bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Triboelectric Nanogenerator‐Enabled Digital Twins in Civil Engineering Infrastructure 4.0: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Pang Yafeng , He Tianyiyi , Liu Shuainian , Zhu Xingyi , Lee Chengkuo 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe emergence of digital twins has ushered in a new era in civil engineering with a focus on achieving sustainable energy supply, real‐time sensing, and rapid warning systems. These key development goals mean the arrival of Civil Engineering 4.0.The advent of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) demonstrates the feasibility of energy harvesting and self‐powered sensing. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the fundamental elements comprising civil infrastructure, encompassing various structures such as buildings, pavements, rail tracks, bridges, tunnels, and ports. First, an elaboration is provided on smart engineering structures with digital twins. Following that, the paper examines the impact of using TENG‐enabled strategies on smart civil infrastructure through the integration of materials and structures. The various infrastructures provided by TENGs have been analyzed to identify the key research interest. These areas encompass a wide range of civil infrastructure characteristics, including safety, efficiency, energy conservation, and other related themes. The challenges and future perspectives of TENG‐enabled smart civil infrastructure are briefly discussed in the final section. In conclusion, it is conceivable that in the near future, there will be a proliferation of smart civil infrastructure accompanied by sustainable and comprehensive smart services.
Circular RNA Gtdc1 Protects Against Offspring Osteoarthritis Induced by Prenatal Prednisone Exposure by Regulating SRSF1‐Fn1 Signaling
Authors: Liu Liang , Hong Yuntian , Ma Chi , Zhang Fan , Li Qingxian , Li Bin , He Hangyuan , Zhu Jiayong , Wang Hui , Chen Liaobin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractChondrodysplasia is closely associated with low birth weight and increased susceptibility to osteoarthritis in adulthood. Prenatal prednisone exposure (PPE) can cause low birth weight; however, its effect on offspring cartilage development remains unexplored. Herein, rats are administered clinical doses of prednisone intragastrically on gestational days (GDs) 0–20 and underwent long‐distance running during postnatal weeks (PWs) 24–28. Knee cartilage is assayed for quality and related index changes on GD20, PW12, and PW28. In vitro experiments are performed to elucidate the mechanism. PPE decreased cartilage proliferation and matrix synthesis, causing offspring chondrodysplasia. Following long‐distance running, the PPE group exhibited more typical osteoarthritis‐like changes. Molecular analysis revealed that PPE caused cartilage circRNomics imbalance in which circGtdc1 decreased most significantly and persisted postnatally. Mechanistically, prednisolone reduced circGtdc1 expression and binding with Srsf1 to promote degradation of Srsf1 via K48‐linked polyubiquitination. This further inhibited the formation of EDA/B+Fn1 and activation of PI3K/AKT and TGFβ pathways, reducing chondrocyte proliferation and matrix synthesis. Finally, intra‐articular injection of offspring with AAV‐circGtdc1 ameliorated PPE‐induced chondrodysplasia, but this effect is reversed by Srsf1 knockout. Altogether, this study confirms that PPE causes chondrodysplasia and susceptibility to osteoarthritis by altering the circGtdc1‐Srsf1‐Fn1 axis; in vivo, overexpression of circGtdc1 can represent an effective intervention target for ameliorating PPE‐induced chondrodysplasia.
Collective Cell Radial Ordered Migration in Spatial Confinement
Authors: Dong Hao , Hu Fen , Ma Xuehe , Yang Jianyu , Pan Leiting , Xu Jingjun 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCollective cells, a typical active matter system, exhibit complex coordinated behaviors fundamental for various developmental and physiological processes. The present work discovers a collective radial ordered migration behavior of NIH3T3 fibroblasts that depends on persistent top‐down regulation with 2D spatial confinement. Remarkably, individual cells move in a weak‐oriented, diffusive‐like rather than strong‐oriented ballistic manner. Despite this, the collective movement is spatiotemporal heterogeneous and radial ordering at supracellular scale, manifesting as a radial ordered wavefront originated from the boundary and propagated toward the center of pattern. Combining bottom‐up cell‐to‐extracellular matrix (ECM) interaction strategy, numerical simulations based on a developed mechanical model well reproduce and explain above observations. The model further predicts the independence of geometric features on this ordering behavior, which is validated by experiments. These results together indicate such radial ordered collective migration is ascribed to the couple of top‐down regulation with spatial restriction and bottom‐up cellular endogenous nature.
Single‐Component Electroactive Polymer Architectures for Non‐Enzymatic Glucose Sensing
Authors: Kousseff Christina J. , Wustoni Shofarul , Silva Raphaela K. S. , Lifer Ariel , Savva Achilleas , Frey Gitti L. , Inal Sahika , Nielsen Christian B. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractOrganic mixed ionic‐electronic conductors (OMIECs) have emerged as promising materials for biological sensing, owing to their electrochemical activity, stability in an aqueous environment, and biocompatibility. Yet, OMIEC‐based sensors rely predominantly on the use of composite matrices to enable stimuli‐responsive functionality, which can exhibit issues with intercomponent interfacing. In this study, an approach is presented for non‐enzymatic glucose detection by harnessing a newly synthesized functionalized monomer, EDOT‐PBA. This monomer integrates electrically conducting and receptor moieties within a single organic component, obviating the need for complex composite preparation. By engineering the conditions for electrodeposition, two distinct polymer film architectures are developed: pristine PEDOT‐PBA and molecularly imprinted PEDOT‐PBA. Both architectures demonstrated proficient glucose binding and signal transduction capabilities. Notably, the molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) architecture demonstrated faster stabilization upon glucose uptake while it also enabled a lower limit of detection, lower standard deviation, and a broader linear range in the sensor output signal compared to its non‐imprinted counterpart. This material design not only provides a robust and efficient platform for glucose detection but also offers a blueprint for developing selective sensors for a diverse array of target molecules, by tuning the receptor units correspondingly.
In Situ Loading and Time‐Resolved Synchrotron‐Based Phase Contrast Tomography for the Mechanical Investigation of Connective Knee Tissues: A Proof‐of‐Concept Study
Authors: Dejea Hector , Pierantoni Maria , Orozco Gustavo A. , B. Wrammerfors E. Tobias , Gstöhl Stefan J. , Schlepütz Christian M. , Isaksson Hanna 
Published: March 2024

AbstractArticular cartilage and meniscus transfer and distribute mechanical loads in the knee joint. Degeneration of these connective tissues occurs during the progression of knee osteoarthritis, which affects their composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties. A deeper understanding of disease progression can be obtained by studying them simultaneously. Time‐resolved synchrotron‐based X‐ray phase‐contrast tomography (SR‐PhC‐µCT) allows to capture the tissue dynamics. This proof‐of‐concept study presents a rheometer setup for simultaneous in situ unconfined compression and SR‐PhC‐µCT of connective knee tissues. The microstructural response of bovine cartilage (n = 16) and meniscus (n = 4) samples under axial continuously increased strain, or two steps of 15% strain (stress–relaxation) is studied. The chondrocyte distribution in cartilage and the collagen fiber orientation in the meniscus are assessed. Variations in chondrocyte density reveal an increase in the top 40% of the sample during loading, compared to the lower half. Meniscus collagen fibers reorient perpendicular to the loading direction during compression and partially redisperse during relaxation. Radiation damage, image repeatability, and image quality assessments show little to no effects on the results. In conclusion, this approach is highly promising for future studies of human knee tissues to understand their microstructure, mechanical response, and progression in degenerative diseases.
Design of PD‐L1‐Targeted Lipid Nanoparticles to Turn on PTEN for Efficient Cancer Therapy
Authors: Kim Yelee , Choi Jiwoong , Kim Eun Hye , Park Wonbeom , Jang Hochung , Jang Yeongji , Chi Sung‐Gil , Kweon Dae‐Hyuk , Lee Kyuri , Kim Sun Hwa , Yang Yoosoo 
Published: March 2024

AbstractLipid nanoparticles (LNPs) exhibit remarkable mRNA delivery efficiency, yet their majority accumulate in the liver or spleen after injection. Tissue‐specific mRNA delivery can be achieved through modulating LNP properties, such as tuning PEGylation or varying lipid components systematically. In this paper, a streamlined method is used for incorporating tumor‐targeting peptides into the LNPs; the programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) binding peptides are conjugated to PEGylated lipids via a copper‐free click reaction, and directly incorporated into the LNP composition (Pep LNPs). Notably, Pep LNPs display robust interaction with PD‐L1 proteins, which leads to the uptake of LNPs into PD‐L1 overexpressing cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. To evaluate anticancer immunotherapy mediated by restoring tumor suppressor, mRNA encoding phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is delivered via Pep LNPs to PTEN‐deficient triple‐negative breast cancers (TNBCs). Pep LNPs loaded with PTEN mRNA specifically promotes autophagy‐mediated immunogenic cell death in 4T1 tumors, resulting in effective anticancer immune responses. This study highlights the potential of tumor‐targeted LNPs for mRNA‐based cancer therapy.
Synthesis of PEG‐Polycycloether Block Copolymers: Poloxamer Mimics Containing a Rigid Helical Block
Authors: Masclef Jean‐Baptiste , Prunet Joëlle , Schmidt Bernhard V. K. J. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPoloxamers are amphiphilic block copolymers consisting of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(propylene glycol) segments. Their self‐assembly and interfacial properties are tied to the relative hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of each block and can therefore be adjusted by changing block lengths. Here, a series of PEG‐polycycloether block copolymers is synthesized that have the same structure as a poloxamer, but they encompass a rigid polycyclic backbone as the hydrophobic block. A variety of polymer structures are synthesized, for example diblock or triblock architectures, with/without olefinic units, atactic or isotactic backbone, and different block lengths. Due to their amphiphilicity, self‐assembly into spherical aggregates (diameters ranging from 64 to 132 nm) at low concentrations (critical aggregation concentration as low as 0.04 mg mL−1) is observed in water. Low surface tensions (as low as 26.7 mN m−1) are observed as well as the formation of stable high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) irrespective of the oil/water ratio. This contrasts with the properties of the commonly used poloxamers P188 or P407 and illustrates the significance of the rigid polycycloether block. These new colloidal properties offer new prospects for applications in emulsion formulations for biomedicine, cosmetics, and the food industry.
Integrative Dissection of Lignin Composition in Tartary Buckwheat Seed Hulls for Enhanced Dehulling Efficiency
Authors: Yang Wenqi , Duan Haiyang , Yu Ke , Hou Siyu , Kang Yifan , Wang Xiao , Hao Jiongyu , Liu Longlong , Zhang Yin , Luo Laifu , Zhao Yunjun , Zhang Junli , Lan Chen , Wang Nan , Zhang Xuehai , Tang Jihua , Zhao Qiao , Sun Zhaoxia , Zhang Xuebin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe rigid hull encasing Tartary buckwheat seeds necessitates a laborious dehulling process before flour milling, resulting in considerable nutrient loss. Investigation of lignin composition is pivotal in understanding the structural properties of tartary buckwheat seeds hulls, as lignin is key determinant of rigidity in plant cell walls, thus directly impacting the dehulling process. Here, the lignin composition of seed hulls from 274 Tartary buckwheat accessions is analyzed, unveiling a unique lignin chemotype primarily consisting of G lignin, a common feature in gymnosperms. Furthermore, the hardness of the seed hull showed a strong negative correlation with the S lignin content. Genome‐wide detection of selective sweeps uncovered that genes governing the biosynthesis of S lignin, specifically two caffeic acid O‐methyltransferases (COMTs) and one ferulate 5‐hydroxylases, are selected during domestication. This likely contributed to the increased S lignin content and decreased hardness of seed hulls from more domesticated varieties. Genome‐wide association studies identified robust associations between FtCOMT1 and the accumulation of S lignin in seed hull. Transgenic Arabidopsis comt1 plants expressing FtCOMT1 successfully reinstated S lignin content, confirming its conserved function across plant species. These findings provide valuable metabolic and genetic insights for the potential redesign of Tartary buckwheat seed hulls.
Multimodal Autonomous Locomotion of Liquid Crystal Elastomer Soft Robot
Authors: Zhou Xiaorui , Chen Guancong , Jin Binjie , Feng Haijun , Chen Zike , Fang Mengqi , Yang Bo , Xiao Rui , Xie Tao , Zheng Ning 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSelf‐oscillation phenomena observed in nature serve as extraordinary inspiration for designing synthetic autonomous moving systems. Converting self‐oscillation into designable self‐sustained locomotion can lead to a new generation of soft robots that require minimal/no external control. However, such locomotion is typically constrained to a single mode dictated by the constant surrounding environment. In this study, a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) robot capable of achieving self‐sustained multimodal locomotion, with the specific motion mode being controlled via substrate adhesion or remote light stimulation is presented. Specifically, the LCE is mechanically trained to undergo repeated snapping actions to ensure its self‐sustained rolling motion in a constant gradient thermal field atop a hotplate. By further fine‐tuning the substrate adhesion, the LCE robot exhibits reversible transitions between rolling and jumping modes. In addition, the rolling motion can be manipulated in real time through light stimulation to perform other diverse motions including turning, decelerating, stopping, backing up, and steering around complex obstacles. The principle of introducing an on‐demand gate control offers a new venue for designing future autonomous soft robots.
Nutritive value and forage accumulation of a black oat germplasm in the northeastern United States
Authors: Jaramillo David M. , Soder Kathy , Blount Ann , Dubeux Jose C. B. , Harrison Stephen 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBlack oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) might be an attractive forage species in the northeastern United States, since it is generally more heat tolerant and disease resistant than other cool‐season grasses. Black oat is currently recommended for fall and winter production in USDA Plant Hardiness ones 8b–10a, which is beyond the northeastern United States (Zones 2a–6a). The objective was to evaluate 10 black oat breeding lines (referred to as “UF1” through “UF10”) for forage accumulation, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (aNDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) concentrations. The experiment was carried out in April–July 2022 in Pennsylvania Furnace, PA. Triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack cv. TriCal 342) and Legend 567 oat (Avena sativa L.) were included as controls, as well as Haden oat and Gunner triticale, as regionally recommended cultivars. The forage accumulation within the black oat germplasm ranged from 364 to 864 lb dry matter (DM) acre−1, observed in UF7 and UF9, respectively, during the first harvest. During the second harvest, forage accumulation within black oat ranged from 1048 to 1408 lb DM acre−1, from UF8 and UF1, respectively. Crude protein concentrations ranged from 16% to 23% across all black oats, with no differences found within the germplasm. The IVDOM concentrations averaged 78% across all treatments during the first harvest and decreased to 66% during the second harvest. Overall, this study showed that black oat merits further evaluation as forage species in the northeastern United States, but further studies are required to address management of the species.
Novel ultrasensitive immunoassay for the selective quantification of tau oligomers and related soluble aggregates
Authors: Islam Tohidul , Kvartsberg Hlin , Sehrawat Anuradha , Kac Przemysław R. , Becker Bruno , Olsson Maria , Abrahamson Eric E. , Zetterberg Henrik , Ikonomovic Milos D. , Blennow Kaj , Karikari Thomas K. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractINTRODUCTIONTau aggregation into paired helical filaments and neurofibrillary tangles is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related disorders. However, biochemical assays for the quantification of soluble, earlier‐stage tau aggregates are lacking. We describe an immunoassay that is selective for tau oligomers and related soluble aggregates over monomers.METHODSA homogeneous (single‐antibody) immunoassay was developed using a novel anti‐tau monoclonal antibody and validated with recombinant and brain tissue–derived tau.RESULTSThe assay signals were concentration dependent for recombinant tau aggregates in solution but not monomers, and recognized peptides within, but not outside, the aggregation‐prone microtubule binding region. The signals in inferior and middle frontal cortical tissue homogenates increased with neuropathologically determined Braak staging, and were higher in insoluble than soluble homogenized brain fractions. Autopsy‐verified AD gave stronger signals than other neurodegenerative diseases.DISCUSSIONThe quantitative oligomer/soluble aggregate‐specific assay can identify soluble tau aggregates, including oligomers, from monomers in human and in vitro biospecimens.Highlights
The aggregation of tau to form fibrils and neurofibrillary tangles is a key feature of Alzheimer's disease.
However, biochemical assays for the quantification of oligomers/soluble aggregated forms of tau are lacking.
We developed a new assay that preferentially binds to soluble tau aggregates, including oligomers and fibrils, versus monomers.
The assay signal increased corresponding to the total protein content, Braak staging, and insolubility of the sequentially homogenized brain tissue fractions in an autopsy‐verified cohort.
The assay recognized tau peptides containing the microtubule binding region but not those covering the N‐ or C‐terminal regions only.
Microglial ApoD‐induced NLRC4 inflammasome activation promotes Alzheimer's disease progression
Authors: Yu Yaliang , Lv Jianzhou , Ma Dan , Han Ya , Zhang Yaheng , Wang Shanlong , Wang Zhitao 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no effective therapies. It is well known that chronic neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the onset and progression of AD. Well‐balanced neuronal‐microglial interactions are essential for brain functions. However, determining the role of microglia—the primary immune cells in the brain—in neuroinflammation in AD and the associated molecular basis has been challenging.MethodsInflammatory factors in the sera of AD patients were detected and their association with microglia activation was analyzed. The mechanism for microglial inflammation was investigated. IL6 and TNF‐α were found to be significantly increased in the AD stage.ResultsOur analysis revealed that microglia were extensively activated in AD cerebra, releasing sufficient amounts of cytokines to impair the neural stem cells (NSCs) function. Moreover, the ApoD‐induced NLRC4 inflammasome was activated in microglia, which gave rise to the proinflammatory phenotype. Targeting the microglial ApoD promoted NSC self‐renewal and inhibited neuron apoptosis. These findings demonstrate the critical role of ApoD in microglial inflammasome activation, and for the first time reveal that microglia‐induced inflammation suppresses neuronal proliferation.ConclusionOur studies establish the cellular basis for microglia activation in AD progression and shed light on cellular interactions important for AD treatment.
Interpretability of bi‐level variable selection methods
Authors: Buch Gregor , Schulz Andreas , Schmidtmann Irene , Strauch Konstantin , Wild Philipp S. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractVariable selection is usually performed to increase interpretability, as sparser models are easier to understand than full models. However, a focus on sparsity is not always suitable, for example, when features are related due to contextual similarities or high correlations. Here, it may be more appropriate to identify groups and their predictive members, a task that can be accomplished with bi‐level selection procedures. To investigate whether such techniques lead to increased interpretability, group exponential LASSO (GEL), sparse group LASSO (SGL), composite minimax concave penalty (cMCP), and least absolute shrinkage, and selection operator (LASSO) as reference methods were used to select predictors in time‐to‐event, regression, and classification tasks in bootstrap samples from a cohort of 1001 patients. Different groupings based on prior knowledge, correlation structure, and random assignment were compared in terms of selection relevance, group consistency, and collinearity tolerance. The results show that bi‐level selection methods are superior to LASSO in all criteria. The cMCP demonstrated superiority in selection relevance, while SGL was convincing in group consistency. An all‐round capacity was achieved by GEL: the approach jointly selected correlated and content‐related predictors while maintaining high selection relevance. This method seems recommendable when variables are grouped, and interpretation is of primary interest.
Discrete‐trial teaching: A scoping review
Authors: Frank‐Crawford Michelle A. , Borrero John C. , Fisher Alyssa , Talhelm Paige , Fernandez Nathalie 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDiscrete‐trial teaching (DTT) is an arrangement used in skill acquisition. The components that comprise DTT vary widely across applications, and previous reviews evaluating its efficacy have largely reported on DTT as part of a comprehensive intervention package. The purpose of this scoping review was twofold: to describe the component variations of DTT (descriptive analysis) and to evaluate the general efficacy of DTT in teaching new skills to individuals with disabilities (efficacy analysis). One hundred and thirty‐four studies were included in the descriptive analysis of DTT and 82 were included in the efficacy analysis. Results indicated that many of the components of DTT align well with best practice recommendations, including that reinforcers be delivered continuously and immediately following correct responses. Overall, DTT was efficacious in teaching new skills; however, there were limited evaluations of the maintenance, generality, and social validity of the findings. The outcomes are discussed in light of best practice recommendations and as a guide for future practice and research.