bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three Birds with One Stone: Tetramethylurea as Electrolyte Additive for Highly Reversible Zn‐Metal Anode
Authors: Yang Jianghong , Zhang Yang , Li Zhongliang , Xu Xin , Su Xinyu , Lai Jiawei , Liu Yan , Ding Kui , Chen Luyi , Cai Yue‐Peng , Zheng Qifeng
Published: October 2022

Aqueous Zn‐metal batteries are the most promising system for large‐scale energy storage due to their high capacity, high safety, and low cost. The Zn‐metal anode, however, suffers from continuous parasitic reactions, random dendrite growth, and sluggish kinetics in aqueous electrolytes. Herein, a high donor number solvent, tetramethylurea (TMU), is introduced as electrolyte additive to enable highly reversible Zn‐metal anode, where the TMU can 1) preferentially adsorb on the Zn surface to inhibit Zn corrosion and suppress parasitic reaction, 2) solvate with Zn2+ and exclude the H2O from Zn2+ solvation sheath to weaken water activity significantly, and 3) contribute to form an inorganic‐organic bilayer solid electrolyte interphase to enable homogeneous and rapid Zn2+ transport kinetic for dendrite‐free Zn deposition. Benefiting from these three merits, the resulting aqueous electrolyte demonstrates a highly reversible Zn plating/stripping cycling in a Zn||Ti asymmetric cell for over 1200 cycles and in a Zn||Zn symmetric cell for over 4000 h. As a proof‐of‐concept, the aqueous Zn‐metal full cells assembled with various state‐of‐the‐art cathodes also deliver excellent cycling performance even with a 10 µm thin Zn anode, favoring the practical application.
Saturation of Open‐Circuit Voltage at Higher Light Intensity Caused by Interfacial Defects and Nonradiative Recombination Losses in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Ompong David , Ram Kiran Sreedhar , Setsoafia Daniel Dodzi Yao , Mehdizadeh Rad Hooman , Singh Jai
Published: October 2022

A new analytical expression that directly relates the open‐circuit voltage (Voc) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) to the quasi‐Fermi level splitting (QFLS), interface energy offsets, and nonradiative recombination losses has been derived. It is found that the QFLS of the active layer plays a dominant role in enhancing Voc of PSCs. The newly derived Voc is applied to two PSCs with the hole transport layer (HTL) of poly[bis(4‐phenyl)(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)amine], and poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl) (P3HT) and found that the first PSC has a higher Voc, which agrees well with the experimental results. It is found that both PSCs exhibit saturation of Voc at the higher charge carrier generation rates and hence at higher light intensities. The lower Voc in PSC with P3HT as HTL is attributed to the stronger band bending and higher interfacial defects. In accordance with the results, a large quasi‐Fermi level splitting and a minimal interfacial energy offsets may be considered when selecting material for high Voc PSCs.
Ultrastable and Highly Luminescent Quantum Dots Coating Highly Dense Protective Layers of Na‐Poly(Al‐O‐Si) Nanocomposites for Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Lai Chun‐Feng , Zhong Chang‐Zhi , Lee Yu‐Chun
Published: October 2022

Quantum dot white light‐emitting diodes (QD‐WLEDs) have a potential for wide color gamut displays. Their applications to QD‐on‐chip package are limited by their poor stability. In this study, highly dense protective layers of Na‐poly(Al‐O‐Si) nanocomposite (NPAS NC) coating on QDs are developed for the first time. They enhanced the photoluminescence quantum yield at ≈1.74‐fold and stability. In addition, the effects of specific surface area (SSA) of NC structures on the reliability of QD‐WLEDs are investigated. The synthesized NPAS NCs via a sol‐gel method with catalyst showed the lowest SSA (2.39 m2 g−1) with almost no pore, thereby demonstrating the best reliability analysis (RA) results for QD‐WLEDs. QDs@NPAS WLEDs present a highly luminous efficacy of 133 lm W−1 compared with pristine QD‐WLEDs (79 lm W−1) under an electric input power of 21.4 mW. RA test on the QDs@NPAS WLEDs with an operational lifetime of 1,560 h is performed. A 16.6‐fold enhancement is observed compared with pristine QD‐WLEDs (≈94 h). QDs@NPAS WLEDs also exhibit an excellent display performance with a wide color gamut (≈91%) based on Rec. 2020 color standard. This approach can enhance the reliability of QDs for display applications, thereby providing a strategy for mini‐ and micro‐QD‐WLEDs.
Atomic Layer Deposition Beyond Thin Film Deposition Technology
Authors: Yasmeen Sumaira , Ryu Seung Wook , Lee Sung‐Hoon , Lee Han‐Bo‐Ram
Published: October 2022

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is well known as the most advanced coating technique so far due to its unique deposition characteristics, such as uniformity and 3D conformality. ALD is not limited to coating technologies alone; however, over the past few decades, it has been extended beyond coating technologies to address several bottlenecks in the semiconductor industry. This short review article provides a summary of previous studies published on various approaches to using ALD to overcome the technological challenges in Si device fabrication beyond, that is, ALD for multiple patterning, area‐selective atomic layer deposition, atomic layer etching, and ALD for dry photoresist. The purpose of this review is to determine the existing trend in ALD for noncoating applications and to understand and provide a layout of what ALD can bring in the future. In addition, it helps in appreciating the potential of ALD in existing and future noncoating processes. Furthermore, this study provides a developing route for ALD in other noncoating applications in the semiconductor industry. This review may help ALD researchers in its use in various noncoating processes in the future to extend Moore's law.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations on the Flow Behavior of 5CB Liquid Crystal Sandwiched Between Iron Walls
Authors: Chen Hui , Sun Qilin , Xiao Guangchun , Chen Zhaoqiang , Yi Mingdong , Zhang Jingjie , Xu Chonghai
Published: October 2022

The 4‐n‐pentyl‐4′‐cyano biphenyl (5CB) liquid crystal (LC) sandwiched and sheared between atomically flat and grooved iron walls, respectively, is simulated using molecular dynamics, and the flow behavior of the system under confinement, pressure, and shear is investigated. The order parameter P2, velocity, and density of 5CB are profiled as a function of distance from the walls using a block analysis method. The flow‐alignment phenomenon is reproduced, and alignment angles ranging from 11.3° to 13.9° are observed. The competition between the elastic effect of the surface and viscous effect of the flow on the orientation of the 5CB molecules is investigated. The P2 of 5CB located in the vicinity of the grooved walls is higher than that of the flat walls, while this difference is negligible in the case of 5CB distanced from the walls. Instead of boundary slip or Couette flow, the velocity profiles reveal a boundary condition (BC) of central localization, which is very different from the assumed Couette flow BC in most analytical models of LC flow. This work enhances the current molecular‐scale understanding of the flow behavior of confined liquid crystals and provides additional insights into the phenomenon.
Working Principles of Lithium Metal Anode in Pouch Cells
Authors: Liu He , Sun Xin , Cheng Xin‐Bing , Guo Cong , Yu Feng , Bao Weizhai , Wang Tao , Li Jingfa , Zhang Qiang
Published: October 2022

Lithium metal battery has been considered as one of the potential candidates for next‐generation energy storage systems. However, the dendrite growth issue in Li anodes results in low practical energy density, short lifespan, and poor safety performance. The strategies in suppressing Li dendrite growth are mostly conducted in materials‐level coin cells, while their validity in device‐level pouch cells is still under debate. It is imperative to address dendrite issues in pouch cells to realize the practical application of Li metal batteries. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the failure mechanism and regulation strategies of Li metal anodes in practical pouch cells. First, the gaps between the scientific findings in materials‐level coin cells and device‐level pouch cells are underscored. Specific attention is paid to the mechanistic understanding and quantitative discussion on the failure mechanisms of pouch‐type Li metal batteries. Subsequently, recently proposed strategies are reviewed to suppress dendrite growth in pouch cells. The state‐of‐the‐art electrochemical performance of pouch cells, especially the cell‐level energy density and lifespan, is critically concerned. The review concludes with an attempt to summarize the scientific and engineering understandings of pouch‐type Li metal anodes and propose some novel insights for the practical applications of Li metal batteries.
Have advances in medical therapy for ulcerative colitis impacted surgical treatment?
Authors: Kuwahara Ryuichi , Ikeuchi Hiroki , Horio Yuki , Minagawa Tomohiro , Kusunoki Kurando , Uchino Motoi
Published: October 2022

Aim

The purpose of this study was to examine how the clinical characteristics, indications for surgery, and postoperative course of ulcerative colitis (UC) surgical patients changed before and after the introduction of biological agents.

Methods

Patients who underwent surgery for UC at Hyogo Medical University between 2000 and 2019 were included in the study; those who underwent surgery between 2000 and 2009 were included in the early group (n = 864), and those who underwent surgery between 2010 and 2019 were included in the late group (n = 834); each study factor was retrospectively compared.

Results

The mean ages at surgery (y) were 39.7 ± 15.1 y in the early group and 46.7 ± 17.8 y in the late group (P < .01). Antitumor necrosis factor agents were used (%) in 2 (0.2) patients in the early group and 317 (38.0) patients in the late group (P < .01). The number of cancer or dysplasia patients for whom surgery was indicated was significantly higher in the late group (11%/26%, P = .01). With regard to surgery in elderly individuals, the number of elderly patients (65 y and older) undergoing surgery was significantly higher in the late group (8.0%/18.6%, P < .01). For emergency surgery, the mortality rates were 16.7% (2/12) in the early surgery group and 15.7% (8/51) in the late surgery group (P = .61).

Conclusion

The characteristics of UC patients requiring surgery in Japan have changed. The distribution of surgical indications changed, and the number of patients with cancer and dysplasia requiring surgery increased. The prognosis of elderly patients who underwent emergency surgery was poor.
Rh(III)‐Catalyzed [4+2]‐Annulation of Indoles: Access to Functionalized Pyrimidoindolones Containing α‐Amino Acid Framework
Authors: Vorobyeva Daria V. , Bubnova Alexandra S. , Godovikov Ivan A. , Danshina Anastasia A. , Osipov Sergey N.
Published: October 2022

An efficient method for the selective preparation of new CF3‐substituted α‐amino acid derivatives decorated with pharmacophore pyrimido[1,6‐a]indolone core has been developed via Rh(III)‐catalyzed C−H activation/[4+2]‐annulation of N‐(pivaloyloxy)‐indole‐1‐carboxamides with propargyl‐containing α‐amino carboxylates and α‐amino phosphonates.
Spin Effect to Promote Reaction Kinetics and Overall Performance of Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries under External Magnetic Field
Authors: Zhang Chao Yue , Zhang Chaoqi , Sun Guo Wen , Pan Jiang Long , Gong Li , Sun Geng Zhi , Biendicho Jordi Jacas , Balcells Lluís , Fan Xiao Long , Morante Joan Ramon , Zhou Jin Yuan , Cabot Andreu
Published: October 2022

Lithium‐sulfur batteries (LSBs) are still limited by the shuttle of lithium polysulfides (LiPS) and the slow Li−S reaction. Herein, we demonstrate that when using cobalt sulfide as a catalytic additive, an external magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet can significantly improve the LiPS adsorption ability and the Li−S reaction kinetics. More specifically, the results show both experimentally and theoretically how an electron spin polarization of Co ions reduces electron repulsion and enhances the degree of orbital hybridization, thus resulting in LSBs with unprecedented performance and stability. Under an external magnetic field, LSBs with 0.0084 % per cycle decay rate at 2 C during 8150 cycles are produced. Overall, this work not only demonstrates an effective strategy to promote LiPS adsorption and electrochemical conversion in LSBs at no additional energy cost but also enriches the application of the spin effect in the electrocatalysis fields.
Synthetic flavagline derivative 1‐chloroacetylrocaglaol promotes apoptosis in K562 erythroleukemia cells through miR‐17‐92 cluster genes
Authors: Wu Xijun , Yang Xinmei , Varier Krishnapriya M. , Rao Qing , Song Jingrui , Huang Lei , Huang Yubing , Gajendran Babu , He Zhixu , Yuan Chunmao , Li Yanmei
Published: October 2022

Chronic myeloid leukemia accounts for human deaths worldwide and could enhance sevenfold by 2050. Thus, the treatment regimen for this disorder is highly crucial at this time. Flavaglines are a natural class of cyclopentane benzofurans exhibiting various bioactivities like anticancer action. Despite the antiproliferative activity of flavaglines against diverse cancer cells, their roles and mechanism of action in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) remain poorly understood. Thus, this study examines the antiproliferative effect of a newly synthesized flavagline derivative, 1‐chloracetylrocaglaol (A2074), on erythroleukemia K562 cells and the zebrafish xenograft model. The study revealed that A2074 could inhibit proliferation, promote apoptosis, and boost megakaryocyte differentiation of K562 cells. This flavagline downregulated c‐MYC and miR‐17‐92 cluster genes, targeting upregulation of the apoptotic protein Bcl‐2‐like protein 11 (BIM). The work uncovered a critical role of the c‐MYC‐miR‐17‐92‐BIM axis in the growth and survival of CML cells.
La−Cu based heterogeneous perovskite catalyst for highly selective benzene hydroxylation under mild conditions
Authors: Kumar Pawan , Vijay Jagtap Anuradha , Gupta Sharad , Vinod Chathakudath P.
Published: October 2022

Direct hydroxylation of benzene towards phenol with high conversion and selectivity remains a great challenge. We report herein an efficient La2CuO4 perovskite catalyst for one‐step oxidation of benzene using hydrogen peroxide under mild conditions. The catalyst was characterized using XRD, TEM, XPS, TG‐DTA, and other advanced techniques. The one‐pot hydroxylation reaction carried out at 60 °C under optimum reaction conditions in the presence of catalytic material shows benzene to phenol transformation with 51% conversion with >99% selectivity with 65 percent peroxide efficiency, respectively. The influence of reaction conditions such as temperature, amount of oxidant, reaction time and mode of addition of the oxidant was crucial in selectivity optimization.
Pescadillo ribosomal biogenesis factor 1 reduction suppresses tumour growth and renders chemosensitivity of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Dapeng , Yao Changyu , Ding Zhao , Liu Ping , Chen Xue , Liu Weiwei , Yi Fangzheng , Jiang Chuanya , Li Hongwu , Liu Yehai , Wu Jing
Published: October 2022

Background

As one of the most devastating cancers, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has a short survival time and poor prognosis. Pescadillo ribosomal biogenesis factor 1 (PES1) plays a critical role in the progression of numerous cancers. However, its role and underlying mechanisms in HNSCC remain unclear.

Methods

A variety of bioinformatic approaches were used to identify the expressions, prognostic and diagnostic value of PES1 in HNSCC. qRT‐PCR, immunofluorescence (IF) assay, western blotting and immunohistochemical (IHC) were used to evaluate the expression of PES1 in HNSCC cell lines and clinical tissues. PES1 was knocked down in TU177 and FaDu cells which have high PES1 expression. The effects of PES1 on cell proliferation and tumour growth in HNSCC were elevated by colony formation, CCK8 assays and tumorigenicity assay in nude mice. The effects on cisplatin (CDDP) sensitivity upon silencing of PES1 were assessed using a patient‐derived xenograft (PDX) model.

Results

PES1 expression was an independent prognostic factor for HNSCC and negatively associated with the overall survival rate. Silencing of PES1 reduces HNSCC cell proliferation and tumour growth. Moreover, PES1 inhibition significantly sensitises HNSCC cells to cisplatin. Furthermore, we found a PES1 has a high correlation with c‐Myc and plays an essential role in the tumour immune microenvironment.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that PES1 is associated with tumour growth and drug resistance and served as a potential cancer marker for diagnosis and a putative therapeutic target for HNSCC.
Sequences of Events from the Electronic Medical Record and the Onset of Infection
Authors: Coombes Caitlin E. , Coombes Kevin R. , Fareed Naleef
Published: October 2022

We present a novel model of time‐series analysis to learn from electronic health record (EHR) data when infection occurred in the intensive care unit (ICU) by translating methods from proteomics and Bayesian statistics. Using 48,536 patients hospitalized in an ICU, we describe each hospital course as an ‘alphabet’ of 23 physician actions (‘events’) in temporal order. We analyze these as k‐mers of length 3–12 events and apply a Bayesian model of (cumulative) relative risk (RR). The log2‐transformed RR (median=0.248, mean=0.226) supported the conclusion that the events selected were individually associated with increased risk of infection. Selecting from all possible cutoffs of maximum gain (MG), MG>0.0244 predicts administration of antibiotics with PPV 82.0 %, NPV 44.4 %, and AUC 0.706. Our approach holds value for retrospective analysis of other clinical syndromes for which time‐of‐onset is critical to analysis but poorly marked in EHRs, including delirium and decompensation.
Chemical Proteomics Reveals Protein Tyrosination Extends Beyond the Alpha‐Tubulins in Human Cells**
Authors: Makarov Dmytro , Kielkowski Pavel
Published: October 2022

Tubulin detyrosination‐tyrosination cycle regulates the stability of microtubules. With respect to α‐tubulins, the tyrosination level is maintained by a single tubulin‐tyrosine ligase (TTL). However, the precise dynamics and tubulin isoforms which undergo (de)tyrosination in neurons are unknown. Here, we exploit the substrate promiscuity of the TTL to introduce an O‐propargyl‐l‐tyrosine to neuroblastoma cells and neurons. Mass spectrometry‐based chemical proteomics in neuroblastoma cells using the O‐propargyl‐l‐tyrosine probe revealed previously discussed tyrosination of TUBA4A, MAPRE1, and other non‐tubulin proteins. This finding was further corroborated in differentiating neurons. Together we present the method for tubulin tyrosination profiling in living cells. Our results show that detyrosination‐tyrosination is not restricted to α‐tubulins with coded C‐terminal tyrosine and is thus involved in fine‐tuning of the tubulin and non‐tubulin proteins during neuronal differentiation.
Experimental Study on the Effects of Shear on Co‐Currently Swirling Steam‐Water Flow Instabilities
Authors: Hassan Aitazaz , Pavel Taranenko , Ullah Atta , Vladimirovich Sinitsin Vladimir , SanaUllah Khairuddin , Khan Afrasyab
Published: October 2022

The shear effect of co‐currently flowing water on the flow instabilities induced by swirling steam was investigated. With shear, a 22–27 % decrease in velocity fluctuation amplitude was observed. The decrease was 29–41 % on an exponential and 12–17 % on a proportional basis. Shear reduced the layer thickness on increasing the inlet water pressure from 1 to 2 bar by 1.9–2.9 and 6.35–12.89 % at steam inlet pressures of 1 and 2 bar, respectively. The ratio of the swirl intensity along the dimensionless axial length scale and the initial swirl intensity was changed from < 1 to > 1 across critical point due to the nearly equal values of buoyancy and rotational frequencies. A critical limit of the initial swirl intensity within the control plane was investigated wherein the swirl‐induced instabilities can be attenuated uniformly and the rotational effects dominate over the gravity waves and buoyancy.
Patient outcomes following implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery pathway for patients with metastatic spine tumors
Authors: Chakravarthy Vikram B. , Laufer Ilya , Amin Anubhav G. , Cohen Marc A. , Reiner Anne S. , Vuong Cindy , Persaud Petal‐Ann S. , Ruppert Lisa M. , Puttanniah Vinay G. , Afonso Anoushka M. , Tsui Van S. , Brallier Jess W. , Malhotra Vivek T. , Bilsky Mark H. , Barzilai Ori
Published: October 2022

Background

Metastatic spine tumor surgery consists of palliative operations performed on frail patients with multiple medical comorbidities. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs involve an evidence‐based, multidisciplinary approach to improve perioperative outcomes. This study presents clinical outcomes of a metastatic spine tumor ERAS pathway implemented at a tertiary cancer center.

Methods

The metastatic spine tumor ERAS program launched in April 2019, and data from January 2018 to May 2020 were reviewed. Measured outcomes included the following: hospital length of stay (LOS), time to ambulation, urinary catheter duration, time to resumption of diet, intraoperative fluid intake, estimated blood loss (EBL), and intraoperative and postoperative day 0–5 cumulative opioid use (morphine milligram equivalent [MME]).

Results

A total of 390 patients were included in the final analysis: 177 consecutive patients undergoing metastatic spine tumor surgery enrolled in the ERAS program and 213 consecutive pre‐ERAS patients. Although the mean case durations were similar in the ERAS and pre‐ERAS cohorts (265 vs. 274 min; p = .22), the ERAS cohort had decreased EBL (157 vs. 215 ml; p = .003), decreased postoperative day 0–5 cumulative mean opioid use (178 vs. 396 MME; p < .0001), earlier ambulation (mean, 34 vs. 57 h; p = .0001), earlier discontinuation of urinary catheters (mean, 36 vs. 56 h; p < .001), and shorter LOS (5.4 vs. 7.5 days; p < .0001).

Conclusions

The implementation of a multidisciplinary ERAS program designed for metastatic spine tumor surgery led to improved clinical quality metrics, including shorter hospitalizations and significant reductions in opioid consumption.
Ballistic Transport for One‐Dimensional Quasiperiodic Schrödinger Operators
Authors: Ge Lingrui , Kachkovskiy Ilya
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we show that one‐dimensional discrete multifrequency quasiperiodic Schrödinger operators with smooth potentials demonstrate ballistic motion on the set of energies on which the corresponding Schrödinger cocycles are smoothly reducible to constant rotations. The proof is performed by establishing a local version of strong ballistic transport on an exhausting sequence of subsets on which reducibility can be achieved by a conjugation uniformly bounded in the Cℓ‐norm. We also establish global strong ballistic transport under an additional integral condition on the norms of conjugation matrices. The latter condition is quite mild and is satisfied in many known examples. © 2022 The Authors. Communications on Pure and Applied Mathematics published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
PtOxCly(OH)z(H2O)n Complexes under Oxidative and Reductive Conditions: Impact of the Level of Theory on Thermodynamic Stabilities
Authors: Hellier Adrien , Chizallet Céline , Raybaud Pascal
Published: October 2022

Platinum‐based catalysts with Cl−, OH−, O2− and H2O ligands, are involved in many industrial processes. Their final chemical properties are impacted by calcination and reduction applied during the preparation and activation steps. We investigate their stability under these reactive conditions with density functional theory (DFT). We benchmark various functionals (PBE‐dDsC, optPBE, B3LYP, HSE06, PBE0, TPSS, RTPSS and SCAN) against ACFDT‐RPA. PBE‐dDsC is well adapted, although hybrid functionals are more accurate for redox reactions. Thermodynamic phase diagrams are determined by computing the chemical potential of the species as a function of temperature and partial pressures of H2O, HCl, O2 and H2. The stability and nature of the Pt species are highly sensitive to the activation conditions. Under O2, high temperatures favour PtO2 while under H2, platinum is easily reduced to Pt(0). Chlorine modifies the coordination sphere of platinum during calcination by stabilizing PtCl4 and shifts the reduction of platinum to higher temperatures under H2.
Land cover changes the soil moisture response to rainfall on the Loess Plateau
Authors: Ge Fengchi , Xu Mingxiang , Gong Chen , Zhang Zuoyuan , Tan Qingyue , Pan Xinhui
Published: October 2022

Insight into the rainfall‐soil moisture (SM) response to land cover is critical for soil hydrological process modelling and management. In this study, five typical land‐cover types (forest, shrub, grass, crop and bare land) and four rainfall patterns (heavy, intermediate, light and continuous rains) were selected to assess the effects of SM response characteristics on the Loess Plateau of China. We monitored SM at five depths on each land‐cover type at 1‐h intervals over the growing season of 2019. The results showed that rainfall patterns and land‐cover types together determined the SM response process and infiltration efficiency. A minimum accumulated rainfall amount of 5 mm was the threshold required to trigger a 10‐cm SM response. Rain events with a higher intensity and smaller total rainfall amount triggered a quick surface SM response, while larger amounts could percolate deeper and faster. Land‐cover change significantly altered the rainfall‐SM response dynamics and rainwater utilization efficiency after 20 years of ecological construction. Revegetation sites (mean values of forest, shrub and grass) increased the soil wetting depth by 14.7%, shortened the SM response time by 27.3%, and accelerated the SM wetting front velocity by 67.2%, which promoted a 35.2% rainfall transformation rate (RTR) across the 1‐m profile over all rainfall events (R1–13). Moreover, planted forest showed the highest RTR of R1–13 and the maximal increase in soil water storage, which did not aggravate the soil water deficit across the 1‐m profile over the growing season. Therefore, we present evidence that planted forests, instead of shrubs, may be beneficial for water conservation if precipitation is greater than 550 mm. The findings of this study prove the role of revegetation on rainwater infiltration capacity and efficiency and can help improve the management of afforestation in arid and semiarid regions.
Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer MRI for Differentiating Radiation Necrosis From Tumor Progression in Brain Metastasis—Application in a Clinical Setting
Authors: Mehrabian Hatef , Chan Rachel W. , Sahgal Arjun , Chen Hanbo , Theriault Aimee , Lam Wilfred W. , Myrehaug Sten , Tseng Chia‐Lin , Husain Zain , Detsky Jay , Soliman Hany , Stanisz Greg J.
Published: October 2022

Background

High radiation doses of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for brain metastases (BM) can increase the likelihood of radiation necrosis (RN). Advanced MRI sequences can improve the differentiation between RN and tumor progression (TP).

Purpose

To use saturation transfer MRI methods including chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) and magnetization transfer (MT) to distinguish RN from TP.

Study Type

Prospective cohort study.

Subjects

Seventy patients (median age 60; 73% females) with BM (75 lesions) post‐SRS.

Field Strength/Sequence

3‐T, CEST imaging using low/high‐power (saturation B1 = 0.52 and 2.0 μT), quantitative MT imaging using B1 = 1.5, 3.0, and 5.0 μT, WAter Saturation Shift Referencing (WASSR), WAter Shift And B1 (WASABI), T1, and T2 mapping. All used gradient echoes except T2 mapping (gradient and spin echo).

Assessment

Voxel‐wise metrics included: magnetization transfer ratio (MTR); apparent exchange‐dependent relaxation (AREX); MTR asymmetry; normalized MT exchange rate and pool size product; direct water saturation peak width; and the observed T1 and T2. Regions of interests (ROIs) were manually contoured on the post‐Gd T1w. The mean (of median ROI values) was compared between groups. Clinical outcomes were determined by clinical and radiologic follow‐up or histopathology.

Statistical Tests

t‐Test, univariable and multivariable logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic, and area under the curve (AUC) with sensitivity/specificity values with the optimal cut point using the Youden index, Akaike information criterion (AIC), Cohen's d. P < 0.05 with Bonferroni correction was considered significant.

Results

Seven metrics showed significant differences between RN and TP. The high‐power MTR showed the highest AUC of 0.88, followed by low‐power MTR (AUC = 0.87). The combination of low‐power CEST scans improved the separation compared to individual parameters (with an AIC of 70.3 for low‐power MTR/AREX). Cohen's d effect size showed that the MTR provided the largest effect sizes among all metrics.

Data Conclusion

Significant differences between RN and TP were observed based on saturation transfer MRI.

Evidence Level: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2
Assessment of Splenic Switch‐Off With Arterial Spin Labeling in Adenosine Perfusion Cardiac MRI
Authors: Aramendía‐Vidaurreta Verónica , Solis‐Barquero Sergio M. , Ezponda Ana , Vidorreta Marta , Echeverria‐Chasco Rebeca , Pascual Marina , Bastarrika Gorka , Fernández‐Seara María A.
Published: October 2022

Background

In patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial perfusion is assessed under rest and pharmacological stress to identify ischemia. Splenic switch‐off, defined as the stress to rest splenic perfusion attenuation in response to adenosine, has been proposed as an indicator of stress adequacy. Its occurrence has been previously assessed in first‐pass perfusion images, but the use of noncontrast techniques would be highly beneficial.

Purpose

To explore the ability of pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling (PCASL) to identify splenic switch‐off in patients with suspected CAD.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

Five healthy volunteers (age 24.8 ± 3.8 years) and 32 patients (age 66.4 ± 8.2 years) with suspected CAD.

Field strength/Sequence

A 1.5‐T/PCASL (spin‐echo) and first‐pass imaging (gradient‐echo).

Assessment

In healthy subjects, multi‐delay PCASL data (500–2000 msec) were acquired to quantify splenic blood flow (SBF) and determine the adequate postlabeling delay (PLD) for single‐delay acquisitions (PLD > arterial transit time). In patients, single‐delay PCASL (1200 msec) and first‐pass perfusion images were acquired under rest and adenosine conditions. PCASL data were used to compute SBF maps and SBF stress‐to‐rest ratios. Three observers classified patients into “switch‐off” and “failed switch‐off” groups by visually comparing rest‐stress perfusion data acquired with PCASL and first‐pass, independently. First‐pass categories were used as reference to evaluate the accuracy of quantitative classification.

Statistical Tests

Wilcoxon signed‐rank, Pearson correlation, kappa, percentage agreement, Generalized Linear Mixed Model, Mann–Whitney, Pearson Chi‐squared, receiver operating characteristic, area‐under‐the‐curve (AUC) and confusion matrix. Significance: P value < 0.05.

Results

A total of 27 patients (84.4%) experienced splenic switch‐off according to first‐pass categories. Comparison of PCASL‐derived SBF maps during stress and rest allowed assessment of splenic switch‐off, reflected in a reduction of SBF values during stress. SBF stress‐to‐rest ratios showed a 97% accuracy (sensitivity = 80%, specificity = 100%, AUC = 85.2%).

Data Conclusion

This study could demonstrate the feasibility of PCASL to identify splenic switch‐off during adenosine perfusion MRI, both by qualitative and quantitative assessments.

Evidence Level

2

Technical Efficacy

2
FBXO6 regulates the antiviral immune responses via mediating alveolar macrophages survival
Authors: Cen Mengyuan , Ouyang Wei , Lin Xiuhui , Du Xiaohong , Hu Huiqun , Lu Huidan , Zhang Wanying , Xia Jingyan , Qin Xiaofeng , Xu Feng
Published: October 2022

Inducing early apoptosis in alveolar macrophages is one of the strategies influenza A virus (IAV) evolved to subvert host immunity. Correspondingly, the host mitochondrial protein nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain‐like receptor (NLR)X1 is reported to interact with virus polymerase basic protein 1‐frame 2 (PB1‐F2) accessory protein to counteract virus‐induced apoptosis. Herein, we report that one of the F‐box proteins, FBXO6, promotes proteasomal degradation of NLRX1, and thus facilitates IAV‐induced alveolar macrophages apoptosis and modulates both macrophage survival and type I interferon (IFN) signaling. We observed that FBXO6‐deficient mice infected with IAV exhibited decreased pulmonary viral replication, alleviated inflammatory‐associated pulmonary dysfunction, and less mortality. Analysis of the lungs of IAV‐infected mice revealed markedly reduced leukocyte recruitment but enhanced production of type I IFN in Fbxo6−/− mice. Furthermore, increased type I IFN production and decreased viral replication were recapitulated in FBXO6 knockdown macrophages and associated with reduced apoptosis. Through gain‐ and loss‐of‐function studies, we found lung resident macrophages but not bone marrow‐derived macrophages play a key role in the differences FBXO6 signaling pathway brings in the antiviral immune response. In further investigation, we identified that FBXO6 interacted with and promoted the proteasomal degradation of NLRX1. Together, our results demonstrate that FBXO6 negatively regulates immunity against IAV infection by enhancing the degradation of NLRX1 and thus impairs the survival of alveolar macrophages and antiviral immunity of the host.
Impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on influenza virus prevalence in children in Sichuan, China
Authors: Wang Pinjia , Xu Yidan , Su Zhe , Xie Chengbin
Published: October 2022

We performed a retrospective analysis of influenza A and B virus antigen detection data in children in Sichuan Province from January 2019 to December 2021, with the goal of studying the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on influenza circulation in children in Sichuan, China. During the pandemic, both the number of specimens and the positive rates of the influenza virus fell dramatically. The positivity for influenza A virus decreased from 22.5% in 2019 to 9.9% in 2020 to 0.2% in 2021 (p < 0.001). The lowest and highest positive rates for the influenza B virus occurred in 2020 and 2021, respectively, with a statistically significant 3‐year comparison (p < 0.001). During the pandemic, the annual positivity remained higher in school‐age than in preschoolers, while there was no difference in the annual positivity between the two gender groups, both consistent with the prepandemic results. During the pandemic, the seasonality of influenza A and B was different from that before the pandemic. In 2019, the epidemic season for influenza A was autumn and winter, while the epidemic season for influenza B was winter and spring. Seasonal changes in influenza A were insignificant after the pandemic, and influenza B became predominant in 2021, with a high prevalence in the autumn. Although influenza activity decreased during the COVID‐19 pandemic, one should be on the lookout for a possible rebound in influenza circulation in the future.
Light Soaking Induced Halide Doping of Evaporated Spiro‐OMeTAD in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Du Guozheng , Yang Li , Zhang Jinbao
Published: October 2022

Identification and investigation of light soaking effect (LSE) as well as the associated physical mechanisms are crucial for achieving reliable power output and high stability of solar cells. Here, a profound LSE dependence on doping status of organic hole transport materials (HTMs) in perovskite solar cells is demonstrated. A tenfold efficiency enhancement is realized in the devices based on evaporated undoped HTMs caused by LSE. This light‐soaking behavior is attributed to the increased film conductivity, enhanced built‐in potential at perovskite/HTM interface, reduced interfacial charge accumulation, and suppressed nonradiative recombination in devices. Besides, chemical and structural analysis reveal that halide ions migration and subsequent photodoping of organic HTMs enables significant improvement of the film conductivity and hole mobility. Moreover, the HTM mobilities are proven to determine the LSE strength and kinetics, causing significant variation in photostability of devices.
Axonal loss at time of diagnosis as biomarker for long‐term disability in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Authors: Al‐Zuhairy Ali , Jakobsen Johannes , Moldovan Mihai , Krarup Christian
Published: October 2022

Introduction/Aims

We hypothesized that early, pretreatment axonal loss would predict long‐term disability, supported by a pilot study of selected patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). To further test this hypothesis, we examined a larger consecutive group of CIDP patients.

Methods

Needle electromyography and motor and sensory nerve conduction studies were carried out in 30 CIDP patients at pretreatment and follow‐up 5 to 28 years later. Changes in amplitudes were expressed as axonal Z scores and changes in conduction as demyelination Z scores and correlated with findings of the Inflammatory Rasch‐built Overall Disability Scale (I‐RODS), the Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS), and isokinetic dynamometry (IKS).

Results

At follow‐up, the median I‐RODS score was 73, the NIS was 23, and the IKS was 56%. The median axonal Z score was unchanged at follow‐up. Conversely, the corresponding demyelination Z scores improved. The initial axonal loss was correlated with the clinical outcome and was an independent predictor of outcome by multivariate regression analysis. Axonal loss at follow‐up was also correlated with the clinical outcome. Only the follow‐up demyelination Z score was correlated with the clinical outcomes. Furthermore, the latency until treatment initiation was predictive of all three clinical outcome scores at follow‐up, and of axonal loss and demyelination at follow‐up.

Discussion

The present study findings indicate that pretreatment axonal loss at diagnosis in CIDP is predictive of long‐term disability, neurological impairment, and strength. A delay in treatment is associated with more pronounced axonal loss and a worse clinical outcome.
Translation, cultural adaptation and recommendations for clinical implementation of the Abbey Pain Scale to a Swedish dementia care context
Authors: Tegenborg Sussi , Fransson Per , Martinsson Lisa
Published: October 2022

Aim

To translate and culturally adapt the APS for people with end‐stage dementia in various care settings in Sweden and to investigate factors important for clinical implementation.

Design

Qualitative study design with interviews with care staff.

Methods

After an initial discussion of concepts, the Abbey Pain Scale was translated into Swedish and back into English to check for accuracy. The resulting Swedish version was then revised and culturally adapted through a series of interviews with nursing assistants, nurses and physicians (n = 11) to develop the final Swedish version.

Results

A Swedish version of the Abbey Pain Scale was developed. The instrument was considered straightforward and easy to use, but needed adjustments to make it more comprehensible to staff with less education in health care or with other first languages than Swedish. It was found important to carefully introduce new staff members to the instrument, to ensure they understand all the words and items.
Patch‐work: The economic and moral complementarity of informal entrepreneurs' multiple projects in Congo‐Brazzaville
Authors: Ning Rundong
Published: October 2022

Although there are many studies on informal workers juggling multiple jobs, how workers differentiate their jobs economically and morally is less examined. Based on 18 months of fieldwork among urban middle‐class entrepreneurs in Brazzaville, this article argues that entrepreneurs in the informal economy work on multiple projects that complement each other in terms of economic gains and moralities, a pattern I call “patch‐work.” Some projects are pitched in entrepreneurial competitions to gain funds, awards, and training and traveling opportunities. Others can generate more stable cash flows to support other projects. Yet others are not for profit but rather to expand one's social network. Despite being unable to generate income quickly, projects deemed entrepreneurial are kept for years, as they have high moral value. Thus, rather than simply maximizing profits, an entrepreneur in the informal economy “patch‐works” to pursue economic, social, and moral goals at the same time. Moreover, the moral values are highly diverse and debated among the entrepreneurs, showing that they cannot be reduced to a single logic. Patch‐working shows that, rather than passively coping with precarity or following neoliberalism, some working in the informal economy actively construct their working patterns to meet their multifaceted pursuits.
Attractive Electron Delocalization Behavior of FeCoMoPB Amorphous Nanoplates for Highly Efficient Alkaline Water Oxidation
Authors: Wang Qianqian , Jia Zhe , Li Jiaqi , He Yezeng , Yang Yiyuan , Li Yongjie , Sun Ligang , Shen Baolong
Published: October 2022

The rational design of high‐performance and cost‐effective electrocatalysts to overcome the kinetically sluggish water oxidation reaction is a grand challenge in water electrolysis. Transitional metals with incompletely filled d orbitals are expected to have intrinsic electronic interaction to promote the reaction kinetics, however, the construction of multiple active sites is still a bottleneck problem. Here, inspired by an amorphous alloy design strategy with chemical tunability, a noble‐metal‐free FeCoMoPB amorphous nanoplate for superior alkaline water oxidation is developed. The achieved overpotentials at current densities of 10, 100, and 500 mA cm−2 are 239, 281, and 331 mV, respectively, while retaining a reliable stability of 48 h, outperforming most currently available electrocatalysts. Experimental and theoretical results reveal that the chemical complexity of the amorphous nanoplate leads to the formation of multiple active sites that is able to greatly lower the free energy of the rate‐determining step during the water oxidation reaction. Moreover, the Mo element would result in an electron delocalization behavior to promote electron redistribution at its surrounding regions for readily donating and taking electrons. This amorphous alloy design strategy is expected to stimulate the development of more efficient electrocatalysts that is applicable in energy devices, such as metal–air batteries, fuel cells, and water electrolysis.
Assignment of Core and Surface States in Multicolor‐Emissive Carbon Dots
Authors: Zhang Bohan , Wang Bingzhe , Ushakova Elena V. , He Bingchen , Xing Guichuan , Tang Zikang , Rogach Andrey L. , Qu Songnan
Published: October 2022

It is important to reveal the luminescence mechanisms of carbon dots (CDs). Herein, CDs with two types of optical centers are synthesized from citric acid in formamide by a solvothermal method, and show high photoluminescence quantum yield reaching 42%. Their green/yellow emission exhibits pronounced vibrational structure and high resistance toward photobleaching, while broad red photoluminescence is sensitive to solvents, temperature, and UV–IR. Under UV–IR, the red emission is gradually bleached due to the photoinduced dehydration of the deprotonated surface of CDs in dimethyl sulfoxide, while this process is hindered in water. From the analysis of steady‐state and time‐resolved photoluminescence and transient absorption data together with density functional theory calculations, the green/ yellow emission is assigned to conjugated sp2‐domains (core state) similar to organic dye derivatives stacked within disk‐shaped CDs; and the broad red emission—to oxygen‐containing groups bound to sp2‐domains (surface state), whereas energy transfer from the core to the surface state can happen.
Acousto‐Photolithography for Programmable Shape Deformation of Composite Hydrogel Sheets
Authors: Li Minghao , Mei Jiyang , Friend James , Bae Jinhye
Published: October 2022

Stimuli‐responsive hydrogels with programmable shapes produced by defined patterns of particles are of great interest for the fabrication of small‐scale soft actuators and robots. Patterning the particles in the hydrogels during fabrication generally requires external magnetic or electric fields, thus limiting the material choice for the particles. Acoustically driven particle manipulation, however, solely depends on the acoustic impedance difference between the particles and the surrounding fluid, making it a more versatile method to spatially control particles. Here, an approach is reported by combining direct acoustic force to align photothermal particles and photolithography to spatially immobilize these alignments within a temperature‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel to trigger shape deformation under temperature change and light exposure. The spatial distribution of particles can be tuned by the power and frequency of the acoustic waves. Specifically, changing the spacing between the particle patterns and position alters the bending curvature and direction of this composite hydrogel sheet, respectively. Moreover, the orientation (i.e., relative angle) of the particle alignments with respect to the long axis of laser‐cut hydrogel strips governs the bending behaviors and the subsequent shape deformation by external stimuli. This acousto‐photolithography provides a means of spatiotemporal programming of the internal heterogeneity of composite polymeric systems.
Acidity‐Activatable Nanoparticles with Glucose Oxidase‐Enhanced Photoacoustic Imaging and Photothermal Effect, and Macrophage‐Related Immunomodulation for Synergistic Treatment of Biofilm Infection
Authors: Dai Yong , Mei Jiawei , Li Zhe , Kong Lingtong , Zhu Wanbo , Li Qianming , Wu Kerong , Huang Yan , Shang Xifu , Zhu Chen
Published: October 2022

The pH‐responsive theragnostics exhibit great potential for precision diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Herein, acidity‐activatable nanoparticles of GB@P based on glucose oxidase (GO) and polyaniline are developed for treatment of biofilm infection. Catalyzed by GO, GB@P triggers the conversion of glucose into gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), enabling an acidic microenvironment‐activated simultaneously enhanced photothermal (PT) effect/amplified photoacoustic imaging (PAI). The synergistic effects of the enhanced PT efficacy of GB@P and H2O2 accelerate biofilm eradication because the penetration of H2O2 into biofilm improves the bacterial sensitivity to heat, and the enhanced PT effect destroys the expressions of extracellular DNA and genomic DNA, resulting in biofilm destruction and bacterial death. Importantly, GB@P facilitates the polarization of proinflammatory M1 macrophages that initiates macrophage‐related immunity, which enhances the phagocytosis of macrophages and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, leading to a sustained bactericidal effect and biofilm eradication by the innate immunomodulatory effect. Accordingly, the nanoplatform of GB@P exhibits the synergistic effects on the biofilm eradication and bacterial residuals clearance through a combination of the enhanced PT effect with immunomodulation. This study provides a promising nanoplatform with enhanced PT efficacy and amplified PAI for diagnosis and treatment of biofilm infection.