bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Suppressor of cytokine signaling gene expression in human pancreatic islets: modulation by cytokines
Authors: Santangelo Carmela , Scipioni Angela , Marselli Lorella , Marchetti Piero , Dotta Francesco 
Published: March 2005

Objective: Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins negatively regulate signal transduction of several cytokines. Since cytokines participate in the pancreatic islet damage in type 1 diabetes, the aim of our study was to investigate the expression of SOCS-1, -2 and -3 in isolated human islets, in basal conditions and after exposure, in vitro, to a combination of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α cytokines and in control and in type 1 diabetic human pancreata, to establish (i) whether SOCS molecules are constitutively expressed in human pancreatic islets and (ii) whether their expression can be modulated in vitro by proinflammatory cytokines or ex vivo by an islet inflammatory process.
Methods: Gene expression of SOCS-1, -2 and -3 was evaluated by RT-PCR in untreated and cytokine-treated isolated human pancreatic islets and their protein expression by immunohistochemistry in control and in type 1 diabetic human pancreata paraffin-embedded sections.
Results: We found that SOCS-1, -2 and -3 mRNA is constitutively, although weakly, expressed in human pancreatic islets, similar to the expression observed in control pancreata by immunohistochemistry. SOCS-1, -2 and -3 mRNA expression was strongly increased in human islets after exposure, in vitro, to IFN-γ, IL-1β and TNF-α. Accordingly, an intense and islet-specific immunohistochemical staining for all three SOCS was detected in pancreata from type 1 diabetic patients.
Conclusion: SOCS-1, -2 and -3 genes are constitutively expressed in human pancreatic islets; their expression increases after exposure to proinflammatory cytokines and during an autoimmune inflammatory process, raising the possibility that these molecules act as key regulators of cytokine signaling in pancreatic islets.
Late follicular phase administration of mifepristone suppresses circulating leptin and FSH – mechanism(s) of action in emergency contraception?
Authors: Leminen Riikka , Raivio Taneli , Ranta Sirpa , Oehler Joachim , von Hertzen Helena , Jänne Olli A , Heikinheimo Oskari 
Published: March 2005

Objective: Low dose mifepristone (RU486) is highly effective in emergency post-coital contraception (EC), although the mechanism(s) of action remains unclear. We studied the endocrine actions of 10 mg mifepristone administered orally as a single dose to eight healthy volunteers (aged 20–45 years) during the late follicular phase.
Methods: Serum levels of LH, FSH, oestradiol, progesterone, leptin, mifepristone, cortisol, and gluco-corticoid bioactivity (GBA) were measured before and 1, 2, 4 and 8 h after ingestion of mifepristone on cycle day 10 or 11 (study day 1), and follow-up was continued for 10 days. Ovarian ultrasonography was performed on study days 1 and 7. Similar measurements were carried out during a control cycle.
Results: Mifepristone postponed ovulation, as evidenced by a 3.4±1.1 day (means±s.d.) delay (P < 0.005) in the LH surge and 3.6±4.0 day prolongation of the treatment cycle (P = 0.08). During the mifepristone cycle, an LH surge was displayed by five subjects when serum mifepristone levels had declined to 9.5±7.1 nmol/l. During the day of mifepristone administration, circulating GBA (P < 0.001) and leptin (P < 0.001) levels declined. On the day after mifepristone administration, mean serum FSH and leptin levels were lower than pretreatment values (3.8±1.8 IU/l vs 5.2±1.1 IU/l, n = 7, P < 0.05; 28.9±6.7 μg/l vs 33.2±9.0 μg/l, n = 7, P < 0.05 respectively), and the corresponding difference in the mean serum oestradiol concentration was borderline (452±252 pmol/l vs 647±406 pmol/l, n = 7, P = 0.056). In contrast to the control cycle, individual leptin levels declined during the follow-up after ingestion of mifepristone (n = 8, P < 0.01).
Conclusions: These data showed that the commonly employed dose of mifepristone for EC delays ovulation and prolongs the menstrual cycle, when given during the late follicular phase. The mechanism of action of mifepristone may include a reduction of FSH secretion via a decrease in circulating leptin.
Centennial Isomers: A Unique Fluorinated Azobenzene Macrocyclus with Dual Stability Over 120 Years
Authors: Schultzke Sven , Puylaert Pim , Wang Henry , Schultzke Isabell , Gerken Jonas , Staubitz Anne 
Published: February 2024

AbstractA macrocyclic azobenzene with unique thermal stability, demonstrating potential for use in optical data storage material is presented: The Z‐isomer of this novel photoswitch exhibits unparalleled thermal stability, with a thermal half‐life surpassing 120 years at 25 °C. This stability is attributed to the strategic fluorination at two ortho‐ and both para‐positions. Comparative analyses involving its non‐fluorinated counterpart, ortho‐only‐fluorinated variant, and open‐chain analog are performed. Employing NMR and UV–vis spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, alongside Arrhenius, Eyring, and DFT calculations, revealed insights into its extraordinary stability. Furthermore, when incorporated into poly(methylmethacrylate), this material showcase efficient switching with visible light in the solid state, emphasizing its potential for optical data storage applications.
A Unified Picture of Aggregate Formation in a Model Polymer Semiconductor during Solution Processing
Authors: Panzer Fabian , Dyson Matthew J , Bakr Hazem , Wedler Stefan , Schötz Konstantin , Chauhan Mihirsinh , Stavrinou Paul N , Köhler Anna , Stingelin Natalie 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOne grand challenge for printed organic electronics is the development of a knowledge platform that describes how polymer semiconductors assemble from solution, which requires a unified picture of the complex interplay of polymer solubility, mass transport, nucleation and, e.g., vitrification. One crucial aspect, thereby, is aggregate formation, i.e., the development of electronic coupling between adjacent chain segments. Here, it is shown that the critical aggregation temperatures in solution (no solvent evaporation allowed) and during film formation (solvent evaporation occurring) are excellent pointers to i) establish reliable criteria for polymer assembly into desired aggregates, and ii) advance mechanistic understanding of the overall polymer assembly. Indeed, important insights are provided on why aggregation occurs via a 1‐ or 2‐step process depending on polymer solubility, deposition temperature and solvent evaporation rate; and the selection of deposition temperatures for specific scenarios (e.g., good vs bad solvent) is demystified. Collectively, it is demonstrated that relatively straightforward, concurrent in situ time‐resolved absorbance and photoluminescence spectroscopies to monitor aggregate formation lead to highly useful and broadly applicable criteria for processing functional plastics. In turn, improved control over their properties and device performance can be obtained toward manufacturing sensors, energy‐harvesting devices and, e.g., bioelectronics systems at high yield.
General and Ultrafast Photothermal Synthesis of Atomic Metal‐Nitrogen‐Carbon Catalysts for H2O2 Electrosynthesis
Authors: Gong Haisheng , Gong Zhichao , Liu Jingjing , Ye Gonglan , Fei Huilong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAtomic metal‐nitrogen‐carbon catalysts (M‐N‐Cs) are promising electrocatalysts for the two‐electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e− ORR) for the green production of H2O2. However, the conventional synthetic methods of M‐N‐Cs typically suffer from prolonged possessing time and high energy consumption. Herein, a flash light irradiation‐assisted transient pyrolysis strategy is reported for the rapid and facile synthesis of a Co‐N‐C catalyst consisting of atomic Co‐N4 sites supported on graphene. The resultant Co‐N‐C is highly active and selective as an electrocatalyst for the 2e− ORR, with a H2O2 selectivity up to 94.2%, high mass activity of 113.9 A g−1, high turnover frequency of 34.8 s−1, and an average H2O2 production rate of 12.1 mol g−1 h−1 with an accumulated H2O2 concentration up to 15.2 mmol L−1 when evaluated with a three‐phase flow cell setup. Additionally, this synthetic strategy can be readily expanded to prepare other types of M‐N‐Cs (M = Fe, Ni, Cu, and noble metal Ir) with similar M‐N4 configurations by simply changing the metal precursors, demonstrating the generality of this method. The rapid and general flash‐assisted synthetic strategy for M‐N‐Cs can provide a readily accessible material library and platform for investigating their catalytic properties in different energy conversion processes.
Sulfur Vacancies and 1T Phase‐Rich MoS2 Nanosheets as an Artificial Solid Electrolyte Interphase for 400 Wh kg−1 Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Qin Jinlei , Pei Fei , Wang Rui , Wu Lin , Han Yan , Xiao Pei , Shen Yue , Yuan Lixia , Huang Yunhui , Wang Deli 
Published: February 2024

AbstractConstructing large‐area artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) to suppress Li dendrites growth and electrolyte consumption is essential for high‐energy‐density Li metal batteries (LMBs). Herein, chemically exfoliated ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets (EMoS2) as an artificial SEI are scalable transfer‐printed on Li‐anode (EMoS2@Li). The EMoS2 with a large amount of sulfur vacancies and 1T phase‐rich acts as a lithiophilic interfacial ion‐transport skin to reduce the Li nucleation overpotential and regulate Li+ flux. With favorable Young's modulus and homogeneous continuous layered structure, the proposed EMoS2@Li effectively suppresses the growth of Li dendrites and repeat breaking/reforming of the SEI. As a result, the assembled EMoS2@Li||LiFePO4 and EMoS2@Li||LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 batteries demonstrate high‐capacity retention of 93.5% and 92% after 1000 cycles and 300 cycles, respectively, at ultrahigh cathode loading of 20 mg cm−2. Ultrasonic transmission technology confirms the admirable ability of EMoS2@Li to inhibit Li dendrites in practical pouch batteries. Remarkably, the Ah‐class EMoS2@Li||LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 pouch battery exhibits an energy density of 403 Wh kg−1 over 100 cycles with the low negative/positive capacity ratio of 1.8 and electrolyte/capacity ratio of 2.1 g Ah−1. The strategy of constructing an artificial SEI by sulfur vacancies‐rich and 1T phase‐rich ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets provides new guidance to realize high‐energy‐density LMBs with long cycling stability.
Broadband, Plasmon‐Modified SnSe2 Photodetector Based on LNOI Thin‐Film Platform
Authors: Liu Yi , Sun Wenqing , Sa Zixu , Liu Fengjing , Ren Feng , Yang Zaixing , Jia Yuechen , Sun Xiaoli , Chen Feng 
Published: February 2024

AbstractLithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) is widely recognized as an essential optoelectronic integration platform due to its unique ferroelectric properties and photorefractive effect. However, the wide bandgap and weak absorption of lithium niobate limit its further application in integrated photodetection field. To address this issue, encapsulating silver nanoparticles within the LNOI structure are proposed to manipulate the light field distribution of modified lithium niobate through the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect and utilize the modified lithium niobate thin film as a functional substrate to tailor the optoelectronic properties of surface SnSe2 nanosheets, significantly enhancing their photodetection capabilities. The photocurrent of the SnSe2 photodetector based on LNOI with embedded Ag nanoparticles is enhanced by up to 1912 times compared to that on the original LNOI under the same conditions, which represents the highest reported plasmonic‐induced photodetection enhancement. This work deepens the basic research on plasmonic‐modified 2D materials and ferroelectric materials, which promotes the development of on‐chip photodetectors and the realization of fully functional photonic circuits that integrate all essential components on a single chip.
Ultrahigh Polarization of Emitted Light by Quenched Emissive Material
Authors: Choi Gyu Jin , Swain Gayatri , Jhun Chul Gyu , Lee Seok Je , Kim Jong Su , Ha Jaedu , Kim Youngsoo , Gwag Jin Seog 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe emission of highly polarized light by organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) is crucial for various applications; however, achieving such emission requires the use of polarizers, which reduce the device efficiency and durability. In this study, ultrahigh‐polarized light with a polarization ratio (PR) of 407:1 is achieved via the rapid thermal quenching (RTQ) of OLEDs. Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) films, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets, and tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanosheets are applied as hole transport layers and surface‐alignment layers through surface treatment, including rubbing and/or ion‐beam exposure to align the molecules of the emissive materials, namely, {poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐alt‐benzothiadiazole) (F8BT). Quenching is performed at 240 °C, at which F8BT has a nematic liquid crystal (NLC) phase with high molecular ordering. Upon quenching, the high molecular ordering of the NLC‐phased emissive layer instantaneously froze via RTQ, leading to the emission of highly polarized light. Consequently, the PEDOT:PSS‐, MoS2‐, and WS2‐based OLEDs exhibit ultrahigh PRs of 407:1, 349:1, and 328:1, respectively, for photoluminescence at a 540 nm peak wavelength. In contrast, for electroluminescence, the PEDOT:PSS‐based OLED exhibits a high PR of 395:1. This result is the best reported to date and is comparable to the PRs generated by polarizers, indicating that quenching can be utilized for the development of ultrahigh‐polarized light‐emitting devices.
Formation of Distributed Local Heterojunction to Enhance NIR Emission Due to the Effective Carrier Transfer
Authors: Juan Fangying , Zhu Ting , Xu Fan , Zhao Xinyu , Xu Xiaoxiao , Wu Yangqing , Wei Haoming , Cao Bingqiang , Xu Jun , Chen Kunji 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPerovskite light‐emitting devices (PeLEDs) have emerged as a highly promising contender for the next generation of lighting and display technologies. During the nucleation and crystallization process, numerous defects are commonly formed on the surface and grain boundaries as a result of the ionic characteristics of perovskite, especially in an air environment. These defects ultimately contribute to the deterioration of the photoelectron properties. In this study, CsPbI3 nanocrystals (NCs) solution is introduced into ethyl acetate antisolvent as an additive, resulting in the high‐quality perovskite films under ambient conditions. The introduction of CsPbI3 NCs has been found to increase the grain size and improve the uniformity of perovskite films while also effectively passivating defects. More significantly, the utilization of CsPbI3 NCs leads to the formation of a 0D/3D local heterojunction that is distributed throughout the MAPbI3 film. These distributed heterojunctions significantly increase both the carrier concentration and the photoluminescence performance. With the incorporation of doped perovskite films, Silicon (Si) ‐based PeLEDs demonstrate enhanced efficiency, achieving a maximum external quantum efficiency of 12.6% in ambient conditions. Additionally, these devices exhibit a prolonged operational half‐life of 80 minutes. This study presents a novel methodology for fabricating high‐efficiency Si‐based PeLEDs that exhibit exceptional electroluminescence characteristics.
Grafting Carbon Dots on Persistent Luminescence Phosphors to Generate Remarkably Improved NIR Afterglow for Microenvironment Fluorescence Detection
Authors: Xiahou Junqing , Cao Li , Huang Sai , Zhang Tao , Li Ji‐Guang , Zhu Qi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractRecently, combining long afterglow materials with organic fluorescent dyes, particularly carbon dots (CDs) to produce heterojunction and improve its luminescence and persistence properties became an important research direction. However, the precise role of these internal defects in the energy transfer process of CD@inorganic matrix composite fluorescent materials has not been thoroughly discussed. Establishing matching trap level to promote the energy transfer between the trap level and CDs level not only helps to enhance the afterglow performance, but also can explain the heterogeneous structure interaction between organic–inorganic fluorescent materials. Herein, ZLAGC@CDs luminescent composite is successfully synthesized via coating CDs on Zn1‐x(Li/Al)xGa2xO4:0.005Cr3+ (ZLAGC, x = 0–1), which exhibits a unique double emission at ≈430 nm (the defect luminescence of CDs) and 718 nm (the 2E→4A2 transition of Cr3+). After coating, the energy transfer from the defect level of CDs to the excited state of Cr3+ enhanced the NIR emission. The electron transfer between the defect level of CDs and the split deeper trap level of ZLAGC also improved the visible and near‐infrared (NIR) afterglow. The fluorescence and afterglow signals of ZLAGC@CDs are highly sensitive to solution pH under acidic conditions, indicating that the prepared fluorescent composite has potential application in acid microenvironment fluorescence detection.
Detection and mapping of Amaranthus spinosus L. in bermudagrass pastures using drone imagery and deep learning for a site‐specific weed management
Authors: Bretas Igor L. , Dubeux Jose C. B. , Zhao Chang , Queiroz Luana M. D. , Flynn Scott , Ingram Sam , Oduor Kenneth T. , Cruz Priscila J. R. , Ruiz‐Moreno Martin , Loures Daniele R. S. , Valente Domingos S. M. , Chizzotti Fernanda H. M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWeed encroachment negatively affects pasture productivity by reducing herbage allowance, stocking rates, and livestock performance. Amaranthus spinosus L. is a weed species widely found in pastures worldwide and is considered challenging for ranchers due to its great potential for invasion, making it difficult to control. The high costs of chemical application and the global concern about environmental impacts restrict indiscriminate herbicide spraying in pastures. Site‐specific weed management (SSWM) is a weed management strategy based on weed spot‐spraying that has the potential to overcome these issues. Images from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can provide valuable information for weed mapping to drive the herbicide application in pastures. Deep learning techniques have been highlighted in image classification tasks. We developed a deep convolutional neural network (CNN)‐based image segmentation model based on the U‐Net architecture to detect and map Amaranthus spinosus in bermudagrass pastures using red–green–blue images acquired through UAV flying in moderate‐high altitude. The images were acquired from twelve paddocks under three treatments (weed‐free, weed‐strips, or weed‐infested) during the summer (2021‐2022). The CNN model was able to detect around 80% of the A. spinosus with an average prediction accuracy of 94%. Our weed mapping showed the potential of using the U‐Net model to generate a herbicide application map to be inserted into the sprayer system, reducing up to 76% of the amount of herbicide applied. Further studies are encouraged to increase the robustness of the model across species and development stages and develop sprayer systems to implement the spot‐spraying in field conditions.
Speech patterns during memory recall relates to early tau burden across adulthood
Authors: Young Christina B. , Smith Viktorija , Karjadi Cody , Grogan Selah‐Marie , Ang Ting Fang Alvin , Insel Philip S. , Henderson Victor W. , Sumner Meghan , Poston Kathleen L. , Au Rhoda , Mormino Elizabeth C. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractINTRODUCTIONEarly cognitive decline may manifest in subtle differences in speech.METHODSWe examined 238 cognitively unimpaired adults from the Framingham Heart Study (32–75 years) who completed amyloid and tau PET imaging. Speech patterns during delayed recall of a story memory task were quantified via five speech markers, and their associations with global amyloid status and regional tau signal were examined.RESULTSTotal utterance time, number of between‐utterance pauses, speech rate, and percentage of unique words significantly correlated with delayed recall score although the shared variance was low (2%–15%). Delayed recall score was not significantly different between β‐amyoid‐positive (Aβ+) and ‐negative (Aβ−) groups and was not associated with regional tau signal. However, longer and more between‐utterance pauses, and slower speech rate were associated with increased tau signal across medial temporal and early neocortical regions.DISCUSSIONSubtle speech changes during memory recall may reflect cognitive impairment associated with early Alzheimer's disease pathology.Highlights
Speech during delayed memory recall relates to tau PET signal across adulthood.
Delayed memory recall score was not associated with tau PET signal.
Speech shows greater sensitivity to detecting subtle cognitive changes associated with early tau accumulation.
Our cohort spans adulthood, while most PET imaging studies focus on older adults.
Conservation of a Spectral Asymmetry Invariant in Optical Fiber Four‐Wave Mixing
Authors: Sheveleva Anastasiia , Colman Pierre , Dudley John M. , Finot Christophe 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe conservation of spectral asymmetry is a fundamental feature of the ideal four‐wave mixing process as it exists in a medium combining quadratic chromatic dispersion and third‐order nonlinearity. The robustness of this invariant in an experimental configuration where the excitation conditions of an optical fiber are sequentially updated, mimicking infinite propagation is tested in this paper. This theoretical and experimental study reveals the high sensitivity of the asymmetry to very slight deviations from the ideal case, and the idealized system behaves as an intermediate case between the ideal case of noncascaded four‐wave mixing and propagation in a system governed by the nonlinear Schrödinger equation is shown.
A facile in‐situ fabrication of black polyimide films with ultrahigh electrical properties
Authors: Weng Ling , Liu Jinming , Zhang Xiaorui , Xu Hang , Guan Lizhu , Yu Yang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractConsidering the ongoing evolution of flexible printed circuit boards and the importance of safeguarding the intellectual property of circuit designs, there exists an imperative demand for the development of a black film exhibiting exceptional electrical properties and remarkable light‐shielding capabilities. Consequently, this work employs a straightforward strategy to enhance the opacity of polyimide films by incorporating carbon black (CB) and manganese dioxide (MnO2) as black fillers using an in situ doping method. Rigorous tests are conducted, analyzing properties such as dielectric constant, dielectric loss, breakdown field strength, current density, and ferroelectric energy storage. The optimal ratio of CB to MnO2 (mass fraction) is determined as 1:5, with a total powder doping amount of 6 wt%, providing the best ratio relative to the matrix resin. This ratio ensures an optimal powder dispersion state, resulting in an outstanding breakdown field of 147.4 kV/mm and ultralow dielectric constants, measuring less than 3.78 at 103 Hz. This composite film is anticipated to find applications as a cutting‐edge material for electronic devices and the semiconductor industry.