bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structural Positive Electrodes Engineered for Multifunctionality
Authors: Chaudhary Richa , Chetry Amit , Xu Johanna , Xia Zhenyuan , Asp Leif E. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMultifunctional structural batteries are of high and emerging interest in a wide variety of high‐strength and lightweight applications. Structural batteries typically use pristine carbon fiber as the negative electrode, functionalized carbon fiber as the positive electrode, and a mechanically robust lithium‐ion transporting electrolyte. However, electrochemical cycling of carbon fibre‐based positive electrodes is still limited to tests in liquid electrolytes, which does not allow for to introduction of multifunctionality in real terms. To overcome these limitations, structural batteries with a structural battery electrolyte (SBE) are developed. This approach offers massless energy storage. The electrodes are manufactured using economically friendly, abundant, cheap, and non‐toxic iron‐based materials like olivine LiFePO4. Reduced graphene oxide, renowned for its high surface area and electrical conductivity, is incorporated to enhance the ion transport mechanism. Furthermore, a vacuum‐infused solid‐liquid electrolyte is cured to bolster the mechanical strength of the carbon fibers and provide a medium for lithium‐ion migration. Electrophoretic deposition is selected as a green process to manufacture the structural positive electrodes with homogeneous mass loading. A specific capacity of 112 mAh g−1 can be reached at C/20, allowing the smooth transport of Li‐ion in the presence of SBE. The modulus of positive electrodes exceeded 80 GPa. Structural battery‐positive half‐cells are demonstrated across various mass‐loadings, enabling them to be tailored for a diverse array of applications in consumer technology, electric vehicles, and aerospace sectors.
Catalyst‐Free Extraction of U(VI) in Solution by Tribocatalysis
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Gao Feixue , Fang Ming , Liu Baoyi , Zhang Bin , Zhong Zijian , Yu Long , Zhang Yifeng , Tan Xiaoli , Wang Xiangke 
Published: July 2024

AbstractExtraction of U(VI) in water is of great significance in energy and environmental fields. However, the traditional methods usually fail due to the indispensable extra addition of catalyst, adsorbent, precipitant, or sacrificial agents, which may lead to enhanced extraction costs and secondary pollution. Here, a new efficient uranium extraction strategy is proposed based on triboelectricity without adding a catalyst or other additives. It is found only under the friction between the microbubbles (generated under ultrasonication) and the water flow, that reactive oxygen species (ROS) can largely be generated, which thus contributes to the solidification of U(VI) from water. In addition, the magnetic field can affect the phase of the product. Under mechanical stirring, the product contains (UO2)O2·2H2O, while which contains UO2(OH)2 and (UO2)O2·4H2O under the magnetic stirring. Quenching experiments are also carried out to explore the influence of environmental factors. Most importantly, it shows great potential in the extraction of U(VI) from seawater. This work proposes a catalyst‐free and light‐free strategy toward the solidification of U(VI) from water, which avoids the secondary pollution of the catalyst to the environment and is low‐cost, and has great potential in the real application.
A Polymer‐Sol Binder Realizes Single‐Particle Binding for Nacre‐Like Piezoelectric Nanocomposites and Component‐Integrated Batteries
Authors: Wang Shan , Yang Jiarui , Cai Wenrui , Wen Guojiang , Yang Sifan , Ke Kai , Yin Bo , Fu Xuewei , Yang Wei , Wang Yu 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAchieving precisely defined and stable component binding is of great interest for composite materials and batteries, but very challenging owing to the lack of effective strategies to manipulate the binder itself. Here, a concept of single‐particle binding (SPB) strategy is proposed based on a polymer‐sol binder to conquer the above challenge. To do that, a polymer‐sol binder is first prepared by dispersing commercial poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) powder into a mixture of its solvent and non‐solvent with a rational weight ratio of 8:2. Then, by manipulating this PVDF‐sol microfluid, PVDF particles are uniformly and singly introduced onto the surface of other components, such as graphene oxide nanosheets and battery separators. Results further show that the temperature‐induced sol–gel transition of the microfluid finally generates single‐particle fusion and strong component binding with commercial separators (31.6 N m−1). Meanwhile, a surface‐swelling model is proposed to understand its binding mechanism. Finally, this unique SPB strategy has been employed to fabricate nacre‐like nanocomposites with advanced self‐polarized piezoelectricity (23.0 mV N−1), and component‐integrated batteries with robust separator/electrode interphases. This SPB strategy with the PVDF‐sol binder may inspire significant studies on polymer sol, microfluidics, nanocomposites, battery interfaces and beyond.
Ultrafast and highly‐selective upcycling of plastic polylactic acid waste driven by ZnInFe‐mixed metal oxide
Authors: Zhou Jianchi , Qin Jibo , Li Biao , Luo Congjia , Han Jingbin , Hu Yanqing , Zhang Wenjing , Dou Yibo 
Published: July 2024

AbstractChemical upcycling of waste plastics represents an appealing way to achieve a circular economy and mitigate environmental problems but remains a huge challenge. Herein, we report a heterojunction photocatalyst (ZnInFe‐mixed metal oxide, denoted as ZnInFe‐MMO) for the rapid valorization of polylactic acid (PLA) via a developed alkali‐assisted photocatalysis system. The ZnInFe‐MMO featured with a double Z‐Scheme structure is favorable for light harvesting and electron‐hole separation. Moreover, the operando characterizations and theoretical simulations confirm that the ZnInFe‐MMO affords a remarkably decreased barrier for the rate‐determining step (formation of *LA intermediate) while inhibiting the CC breakage in the side reaction. As a result, the ZnInFe‐MMO attains a ~100% conversion and ~99% selectivity toward sodium lactate (NaLA), which is preponderant to the state‐of‐the‐art photocatalysts. In addition, such an effective route is also demonstrated in various real‐world PLA waste.
Analysis of changes in social isolation, loneliness, or both, and subsequent cognitive function among older adults: Findings from a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Huang Qing‐Mei , Zhang Pei‐Dong , Shen Dong , Gao Jian , Li Zhi‐Hao , Lv Yue‐Bin , Shi Xiao‐Ming , Mao Chen 
Published: July 2024

AbstractINTRODUCTIONThe study aimed to investigate the associations of changes in social isolation, loneliness, or both, with cognitive function.METHODSData were from 7299 older adults in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. We defined four change patterns (no, incident, transient, and persistent) for social isolation and loneliness, and created nine‐category variable to represent the joint changes. Tobit regression models and Cox models were performed.RESULTSIncident, transient, and persistent social isolation or loneliness may accelerate cognitive decline (p < 0.05). Incident, transient, and persistent social isolation were associated with higher cognitive impairment risk, while only persistent loneliness was associated with higher cognitive impairment risk (p < 0.001). Notably, short‐term or persistent social isolation was associated with accelerated cognitive decline and incident cognitive impairment, regardless of different loneliness change status (p < 0.05).DISCUSSIONShort‐term or persistent social isolation and persistent loneliness may be a salient risk factor for cognitive decline and cognitive impairment.Highlights
Incident, transient, and persistent social isolation were associated with accelerated cognitive decline and higher cognitive impairment risk.
Persistent loneliness was associated with accelerated cognitive decline and higher cognitive impairment risk.
Short‐term or persistent social isolation with concurrent different loneliness change status accelerated cognitive decline and higher cognitive impairment risk.
Ein funktioneller Wechsel zwischen Asperfumen‐ und Fusicoccadien‐Synthase und Eintritt in die Asperfumen‐Biosynthese durch einen vicinalen Deprotonierungs‐Reprotonierungsprozess
Authors: Liu Jing‐Yuan , Lin Fu‐Long , Taizoumbe Kizerbo A. , Lv Jian‐Ming , Wang Yong‐Heng , Wang Gao‐Qian , Chen Guo‐Dong , Yao Xin‐Sheng , Hu Dan , Gao Hao , Dickschat Jeroen S. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractDie Diterpensynthase AfAS wurde aus Aspergillus fumigatiaffinis identifiziert. Ihre Aminosäuresequenz und – einem Strukturmodell zufolge – die Architektur des aktiven Zentrums sind denen der Fusicocca‐2,10(14)‐dien‐Synthase PaFS sehr ähnlich, AfAS produziert jedoch ein strukturell viel komplexeres Diterpen mit einem neuartigen 6–5–5–5 tetracyclischen Gerüst namens Asperfumen. Der Cyclisierungsmechanismus von AfAS wurde durch Isotopenmarkierungsexperimente und DFT‐Rechnungen aufgeklärt. Die Reaktionskaskade verläuft in ihren ersten Schritten über ähnliche Intermediate wie die PaFS‐Kaskade, divergiert dann aber durch einen ungewöhnlichen vicinalen Deprotonierungs‐Reprotonierungsprozess, der eine Skelettumlagerung am Startpunkt der Stufen auslöst, die zum einzigartigen Asperfumen‐Gerüst führen. Das Strukturmodell zeigte nur einen wesentlichen Unterschied zwischen den aktiven Zentren: Der PaFS‐Rest F65 ist in AfAS durch I65 ersetzt. Interessanterweise zeigten ortsspezifische Mutageneseexperimente mit beiden Diterpensynthasen, dass Position 65 als bidirektionaler funktioneller Schalter für die Biosynthese von tetracyclischem Asperfumen im Vergleich zu strukturell weniger komplexen Diterpenen dient.
Reinforcement learning for individualized lung cancer screening schedules: A nested case–control study
Authors: Wang Zixing , Sui Xin , Song Wei , Xue Fang , Han Wei , Hu Yaoda , Jiang Jingmei 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe current guidelines for managing screen‐detected pulmonary nodules offer rule‐based recommendations for immediate diagnostic work‐up or follow‐up at intervals of 3, 6, or 12 months. Customized visit plans are lacking.PurposeTo develop individualized screening schedules using reinforcement learning (RL) and evaluate the effectiveness of RL‐based policy models.MethodsUsing a nested case–control design, we retrospectively identified 308 patients with cancer who had positive screening results in at least two screening rounds in the National Lung Screening Trial. We established a control group that included cancer‐free patients with nodules, matched (1:1) according to the year of cancer diagnosis. By generating 10,164 sequence decision episodes, we trained RL‐based policy models, incorporating nodule diameter alone, combined with nodule appearance (attenuation and margin) and/or patient information (age, sex, smoking status, pack‐years, and family history). We calculated rates of misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis, and delayed diagnosis, and compared the performance of RL‐based policy models with rule‐based follow‐up protocols (National Comprehensive Cancer Network guideline; China Guideline for the Screening and Early Detection of Lung Cancer).ResultsWe identified significant interactions between certain variables (e.g., nodule shape and patient smoking pack‐years, beyond those considered in guideline protocols) and the selection of follow‐up testing intervals, thereby impacting the quality of the decision sequence. In validation, one RL‐based policy model achieved rates of 12.3% for misdiagnosis, 9.7% for missed diagnosis, and 11.7% for delayed diagnosis. Compared with the two rule‐based protocols, the three best‐performing RL‐based policy models consistently demonstrated optimal performance for specific patient subgroups based on disease characteristics (benign or malignant), nodule phenotypes (size, shape, and attenuation), and individual attributes.ConclusionsThis study highlights the potential of using an RL‐based approach that is both clinically interpretable and performance‐robust to develop personalized lung cancer screening schedules. Our findings present opportunities for enhancing the current cancer screening system.
Enantioselective Desymmetrization of 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds through Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Cyclization Reactions
Authors: Liang Ren‐Xiao , Xie Jia‐Qi , Cai Hu‐Jie , Sun Shuo , Wang Jia‐Yi , Deng Wei‐Chao , Jia Yi‐Xia 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe development of reliable approaches to construct enantioenriched cyclic ketones bearing multiple stereocenters has attracted intense interest in synthetic chemistry, yet remains a challenging research area due to the difficulties in efficiently controlling the reaction enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity. Desymmetrization of C2‐symmetric prochiral substrates has witnessed a practical and accessible strategy for creating more than one stereocenters in a single operation. In recent years, enantioselective desymmetrization of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds has been developed via transition‐metal‐catalyzed transformations for facile assembly of optically active cyclic ketones bearing congested stereocenters with diverse functionality. In this review, we would like to describe intramolecular enantioselective desymmetrization reactions of 1,3‐dicarbonyl derivatives, including C2‐functional group tethered 1,3‐diketones and 1,3‐diesters. This review is organized according to types of tethered groups, which aims to highlight the recent advances and briefly discuss about future perspectives in this domain.
Gas Delivery Relevant to Human Health using Porous Materials
Authors: Mandel Ruth M. , Lotlikar Piyusha S. , Keasler Kaitlyn T. , Chen Elena Y. , Wilson Justin J. , Milner Phillip J. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractGases are essential for various applications relevant to human health, including in medicine, biomedical imaging, and pharmaceutical synthesis. However, gases are significantly more challenging to safely handle than liquids and solids. Herein, we review the use of porous materials, such as metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), zeolites, and silicas, to adsorb medicinally relevant gases and facilitate their handling as solids. Specific topics include the use of MOFs and zeolites to deliver H2S for therapeutic applications, 129Xe for magnetic resonance imaging, O2 for the treatment of cancer and hypoxia, and various gases for use in organic synthesis. This Perspective aims to bring together the organic, inorganic, medicinal, and materials chemistry communities to inspire the design of next‐generation porous materials for the storage and delivery of medicinally relevant gases.
The Hybridization of Polymers with Metal Oxide Clusters for the Design of Non‐Fluorinated Proton Exchange Membranes
Authors: Liu Lu , Gao Yiren , Dong Chen , Yang Junsheng , Yin Panchao 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAs the key component of various energy storage and conversion devices, proton exchange membranes (PEMs) have been attracting significant interest. However, their further development is limited by the high cost of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers and the poor stability of acid‐dopped non‐fluorinated polymers. Recently, a new group of PEMs has been developed by hybridizing polyoxometalates (POMs), a group of super acidic sub‐nanoscale metal oxide clusters, with polymers. POMs can serve simultaneously as both proton sponges and stabilizing agents, and their complexation with polymers can further improve polymers’ mechanical performance and processability. Enormous efforts have been focused on studying supramolecular complexation or covalent grafting of POMs with various polymers to optimize PEMs in terms of cost, mechanical properties and stabilities. This concept summarizes recent advances in this emerging field and outlines the design strategies and application perspectives employed for using POM‐polymer hybrid materials as PEMs.
The symmetrical differential Buck–Boost DC‐DC converter with partial power processing applied to photovoltaic systems
Authors: Schmitz Lenon , Gonçalves Christopher F. , Schlingmann André , de Souza Eduardo V. , Eyng Juliana , Martins Denizar C. , Coelho Roberto F. 
Published: July 2024

SummaryThis paper presents the symmetric differential Buck–Boost converter, obtained from the differential connection between two Buck–Boost converters. The topology is characterized by presenting low‐voltage ripple, partial power processing, ability to provide intermediate voltage gains (1 < M < 10) and design simplicity. In this configuration, the output voltage is composed of the sum of the input voltage and the output voltages of both converters differentially connected. The topology description along with its main equations and waveforms in continuous conduction mode with phase‐shift modulation are presented in this paper. Moreover, a mathematical analysis that demonstrates its capability of performing with partial power processing and a comparative analysis with similar topologies are also presented. In addition, experimental results extracted from a prototype are presented and discussed. Because the proposed converter is applied to photovoltaic energy processing, it is validated in open loop and as maximum power point tracker, in which the obtained CEC efficiency is 97.8%.
Single‐cell RNA sequencing in exploring the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Zhang Xinzi , Zhang Fang , Xu Xun 
Published: July 2024

AbstractDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the working‐age populations. Despite decades of research on the pathogenesis of DR for clinical care, a comprehensive understanding of the condition is still lacking due to the intricate cellular diversity and molecular heterogeneity involved. Single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) has made the high‐throughput molecular profiling of cells across modalities possible which has provided valuable insights into complex biological systems. In this review, we summarise the application of scRNA‐seq in investigating the pathogenesis of DR, focusing on four aspects. These include the identification of differentially expressed genes, characterisation of key cell subpopulations and reconstruction of developmental ‘trajectories’ to unveil their state transition, exploration of complex cell‒cell communication in DR and integration of scRNA‐seq with genome‐wide association studies to identify cell types that are most closely related to DR risk genetic loci. Finally, we discuss the future challenges and expectations associated with studying DR using scRNA‐seq. We anticipate that scRNA‐seq will facilitate the discovery of mechanisms and new treatment targets in the clinical care landscape for patients with DR.Key points
Progress in scRNA‐seq for diabetic retinopathy (DR) research includes studies on DR patients, non‐human primates, and the prevalent mouse models.
scRNA‐seq facilitates the identification of differentially expressed genes, pivotal cell subpopulations, and complex cell‐cell interactions in DR at single‐cell level.
Future scRNA‐seq applications in DR should target specific patient subsets and integrate with single‐cell and spatial multi‐omics approaches.
Intraspecific variation in Janzen–Connell effect is mediated by stress and plant–soil feedbacks
Authors: Pan Libing , Hogan J. Aaron , Song Xiaoyang , Zhang Wenfu , Zhou Huaze , Chen Zhonglin , Yang Jie , Cao Min 
Published: July 2024

AbstractJanzen–Connell (JC) effects, hypothesized to be partially driven by negative plant–soil feedbacks (PSFs), are considered to be a key mechanism that regulates tropical forest plant diversity and coexistence. However, intraspecific variation in JC effects may weaken this mechanism, with the strength of PSFs being a potentially key variable process. We conducted a manipulated experiment with seedlings from two populations of Pometia pinnata (Sapindaceae), a tropical tree species in southwest China. We aimed to measure the intraspecific difference in PSF magnitude caused by inoculating the soil from different P. pinnata source populations and growing seedlings under differing light intensity and water availability treatments, and at varying plant densities. We found negative PSFs for both populations with the inoculum soil originating from the same sites, but PSFs differed significantly with the inoculum soil from different sites. PSF strength responded differently to biotic and abiotic drivers; PSF strength was weaker in low moisture and high light treatments than in high moisture and low light treatments. Our study documents intraspecific variation in JC effects: specifically, P. pinnata have less defenses to their natively‐sourced soil, but are more defensive to the soil feedbacks from soil sourced from other populations. Our results imply that drought and light intensity tended to weaken JC effects, which may result in loss of species diversity with climate change.
Gene networks governing the response of a calcareous sponge to future ocean conditions reveal lineage‐specific XBP1 regulation of the unfolded protein response
Authors: Posadas Niño , Conaco Cecilia 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMarine sponges are predicted to be winners in the future ocean due to their exemplary adaptive capacity. However, while many sponge groups exhibit tolerance to a wide range of environmental insults, calcifying sponges may be more susceptible to thermo‐acidic stress. To describe the gene regulatory networks that govern the stress response of the calcareous sponge, Leucetta chagosensis (class Calcarea, order Clathrinida), individuals were subjected to warming and acidification conditions based on the climate models for 2100. Transcriptome analysis and gene co‐expression network reconstruction revealed that the unfolded protein response (UPR) was activated under thermo‐acidic stress. Among the upregulated genes were two lineage‐specific homologs of X‐box binding protein 1 (XBP1), a transcription factor that activates the UPR. Alternative dimerization between these XBP1 gene products suggests a clathrinid‐specific mechanism to reversibly sequester the transcription factor into an inactive form, enabling the rapid regulation of pathways linked to the UPR in clathrinid calcareous sponges. Our findings support the idea that transcription factor duplication events may refine evolutionarily conserved molecular pathways and contribute to ecological success.
First record of a neonate bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus) from Baja California Sur, Mexico
Authors: Whitehead Darren A. , Gayford Joel H. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus) is a wide‐ranged deep‐water shark species found off continental and insular shelves. Despite its global distribution, little is known about the reproductive ecology of the species, particularly with regard to the location and timing of important phenological events such as mating and pupping. In this study, we report the landing of a neonate H. griseus individual from an artisanal fishing camp in Baja California Sur, Mexico. This represents only the ninth confirmed record of the species from the Mexican Pacific and the first to report a neonate specimen in Mexican waters. We discuss this specimen in the context of the environmental conditions in which it was found, ultimately suggesting that these shallow coastal waters may be an important pupping ground for H. griseus in the region. Furthermore, the specimen was found during the winter months (whereas all previous reports have suggested H. griseus pups during the summer), implying regional variation in reproductive periodicity, or the presence of multiple reproductive events per year. This study provides novel insight into the reproductive biology of H. griseus and the ecological characteristics of the species in the Northern Mexican Pacific.