bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Boosting Na‐O Affinity in Na3Zr2Si2PO12 Electrolyte Promises Highly Rechargeable Solid‐State Sodium Batteries
Authors: Li Yang , Sun Chen , Sun Zheng , Li Meng , Jin Haibo , Zhao Yongjie 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAll‐solid‐state batteries have drawn a lot of concern owing to their distinct advantages in energy density and safety. However, the interfacial issues between the solid electrolyte and electrodes are still roadblocks to large scale application of rechargeable solid‐state batteries. In this work, it reveals that promoting the Na‐O affinity in Na3Zr2Si2PO12 electrolyte can effectively boost its air stability. Specifically, a two‐step sintering approach is employed to actively regulate the microstructure evolution of Na3Zr2Si2PO12 electrolyte. Apart from the enhanced strength of the Na‐O bond, the mechanical performance and ionic conductivity are also apparently improved in comparison with the traditional one‐step sintering. Moreover, a low resistance of 68 Ω cm2 is achieved with the Na/Na3Zr2Si2PO12 interface, demonstrating long cycling stability of 1000 cycles at 0.1 mA cm−2. The designed Na3Zr2Si2PO12 ceramic electrolyte paired with Na3.5V0.5Mn0.5Fe0.5Ti0.5(PO4)3 cathode and metallic Na anode manifests outstanding cycling stability with a high reversible discharge capacity of 136 mAh g−1 after nearly 400 cycles at 1 C, and 25 °C. Therefore, it is believed that the delicate modulation of solid electrolyte microstructure is of great importance for accelerating the application of solid‐state batteries.
Prenatal 1‐Nitropyrene Exposure Causes Autism‐Like Behavior Partially by Altering DNA Hydroxymethylation in Developing Brain
Authors: Zhao Ting , Huang Cheng‐Qing , Zhang Yi‐Hao , Zhu Yan‐Yan , Chen Xiao‐Xi , Wang Tao , Shao Jing , Meng Xiu‐Hong , Huang Yichao , Wang Hua , Wang Hui‐Li , Wang Bo , Xu De‐Xiang 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by social communication disability and stereotypic behavior. This study aims to investigate the impact of prenatal exposure to 1‐nitropyrene (1‐NP), a key component of motor vehicle exhaust, on autism‐like behaviors in a mouse model. Three‐chamber test finds that prenatal 1‐NP exposure causes autism‐like behaviors during the weaning period. Patch clamp shows that inhibitory synaptic transmission is reduced in medial prefrontal cortex of 1‐NP‐exposed weaning pups. Immunofluorescence finds that prenatal 1‐NP exposure reduces the number of prefrontal glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) positive interneurons in fetuses and weaning pups. Moreover, prenatal 1‐NP exposure retards tangential migration of GAD67‐positive interneurons and downregulates interneuron migration‐related genes, such as Nrg1, Erbb4, and Sema3F, in fetal forebrain. Mechanistically, prenatal 1‐NP exposure reduces hydroxymethylation of interneuron migration‐related genes through inhibiting ten‐eleven translocation (TET) activity in fetal forebrain. Supplement with alpha‐ketoglutarate (α‐KG), a cofactor of TET enzyme, reverses 1‐NP‐induced hypohydroxymethylation at specific sites of interneuron migration‐related genes. Moreover, α‐KG supplement alleviates 1‐NP‐induced migration retardation of interneurons in fetal forebrain. Finally, maternal α‐KG supplement improves 1‐NP‐induced autism‐like behaviors in weaning offspring. In conclusion, prenatal 1‐NP exposure causes autism‐like behavior partially by altering DNA hydroxymethylation of interneuron migration‐related genes in developing brain.
Lineage‐Specific Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Derived from Human iPSCs Showed Distinct Patterns in Transcriptomic Profile and Extracellular Vesicle Production
Authors: Winston Tackla , Song Yuanhui , Shi Huaiyu , Yang Junhui , Alsudais Munther , Kontaridis Maria I. , Wu Yaoying , Gaborski Thomas R. , Meng Qinghe , Cooney Robert N. , Ma Zhen 
Published: May 2024

AbstractOver the past decades, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been extensively investigated as a potential therapeutic cell source for the treatment of various disorders. Differentiation of MSCs from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iMSCs) has provided a scalable approach for the biomanufacturing of MSCs and related biological products. Although iMSCs shared typical MSC markers and functions as primary MSCs (pMSCs), there is a lack of lineage specificity in many iMSC differentiation protocols. Here, a stepwise hiPSC‐to‐iMSC differentiation method is employed via intermediate cell stages of neural crest and cytotrophoblast to generate lineage‐specific MSCs with varying differentiation efficiencies and gene expression. Through a comprehensive comparison between early developmental cell types (hiPSCs, neural crest, and cytotrophoblast), two lineage‐specific iMSCs, and six source‐specific pMSCs, are able to not only distinguish the transcriptomic differences between MSCs and early developmental cells, but also determine the transcriptomic similarities of iMSC subtypes to postnatal or perinatal pMSCs. Additionally, it is demonstrated that different iMSC subtypes and priming conditions affected EV production, exosomal protein expression, and cytokine cargo.
Graph‐Based Pangenome of Actinidia chinensis Reveals Structural Variations Mediating Fruit Degreening
Authors: Wang Yingzhen , Li Pengwei , Zhu Yanyan , Zhang Feng , Zhang Sijia , He Yan , Wu Ying , Lin Yunzhi , Wang Hongtao , Ren Wangmei , Wang Lihuan , Yang Ying , Wang Runze , Zheng Pengpeng , Liu Yongsheng , Wang Songhu , Yue Junyang 
Published: May 2024

AbstractFruit ripening is associated with the degreening process (loss of chlorophyll) that occurs in most fruit species. Kiwifruit is one of the special species whose fruits may maintain green flesh by accumulating a large amount of chlorophyll even after ripening. However, little is known about the genetic variations related to the fruit degreening process. Here, a graph‐based kiwifruit pangenome by analyzing 14 chromosome‐scale haplotype‐resolved genome assemblies from seven representative cultivars or lines in Actinidia chinensis is built. A total of 49,770 non‐redundant gene families are identified, with core genes constituting 46.6%, and dispensable genes constituting 53.4%. A total of 84,591 non‐redundant structural variations (SVs) are identified. The pangenome graph integrating both reference genome sequences and variant information facilitates the identification of SVs related to fruit color. The SV in the promoter of the AcBCM gene determines its high expression in the late developmental stage of fruits, which causes chlorophyll accumulation in the green‐flesh fruits by post‐translationally regulating AcSGR2, a key enzyme of chlorophyll catabolism. Taken together, a high‐quality pangenome is constructed, unraveled numerous genetic variations, and identified a novel SV mediating fruit coloration and fruit quality, providing valuable information for further investigating genome evolution and domestication, QTL genes function, and genomics‐assisted breeding.
Single‐Stranded Nucleic Acid Transmembrane Molecular Carriers Based on Positively Charged Helical Foldamers
Authors: Ge Yunpeng , Li Wencan , Tian Jun , Yu Hao , Wang Zhenzhu , Wang Ming , Dong Zeyuan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractTransmembrane delivery of biologically active nucleic acids is an important process in cells and has inspired one to develop advanced drug delivery techniques. In this contribution, molecular‐level single‐stranded nucleic acid transmembrane carriers are reported based on 3.2 nm long Huc's foldamers (AOrnQ3Q3)8 and (mQ3Q2)8 with linearly and helically aligned positive charges, respectively. These two foldamers not only show very strong DNA affinity via electrostatic interactions but also discriminatively bind single‐stranded DNA (ss‐DNA) and double‐stranded DNA (ds‐DNA), corroborating the importance of precise charge arrangement in the electrostatic interactions. More importantly, these two foldamers are capable of efficiently transporting ss‐DNA across the lipid membranes, and the ss‐DNA transport activity of (AOrnQ3Q3)8 with linearly aligned charges is higher than that of (mQ3Q2)8 with helically aligned charges. Thus a type of novel single‐stranded nucleic acid transmembrane molecular carriers based on positively charged helical foldamers are introduced. Further, effective and enhanced expression in EGFP‐mRNA transfection experiments strongly demonstrates the potential of positively charged foldamers for RNA transmembrane transport and therapy.
Inhibition of DEF‐p65 Interactions as a Potential Avenue to Suppress Tumor Growth in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Huang Sicong , Yang Jiaqi , Xie Teng , Jiang Yangwei , Hong Yifan , Liu Xinyuan , He Xuyan , Buratto Damiano , Zhang Dong , Zhou Ruhong , Liang Tingbo , Bai Xueli 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe limited success of current targeted therapies for pancreatic cancer underscores an urgent demand for novel treatment modalities. The challenge in mitigating this malignancy can be attributed to the digestive organ expansion factor (DEF), a pivotal yet underexplored factor in pancreatic tumorigenesis. The study uses a blend of in vitro and in vivo approaches, complemented by the theoretical analyses, to propose DEF as a promising anti‐tumor target. Analysis of clinical samples reveals that high expression of DEF is correlated with diminished survival in pancreatic cancer patients. Crucially, the depletion of DEF significantly impedes tumor growth. The study further discovers that DEF binds to p65, shielding it from degradation mediated by the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway in cancer cells. Based on these findings and computational approaches, the study formulates a DEF‐mimicking peptide, peptide‐031, designed to disrupt the DEF‐p65 interaction. The effectiveness of peptide‐031 in inhibiting tumor proliferation has been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. This study unveils the oncogenic role of DEF while highlighting its prognostic value and therapeutic potential in pancreatic cancer. In addition, peptide‐031 is a promising therapeutic agent with potent anti‐tumor effects.
Multifunctional Nanofibrous Hollow Microspheres for Enhanced Periodontal Bone Regeneration
Authors: Li Qian , Ma Chi , Jing Yan , Liu Xiaohua 
Published: May 2024

AbstractDestructive periodontitis destroys alveolar bone and eventually leads to tooth loss. While guided bone regeneration, which is based on creating a physical barrier to hinder the infiltration of epithelial and connective tissues into defect sites, has been widely used for alveolar bone regeneration, its outcomes remain variable. In this work, a multifunctional nanofibrous hollow microsphere (NFHMS) is developed for enhanced alveolar bone regeneration. The NFHMS is first prepared via combining a double emulsification and a thermally induced phase separation process. Next, E7, a short peptide with high specific affinity to bone marrow‐derived stem cells (BMSCs), is conjugated onto the surface of NFHMS. After that, bone forming peptide (BFP), a short peptide derived from bone morphology protein 7 is loaded in calcium phosphate (CaP) nanoparticles, which are further encapsulated in the hollow space of the NFHMS‐E7 to form NFHMS‐E7‐CaP/BFP. The NFHMS‐E7‐CaP/BFP selectively promoted the adhesion of BMSCs and expelled the adhesion of fibroblasts and epithelial cells. In addition, the BFP is sustainedly released from the NFHMS‐E7‐CaP/BFP to enhance the osteogenesis of BMSCs. A rat challenging fenestration defect model showed that the NFHMS‐E7‐CaP/BFP significantly enhanced alveolar bone tissue regeneration. This work provides a novel bioengineering approach for guided bone regeneration.
Creating Anti‐Chiral Exceptional Points in Non‐Hermitian Metasurfaces for Efficient Terahertz Switching
Authors: Yu Zhongyi , He Weibao , Hu Siyang , Ren Ziheng , Wan Shun , Cheng Xiang'ai , Hu Yuze , Jiang Tian 
Published: May 2024

AbstractNon‐Hermitian degeneracies, also known as exceptional points (EPs), have presented remarkable singular characteristics such as the degeneracy of eigenvalues and eigenstates and enable limitless opportunities for achieving fascinating phenomena in EP photonic systems. Here, the general theoretical framework and experimental verification of a non‐Hermitian metasurface that holds a pair of anti‐chiral EPs are proposed as a novel approach for efficient terahertz (THz) switching. First, based on the Pancharatnam–Berry (PB) phase and unitary transformation, it is discovered that the coupling variation of ±1 spin eigenstates will lead to asymmetric modulation in two orthogonal linear polarizations (LP). Through loss‐induced merging of a pair of anti‐chiral EPs, the decoupling of ±1 spin eigenstates are then successfully realized in a non‐Hermitian metasurface. Final, the efficient THz modulation is experimentally demonstrated, which exhibits modulation depth exceeding 70% and Off‐On‐Off switching cycle less than 9 ps in one LP while remains unaffected in another one. Compared with conventional THz modulation devices, the metadevice shows several figures of merits, such as a single frequency operation, high modulation depth, and ultrafast switching speed. The proposed theory and loss‐induced non‐Hermitian device are general and can be extended to numerous photonic systems varying from microwave, THz, infrared, to visible light.
Flexible endoscopic intubation in emergency medicine: A mixed‐methods needs assessment
Authors: Sandefur Benjamin J. , Shappell Eric F. , Campbell Ronna L. , Brown Calvin A. , Driver Brian E. , Carlson Jestin N. , Mullan Aidan F. , Park Yoon Soo , Tekian Ara 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjectivesThis needs assessment aimed to improve understanding of flexible endoscopic intubation training and practice in emergency medicine (EM), providing insights to educators and practice leaders seeking to improve education and practices.MethodsWe conducted a multicenter, mixed‐methods needs assessment of emergency physicians (EPs) incorporating focus groups and a survey. Focus groups comprised community EPs, academic EPs, and resident EPs. We analyzed focus group transcripts using grounded theory, qualitatively describing EM endoscopic intubation. The qualitative analysis shaped our survey instrument, which we deployed in cross‐sectional fashion. We report survey data with descriptive statistics.ResultsFocus groups with 13 EPs identified three themes: indications for use of endoscopic intubation, factors impacting a physician's decision to endoscopically intubate, and attaining and maintaining endoscopic intubation competency. Of 257 surveyed EPs (33% response rate), 79% had received endoscopic intubation training during residency, though 82% had performed this procedure 10 or fewer times in their career. Despite 97% acknowledging the necessity of competency, only 23% felt highly confident in their ability to perform endoscopic intubation. Participants (93%) reported scarce opportunities to perform the procedure and identified factors believed to facilitate competency acquisition and maintenance, including opportunities to perform endoscopic intubation in practice (98%), local champions (93%), and performing nasopharyngoscopy (87%).ConclusionsWhile most EPs acknowledged the importance of competency in endoscopic intubation, they reported scarce procedural opportunities and commonly expressed low confidence. Further research is needed on this topic, and we propose avenues to enhance education and practices related to endoscopic intubation. These include development of robust procedural curricula, support of local champions, and incorporating nasopharyngoscopy into EM practice.
Exact Functional Integration of Radial and Complex Slave‐Boson Fields: Thermodynamics and Dynamics of the Two‐Site Extended Hubbard Model
Authors: Dao Vu Hung , Frésard Raymond 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe functional integral formulation of the Hubbard model when treated in its Kotliar‐Ruckenstein representation in the radial gauge involves fermionic, as well as complex and radial slave boson fields. In order to improve on the understanding of the interplay of the three types of fields, and on the nature of the latter, a comprehensive investigation of an exactly solvable two‐site cluster is performed, as it entails all pitfalls embodied in this approach. It is first shown that the exact partition function is recovered, even when incorporating in the calculation the square root factors that are at the heart of the representation, when suitably regularized. It is shown that using radial slave boson fields allows to overcome all hurdles following from the normal ordering procedure. It is then demonstrated that this applies to the Green's function as well, and to the correlation functions of physical interest, thereby answering the criticisms raised by Schönhammer [K. Schönhammer, Phys. Rev. B 1990 42, 2591]. In addition, the investigation generalizes the calculations to the Hubbard model extended by a non‐local Coulomb interaction.
From Plastic Waste to Green Hydrogen and Valuable Chemicals Using Sunlight and Water
Authors: Anh Nguyen Thi Kim , Trần‐Phú Thành , Daiyan Rahman , Minh Chau Ta Xuan , Amal Rose , Tricoli Antonio 
Published: May 2024

AbstractOver 79 % of 6.3 billion tonnes of plastics produced from 1950 to 2015 have been disposed in landfills or found their way to the oceans, where they will reside for up to hundreds of years before being decomposed bringing upon significant dangers to our health and ecosystems. Plastic photoreforming offers an appealing alternative by using solar energy and water to transform plastic waste into value‐added chemical commodities, while simultaneously producing green hydrogen via the hydrogen evolution reaction. This review aims to provide an overview of the underlying principles of emerging plastic photoreforming technologies, highlight the challenges associated with experimental protocols and performance assessments, discuss recent global breakthroughs on the photoreforming of plastics, and propose perspectives for future research. A critical assessment of current plastic photoreforming studies shows a lack of standardised conditions, hindering comparison amongst photocatalyst performance. Guidelines to establish a more accurate evaluation of materials and systems are proposed, with the aim to facilitate the translation of promising fundamental discovery in photocatalysts design.
Boosting the Electroreduction of CO2 to CO by Ligand Engineering of Gold Nanoclusters
Authors: Han Sang Myeong , Park Minyoung , Kim Jiyoung , Lee Dongil 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) has been widely studied as a promising means to convert anthropogenic CO2 into valuable chemicals and fuels. In this process, the alkali metal ions present in the electrolyte are known to significantly influence the CO2RR activity and selectivity. In this study, we report a strategy for preparing efficient electrocatalysts by introducing a cation‐relaying ligand, namely 6‐mercaptohexanoic acid (MHA), into atom‐precise Au25 nanoclusters (NCs). The CO2RR activity of the synthesized Au25(MHA)18 NCs was compared with that of Au25(HT)18 NCs (HT=1‐hexanethiolate). While both NCs selectively produced CO over H2, the CO2‐to‐CO conversion activity of the Au25(MHA)18 NCs was significantly higher than that of the Au25(HT)18 NCs when the catholyte pH was higher than the pKa of MHA, demonstrating the cation‐relaying effect of the anionic terminal group. Mechanistic investigations into the CO2RR occurring on the Au25 NCs in the presence of different catholyte cations and concentrations revealed that the CO2‐to‐CO conversion activities of these Au25 NCs increased in the order Li+<Na+<K+<Cs+, and are gated by the cation‐coupled electron transfer step. These results were confirmed by the Nernstian shifts of the polarization curves at different cation concentrations.
Self‐Assembled Pure Covalent Tubes Exhibiting Circularly Polarized Luminescence
Authors: Ge Chenqi , Shang Weili , Chen Zhong , Liu Jiyong , Tang Hua , Wu Yating , He Siyu , Liu Minghua , Li Hao 
Published: May 2024

AbstractHere, we successfully synthesized four structurally analogous, self‐assembled chiral molecular tubes with relatively high yields. This achievement involved the condensation of six equivalents of enantiomerically pure trans‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine (trans‐CHDA) and three equivalents of the corresponding tetraformyl precursor. Each precursor was equipped with a luminescent linker terminated by two m‐phthalaldehyde units. Even though these tetraformyl precursors are barely soluble in almost all organic solvents, the molecular tubes are highly soluble in nonpolar solvents such as chloroform, allowing us to fully characterize them in solution. The stereo‐chirality of the chiral bisamino building blocks endows the frameworks of molecular tubes with planar chirality. As a consequence, all of these molecular tubes exhibit circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) with relatively large dissymmetry values |glum| up to 7×10−3, providing an efficient method for synthesizing CPL‐active materials.
Thermally Controlled Synthesis of Cr2(NCN)3/CrN Heterostructured Composite Anodes for High‐Performance Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Hanlou , Guo Penghui , Wang Jing , Zhao Silong , Yang Mohan , Liu Xingxing , Wang Lian , Wang Meng , Wu Feng , Tan Guoqiang 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCr2(NCN)3 features high specific capacity and fast electrical conductivity, making it a promising anode candidate for Li‐ion batteries. However, inherent chemical and structural metastability severely restrict its capacity output and cycle life, resulting in unsatisfactory battery performance. Here we use its thermal instability characteristic and propose a thermal controlled structural coordination strategy to in‐situ construct a Cr2(NCN)3/CrN heterostructure. Systematic studies reveal the thermodynamic structural evolution of Cr2(NCN)3 under precise temperature regulation, as well as the essential relevancy between electrochemical properties and crystalline structures. An optimal Cr2(NCN)3/CrN heterostructural composite obtained at 690 °C features uniform two‐phase recombination with abundant grain boundaries enables promising electrochemical performance, exhibiting a high reversible discharge capacity (760 mAh g−1) and a good cycle performance (75 % retention after 100 cycles). It is worth noting that the above performance is significantly improved over unmodified pure transition metal carbodiimides or metal nitride anodes. This study provides a simple and universal structural regulation strategy for transition metal carbodiimides that utilizes their thermal sensitivity to synchronously construct synergistic transition metal carbodiimides/transition metal nitrides heterostructures, promoting their potential applications in Li‐ion batteries.