bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Constructing multifunctional solid electrolyte interface via in-situ polymerization for dendrite-free and low N/P ratio lithium metal batteries
Authors: Luo Dan , Zheng Lei , Zhang Zhen , Li Matthew , Chen Zhongwei , Cui Ruiguang , Shen Yanbin , Li Gaoran , Feng Renfei , Zhang Shaojian , Jiang Gaopeng , Chen Liwei , Yu Aiping , Wang Xin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractStable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) is highly sought after for lithium metal batteries (LMB) owing to its efficient electrolyte consumption suppression and Li dendrite growth inhibition. However, current design strategies can hardly endow a multifunctional SEI formation due to the non-uniform, low flexible film formation and limited capability to alter Li nucleation/growth orientation, which results in unconstrained dendrite growth and short cycling stability. Herein, we present a novel strategy to employ electrolyte additives containing catechol and acrylic groups to construct a stable multifunctional SEI by in-situ anionic polymerization. This self-smoothing and robust SEI offers multiple sites for Li adsorption and steric repulsion to constrain nucleation/growth process, leading to homogenized Li nanosphere formation. This isotropic nanosphere offers non-preferred Li growth orientation, rendering uniform Li deposition to achieve a dendrite-free anode. Attributed to these superiorities, a remarkable cycling performance can be obtained, i.e., high current density up to 10 mA cm−2, ultra-long cycle life over 8500 hrs operation, high cumulative capacity over 4.25 Ah cm−2 and stable cycling under 60 °C. A prolonged lifespan can also be achieved in Li-S and Li-LiFePO4 cells under lean electrolyte content, low N/P ratio or high temperature conditions. This facile strategy also promotes the practical application of LMB and enlightens the SEI design in related fields.
Longitudinal evaluation of fecal microbiota transplantation for ameliorating calf diarrhea and improving growth performance
Authors: Kim Hyun Sik , Whon Tae Woong , Sung Hojun , Jeong Yun-Seok , Jung Eun Sung , Shin Na-Ri , Hyun Dong-Wook , Kim Pil Soo , Lee June-Young , Lee Choong Hwan , Bae Jin-Woo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractCalf diarrhea is associated with enteric infections, and also provokes the overuse of antibiotics. Therefore, proper treatment of diarrhea represents a therapeutic challenge in livestock production and public health concerns. Here, we describe the ability of a fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), to ameliorate diarrhea and restore gut microbial composition in 57 growing calves. We conduct multi-omics analysis of 450 longitudinally collected fecal samples and find that FMT-induced alterations in the gut microbiota (an increase in the family Porphyromonadaceae) and metabolomic profile (a reduction in fecal amino acid concentration) strongly correlate with the remission of diarrhea. During the continuous follow-up study over 24 months, we find that FMT improves the growth performance of the cattle. This first FMT trial in ruminants suggest that FMT is capable of ameliorating diarrhea in pre-weaning calves with alterations in their gut microbiota, and that FMT may have a potential role in the improvement of growth performance.
Cryo-EM analysis of the HCoV-229E spike glycoprotein reveals dynamic prefusion conformational changes
Authors: Song Xiyong , Shi Yuejun , Ding Wei , Niu Tongxin , Sun Limeng , Tan Yubei , Chen Yong , Shi Jiale , Xiong Qiqi , Huang Xiaojun , Xiao Shaobo , Zhu Yanping , Cheng Chongyun , Fu Zhen F. , Liu Zhi-Jie , Peng Guiqing 
Published: January 2021

AbstractCoronaviruses spike (S) glycoproteins mediate viral entry into host cells by binding to host receptors. However, how the S1 subunit undergoes conformational changes for receptor recognition has not been elucidated in Alphacoronavirus. Here, we report the cryo-EM structures of the HCoV-229E S trimer in prefusion state with two conformations. The activated conformation may pose the potential exposure of the S1-RBDs by decreasing of the interaction area between the S1-RBDs and the surrounding S1-NTDs and S1-RBDs compared to the closed conformation. Furthermore, structural comparison of our structures with the previously reported HCoV-229E S structure showed that the S trimers trended to open the S2 subunit from the closed conformation to open conformation, which could promote the transition from pre- to postfusion. Our results provide insights into the mechanisms involved in S glycoprotein-mediated Alphacoronavirus entry and have implications for vaccine and therapeutic antibody design.
Multi-scale characterisation of a ferroelectric polymer reveals the emergence of a morphological phase transition driven by temperature
Authors: Hafner Jonas , Benaglia Simone , Richheimer Filipe , Teuschel Marco , Maier Franz J. , Werner Artner , Wood Sebastian , Platz Daniel , Schneider Michael , Hradil Klaudia , Castro Fernando A. , Garcia Ricardo , Schmid Ulrich 
Published: January 2021

AbstractFerroelectric materials exhibit a phase transition to a paraelectric state driven by temperature - called the Curie transition. In conventional ferroelectrics, the Curie transition is caused by a change in crystal symmetry, while the material itself remains a continuous three-dimensional solid crystal. However, ferroelectric polymers behave differently. Polymeric materials are typically of semi-crystalline nature, meaning that they are an intermixture of crystalline and amorphous regions. Here, we demonstrate that the semi-crystalline morphology of the ferroelectric copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene (P(VDF-TrFE)) strongly affects its Curie transition, as not only a change in crystal symmetry but also in morphology occurs. We demonstrate, by high-resolution nanomechanical measurements, that the semi-crystalline microstructure in the paraelectric state is formed by crystalline domains embedded into a softer amorphous phase. Using in situ X-ray diffraction measurements, we show that the local electromechanical response of the crystalline domains is counterbalanced by the amorphous phase, effectively masking its macroscopic effect. Our quantitative multi-scale characterisations unite the nano- and macroscopic material properties of the ferroelectric polymer P(VDF-TrFE) through its semi-crystalline nature.
Spread spectrum SERS allows label-free detection of attomolar neurotransmitters
Authors: Lee Wonkyoung , Kang Byoung-Hoon , Yang Hyunwoo , Park Moonseong , Kwak Ji Hyun , Chung Taerin , Jeong Yong , Kim Bong Kyu , Jeong Ki-Hun 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe quantitative label-free detection of neurotransmitters provides critical clues in understanding neurological functions or disorders. However, the identification of neurotransmitters remains challenging for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) due to the presence of noise. Here, we report spread spectrum SERS (ss-SERS) detection for the rapid quantification of neurotransmitters at the attomolar level by encoding excited light and decoding SERS signals with peak autocorrelation and near-zero cross-correlation. Compared to conventional SERS measurements, the experimental result of ss-SERS shows an exceptional improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio of more than three orders of magnitude, thus achieving a high temporal resolution of over one hundred times. The ss-SERS measurement further allows the attomolar SERS detection of dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and glutamate without Raman reporters. This approach opens up opportunities not only for investigating the early diagnostics of neurological disorders or highly sensitive biomedical SERS applications but also for developing low-cost spectroscopic biosensing applications.
Thioesterase-mediated side chain transesterification generates potent Gq signaling inhibitor FR900359
Authors: Hermes Cornelia , Richarz René , Wirtz Daniel A. , Patt Julian , Hanke Wiebke , Kehraus Stefan , Voß Jan Hendrik , Küppers Jim , Ohbayashi Tsubasa , Namasivayam Vigneshwaran , Alenfelder Judith , Inoue Asuka , Mergaert Peter , Gütschow Michael , Müller Christa E. , Kostenis Evi , König Gabriele M. , Crüsemann Max 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe potent and selective Gq protein inhibitor depsipeptide FR900359 (FR), originally discovered as the product of an uncultivable plant endosymbiont, is synthesized by a complex biosynthetic system comprising two nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) assembly lines. Here we characterize a cultivable bacterial FR producer, enabling detailed investigations into biosynthesis and attachment of the functionally important FR side chain. We reconstitute side chain assembly by the monomodular NRPS FrsA and the non-heme monooxygenase FrsH, and characterize intermolecular side chain transesterification to the final macrocyclic intermediate FR-Core, mediated by the FrsA thioesterase domain. We harness FrsA substrate promiscuity to generate FR analogs with altered side chains and demonstrate indispensability of the FR side chain for efficient Gq inhibition by comparative bioactivity, toxicity and docking studies. Finally, evolution of FR and side chain biosynthesis is discussed based on bioinformatics analyses. Side chain transesterification boosts potency and target affinity of selective Gq inhibitor natural products.
Thermocatalytic hydrogen peroxide generation and environmental disinfection by Bi2Te3 nanoplates
Authors: Lin Yu-Jiung , Khan Imran , Saha Subhajit , Wu Chih-Cheng , Barman Snigdha Roy , Kao Fu-Cheng , Lin Zong-Hong 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe highly reactive nature of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is the basis for widespread use in environmental and health-related fields. Conventionally, there are only two kinds of catalysts used for ROS generation: photocatalysts and piezocatalysts. However, their usage has been limited due to various environmental and physical factors. To address this problem, herein, we report thermoelectric materials, such as Bi2Te3, Sb2Te3, and PbTe, as thermocatalysts which can produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) under a small surrounding temperature difference. Being the most prevalent environmental factors in daily life, temperature and related thermal effects have tremendous potential for practical applications. To increase the practicality in everyday life, bismuth telluride nanoplates (Bi2Te3NPs), serving as an efficient thermocatalyst, are coated on a carbon fiber fabric (Bi2Te3@CFF) to develop a thermocatalytic filter with antibacterial function. Temperature difference induced H2O2generation by thermocatalysts results in the oxidative damage of bacteria, which makes thermocatalysts highly promising for disinfection applications. Antibacterial activity as high as 95% is achieved only by the treatment of low-temperature difference cycles. The current work highlights the horizon-shifting impacts of thermoelectric materials for real-time purification and antibacterial applications.
Identification of a subset of immunosuppressive P2RX1-negative neutrophils in pancreatic cancer liver metastasis
Authors: Wang Xu , Hu Li-Peng , Qin Wei-Ting , Yang Qin , Chen De-Yu , Li Qing , Zhou Kai-Xia , Huang Pei-Qi , Xu Chun-Jie , Li Jun , Yao Lin-Li , Wang Ya-Hui , Tian Guang-Ang , Yang Jian-Yu , Yang Min-Wei , Liu De-Jun , Sun Yong-Wei , Jiang Shu-Heng , Zhang Xue-Li , Zhang Zhi-Gang 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe immunosuppressive microenvironment that is shaped by hepatic metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is essential for tumor cell evasion of immune destruction. Neutrophils are important components of the metastatic tumor microenvironment and exhibit heterogeneity. However, the specific phenotypes, functions and regulatory mechanisms of neutrophils in PDAC liver metastases remain unknown. Here, we show that a subset of P2RX1-negative neutrophils accumulate in clinical and murine PDAC liver metastases. RNA sequencing of murine PDAC liver metastasis-infiltrated neutrophils show that P2RX1-deficient neutrophils express increased levels of immunosuppressive molecules, including PD-L1, and have enhanced mitochondrial metabolism. Mechanistically, the transcription factor Nrf2 is upregulated in P2RX1-deficient neutrophils and associated with PD-L1 expression and metabolic reprogramming. An anti-PD-1 neutralizing antibody is sufficient to compromise the immunosuppressive effects of P2RX1-deficient neutrophils on OVA-activated OT1 CD8+ T cells. Therefore, our study uncovers a mechanism by which metastatic PDAC tumors evade antitumor immunity by accumulating a subset of immunosuppressive P2RX1-negative neutrophils.
Northern preference for terrestrial electromagnetic energy input from space weather
Authors: Pakhotin I. P. , Mann I. R. , Xie K. , Burchill J. K. , Knudsen D. J. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTerrestrial space weather involves the transfer of energy and momentum from the solar wind into geospace. Despite recently discovered seasonal asymmetries between auroral forms and the intensity of emissions between northern and southern hemispheres, seasonally averaged energy input into the ionosphere is still generally considered to be symmetric. Here we show, using Swarm satellite data, a preference for electromagnetic energy input at 450 km altitude into the northern hemisphere, on both the dayside and the nightside, when averaged over season. We propose that this is explained by the offset of the magnetic dipole away from Earth’s center. This introduces a larger separation between the magnetic pole and rotation axis in the south, creating different relative solar illumination of northern and southern auroral zones, resulting in changes to the strength of reflection of incident Alfvén waves from the ionosphere. Our study reveals an important asymmetry in seasonally averaged electromagnetic energy input to the atmosphere. Based on observed lower Poynting flux on the nightside this asymmetry may also exist for auroral emissions. Similar offsets may drive asymmetric energy input, and potentially aurora, on other planets.
An autophagy enhancer ameliorates diabetes of human IAPP-transgenic mice through clearance of amyloidogenic oligomer
Authors: Kim Jinyoung , Park Kihyoun , Kim Min Jung , Lim Hyejin , Kim Kook Hwan , Kim Sun-Woo , Lee Eun-Seo , Kim Hyongbum , Kim Sung Joo , Hur Kyu Yeon , Kim Jae Hyeon , Ahn Jin Hee , Yoon Kun-Ho , Kim Ji-Won , Lee Myung-Shik 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe have reported that autophagy is crucial for clearance of amyloidogenic human IAPP (hIAPP) oligomer, suggesting that an autophagy enhancer could be a therapeutic modality against human diabetes with amyloid accumulation. Here, we show that a recently identified autophagy enhancer (MSL-7) reduces hIAPP oligomer accumulation in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived β-cells (hiPSC-β-cells) and diminishes oligomer-mediated apoptosis of β-cells. Protective effects of MSL-7 against hIAPP oligomer accumulation and hIAPP oligomer-mediated β-cell death are significantly reduced in cells with knockout of MiTF/TFE family members such as Tfeb or Tfe3. MSL-7 improves glucose tolerance and β-cell function of hIAPP+ mice on high-fat diet, accompanied by reduced hIAPP oligomer/amyloid accumulation and β-cell apoptosis. Protective effects of MSL-7 against hIAPP oligomer-mediated β-cell death and the development of diabetes are also significantly reduced by β-cell-specific knockout of Tfeb. These results suggest that an autophagy enhancer could have therapeutic potential against human diabetes characterized by islet amyloid accumulation.
A flexible electron-blocking interfacial shield for dendrite-free solid lithium metal batteries
Authors: Huo Hanyu , Gao Jian , Zhao Ning , Zhang Dongxing , Holmes Nathaniel Graham , Li Xiaona , Sun Yipeng , Fu Jiamin , Li Ruying , Guo Xiangxin , Sun Xueliang 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSolid-state batteries (SSBs) are considered to be the next-generation lithium-ion battery technology due to their enhanced energy density and safety. However, the high electronic conductivity of solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) leads to Li dendrite nucleation and proliferation. Uneven electric-field distribution resulting from poor interfacial contact can further promote dendritic deposition and lead to rapid short circuiting of SSBs. Herein, we propose a flexible electron-blocking interfacial shield (EBS) to protect garnet electrolytes from the electronic degradation. The EBS formed by an in-situ substitution reaction can not only increase lithiophilicity but also stabilize the Li volume change, maintaining the integrity of the interface during repeated cycling. Density functional theory calculations show a high electron-tunneling energy barrier from Li metal to the EBS, indicating an excellent capacity for electron-blocking. EBS protected cells exhibit an improved critical current density of 1.2 mA cm−2 and stable cycling for over 400 h at 1 mA cm−2 (1 mAh cm−2) at room temperature. These results demonstrate an effective strategy for the suppression of Li dendrites and present fresh insight into the rational design of the SSE and Li metal interface.
Function-oriented design of robust metal cocatalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution on metal/titania composites
Authors: Wang Dong , Gong Xue-Qing 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWhile the precise design of catalysts is one of ultimate goals in catalysis, practical strategies often fall short, especially for complicated photocatalytic processes. Here, taking the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) as an example, we introduce a theoretical approach for designing robust metal cocatalysts supported on TiO2 using density functional theory calculations adopting on-site Coulomb correction and/or hybrid functionals. The approach starts with clarifying the individual function of each metal layer of metal/TiO2 composites in photocatalytic HER, covering both the electron transfer and surface catalysis aspects, followed by conducting a function-oriented optimization via exploring competent candidates. With this approach, we successfully determine and verify bimetallic Pt/Rh/TiO2 and Pt/Cu/TiO2 catalysts to be robust substitutes for conventional Pt/TiO2. The right metal type as well as the proper stacking sequence are demonstrated to be key to boosting performance. Moreover, we tentatively identify the tunneling barrier height as an effective descriptor for the important electron transfer process in photocatalysis on metal/oxide catalysts. We believe that this study pushes forward the frontier of photocatalyst design towards higher water splitting efficiency.
Around one third of current Arctic Ocean primary production sustained by rivers and coastal erosion
Authors: Terhaar Jens , Lauerwald Ronny , Regnier Pierre , Gruber Nicolas , Bopp Laurent 
Published: January 2021

AbstractNet primary production (NPP) is the foundation of the oceans’ ecosystems and the fisheries they support. In the Arctic Ocean, NPP is controlled by a complex interplay of light and nutrients supplied by upwelling as well as lateral inflows from adjacent oceans and land. But so far, the role of the input from land by rivers and coastal erosion has not been given much attention. Here, by upscaling observations from the six largest rivers and using measured coastal erosion rates, we construct a pan-Arctic, spatio-temporally resolved estimate of the land input of carbon and nutrients to the Arctic Ocean. Using an ocean-biogeochemical model, we estimate that this input fuels 28–51% of the current annual Arctic Ocean NPP. This strong enhancement of NPP is a consequence of efficient recycling of the land-derived nutrients on the vast Arctic shelves. Our results thus suggest that nutrient input from the land is a key process that will affect the future evolution of Arctic Ocean NPP.
Integrated analysis of telomerase enzymatic activity unravels an association with cancer stemness and proliferation
Authors: Noureen Nighat , Wu Shaofang , Lv Yingli , Yang Juechen , Alfred Yung W. K. , Gelfond Jonathan , Wang Xiaojing , Koul Dimpy , Ludlow Andrew , Zheng Siyuan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractActive telomerase is essential for stem cells and most cancers to maintain telomeres. The enzymatic activity of telomerase is related but not equivalent to the expression of TERT, the catalytic subunit of the complex. Here we show that telomerase enzymatic activity can be robustly estimated from the expression of a 13-gene signature. We demonstrate the validity of the expression-based approach, named EXTEND, using cell lines, cancer samples, and non-neoplastic samples. When applied to over 9,000 tumors and single cells, we find a strong correlation between telomerase activity and cancer stemness. This correlation is largely driven by a small population of proliferating cancer cells that exhibits both high telomerase activity and cancer stemness. This study establishes a computational framework for quantifying telomerase enzymatic activity and provides new insights into the relationships among telomerase, cancer proliferation, and stemness.
Thermoelectric current in a graphene Cooper pair splitter
Authors: Tan Z. B. , Laitinen A. , Kirsanov N. S. , Galda A. , Vinokur V. M. , Haque M. , Savin A. , Golubev D. S. , Lesovik G. B. , Hakonen P. J. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractGeneration of electric voltage in a conductor by applying a temperature gradient is a fundamental phenomenon called the Seebeck effect. This effect and its inverse is widely exploited in diverse applications ranging from thermoelectric power generators to temperature sensing. Recently, a possibility of thermoelectricity arising from the interplay of the non-local Cooper pair splitting and the elastic co-tunneling in the hybrid normal metal-superconductor-normal metal structures was predicted. Here, we report the observation of the non-local Seebeck effect in a graphene-based Cooper pair splitting device comprising two quantum dots connected to an aluminum superconductor and present a theoretical description of this phenomenon. The observed non-local Seebeck effect offers an efficient tool for producing entangled electrons.
Electric-field-driven octahedral rotation in perovskite
Authors: Kyung Wonshik , Kim Choong H. , Kim Yeong Kwan , Kim Beomyoung , Kim Chul , Jung Woobin , Kwon Junyoung , Kim Minsoo , Bostwick Aaron , Denlinger Jonathan D. , Yoshida Yoshiyuki , Kim Changyoung 
Published: January 2021

AbstractRotation of MO6 (M = transition metal) octahedra is a key determinant of the physical properties of perovskite materials. Therefore, tuning physical properties, one of the most important goals in condensed matter research, may be accomplished by controlling octahedral rotation (OR). In this study, it is demonstrated that OR can be driven by an electric field in Sr2RuO4. Rotated octahedra in the surface layer of Sr2RuO4 are restored to the unrotated bulk structure upon dosing the surface with K. Theoretical investigation shows that OR in Sr2RuO4 originates from the surface electric field, which can be tuned via the screening effect of the overlaid K layer. This work establishes not only that variation in the OR angle can be induced by an electric field, but also provides a way to control OR, which is an important step toward in situ control of the physical properties of perovskite oxides.