bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Carbon Fiber Properties through Lignin-Cellulose Composites: A Comparative Study of Hardwood Vs. Softwood Lignin Sources
Authors: Rajaras Azega , Bengtsson Jenny , Theliander Hans , Lundgren Per 
Published: February 2024

Carbon fibers are integral to a wide range of applications, including automotive, construction, packaging, textiles, and emerging fields such as energy storage electrodes like flexible supercapacitors. However, concerns related to limited availability and environmental impact associated with fossil-based carbon fiber production have sparked growing interest in sustainable alternatives, particularly those derived from lignin and cellulose composites. This conference work presents a comparative analysis of the mechanical properties of lignin-cellulose composite carbon fibers derived from hardwood and softwood lignin sources, elucidating the significant influence of lignin origin on fiber performance.
Our study focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing a composite of hardwood lignin vs. softwood lignin with cellulose in carbon fiber production, comparing these materials to commercially available carbon fibers. We emphasize the mechanical performance of these composite fibers, specifically highlighting the tensile strength and tensile modulus as a key metric. Notably, our results demonstrate that carbon fibers derived from hardwood lignin/cellulose composites exhibit superior mechanical strength compared to those from softwood lignin/cellulose composites. To gain fundamental insights into the reasons behind this mechanical disparity, we employed Raman spectroscopy to analyze the carbon structures within the fibers. Our findings revealed that carbon fibers produced from hardwood lignin exhibited a higher degree of graphitization, helping in achieving of typically desirable pre-graphite turbostractic carbon structures. These structural enhancements significantly contributed to the improved mechanical characteristics observed. In summary, our research underscores the critical importance of lignin source selection in the production of lignin-cellulose composite carbon fibers. The mechanical performance of these fibers is closely linked to the carbon morphology influenced by the lignin source. Therefore, understanding and controlling the lignin source from hardwood or softwood is pivotal for tailoring carbon fiber properties to meet specific application requirements. This study not only advances the knowledge in sustainable carbon fiber production but also offers valuable insights into achieving desirable properties for a wide range of applications, including advanced energy storage systems and structural materials.
(Invited) Directed Evolution and Machine Learning for Improved ssDNA-SWCNTs Sensor for Nitric Oxide Detection
Authors: Sajjadi Sayyed Hashem , Rabbani Yahya , Behjati Sara , Zubkovs Vitalijs , Cattaneo Stefano , Basoli Valentina , Grad Sibylle , Boghossian Ardemis Anoush 
Published: February 2024

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) show great potential for biosensing applications due to their unique optical properties. SWCNTs emit fluorescence in the near-infrared (NIR) region that is stable, biotransparent, and highly sensitive to changes in their environment. The biocompatibility and the selectivity of their interactions can be engineered through SWCNT surface functionalization. One of the most common functionalization approaches is the non-covalent wrapping of SWCNTs with single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Though the ssDNA sequences can be varied to control the optical response of these SWCNT sensors, the dependence of the optical response on the sequence is unknown and unpredictable. This lack of information on the relationship between the ssDNA sequence and sensor performance is a major bottleneck in engineering SWCNT-based optical sensors.
In this work, we develop a guided approach to engineer optical ssDNA-SWCNT sensors. Using a combination of machine learning and directed evolution[1], we designed an optical sensor for nitric oxide (NO), a pro-inflammatory mediator that induces inflammation[2]. We demonstrate a 7-fold enhancement in sensor response compared to the state-of-the-art sensor based on the (AT)15 sequence[3]. This approach thus provides a powerful means of overcoming existing bottlenecks in SWCNT sensor design, ushering a new generation of near-infrared technologies for biomedical research and clinical diagnostics.
References
[1] B. Lambert, A. J. Gillen, N. Schuergers, S. J. Wu, A. A. Boghossian, Chem. Commun.
2019, 55, 3239.
[2] J. N. Sharma, A. Al-Omran, S. S. Parvathy, Inflammopharmacology
2007, 15, 252.
[3] J. Zhang, A. A. Boghossian, P. W. Barone, A. Rwei, J. H. Kim, D. Lin, D. A. Heller, A. J. Hilmer, N. Nair, N. F. Reuel, M. S. Strano, J. Am.
Chem. Soc.
2011, 133, 567.
Polyhydroxy Fullerene for Synthesizing Noble Metal Nanoparticles
Authors: Krishna Vijay , Xu Yue , Williams Roberts 
Published: February 2024

The redox properties of fullerene and its derivatives enable them to function as electron relays through either oxidation or reduction. Polyhydroxy fullerene (PHF), also known as fullerol or fullerenol, is highly water-soluble derivative and a well-known antioxidant. We have found that PHF is also very effective in reducing noble metal precursors and stabilizing metal nanoparticles by forming covalent M-O bonds.
Traditionally, noble metal nanoparticles, such as gold are synthesized using a reducing agent like sodium borohydride (NaBH4) or sodium citrate at elevated temperatures and alkaline pH, with stabilizers added during nucleation to control the size and dispersion of the nanoparticles. While sodium citrate is sometimes used as a single reducing and stabilizing agent, it is not an effective stabilizer and is often replaced with polymers to improve colloidal dispersion. In contrast, PHF can be used as a single reducing and stabilizing agent for metal nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were synthesized by simply mixing the metal precursors with PHF in an aqueous phase and stirring at room temperature. The size and morphology of synthesized nanoparticles were characterized with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, aberration corrected TEM, and dynamic light scattering. These nanoparticles were monodisperse with size ranging from 2 nm to 100 nm in diameter, which could be controlled by changing the concentration of the two reactants. We utilized multiple tools to investigate the mechanism of reduction and nanoparticle formation. We propose a kinetic agglomerate-dissociation mechanism to describe the formation of gold nanoparticles using PHF. Kinetic agglomerates form instantaneously upon mixing the two reactants due to electrostatic interactions. During the reduction process reactive carbonyl peaks were observed with electron energy loss spectroscopy. The carbonyl moieties were observed only after agglomerate formation and subsequently changed to Au-O bonds between PHF and synthesized gold nanoparticles, which was confirmed with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and density-functional theory calculations, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Further, we demonstrated that the synthesis of gold nanoparticles using PHF can be affected by pH due to changes in hemiketal structure of PHF. Compared to citrate ions, PHF-coated gold nanoparticles are more stable, remaining so for over two years.
The novel PHF-mediated synthesis method can also be applied to other noble metals like platinum, palladium, and silver and create bimetallic nanoparticles. The surface PHF coating on noble metal nanoparticles integrates the properties of both metal and carbon nanoparticles, resulting in superior functional applications. Our findings open up new opportunities for metallic nanoparticle preparation methods, properties, and applications.
Doping Graphene By Physisorption to Influence Electrochemical Activity and Probing Local Electrochemistry on 10 Micron Spots
Authors: Saraf Ravi , Lim Jay Min , Saraf Akshat , Korlacki Rafal 
Published: February 2024

Graphene as an electrochemical electrode for energy devices and catalytic activity is a catch 22 situation. Pristine graphene is highly conducting with exquisite chemical inertness to avoid poisoning of the electrode surface. However, this inertness leads to poor chemisorption which is generally considered a prerequisite for electron transfer during redox. Thus, pristine graphene is a poor electrochemical electrode. The challenge is being addressed by distorting the perfect sp2 structure by interfacing with other 2D materials to form (complex) heterostructures, and/or doping other atoms or punching holes (i.e., vacancies). However, chemical stability, i.e., inertness, becomes vulnerable at the defects. Here we propose a concept of “doping” where the graphene becomes electrochemically active, and the pristineness is maintained. The dopant is physiosorbed to the graphene. The outcome will be a redox active graphene electrode. DFT simulations are conducted to explain the structure.
The electrochemical behavior will be studied by a special opto-electrochemical method called the Scanning electrometer for Electrical double-layer (SEED). SEED quantitively measures local electrochemistry on a 10-micron spot to avoid edge effect and (potential) cracks in graphene.

Figure 1
Exploring Fullerene-Perovskite Interactions by Means of Density Functional Simulations
Authors: Posada Perez Sergio , George Gibu , Poater Albert , Solà Miquel 
Published: February 2024

Boosting renewable energies is the 7th goal in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development whose premise is to accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon competitive economy. Sunlight is the largest exploitable resource of energy and it has promoted an extraordinary growth of photovoltaic (PV) cell technology to supply the demand. Several PV manufacturers are now working on bringing solar cell devices based on organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite (PSCs) to market due to their easy fabrication procedures, low cost, and the fast improvement of their efficiency (PCE).

In order to enhance the possibility for PSCs to be competitive throughout the market, a very recent technology introduces Fullerene (C60) and its derivatives -specially [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM)- in PSC devices to work as electron transport layer (ETL), additives, or to control the crystal growth, either in conventional or inverted devices. The use of fullerenes have eliminated/reduced the hysteresis,[1] improved the device stability in comparison to fullerene-free standard PSCs,[2] and favors the high-scale preparation because the high-temperature step.
Nevertheless, important features in the state-of-the-art fullerene-perovskite devices remain unexplored. It is known that fullerenes passivate the perovskite defects, improving the optoelectronic properties, but it has not been systematically explored to date. It is not extensively investigated the effect of binding groups of fullerenes, how fullerenes passivate the perovskite surfaces and how passivation influence surface energetics and the corresponding carrier dynamics. In this work we use periodic density functional simulations to explore the interaction of fullerenes with different perovskite surfaces, considering as well possible defects (Iodide anti-sites) and vacancies (cation vacancies). Computing the binding energy, the adsorption energy site, bandgaps, and density of states we are able to compare these relevant descriptors with the experimental efficiency, in order to find the key descriptors that govern the fullerene-perovskite interactions. In this presentation, we will show our results for APbI3 (A= methylammonium, Cs) perovskite surfaces with the most common fullerenes like C60 and PC61BM. Our simulations show different binding energies depending on the perovskite and surface vacancy and the effect on the electronic structure will be discussed.
1. J. Xu, et. al., Nat. Commun.
2015,6, 7081; Y. Zhong, et. al., Adv. Funct. Mater.
2020, 1908920.
2. V. Ferguson, et. al., Energy Environ. Mater.
2019, 2, 107–118; T. Gatti et. al., Nano Energy, 2017, 41, 84−100.

Figure 1
Pillared Graphene for Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Hassan Omar , Franklin Giovanna Formiga , Simon Patrice , Dubois Lionel , Taberna Pierre-Louis , Duclairoir Florence 
Published: February 2024

Since the discovery of graphene in 2004 [1], it has been considered a “Wonder” material with lots of potential due to its attractive properties. Owing to such properties, graphene is theoretically expected to have an electrochemical double layer capacitance of 550 F/g [2]. However, due to the high cost and difficulty of producing and handling single sheets of graphene, the presence of graphene in the market was hindered. Luckily, many methods were devised to synthesize graphene-like materials that would be easier and cheaper to produce. Unfortunately such methods end up producing reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) with stacked graphene layers due to pi-pi interactions, which impedes the full utilisation of the graphene’s surface area. Pillaring the graphene using organic linkers was proven to be one of the useful techniques in partially preventing the restacking of the graphene sheets in rGO [3].
Herein, three molecular pillars with different chemical nature and lengths will be presented as pillaring agents for graphene and the performance of their corresponding pillared graphene assemblies as electrode materials for supercapacitors will be assessed against that of rGO as a reference sample. To assess the success of the pillaring technique and to decipher the chemical composition of the samples, various characterization techniques were employed such as XRD, TGA, XPS, EA, SEM, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy and conductivity measurements. Different electrolytes were used to test the electrochemical performance in different environments (acidic and neutral with different cation sizes). The pillared graphene assemblies demonstrated an enhanced capacitive performance compared to reference samples and a correlation between such performance and the different physico-chemical characteristics is to be highlighted.
References:
[1] S. Novoselov et al., Science, 306, (2004) 666.
[2] Zhu et al., Small, 10 (2014) 3480
[3] Banda et al., ACS Nano, 13 (2019) 1143.

Figure 1
Integrated Proteogenomics Uncover Mechanisms of Glioblastoma Evolution, Pointing to Novel Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Li Jiabo , Shih Ling-Kai , Brat Daniel J. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Nearly all glioblastoma (GBM) patients relapse following standard treatment and eventually succumb to disease. While large-scale, integrated multiomic studies have tremendously advanced the understanding of primary GBM at the cellular and molecular level, the posttherapeutic trajectory and biological properties of recurrent GBM remain poorly understood. This knowledge gap was addressed in a recent Cancer Cell article in which Kim and colleagues report on a highly integrative proteogenomic analysis performed on 123 matched primary and recurrent GBMs that uncovered a dramatic evolutionary shift from a proliferative state at initial diagnosis to the activation of neuronal and synaptogenic pathways at recurrence following therapy. Neuronal transition was characterized by posttranslational activation of WNT/PCP signaling and BRAF kinase, while many canonical oncogenic pathways, and EGFR in particular, were downregulated. Parallel multiomics analyses of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models corroborated this evolutionary trajectory, allowing in vivo experiments for translational significance. Notably, targeting BRAF kinase disrupted both the neuronal transition and migration capabilities of recurrent gliomas, which were key characteristics of posttreatment progression. Furthermore, combining BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib with temozolomide prolonged survival in PDX models. Overall, the results reveal novel biological mechanisms of GBM evolution and therapy resistance, and suggest promising therapeutic intervention.
“RIPping” off Pancreas Cancer's Blockage of Immune Surveillance
Authors: Liu Xiuting , Sells Blake E. , DeNardo David G. 
Published: February 2024

Summary:
MHC-I downregulation is correlated with immunotherapy resistance in PDAC, but efficient strategies to increase cell-surface MHC-I are still lacking. This study by Sang, Zhou, Chen, Yu, and colleagues identified inhibition of tumor-intrinsic RIPK2 as a pharmacologic target to block the degradation of MHC-I on tumor cells and improved PDAC responses to anti–PD-1 immunotherapy.
See related article by Sang et al., p. 326 (1) .
Phosphorylation-Regulated Dynamic Phase Separation of HIP-55 Protects Against Heart Failure
Authors: Jiang Yunqi , Gu Jinge , Niu Xiaodou , Hu Jiaojiao , Zhang Yongzhen , Li Dan , Tang Yida , Liu Cong , Li Zijian 
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND:
Heart failure (HF), which is the terminal stage of many cardiovascular diseases, is associated with low survival rates and a severe financial burden. The mechanisms, especially the molecular mechanism combined with new theories, underlying the pathogenesis of HF remain elusive. We demonstrate that phosphorylation-regulated dynamic liquid–liquid phase separation of HIP-55 (hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1–interacting protein of 55 kDa) protects against HF.

METHODS:
Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching assay, differential interference contrast analysis, pull-down assay, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical analysis were used to investigate the liquid–liquid phase separation capacity of HIP-55 and its dynamic regulation in vivo and in vitro. Mice with genetic deletion of HIP-55 and mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of HIP-55 were used to examine the role of HIP-55 on β-adrenergic receptor hyperactivation-induced HF. Mutation analysis and mice with specific phospho-resistant site mutagenesis were used to identify the role of phosphorylation-regulated dynamic liquid–liquid phase separation of HIP-55 in HF.

RESULTS:
Genetic deletion of HIP-55 aggravated HF, whereas cardiac-specific overexpression of HIP-55 significantly alleviated HF in vivo. HIP-55 possesses a strong capacity for phase separation. Phase separation of HIP-55 is dynamically regulated by AKT-mediated phosphorylation at S269 and T291 sites, failure of which leads to impairment of HIP-55 dynamic phase separation by formation of abnormal aggregation. Prolonged sympathetic hyperactivation stress induced decreased phosphorylation of HIP-55 S269 and T291, dysregulated phase separation, and subsequent aggregate formation of HIP55. Moreover, we demonstrated the important role of dynamic phase separation of HIP-55 in inhibiting hyperactivation of the β-adrenergic receptor–mediated P38/MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signaling pathway. A phosphorylation-deficient HIP-55 mutation, which undergoes massive phase separation and forms insoluble aggregates, loses the protective activity against HF.

CONCLUSIONS:
Our work reveals that the phosphorylation-regulated dynamic phase separation of HIP-55 protects against sympathetic/adrenergic system–mediated heart failure.
Gaston Labat, the Mayo Clinic, and the Introduction of Regional Anesthesia to the United States
Authors: Orkaby Asher , Desai Sukumar 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Throughout the nineteenth century, transatlantic medical research and training was largely dominated by Western European hospitals. Americans trained in German, Austrian, French, and British medical schools and hospitals, and then returned to work in relatively subpar hospitals and medical schools in the U.S. This relationship was reversed after wwi, with European doctors seeking transition to a comparatively well-funded and respected medical community in the U.S. Recruited in 1920 from a French hospital system to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, the young surgeon Gaston Labat (1897–1934) became a pioneer in the development of regional anesthesiology and pain management practices in America, establishing the Mayo Clinic as a leader in this nascent field. Published in the U.S. in 1922, Labat’s textbook Regional Anesthesia was based upon his earlier years of work in Paris and came to define the field over the subsequent decades. Labat moved to Bellevue Hospital in New York City, and in 1923 founded the American Society of Regional Anesthesia (asra). The asra acted as an engine of transformation in the professionalization of the field of anesthesia in the U.S. and formed part of the organized response to the opioid crises that emerged in the early twentieth century. Labat’s story serves as a window into this period of transition in global medical leadership and the introduction of regional anesthesiology and acute pain management, based upon European medical practice.
The Kingdom and the Qur’an
Authors: Yakubovych Mykhaylo 
Published: February 2024

This book presents a detailed analysis of the translation of the Qur’an in Saudi Arabia, the most important global actor in the promotion, production and dissemination of Qur’an translations.
From the first attempts at translation in the mid-twentieth century to more recent state-driven efforts concerned with international impact, The Kingdom and the Qur’an adeptly elucidates the link between contemporary Islamic theology and the advent of modern print culture. It investigates this critical juncture in both Middle Eastern political history and the intellectual evolution of the Muslim world, interweaving literary, socio-historical, and socio-anthropological threads to depict the intricate backdrop of the Saudi ‘Qur'an translation movement’.
Mykhaylo Yakubovych provides a comprehensive historical overview of the debates surrounding the translatability of the Qur'an, as well as exploring the impact of the burgeoning translation and dissemination of the holy book upon Wahhabi and Salafi interpretations of Islam. Backed by meticulous research and drawing on a wealth of sources, this work illuminates an essential facet of global Islamic culture and scholarly discourse.
Gender Differences Among Very Young Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome: Long-Term Follow-Up of the STAMINA Study
Authors: Papathanasiou Konstantinos A. , Rallidis Stylianos L. , Armylagos Stylianos , Kotrotsios Georgios , Rallidis Loukianos S. 
Published: February 2024

The rate of hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among young patients is increasing. Healthcare disparities remain unsolved among female patients. We explored gender differences regarding risk factors, clinical presentation, in-hospital treatment, and long-term outcomes among ACS patients. A total of 445 patients with very early ACS (men ≤ 35 years and women ≤ 40 years of age) were followed for a median of 5 years. Primary clinical endpoint was the composite of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary revascularization. Women accounted for 16% of cases. Smoking was the most prevalent risk factor, 56% and 60% of the females and males, respectively, continued to smoke after ACS. Chest pain was typical in 85% and 83% of the female and male patients, respectively. In-hospital treatment (pharmacological and reperfusion) as well as the composite clinical endpoint during follow-up did not differ between female and male patients. Lipid-lowering therapy was suboptimal in both genders, and persistence of smoking was the sole predictor for the composite clinical endpoint (hazard ratio: 2.30 [95% CI: 1.26–4.20]; P = .007). In conclusion, in-hospital treatment was similar between male and female patients. However, the majority of them continued smoking, and this was an independent predictor for future adverse outcomes.