bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Staggered Assembly of a Dimeric Au13 Cluster: Impacts on Coupling of Geometric Isomerism
Authors: Yang Jin‐Sen , Zhao Yu‐Jing , Li Xin‐Mao , Dong Xi‐Yan , Si Yu‐Bing , Xiao Lu‐Yao , Hu Jia‐Hua , Yu Zhihao , Zang Shuang‐Quan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe specific states of aggregation of metal atoms in sub‐nanometer‐sized gold clusters are related to the different quantum confinement volumes of electrons, leading to novel optical and electronic properties. These volumes can be tuned by changing the relative positions of the gold atoms to generate isomers. Studying the isomeric gold core and the electron coupling between the basic units is fundamentally important for nanoelectronic devices and luminescence; however, appropriate cases are lacking. In this study, the structure of the first staggered di‐superatomic Au25‐S was solved using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The optical properties of Au25‐S were studied by comparing with eclipsed Au25‐E. From Au25‐E to Au25‐S, changes in the electronic structures occurred, resulting in significantly different optical absorptions originating from the coupling between the two Au13 modules. Au25‐S shows a longer electron decay lifetime of 307.7 ps before populating the lowest triplet emissive state, compared to 1.29 ps for Au25‐E. The experimental and theoretical results show that variations in the geometric isomerism lead to distinct photophysical processes owing to isomerism‐dependent electronic coupling. This study offers new insights into the connection between the geometric isomerism of nanosized building blocks and the optical properties of their assemblies, opening new possibilities for constructing function‐specific nanomaterials.
Copper‐Catalyzed C4‐selective Carboxylation of Pyridines with CO2 via Pyridylphosphonium Salts
Authors: Tang Shibiao , Liu Zezhao , Zhang Jiakai , Li Bin , Wang Baiquan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPyridine motifs are widespread pharmacophores in many drugs. Installing various substituents through pyridine C−H bond functionalization is significant for new drug design and discovery. Developments of late‐stage functionalization reactions enrich the strategies for selective functionalization of pyridines. However, late‐stage C−H carboxylation of pyridines is a long‐standing challenge, especially selectively carboxylation with CO2 on pyridine motifs. Herein, we describe a practical method for C4−H carboxylation of pyridines via one‐pot C−H phosphination and copper‐catalyzed carboxylation of the resulted phosphonium salts with CO2. The reaction is conducted under mild conditions and compatible with multiple active groups and several pyridine drugs, providing diverse valuable isonicotinic acid compounds, demonstrating the application potential of this strategy.
Interfacial Engineering of Zn Metal via a Localized Conjugated Layer for Highly Reversible Aqueous Zinc Ion Battery
Authors: Liu Zhenjie , Li Guanjie , Xi Murong , Huang Yudai , Li Haobo , Jin Huanyu , Ding Juan , Zhang Shilin , Zhang Chaofeng , Guo Zaiping 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAqueous zinc‐ion batteries are regarded as promising and efficient energy storage systems owing to remarkable safety and satisfactory capacity. Nevertheless, the instability of zinc metal anodes, characterized by issues such as dendrite growth and parasitic side reactions, poses a significant barrier to widespread applications. Herein, we address this challenge by designing a localized conjugated structure comprising a cyclic polyacrylonitrile polymer (CPANZ), induced by a Zn2+‐based Lewis acid (zinc trifluoromethylsulfonate) at a temperature of 120 °C. The CPANZ layer on the Zn anode, enriched with appropriate pyridine nitrogen‐rich groups (conjugated cyclic −C=N−), exhibits a notable affinity for Zn2+ with ample deposition sites. This zincophilic skeleton not only serves as a protective layer to guide the deposition of Zn2+ but also functions as proton channel blocker, regulating the proton flux to mitigate the hydrogen evolution. Additionally, the strong adhesion strength of the CPANZ layer guarantees its sustained protection to the Zn metal during long‐term cycling. As a result, the modified zinc electrode demonstrates long cycle life and high durability in both half‐cell and pouch cells. These findings present a feasible approach to designing high performance aqueous anodes by introducing a localized conjugated layer.
A Bioengineered Nanovesicle Vaccine Boosts T‐B cell Interaction for Immunotherapy of Echinococcus multilocularis
Authors: An Xiaoyu , Xiang Wei , Liu Xue , Li Shuo , Xu Zhijian , He Pan , Ge Ri‐Li , Tang Feng , Cheng Zhe , Liu Chao , Liu Gang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAlveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a zoonotic parasitic disease, resulting from being infected with the metacestode larvae of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis (E. multilocularis). Novel prophylactic and therapeutic interventions are urgently needed since the current chemotherapy displays limited efficiency in AE treatment. Bioengineered nano cellular membrane vesicles are widely used for displaying the native conformational epitope peptides because of their unique structure and biocompatibility. In this study, four T‐cells and four B‐cells dominant epitope peptides of E. multilocularis with high immunogenicity were engineered into the Vero cell surface to construct a membrane vesicle nanovaccine for the treatment of AE. The results showed that the nanovesicle vaccine can efficiently activate dendritic cells, induce specific T/B cells to form a mutually activated circuit, and inhibit E. multilocularis infection. This study presents for the first time a nanovaccine strategy that can completely eliminate the burden of E. multilocularis.
High‐Precision Tailored Polymer Molecular Weights for Specific Photovoltaic Applications through Ultrasound‐Induced Simultaneous Physical and Chemical Events
Authors: Kim Seoyoung , Oh Jiyeon , Park Jeewon , Lee Byongkyu , Mai Thi Le Huyen , Sun Zhe , Jeong Seonghun , Cho Yongjoon , Kim Wonjun , Yang Changduk 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIt is highly challenging to reproducibly prepare semiconducting polymers with targeted molecular weight tailored for next‐generation photovoltaic applications. Once such an easily accessible methodology is established, which can not only contribute to overcome the current limitation of the statistically determined nature of semiconducting polymers, but also facilitate rapid incorporation into the broad synthetic chemists’ toolbox. Here, we describe a simple yet robust ultrasonication‐assisted Stille polymerization for accessing semiconducting polymers with high‐precision tailored molecular weights (from low to ultrahigh molecular weight ranges) while mitigating their interbatch variations. We propose that ultrasound‐induced simultaneous physical and chemical events enable precise control of the semiconducting polymers’ molecular weights with high reproducibility to satisfy all the optical/electrical and morphological demands of diverse types of high‐performance semiconducting polymer‐based devices; as demonstrated in in‐depth experimental screenings in applications of both organic and perovskite photovoltaics. We believe that this methodology provides a fast development of new and existing semiconducting polymers with the highest‐level performances possible on various photovoltaic devices.
Optimization of intumescent flame retardant system based on ammonium polyphosphate, double pentaerythritol, and zinc borate for thermoplastic polyurethane composite
Authors: Li Minghao , Bai Yu , Hao Enquan , Li Hongjie , Chen Chunhui , Hai Wenqing , Jiang Ziyang , Meng Qian , Shao Huiqi , Shao Guangwei , Bi Siyi , Jiang Jinhua , Chen Nanliang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe widespread industrial applications of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) are partially limited by its flammability. The design of high‐performance intumescent flame retardants (IFR) is of great significance for enhancing flame retardant (FR) performance of TPU. In this work, an IFR system consisting of ammonium polyphosphate (APP), double pentaerythritol (DPER), and zinc borate (ZB) is proposed. The optimized experimental parameters with 15 wt.% additive amount of FR, APP‐DPER weight ratio of 2.28:1 and 15.56 wt.% ZB content are regulated based on Box–Behnken design‐response surface methodology (BBD‐RSM) to obtain TPU/FR composite with superior limiting oxygen index value of 30.2%. Noticeably, the design efficiency of TPU/FR composite is significantly improved by utilizing BBD‐RSM. Results of vertical burning test show that the optimized TPU/FR composite passes UL 94 V‐0 rating and peak heat release rate is dramatically reduced from 1355.88 (neat TPU) to 201.01 KW/m2 through cone calorimeter test. In addition, scanning electron microscopy accompanied with Raman spectroscopy are conducted to characterize the morphology and composition of residual char for further exploring the FR mechanism of IFR system in TPU. The as‐prepared TPU/FR composite has provided new potential application in engineering fields.
Castor oil‐based paper packaging coating with water resistance and degradability obtained by thiol‐ene click reaction
Authors: Chen Liyu , Li Pengsong , Guan Jingwen , Xu Chenyang , Xu Chang‐An , Yang Zhuohong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWith the implementation of plastic restrictions and the increasingly serious problem of environmental pollution, paper with green and recyclable characteristics is gradually becoming a substitute for packaging materials. However, the rich cellulose structure in the paper, which contains hydroxyl groups leading to its hydrophilicity, allows water molecules to penetrate the paper and disrupt the hydrogen bonds between cellulose, resulting in a decrease in mechanical properties. Therefore, waterproof coatings are crucial for paper‐based materials to be used in many applications. Based on this, the paper surface was chemically modified with castor oil‐based resin (CO‐590) monomer prepared by coupling agent and castor oil (CO). The results indicated that the modified paper with the contact angle (CA) of 114° had excellent waterproof performance and had a reduction by 40.3% in water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), but also its mechanical increased to 26.9 MPa and the decomposition temperature to 410.5°C. In addition, the coating on its surface could be removed in an alkaline solution and had a possibility to recycle blank paper in the future for manufacturing sustainable production. This work not only provides a method for preparing modified packaging paper, but also expands the application fields of materials.
Tuning and optimization of structure and surface properties of thin and fine hydrophilic nanofibrous substrates through low‐pressure heat‐press treatment
Authors: Shahrabi Samaneh , Gharehaghaji Ali Akbar , Solati‐Hashjin Mehran 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe properties of electrospun nanofibrous membranes (ENMs), including pore size, surface roughness, and hydrophilicity, significantly affect crosslinking, thickness, and morphology of the polyamide selective layer formed on top of ENM substrate in thin film composite membranes, and, ultimately the performance of membranes. We produced polyamide 66 nanofiber layers with a thickness of 10 μm and a fiber diameter of 55 nm, considerably thinner and finer than usual ENM substrates. We then subjected this thin layer to post‐production treatment using the efficient low‐pressure heat‐press (LPHP) method at a pressure of 3 kPa at three different temperatures and two different time intervals. It was found that the morphology of the nanofiber layer was preserved, and its structural characteristics, including pore structure, surface roughness, wettability, crystallinity, and specific surface area, were favorable with LPHP treatment. The optimal conditions were obtained with treatment at 190°C for 3600 s, in which the roughness of the nanofiber substrate decreased from 64 to 25 nm. Using these substrates offers new, less‐explored opportunities for optimizing the LPHP treatment of the substrate. These substrates are proposed for a new generation of TFC membranes in a continuous production line, with the possibility of scaling up for pressure‐ and osmosis‐driven membranes.
Simulating pollen flow and field sampling constraints helps revise seed sampling recommendations for conserving genetic diversity
Authors: Rosenberger Kaylee J. , Hoban Sean 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPremiseIn this study, we use simulations to determine how pollen flow and sampling constraints can influence the genetic conservation found in seed collections.MethodsWe simulated genotypes of parental individuals and crossed the parentals based on three different ranges of pollen flow (panmictic, limited, and highly limited) to create new seed sets for sampling. We tested a variety of sampling scenarios modeled on those occurring in nature and calculated the proportion of alleles conserved in each scenario.ResultsWe found that pollen flow greatly influences collection outcomes, with panmictic pollen flow resulting in seed sets containing 21.6% more alleles than limited pollen flow and 48.6% more alleles than highly limited pollen flow, although this impact diminishes when large numbers of maternal plants are sampled. Simulations of realistic seed sampling (sampling more seed from some plants and fewer from others) showed a relatively minor impact (<2.5%) on genetic diversity conserved compared to ideal sampling (uniform sampling across all maternal plants).DiscussionWe conclude that future work must consider limited pollen flow, but collectors can be flexible with their sampling in the field as long as many unique maternal plants are sampled. Simulations remain a fruitful method to advance ex situ sampling guidelines.
Differential effects of prior outcomes and pauses on the speed and quality of risky choices
Authors: Chen Zhang , Eben Charlotte , Verbruggen Frederick 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFailures to obtain rewards influence what people choose to do next and how quickly they execute a chosen action, which are two components of motivated behavior. For instance, in risky decisions, losses can induce faster responses and sometimes increase risk‐taking, which may lead to detrimental consequences in some situations (such as gambling). Pauses might reduce these motivational influences of prior outcomes. To examine this question, participants alternated between a guess game, in which they won or lost money, and a choice game, in which they chose between a high probability of winning a small amount of money and a low probability of winning a large amount of money. The pause between a guess and a choice game was made either short (0 or 300 ms) or long (3000 ms). In four experiments, prior outcomes consistently influenced decision speed, such that people chose faster after a loss than after a win. However, prior outcomes did not consistently influence people's choices. In contrast, pauses increased decision quality, such that participants chose the option with a higher expected value more often, without substantially reducing decision speed. Pauses may improve decision quality by influencing predecisional attention allocation to relevant information, as its effect was absent when the overall task attention was high (Experiment 3). These findings have implications for both safer gambling and risky decision research. Future work can examine the underlying computational and cognitive processes and the generalizability of these findings to other contexts and populations.
Assessment of the effectiveness of an introductory general chemistry course in dentistry students enrolled in a biochemistry course
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Venegas Gloria , Rosas‐Martínez Marisol , Juárez‐Ramos Itzel , Jiménez‐Rivera Jesús Iván 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAs a strategy to carry out a better achievement in the Biochemistry course, undergraduate dentistry education manage a traditional course on the basic concepts of general chemistry necessary in the understanding of Biochemistry. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of learning outcome, we aimed to develop an evaluation tool that was applied to first‐year dental students before and after receiving the general chemistry classes. Randomized trial consisted of 50 items distributed in 10 categories. The evaluation was applied to the students who took the Oral Biology course in the periods comprising 2020, 2021, and 2022 to a population of 109 students. Our results showed that after receiving the course the improvement rate was 20.71% with significant differences in each category. In conclusion, the introductory course allows students coming from different school systems to attend Biochemistry with similar knowledge of general chemistry.
Do eco labels matter for green business strategy and sustainable consumption? A mixed method investigation on green products
Authors: Pathak Kanishka , Prakash Gyan , Jain Monika , Agarwal Reeti , Attri Rekha 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSince the advent of the Industrial Revolution, factories have been spewing out noxious substances at an unmitigated rate, leading to environmental degradation. The need for sustainable consumption has stoked the desire for green products. The study aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge regarding the use of eco‐labels by firms in order to meet the consumers' green purchasing behaviour. The study employs a mixed‐method approach to investigate the underlying psychological aspects that affect consumers' green purchasing behaviour. The current study used the grounded theory method to identify themes and variables based on the data collected through interviews. These themes and variables were subsequently used to construct the conceptual framework for the qualitative analysis. The conceptual framework was then empirically tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS‐SEM) statistical analysis (quantitative analysis). The findings unfold potential areas where businesses, through eco‐labels, could transpire information and capitalise on this behavioural shift among consumers for green products. The study eventually offers eco‐labels as a viable green business strategy which clears the haze of ambiguity and make space to safeguard our environment.
Beyond external pressures: How work conditions harm employees' social and environmental responsibilities
Authors: Afshar Jahanshahi Asghar , Al‐Gamrh Bakr 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe political and economic sanctions, coupled with the COVID‐19 pandemic, have made work and life difficult for Iranians. In this adverse external work environment, this study aims to understand how internal adverse working conditions such as workplace bullying and a hostile work climate may affect workers' emotional exhaustion and socially responsible behaviors, both inside and outside the workplace. Data were collected longitudinally from 304 full‐time employees in Iran using four survey waves over 12 months. To deepen our understanding of the variables and context of the study, we conducted supplementary interviews with 12 participants. The results show that overall workplace bullying increases emotional exhaustion, which, in turn, decreases two types of socially responsible behaviors among workers: (a) sustainability‐oriented behaviors within the workplace and (b) societal behaviors outside of the workplace. Furthermore, we found that a hostile workplace climate increases workers' emotional exhaustion, which, in turn, reduces their sustainability‐oriented behaviors but not their societal behaviors. We have discussed the managerial implications of these results.
A Study on Thymoquinone: Antioxidant Capacity and Anticancer Activities in LoVo Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Bozali Kubra , Metin Guler Eray , Kocyigit Abdurrahim 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThymoquinone has antioxidant and anticancer effects. This study investigates the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and apoptotic effects of black seed and its active ingredient, thymoquinone on colorectal cancer cells. The antioxidant content of Black seed methanolic extracts (BSME) with different concentrations (50, 500 and 1000 μg/mL) were determined by the photometric methods. The reactive oxygen production (iROS) of BSME and thymoquinone on colorectal cancer cells (LoVo) and normal epithelial cells (CCD18Co) were analyzed by the fluorometric methods. A luminometric glutathione kit was employed to observe the changes in intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels. Cytotoxicity was determined by the ATP method, genotoxicity was determined by Comet Assay, and the apoptosis was identified by the Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide (AO/EB) double dye method. The cytotoxicity was increased by BSME and thymoquinone in LoVo cells in a dose‐dependent manner (p<0.001). BSME and thymoquinone also increased iROS, and induced apoptosis and DNA damage (p<0.001). High doses of BSME and thymoquinone on cancer and healthy cells have cytotoxic, genotoxic and apoptotic effects with pro‐oxidant effects. Colorectal cancer cells are more sensitive than healthy cells.
Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome: A case report
Authors: Pinna Mara , Orrù Germano , Denotti Gloria , Murgia Martina Salvatorina , Casu Cinzia 
Published: February 2024

Key Clinical MessageMelkersson–Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) remains an enigmatic pathology due to an unknown etiology. Our report, of a 69‐year‐old man with MRS misdiagnosed for about 40 years, underlines the diagnostic difficulty of this condition. A holistic view of the patient, with a correct medical history investigation, are often decisive in the diagnosis of MRS.AbstractMelkersson–Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is a rare disorder with a still unknown etiology. It is defined by three main symptoms, which are orofacial granulomatosis (OFG), facial palsy, and fissured tongue. It generally presents in young people, during the second or third decade, and its incidence in the entire population is about 1%. We focus our attention on a 69‐year‐old man who came to us with an important swelling of the upper lip. His anamnesis revealed that he suffered from a facial palsy four times in his life and at the physical examination we attested the presence of scrotal tongue. We suspected a misdiagnosed MRS and we searched the web in order to give him a diagnosis and a therapy. We found that OFG is the most common symptom of MRS and that it can show as a non complete form, where the three main symptoms cannot occur simultaneously. We also prescribed a therapy based on the use of topic steroids and antiviral, according to literature. After the positive response to the therapy and according to data found in the most recent literature, we can assume that our patient suffers from a misdiagnosed MRS for about 40 years.