bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrophilic/Hydrophobic SiO2 Nanoparticles Enabled Janus‐Type Paper through Commercial Glaco Spraying and Air‐Plasma Treatment
Authors: Xu Bing , Ding Yinlong
Published: June 2022

Functional paper‐based microdevices have been receiving wide attention in the research areas of microfluidic chips, soft actuators, etc. This work introduces the design and fabrication of a Janus‐type paper in which one side of the paper remains hydrophilic and the other side is hydrophobic. Such Janus‐type paper is prepared by directly spraying hydrophobic Glaco solutions and following air plasma treatment. The former treatment can cover the paper fibers with numerous hydrophobic SiO2 nanoparticles. Through optimizing the fabrication parameters of the air plasma, it can penetrate the filter paper in a controllable depth, resulting in effectively regulating the hydrophobic particles into hydrophilic ones. Thereafter, the antirotation and interfacial stability of the Janus paper are investigated. Finally, a liquid storage and contamination‐free analysis devices are demonstrated on the Janus‐type paper platform. Noting that the commercially nonfluoride coating (Glaco) and mature plasma instrument together make the fabrication method simple, rapid, users/environmental‐friendly, and mass‐produced. The method provides a new route to fabricate Janus‐type paper for potential multifunctional applications in microfluidic chips and smart actuators, and may open up new avenue to prepare Janus films in a simple/rapid way.
Inkjet Printing Efficient Defined‐Pixel Matrix Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes with a Polar Polymer Modification Layer
Authors: Wang Junjie , Li Danyang , Luo Yu , Wang Jian , Peng Junbiao
Published: June 2022

Perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) for full‐color displays based on inkjet printing technology are increasingly attractive. For potential applications, fabricating high‐quality perovskite films with defined‐pixel sizes is crucially important. The key issue is how to control the contact properties between the perovskite ink and a hole transport layer (HTL). In this study, a novel strategy is proposed by using the poly[(9,9‐bis(3′‐((N,N‐dimethyl)‐N‐ethylammonium)‐propyl)‐2,7‐fluorene)‐alt‐2,7‐(9,9‐dioctylfluorene)] dibromide (PFN‐Br) polar polymer to modify the HTL surface, instead of conventional O2 plasma method. The PFN‐Br can enhance the surface energy of HTLs, including PVK, Poly‐TPD, TFB, etc., and improve the wettability of perovskite inks on the HTL due to its polar quaternary ammonium groups. Besides, the PFN‐Br acts as the easier nucleation to induce a tiny crystallization of perovskites. On the other hand, the diphenyl phosphate liver (DPA) is first used to mix in perovskite inks to optimize the perovskite film phase distribution and the elimination of uncoordinated Pb2+, resulting from interactions between PEA+ and DPA, Pb2+ and DPA, respectively. As a result, a defined‐pixel matrix green quasi‐2D PeLED with the peak external quantum efficiency over 10% via inkjet printing technique is achieved, which is the most efficient matrix green PeLEDs fabricated by inkjet printing technique so far.
High‐Efficiency E‐Beam Pumped Deep‐Ultraviolet Surface Emitter Based on AlGaN Ultra‐Thin Staggered Quantum Wells
Authors: Wang Yixin , Yuan Ye , Tao Renchun , Liu Shangfeng , Wang Tao , Sheng Shanshan , Quach Patrick , CM Manoj Kumar , Chen Zhaoying , Liu Fang , Rong Xin , Jin Peng , Feng Mengyang , Li Hongwei , Guo Shiping , Ge Weikun , Lee June Key , Shen Bo , Wang Xinqiang
Published: June 2022

A 2‐inch wafer‐scale electron‐beam (e‐beam) pumped deep‐ultraviolet surface emitter (DUVSE) with high efficiency and high output power at an emission wavelength of 248 nm is reported. This DUVSE benefits from ultra‐thin staggered AlN/AlGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs), which compromise the electron–hole overlap and carrier confinement and thus significantly improve the emission efficiency. The wall‐plug‐efficiency (WPE) is increased by six times to 5.25% in comparison to that of conventional DUV light‐emitting devices (LEDs) based on AlGaN MQWs. This WPE is achieved under an anode voltage and current of 8 kV and 1 mA, where the output power is 420 mW. This output power can be further enhanced to 702 mW by increasing the anode current to 3 mA. The enhanced WPE and uniform electron beam distribution lighten the avenue to achieve a wafer‐scale high power dense DUV light source, which is a challenge for conventional DUV‐LEDs, in particular with an emission wavelength of less than 250 nm.
Flexible THz Carrier‐Envelope Phase Shifter Based on Metamaterials
Authors: Li Tong , Quan Baogang , Fang Guangyou , Wang Tianwu
Published: June 2022

The ability to manipulate terahertz (THz) waveform is important for its applications. Despite rapid progress in metamaterials (MMs), the carrier‐envelope phase (CEP) control for THz pulse is still challenging due to its broadband feature. THz scanning tunneling microscope (THz‐STM), as an emerging technique combining both high temporal and spatial resolution, imposes additional requirements. Here, an ultra‐thin and flexible THz CEP shifter with five groups of different MM arrays is proposed. The CEP shifter is based on a specified split‐ring resonator with a pair of cross‐oriented gratings to enhance transmission efficiency. Simulation and experimental results show that the CEP of the THz pulse is modulated by passing through different MM arrays in turn, which can be shifted as high as 2π. The CEP shifter has good tolerance to wide‐angle oblique incidence and structural bending, which is expected to be used as a key component for THz‐STM. The structure of the CEP shifter has many potential applications, including THz wave focusing, beam‐steering, spatial phase modulation, and structured light generation.
Blue Light Emitting Diodes based on Bright Quasi‐Type‐II ZnO@1‐Aminopyrene Hybrid Quantum Dots with a Long Operation Life
Authors: Kim Hong Hee , Park Soohyung , Ko Keum‐Jin , Yim Sang‐Youp , Kang Jae‐Wook , Choi Won Kook
Published: June 2022

Non‐toxic heavy metal, low‐cost indium‐free blue emissive quantum dots (QDs) are critical for the realization of self‐emissive electroluminescent quantum dot (ELQD) light‐emitting diode (LED) displays. A facile and effective hybridization of ZnO QDs with functionalized polyaromatic hydrocarbons (f‐PAHs) to synthesize a very bright and stable blue‐light emissive quantum‐dot LED (QLED) using non‐toxic quasi‐type‐II ZnO@1‐Aminopyrene hybrid QDs is reported. The optimized QLEDs of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/TFB/ZnO@1‐Aminopyrene/TPBi/LiF/Al demonstrate very bright deep blue‐light electroluminescence of 3379 cd m−2 centered at λ = 441 nm with a full‐width‐at‐half maximum of 41.7 nm and CIE 1931 color coordinates of 0.17 and 0.09, a luminous efficacy of 3.32 cd A−1, power efficiency of 2.45 lm W−1, external quantum efficiency of 2.35%, and a remarkably long lifetime T50 of >17 830 h at 100 cd m−2.
Periodically Poled Nonlinear Photonic Crystal KTa0.51Nb0.49O3 Combining Wide Transparent Range and Large Quadratic Coefficient
Authors: Wu Yabo , Liu Qilu , Tian Gang , Zheng Limei , Liang Fei , Wang Xuping , Wang Dongzhou , Sang Yuanhua , Liu Hong , Wang Jiyang , Yu Haohai , Zhang Huaijin
Published: June 2022

Since the first proposal of quasi‐phase‐matching (QPM) in 1962, finding new nonlinear photonic crystals has been an attractive topic in nonlinear optics fields. However, combining high conversion efficiency and wide operation range concurrently into one single crystal remains a great challenge. Herein, a periodically poled KTa0.51Nb0.49O3 (PPKTN) is fabricated as a one‐dimensional nonlinear photonic crystal for the first time, to the authors’ best knowledge. Benefitting from the large quadratic nonlinear coefficient, the QPM second harmonic generation (SHG) at 1030 nm is realized with a high conversion efficiency of up to 39%. More importantly, KTN crystal possesses wider mid‐infrared spectral transparency (0.4–8.0 µm) than commercialized LiNbO3 and KTiOPO4. A 5 µm SHG is first achieved with a conversion efficiency of 6.3%, indicating that it is a promising candidate for broadband mid‐infrared parametric conversion. This work promotes PPKTN as a new nonlinear photonic platform to achieve highly efficient optical waveguide, holography, information storage, and all‐optical chips.
Synthesis of Bis(β‐Oximinoalkyl)malonates and Their Catalytic Reductive Cyclization to Piperidines
Authors: Pospelov Evgeny V. , Boyko Yaroslav D. , Ioffe Sema L. , Sukhorukov Alexey Yu.
Published: June 2022

Hitherto unknown bis(β‐oximinoalkyl)malonates were demonstrated to be convenient platforms for the synthesis of saturated N‐heterocycles. Upon heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation, these dioximes undergo reductive cyclization to give substituted piperidine‐4,4’‐dicarboxylates, which are valuable building blocks in medicinal chemistry. By using dioximes bearing an additional ester group in the side chain, tandem piperidine/pyrrolidinone ring closure leading to indolizidinone framework was showcased in this work. A modular synthesis of initial bis(β‐oximinoalkyl)malonates (both symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted) was accomplished via a sequential Michael addition of two nitrosoalkene molecules to malonic ester. The mechanism of the reductive cyclization of dioximes to piperidines was investigated by isotope scrambling experiments and isolation of intermediates.

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In Vivo Click Chemistry Enables Multiplexed Intravital Microscopy
Authors: Ko Jina , Lucas Kilean , Kohler Rainer , Halabi Elias A. , Wilkovitsch Martin , Carlson Jonathan C. T. , Weissleder Ralph
Published: June 2022

The ability to observe cells in live organisms is essential for understanding their function in complex in vivo milieus. A major challenge today has been the limited ability to perform higher multiplexing beyond four to six colors to define cell subtypes in vivo. Here, a click chemistry‐based strategy is presented for higher multiplexed in vivo imaging in mouse models. The method uses a scission‐accelerated fluorophore exchange (SAFE), which exploits a highly efficient bioorthogonal mechanism to completely remove fluorescent signal from antibody‐labeled cells in vivo. It is shown that the SAFE‐intravital microscopy imaging method allows 1) in vivo staining of specific cell types in dorsal and cranial window chambers of mice, 2) complete un‐staining in minutes, 3) in vivo click chemistries at lower (µm) and thus non‐toxic concentrations, and 4) the ability to perform in vivo cyclic imaging. The potential utility of the method is demonstrated by 12 color imaging of immune cells in live mice.
Asynchronous Space‐Time‐Coding Digital Metasurface
Authors: Wang Si Ran , Chen Ming Zheng , Ke Jun Chen , Cheng Qiang , Cui Tie Jun
Published: June 2022

Recent progress in space‐time‐coding digital metasurface (STCM) manifests itself a powerful tool to engineer the properties of electromagnetic (EM) waves in both space and time domains, and greatly expands its capabilities from the physical manipulation to information processing. However, the current studies on STCM are focused under the synchrony frame, namely, all meta‐atoms follow the same variation frequency. Here, an asynchronous STCM is proposed, where the meta‐atoms are modulated by different time‐coding periods. In the proposed asynchronous STCM, the phase discontinuities on traditional metasurface are replaced with the frequency discontinuities. It is shown that dynamic wavefronts can be automatically realized for both fundamental and high‐order harmonics by elaborately arranging the spatial distribution of meta‐atoms with various time‐coding periods. The physics insight is due to the accumulated rapidly changing phase difference with time, which offers an additional degree of freedom during the wave‐matter interactions. As a proof‐of‐principle example, an asynchronous STCM for automatic spatial scanning and dynamic scattering control is investigated. From the theory, numerical simulations, and experiments, it can be found that the proposed STCM exhibits significant potentials for applications in radars and wireless communications.
Tumor‐Targeted Injectable Double‐Network Hydrogel for Prevention of Breast Cancer Recurrence and Wound Infection via Synergistic Photothermal and Brachytherapy
Authors: Wu Yuanhao , Yao Yuan , Zhang Jiamin , Gui Han , Liu Jinjian , Liu Jianfeng
Published: June 2022

The high locoregional recurrence rate and potential wound infection in breast cancer after surgery pose enormous risks to patient survival. In this study, a polyethylene glycol acrylate (PEGDA)‐alginate double‐network nanocomposite hydrogel (GPA) embedded with 125I‐labeled RGDY peptide‐modified gold nanorods (125I‐GNR‐RGDY) is fabricated. The double‐network hydrogel is formed by injection of GPA precursor solutions into the cavity of resected cancerous breasts of mice where gelation occurred rapidly. The enhanced temperature‐induced PEGDA polymerization driven by near‐infrared light irradiation, and then, the second polymer network is crosslinked between alginate and endogenous Ca2+ around the tumor. The double‐network hydrogel possesses a dense polymer network and tightly fixes 125I‐GNR‐RGDY, which exhibit superior persistent photothermal and radioactive effects. Hyperthermia induced by photothermal therapy can inhibit self‐repair of damaged DNA and promote blood circulation to improve the hypoxic microenvironment, which can synergistically enhance the therapeutic efficacy of brachytherapy and simultaneously eliminate pathogenic bacteria. Notably, this nanocomposite hydrogel facilitates antibacterial activity to prevent potential wound infection and is tracked by single‐photon emission computerized tomography imaging owing to isotope labeling of loaded 125I‐GNR‐RGDY. The combination of photothermal therapy and brachytherapy has enabled the possibility of proposing a novel postoperative adjuvant strategy for preventing tumor recurrence and wound infection.
Percolated Sulfide in Salt‐Concentrated Polymer Matrices Extricating High‐Voltage All‐Solid‐State Lithium‐metal Batteries
Authors: Jiang Feng , Wang Yantao , Ju Jiangwei , Zhou Qian , Cui Longfei , Wang Jinzhi , Zhu Guoxi , Miao Huancheng , Zhou Xinhong , Cui Guanglei
Published: June 2022

All‐solid‐state lithium‐metal batteries (ASLMBs) are considered to be remarkably promising energy storage devices owing to their high safety and energy density. However, the limitations of current solid electrolytes in oxidation stability and ion transport properties have emerged as fundamental barriers in practical applications. Herein, a novel solid electrolyte is presented by in situ polymerization of salt‐concentrated poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDE) implanted with a three‐dimensional porous L10GeP2S12 skeleton to mitigate these issues. The poly(PEGDE) endows more oxygen atoms to coordinate with Li+, significantly lowering its highest occupied molecular orbital level. As a consequence, the electro‐oxidation resistance of poly(PEGDE) exceeds 4.7 V versus Li+/Li. Simultaneously, the three‐dimensonal porous L10GeP2S12 skeleton provides a percolated pathway for rapid Li+ migration, ensuring a sufficient ionic conductivity of 7.7 × 10−4 S cm−1 at room temperature. As the bottlenecks are well solved, 4.5 V LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2‐based ASLMBs present fantastic cycle performance over 200 cycles with an average Coulombic efficiency exceeding 99.6% at room temperature.
Engineering 2D Silicene‐Based Mesoporous Nanomedicine for In Vivo Near‐Infrared‐Triggered Analgesia
Authors: Yin Suqing , Gao Po , Yu Luodan , Zhu Ling , Yu Weifeng , Chen Yu , Yang Liqun
Published: June 2022

The utilization of local anesthetics for postoperative analgesia represents an effective approach, but generally suffers from short half‐lives and brachychronic local neurotoxicity. A desirable anesthetic with controllable and sustainable drug‐releasing performance for adequate analgesia effect is highly required. In this work, the core/shell‐structured two‐dimenional (2D) silicene nanosheets coated with mesoporous silica layer (abbreviated as Silicene@MSNs) have been rationally constructed as localized drug‐delivery system in sciatic nerve block to achieve on‐demand release of loaded ropivacaine (RP) in mesoporous silica layer for local analgesia. Based on the specific photothermal performance of 2D silicene core, this local anesthesia system can be triggered by near‐infrared laser to release the loaded RP, resulting in on‐demand and long‐lasting regional anesthesia. The analgesia effect is assessed by pain behavior tests, which demonstrates that the RP‐loaded Silicene@MSNs core/shell nanosystem behaves almost five times longer analgesia effect than free RP. Furthermore, the activation of pain‐related neurons in nerve conduction pathways is tested to explore the underlying analgesia mechanism, revealing that the designed nanosystem can improve the pain threshold, reduce the activation of neurons in dorsal root ganglion and excitability in spinal substantia gelatinosa neurons. This designed anesthetic nanomedicine provides a facile but effective methodology for long‐lasting regional anesthesia.
A Van Der Waals Photo‐Ferroelectric Synapse
Authors: Cai Yao , Zhang Lifu , Jiang Jie , Hu Yang , Chen Zhizhong , Jia Ru , Sun Chengliang , Shi Jian
Published: June 2022

For hardware artificial intelligence, the central task is to design and develop artificial synapses with needed characteristics. Here, the design and experimental demonstration of a van der Waals (vdW) photo‐ferroelectric synapse are reported. In the photo‐ferroelectric synapse, the synaptic memory is extracted by reading the photocurrent, and written or edited by electrical pulses. The semiconducting vdW organic‐inorganic halide perovskite ((R)‐(–)‐1‐cyclohexylethylammonium)PbI3 (R‐CYHEAPbI3) photo‐ferroelectric serves as the model photo‐ferroelectric channel. Here, the vdW organic layer provides ferroelectric dipole and the PbI6 octahedron is responsible for photon absorption and charge transport. The R‐CYHEAPbI3 photo‐ferroelectric synapse show a writing/reading dynamics with >200 synaptic states, close to 103 on/off ratio, and reasonable endurance and retention characteristics. With the experimentally measured weight dynamics (parallel reading through ferroelectric photovoltaic effect and writing by electrical pulses) of R‐CYHEAPbI3 synapses, the feasibility of using a crossbar circuit to implement classic training and inference of hand‐written digits is presented. An image recognition accuracy of up to 90% is obtained. The demonstration of such a vdW photo‐ferroelectric synapse opens a window in the design of advanced devices for artificial intelligence.
Highly Flexible and Asymmetric Hexagonal‐Shaped Crystalline Structured Germanium Dioxide‐Based Multistate Resistive Switching Memory Device for Data Storage and Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Chougale Mahesh Y. , Khan Muhammad Umair , Kim Jungmin , Furqan Chaudhry Muhammad , Saqib Qazi Muhammad , Shaukat Rayyan Ali , Patil Swapnil R. , Mohammad Baker , Kwok Hoi‐Sing , Bae Jinho
Published: June 2022

With the increase of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) applications, fast and energy‐efficient computing is critical in future electronics. Fortunately, nonvolatile resistive memory devices can be potential candidates for these issues due to their in‐computing and neuromorphic computational abilities. Hence, the paper proposes a highly flexible and asymmetric hexagonal‐shaped crystalline structured germanium dioxide‐based Ag/GeO2/ITO device for high data storage and neuromorphic computing. The proposed device shows the highly asymmetric memristor behavior at low operating voltage to block backward current. The operational behaviors are observed by modulating the applied amplitude, current compliance, and varying the frequency, which shows excellent stability and repeatability in electrical characterizations. Furthermore, the neuromorphic device exhibits synaptic learning properties such as potentiation‐depression, pulse amplification, and spike time‐dependent plasticity rules (STDP). Here, the weights update of the memristive synaptic device is analyzed using a multilayer perceptron convolutional neural network (CNN) by optimizing the learning rate, training epochs, and algorithm to achieve higher accuracy for pattern recognition using CIFAR‐10 data. Undoubtedly, the demonstrated results suggest that the proposed device is a promising candidate to develop high‐density storage and neuromorphic computing technology for wearable and AI electronics.
Hydrogen Atom Doping—A Versatile Method for Modulated Interface Resistive Switching
Authors: Vanka Srinivas , Shin Hyungki , Davidson Bruce A. , Liu Chong , Zou Ke
Published: June 2022

Interface kinetics plays a crucial role in modulating the resistive switching mechanism for memristor devices with a Schottky junction. This study introduces H atoms by catalytic doping and examines the interfacial electrical transfer characteristics of the Pd/Nb‐doped SrTiO3 (Nb‐STO). The I–V measurements show that H+ doping at the Pd/Nb‐STO interface reduces the barrier height by 300 mV compared to the sample before H+ doping. This reduction in barrier height is further correlated with the decrease in built‐in potential by 300 mV and depletion layer thickness from C–V measurements. The underlying reason for such a drastic change in resistive switching characteristics is the reduction of interface layer thickness. The work highlights the easy use of Pd metal to introduce H atoms to oxide materials and provides insight into their effects on switching mechanisms.
Strong Intermolecular Interactions Induced by High Quadrupole Moments Enable Excellent Photostability of Non‐Fullerene Acceptors for Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: Luke Joel , Yang Emily J. , Chin Yi‐Chun , Che Yuxuan , Winkler Lisa , Whatling Darius , Labanti Chiara , Park Song Yi , Kim Ji‐Seon
Published: June 2022

Understanding degradation mechanisms of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) is a critical prerequisite for improving device stability. Herein, the effect of molecular structure on the photostability of non‐fullerene acceptors (NFAs) is studied by changing end‐group substitution of ITIC derivatives: ITIC, ITIC‐2F, and ITIC‐DM. Using an assay of in situ spectroscopy techniques and molecular simulations, the photodegradation product of ITIC and the rate of product formation are identified, which correlates excellently to reported device stability, with ITIC‐2F being the most stable and ITIC‐DM the least. The choice of acceptor is found to affect both the donor polymer (PBDB‐T) photostability and the morphological stability of the bulk heterojunction blend. Molecular simulations reveal that NFA end‐group substitution strongly modulates the electron distribution within the molecule and thus its quadrupole moment. Compared to unsubstituted‐ITIC, end‐group fluorination results in a stronger, and demethylation a weaker, molecular quadrupole moment. This influences the intermolecular interactions between NFAs and between the NFA and the polymer, which in turn affects the photostability and morphological stability. This hypothesis is further tested on two other high quadrupole acceptors, Y6 and IEICO‐4F, which both show impressive photostability. The strong correlation observed between NFA quadrupole moment and photostability opens a new synthetic direction for photostable organic photovoltaic materials.
Erythropoietic effects of vadadustat in patients with anemia associated with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Koury Mark J. , Agarwal Rajiv , Chertow Glenn M. , Eckardt Kai‐Uwe , Fishbane Steven , Ganz Tomas , Haase Volker H. , Hanudel Mark R. , Parfrey Patrick S. , Pergola Pablo E. , Roy‐Chaudhury Prabir , Tumlin James A. , Anders Robert , Farag Youssef M. K. , Luo Wenli , Minga Todd , Solinsky Christine , Vargo Dennis L. , Winkelmayer Wolfgang C.
Published: June 2022

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) develop anemia largely because of inappropriately low erythropoietin (EPO) production and insufficient iron available to erythroid precursors. In four phase 3, randomized, open‐label, clinical trials in dialysis‐dependent and non–dialysis‐dependent patients with CKD and anemia, the hypoxia‐inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, vadadustat, was noninferior to the erythropoiesis‐stimulating agent, darbepoetin alfa, in increasing and maintaining target hemoglobin concentrations. In these trials, vadadustat increased the concentrations of serum EPO, the numbers of circulating erythrocytes, and the numbers of circulating reticulocytes. Achieved hemoglobin concentrations were similar in patients treated with either vadadustat or darbepoetin alfa, but compared with patients receiving darbepoetin alfa, those receiving vadadustat had erythrocytes with increased mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin, while the red cell distribution width was decreased. Increased serum transferrin concentrations, as measured by total iron‐binding capacity, combined with stable serum iron concentrations, resulted in decreased transferrin saturation in patients randomized to vadadustat compared with patients randomized to darbepoetin alfa. The decreases in transferrin saturation were associated with relatively greater declines in serum hepcidin and ferritin in patients receiving vadadustat compared with those receiving darbepoetin alfa. These results for serum transferrin saturation, hepcidin, ferritin, and erythrocyte indices were consistent with improved iron availability in the patients receiving vadadustat. Thus, overall, vadadustat had beneficial effects on three aspects of erythropoiesis in patients with anemia associated with CKD: increased endogenous EPO production, improved iron availability to erythroid cells, and increased reticulocytes in the circulation.
Reliability of biological maturation analyses performed by equations predicting skeletal age and peak height velocity with hand and wrist X‐ray results
Authors: de Almeida‐Neto Paulo Francisco , de Medeiros Jason Azevedo , Medeiros Radamés Maciel Vítor , Baxter‐Jones Adam , de Matos Dihogo Gama , Aidar Felipe J. , Dantas Paulo Moreira Silva , de Araújo Tinoco Cabral Breno Guilherme
Published: June 2022

Background

Hand‐wrist radiography is the gold standard for the assessment of skeletal age (SA) and the assignment of biological maturation (BM) status. However, its practical use in the field is questioned, prompting the development of anthropometric equations to estimate BM. However, there is no consensus on the reliability of these equations in relation to hand‐wrist X‐rays.

Objective

To test the reliability of the BM estimated from predictive equations with the results of hand‐wrist X‐rays.

Methods

One‐hundred forty‐four young athletes (38%‐males, 62%‐females; 12.3 ± 1.4 years) were recruited. SA was assessed by analyzing X‐rays of the hand‐wrist using the Greulich‐Pyle protocol. SA was predicted using the anthropometric equations of Cabral and Macêdo. By subtracting chronological age from SA, a measure of BM or biological age (BA) was computed. In addition, a BA of years from peak height velocity (PHV) was predicted using the anthropometric equations of Mirwald and Moore.

Results

Relative to X‐ray, Cabral's equations showed high reliability in estimating BM in both sexes (p < .0001) while Macêdo's equations showed substantial reliability or males (p < .0001) only. Mirwald and Moore's equations showed weak reliability (p < .05 and p = .043, respectively).

Conclusion

The prediction of SA using anthropometric equations was found to be reliable in categorizing individuals as late, synchronized, and/or early maturers in both sexes. However, the predictive equations of years from PHV only reliably categorized late and synchronized maturation stages in males and the synchronized maturers in females.
Anthropometric measures do not explain the 2D:4D ratio sexual dimorphism in 7‐year‐old children
Authors: Jägetoft Zebulohn , Unenge Hallerbäck Maria , Julin Maria , Bornehag Carl‐Gustaf , Wikström Sverre
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Digit ratio (2D:4D) might reflect prenatal testosterone exposure and has been used as a putative marker for androgen related outcomes. However, such associations might be inflicted by confounders. Application of 2D:4D in epidemiological research motivate identification of biological background determinants.

We examined sex, anthropometric measures, and maternal factors as determinants of 2D:4D in Swedish 7‐year‐old children.

Methods

The study was embedded in the Swedish Environmental, Longitudinal, Mother and Child, Asthma and Allergy (SELMA) pregnancy cohort. A total of 870 pre‐pubertal children, median 7.5 years of age, were studied.

A single assessor performed digit measurements from scanned photocopies using computer software. Child anthropometric measurements investigated were hand size, birthweight, recumbent birth length, standing height, weight, BMI, body fat percentage, and waist/hip circumference. Maternal factors included age, pregnancy length, parity, and education.

Results

We found a significant sexual dimorphism regarding digit lengths and 2D:4D, boys on average presenting a lower 2D:4D than girls also after adjustment for summed finger lengths and body fatness. In crude analyses, maternal age correlated with 2D:4D across the whole population and in females but not in adjusted models. No other study variables were associated with 2D:4D.

Conclusion

Digit ratio showed sexual dimorphism at the age of seven and seems to represent a true sex difference rather than an artifact and bias from hand size, body size or body fat content. Among the rest of our investigated variables, we found no determinants constituting important confounders in future research on 2D:4D ratio.
Endoscopic surgery is superior to intensity‐modulated radiotherapy in the treatment of advanced recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Li Wanpeng , Zhang Qianqian , Chen Fu , Xu Haoyuan , Liu Qiang , Wang Huan , Zhang Huankang , Liu Quan , Gu Yurong , Li Houyong , Sun Xicai , Yu Hongmeng , Wang Dehui
Published: June 2022

Background

The choice between endoscopic surgery and re‐radiotherapy as the main treatment modality in patients with advanced recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC) remains controversial. Therefore, in this study, we compared the efficacies of endoscopic surgery and intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in patients with rNPC.

Methods

All patients with advanced rNPC (T3 and T4) who underwent salvage treatment were enrolled from January 2009 to December 2020. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using a log‐rank analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses of OS were performed using a Cox regression model. Common treatment‐related complications of endoscopic surgery were compared with those of IMRT.

Results

The numbers of patients with T3 and T4 tumors were 163 (64.2%) and 91 (35.8%), respectively; 192 patients underwent endoscopic surgery, 51 received IMRT, and 11 received three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D‐CRT). The 3‐year OS of patients treated with endoscopic surgery was 59.3%, which was significantly higher than that of patients treated with IMRT (34.7%, p < 0.001) or 3D‐CRT (43.6%, p = 0.012). Multivariate analyses showed that IMRT was an independent risk factor for OS compared with endoscopic surgery (hazard ratio, 2.068; 95% confidence interval, 1.395–3.069, p < 0.001). Complications of aural fullness (p = 0.001), nasopharyngeal necrosis (p = 0.004), nasopharyngeal hemorrhage (p = 0.004), dysphagia (p < 0.001), and cerebral infarction (p = 0.030) were significantly lower in the endoscopic surgery group than in the IMRT group.

Conclusion

Endoscopic surgery may be a more promising salvage treatment than IMRT to maximize survival and minimize treatment‐related complications in advanced rNPC. These results will be significant in deciding the optimal treatment for patients with advanced rNPC.
A Chimeric Conjugate of Antibody and Programmable DNA Nanoassembly Smartly Activates T Cells for Precise Cancer Cell Targeting
Authors: Tang Rui , Fu Yu‐Hao , Gong Bo , Fan Ying‐Ying , Wang Hong‐Hui , Huang Yan , Nie Zhou , Wei Ping
Published: June 2022

Synthetically directing T‐cells against tumors emerges as a promising strategy in immunotherapy, while it remains challenging to smartly engage T cells with tunable immune response. Herein, we report an intelligent molecular platform to engineer T‐cell recognition for selective activation to potently kill cancer cells. To this end, we fabricated a hybrid conjugate that uses a click‐type DNA–protein conjugation to equip the T cell‐engaging antibody with two distinct programmable DNA nanoassemblies. By integrating multiple aptameric antigen‐recognitions within a dynamic DNA circuit, we achieved combinatorial recognition of triple‐antigens on cancer cells for selective T‐cell activation after high‐order logic operation. Moreover, by coupling a DNA nanostructure, we precisely defined the valence of the antigen‐binding aptamers to tune avidity, realizing effective tumor elimination in vitro and in vivo. Together, we present a versatile and programmable strategy for synthetic immunotherapy.
Photoinduced Copper‐Catalyzed Asymmetric C(sp3)−H Alkynylation of Cyclic Amines by Intramolecular 1,5‐Hydrogen Atom Transfer
Authors: Guo Rui , Xiao Haijing , Li Sijia , Luo Yixin , Bai Jiahui , Zhang Mengzhen , Guo Yinlong , Qi Xiaotian , Zhang Guozhu
Published: June 2022

The development of a mild and general method for C(sp3)−H functionalization of cyclic amines has been an ongoing challenge. In this work, we describe the copper‐catalyzed enantioselective C(sp3)−H alkynylation of unactivated cyclic 2‐iodo‐benzamide under photo‐irradiation by intramolecular 1,5‐hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). The employment of a new bisoxazoline diphenylamine ligand, in conjunction with 1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol, which significantly improved the reduction potential of the copper complex, was the key to success of this chemistry. Mechanistic and computational studies supported that the new copper complex served the dual role as a photoredox and coupling catalyst, the reaction went through a radical process, and the intramolecular 1,5‐HAT process was involved in the rate‐limiting step. Apart from the broad substrate scope including unprecedented benzocyclic amines, this method also showed excellent diastereoselectivity in 2‐monosubstituted cyclic amines via substrate control.
Bioinspired Palladium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular C(sp3)−H Activation for the Collective Synthesis of Proline Natural Products
Authors: Li Quan‐Zhe , Hou Si‐Hua , Kang Jun‐Chen , Lian Peng‐Fei , Hao Yu , Chen Chao , Zhou Jia , Ding Tong‐Mei , Zhang Shu‐Yu
Published: June 2022

Bioinspired palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of amino acid derivatives containing a vinyl iodide moiety by C−H activation enabled rapid access to a wide range of functionalized proline derivatives with an exocyclic olefin. To demonstrate the practicality of this methodology, the functionalized prolines were used as intermediates for the synthesis of several natural products: lucentamycin A, oxotomaymycin, oxoprothracarcin, and barmumycin.
Physical–chemical studies of new, versatile carbazole derivatives and zinc complexes: Their synthesis, investigation of in vitro inhibitory effects on α‐glucosidase and human erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase I and II isoenzymes
Authors: Çol Sümeyye , Emirik Mustafa , Alım Zuhal , Baran Arif
Published: June 2022

In this study, two novel zinc–phthalocyanine complexes (4a and 6a), containing carbazole rings, were investigated. The first phthalocyanine 4a has been synthesized from 4‐(2‐(3‐acetyl‐9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl)ethoxy at the peripheral position. Likewise, the second phthalocyanine 6a has been synthesized from 4‐(2‐(3‐cinnamoyl‐9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl)ethoxy at the same position. The new phthalocyanines (Pcs) and their ligands are soluble in organic solvents, such as dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol/ethanol. The Zn (II) complexes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (except 13C NMR for complexes), elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Also, photophysical and photochemical properties and cyclic voltammogram for the N‐substituted carbazole zinc–Pcs have been reported. The evaluation of carbazole Zn (II) complexes (4a and 6a) and ligands (3, 4, 5, and 6) for in vitro α‐glucosidase inhibitory activities was performed compared to standard drugs acarbose, and kinetic studies were also carried out to determine their inhibition modes. The inhibitory effects of these new Pcs (4a and 6a) and their ligands (3, 4, 5, and 6) on human erythrocytes carbonic anhydrase I (hCA I) and II (hCA II) isoenzymes were investigated. Moreover, in silico studies were also carried out to better investigate the interactions of N‐substituted carbazole containing zinc Pcs with the active sites of hCA I and II isoforms.
Antioxidant and dissociation behavior of polypropylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride
Authors: Redfearn Halle N. , Goddard Julie M.
Published: June 2022

Understanding the dissociation behavior of functional polymers can help tailor materials for performance in target applications. Polypropylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride (PP‐g‐MA) undergoes partial hydrolysis to form polypropylene‐graft‐succinic acid (PP‐g‐SA) due to trace atmospheric moisture during extrusion. While there have been reports on the relationship between interfacial and antioxidant properties for functional polymers, PP‐g‐SA's behavior has yet to be explored despite its widespread occurrence. Here, PP‐g‐MA was compounded with isotactic polypropylene (PP) in a twin‐screw extruder and the influence of maleic anhydride (MA) content on interfacial behavior (dissociation constant and pH dependence of radical scavenging) was determined. Precise pKabulk values of the PP‐g‐SA carboxylic acids were calculated using attenuated total reflection‐Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR) titration and found to be ~7.00–7.50 depending on MA content. The extinction coefficient ratio between the anhydride and carboxylic acids was reported for the first time, which was used to determine the increasing degree of hydrolysis with increasing alkalinity. pH‐dependent radical scavenging capacity followed closely with dissociation results, with activity reaching up to 4.02 ± 0.23 TroloxEq (nmol/cm2), supporting the proposed radical scavenging mechanisms dependent on deprotonation of the carboxylic acids. This study demonstrates how dissociative properties of functional polymers can predict radical scavenging behavior in different environments.
Reef‐dwelling brachiopods record paleoecological and paleoenvironmental changes within the Changhsingian (late Permian) platform‐margin sponge reef in eastern Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Xuesong Tian , Wei Wang , Zhenhua Huang , Zhiping Zhang , Dishu Chen
Published: June 2022

The eastern Sichuan Basin area (China) is the representative locality for studies of the Late Permian Changhsingian platform to basin transition. However, details of the paleoecology and paleoenvironment of rich brachiopod fauna in this area are still unclear, especially regarding the reef‐dwelling brachiopods. The reef‐dwelling brachiopod specimens from the Panlongdong platform‐margin reefal environment are first described herein. A detailed comparison is presented with the paleoecological features and sedimentological characteristics of the reef‐dwelling brachiopods and brachiopods of the reported Zhongliang Hill and Huayingshan intraplatform nonreefal environments in the transitional zone. The reef‐dwelling brachiopods are dominated by the spiriferids, such as Martinia and Permophricodothyris, which are mainly found in hypercalcified sponge‐calcareous algae binding framestone from the second reef‐building process of the Panlongdong reef. The brachiopods in the first and third reef‐building processes of the Panlongdong reef often show clear indications of transportation. The comparison of paleoecological and sedimentological evidence indicates that the reef‐dwelling brachiopod specimens, which have strong pedicle‐attached convex shells and supporting body spines, are commonly preserved in live positions and form a hard‐bottom fauna, showing low evenness, and high dominance in both taxonomical and lifestyle diversity. The association among reef‐dwelling brachiopod individuals also represents potential biological interactions to prevent the shells from being swept away by constant currents and waves, forming extremely dense concentrations on the sea floor as reef ecosystem engineers. This case study of reef‐dwelling brachiopods preserved within the platform‐margin reefal environment was critical for filling various gaps in our knowledge of the complexity of the Changhsingian reef‐related ecosystem.
Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon‐Encapsulated Ordered Mesoporous SiOx as Anode for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Ling Yang , Gao Yuan , Peng Yan , Guan Shiyou
Published: June 2022

SiOx (0<x<2) has been broadly investigated as a promising anode in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high theoretical capacity, low cost, and proper working voltage. Nevertheless, its practical application is hindered by volume expansion during the lithiation process and low electrical conductivity, resulting in rapid capacity decay. Herein, we designed a core‐shell structured nitrogen‐doped carbon‐encapsulated ordered mesoporous SiOx composite (SiOx@NC) using 3‐aminophenol‐formaldehyde (3‐AF) as carbon and nitrogen precursor, tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as the silica precursor, and cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (C16TAB) as the mesoporous template. The obtained composite electrode not only can effectively reduce the volume expansion, but also can effectively improve electronic conductivity and further enhance the charge and ion transfer kinetics. Benefiting from the unique structural merits, the obtained SiOx@NC‐2 delivers a high reversible capacity of 602.4 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 after 100 cycles and long‐term cyclability (maintain 426.1 mAh g−1 over 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1).
Stability analysis for 2‐D switched Takagi‐Sugeno fuzzy systems with stable and unstable subsystems
Authors: Peng Dan , Zhang Yuting
Published: June 2022

This paper is concerned with the problem of stability of two‐dimensional (2‐D) switched Takagi‐Sugeno (T‐S) fuzzy systems with stable and unstable subsystems described by the Roesser model with constant delays. The T‐S fuzzy model is applied to close the discrete‐time nonlinear subsystems. By utilizing the definitions of mode‐dependent average dwell time (MDADT) method and a quasi‐alternative switching signal, the stability condition for 2‐D discrete‐time switched systems composed of stable and unstable subsystems is derived, and a study on one‐dimentional (1‐D) system can be seen as a special case. Finally, the effectiveness and advantage of the obtained results are illustrated through practical example by LMI toolbox.
Residual‐based cumulative sum charts to monitor time series of counts via copula‐based Markov models
Authors: Alqawba Mohammed , Kim Jong‐Min , Radwan Taha
Published: June 2022

Several scientific observations produce data that consist of serially dependent counts that are difficult to accurately analyze due to the absence of normality and the limited literature on dealing with such data. In this article, we propose a cumulative sum chart to monitor serially dependent counts using copula‐based Markov models. After reviewing such models, we introduce the randomized quantile residuals obtained from the Markov process. The proposed method is evaluated using a comprehensive simulation study and a real‐life example. Results suggested that the method is effective and easily implemented
Mapping the time course of overt emotion dysregulation, self‐injurious behavior, and aggression in psychiatrically hospitalized autistic youth: A naturalistic study
Authors: Northrup Jessie B. , Goodwin Matthew S. , Peura Christine B. , Chen Qi , Taylor Briana J. , Siegel Matthew S. , Mazefsky Carla A.
Published: June 2022

Challenges with emotion dysregulation, self‐injurious behavior (SIB), and aggression are common in autistic individuals. Prior research on the relationships between these behaviors is limited mainly to cross‐sectional correlations of parent‐report data. Understanding how emotion dysregulation, SIB, and aggression present and relate to one another in real‐time could add to our understanding of the context and function of these behaviors. The present study examined the real‐time occurrence and temporal relationships between these behaviors in 53 psychiatrically hospitalized autistic youth. Over 500 hours of behavioral observation occurred during everyday activities in the hospital. Start and stop times for instances of overt emotion dysregulation, SIB, and aggression were coded live using a custom mobile phone app. Results indicated large individual variability in the frequency and duration of these behaviors and their co‐occurrence. Both SIB and aggression co‐occurred with overt emotion dysregulation at above‐chance levels, suggesting a role for emotional distress in the occurrence of these behaviors. However, there was substantial variability within and between individuals in co‐occurrence, and SIB and aggression often (and for some individuals, almost always) occurred without overt emotion dysregulation. Relatedly, cross‐recurrence quantitative analysis revealed that SIB and aggression preceded emotion dysregulation more often than emotion dysregulation preceded SIB and aggression. Future research, perhaps using ambulatory psychophysiological measures, is needed to understand whether emotion dysregulation may sometimes be present but not easily observed during SIB and aggression.

Lay Summary

This study provides insight into how overt emotion dysregulation (i.e., visible distress), aggression, and self‐injury unfold in real‐time for autistic individuals. Participants were 53 autistic youth staying in a psychiatric hospital. Research staff observed participants in everyday activities on the hospital unit and noted instances of aggression, self‐injurious behavior, and emotion dysregulation. Results suggest that aggression and self‐injury sometimes occur with visible signs of distress but also often occur without visible distress. In addition, observable distress was more common in the moments after these behaviors than in the moments before.
Industrial light at the end of the iron‐containing (group III) alcohol dehydrogenase tunnel
Authors: Shanbhag Anirudh P. , Ghatak Arindam , Rajagopal Sreenath
Published: June 2022

There are three prominent alcohol dehydrogenases superfamilies: short‐chain, medium‐chain, and iron‐containing alcohol dehydrogenases (FeADHs). Many members are valuable catalysts for producing industrially relevant products such as active pharmaceutical intermediates, chiral synthons, biopolymers, biofuels, and secondary metabolites. However, FeADHs are the least explored enzymes among the superfamilies for commercial tenacities. They portray a conserved structure having a “tunnel‐like” cofactor and substrate binding site with particular functions, despite representing high sequence diversity. Interestingly, phylogenetic analysis demarcates enzymes catalyzing distinct native substrates where closely related clades convert similar molecules. Further, homologs from various mesophilic and thermophilic microbes have been explored for designing a solvent and temperature‐resistant enzyme for industrial purposes. The review explores different iron‐containing alcohol dehydrogenases potential engineering of the enzymes and substrates helpful in manufacturing commercial products.