bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transplantation of Pre‐Differentiated 3D Neural Spheroids in Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Microgels Promotes Neuronal Network Reconstruction and Functional Recovery after Severe Spinal Cord Contusion
Authors: Zhang Kexin , Rao Zilong , Zuo Huiying , Chu Hanyu , Chen Jiaxin , Cui Rui , Zhu Shengwen , Guo Xiaodong , Hu Yong , Quan Daping , Bai Ying
Published: June 2024

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) causes massive death of neurons in the spinal cords and almost complete neurological dysfunctions. Transplantation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) is acknowledged as one of the viable SCI treatments for complementing lost neurons and neural network reconstruction. However, administration of NSPCs suffers from extremely low survival rate and uncontrolled differentiation of the transplanted cells, which impairs the therapeutic effects significantly. Herein, NSPCs are encapsulated in decellularized spinal cord matrix (DSCM) microgels using a customized microfluidic system, then the obtained NSPCs‐encapsulated DSCM microgels (NSPC@DSCM‐MGs) are subjected to neuronal differentiation induction. Consequently, the resulting pre‐mature 3D neural spheroids are injected into severely contused spinal cords in rats. The DSCM microgels effectively protected the transplanted cells from shear damage and the inflammatory microenvironment at the lesion site. The survival and accommodation of the pre‐differentiated NSPC@DSCM‐MGs actively contributed to axonal regeneration, inhibiting glial scar formation, as well as remodeling the microenvironment that facilitated endogenous cell recruitment and neuronal network reconstruction. Consequentially, administration of the neural spheroids led to maintenance of spinal cord integrity, and significantly improved hindlimb locomotor function. This biomaterial‐based transplantation strategy has shown unique assets in cell protection and cell‐fate manipulation, which holds great promise in versatile biomedical applications.
Internal Electric Field‐Induced High‐Efficiency Piezo‐Photocatalytic Performance in Bimetal‐Regulated Layered Perovskite SrBi2Nb2O9
Authors: Guo Rongshuo , Zhang Xinyi , Chen Yinxiang , Zhang Ye
Published: June 2024

The piezoelectric effect is employed to enhance the photocatalytic process by enabling the efficient utilization of photogenerated electrons and holes. In this study, a defect‐engineered Na–Sm bimetal‐regulated layered ferroelectric material, SrBi2Nb2O9, is synthesized using a molten salt process, and exhibits excellent piezo‐photocatalytic performance in the synergistic removal of uranium [U(VI)] and tetracycline (TC) from wastewater. The incorporation of the Sm dopant creates an intermediate band structure, while the Na doping introduces empty orbitals into the conduction band, thereby enhancing the electrical conductivity, improving the electron mobility, and supplying sufficient electrons to promote catalytic reactions. Moreover, the doping induces an additional internal electric field, which combines the embedded field along the b‐axis with the polarization along the a‐axis. This combined effect enhances the anisotropic migration of photogenerated electrons and holes, facilitating their spatial separation. The doped SrBi2Nb2O9 can simultaneously remove 98% of U(VI) and degrade 99% of TC. Furthermore, a synergistic enhancement effect is observed between the U(VI) reduction and TC oxidation reactions, with the rate constant of U(VI) being 1.2 times higher than that of the individual system. This work presents an innovative strategy for designing layered ferroelectric catalysts able to simultaneously remove pollutants and optimize piezo‐photocatalytic redox reactions.
Polymerized Salicylic Acid Microparticles Reduce the Progression and Formation of Human Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NET)s
Authors: Brannon Emma R. , Piegols Logan D. , Cady Gillian , Kupor Daniel , Chu Xueqi , Guevara M. Valentina , Lima Mariana R.N. , Kanthi Yogendra , Pinsky David J. , Uhrich Kathryn E. , Eniola‐Adefeso Omolola
Published: June 2024

Neutrophils can contribute to inflammatory disease propagation via innate mechanisms intended for inflammation resolution. For example, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are necessary for trapping pathogens but can contribute to clot formation and blood flow restriction, that is, ischemia. Currently, no therapeutics in the clinic directly target NETs despite the known involvement of NETs contributing to mortality and increased disease severity. Vascular‐deployed particle‐based therapeutics are a novel and robust alternative to traditional small‐molecule drugs by enhancing drug delivery to cells of interest. This work designs a high‐throughput assay to investigate the immunomodulatory behavior and functionality of salicylic acid‐based polymer‐based particle therapeutics against NETosis in human neutrophils. Briefly, this work finds that polymeric composition plays a role, and particle size can also influence rates of NETosis. Salicylate‐based polymeric (Poly‐SA) particles are found to functionally inhibit NETosis depending on the particle size and concentration exposed to neutrophils. This work demonstrates the high throughput method can help fast‐track particle‐based therapeutic optimization and design, more efficiently preparing this innovative therapeutics for the clinic.
Defect‐Free Nanowelding of Bilayer SnSe Nanoplates
Authors: Ji Jing‐Rong , Villanova John W. , Barraza‐Lopez Salvador , Parkin Stuart S. P. , Chang Kai
Published: June 2024

Nanowelding is a bottom‐up technique to create custom‐designed nanostructures and devices beyond the precision of lithographic methods. Here, a new technique is reported based on anisotropic lubricity at the van der Waals interface between monolayer and bilayer SnSe nanoplates and a graphene substrate to achieve precise control of the crystal orientation and the interface during the welding process. As‐grown SnSe monolayer and bilayer nanoplates are commensurate with graphene's armchair direction but lack commensuration along graphene's zigzag direction, resulting in a reduced friction along that direction and a rail‐like, 1D movement that permits joining nanoplates with high precision. This way, molecular beam epitaxially grown SnSe nanoplates of lateral sizes 30–100 nm are manipulated by the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope at room temperature. In situ annealing is applied afterward to weld contacting nanoplates without atomic defects at the interface. This technique can be generalized to any van der Waals interfaces with anisotropic lubricity and is highly promising for the construction of complex quantum devices, such as field effect transistors, quantum interference devices, lateral tunneling junctions, and solid‐state qubits.
Digital Light 3D Printing of Double Thermoplastics with Customizable Mechanical Properties and Versatile Reprocessability
Authors: Zhu Guangda , von Coelln Nadine , Hou Yi , Vazquez‐Martel Clara , Spiegel Christoph A. , Tegeder Petra , Blasco Eva
Published: June 2024

Digital light processing (DLP) is a 3D printing technology offering high resolution and speed. Printable materials are commonly based on multifunctional monomers, resulting in the formation of thermosets that usually cannot be reprocessed or recycled. Some efforts are made in DLP 3D printing of thermoplastic materials. However, these materials exhibit limited and poor mechanical properties. Here, a new strategy is presented for DLP 3D printing of thermoplastics based on a sequential construction of two linear polymers with contrasting (stiff and flexible) mechanical properties. The inks consist of two vinyl monomers, which lead to the stiff linear polymer, and α‐lipoic acid, which forms the flexible linear polymer via thermal ring‐opening polymerization in a second step. By varying the ratio of stiff and flexible linear polymers, the mechanical properties can be tuned with Young's modulus ranging from 1.1 GPa to 0.7 MPa, while the strain at break increased from 4% to 574%. Furthermore, these printed thermoplastics allow for a variety of reprocessability pathways including self‐healing, solvent casting, reprinting, and closed‐loop recycling of the flexible polymer, contributing to the development of a sustainable materials economy. Last, the potential of the new material in applications ranging from soft robotics to electronics is demonstrated.
Deciphering the Lithium‐Ion Conduction Mechanism of LiH in Solid‐Electrolyte Interphase
Authors: Sun Jinran , Yan Jitong , Li Fan , Li Jiedong , Ma Jun , Xu Gaojie , Han Pengxian , Hou Guangjin , Tang Yongfu , Dong Shanmu , Huang Jianyu , Cui Guanglei
Published: June 2024

Lithium hydride (LiH) has been widely recognized as the critical component of the solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) in Li batteries. Although the formation mechanism and structural model of LiH in SEI have been extensively reported, the role in electro‐performance of LiH in SEI is still ambiguous and has proven challenging to explored due to the complicated structure SEI and the lack of advanced in situ experimental technology. In this study, the isotopic exchange experiments combined with isotopic tracer experiments is applied to solidly illustrate the superior conductivity and Li+ conduction behavior of the LiH in natural SEI. Importantly, in situ transmission electron microscopy analysis is utilized to visualize the self‐electrochemical decomposition of LiH, which is significantly distinctive from LiF and Li2O. The critical experimental evidence discovered by the work demonstrates ion transport behaviors of key components in the SEI, which is imperative for designing novel SEI and augurs a new area in optimizing the performance of lithium batteries.
High‐Entropy Engineering Reinforced Surface Electronic States and Structural Defects of Hierarchical Metal Oxides@Graphene Fibers toward High‐Performance Wearable Supercapacitors
Authors: Hu Haowei , Yang Chao , Chen Fangyuan , Li Jiahui , Jia Xiaoli , Wang Yuting , Zhu Xiaolin , Man Zengming , Wu Guan , Chen Wenxing
Published: June 2024

Construction advanced fibers with high Faradic activity and conductivity are effective to realize high energy density with sufficient redox reactions for fiber‐based electrochemical supercapacitors (FESCs), yet it is generally at the sacrifice of kinetics and structural stability. Here, a high‐entropy doping strategy is proposed to develop high‐energy‐density FESCs based on high‐entropy doped metal oxide@graphene fiber composite (HE‐MO@GF). Due to the synergistic participation of multi‐metal elements via high‐entropy doping, the HE‐MO@GF features abundant oxygen vacancies from introducing various low‐valence metal ions, lattice distortions, and optimized electronic structure. Consequently, the HE‐MO@GF maintains sufficient active sites, a low diffusion barrier, fast adsorption kinetics, improved electronic conductivity, enhanced structural stability, and Faradaic reversibility. Thereinto, HE‐MO@GF presents ultra‐large areal capacitance (3673.74 mF cm−2) and excellent rate performance (1446.78 mF cm−2 at 30 mA cm−2) in 6 M KOH electrolyte. The HE‐MO@GF‐based solid‐state FESCs also deliver high energy density (132.85 µWh cm−2), good cycle performance (81.05% of capacity retention after 10,000 cycles), and robust tolerance to sweat erosion and multiple washing, which is woven into the textile to power various wearable devices (e.g., watch, badge and luminous glasses). This high‐entropy strategy provides significant guidance for designing innovative fiber materials and highlights the development of next‐generation wearable energy devices.
20.2% Efficiency Organic Photovoltaics Employing a π‐Extension Quinoxaline‐Based Acceptor with Ordered Arrangement
Authors: Chen Zhenyu , Ge Jinfeng , Song Wei , Tong Xinyu , Liu Hui , Yu Xueliang , Li Jing , Shi Jingyu , Xie Lin , Han Chengcheng , Liu Quan , Ge Ziyi
Published: June 2024

Organic solar cells, as a cutting‐edge sustainable renewable energy technology, possess a myriad of potential applications, while the bottleneck problem of less than 20% efficiency limits the further development. Simultaneously achieving an ordered molecular arrangement, appropriate crystalline domain size, and reduced nonradiative recombination poses a significant challenge and is pivotal for overcoming efficiency limitations. This study employs a dual strategy involving the development of a novel acceptor and ternary blending to address this challenge. A novel non‐fullerene acceptor, SMA, characterized by a highly ordered arrangement and high lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy level, is synthesized. By incorporating SMA as a guest acceptor in the PM6:BTP‐eC9 system, it is observed that SMA staggered the liquid‐solid transition of donor and acceptor, facilitating acceptor crystallization and ordering while maintaining a suitable domain size. Furthermore, SMA optimized the vertical morphology and reduced bimolecular recombination. As a result, the ternary device achieved a champion efficiency of 20.22%, accompanied by increased voltage, short‐circuit current density, and fill factor. Notably, a stabilized efficiency of 18.42% is attained for flexible devices. This study underscores the significant potential of a synergistic approach integrating acceptor material innovation and ternary blending techniques for optimizing bulk heterojunction morphology and photovoltaic performance.
A Microphysiological System with an Anaerobic Air‐Liquid Interface and Functional Mucus Layer for Coculture of Intestinal Bacteria and Primary Human Colonic Epithelium
Authors: Kim Raehyun , Allbritton Nancy L.
Published: June 2024

Coculture of intestinal bacteria with primary human intestinal epithelium provides a valuable tool for investigating host‐colon bacterial interactions and for testing and screening therapeutics. However, most current intestinal model systems lack key physiological features of the in vivo colon, such as both a proper oxygen microenvironment and a mucus layer. In this work, a new in vitro colonic microphysiological system is demonstrated with a cell‐derived, functional mucus that closely resembles the in vivo colonic mucosa and apical microenvironment by employing an anaerobic air‐liquid interface culture. The human primary colon epithelial cells in this new in vitro system exhibit high cell viability (>98%) with ≈100 µm thick functional mucus layer on average. Successful coculture of model anaerobic gut bacterial strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Anaerobutyricum hallii without loss in human cell viability demonstrates that this new model can be an invaluable tool for future studies of the impact of commensal and pathogenic bacteria on the colon.
Durable Metallization of Resin Surfaces via Sacrificial Nanotransfer Lithography
Authors: Llumiquinga Bryan , You Iris , Eidle Luke , Green‐Warren Robert A. , Saro‐Cortes Valeria , Edralin Joseph P. , Rodriguez Luis Rafael Miranda , Pelegri Assimina A. , Singer Jonathan P.
Published: June 2024

By combining sacrificial nanoimprint lithography (SNIL) and transfer printing, sacrificial nanotransfer (SNT) lithography can create metalized polymer surfaces that enable lightweight conductive surface composites. SNT begins with a metal mold made from a high surface finish metal possessing high resistance to intermetallic alloying. A thin metallic transfer layer is then electroplated onto the mold by selecting a material unlikely to alloy with the surface. The selected nanomaterial, zinc oxide (ZnO), is grown on the top layer of the plated metallic transfer layer via a seedless hydrothermal approach used to synthesize high‐quality ZnO nanowire arrays. A resin material or laminate is cured in contact with the ZnO nanostructures, such that the ZnO nanorods are embedded onto the top layer of the resin. The embedded nanomaterials provide a larger surface area than the weak transfer layer‐mold interface. As a result, when the final component is removed from the mold, the metallic multilayer is transferred with it. The final metalized polymeric surface resembles the same surface finish as the starting mold, with an exposed metal layer and a durable interface. In this study, the importance of nanomaterial morphology and the selection of metal layers are explored to obtain high‐quality final transfers.
Three‐Component Allylic Alkylation Reaction of α‐Diazo Ketones with Water and Allyl Carbonates for Construction of Homoallylic Alcohols
Authors: Yin Liping , Zhang Xinyi , Wang Baofan , He Mingjin , Li Yi , Wang Shaozhen , Jing Tongfei , Kang Zhenghui
Published: June 2024

A three‐component allylic alkylation reaction of α‐diazo ketones, water and allyl carbonate under the cooperative catalysis of Rh2(OAc)4, Pd2(dba)3 and Brønsted acid was disclosed. This method provides an expeditious access to α‐keto homoallylic alcohols in good to high yields. Controlled experiments support that the transformations proceed through cross‐interception of two active intermediates Pd‐allyl species and enol intermediates derived from oxonium ylides. Moreover, synthetic transformations of the generated products enable the creation of motifs enriched with dense functional groups, underscoring their potential as valuable building blocks.
Visible‐Light Induced Ag‐Palladacycle‐Complex‐Mediated Regioselective C−H Arylation
Authors: Bhawale Rajesh T. , Chillal Abhinay S. , Ghosh Soumen , Kshirsagar Umesh A.
Published: June 2024

A visible‐light‐induced, external photocatalyst‐free, site‐selective C−H arylation of 4H‐pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidin‐4‐ones and various 2‐aryl heteroarenes has been developed to provide ortho arylated products 41–95% yield at room temperature. A mechanistic study using control experiments, UV‐visible study, DFT study, and observation of colored aggregates suggest that in situ generated Ag‐palladacycle complex of 2‐aryl heteroarenes is responsible for absorbing the visible light and generating aryl radicals from aryldiazonium salts. Further, this methodology demonstrates its versatility by transforming various 2‐aryl heteroarenes, including 2‐phenylquinazolin‐4(3H)‐one, 3‐phenylquinoxalin‐2(1H)‐one, 2‐phenylpyridines, pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines, 2‐phenylquinolines, 2‐phenylisoquinolines, and 2‐phenylbenzo[d]thiazoles, into their respective regio‐selective C−H arylated products under mild reaction conditions.
Microconfined Assembly of High‐Resolution and Mechanically Robust EGaIn Liquid Metal Stretchable Electrodes for Wearable Electronic Systems
Authors: Ma Jingxuan , Sa Zicheng , Zhang He , Feng Jiayun , Wen Jiayue , Wang Shang , Tian Yanhong
Published: June 2024

Stretchable electrodes based on liquid metals (LM) are widely used in human‐machine interfacing, wearable bioelectronics, and other emerging technologies. However, realizing the high‐precision patterning and mechanical stability remains challenging due to the poor wettability of LM. Herein, a method is reported to fabricate LM‐based multilayer solid–liquid electrodes (m‐SLE) utilizing electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printed confinement template. In these electrodes, LM self‐assembled onto these high‐resolution templates, assisted by selective wetting on the electrodeposited Cu layer. This study shows that a m‐SLE composed of PDMS/Ag/Cu/EGaIn exhibits line width of ≈20 µm, stretchability of ≈100%, mechanical stability ≈10 000 times (stretch/relaxation cycles), and recyclability. The multi‐layer structure of m‐SLE enables the adjustability of strain sensing, in which the strain‐sensitive Ag part can be used for non‐distributed detection in human health monitoring and the strain‐insensitive EGaIn part can be used as interconnects. In addition, this study demonstrates that near field communication (NFC) devices and multilayer displays integrated by m‐SLEs exhibit stable wireless signal transmission capability and stretchability, suggesting its applicability in creating highly‐integrated, large‐scale commercial, and recyclable wearable electronics.
Bioprotective Respirator Assembled by Defective Carbon Nitride for Long‐Term Light Triggered Health Protection
Authors: Zeng Zhenxing , Zhang Qi , Ye Fei , Dang Xueming , Jiang Xin , Lv Guochun , Wang Xiaojing , Peng Hong , Fang Dexin , Xiao Hong , Zhang Yanzong , Wu Ganxue , Mao Jie , Ahmad Munir , Deng Shihuai
Published: June 2024

Wearing face masks is the best way to stop the spread of respiratory infections. However, if masks are not sterilized, changing them too frequently can actually increase the risk of cross‐contamination. Herein, the construction of an antipathogen photocatalytic mask with carbon vacancy‐modified carbon nitride nanosheets (g‐C3N4‐VC Ns) coated on the non‐woven fabrics of the out layer of the mask, offering effective and long‐term protection against damaging pathogens when exposed to light is reported. The introduced carbon vacancies are found capable of creating energy‐disordered sites and inducing energetic electric force to overcome the Coulomb interactions between electron‐hole pairs, thus promoting the electron‐hole separation to achieve a high generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thanks to its high activity in generating ROS upon exposure to light, the as‐prepared photocatalytic mask shows high pathogen sterilization performance. This, in turn, prolongs the mask's protective lifetime, decreases the need for regular replacement, and decreases medical waste production. The work demonstrated here opens new viewpoints in designing pathogens biocidal protective devices for health protection, offering significant promise in specific environment self‐protection.
A Dual‐Polarization Programmable Metasurface for Green and Secure Wireless Communication
Authors: Wang Zheng Xing , Wu Jun Wei , Xu Hui , Dai Jun Yan , Liu Shuo , Cheng Qiang , Cui Tie Jun
Published: June 2024

Dual‐polarization programmable metasurfaces can flexibly manipulate electromagnetic (EM) waves while providing approximately twice the information capacity. Therefore, they hold significant applications in next‐generation communication systems. However, there are three challenges associated with the existing dual‐polarization programmable metasurfaces. This article aims to propose a novel design to address them. First, the design overcomes the challenge of element‐ and polarization‐independent controls, enabling more powerful manipulations of EM waves. Second, by using more energy‐efficient tunable components and reducing their number, the design can be nearly passive (maximum power consumption of 27.7 mW), leading to a significant decrease in the cost and power consumption of the system (at least two orders of magnitude lower than the power consumption of conventional programmable metasurfaces). Third, the design can operate in a broad bandwidth, which is attractive for practical engineering applications. Both the element and array of the metasurface are meticulously designed, and their performance has been carefully studied. The experiments demonstrate that 2D wide‐angle beam scanning can be realized. Moreover, secure communication based on directional information modulation can be implemented by exploiting the metasurface and an efficient discrete optimization algorithm, showing its programmable, multiplexing, broadband, green, and secure features.
Injectable biodegradable microcarriers for iPSC expansion and cardiomyocyte differentiation
Authors: Bettini Annalisa , Camelliti Patrizia , Stuckey Daniel J. , Day Richard M.
Published: June 2024

Cell therapy is a potential novel treatment for cardiac regeneration and numerous studies have attempted to transplant cells to regenerate the myocardium lost during myocardial infarction. To date, only minimal improvements to cardiac function have been reported. This is likely to be the result of low cell retention and survival following transplantation. This study aimed to improve the delivery and engraftment of viable cells by using an injectable microcarrier that provides an implantable, biodegradable substrate for attachment and growth of cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). We describe the fabrication and characterisation of Thermally Induced Phase Separation (TIPS) microcarriers and their surface modification to enable iPSC‐derived cardiomyocyte attachment in xeno‐free conditions is described. The selected formulation resulted in iPSC attachment, expansion, and retention of pluripotent phenotype. Differentiation of iPSC into cardiomyocytes on the microcarriers is investigated in comparison with culture on 2D tissue culture plastic surfaces. Microcarrier culture is shown to support culture of a mature cardiomyocyte phenotype, be compatible with injectable delivery, and reduce anoikis. The findings from this study demonstrate that TIPS microcarriers provide a supporting matrix for culturing iPSC and iPSC‐derived cardiomyocytes in vitro and are suitable as an injectable cell‐substrate for cardiac regeneration.
Degradable and Printed Microstrip Line for Chipless Temperature and Humidity Sensing
Authors: Bourely James , Kim Jaemin , Beyer Christian , Vorobyov Oleksandr , Aeby Xavier , Nyström Gustav , Briand Danick
Published: June 2024

Research on chipless and passive architectures for environmental sensing is generating high interest because they do not require any semiconductor components or batteries to operate, thus resulting in an eco‐friendlier footprint. This study demonstrates a printed microstrip line with multiple resonators using biodegradable materials to continuously monitor temperature and relative humidity (RH). Constructed with a paper substrate and printed zinc conductive lines, and encapsulated with beeswax to protect against the interference of humidity, the microstrip line integrates spiral‐shaped resonators. One resonator operates at 1.2 GHz for temperature sensing, while another, coated with konjac glucomannan serves for relative humidity sensing at 2 GHz. The multi‐resonating features allow for a simultaneous assessment of temperature and humidity. The microstrip line displays a linear sensitivity to temperature of −1.35 MHz °C−1 and a non‐linear relative humidity sensitivity ranging between −0.8 and −8 MHz/%RH from 30% to 70% RH. Its degradation in a lab‐made compost for 70 days shows the removal of the transducing layer in 7 days and degradation of the cellulosic substrate starting after 5 weeks. The developed environmental sensing devices are notably promising for future applications in smart packaging and the tracking of goods aiming at the minimization of electronic waste.
Ion Migration and Space‐Charge Zones in Metal Halide Perovskites Through Short‐Circuit Transient Current and Numerical Simulations
Authors: Alvarez Agustin O. , García‐Batlle Marisé , Lédée Ferdinand , Gros‐Daillon Eric , Guillén Javier Mayén , Verilhac Jean‐Marie , Lemercier Thibault , Zaccaro Julien , Marsal Lluis F. , Almora Osbel , Garcia‐Belmonte Germà
Published: June 2024

The inherent ion migration in metal halide perovskite materials is known to induce deleterious and highly unstable dark currents in X‐ and γ‐ray detectors based on those compounds upon bias application. Dark current slow drift with time is identified as one of the major drawbacks for these devices to satisfy industrial requirements. Because dark current establishes the detectability limit, current evolution, and eventual growth may mask photocurrent signals produced by incoming X‐ray photons. Relevant information for detector assessment is ion‐related parameters such as ion concentration, ion mobility, and ionic space‐charge zones that are eventually built near the outer contacts upon detector biasing. A combined experimental (simple measurement of dark current transients) and 1D numerical simulation method is followed here using single‐crystal and microcrystalline millimeter‐thick methylammonium‐lead bromide that allows extracting ion mobility within the range of µion  ≈ 10−7 cm2 V−1 s−1, while ion concentration values approximate Nion ≈ 1015 cm−3, depending on the perovskite crystallinity.
Is Fluorine Incorporation in the La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ Improving Its Electrochemical Behavior for Solid Oxide Cells Applications?
Authors: Shen Zonghao , Bassat Jean‐Marc , Fourcade Sebastien , Demourgues Alain , Durand Etienne , Teule‐Gay Lionel , Duttine Mathieu , Gamon Jacinthe
Published: June 2024

F‐doped La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3‐x−δFx (LSCFFx, x = 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20) materials are evaluated as oxygen electrodes for solid oxide fuel and electrolyser cell application. Materials have been prepared via low‐temperature topotactic route by fluorination of the parent oxide with polyvinylidene fluorine (PVDF). A decrease in the polarisation resistance (Rp) is observed for the “LSCFFx” symmetric cells. However, the improved electrochemical behavior for the symmetric cells cannot be explained by the presence of fluorine, as post mortem chemical analysis shows that fluorine is absent from the materials after the calcination treatment, contradicting previous results from the literature and calling for deeper understanding. The presence of fluorine is proved to result in a sluggish surface exchange rate compared with the LSCF oxide via pulsed isotopic exchange technique. Despite the absence of fluorine in the fabricated symmetric cell, annealing with PVDF at low temperatures prior to the electrode fabrication is proven to be a beneficial step to improve the electrochemical performance of LSCF material with applications for solid oxide cells. Studies with room temperature X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy suggest that increased oxygen vacancy concentration, structural disorder and changes in the cobalt/iron valence state distribution are potential explanations for the reduced Rp.
Gamification of emergency medicine cost awareness education
Authors: Ray Joseph
Published: June 2024

Background

Despite rising costs of health care, physician awareness of costs remains poor. Educational initiatives to remedy this have shown promise, with gamification specifically having success, but actual improvements in physician estimation capabilities have yet to be evaluated.

Objectives

The objective of the study was to assess a gamified educational session for emergency medicine residents that improved their ability to estimate the costs of tests or services commonly performed in their department.

Methods

Participants completed an anonymous presession survey consisting of demographic data, self‐analysis on cost awareness, and a 10‐item cost estimation list. This was followed by a 1‐h interactive gamified education session utilizing rules from the television show The Price is Right. During this session, only three of the survey items had their cost directly discussed such that the remaining seven were able to be assessed solely on estimation improvement instead of short‐term knowledge retention. Participants then completed the same survey to assess for improvement in cost awareness.

Results

Sixteen residents at the PGY‐2 or PGY‐3 level completed the surveys and education session. All self‐analysis questions showed significant improvement in the postsession survey. Eight out of the 10 items had significant differences in cost estimation.

Conclusions

A gamified teaching session using The Price is Right rules can improve a resident's estimation capabilities, even on items not directly taught during the session.
Fluorescence of European glass eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) under ultraviolet light
Authors: Moore A. , Armstrong F. , Evans Derek W.
Published: June 2024

The existence of ultraviolet (UV) biofluorescence in nature has been documented in a wide range of flora and fauna. Biofluorescence is utilised throughout biological and ecological functionality, and although invisible to the human visual perception, this spectral range is known to be integral for communication across flocks, swarms, shoals and between individuals. Under UV illumination, European eel juveniles (glass eel) were found to fluoresce bright yellow. Follow‐up experiments using the UV light source on preceding eel life stages such as pigmented glass eels (elvers), ‘bootlace eels’ (juvenile yellow eels), older yellow eels and migrating silver eels, all found that these stages had lost the capacity for biofluorescence. The information gathered from this study suggests that the use of UV light for presence/absence glass eel arrival surveying could be a useful and effective tool for researchers in the research field.
Vapor‐liquid interfacial properties of binary mixtures from molecular simulation and density gradient theory
Authors: Großmann Oliver , Stephan Simon , Langenbach Kai , Hasse Hans
Published: June 2024

Properties of the vapor‐liquid interface of 16 binary mixtures were studied using molecular dynamics simulations and density gradient theory in combination with the PCP‐SAFT equation of state. All binary combinations of the heavy‐boiling components (cyclohexane, toluene, acetone, and carbon tetrachloride) with the light‐boiling components (methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen chloride, and nitrogen) were investigated at 0.7 times the critical temperature of the heavy‐boiling component in the whole composition range. Data on the surface tension, the enrichment, the relative adsorption, and the interfacial thickness, as well as for the vapor‐liquid equilibrium and Henry's law constant are reported. The binary interaction parameters were fitted to experimental data in a consistent way for all systems and both methods. Overall, the results from both methods agree well for all investigated properties. The interfacial properties of the different studied systems differ strongly. We show that these differences are directly related to the underlying phase equilibrium behavior.
Nickel‐Catalyzed Sequential Synthesis of Alkylated Quinolines and Their Photophysical Studies
Authors: Keerthana Pari , Nawaz Khan Fazlur Rahman
Published: June 2024

An efficient nickel‐catalyzed sequential one‐pot strategy for the synthesis of coumarin‐appended quinolines and bis‐quinolines has been developed under mild reaction conditions in moderate to good yields (up to 84 %) via dehydrogenative Friedlander annulation followed by C(sp3)−H functionalization. The use of a cost‐effective Ni catalyst, environmentally friendly solvents and simple operating procedures are the attractive attributes of this method. Additionally, the photophysical properties of the synthesized derivatives were explored utilizing UV‐vis absorption and fluorescence emission studies. Furthermore, the large‐scale synthesis and the synthetic utility of the derivatives highlight the potential applicability of this strategy in synthetic organic chemistry. Moreover, A plausible reaction mechanism is supported by the control experiments and reaction monitoring by 1H NMR analysis.
Premenopausal bilateral oophorectomy and brain white matter brain integrity in later‐life
Authors: Mielke Michelle M. , Frank Ryan D. , Christenson Luke R. , Reid Robert I. , Fields Julie A. , Knyazhanskaya Zhenya E. , Kara Firat , Vemuri Prashanthi , Rocca Walter A. , Kantarci Kejal
Published: June 2024

INTRODUCTION

Premenopausal bilateral oophorectomy (PBO) is associated with later‐life cognition, but the underlying brain changes remain unclear. We assessed the impact of PBO and PBO age on white matter integrity.

METHODS

Female participants with regional diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were included (22 with PBO < 40 years; 43 with PBO 40‐45 years; 39 with PBO 46‐49 years; 907 referents without PBO < 50 years). Linear regression models adjusted for age and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype.

RESULTS

Females with PBO < 40 years, compared to referents, had lower FA and higher MD in the anterior corona radiata, genu of the corpus collosum, inferior fronto‐occipital fasciculus, superior occipital, and superior temporal white matter. Females who underwent PBO between 45 and 49 also had some changes in white matter integrity.

DISCUSSION

Females who underwent PBO < 40 years had reduced white matter integrity across multiple regions in later‐life. These results are important for females considering PBO for noncancerous conditions.

Highlights

Females with premenopausal bilateral oophorectomy (PBO) < 40 years had lower FA versus referents.

Females with PBO < 40 years had higher MD in many regions versus referents.

Adjusting for estrogen replacement therapy use did not attenuate results.

Females with PBO 45‐49 years also had some white matter changes versus referents.
tPA supplementation preserves neurovascular and cognitive function in Tg2576 mice
Authors: Uekawa Ken , Anfray Antoine , Ahn Sung Ji , Casey Nicole , Seo James , Zhou Ping , Iadecola Costantino , Park Laibaik
Published: June 2024

INTRODUCTION

Amyloid beta (Aβ) impairs the cerebral blood flow (CBF) increase induced by neural activity (functional hyperemia). Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is required for functional hyperemia, and in mouse models of Aβ accumulation tPA deficiency contributes to neurovascular and cognitive impairment. However, it remains unknown if tPA supplementation can rescue Aβ‐induced neurovascular and cognitive dysfunction.

METHODS

Tg2576 mice and wild‐type littermates received intranasal tPA (0.8 mg/kg/day) or vehicle 5 days a week starting at 11 to 12 months of age and were assessed 3 months later.

RESULTS

Treatment of Tg2576 mice with tPA restored resting CBF, prevented the attenuation in functional hyperemia, and improved nesting behavior. These effects were associated with reduced cerebral atrophy and cerebral amyloid angiopathy, but not parenchymal amyloid.

DISCUSSION

These findings highlight the key role of tPA deficiency in the neurovascular and cognitive dysfunction associated with amyloid pathology, and suggest potential therapeutic strategies involving tPA reconstitution.

Highlights

Amyloid beta (Aβ) induces neurovascular dysfunction and impairs the increase of cerebral blood flow induced by neural activity (functional hyperemia).

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) deficiency contributes to the neurovascular and cognitive dysfunction caused by Aβ.

In mice with florid amyloid pathology intranasal administration of tPA rescues the neurovascular and cognitive dysfunction and reduces brain atrophy and cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

tPA deficiency plays a crucial role in neurovascular and cognitive dysfunction induced by Aβ and tPA reconstitution may be of therapeutic value.
Hirocidins, Cytotoxic Metabolites from Streptomyces hiroshimensis, Induce Mitochondrion‐Mediated Apoptosis
Authors: Han Esther J. , Jeong Myungeun , Lee Seoung Rak , Sorensen Erik J. , Seyedsayamdost Mohammad R.
Published: June 2024

Recent advances in whole genome sequencing have revealed an immense microbial potential for the production of therapeutic small molecules, even from well‐known producers. To access this potential, we subjected prominent antimicrobial producers to alternative antiproliferative assays using persistent cancer cell lines. Described herein is our discovery of hirocidins, novel secondary metabolites from Streptomyces hiroshimensis with antiproliferative activities against colon and persistent breast cancer cells. Hirocidin A is an unusual nine‐membered carbocyclic maleimide and hirocidins B and C are relatives with an unprecedented, bridged azamacrocyclic backbone. Mode of action studies show that hirocidins trigger mitochondrion‐dependent apoptosis by inducing expression of the key apoptotic effector caspase‐9. The discovery of new cytotoxins contributes to scaffold diversification in anticancer drug discovery and the reported modes of action and concise total synthetic route for variant A set the stage for unraveling specific targets and biochemical interactions of the hirocidins.
mRNA Display in Cell Lysates Enables Identification of Cyclic Peptides Targeting the BRD3 Extraterminal Domain
Authors: Hurd Catherine A. , Bush Jacob T. , Powell Andrew J. , Walport Louise J.
Published: June 2024

mRNA display is a powerful technology to screen libraries of >1012 cyclic peptides against a protein target, enabling the rapid discovery of high affinity ligands. These cyclic peptides are particularly well suited to challenging protein targets that have been difficult to drug with small molecules. However, target choice can still be limited as screens are typically performed against purified proteins which often demands the use of isolated domains and precludes the use of aggregation‐prone targets. Herein, we report a method to perform mRNA display selections in mammalian cell lysates without the need for prior target purification, vastly expanding the potential target scope of mRNA display. We have applied the methodology to identify low to sub‐nanomolar peptide binders for two targets: a NanoLuc subunit (LgBiT) and full‐length bromodomain‐containing protein 3 (BRD3). Our cyclic peptides for BRD3 were found to bind to the extraterminal (ET) domain of BRD3 and the closely related BRD proteins, BRD2 and BRD4. While many chemical probes exist for the bromodomains of BRD proteins, the ET domain is relatively underexplored, making these peptides valuable additions to the BRD toolbox.
Highly Fluorinated Nanospace in Porous Organic Salts with High Water Stability/Capability and Proton Conductivity
Authors: Ami Takahiro , Oka Kouki , Kitajima Showa , Tohnai Norimitsu
Published: June 2024

Water in hydrophobic nanospaces shows specific dynamic properties different from bulk water. The investigation of these properties is important in various research fields, including materials science, chemistry, and biology. The elucidation of the correlation between properties of water and hydrophobic nanospaces requires nanospaces covered only with simple hydrophobic group (e.g., fluorine) without impurities such as metals. This work successfully fabricated all‐organic diamondoid porous organic salts (d‐POSs) with highly fluorinated nanospaces, wherein hydrophobic fluorine atoms are densely exposed on the void surfaces, by combining fluorine substituted triphenylmethylamine (TPMA) derivatives with tetrahedral tetrasulfonic acid. This d‐POSs with a highly fluorinated nanospace significantly improved their water stability, retaining their crystal structure even when immersed in water over one week. Moreover, this highly hydrophobic and fluorinated nanospace adsorbs 160 mL(STP)/g of water vapor at Pe/P0=0.90; this is the first hydrophobic nanospace, which water molecules can enter, in an all‐organic porous material. Furthermore, this highly fluorinated nanospace exhibits very high proton conductivity (1.34×10−2 S/cm) at 90 °C and 95 % RH. POSs with tailorable nanospaces may significantly advance the elucidation of the properties of specific “water” in pure hydrophobic environments.
Alkyl‐Doping Enables Significant Suppression of Conformational Relaxation and Intermolecular Nonradiative Decay for Improved Near‐Infrared Fluorescence Imaging
Authors: Liang Yuying , Pan Yonghui , Chen Lu , Li Ping , Xu Man , Zhou Hui , Lu Xiaomei , Hu Wenbo , Yin Chao , Fan Quli
Published: June 2024

Despite various efforts to optimize the near‐infrared (NIR) performance of perylene diimide (PDI) derivatives for bio‐imaging, convenient and efficient strategies to amplify the fluorescence of PDI derivatives in biological environment and the intrinsic mechanism studies are still lacking. Herein, we propose an alkyl‐doping strategy to amplify the fluorescence of PDI derivative‐based nanoparticles for improved NIR fluorescence imaging. The developed PDI derivative, OPE‐PDI, shows much brighter in n‐Hexane (HE) compared with that in other organic media, and the excited state dynamics investigation experimentally elucidates the solvent effect‐induced suppression of intermolecular energy transfer and intramolecular nonradiative decay as the underlying mechanism for the fluorescence improvement. Theoretical calculations reveal the lowest reorganization energies of OPE‐PDI in HE among various solvents, indicating the effectively suppressed conformational relaxation to support the strongest radiative decay. Inspired by this, an alkyl atmosphere mimicking HE is constructed by incorporating the octadecane into OPE‐PDI‐based nanoparticles, permitting up to 3‐fold fluorescence improvement compared with the counterpart nanoparticles. Owing to the merits of high brightness, anti‐photobleaching, and low biotoxicity for the optimal nanoparticles, they have been employed for probing and long‐term monitoring of tumor. This work highlights a facile strategy for the fluorescence enhancement of PDI derivative‐based nanoparticles.
P,N‐Coordinating Ylide‐Functionalized Phosphines (NYPhos): A Ligand Platform for the Selective Monoarylation of Small Nucleophiles
Authors: Löffler Julian , Kaiser Nicolas , Knyszek Daniel , Krischer Felix , Jörges Mike , Feichtner Kai‐Stephan , Gessner Viktoria H.
Published: June 2024

Palladium‐catalyzed coupling reactions of small nucleophiles are of great interest, but challenging due to difficulties in selectivity control. Herein, we report the development of a new platform of P,N‐ligands consisting of ylide‐functionalized phosphines with aminophosphonium groups (NYPhos) to address this challenge. These phosphine ligands are easily accessible in a wide structural diversity with highly modular electronic and steric properties. Based on a family of 14 ligands the selective monoarylation of acetone as well as other challenging ketones and amides was accomplished with record‐setting activities even for aryl chlorides at room temperature including late‐stage functionalizations of drug molecules. Moreover, ammonia and other small primary amines could be coupled at mild conditions. Isolation and structure analyses of palladium complexes within the catalytic cycle confirmed that the P,N‐coordination mode is necessary to achieve the observed selectivities. It also demonstrated the facile adjustability of the N‐donor strength, which is beneficial for the targeted design of tailored P,N‐ligands for future applications.
Toward measuring data literacy for higher education: Developing and validating a data literacy self‐efficacy scale
Authors: Kim Jeonghyun , Hong Lingzi , Evans Sarah
Published: June 2024

Data literacy, a multifaceted competency in working with data, has emerged as an essential skill that holds significance in both personal and professional lives. Nonetheless, there is a lack of a precise definition of data literacy, and individuals' perceptions of their data literacy have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aims to develop and validate a scale designed for measuring self‐efficacy in data literacy within the context of higher education. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to determine construct validity and reliability. The resulting data literacy self‐efficacy scale comprises 31 items organized into three factors: data identification, data processing, and data management and sharing. These factors represent distinct yet interconnected dimensions, highlighting the multifaceted nature of data literacy.
Long‐Term Comparisons of Photoluminescence Affected by Organic Cations of Formamidinium and Methylammonium in Monophasic Lead Iodide Perovskite Quantum Dots
Authors: Heo Jaeseong , Kim Hyewon , Park Jiyeong , Sasongko Nurwarrohman Andre , Jeong Mincheol , Han Jaeeun , Seo Taeji , Ji Yujeong , Han Jiyoung , Park Myeongkee
Published: June 2024

This study compared the photoluminescence (PL) stabilities of formamidinium (FA) and methylammonium (MA) in lead iodide perovskite quantum dots (QDs). To exclude other factors, such as size and purity, that may affect stability, MAPbI3 and FAPbI3 QDs with nearly identical sizes (~10.0 nm) were synthesized by controlling the ligand concentration and synthesis temperature. Transmission electron microscopy images and X‐ray diffraction patterns confirmed homogeneous single‐phase perovskite structures. Additionally, the bandgaps and sizes of the synthesized QDs closely matched those of the infinite quantum well model, which guaranteed that the photostability was solely caused by the different organic molecules in the two QDs. We analyzed the PL peak centers and full‐width at half maximum of the QDs for 32 days. The enhanced stability of FAPbI3 was found to be caused by the nearly zero redshift (1.615 eV) of its PL peak, in contrast to the redshift (1.685→1.670 eV) of MAPbI3.