bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intuitive movement-based prosthesis control enables arm amputees to reach naturally in virtual reality
Authors: Segas Effie , Mick Sébastien , Leconte Vincent , Dubois Océane , Klotz Rémi , Cattaert Daniel , de Rugy Aymar
Published: October 2023

Impressive progress is being made in bionic limbs design and control. Yet, controlling the numerous joints of a prosthetic arm necessary to place the hand at a correct position and orientation to grasp objects remains challenging. Here, we designed an intuitive, movement-based prosthesis control that leverages natural arm coordination to predict distal joints missing to people with transhumeral limb loss based on proximal residual limb motion and knowledge of the movement goal. This control was validated on 29 participants, including 7 with above-elbow limb loss, who picked and placed bottles in a wide range of locations in virtual reality, with median success rates over 99% and movement times identical to those of natural movements. This control also enabled 15 participants, including 3 with limb difference, to reach and grasp real objects with a robotic arm operated according to the same principle. Remarkably, this was achieved without any prior training, indicating that this control is intuitive and instantaneously usable. It could be used for phantom limb pain management in virtual reality, or to augment reaching capabilities of invasive neural interfaces usually more focused on hand and grasp control.
A unique cell division protein critical for the assembly of the bacterial divisome
Authors: Chu Xiao , Wang Lidong , Zhu Yiheng , Feng Zhengshan , Guan Qingtian , Song Lei , Luo Zhaoqing
Published: October 2023

Identification of unique essential bacterial genes is important for not only the understanding of their cell biology but also the development of new antimicrobials. Here we report a previously unrecognized core component of the
Acinetobacter baumannii
divisome. Our results reveal that the protein, termed Aeg1 interacts with multiple cell division proteins, including FtsN, which is required for components of the divisome to localize to the midcell. We demonstrate that the FtsA
E202K
and FtsB
E65A
mutants effectively bypassed the need of Aeg1 by
A. baumannii
, as did the activation variants FtsW
M254I
and FtsW
S274G
. Our results suggest that Aeg1 is a cell division protein that arrives at the division site to initiate cell division by recruiting FtsN, which activates FtsQLB and FtsA to induce the septal peptidoglycan synthase FtsWI. The discovery of the new essential cell division protein has provided a new target for the development of antibacterial agents.
Temporally specific gene expression and chromatin remodeling programs regulate a conserved Pdyn enhancer
Authors: Phillips Robert A. , Wan Ethan , Tuscher Jennifer J. , Reid David , Drake Olivia R. , Ianov Lara , Day Jeremy J.
Published: October 2023

Neuronal and behavioral adaptations to novel stimuli are regulated by temporally dynamic waves of transcriptional activity, which shape neuronal function and guide enduring plasticity. Neuronal activation promotes expression of an immediate early gene (IEG) program comprised primarily of activity-dependent transcription factors, which are thought to regulate a second set of late response genes (LRGs). However, while the mechanisms governing IEG activation have been well studied, the molecular interplay between IEGs and LRGs remain poorly characterized. Here, we used transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility profiling to define activity-driven responses in rat striatal neurons. As expected, neuronal depolarization generated robust changes in gene expression, with early changes (1 h) enriched for inducible transcription factors and later changes (4 h) enriched for neuropeptides, synaptic proteins, and ion channels. Remarkably, while depolarization did not induce chromatin remodeling after 1 h, we found broad increases in chromatin accessibility at thousands of sites in the genome at 4 h after neuronal stimulation. These putative regulatory elements were found almost exclusively at non-coding regions of the genome, and harbored consensus motifs for numerous activity-dependent transcription factors such as AP-1. Furthermore, blocking protein synthesis prevented activity-dependent chromatin remodeling, suggesting that IEG proteins are required for this process. Targeted analysis of LRG loci identified a putative enhancer upstream of
Pdyn
(prodynorphin), a gene encoding an opioid neuropeptide implicated in motivated behavior and neuro-psychiatric disease states. CRISPR-based functional assays demonstrated that this enhancer is both necessary and sufficient for
Pdyn
transcription. This regulatory element is also conserved at the human
PDYN
locus, where its activation is sufficient to drive
PDYN
transcription in human cells. These results suggest that IEGs participate in chromatin remodeling at enhancers and identify a conserved enhancer that may act as a therapeutic target for brain disorders involving dysregulation of
Pdyn
.
A review on the relationship between Arachidonic acid 15-Lipoxygenase (ALOX15) and diabetes mellitus
Authors: He Kaiying , Zhou Xiaochun , Du Hongxuan , Zhao Jing , Deng Rongrong , Wang Jianqin
Published: October 2023

Arachidonic acid 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15), as one of the lipoxygenase family, is mainly responsible for catalyzing the oxidation of various fatty acids to produce a variety of lipid components, contributing to the pathophysiological processes of various immune and inflammatory diseases. Studies have shown that ALOX15 and its related products are widely distributed in human tissues and related to multiple diseases such as liver, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and other diseases. Diabetes mellitus (DM), the disease studied in this article, is a metabolic disease characterized by a chronic increase in blood glucose levels, which is significantly related to inflammation, oxidative stress, ferroptosis and other mechanisms, and it has a high incidence in the population, accompanied by a variety of complications. Figuring out how ALOX15 is involved in DM is critical to understanding its role in diseases. Therefore, ALOX15 inhibitors or combination therapy containing inhibitors may deliver a novel research direction for the treatment of DM and its complications. This article aims to review the biological effect and the possible function of ALOX15 in the pathogenesis of DM.
Cerritud: migración y territorio a través de la representación teatral
Authors:   , Trujillo Gallardo Pamela
Published: October 2023

Con el objetivo de descentralizar las prácticas y de indagar en los procesos de creación escénica con énfasis territorial, este documento da cuenta de los procesos teórico-metodológicos del proyecto de creación artística CERRITUD, enmarcado en el egreso del Magíster en Artes mención estudios y prácticas teatrales de la Universidad Católica de Chile. A través de la metodología de práctica como investigación se ponen en tensión los conceptos de migración y territorio como marco referencial para ahondar en la creación de una obra de teatro estrenada en noviembre del año 2022 en la ciudad de Antofagasta. Dando cuenta de los problemas escénicos y prácticos a resolver al abordar la tématica de la migración desde una perspectiva testimonial.
El orden sujeto-verbo en enunciados interrogativos totales del español
Authors:   , Ramos Martín Dania
Published: October 2023

El orden de palabras en español ha merecido la atención de múltiples investigadores y teóricos a lo largo de décadas. Desde los estudios tipológicos a los variacionistas, se ha intentado poner en claro cuáles son los factores que intervienen en la secuenciación de constituyentes oracionales. Mientras que la declaración ha estado en el epicentro de los esfuerzos investigativos, la interrogación, por su parte, ha exhibido un panorama menos ventajoso. Tanto si se revisa la tradición gramatical, como la producción científica de los últimos años, es posible observar que las referencias sobre esta temática se concentran en torno a la interrogación parcial o con pronombre o adverbio interrogativo. No abundan, sin embargo, las investigaciones basadas en corpus de habla real, que midan cuantitativamente cómo se conjugan factores de diversa naturaleza en la manifestación de cierto orden sintáctico. Tampoco se conocen a la fecha estudios que indaguen sobre la variación dialectal que experimenta el fenómeno. La presente investigación, de carácter descriptivo y con un enfoque funcional, aborda el tema de orden de constituyentes oracionales en enunciados interrogativos totales del español. El objetivo principal es comprender el fenómeno de la alternancia sujeto-verbo en enunciados provenientes de textos escritos contenidos en el Corpus de Referencia del Español del Siglo XXI (CORPES). Mediante análisis estadístico descriptivo e inferencial se observó la relación entre las variables que intervinieron en el estudio (de carácter lingüístico y extralingüístico) y se determinó la influencia de estas, de manera individual y conjunta, en el fenómeno estudiado. Los resultados muestran que el orden VS es mayoritario, pero no categórico; y que el fenómeno de la posposición del sujeto exhibe una variación dialectal, que tiende a predominar en las zonas dialectales de España, y México y Centroamérica. Los factores lingüísticos que explican la posposición del sujeto son los mismos que influyen, al menos de manera teórica, en la secuenciación VS de la declaración. Sin embargo, dada su frecuencia, puede plantearse que la fuerza ilocutiva, efectivamente, actúa en favor de este orden, pues es el más frecuente. El análisis inferencial develó que, cuando actúan todas las variables al unísono, son la transitividad verbal, la función pragmática del enunciado, la definitud del sujeto y la cantidad de argumentos del verbo (en ese orden) las que influyen de manera significativa en la secuenciación de constituyentes. Dicho de otra manera, la posposición del sujeto se puede predecir, en gran medida, a partir de la coaparición de estas variables.
Los infinitivos con el en español
Authors:   , Bonfanti Casareggio Francesca Rosalia Antonella
Published: October 2023

El presente trabajo analizó las formaciones del español conocidas como infinitivos nominales, aquí infinitivos con el, desde la perspectiva de las escalas nominal y verbal de propiedades propuestas por Alexiadou, Iordachioaia y Schäfer (2011) bajo los supuestos de la Teoría de la Proyecciones Extendidas Mixtas de Borsley y Kornfilt (2000). Estas construcciones se han analizado en los últimos 40 años en la lengua española predominantemente en base a la distinción absoluta entre los infinitivos con el que son nominales y los que son verbales. A través del análisis de estas formas desde cada una de las propiedades de las escalas mencionadas, junto con su ocurrencia en determinadas oraciones matrices (contenedores estrechos y sueltos, Vendler 1967), los resultados nos indican que, si bien hay un grupo de infinitivos con el que presenta propiedades de las escalas nominal y no de la verbal y otro grupo que se comporta de manera opuesta, hay ciertos comportamientos prototípicamente verbales, como la proyección de un SComp, que parecen no presentarse con ningún infinitivo con el y otros prototípicamente nominales, como la pluralización, que se da en muy pocas de estas construcciones. Esta mirada nos permitió también incluir a los llamados “falsos infinitivos”.
Prefabricated Acrylic Cap Splint: A Minimally Invasive and Conservative Intervention for Paediatric Mandibular Fractures: A Case Report
Authors: . Nishima , Gupta Anil , Garg Shalini , Sharma Vishal , Sharma Sugandha
Published: October 2023

Dental traumatic injuries in paediatric patients result in a painful experience for both the parents and the child. Although children may exhibit similar fracture patterns as seen in adult traumatic injuries, there are various factors to consider when treating fractures in paediatric patients, which pose challenges for paediatric dentists. There are numerous treatment options available for managing maxillofacial fractures, such as open reduction, closed reduction, immobilisation with open or closed cap splint, with or without circummandibular wiring, and the use of mini plates, among others. In this present case report, a five-year-old child presented with multiple step deformities in the mandible. Since the patient had deciduous dentition, the main concerns were the high possibility of disruption to the periosteal envelope, which could affect the growth of the mandibular processes, and damage to developing permanent tooth buds. These were key considerations when planning the appropriate treatment. Taking into account these potential complications associated with other invasive procedures, a minimally invasive conservative management approach was chosen for the child, which proved to be highly successful and cost-effective. Undisplaced fractures in paediatric patients should always be treated or stabilised using the closed reduction method.
Analysis of the Marketing Status of Insecticide Brands and Buying Behavior of Chilli Growers in Rajkot District, Gujarat, India
Authors: Faldu N. V. , Dubey L. R. , Savaliya N. G. , Chudasama V. R. , Modi R. P.
Published: October 2023

The present study was undertaken in Gondal, Jamkandorna, Upleta and Dhoraji talukas of Rajkot district, as all four talukas have higher areas under chilli cultivation. A total of 120 chilli growers and 20 insecticide dealers were selected with the help of a multistage sampling method. The study was mainly based on primary data, which were collected through personal interviews with the help of a well-structured survey schedule. The results showed that the highest percentage of chilli growers belonged to middle age group and had higher secondary education. The majority of the chilli growers belonged to small and semi-medium land-holding categories and had annual incomes between ₹2,59,036 to ₹5,91,582. Near about two-thirds (66.67 %) of chilli growers belonged to the nuclear family. The majority (37.50%) of the chilli growers were found engaged in farming with business as their occupation and the majority of chilli growers had farming experience of more than 15 years. Bore wells (56.87%) were reported as the main source of irrigation in the study area. The study also revealed that the highest market share was captured by Nagarjuna Agrichem Limited company followed by Bayer Crop Science and United Insecticides Pvt. Ltd. company. With regard to the mode of purchase of insecticides most of 40.00 per cent of the chilli growers used to purchase insecticides on a credit basis. So, companies should define and ease the conditions for credit availability, to make it convenient and affordable for both farmers and dealers. Most of the chilli growers were buying insecticides from retailer’s shops. The majority (45.83%) of chilli growers preferred to use the same brand with the same quantity when prices of selected insecticides changed (increased) and in the absence of the required insecticide brand; most (85.83%) chilli growers shifted to other insecticide brands. The insecticide companies should make the product available in the market as per the season and demand because if the grower will not get the desired product at the right time, they may switch to an alternative product.
Seasonal Abundance of Melon Fruit Fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) Infesting Cucumber in Relation to Abiotic Factors
Authors: Chaudhary K. V.  , Patel S. R.  , Kumar Akshay
Published: October 2023

The present investigation on seasonal abundance of melon fruit fly in relation to weather parameters was conducted in cucumber at the farmers field, Kharsad, Navsari, Gujarat using Nauroji Stonehouse fruit fly trap containing cue-lure baited wooden block during summer 2022. Studies on seasonal abundance revealed that in cucumber the activity of adults of B. cucurbitae commenced from 13th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW) i.e., 4th week of March and continued till 19th SMW (1st week of May) which ranged from 38.00 to 59.75 with an average of 45.11 male fruit flies per four traps while, the peak adult population was observed during 17th SMW i.e., 4th week of April (59.75 mean male fruit flies/4 traps). Moreover, adult population of melon fruit fly showed positive and significant correlation with maximum temperature and negative and significant correlation with morning relative humidity.
Addressing the Public Health Crisis of Maternal Mortality
Authors: Bianchi Diana W. , Clayton Janine A. , Zenk Shannon N.
Published: October 2023

This Viewpoint discusses the National Institutes of Health initiative that focuses on research that reduces preventable maternal mortality, decreases severe maternal morbidity, and promotes health equity.
County-Level Social Vulnerability, Metropolitan Status, and Availability of Home Health Services
Authors: Mather Harriet , Ornstein Katherine A. , McDonough Catherine , Liu Bian , Salinger Maggie , Ritchie Christine S.
Published: October 2023

This cross-sectional study assesses county-level differences in home-based medical care and home health care by social vulnerability and metropolitan status.
Obesity and Risk of Recurrence in Patients With Breast Cancer Treated With Aromatase Inhibitors
Authors: Harborg Sixten , Cronin-Fenton Deirdre , Jensen Maj-Britt Raaby , Ahern Thomas P. , Ewertz Marianne , Borgquist Signe
Published: October 2023

Importance

Clinical studies confirm that obesity is a risk factor for recurrence in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive (HR+) breast cancer. Evidence suggests that women with obesity do not obtain similar protection from aromatase inhibitors as women with healthy weight.

Objective

To examine the associations of body mass index (BMI) with recurrence.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The cohort study was conducted using data from the Danish Breast Cancer Group and enrolled postmenopausal women diagnosed with stage I to III HR+ breast cancer from 1998 through 2016. Data analysis was conducted from November 2022 to April 2023.

Exposures

BMI was classified as (1) healthy weight (18.5-24.9), (2) overweight (25.0-29.9), (3) obesity (30.0-34.9), and (4) severe obesity (≥35.0) using the World Health Organization guidelines. Healthy weight was considered the reference group in statistical analyses.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Follow-up began 6 months after breast cancer surgery and continued until the first event of recurrence, contralateral breast cancer, new primary malignant neoplasm, death, emigration, end of clinical follow-up at 10 years, or September 25, 2018. Cox regression was used to estimate crude and adjusted hazard ratios with 95% CIs, adjusting for patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics.

Results

A total of 13 230 patients (median [IQR] age at diagnosis, 64.4 [58.6-70.2] years) with information on BMI were enrolled. There were 1587 recurrences with a median (IQR) potential estimated follow-up of 6.2 (3.6-8.5) years. Multivariable analyses revealed increased recurrence hazards associated with obesity (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.01-1.37]) and severe obesity (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.08-1.62]) vs patients with healthy weight. Patients with overweight had a greater risk, but the results were not statistically significant (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.10 [95% CI, 0.97-1.24]).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, obesity was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence among postmenopausal patients with HR+ early-stage breast cancer treated with aromatase inhibitors. Physicians should be aware of the significance of obesity on breast cancer outcomes to secure optimal treatment benefit in all patients.
Accurate detection of weld seams for laser welding in real‐world manufacturing
Authors: Ali Rabia , Sarmad Muhammad , Tayyub Jawad , Vogel Alexander
Published: October 2023

Welding is a fabrication process used to join or fuse two mechanical parts. Modern welding machines have automated lasers that follow a predefined weld seam path between the two parts to create a bond. Previous efforts have used simple computer vision edge detectors to automatically detect the weld seam on an image at the junction of two metals to be welded. However, these systems lack reliability and accuracy resulting in manual human verification of the detected edges. This paper presents a neural network architecture that automatically detects the weld seam edge between two metals with high accuracy. We augment this system with a preclassifier that filters out anomalous workpieces (e.g., incorrect placement). Finally, we justify our design choices by evaluating against several existing deep network pipelines as well as proof through real‐world use. We also describe in detail the process of deploying the system in a real‐world shop floor including evaluation and monitoring. We make public a large well‐labeled laser seam dataset to perform deep learning‐based edge detection in industrial settings.
A Single‐Nucleus Resolution Atlas of Transcriptome and Chromatin Accessibility for Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) Leaves
Authors: Liu Hao , Guo Zenhua , Gangurde Sunil S. , Garg Vanika , Deng Quanqing , Du Puxuan , Lu Qing , Chitikineni Annapurna , Xiao Yuan , Wang Wenyi , Hong Yanbin , Varshney Rajeev K , Chen Xiaoping
Published: October 2023

The peanut is an important worldwide cash‐crop for edible oil and protein. However, the kinetic mechanisms that determine gene expression and chromatin accessibility during leaf development in peanut represented allotetraploid leguminous crops are poorly understood at single‐cell resolution. Here, a single‐nucleus atlas of peanut leaves is developed by simultaneously profiling the transcriptome and chromatin accessibility in the same individual‐cell using fluorescence‐activated sorted single‐nuclei. In total, 5930 cells with 50 890 expressed genes are classified into 18 cell‐clusters, and 5315 chromatin fragments are enriched with 26 083 target genes in the chromatin accessible landscape. The developmental trajectory analysis reveals the involvement of the ethylene‐AP2 module in leaf cell differentiation, and cell‐cycle analysis demonstrated that genome replication featured in distinct cell‐types with circadian rhythms transcription factors (TFs). Furthermore, dual‐omics illustrates that the fatty acid pathway modulates epidermal‐guard cells differentiation and providescritical TFs interaction networks for understanding mesophyll development, and the cytokinin module (LHY/LOG) that regulates vascular growth. Additionally, an AT‐hook protein AhAHL11 is identified that promotes leaf area expansion by modulating the auxin content increase. In summary, the simultaneous profiling of transcription and chromatin accessibility landscapes using snRNA/ATAC‐seq provides novel biological insights into the dynamic processes of peanut leaf cell development at the cellular level.
Laser‐Based Directed Energy Deposition Remanufacturing of Gray Cast Iron using Stainless Steel 316L and Inconel 625 Filler Materials
Authors: Hamilton Jakob D. , Trauernicht David , Cormier Denis , Rivero Iris V.
Published: October 2023

Directed energy deposition (DED) is identified as an ideal candidate for restoring damaged or worn cast iron components such as agricultural engine blocks, housings, and manifolds. While this laser‐based process offers superior control of the heat input compared to traditional arc‐based repair, gaseous porosity and brittle intermetallic structures reduce the strength and ductility of the fusion zone. Varying combinations of Fe–Ni–Cr alloys have found success in remanufacturing cast iron using laser‐based DED, but little attention has been given to the consequence of filler material composition and form, that is, wire versus powder. This study quantifies structural characteristics in cast iron repairs and offers microstructural and process‐specific insights to support these observations. With appropriate thermal conditions, up to 98.7% of the original tensile strength of gray cast iron may be achieved. These results point toward superior gray cast iron restoration using tunable laser‐based DED.
COF and MOF Hybrids: Advanced Materials for Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Ahmadijokani Farhad , Ghaffarkhah Ahmadreza , Molavi Hossein , Dutta Subhajit , Lu Yi , Wuttke Stefan , Kamkar Milad , Rojas Orlando J. , Arjmand Mohammad
Published: October 2023

Recent advances in ordered porous materials, including metal‐organic (MOF) and covalent organic frameworks (COF), are set to revolutionize the strategies used for wastewater treatment. This is attributed to the large surface area, high crystallinity, structural tunability, thermal and chemical stability, and well‐defined structures of MOF and COF. Despite the distinctive properties exhibited by the single system (either MOF or COF), the combination of COF and MOF, as a hybrid construct, offers a remarkable opportunity to achieve superior functionality and performance. The favorable features of COF–MOF hybrids in different wastewater treatment sectors have opened new venues for effective environmental remediation. This review presents the state‐of‐the‐art design, synthesis, and application of COF–MOF hybrids. The synthesis principles, including MOF‐first, COF‐first, and post‐synthetic linkage of pre‐synthesized COFs and MOFs are summarized. The potential of these novel materials is evaluated by considering contaminant sensing, adsorptive removal, and catalytic photodegradation.The conclusion is drawn by assessing the existing hurdles and potential opportunities in the development of COF‐MOF hybrids as an innovative yet viable approach for addressing wastewater treatment.
All Biodisintegratable Hydrogel Biohybrid Neural Interfaces with Synergistic Performances of Microelectrode Array Technologies, Tissue Scaffolding, and Cell Therapy
Authors: Lei Wan‐Lou , Peng Chih‐Wei , Chiu Shao‐Chu , Lu Huai‐En , Wu Chun‐Wei , Cheng Tzu‐Ya , Huang Wei‐Chen
Published: October 2023

Biohybrid neural interfaces (BHNIs) are a new class of neuromodulating devices that integrate neural microelectrode arrays (MEAs) and cell transplantation to improve treatment of nerve injuries and disorders. However, current BHNI devices are made from abiotic materials that are usually bio‐passive, non‐biodisintegratable, or rigid, which restricts encapsulated cell activity and host nerve reconstruction and frequently leads to local tissue inflammation. Herein, the first MEA composed of all disintegratable hydrogel tissue scaffold materials with synergistic performances of tissue conformal adhesiveness, MEA technologies, tissue scaffolding and stem cell therapy on a time scale appropriate for nerve tissue repair is proposed. In particular, the MEA conductive tracks are made from extracellular matrix (ECM)‐based double‐cross‐linked dual‐electrically conductive hydrogel (ECH) systems with robust tissue‐mimicking chemical/physical properties, electrical conductivity, and an affinity for neural progenitor stem cells. Meanwhile, the MEA hydrogel substrate prepared from transglutaminase‐incorporated gelatin/silk precursors simultaneously promotes gelation and interfacial adhesion between all MEA stacks, leading to rapid and scalable device integration. When the full hydrogel MEA is subjected to various mechanical stimuli and moisture, it is structurally stable with a low impedance (4 ± 3 kΩ) comparable to a recently reported benchmark. With seamless lamination around peripheral nerve fibers, the device permits successive neural signal monitoring for wound condition evaluation, while demonstrating synergistic effects of spatiotemporally controlled electrical stimulation and cell transplantation to accelerate restoration of motor function. This BHNI is completely degraded by 1 month thus eliminating the need for surgical retrieval to stably remain, interact, and further fuse with host tissues, successfully exhibiting compatible integration of biology and an implanted electrical system.
DNA Hydrogels as Functional Materials and Their Biomedical Applications
Authors: Ma Yinzhou , Duan Xiaocen , Huang Jianyong
Published: October 2023

With the remarkable development of DNA nanotechnology, interest in DNA molecules has expanded beyond its biological role to building blocks in materials science. As a unique branch of DNA‐based materials, DNA hydrogels have exhibited many fascinating characteristics, including broad biocompatibility, precise programmability, convenient modification, and tunable mechanical properties, which make DNA hydrogels ideal biomaterials. Moreover, by combining with functional nucleic acids, such as aptamers, i‐motif nanostructures, CpG oligodeoxynucleotides, and DNAzymes, DNA hydrogels can be further tailored to provide additional target recognition, therapeutic potential, and catalytic activities, allowing them to play important roles in biosensing and medical applications. This review, aims to provide readers with an up‐to‐date overview of the important developments of biomedical DNA hydrogels. First, it introduces different synthetic strategies of hydrogels that utilize DNA as building materials and functional units within the hydrogel networks and discuss their advantages in biomedical applications. Subsequently, new approaches and applications of biomedical DNA hydrogels in the recent years are highlighted, such as therapeutic systems, cell culture platforms, tissue engineering materials, and biosensors. Finally, future perspectives and remaining challenges of DNA hydrogels in biomedicine are presented.
Neurotransmitter‐Mediated Plasticity in 2D Perovskite Memristor for Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Wang Yan , Chen Shidong , Cheng Xiaohan , Chen Wang , Xiong Ziyu , Lv Ziyu , Wu Chunyan , Wang Li , Zhang Guohua , Zhu Xiaobo , Luo Linbao , Han Su‐Ting
Published: October 2023

The neuromorphic computing architecture is a promising artificial intelligence for implementing hierarchical processing, in‐memory computing, event‐driven operation and functional specialization in computing systems. However, current investigations mainly focus on unisensory processing without objective experience which is contrary to the flexible sensory learning capability in the human brain that can sense and process information according to the ever‐changing environment. For example, a dominant paradigm for reconfigurable bio‐learning features is the emotional experience. The neurotransmitter dopamine is released during arousal, influencing the vital brain functions involved in cognition, reward learning, movement and motivation. Here, the on‐demand configuration of a biorealistic synaptic connection based on a 2D CaTa2O7 (CTO) device is demonstrated that can be adaptively reconfigured for a reinforcement learning purpose by the light‐active resistive switching, which originated from the photon‐regulated metaplasticity. The low energy consumption of 12.4 fJ endows the reinforcement learning system with high power efficiency and reliability. Finally, in‐sensor computing with a CTO synapse is implemented with a filtering function to process digital data in a neuromorphic engineering manner. This work demonstrates the feasibility of 2D perovskite neuromorphic device with enhanced biological plausibility in the approaching post‐Moore era.
Polymer‐Initiating Caveolae‐Mediated Endocytosis and GSH‐Responsive MiR‐34a Gene Delivery System for Enhanced Orthotopic Triple Negative Breast Cancer Therapy
Authors: Han Tian‐Yan , Huan Meng‐Lei , Cai Zedong , He Wei , Zhou Si‐Yuan , Zhang Bang‐Le
Published: October 2023

Gene therapy based on miRNAs has broad application prospects in the treatment of tumors. However, due to degradation and ineffective release during intracellular transport, current gene delivery vectors used for miRNAs limited their actual transfection efficiency. This study develops a novel nonviral vector PEI‐SPDP‐Man (PSM) that can simultaneously target cellular uptake pathways and intracellular responsive release for miR‐34a. PSM is synthesized by connected mannitol (Man) to branched polyethylenimine (PEI) using a disulfide bond. The prepared PSM/miR‐34a gene delivery system can induce and enter to tumor cells through caveolae‐mediated endocytosis to reduce the degradation of miR‐34a in lysosomes. The disulfide bond is sensed at high concentration of glutathione (GSH) in the tumor cells and miR‐34a is released, thereby reducing the expression of Bcl‐2 and CD44 to suppress the proliferation and invasion of tumor cells. In vitro and in vivo experiments show that through the targeted cellular uptake and the efficient release of miR‐34a, an effective antitumor and antimetastasis profiles for the treatment of orthotopic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) are achieved. This strategy of controlling intracellular transport pathways by targeting cellular uptake pathways in the gene therapy is an approach that could be developed for highly effective cancer therapy.
Lanthanide 3D Supramolecular Framework Boosts Stable Perovskite Solar Cells with High UV Utilization
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhang Jian , Lin Kaifeng , Wang Jiaqi , Zhang Xingrui , Hu Boyuan , Dong Yayu , Xia Debin , Yang Yulin
Published: October 2023

In this work, the ligand‐to‐metal charge transition and Förster resonance energy transfer process is exploited to derive lanthanide–organic framework (Tb‐cpon) modified perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with enhanced performance under UV irradiation. Tb‐cpon‐modified PSCs exhibit rapid response and reduced degradation due to energy downconversion facilitated by effective coupling of UV‐sensitive chromophores to lanthanide luminescent centers, enhancing the spectral response range of the composite films. Furthermore, the characteristic changes of precursor particle sizes suggest formation of Tb‐cpon adducts as intermediate products, leading to enhanced crystallinity and reduced defect concentrations in the Tb‐cpon‐perovskite hybrid film. Accordingly, the Tb‐cpon‐modified PSC devices obtain a champion efficiency up to 23.72% as well as a sensitive photovoltaic conversion even under pure UV irradiation. Moreover, the unencapsulated devices maintain more than 80% of the initial efficiency after continuous irradiation under a 310 nm UV lamp for 24 h (from the Au electrode side), compared to 21% for the control devices.
Simultaneous Enhancement of Efficiency and Operational‐Stability of Mesoscopic Perovskite Solar Cells via Interfacial Toughening
Authors: Yang In Seok , Dai Zhenghong , Ranka Anush , Chen Du , Zhu Kai , Berry Joseph J. , Guo Peijun , Padture Nitin P.
Published: October 2023

The combined effects of compact TiO2 (c‐TiO2) electron‐transport layer (ETL) are investigated without and with mesoscopic TiO2 (m‐TiO2) on top, and without and with an iodine‐terminated silane self‐assembled monolayer (SAM), on the mechanical behavior, opto–electronic properties, photovoltaic (PV) performance, and operational‐stability of solar cells based on metal‐halide perovskites (MHPs). The interfacial toughness increases almost threefold in going from c‐TiO2 without SAM to m‐TiO2 with SAM. This is attributed to the synergistic effect of the m‐TiO2/MHP nanocomposite at the interface and the enhanced adhesion afforded by the iodine‐terminated silane SAM. The combination of m‐TiO2 and SAM also offers a significant beneficial effect on the photocarriers extraction at the ETL/MHP interface, resulting in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with power‐conversion efficiency (PCE) of over 24% and 20% for 0.1 and 1 cm2 active areas, respectively. These PSCs also have exceptionally long operational‐stability lives: extrapolated T80 (duration at 80% initial PCE retained) is ≈18 000 and 10 000 h for 0.1 and 1 cm2 active areas, respectively. Postmortem characterization and analyses of the operational‐stability‐tested PSCs are performed to elucidate the possible mechanisms responsible for the long operational‐stability.
Preparation and Performance Optimization of Micrometer Scale Ba1.2Ca0.7‐xSiO4:0.1Eu2+, xMn2+ for Application in Mini LED
Authors: Lin Aofan , Seto Takatoshi , Wang Yuhua
Published: October 2023

As the next generation of display technology, Mini Light‐Emitting Diodes (LEDs) have attracted much attention, among which the phosphor used as the backlight should meet the characteristics of small particle size and high brightness. A series of Ba1.2Ca0.7‐xSiO4:0.1Eu2+, xMn2+ are synthesized by the coprecipitation‐solid state method. Hence, the prepared phosphor has a submicron structure with an average particle size of 1.3 ± 0.9 µm. It can be excited by 365–410 nm, with an emission peak of 616 nm and a half‐peak width of 65 nm. At 150 °C, it exhibits a 94% emission intensity and good thermal stability. From 15% to 29%, the external quantum efficiency (EQE) increases. Therefore, the phosphors are suitable for Mini LED displays with near‐ultraviolet light as the excitation source. This method provides a new idea for the development of novel small particle sizes and narrow‐band emission phosphors.
High‐Efficiency All‐Optical Modulator Based on Ultra‐Thin Silicon/Graphene Hybrid Waveguides
Authors: Cao Hongyuan , Ding Mingfei , Chen Haitao , Liu Chaoyue , Yu Laiwen , Zhu Mingyu , Zhao Weike , Guo Jingshu , Li Huan , Yu Zejie , Gao Shiming , Dai Daoxin
Published: October 2023

All‐optical modulation plays a key role in next‐generation optical processing and has attracted enormous attention worldwide. With extraordinary optoelectronic characteristics and friendly integration compatibility with various nanostructures, graphene shows great potential for ultrafast and energy‐efficient all‐optical modulation. Here, high‐efficiency on‐chip all‐optical modulation is experimentally demonstrated based on ultra‐thin silicon/graphene hybrid waveguides, which are complementary‐metal‐oxide‐semiconductor‐compatible and easy to fabricate. Owing to the enhanced light‐graphene interaction enabled by the ultra‐thin silicon photonic platform, the optical nonlinear absorption in graphene is greatly enhanced and a modulation depth of >2 dB is achieved with a saturation threshold of 0.9 pJ per pulse for a 50‐µm‐long modulator. The measured modulation efficiency is as high as 0.052 dB µm−1. Furthermore, the proposed all‐optical modulator has the potential to operate at a bandwidth of hundreds of gigahertz. The present hybrid integration of graphene on ultra‐thin silicon photonic waveguides paves the way toward the applications of on‐chip ultrafast and energy‐efficient all‐optical information processing.
Remarkable Isomer Effect on the Performance of Fully Non‐Fused Non‐Fullerene Acceptors in Near‐Infrared Organic Photodetectors
Authors: Hu Xiantao , Qiao Zhuoran , Nodari Davide , He Qiao , Asatryan Jesika , Rimmele Martina , Chen Zhili , Martín Jaime , Gasparini Nicola , Heeney Martin
Published: October 2023

Two fully non‐fused small‐molecule acceptors BTIC‐1 and BTIC‐2 are reported for application in near‐infrared organic photodetectors (NIR OPDs). Both acceptors contain the same conjugated backbone but differing sidechain regiochemistry, affording significant differences in their optical properties. The head‐to‐head arrangement of BTIC‐2 results in a reduction of optical band gap of 0.17 eV compared to BTIC‐1, which contains a head‐to‐tail arrangement, with absorption spanning the visible and near‐IR regions up to 900 nm. These differences are rationalized on the basis of non‐covalent intramolecular interactions facilitating a more co‐planar conformation for BTIC‐2. OPDs based on PM6:BTIC‐2 deliver a low dark current density of 2.4 × 10−7 A cm−2, leading to a superior specific detectivity of 1.7 × 1011 Jones at 828 nm at ‐2 V. The optimized device exhibits an ultrafast photo response of 2.6 µs and a high ‐3 dB cut‐off frequency of 130 kHz. This work demonstrates that fully non‐fused small‐molecule acceptors offer competitive device performance for NIR OPDs compared to fused‐ring electron acceptors, but with reduced synthetic complexity. Furthermore, the study presents an efficient strategy to enhance device performance by varying conformational locks.
Process Considerations for the Production of Hydrogen via Steam Reforming of Oxygenated Gases from Biomass Pyrolysis and Other Conversion Processes
Authors: Dutta Abhijit
Published: October 2023

In 2021, average CO2 emissions was 9.7 g CO2/g H2 produced, primarily based on steam methane reforming (SMR) technology that currently dominates hydrogen production. The substitution of natural gas (NG) and other fossil feedstocks in SMRs with renewable gases may be considered as an option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This analysis explores process impacts and constraints associated with the potential introduction of biogenic gases into SMRs. The results indicate that replacing NG in the fuel train of the SMR, followed by partial replacement of NG in the feed train may be a feasible approach. For the CO‐ and CO2‐rich gas compositions assumed in this analysis the results indicate that feed train may accommodate up to 25 mole % of biogenic gases using allowances in existing designs and/or with small modifications, while maintaining similar hydrogen output. NG substitution in higher proportions require more major changes because of increased flow rates and heat exchange requirements in the system. Biogenic gases with lower CO2 and higher calorific values are advantageous for NG substitution, and dry reforming using the CO2 present in the feed gas can reduce steam consumption and increase process efficiency within limits where coking does not become a new constraint.
A Ubiquitin‐Dependent Switch on MEF2D Senses Pro‐Metastatic Niche Signals to Facilitate Intrahepatic Metastasis of Liver Cancer
Authors: Xiang Junyu , Zhang Ni , Du Aibei , Li Jinyang , Luo Mengyun , Wang Yuzhu , Liu Meng , Yang Luming , Li Xianfeng , Wang Lin , Liu Qin , Chen Dongfeng , Wang Tao , Bian Xiu‐wu , Qin Zhong‐yi , Su Li , Wen Liangzhi , Wang Bin
Published: October 2023

Effective treatment for metastasis, a leading cause of cancer‐associated death, is still lacking. To seed on a distal organ, disseminated cancer cells (DCCs) must adapt to the local tissue microenvironment. However, it remains elusive how DCCs respond the pro‐metastatic niche signals. Here, systemic motif‐enrichment identified myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D) as a critical sensor of niche signals to regulate DCCs adhesion and colonization, leading to intrahepatic metastasis and recurrence of liver cancer. In this context, MEF2D transactivates Itgb1 (coding β1‐integrin) and Itgb4 (coding β4‐integrin) to execute temporally unique functions, where ITGB1 recognizes extracellular matrix for early seeding, and ITGB4 acts as a novel sensor of neutrophil extracellular traps‐DNA (NETs‐DNA) for subsequent chemotaxis and colonization. In turn, an integrin‐FAK circuit promotes a phosphorylation‐dependent USP14‐orchastrated deubiquitination switch to stabilize MEF2D via circumventing degradation by the E3‐ubiquitin‐ligase MDM2. Clinically, the USP14(pS432)‐MEF2D‐ITGB1/4 feedback loop is often hyper‐active and indicative of inferior outcomes in human malignancies, while its blockade abrogated intrahepatic metastasis of DCCs. Together, DCCs exploit a deubiquitination‐dependent switch on MEF2D to integrate niche signals in the liver mesenchyme, thereby amplifying the pro‐metastatic integrin‐FAK signaling. Disruption of this feedback loop is clinically applicable with fast‐track potential to block microenvironmental cues driving metastasis.
Spiking Neurons with Neural Dynamics Implemented Using Stochastic Memristors
Authors: Song Lekai , Liu Pengyu , Pei Jingfang , Bai Fan , Liu Yang , Liu Songwei , Wen Yingyi , Ng Leonard W. T. , Pun Kong‐Pang , Gao Shuo , Meng Max Q.‐H. , Hasan Tawfique , Hu Guohua
Published: October 2023

Implementing and integrating spiking neurons for neuromorphic hardware realization conforming to spiking neural networks holds great promise in enabling efficient learning and decision‐making. The spiking neurons, however, may lack the spiking dynamics to encode the dynamical information in complex real‐world problems. Herein, using filamentary memristors from solution‐processed hexagonal boron nitride, this study assembles leaky integrate‐and‐fire spiking neurons and, particularly, harnesses the common switching stochasticity feature in the memristors to allow key neural dynamics, including Poisson‐like spiking and adaptation. The neurons, with the dynamics fitted via hardware‐algorithm codesign, suggest a potential in realizing spike‐based neuromorphic hardware capable of handling complex problems. Simulation of an autoencoder for anomaly detection of time‐series real analog and digital data from physical systems is demonstrated, underscoring its promising prospect in applications, especially, at the edges with limited computation resources, for instance, auto‐pilot, manufacturing, wearables, and Internet of things.
Disclosing dual manufacturers on private brands: Does it change quality and image perception between national and private label brands?
Authors: Pérez‐Santamaría Samanta , Martos‐Partal Mercedes
Published: October 2023

Dual manufacturers produce both their own brands and private label brands (PLs). Disclosing these manufacturers on PL packaging might exert quality and brand image effects, which could influence the perception differentials between national brands (NBs) and PLs. An experiment identifies moderating effects for these differentials, according to the NB image positioning (high and low) and the type of PL (standard and premium). For example, compared to the case when a low‐image NB manufacturer is disclosed as the supplier of a standard PL, which is our reference, we propose a decrease in the quality and brand image differentials when: (1) the high‐image NB supplies a standard PL, or (2) a low‐image NB manufacturer is disclosed as the supplier of a premium PL. Whereas we will not expect any change when a high‐image NB manufacturer is disclosed as the supplier of a premium PL. Our results partially support our expectations. [EconLit Citations: M21, M31, Q13].
Advances in Vinyl Sulfone Catalyzed Synthesis: Methods, Mechanisms and Perspectives
Authors: Tong Jiangtao , Wang Yuhua , Qi Yajuan , Liu Xinyi , Wang Yumei
Published: October 2023

Vinyl sulfones are conjugated systems composed of C=C and S=O, which are considered to be significant building blocks in organic synthesis and as coupling agents because they can serve as Michael acceptors as well as 2π‐partners in cycloaddition reactions. The attractive bioactivity and unique chemical properties of the vinyl sulfone skeleton have led to its extensive study in organic synthesis and pharmaceutical chemistry. However, a systematic and comprehensive review of the routes for the catalytic synthesis of vinyl sulfones have not been carried out so far. In this paper, the applications of vinyl sulfone structures in biomolecular and organic syntheses are briefly investigated, and the current methods for the synthesis of vinyl sulfone structures in recent years using different catalysts are systematically reviewed and analyzed. Finally, the future opportunities and challenges for the synthesis and application of vinyl sulfone compounds are discussed.
Heterogeneous treatment effects of metformin on risk of dementia in patients with type 2 diabetes: A longitudinal observational study
Authors: Tang Huilin , Guo Jingchuan , Shaaban C. Elizabeth , Feng Zheng , Wu Yonghui , Magoc Tanja , Hu Xia , Donahoo William T , DeKosky Steven T. , Bian Jiang
Published: October 2023

INTRODUCTION

Little is known about the heterogeneous treatment effects of metformin on dementia risk in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

METHODS

Participants (≥ 50 years) with T2D and normal cognition at baseline were identified from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center database (2005–2021). We applied a doubly robust learning approach to estimate risk differences (RD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) for dementia risk between metformin use and no use in the overall population and subgroups identified through a decision tree model.

RESULTS

Among 1393 participants, 104 developed dementia over a 4‐year median follow‐up. Metformin was significantly associated with a lower risk of dementia in the overall population (RD, –3.2%; 95% CI, –6.2% to –0.2%). We identified four subgroups with varied risks for dementia, defined by neuropsychiatric disorders, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, and antidepressant use.

DISCUSSION

Metformin use was significantly associated with a lower risk of dementia in individuals with T2D, with significant variability among subgroups.