bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Theoretical Maximum Thermoelectric Performance of p‐Type Hf‐ and Zr‐Doped NbFeSb Half‐Heusler Compounds
Authors: Park Hyunjin , Kim Sang‐il , Kim Jeong‐Yeon , Shin Weon Ho , Aydemir Umut , Kim Hyun‐Sik 
Published: February 2024

AbstractHalf‐Heusler compounds are promising materials for thermoelectric applications due to their high zT at elevated temperatures. However, their intrinsic high thermal conductivity limits their efficiency. Doping with Hf or Zr can improve the zT of these materials. Recently, a high zT of 1.5 at 1200 K achieved in p‐type Nb1‐xHfxFeSb has attracted much attention. While the effect of doping Hf in thermal conductivity is studied thoroughly, the effect of Hf doping on band parameters is not fully evaluated. This study investigates the effect of Hf and Zr doping on the electronic band parameters and thermoelectric properties of NbFeSb using the Single Parabolic Band model. The results show that Hf doping increases the weighted mobility of the samples, while Zr doping has no significant effect. Hf doping with x = 0.14 is predicted to improve the zT of NbFeSb by 35% at 300 K (0.19 → 0.26). These results show the intricate effects of Hf and Zr doping on the electronic and thermal properties of NbFeSb.
Efficient BiVO4 Photoanode with an Excellent Hole Transport Layer of CuSCN for Solar Water Oxidation
Authors: Liu Yan , Zhang Zhiyong , Wang Kang , Tan Xianglong , Chen Junru , Ren Xiaoliang , Jiang Feng 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBismuth vanadate (BiVO4) is reported as a key material in photoelectrocatalysis owing to high theoretical efficiency, relatively narrow band gap of 2.4 eV, and favorable conduction band edge position for hydrogen evolution. However, the sluggish hole transport dynamics lead to slow photogenerated charge separation and transport efficiencies, which result in charge recombination due to aggregation. Herein, a novel hole transport layer of copper(I) thiocyanate (CuSCN) with the aim of significantly enhancing the efficiency of charge transport and stability of BiVO4 photoanodes is reported. The introduction of the hole transport layer could provide an appropriate intermediate energy level for photogenerated hole transfer and avoid charge recombination and trapping. After a photoassisted electrodeposition process of NiCoFe‐Bi catalysis, the obtained photoanode achieves a photocurrent density of 5.6 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode under AM 1.5 G simulated solar radiation, and an applied bias photon to current efficiency of 2.31%. With the CuSCN layer, BiVO4 photoanode presented impressive stable photocurrent during 50 h continuous illumination. Meanwhile, the unbiased tandem device of the NiCoFe‐Bi/CuSCN/BiVO4 photoanode and the Si solar cell exhibit a solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiency of 5.75% and excellent stability for 14 h.
Improving CO2‐to‐C2 Conversion of Atomic CuFONC Electrocatalysts through F, O‐Codrived Optimization of Local Coordination Environment
Authors: Lv Zunhang , Wang Changli , Liu Yarong , Liu Rui , Zhang Fang , Feng Xiao , Yang Wenxiu , Wang Bo 
Published: February 2024

AbstractElectrocatalytic CO2 to multi‐carbon products is an attractive strategy to achieve a carbon‐neutral energy cycle. Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) that achieve the C2 selectivity always have low metal loading and inevitably undergo in situ reversible/irreversible metallic agglomerations under working conditions. Herein, a high‐density Cu SA anchored F, O, N co‐doped carbon composites (CuFONC) with a stable CuN2O1 configuration is provided, which can reach a remarkable C2 selectivity of ≈80.5% in Faradaic efficiency at −1.3 V versus RHE. In situ/ex situ experimental characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations verified that the excellent stability of CuN2O1 during the CO2RR process can be attributed to F/O co‐derived regulation for CuFONC. Remarkably, as confirmed by DFT, it is atomic Cu sites and the adjacent bonded N motifs in CuFONC that act as the adsorption sites for CO* during the C─C coupling process. This work brings a prospective on designing novel but stable atomic Cu coordination for electrolytic CO2‐to‐C2 pathway.
A Bifunctional Electrolyte Additive Features Preferential Coordination with Iodine toward Ultralong‐Life Zinc–Iodine Batteries
Authors: Wang Feifei , Liang Wenbin , Liu Xinyi , Yin Tianyu , Chen Zihui , Yan Zhijie , Li Fangbing , Liu Wei , Lu Jiong , Yang Chunpeng , Yang Quan‐Hong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAqueous zinc–iodine (Zn‐I2) battery is one of the most promising candidates for large‐scale energy storage due to its cost‐effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and recyclability. Its practical application is hindered by challenges including polyiodide “shuttle effect” in the cathode and anode corrosion. In this study, a zinc pyrrolidone carboxylate bifunctional additive is introduced to simultaneously tackle the issues of the polyiodide and Zn anode. It is revealed that the pyrrolidone carboxylate anions decrease the polyiodide concentration by preferential coordination between the pyrrolidone carboxylate anions and I2 based on the Lewis acid‐base effect, suppressing the shuttle effect and therefore improving the conversion kinetics for the iodine redox process. Meanwhile, the pyrrolidone carboxylate anions adsorbed on the Zn anode inhibit Zn corrosion and promote non‐dendritic Zn plating, contributing to impressive Coulombic efficiency and long‐term cycling stability. As a result, the Zn‐I2 full battery with the bifunctional zinc pyrrolidone carboxylate additive realizes a high specific capacity of 211 mAh g−1 (≈100% iodine utilization rate), and an ultralong cycling life of >30 000 cycles with 87% capacity retention. These findings highlight the significant potential of zinc pyrrolidone carboxylate as a transformative additive for aqueous Zn‐I2 batteries, marking a critical advancement in the field of energy storage technologies.
Halide precursor reduction strategy to modulate bismuthene with high selectivity and wide potential window for electrochemicalCO2reduction
Authors: Xia Dong , Xie Ruikuan , Xie Huan , Pang Yongyu , Huang Peng , He Guanjie , Chai Guoliang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDeveloping high‐performance electrocatalysts for CO2reduction reaction (CO2RR) is vital in achieving a carbon‐neutral society by converting CO2into valuable chemicals. CO2RR electrocatalyst with lower overpotential, higher selectivity and wider working potential range is urgently desired, but it is still challenging to realize these factors simultaneously. Here, high‐performance bismuthene‐based electrocatalysts were synthesized by reducing bismuth precursors like BiCl3, BiBr3, and BiI3in liquid phases. Especially, bismuthene‐I derived from BiI3showed a nanosheet morphology (around four‐layer) with significantly enhanced (110) surfaces. It enabled an ultrawide potential window (0.7 V) for high formate selectivity (>90%) in a H‐type cell and achieved an ultralow potential (−0.46 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode) to attain a current density of 200 mA cm−2in a gas‐diffusion flow cell. The prominent long‐term operational capability of bismuthene‐I was demonstrated in both H‐type and gas‐diffusion cells. Density functional theory calculations revealed that bismuthene‐I possessed abundant topological Bi(110) surfaces states that can reduce the CO2RR overpotential, suppress the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction, and facilitate electron donation during CO2electrocatalysis. The bismuthene‐I realized low overpotential, high selectivity and wide working potential range simultaneously for electrochemical CO2RR. This work unfolds the broader plausibility of facilely reducing precursors for the scalable fabrication of high‐performing CO2RR electrocatalysts.
Clinical characteristics, molecular aberrations, treatments, and outcomes of malignant histiocytosis
Authors: Ruan Gordon J. , Zanwar Saurabh , Ravindran Aishwarya , Schram Susan , Abeykoon Jithma P. , Hazim Antonious , Young Jason R. , Shah Mithun V. , Bennani N. Nora , Jiang Liuyan , Morlote Diana , Rech Karen L. , Goyal Gaurav , Go Ronald S. ,   the Mayo Clinic‐University of Alabama at Birmingham Histiocytosis Working Group
Published: February 2024

AbstractMalignant histiocytosis (MH) is an extremely rare neoplasm of the macrophage–dendritic cell lineage. We report the clinical characteristics, molecular aberrations, treatments, and outcomes of patients with MH seen at two referral centers from January 2000 to May 2023. We identified 43 patients with MH, of which 26 had histiocytic sarcoma (MH‐H), 9 interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma (MH‐IDC), and 8 Langerhans cell sarcoma (MH‐LC). The median age at diagnosis was 61 years (range, 3–83). Thirty‐three patients (77%) had multifocal disease, while 10 had unifocal involvement. Tumor specimens from 22 patients (51%) underwent targeted next generation sequencing, and 19 of 22 (86%) had at least one pathogenic mutation, including mutations in MAPK pathway genes (73%). The median overall survival (OS) among the entire cohort was 16 months (95% CI: 8–50). The outcomes of those with multifocal disease were significantly shorter than their unifocal counterpart: median OS of 10 months versus 50 months (p = .07). Patients with risk organ involvement (bone marrow, spleen, or liver) had significantly inferior outcomes. Chemotherapy and surgery were the most common first‐line treatments for multifocal and unifocal disease, respectively. While the outcome for patients with multifocal disease was poor, there was a subset of patients who had durable responses to treatment. Our study highlights that MH has heterogeneous clinical presentation, frequent oncogenic mutations, and prognosis, which is strongly tied to disease extent and type of organ involvement.
Sniffing behavior of semi free‐ranging Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus)
Authors: Simon Miriam , Widdig Anja , Weiß Brigitte M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOlfaction is one of the evolutionarily oldest senses and plays a fundamental role in foraging and social interactions across mammals. In primates, the role of olfaction is now well recognized, but better investigated in strepsirrhine and platyrrhine primates than in catarrhines. We observed the sniffing behavior of semi‐free ranging Barbary macaques, Macaca sylvanus, at Affenberg Salem, Germany, to assess how frequently macaques sniff and in which contexts, and how sniffing is affected by sex and age. Focal observations of 24 males and 24 females aged 1–25 years showed that Barbary macaques sniffed, on average, 5.24 times per hour, with more than 80% of sniffs directed at food. Irrespective of the context, younger individuals sniffed more often than older ones. Females’ sniffs were more often directed at food than male sniffs, while males sniffed more often than females in a social context. Sniffs at conspecifics occurred primarily in a sexual context, with 70% of social sniffs directed at female anogenital swellings performed by males. Of the observed 176 anogenital inspections, 51 involved sniffing of the swelling. Olfactory inspections were followed by copulation significantly less often than merely visual inspections, suggesting that anogenital odors may play a role in male mating decisions, but the role of olfaction in sexual interactions warrants further investigations. In sum, results show that Barbary macaques routinely use olfaction during feeding, but also in a socio‐sexual context, corroborating the relevance of the olfactory sense in the lives of catarrhine primates.
The effects of the industrial transition on lower limb bone structure: A comparison of the inhabitants of Pecos Pueblo and present‐day Indigenous peoples of New Mexico
Authors: Ruff Christopher B. , Wallace Ian J. , Toya Christopher , Muñoz Mario Antonio Peña , Meyer Jana Valesca , Busby Taylor , Reynolds Adam Z. , Martinez Jordan , Miller‐Moore Marcus , Rios Roberto 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectivesComparisons between Indigenous peoples over time and within a particular geographic region can shed light on the impact of environmental transitions on the skeleton, including relative bone strength, sexual dimorphism, and age‐related changes. Here we compare long bone structural properties of the inhabitants of the late prehistoric‐early historic Pecos Pueblo with those of present‐day Indigenous individuals from New Mexico.Materials and MethodsFemora and tibiae of 126 adults from Pecos Pueblo and 226 present‐day adults were included in the study. Cross‐sectional diaphyseal properties—areas and second moments of area—were obtained from past studies of the Pecos Pueblo skeletal sample, and from computed tomography scans of recently deceased individuals in the present‐day sample.ResultsFemora and tibiae from Pecos individuals are stronger relative to body size than those of present‐day Indigenous individuals. Present‐day individuals are taller but not wider, and this body shape difference affects cross‐sectional shape, more strongly proximally. The tibia shows anteroposterior strengthening among Pecos individuals, especially among males. Sexual dimorphism in midshaft bone shape is stronger within the Pecos Pueblo sample. With aging, Pecos individuals show more medullary expansion but also more subperiosteal expansion than present‐day individuals, maintaining bone strength despite cortical thinning.DiscussionHigher activity levels, carried out over rough terrain and throughout adult life, likely explain the relatively stronger lower limb bones of the Pecos individuals, as well as their greater subperiosteal expansion with aging. Greater sexual dimorphism in bone structure among Pecos individuals potentially reflects greater gender‐based differences in behavioral patterns.
Knee osteoarthritis: A review of animal models and intervention of traditional Chinese medicine
Authors: Song Xuyu , Liu Ying , Chen Siyi , Zhang Lei , Zhang Huijie , Shen Xianhui , Du Hang , Sun Rong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) characterized by degeneration of knee cartilage and subsequent bone hyperplasia is a prevalent joint condition primarily affecting aging adults. The pathophysiology of KOA remains poorly understood, as it involves complex mechanisms that result in the same outcome. Consequently, researchers are interested in studying KOA and require appropriate animal models for basic research. Chinese herbal compounds, which consist of multiple herbs with diverse pharmacological properties, possess characteristics such as multicomponent, multipathway, and multitarget effects. The potential benefits in the treatment of KOA continue to attract attention.PurposeThis study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the advantages, limitations, and specific considerations in selecting different species and methods for KOA animal models. This will help researchers make informed decisions when choosing an animal model.MethodsOnline academic databases (e.g., PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and CNKI) were searched using the search terms “knee osteoarthritis,” “animal models,” “traditional Chinese medicine,” and their combinations, primarily including KOA studies published from 2010 to 2023.ResultsBased on literature retrieval, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the methods of establishing KOA animal models; introduces the current status of advantages and disadvantages of various animal models, including mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, and sheep/goats; and presents the current status of methods used to establish KOA animal models.ConclusionThis study provides a review of the animal models used in recent KOA research, discusses the common modeling methods, and emphasizes the role of traditional Chinese medicine compounds in the treatment of KOA.
Polycationic Open‐Shell Cyclophanes: Synthesis of Electron‐Rich Chiral Macrocycles, and Redox‐Dependent Electronic States
Authors: Shi Yafei , Li Chenglong , Di Jiaqi , Xue Yuting , Jia Yawei , Duan Jiaxian , Hu Xiaoyu , Tian Yu , Li Yanqiu , Sun Cuiping , Zhang Niu , Xiong Yan , Jin Tianyun , Chen Pangkuan 
Published: February 2024

Abstractπ‐Conjugated chiral nanorings with intriguing electronic structures and chiroptical properties have attracted considerable interests in synthetic chemistry and materials science. We present the design principles to access new chiral macrocycles (1 and 2) that are essentially built on the key components of main‐group electron‐donating carbazolyl moieties or the π‐expanded aza[7]helicenes. Both macrocycles show the unique molecular conformations with a (quasi) figure‐of‐eight topology as a result of the conjugation patterns of 2,2’,7,7’‐spirobifluorenyl in 1 and triarylamine‐coupled aza[7]helicene‐based building blocks in 2. This electronic nature of redox‐active, carbazole‐rich backbones enabled these macrocycles to be readily oxidized chemically and electrochemically, leading to the sequential production of a series of positively charged polycationic open‐shell cyclophanes. Their redox‐dependent electronic states of the resulting multispin polyradicals have been characterized by VT‐ESR, UV/Vis‐NIR absorption and spectroelectrochemical measurements. The singlet (ΔES‐T=−1.29 kcal mol−1) and a nearly degenerate singlet‐triplet ground state (ΔES−T(calcd)=−0.15 kcal mol−1 and ΔES−T(exp)=0.01 kcal mol−1) were proved for diradical dications 12+2⋅ and 22+2⋅, respectively. Our work provides an experimental proof for the construction of electron‐donating new chiral nanorings, and more importantly for highly charged polyradicals with potential applications in chirospintronics and organic conductors.
Indomethacin and 20‐hydroxyecdysone influence protein expression in a Spodoptera frugiperda nervous system cell line
Authors: Wang Yong , Buer Benjamin , Goodman Cynthia L. , Kang David , Reall Tamra , Dohn Susanne , Ringbauer Joseph , Li Yaofa , Geibel Sven , Stanley David 
Published: February 2024

AbstractInsecticide mode of action studies provide insights into how new insecticidal actives function and contribute to assessing safety to humans and nontarget organisms. Insect cell lines that express potential target sites can serve as valuable tools in this effort. In this paper, we report on the influence of two signaling molecules on protein expression in a nervous system cell line established from Spodoptera frugiperda (Bayer/BCIRL‐SfNS2‐0714‐TR). We selected this line because we established it in our laboratory and we are experienced in using it. Cells were exposed to the insect developmental hormone (1 µg/mL 20‐hydroxyecdysone, 20E) and/or a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor (25 μM indomethacin, INDO; inhibits prostaglandin [PG] biosynthesis) for 24 h (Day 2), 72 h (Day 4), or 120 h (Day 6). We selected a PG biosynthesis inhibitor because PGs act in many aspects of insect biology, such as embryonic development, immunity, and protein phosphorylation. We selected the developmental hormone, 20E, because it also acts in fundamental aspects of insect biology. We identified specific proteins via in silico analysis. Changes in protein expression levels were determined using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (MS) + MS‐MS. The largest number of changes in protein expression occurred on Day 2. The combination of 20E plus INDO led to 222 differentially expressed proteins, which documents the deep significance of PGs and 20E in insect biology. 20E and, separately, INDO led to changes in 30 proteins each (p value < 0.01; >2X or <0.5X‐fold changes). We recorded changes in the expression of 9 or 12 proteins (20E), 10 or 6 proteins (INDO), and 21 or 20 proteins (20E + INDO) on D4 and D6, respectively. While the cell line was established from neuronal tissue, the differentially expressed proteins act in a variety of fundamental cell processes. In this paper, we moved beyond a list of proteins by providing detailed, Gene Ontology term analyses and enrichment, which offers an in‐depth understanding of the influence of these treatments on the SfNS2 cells. Because proteins are active components of cell physiology in their roles as enzymes, receptors, elements of signaling transduction pathways, and cellular structures, changes in their expression levels under the influence of signaling molecules provide insights into their function in insect cell physiology.
BmPGPR‐L4 is a negative regulator of the humoral immune response in the silkworm Bombyx mori
Authors: Yang Weiyi , Lin Yongyi , He Yanying , Li Qi , Chen Weijian , Lin Qingsha , Swevers Luc , Liu Jisheng 
Published: February 2024

AbstractToll, immune deficiency and prophenoloxidase cascade represent vital immune signaling pathways in insects. Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are innate immune receptors that activate and regulate the immune signaling pathways. Previously, we reported that BmPGPR‐L4 was induced in the silkworm Bombyx mori larvae by bacteria and peptidoglycan challenges. Here, we focused on the function of BmPGRP‐L4 in regulating the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The hemolymph from BmPGRP‐L4‐silenced larvae exhibited an enhanced inhibitory effect on the growth of Escherichia coli, either by growth curve or inhibitory zone experiments. Coincidentally, most of the AMP genes were upregulated after RNAi of BmPGRP‐L4. Oral administration of heat‐inactivated E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus after RNAi of BmPGRP‐L4 resulted in the increased expression of BmPGRP‐L4 in different tissues of the silkworm larvae, revealing an auto‐regulatory mechanism. By contrast, the expression of most AMP genes was downregulated by oral bacterial administration after RNAi of BmPGRP‐L4. The above results demonstrate that BmPGRP‐L4 recognizes bacterial pathogen‐associated molecular patterns and negatively regulates AMP expression to achieve immunological homeostasis. As a negative regulator, BmPGPR‐L4 is proposed to be involved in the feedback regulation of the immune signaling pathways of the silkworm to prevent excessive activation of the immune response.
Hyperuricemia Subtypes Classified According to Renal Uric Acid Handling Manifesting Distinct Phenotypic and Genetic Profiles in People With Gout
Authors: Qi Han , Sun Mingshu , Terkeltaub Robert , Merriman Tony R. , Chen Haibing , Li Zhiqiang , Ji Aichang , Xue Xiaomei , Sun Wenyan , Wang Can , Li Xinde , He Yuwei , Cui Lingling , Dalbeth Nicola , Li Changgui 
Published: February 2024

ObjectiveHyperuricemia can be stratified into four subtypes according to renal uric acid handling. The aim of this study was to comprehensively describe the biologic characteristics (including genetic background) of clinically defined hyperuricemia subtypes in two large geographically independent gout cohorts.MethodsHyperuricemia subtype was defined as renal uric acid overload (ROL), renal uric acid underexcretion (RUE), combined, or renal normal. Twenty single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously identified as gout risk loci or associated with serum urate (SU) concentration in the East Asian population were genotyped. Weighted polygenic risk scores were calculated to assess the cumulative effect of genetic risks on the subtypes.ResultsOf the 4,873 participants, 8.8% had an ROL subtype, 60.9% RUE subtype, 23.1% combined subtype, and 7.2% normal subtype. The ROL subtype was independently associated with older age at onset, lower SU, tophi, and diabetes mellitus; RUE was associated with lower body mass index (BMI) and non–diabetes mellitus; the combined subtype was associated with younger age at onset, higher BMI, SU, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and smoking; and the normal subtype was independently associated with older age at onset, lower SU, and eGFR. Thirteen SNPs were associated with gout with 6 shared loci and subtype‐dependent risk loci patterns. High polygenic risk scores were associated with ROL subtype (odds ratio [OR] = 9.63, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 4.53–15.12), RUE subtype (OR = 2.18, 95% CI 1.57–3.03), and combined subtype (OR = 6.32, 95% CI 4.22–9.48) compared with low polygenic risk scores.ConclusionHyperuricemia subtypes classified according to renal uric acid handling have subtype‐specific clinical and genetic features, suggesting subtype‐unique pathophysiologic mechanisms.