bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tensegrity‐Inspired Pre‐Stress Control for Programmable Multistability and Stiffness in Mechanical Metamaterials
Authors: Wang Zhenyu , Zhang Meiling , Zhang Ran , Sun Jianwei , Chu Jinkui 
Published: December 2024

AbstractMechanical metamaterials have considerable application potential, but are often limited to single applications owing to material and manufacturing constraints. To achieve a “single structure, multiple applications” goal, this study presents a multifunctional metamaterial structure. The metamaterial cells gain significant deformation and recovery abilities by incorporating the concept of a tensegrity structure to balance flexibility and rigidity and using a rigid‐flexible fabrication process. Inspired by cat‐tongue barbs and Hooke's law, an innovative pre‐stress programming structure is designed for integrated fabrication, enabling multilevel pre‐stress control for each cell. This programmable stress allows the twin‐cell array to transition in situ from monostable to bistable states and provides multilevel critical‐force functions for bistable states. After assembling a nine‐cell array, the structure offers a wide range of adjustable stiffness levels, enabling soft‐rigid transitions and varied force‐displacement responses without the need for additional tools. It also allows controlled collapse ratios and deformation through stiffness control. Additionally, the nine‐cell array features isotropy with a Poisson ratio of v = −1 and clear indentation resistance. This approach is promising for applications such as adjustable energy dissipators, automotive equipment, and passive safety.
Bio‐Inspired Multiple Responsive NIR II Nanophosphors for Reversible and Environment‐Interactive Information Encryption
Authors: He Tianpei , Xi Jing , Zhao Rui , Chen Na , Yuan Quan 
Published: December 2024

AbstractInspired by the natural responsive phenomena, herein the multiple responsive persistent luminescent Zn1.2Ga1.6Ge0.2O4:Ni2+ (ZGGO:Ni) nanoparticles with near‐infrared (NIR) II emission peak ≈1330 nm derived from the Ni2+ doping through controlled synthesis based on hydrothermal method are obtained. The obtained NIR II persistent luminescent ZGGO:Ni can not only respond to temperature but also the specific solvent stimulus. The results demonstrate that the NIR II persistent luminescence intensity decreases in hydroxyl containing solvent such as water (H2O) and ethyl alcohol (C2H6O), while the PL intensity remains in solvent without hydroxyl groups such as n‐hexane (C6H14) and deuterated water (D2O). This NIR II luminescence quenching is attributed to the adsorption of interaction hydroxyl groups in specific solvents with the amino group on the surface of ZGGO:Ni and the subsequent fluorescence resonance energy transfer mechanism. Benefiting from the multiple responsive properties, the obtained NIR II persistent luminescent ZGGO:Ni is utilized for high‐order dynamic optical information encryption, providing increased security level. The multi‐responsive NIR II persistent luminescence strategy outlined in this study is anticipated to offer a straightforward methodology for optimizing the optical characteristics of NIR II persistent luminescent materials. Moreover, it is set to expand the scope of their applications in the realm of dynamic and environment‐interactive information encryption, thereby opening frontiers for their utilization in advanced security measures.
Activation and Deactivation of the Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production Activity of Pt‐Tipped CdSe/CdS Nanorods
Authors: Hentschel Sebastian , Dittmar Mareike , Strelow Christian , Ruhmlieb Charlotte , Hackl Thomas , Mews Alf 
Published: December 2024

AbstractHybrid semiconductor‐metal nanostructures are promising candidates for converting light into chemical energy by photocatalytic hydrogen production. However, many photocatalysts are prone to photocorrosion which limits their long‐term stability and thus their long‐term functionality needed for commercial applications. This study provides an in‐depth insight into the photocorrosion‐induced changes altering the chemical and photophysical properties of platinized CdSe‐seeded CdS nanorods (CdSe/CdS/Pt) during the photocatalytic hydrogen production from aqueous ethanol solutions at very high pH values. Using a combination of mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, electron microscopy, with in situ absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, it is shown that the ligand shell consisting of 11‐MUA does not directly contribute to the generated hydrogen, although it is gradually degraded by present OH• radicals. Instead, the degradation of the ligand shell first leads to higher reactivity over time and finally to aggregation of the photocatalyst once a sweet spot is crossed. The inorganic CdSe/CdS/Pt particles are then reacting with OH• radicals to break apart into different pieces to transform into polymeric sulphur and Cd2+. This shows that the presence of OH• radicals can be very beneficial as an effective hole scavenger but can also lead to degradation of the whole colloidal nanostructure at longer reaction times.
Hierarchical Targeting Nanodrug with Holistic DNA Protection for Effective Treatment of Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Chen Qiaohui , Yang Yongqi , Ying Xiaohong , Huang Changkun , Chen Jianlin , Wang Jue , Wu Ziyu , Zeng Wan , Miao Chenxi , Shi Xiaojing , Nan Yayun , Huang Qiong , Ai Kelong 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAcute kidney injury (AKI) manifests a hallmark pathological feature of extensive and severe DNA damage in renal tubules, primarily induced by the excessive of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) from the mitochondrial electron transport chain. The kidney's complex intricate physiological architecture and the heterogeneous intracellular environment pose significant challenges for effective sequential and high‐resolution drug delivery—an urgent issue that remains unresolved. To address this, a hierarchical‐targeting antioxidant nanodrug has been developed with a folic acid moiety (HAND) designed for high‐resolution drug delivery in AKI treatment. For the first time, HAND enables sequential targeting from the kidney to the most severely damaged proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs), ultimately concentrating in the DNA‐rich mitochondria and nucleus. As a result, HAND effectively scavenges ROS in situ, protecting both mitochondria and nuclei along with their vital genetic material. This action restores mitochondrial function, mitigates DNA oxidation and fragmentation, reduces apoptosis, and inhibits cGAS/STING‐mediated sterile inflammation. Consequently, HAND demonstrates remarkable efficacy in safeguarding injured kidneys during AKI. Overall, this work pioneers a hierarchical, high‐resolution antioxidant strategy, providing innovative guidance for the development of AKI therapies.
Price Transmission During Promotions: A Case Study of Spanish Milk Brands
Authors: Bedoui Yasmine , Jin Yan , Gil José María 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTPrice promotion is the marketing tool typically used by retail brands to boost sales and gain market share. In this paper, we intend to investigate the price transmission mechanism among competitive brands in Spain when price reductions that are associated with price promotions take place. The study is focused on intra‐retailer competition in two retailers with different business models. The methodological framework is based on the estimation of a two‐regime threshold vector autoregressive model (TVAR) of price levels in which the Private Label price has been considered as the threshold variable. The results suggest that the price responses of manufacturer brands to private label price reductions are much larger than the inverse responses. The price of the private label reacts only weakly to price reductions in manufacturer brands. These responses decrease in strength as the market share of the Private Label increases within the retailer.
Anticancer Activity, DFT, Molecular Docking, ADMET, and Molecular Dynamics Simulations Investigations of Schiff Base Derived From 2,3‐Diaminophenazine and Its Metal Complexes
Authors: Bufarwa Saleh M. , Belaidi Mustapha , Abbass Leila M. , Thbayh Dalal K. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTIn our previous study, Schiff base (1) complexes derived from 2,3‐diaminophenazine and metal ions Co(II) (2), Ni(II) (3), Cu(II) (4), and Cd(II) (5) were synthesized and characterized, demonstrating a significant biological activity. This study investigates their anticancer potential, specifically against prostate cancer. The complexes exhibited notable reductions in cancer cell viability, with IC50 values of 0.531 μM Ni(II), 0.630 μM Cu(II), and 0.655 μM Co(II), comparable with the standard drug enzalutamide. The Co(II) complex showed the highest efficacy, while Cd(II) displayed the lowest (IC50 = 0.648 μM). The presence of a phenazine ring in these complexes enhances DNA binding, contributing to their anticancer effects. HOMO‐LUMO calculations revealed energy gaps ranging from 2.525 to 3.294 eV, indicating varying reactivity and potential for biological interactions. Molecular docking studies revealed that compound (1) exhibited the highest binding affinity (−9.19 kcal/mol) for the prostate cancer‐related receptor, with significant hydrogen bond interactions. Molecular dynamics simulations over 100 ns demonstrated stable binding, with RMSD values below 1.5 Å, and RMSF analysis provided insights into protein flexibility. ADMET studies revealed favorable drug‐like properties, including good gastrointestinal absorption (> 30%), high blood–brain barrier permeability (LogBBB = 0.64), and high human intestinal absorption (68.47%–88.79%). No inhibition of CYP2D6 was observed, suggesting low risk for drug–drug interactions. These Schiff base‐metal complexes show promising anticancer activity and favorable ADMET profiles, indicating their potential as therapeutic agents for prostate cancer treatment.
Thin‐Film Composite Membranes by Stacking Polymeric Hollow Nanoparticles as a Selective Layer for H2/CO2 Separation
Authors: Zhao Hongyong , Wang Yan , Ding Xiaoli , Wei Meng , Song Ting , Dong Jie , Sun Shicui , Hou Jiaxuan , Ma Qingbo , Tan Xiaoyao 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTPolymeric membranes have been widely used in gas separation. However, the majority of these membranes do not meet the desired standards for separating H2 and CO2. The reason behind their subpar performance lies in the contradicting effects that exist within polymers, namely the presence of favorable diffusion selectivity but unfavorable solubility selectivity for H2/CO2. A series of thin‐film composite (TFC) membranes were prepared via properly stacking the polymeric nanoparticles as selective layers and the rubbery Pebax as bonding and buffering layers. The chemical composition and structure of polymeric nanoparticles are analyzed by the FTIR. The pore size and structure of the selective layer formed by nanospheres are examined by the SEM, TEM, and XRD. The N2 adsorption–desorption analysis of the PIM nanospheres/Pebax selective layer is performed. The morphology of the TFC membrane is also investigated. The gas permeation–separation performance of the TFC membranes, which were prepared at different temperatures and different thicknesses, varies greatly. It indicates that the gas permeation–separation performance of the PIM nanospheres/Pebax selective layer in TFC membranes gradually change from being dominated by smaller‐sized intrinsic pores in Pebax matrix to being dominated by larger‐sized extrinsic pores formed by PIM nanospheres stacking as the nanospheres content increasing. The adsorption of CO2 by PIM nanospheres and the Pebax matrix becomes an obstacle to CO2 permeating in the extrinsic pores, and it improves the H2/CO2 selectivity. It also indicates that the TFC membranes prepared at 10°C have more regular and compact arrangements of nanospheres. In single gas testing, the H2 permeance reaches ~3336 GPU coupled with the H2/CO2 selectivity of ~17.2. Under the testing of a 50:50 mixture of H2: CO2, the concentration of H2 can reach over 80% while having a recovery rate of over 50%. Even at a high recovery rate of 90%, the concentration of H2 still can reach 70%.
Unveiling the Electronic Properties and Growth Mechanisms of 2D Layered Materials on Au Foils through Scanning Tunneling Microcopy/Spectroscopy Studies
Authors: Quan Wenzhi , Cheng Yujin , Ding Haoxuan , Zhang Yanfeng 
Published: December 2024

Abstract2D van der Waals layered materials, represented by transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), graphene, and h‐BN, have garnered worldwide research interests due to their unique structures and fascinating physical properties distinct from their bulk counterparts. Featuring superior controllability and scalability, bottom‐up synthetic approaches, including chemical vapor deposition, molecular beam epitaxy, etc., are widely adopted for preparing high‐quality 2D materials and their heterostructures. In these efforts, Au foils are utilized as favorable substrates due to their chemical inertness, strong interfacial interactions that facilitate epitaxial growth of adlayers, and conductive nature that enables in situ characterizations. Herein, this review summarizes the recent advances in the bottom‐up syntheses of 2D materials on Au foils, including the epitaxial growth of single‐crystal TMDCs monolayers, the construction of 2D vertical heterostructures, and the preparation of 2D materials with novel phases/structures. Meanwhile, this article also reviews the in situ scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy characterizations of the growth systems, with particular emphasis on unveiling the epitaxy mechanisms of layered single crystals, the stacking configurations of heterostructures, and their intriguing electronic properties. Finally, future opportunities are prospected from the viewpoints of novel phase/structure design, clean transfer, and property explorations of 2D materials on Au substrates.
Conservation Implications of Strong Population Structure Despite Admixture in an Endangered African Seagrass
Authors: Combrink Charlotte A. , Henriques Romina , Jackson Megan J. , von der Heyden Sophie 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTZostera capensis is an African seagrass that is endangered throughout its range. In South Africa, it is solely confined to low wave energy estuarine habitats and characterised by two evolutionary lineages that diverge across a biogeographic transition. In this study, we sampled seagrass plants from five populations that span the region of lineage divergence and investigated the extent of lineage overlap. Using 2681 SNP loci, including 32 putative outlier loci, we calculated population structure, genomic diversity and levels of admixture. All populations were significantly different to each other, including those < 10 km apart and low levels of admixture indicate limited dispersal of Z. capensis. Every population was characterised by a high inbreeding coefficient (FIS), suggesting a limited number of breeding individuals in each population. Given increasing anthropogenic stressors that are linked to declines in seagrass meadow cover in South Africa, our study provides strong support that populations of this endangered seagrass require targeted management and conservation actions of each individual population to avoid further loss of the unique evolutionary dynamics and to safeguard the ecosystem services seagrasses provide. Further, our evidence of significant population structure across geographically close populations highlights that conservation efforts relying on seagrass restoration would risk mixing unique evolutionary signatures of Z. capensis in the region when transplanting between estuaries. This represents a critical challenge to using transplants as a potential mechanism of restoring declining populations and highlights the crucial importance of preventing population extinction.
Efficient Multiplex Genome Editing of the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 via CRISPR‐Cas12a
Authors: Du Wei , Meister Luna L. , van Grinsven Tobias , Branco dos Santos Filipe 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTCyanobacteria have been genetically modified to convert CO2 into biochemical products, but efficient genetic engineering tools, including CRISPR‐Cas systems, remain limited. This is primarily due to the polyploid nature of cyanobacteria, which hinders their effectiveness. Here, we address the latter by specifically (i) modifying the RSF1010‐based replicative plasmid to simplify cloning efforts while maintaining high conjugation efficiency; (ii) improving the design of the guide RNA (gRNA) to facilitate chromosomal cleavage; (iii) introducing template DNA fragments as pure plasmids via natural transformation; and (iv) using sacB to facilitate replicative plasmid curing. With this system, the replicative plasmid containing both Cas12a and gRNA is introduced to Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 cells via conjugation to cleave the circular chromosomes. Template DNA plasmid that has meanwhile been assimilated will then repair it achieving the desired genetic modifications. This system was validated by successfully deleting various “neutral” chromosomal loci, both individually and collectively, as well as targeting an essential gene, sll1797. With the sacB‐sucrose counter‐selection, all deletions were simultaneously made markerless in < 4 weeks. Moreover, we also integrate YFP with various protein degradation tags into the chromosome, allowing for their characterization at the chromosomal level. We foresee this system will greatly facilitate future genome engineering in cyanobacteria.
Functional Neurological Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Complex and Potentially Significant Relationship
Authors: Gonzalez‐Herrero Belen , Happé Francesca , Nicholson Timothy R. , Morgante Francesca , Pagonabarraga Javier , Deeley Quinton , Edwards Mark J. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionFunctional neurological disorder (FND) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are two complex neuropsychiatric conditions that have been historically classified within psychiatric domains, resulting in a lack of extensive research, insufficient clinical recognition, and persistent societal stigma. In recent years, there has been an increasing recognition among professionals and affected individuals of their possible overlap. This review explores the potential clinical and mechanistic overlap between FND and ASD, with particular attention to shared symptoms across sensory, motor, and psychiatric domains.MethodsWe conducted a narrative analysis utilizing the PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and ScienceDirect databases from inception to June 2024. The search employed specific MeSH terms related to ASD and FND. Given the limited data availability, we included all relevant articles that explored the potential connections between FND and ASD, focusing on established findings and theoretical hypotheses areas.ResultsScientific evidence indicates that FND and ASD may co‐occur more frequently than previously acknowledged and with notable overlaps in their clinical presentations and pathophysiology. Theoretical models that have been applied to FND and ASD, such as the Bayesian brain theory and the tripartite model of autism, may provide valuable insights into the intersection of these conditions. Although much of the current evidence remains speculative, it underscores the need for hypothesis‐driven research to investigate these potential connections further.ConclusionASD and FND are heterogeneous conditions that appear to co‐occur in a subset of individuals, with overlapping symptomatology and possibly shared underlying mechanisms. This hypothesis‐generating review emphasizes the need for further research to better understand these links, ultimately aiming to improve clinical recognition and develop targeted interventions that enhance the quality of life for affected individuals.
Recent developments in microwire‐structured intracortical electrode arrays for brain–machine interfaces
Authors: De León Sorel E. , Higham Simon , Jung Young Jun , Tong Wei , Garrett David J. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBrain–machine interfaces (BMIs) have experienced remarkable advancements in recent years, marked by multiple companies initiating human trials. Consequently, the interface between the brain and electrodes has become more critical than ever, requiring implanted electrodes to be not only biocompatible and minimally invasive but also capable of remaining functioning in the brain for a lifetime. While significant progress has been made in the manufacturing of intracortical electrodes, challenges persist in ensuring longevity and minimizing tissue damage. Additionally, the reliance on manual labor in fabrication techniques poses obstacles to large‐scale production for commercialization. In this review, we explore recent breakthroughs and obstacles in the fabrication of microwire‐structured electrode arrays, wherein single wires are arranged in an xy matrix for cortical penetration. We discuss the impact of various fabrication strategies and materials on implant longevity, as well as the remaining challenges in this field.
Effectiveness of a Novel PLA2R1 Knock‐in Middle Age Rat Model in Repairing Renal Function Damage
Authors: Yang Daihe , Zhang Zitong , Zhao Lu , Sui Wendong , Li Yinyin , Zhou Yun , Huang Bo 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTPhospholipase A2 receptor 1 (PLA2R1) exists important role in membranous nephropathy. In this study, we evaluate a PLA2R1 in a middle‐aged rat model of renal function repair to further investigate the molecular mechanisms of membranous nephropathy. We analyzed the PLA2R1 knockout (KO) model and PLA2R1 knock in (KI) model in rats, extending the time to 85 weeks of age. Urinary biochemical indicators were detected using a fully automated biochemical analyzer. The complement C3, IgG, and Nephrin were detected using the immunofluorescence method. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of complement C3, IgA and PLA2R1 in middle‐aged models. The KO model continues to display glomerular proteinuria, complement C3 aggregation, and IgA and IgG deposition. Comparing with the KO model, the deposition of complement C3 and IgA in the glomerulus of the KI chimeric model still exists and IgG expression weakened. Inserting humanized PLA2R1 into rats can continuously repair partial renal function and reduce proteinuria, which will help investigate the pathogenesis of membranous nephropathy and complement activation signaling pathways.