibitor of the Ferric Citrate Binding Protein FecB in Vibrio Bacteria
Authors: Jiang Jinyan , Okuda Suguru , Itoh Hideaki , Okamoto Ken , Nakanishi Hiromi , Suzuki Michio , Lu Peng , Nagata Koji
Published: September 2024

Infections caused by Gram‐negative bacteria present a significant risk to human health worldwide. Novel strategies are needed to deal with the challenge caused by drug‐resistant bacteria. Here, we report a new approach to combat infections by targeting iron‐binding proteins to suppress bacterial growth. We investigated the function of the conserved periplasmic binding protein FecB from Vibrio alginolyticus. FecB was known to play a crucial role in the bacterial growth and to relate with biofilm formation. We then solved the crystal structures and elucidated the binding mechanism of FecB with ferric ion chelated by citrate. The results indicated that FecB binds weakly to one citrate molecule and strongly to the Fe3+‐(citrate)2 complex. Based on these results, a structure‐based virtual screening approach was conducted against FecB to identify small molecules that block ferric citrate uptake. Further evaluations in vivo and in vitro demonstrated that salvianolic acid C significantly suppressed bacterial growth, indicating that targeting bacterial nutrient absorption is a promising strategy for identifying potential antibacterial drugs.
Harnessing the Unconventional Cubic Phase in 2D LaNiO3 Perovskite for Highly Efficient Urea Oxidation
Authors: Wu Zhiao , Fan Miao , Jiang Huiyu , Dai Jiao , Liu Kaisi , Hu Rong , Qin Shutong , Xu Weilin , Yao Yonggang , Wan Jun
Published: September 2024

Phase engineering is a critical strategy in electrocatalysis, as it allows for the modulation of electronic, geometric, and chemical properties to directly influence the catalytic performance. Despite its potential, phase engineering remains particularly challenging in thermodynamically stable perovskites, especially in a 2D structure constraint. Herein, we report phase engineering in 2D LaNiO3 perovskite using the strongly non‐equilibrium microwave shock method. This approach enables the synthesis of conventional hexagonal and unconventional trigonal and cubic phases in LaNiO3 by inducing selective phase transitions at designed temperatures, followed by rapid quenching to allow precise phase control while preserving the 2D porous structure. These phase transitions induce structural distortions in the [LaO]+ layers and the hybridization between Ni 3d and O 2p states, modifying local charge distribution and enhancing electron transport during the six‐electron urea oxidation process (UOR). The cubic LaNiO3 offers optimal electron transport and active site accessibility due to its high structural symmetry and open interlayer spacing, resulting in a low onset potential of 1.27 V and a Tafel slope of 33.1 mV dec−1 for UOR, outperforming most current catalysts. Our strategy features high designability in phase engineering, enabling various electrocatalysts to harness the power of unconventional phases.
Schiff Base of 3‐Aminopropylalkoxysilanes and 3‐Aminopropylsilatranes: Importance of Investigations and the Potential Applications
Authors: Vchislo Nadezhda V. , Adamovich Sergey N. , Fedoseeva Victoria G. , Oborina Elizaveta N. , Rozentsveig Igor B. , Verpoort Francis
Published: September 2024

The escalating fascination with Schiff bases stems from their versatile applications in medicine, pharmacology, biology, fine organic synthesis, and industrial processes. This minireview seeks to provide an in‐depth exploration of the synthesis of Schiff bases, specifically focusing on their derivation from 3‐aminopropylalkoxysilanes or 3‐aminopropylsilatranes. Additionally, the review delves into the utilization of Schiff bases in crafting metal complexes, unraveling their practical significance in various domains. Spanning from 1995 to 2024, this review is aimed at encapsulating the evolution of knowledge and advancements in the chemistry of Schiff bases during this period.
Tailoring thin film composite membranes for enhanced removal of heavy metals from water
Authors: Sahar Tooba , Tamime Rahma , Usman Muhammad , AlMohamadi Hamad , Nawaz R. , Anjum Tanzila , Khan Asim Laeeq
Published: September 2024

In response to the pressing need for effective removal of heavy metals from water sources, this study focuses on the optimization of Thin Film Composite nanofiltration membranes, known for their porous polymer support and selective ultrathin layers. The objective was to enhance the rejection of heavy metal ions, a critical issue in water treatment. The parameters of the interfacial polymerization (IP) process, including monomer concentration, reaction time, curing temperature, and curing duration, were tailored to determine the most effective membrane configuration. Polyimide (P84) was employed as the support material, with the IP involving trimesoyl chloride (TMC) and piperazine (PIP). Comprehensive characterization through Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and water contact angle measurements provided information on the functional groups, surface and cross‐sectional morphologies, and hydrophilic properties of the membranes. The optimized fabrication conditions, involving 0.2 w/v% TMC and 2.0 w/v% PIP monomer concentrations, a 2‐minute IP reaction time, and a 40°C curing temperature for 10 minutes, led to the membranes achieving arsenic and chromium rejections of 89.7% and 99%, respectively. This was accomplished while maintaining a high pure water permeability of approximately 16.9 Lm−2h−1bar−1. These promising results highlight the potential of these optimized nanofiltration membranes for industrial applications, addressing a critical environmental challenge.
Chitosan‐based spray‐dried solid dispersions of apigenin in a 3D printable drug delivery system
Authors: Alali Amer S. , Muqtader Ahmed Mohammed , Fatima Farhat , Anwer Md. Khalid , Ibnauf Mutasim , Aboudzadeh M. Ali
Published: September 2024

This study aims to develop chitosan‐based apigenin (AGN) spray‐dried solid dispersions (SDSDs) within a 3D pill. AGN SDSDs were prepared using 1:1 (AC1), 1:1.5 (AC2), and 1:2 (AC1) apigenin/chitosan weight ratios. The results of the process yield were found to be (87.5%, 94.2%, and 95.86%) and of drug assay were obtained as (95.2 ± 1.34%), (99.5 ± 0.85%) and (97.6 ± 2.42%) for AC1, AC2 and AC3, respectively. FTIR revealed compatibility between chitosan and apigenin. DSC and XRD revealed an amorphous state of developed solid dispersions. In contrast, SEM images reflected irregular‐block and near‐spherical‐shape elongated particles in the selected AC2. The antimicrobial examination reflected that AC2 was more effective against Gram‐positive, −negative, and fungal strains. AC2 SDSDs had more antioxidant property compared to pure AGN. The anti‐proliferative activity against A549 lung cancer cell lines showed a better anticancer activity by AC2 SDSDs. Selected AC2 SDSD was filled in a 3D shell pill and was further characterized in terms of stability. The product had a sustained release and similar release profiles after 3 months of storage. The findings suggest that AC2 SDSDs could be a promising candidate for further development as a 3D‐printed drug delivery system for treating multiple disease conditions.
Fantasy and anti‐capitalist resistance: Some implications for psychoanalytic liberation psychology
Authors: Malherbe Nick
Published: September 2024

Drawing from liberation psychology as well as progressive traditions within psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic liberation psychology represents a paradigmatic approach to practice, one that moves away from regressive disciplinary orthodoxies and toward the flows of desire and emotion that characterize emancipatory political spaces. For psychoanalytic liberation psychology, the manner by which fantasy is engaged within anti‐capitalist movements remains, somewhat curiously, under‐considered. In this article, I reflect on my work with a South African social movement to flesh out some of the progressive and regressive valances of fantasy in the context of social movement building. Specifically, I consider how psychoanalytic liberation psychology may and may not be of use to anti‐capitalist resistance movement actors whose political activity is undergirded by a bricolage of fantasies, breakdowns in fantasy, and holding reality accountable to liberatory fantasies. I conclude by speculating what fantasy might mean for future psychoanalytic liberation psychology work.
iNOS/PGE2 inhibitors as a novel template for analgesic/anti‐inflammatory activity: Design, synthesis, in vitro biological activity and docking studies
Authors: Erdogan Ayca , Ozhan Yagmur , Sipahi Hande , Gurdal Enise Ece , Sippl Wolfgang , Koksal Meric
Published: September 2024

Due to the serious gastrointestinal side effects associated with prolonged use of current anti‐inflammatory therapies, various strategies such as the regulation of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production have been explored in the field of anti‐inflammatory drug development. In this study, a series of disubstituted 1,3,4‐oxadiazoles (3a–f and 4a–f) and their cyclized 1,2,4‐triazole derivatives (5a–e and 6a–e) were synthesized and tested for their NO, PGE2, and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) releasing inhibition ability. All of the compounds were observed to reduce lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced nitrite production in a concentration‐dependent manner. Moreover, compounds 3b (50 μM) and 6d (1 μM) exhibited 63% and 49% inhibition, respectively, while indomethacin showed 52% at 100 μM. Based on a preliminary NO inhibition assay, 10 of the compounds (3a, 3b, 3e, 4b, 4d, 6a–e) were selected to be evaluated for in vitro PGE2, IL‐6, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibition. Notably, compound 6d proved to be the most active of the series with the lowest dose (1 µM), in comparison to the other further tested compounds (5–100 µM) and the reference drug indomethacin (100 µM). The inhibitory activity of the compounds was supported by docking simulations into the binding site of the iNOS protein receptor (Protein Data Bank [PDB]ID: 3E7G). The data showing that 4d reduced iNOS levels the most can be explained by the H‐bond with Tyr347 through oxadiazole and π–halogen interactions through the p‐bromo, in addition to aromatic interactions with protoporphyrin IX.
Y‐Shaped Acceptor‐π‐Donor‐π‐Acceptor Configured Anthraquinone‐Tethered Phenothiazine Molecular Scaffold for High‐Performance Organic Pseudocapacitors
Authors: Ambore Sumit D. , Bhosale Sidhanath V. , Bhosale Sheshanath V.
Published: September 2024

For the first time acceptor‐π‐donor‐π‐acceptor (A‐π‐D‐π‐A) based Y‐type organic electrode material have been designed and successfully utilized in supercapacitor (SC) application. This Y‐type molecular architecture coined as AQ‐Im‐PTZ‐Im‐AQ based on anthraquinone (AQ) (A)‐imidazole (Im) (π)‐phenothiazine (PTZ) (D)‐imidazole (Im) (π)‐anthraquinone (AQ) (A) in combination with graphite foil (GF). As‐fabricated PTZ‐Im‐AQ/GF and AQ‐Im‐PTZ‐Im‐AQ/GF electrode have shown the good energy storage properties in three‐electrode supercapacitor system. Moreover, two‐electrode symmetric supercapacitor (SSC) device based on AQ‐Im‐PTZ‐Im‐AQ/GF electrode exhibited specific capacitance (Csp) of 68.97 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 current density. The specific electron density (ED) of SSC was observed to be 12.06 Wh kg−1 at a specific power density (PD) of 1798.50 W kg−1. The SSC device exhibited 81.62 % of Csp retention after 5000 galvanostatic charge‐discharge (GCD) cycles. For real world applications, AQ‐Im‐PTZ‐Im‐AQ/GF electrode was tested in symmetric Csp coin cell with applied potential voltage window of −0.4 to 1.0 V was found to be 112.32 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1. Moreover, it realized high specific capacitance and high energy density of 19.66 Wh kg−1 at 891.94 W kg−1 power density. As a results, AQ‐Im‐PTZ‐Im‐AQ/GF make as an attractive electrode material for application in next‐generation SCs.
Synthesis of Saxitoxin Biosynthetic Intermediates: Reveal the Mechanism for Formation of its Tricyclic Skeleton in Biosynthesis
Authors: Hirozumi Ryosuke , Hakamada Mayu , Minowa Takashi , Cho Yuko , Kudo Yuta , Konoki Keiichi , Oshima Yasukatsu , Nagasawa Kazuo , Yotsu‐Yamashita Mari
Published: September 2024

The synthesis and biosynthesis of the complex saxitoxin (STX) structure have garnered significant interest. Previously, we hypothesized that the tricyclic skeleton of STX originates from the monocyclic precursor 11‐hydroxy‐IntC’2 during biosynthesis, although direct evidence has been lacking. In this study, we identified conditions to synthesize a proposed tricyclic biosynthetic intermediate, 12,12‐dideoxy‐decarbamoyloxySTX (dd‐doSTX), along with its 6‐epimer (6‐epi‐dd‐doSTX) and a bicyclic compound, in a single step from di‐Boc protected 11‐hydroxy‐IntC’2. The reaction mechanism involves successive aza‐Michael addition of a guanidino amine to the conjugated olefin. Notably, both dd‐doSTX and 6‐epi‐dd‐doSTX were detected in a toxin‐producing cyanobacterium, suggesting that the biosynthetic enzymes may generate these compounds via similar mechanisms.
Cold and Liquid Crystal Properties of Square‐Planar Copper(II) Versus Nickel(II)‐ Iminophenolate/Naphthalen‐2‐Olate Schiff Base Complexes
Authors: Haque Imdadul , Enamullah Mohammed , Resma Amina Khan , Jhumur Nisat Taslum , Woschko Dennis , Mohabbat Abdulrahman , van Leusen Jan , Kögerler Paul , Janiak Christoph
Published: September 2024

Reaction of the phenolate or naphthalen‐2‐olate based Schiff base ligands, (E)‐1‐((2‐ethylphenylimino)methyl)phenol (HL1) or (E)‐1‐((2‐ethylphenylimino)methyl)naphthalen‐2‐ol (HL2) with nickel(II) and copper(II) acetate provides the complexes bis[(E)‐1‐((2‐ethylphenylimino)methyl)phenolato‐ĸ2N,O]Ni/Cu(II), [Ni(L1)2] (1) and [Cu(L1)2] (2), or bis[(E)‐1‐((2‐ethylphenylimino)methyl)naphthalen‐2‐olato‐ĸ2N,O]Ni/Cu(II), [Ni(L2)2] (3) and [Cu(L2)2] (4), respectively. Single crystal X‐ray structure determinations for 1, 3 and 4 reveal N2,O2‐metal coordination of two chelating Schiff base ligands in a square‐planar geometry. Powder X‐ray diffractograms confirm the phase purity of the bulk microcrystalline samples. Thermal analyses by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized light microscopic (PLM) indicate the copper(II) complexes to exhibit cold crystal (2) and liquid crystal (4) property. Cyclic voltammograms suggest an irreversible electrochemical process with two one electron charge transfer processes in N,N‐dimethylformamide. Variable temperature magnetic measurements at the solid‐state prove the diamagnetic nature of the low‐spin Ni2+ centres in 1 or 3, as expected from the square‐planar coordination geometry with rather strong ligands. The complexes expose medium level of antioxidant activity in methanol. Optimized geometry and excited state property by DFT/TD‐DFT correspond well to the experimental results of the electronic and molecular structure at the ground state.