bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Swarm Autonomy: From Agent Functionalization to Machine Intelligence
Authors: Wang Yibin , Chen Hui , Xie Leiming , Liu Jinbo , Zhang Li , Yu Jiangfan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSwarm behaviors are common in nature, where individual organisms collaborate via perception, communication, and adaptation. Emulating these dynamics, large groups of active agents can self‐organize through localized interactions, giving rise to complex swarm behaviors, which exhibit potential for applications across various domains. This review presents a comprehensive summary and perspective of synthetic swarms, to bridge the gap between the microscale individual agents and potential applications of synthetic swarms. It is begun by examining active agents, the fundamental units of synthetic swarms, to understand the origins of their motility and functionality in the presence of external stimuli. Then inter‐agent communications and agent‐environment communications that contribute to the swarm generation are summarized. Furthermore, the swarm behaviors reported to date and the emergence of machine intelligence within these behaviors are reviewed. Eventually, the applications enabled by distinct synthetic swarms are summarized. By discussing the emergent machine intelligence in swarm behaviors, insights are offered into the design and deployment of autonomous synthetic swarms for real‐world applications.
Dual‐Targeted Novel Temozolomide Nanocapsules Encapsulating siPKM2 Inhibit Aerobic Glycolysis to Sensitize Glioblastoma to Chemotherapy
Authors: Zhang Yongkang , Ma Hongwei , Li Linsen , Sun Chen , Yu Changshui , Wang Lansheng , Xu Duo , Song Xu , Yu Rutong 
Published: April 2024

AbstractChemotherapy of glioblastoma (GBM) has not yielded success due to inefficient blood–brain barrier (BBB) penetration and poor glioma tissue accumulation. Aerobic glycolysis, as the main mode of energy supply for GBM, safeguards the rapid growth of GBM while affecting the efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Therefore, to effectively inhibit aerobic glycolysis, increase drug delivery efficiency and sensitivity, a novel temozolomide (TMZ) nanocapsule (ApoE‐MT/siPKM2 NC) is successfully designed and prepared for the combined delivery of pyruvate kinase M2 siRNA (siPKM2) and TMZ. This drug delivery platform uses siPKM2 as the inner core and methacrylate‐TMZ (MT) as the shell component to achieve inhibition of glioma energy metabolism while enhancing the killing effect of TMZ. By modifying apolipoprotein E (ApoE), dual targeting of the BBB and GBM is achieved in a “two birds with one stone” style. The glutathione (GSH) responsive crosslinker containing disulfide bonds ensures “directional blasting” cleavage of the nanocapsules to release MT and siPKM2 in the high GSH environment of glioma cells. In addition, in vivo experiments verify that ApoE‐MT/siPKM2 NC has good targeting ability and prolongs the survival of tumor‐bearing nude mice. In summary, this drug delivery system provides a new strategy for metabolic therapy sensitization chemotherapy.
Chlorination Design for Highly Stable Electrolyte toward High Mass Loading and Long Cycle Life Sodium‐Based Dual‐Ion Battery
Authors: Lin Yuwei , Shang Jian , Liu Yuhua , Wang Zelin , Bai Zhengyang , Ou Xuewu , Tang Yongbing 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSodium‐based dual ion batteries (SDIBs) have garnered significant attention as novel energy storage devices offering the advantages of high‐voltage and low‐cost. Nonetheless, conventional electrolytes exhibit low resistance to oxidation and poor compatibility with electrode materials, resulting in rapid battery failure. In this study, for the first time, a chlorination design of electrolytes for SDIB, is proposed. Using ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) as a representative, chlorine (Cl)‐substituted EMC not only demonstrates increased oxidative stability ascribed to the electron‐withdrawing characteristics of chlorine atom, electrolyte compatibility with both the cathode and anode is also greatly improved by forming Cl‐containing interface layers. Consequently, a discharge capacity of 104.6 mAh g−1 within a voltage range of 3.0–5.0 V is achieved for Na||graphite SDIB that employs a high graphite cathode mass loading of 5.0 mg cm−2, along with almost no capacity decay after 900 cycles. Notably, the Na||graphite SDIB can be revived for an additional 900 cycles through the replacement of a fresh Na anode. As the mass loading of graphite cathode increased to 10 mg cm−2, Na||graphite SDIB is still capable of sustaining over 700 times with ≈100% capacity retention. These results mark the best outcome among reported SDIBs. This study corroborates the effectiveness of chlorination design in developing high‐voltage electrolytes and attaining enduring cycle stability of Na‐based energy storage devices.
Electrically Conductive Collagen‐PEDOT:PSS Hydrogel Prevents Post‐Infarct Cardiac Arrhythmia and Supports hiPSC‐Cardiomyocyte Function
Authors: Roshanbinfar Kaveh , Schiffer Miriam , Carls Esther , Angeloni Miriam , Koleśnik‐Gray Maria , Schruefer Stefan , Schubert Dirk W. , Ferrazzi Fulvia , Krstić Vojislav , Fleischmann Bernd K. , Roell Wilhelm , Engel Felix B. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMyocardial infarction (MI) causes cell death, disrupts electrical activity, triggers arrhythmia, and results in heart failure, whereby 50–60% of MI‐associated deaths manifest as sudden cardiac deaths (SCD). The most effective therapy for SCD prevention is implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). However, ICDs contribute to adverse remodeling and disease progression and do not prevent arrhythmia. This work develops an injectable collagen‐PEDOT:PSS (poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate) hydrogel that protects infarcted hearts against ventricular tachycardia (VT) and can be combined with human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)‐cardiomyocytes to promote partial cardiac remuscularization. PEDOT:PSS improves collagen gel formation, micromorphology, and conductivity. hiPSC‐cardiomyocytes in collagen‐PEDOT:PSS hydrogels exhibit near‐adult sarcomeric length, improved contractility, enhanced calcium handling, and conduction velocity. RNA‐sequencing data indicate enhanced maturation and improved cell‐matrix interactions. Injecting collagen‐PEDOT:PSS hydrogels in infarcted mouse hearts decreases VT to the levels of healthy hearts. Collectively, collagen‐PEDOT:PSS hydrogels offer a versatile platform for treating cardiac injuries.
Reverse Atom Capture on Perovskite Surface Enabling Robust and Efficient Cathode for Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells
Authors: Zhao Sunce , Ma Wenjia , Wang Weiwei , Huang Yonglong , Wang Ji , Wang Sijiao , Shu Zhu , He Beibei , Zhao Ling 
Published: April 2024

AbstractProtonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) hold potential for sustainable energy conversion, yet their widespread application is hindered by the sluggish kinetics and inferior stability of cathode materials. Here, a facile and efficient reverse atom capture technique is developed to manipulate the surface chemistry of PrBa0.5Sr0.5Co1.5Fe0.5O5+δ (PBSCF) cathode for PCFCs. This method successfully captures segregated Ba and Sr cations on the PBSCF surface using W species, creating a (Ba/Sr)(Co/Fe/W)O3−δ (BSCFW)@PBSCF heterostructure. Benefiting from enhanced kinetics of proton‐involved oxygen reduction reaction and strengthened chemical stability, the single cell using the optimized 2W‐PBSCF cathode demonstrates an exceptional peak power density of 1.32 W cm−2 at 650 °C and maintains durable performance for 240 h. Theoretical calculations unveil that the BSCFW perovskite delivers lower oxygen vacancy formation energy, hydration energy, and proton transfer energy compared to the PBSCF perovskite. This protocol offers new insights into advanced atom capture techniques for sustainable energy infrastructures.
Asymmetric Boracarboxylation of Styrenes Using Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Pettersen Martin , Dat Do Cuong , Gorantla Sai Manoj N. V. T. , Obst Marc F. , Damm Roman , Putra Anggi E. , Gevorgyan Ashot , Pavlovic Ljiljana , Hopmann Kathrin H. , Bayer Annette 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe boracarboxylation reaction has potential for the production of natural products and drug candidates, but the development of an asymmetric version of this transformation is challenging. We report an enantioselective boracarboxylation of styrenes, enabled by a copper catalyst containing chiral phosphines. Our experimental conditions provide yields between 31–76% and enantiomeric ratios from 80:20 up to 98:2 for electron‐rich styrenes. Oxidation of a boracarboxylation product gives (S)‐tropic acid, an intermediate towards several tropane alkaloids. A computational analysis of the mechanistic details shows a complex pattern of competing reaction pathways, highlighting challenges encountered when developing asymmetric reactions using CO2.
One‐Pot Access to Sulfonyl 2,3‐Diarylnaphthalenes via tBuOK‐Mediated Benzannulation of o‐Bis‐sulfonylmethyl Arenes with Diarylacetylenes
Authors: Chang Meng‐Yang , Hsueh Nai‐Chen 
Published: April 2024

AbstractOne‐pot access to sulfonyl 2,3‐diarylnaphthalenes was developed via tBuOK‐mediated (4+2) benzannulation of o‐bis‐sulfonylmethyl arenes, employing diverse diarylacetylenes. A plausible mechanism is proposed and discussed. The advantages of the system include the use of inexpensive reagents, wide substrate scope, and mild reaction conditions. The synthetic route allows for the formation of two carbon–carbon double bonds (C=C).
Optimization and Artifacts of Photothermal Excitation of Microresonators
Authors: Ge Liping Kevin , Tuniz Alessandro , de Sterke C. Martijn , Zavislan James M. , Brown Thomas G. , Martin Sascha , Martinez‐Martin David 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe excitation of microresonators using focused intensity modulated light, known as photothermal excitation, is gaining significant attention due to its capacity to accurately excite microresonators without distortions, even in liquid environments, which is driving key advancements in atomic force microscopy and related technologies. Despite progress in the development of coatings, the conversion of light into mechanical movement remains largely inefficient, limiting resonator movements to tens of nanometers even when milliwatts of optical power are used. Moreover, how photothermal efficiency depends on the relative position of a microresonator along the propagation axis of the photothermal beam remains poorly studied, hampering the understanding of the conversion of light into mechanical motion. Here, photothermal measurements are performed in air and water using cantilever microresonators and a custom‐built picobalance, to determine how photothermal efficiency changes along the propagation beam axis. It is identified that far out‐of‐band laser emission can lead to visual misidentification of the beam waist, resulting in a drop of photothermal efficiency of up to one order of magnitude. The measurements also unveil that the beam waist is not always the position of highest photothermal efficiency, and can reduce the efficiency up to 20% for silicon cantilevers with trapezoidal cross section.
Intrinsically Stretchable Polymer Semiconductor with Regional Conjugation for Stretchable Electronics
Authors: Wang Sichun , Wang Liangjie , Ren Shiwei , Li Wenhao , Wang Zhihui , Yi Zhengran , Liu Yunqi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe development of intrinsically stretchable polymer semiconductor holds substantial promise in the field of wearable electronics. However, charge transport mobility is typically compromised in existing stretchable semiconductors to achieve the desired stretchability. Herein, a novel “regional conjugation” strategy is proposed to design an intrinsically stretchable polymer semiconductor oligo‐diketopyrrolopyrrole‐thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (DPPTT)–urethane, in which oligo‐DPPTT conjugated units and alkyl urethane nonconjugated units are introduced. The regional conjugation of oligo‐DPPTT in the polymer backbone endows DPPTT–urethane with good molecular packing, leading to a high mobility of up to 1.7 cm2 V−1 s−1. Additionally, incorporating alkyl urethane nonconjugated units in the backbone can reduce film crystallinity and chain aggregation, which contribute to the stretchability of the polymer thin film. Consequently, fully stretchable transistors retain carrier mobility even at 100% biaxial tensile strain. Furthermore, the fully stretchable organic field‐effect transistor arrays show remarkable charge transport reversibility and durability after 1000 stretch–release cycles at 25% strain. Additionally, the device exhibits extraordinary electrical stability in air atmosphere. Overall, these results indicate that the “regional conjugation” strategy provides an effective and promising methodology to design intrinsically stretchable and high‐performance polymer semiconductor that can advance the development of soft and wearable electronics.
African domestic supply booms in value chains of fruits, vegetables, and animal products fueled by spontaneous clusters of SMEs
Authors: Reardon Thomas , Liverpool‐Tasie Lenis Saweda O. , Belton Ben , Dolislager Michael , Minten Bart , Popkin Barry , Vos Rob 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThere is an international consensus that Africans consume less fruits and vegetables (FV), and animal products (AP) than they need for adequate nutrition, and that production and supply chains of these products are constrained. Yet, in this paper, we show that despite these problems, there is a lot of dynamism in demand and supply of these nutrient‐dense products in Africa: (1) macro evidence of “domestic supply booms"—with supply growing as fast as or faster than in Asia and Latin America; (2) only 2–4% of FV, and 10% of AP consumption in Africa is imported, and only about 1–2% of the output of FV and AP is exported: the supply booms have thus been overwhelming domestically sourced, not imported; (3) micro evidence of substantial shares of consumption of FV and AP in total food consumption, similar to Asia's; (4) evidence of rapid development of spontaneous clusters of farms and off‐farm SMEs (output wholesalers, logistics, processors, and agro‐dealers supporting farmers). These clusters are important in fueling the supply booms. Illustrative cases from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zambia are presented. We recommend that African governments and international partners: (1) internalize the fact that these spontaneous clusters are forming and already fueling supply booms; (2) note that important drivers of the booms have been government investments in wholesale markets, roads, and other infrastructure like electrification, and agricultural research/extension; (3) leverage and support existing spontaneous clusters and help new ones to form by greatly increasing those three types of public investments.
Quinoa growth and yield performance under salinity stress in arid West Texas
Authors: Chaganti Vijayasatya N. , Ganjegunte Girisha K. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCrops such as quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) that are both salinity and drought‐tolerant and with high seed value are needed to sustain agriculture in arid Far West Texas facing dual threat of freshwater scarcity and soil salinization. However, quinoa's growth and yield performance under arid conditions of Far West Texas has not been studied previously. This study evaluated growth and yield of a salt‐tolerant quinoa genotype under greenhouse conditions using a completely randomized experimental design with irrigation water salinity as the main factor having five different levels (freshwater, 5, 10, 15, and 20 dS m−1). Plant parameters (plant height, leaf SPAD, leaf tissue carbon, and nitrogen concentrations) and seed yield were measured for two growing seasons. Soil quality (salinity and sodicity) changes were also determined for the same time. Seed yields ranged between 747 and 6065 kg ha−1 across 2 years, indicating significant effects of water salinity. However, these yields were comparable to those reported in the literature. Increasing water salinity significantly affected all growth parameters with leaf C and N decreasing by an average of 20%, whereas reductions in plant height reached a high of 60% at 20 dS m−1. Similar reductions in leaf chlorophyll content were found with increasing water salinity. Soil salinity and sodicity significantly increased over time with irrigation water salinity. Importantly, we observed that quinoa has a much higher soil salinity threshold (∼12 dS m−1) above which yields declined rapidly. Higher salt tolerance threshold of quinoa makes it an alternative economically viable crop for the Trans‐Pecos Texas region.
Synergistic Effect of Ni/Ni(OH)2 Core‐Shell Catalyst Boosts Tandem Nitrate Reduction for Ampere‐Level Ammonia Production
Authors: Shi Xinyue , Xie Minghui , Yang Kaiwen , Niu Yutao , Ma Haibin , Zhu Yiming , Li Jiayi , Pan Tingting , Zhou Xiaoyan , Cui Yujie , Li Zhao , Yu Yifu , Yu Xiaohua , Ma Jiwei , Cheng Hongfei 
Published: April 2024

AbstractElectrocatalytic reduction of nitrate to ammonia provides a green alternate to the Haber–Bosch method, yet it suffers from sluggish kinetics and a low yield rate. The nitrate reduction follows a tandem reaction of nitrate reduction to nitrite and subsequent nitrite hydrogenation to generate ammonia, and the ammonia Faraday efficiency (FE) is limited by the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction. Herein, we design a heterostructure catalyst to remedy the above issues, which consists of Ni nanosphere core and Ni(OH)2 nanosheet shell (Ni/Ni(OH)2). In situ Raman spectroscopy reveals Ni and Ni(OH)2 are interconvertible according to the applied potential, facilitating the cascade nitrate reduction synergistically. Consequently, it attains superior electrocatalytic nitrate reduction performance with an ammonia FE of 98.50 % and a current density of 0.934 A cm−2 at −0.476 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, and exhibits an average ammonia yield rate of 84.74 mg h−1 cm−2 during the 102‐hour stability test, which is highly superior to the reported catalysts tested under similar conditions. Density functional theory calculations corroborate the synergistic effect of Ni and Ni(OH)2 in the tandem reaction of nitrate reduction. Moreover, the Ni/Ni(OH)2 catalyst also possesses good capability for methanol oxidation and thus is used to establish a system coupling with nitrate reduction.
Flexible Dual‐Channel Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensor for Simultaneously Monitoring Sweat Cortisol and Lactate Levels
Authors: Pei Siying , Ji Wenhui , Yang Ya , Liu Tianwei , Yang Shuo , Wu Jiayi , Dai Jiangxuan , Hou Xiyan , Wu Qiong , Li Lin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWhile exercise offers significant potential to enhance overall well‐being, unscientific exercise practices often cause exercise fatigue, posing a threat to human health. Flexible sweat sensors have garnered considerable attention owing to their ability to continuously, non‐invasively, and dynamically monitor human health during exercise at the molecular level. Therefore, in this study, we constructed a flexible molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensor for the real‐time monitoring of cortisol and lactate levels in sweat using cortisol or lactate as template molecules and pyrrole (Py) as functional monomer. Prussian blue (PB) was embedded into the MIP as a built‐in redox probe, eliminating the need for an additional probe and facilitating the simultaneous quantification of cortisol and lactate concentrations. Moreover, the MIP‐doped platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) ehanced the electron transfer capability, further improving the sensitivity of the sensors. The fabricated flexibile cortisol and lactate MIP sensors demonstrated low limits of detection (LOD; 1.07 nM and 1.09 mM, respectively), high sensitivity (0.09 μA lg[nM]−1 and 1.28 μA lg[nM]−1), and exceptional stability and selectivity. The flexible MIP sensors could continuously and dynamically monitor changes in sweat cortisol and lactate concentrations, thus contributing to the advancement of next‐generation flexible sweat electrochemical sensors and providing a crucial tool for monitoring exercise fatigue.
Enhancement of epoxy‐cyanate ester blends through staged curing‐induced nanophase separation strategy
Authors: Xie Hui , Zhao Changbo , Pan Yi , Zhu Caizhen , Ding Xiaobin , Xu Jian 
Published: April 2024

AbstractEpoxy‐cyanate ester blends have attracted significant attention due to their unique synergistic properties and versatility in high‐performance applications. However, achieving precise control over the phase‐separated structures in these blends remains a challenge. In this work, we present a strategy for the preparation of epoxy‐cyanate ester blends with high‐performance through staged curing‐induced phase separation. By incorporating a thermally latent catalyst, 4‐ethyl‐2‐methylimidazole tetraphenylborate, into the epoxy‐anhydride‐cyanate system, the reactivity differences of multiple curing reactions within the blend were precisely controlled, thereby inducing the formation of well‐defined nanophase‐separated structures. The polymer systems prepared exhibit high mechanical properties and heat resistance, primarily due to the interpenetrating networks created by the epoxy‐anhydride‐cyanate ester and the formation of nanodomains induced by the staged curing process. Furthermore, epoxy‐cyanate ester blends demonstrate outstanding hygrothermal resistance due to the low polarity of the crosslinked network structure. This work provides new insights into regulating the microstructure of the thermosetting blends and expands the potential applications of these materials in fields requiring long‐term durability and reliability.
A roadmap of phylogenomic methods for studying polyploid plant genera
Authors: Ning Weixuan , Meudt Heidi M. , Tate Jennifer A. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPhylogenetic inference of polyploid species is the first step towards understanding their patterns of diversification. In this paper, we review the challenges and limitations of inferring species relationships of polyploid plants using traditional phylogenetic sequencing approaches, as well as the mischaracterization of the species tree from single or multiple gene trees. We provide a roadmap to infer interspecific relationships among polyploid lineages by comparing and evaluating the application of current phylogenetic, phylogenomic, transcriptomic, and whole‐genome approaches using different sequencing platforms. For polyploid species tree reconstruction, we assess the following criteria: (1) the amount of prior information or tools required to capture the genetic region(s) of interest; (2) the probability of recovering homeologs for polyploid species; and (3) the time efficiency of downstream data analysis. Moreover, we discuss bioinformatic pipelines that can reconstruct networks of polyploid species relationships. In summary, although current phylogenomic approaches have improved our understanding of reticulate species relationships in polyploid‐rich genera, the difficulties of recovering reliable orthologous genes and sorting all homeologous copies for allopolyploids remain a challenge. In the future, assembled long‐read sequencing data will assist the recovery and identification of multiple gene copies, which can be particularly useful for reconstructing the multiple independent origins of polyploids.