bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multilayer Arrays for Neurotechnology Applications (MANTA): Chronically Stable Thin‐Film Intracortical Implants
Authors: Böhler Christian , Vomero Maria , Soula Marisol , Vöröslakos Mihály , Porto Cruz Maria , Liljemalm Rickard , Buzsaki György , Stieglitz Thomas , Asplund Maria 
Published: March 2023

AbstractFlexible implantable neurointerfaces show great promise in addressing one of the major challenges of implantable neurotechnology, namely the loss of signal connected to unfavorable probe tissue interaction. The authors here show how multilayer polyimide probes allow high‐density intracortical recordings to be combined with a reliable long‐term stable tissue interface, thereby progressing toward chronic stability of implantable neurotechnology. The probes could record 10–60 single units over 5 months with a consistent peak‐to‐peak voltage at dimensions that ensure robust handling and insulation longevity. Probes that remain in intimate contact with the signaling tissue over months to years are a game changer for neuroscience and, importantly, open up for broader clinical translation of systems relying on neurotechnology to interface the human brain.
Visualizing Reaction Fronts and Transport Limitations in Solid‐State Li–S Batteries via Operando Neutron Imaging
Authors: Bradbury Robert , Dewald Georg F. , Kraft Marvin A. , Arlt Tobias , Kardjilov Nikolay , Janek Jürgen , Manke Ingo , Zeier Wolfgang G. , Ohno Saneyuki 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe exploitation of high‐capacity conversion‐type materials such as sulfur in solid‐state secondary batteries is a dream combination for achieving improved battery safety and high energy density in the push toward a sustainable future. However, the exact reason behind the low rate‐capability, bottlenecking further development of solid‐state lithium–sulfur batteries, has not yet been determined. Here, using neutron imaging, the spatial distribution of lithium during cell operation is directly visualized and it is shown that sluggish macroscopic ion transport within the composite cathode is rate‐limiting. Observing a reaction front propagating from the separator side toward the current collector confirms the detrimental influence of a low effective ionic conductivity. Furthermore, irreversibly concentrated lithium in the vicinity of the current collector, revealed via state‐of‐charge‐dependent tomography, highlights a hitherto‐overlooked loss mechanism triggered by sluggish effective ionic transport within a composite cathode. This discovery can be a cornerstone for future research on solid‐state batteries, irrespective of the type of active material.
Fast Solidification and Slow Growth Strategy for High‐Performance Quasi‐2D Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Xu Chang , Cheng Liwei , Li Zexin , Zheng Xiangjun , Shan Shiqi , Chen Tianyi , Fu Weifei , Yang Yingguo , Zuo Lijian , Chen Hongzheng 
Published: March 2023

AbstractSmooth perovskite film with high crystallinity and vertical orientation is highly favored for high‐performance quasi‐2D perovskite solar cells (PVSCs), yet limited by the critical balance between nucleation and crystal growth. To address this issue, here a fast solidification and slow growth (FSSG) strategy is developed to effectively optimize the film morphology. The fast solidification enables a smooth, pinhole‐free film, while slow growth allows it to further ripen into high‐crystallinity film. This process is enabled by the low‐boiling point solvent system, that is, acetonitrile, with high‐boiling point additives, that is, NH4SCN and CH3NH3Cl. Compared to the traditional method, uniform film with a larger grain/crystallite size as well as better crystallinity can be easily fabricated through this FSSG strategy. As a result, the quasi‐2D PVSCs based on (GA)2(MA)4Pb5I16 processed with the FSSG strategy show a champion power conversion efficiency of 20.44%, as well as 19.08% for large‐area (1 cm2) devices, which suggest the capability of the FSSG strategy for up‐scaled PVSC fabrication. Therefore, this work opens a new avenue toward morphology control of PVSCs for practical applications.
Development of hesperetin methacrylates and their high performance thermosets
Authors: Clay Anthony M. , Mitchell Joshua R. , Boelter Zach R. , Palmese Giuseppe , La Scala John J. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractHesperetin based monomers substituted to varying degrees of methacrylate functionality were synthesized namely trimethacrylate, dimethacrylate and monomethacrylated hesperetin monomers, HTM, HDM and HMM respectively. Resins employing reactive diluents 4‐acryloylmorpholine (4AM) and styrene (Sty) were formulated. Resin formulations were determined to be Newtonian fluids with viscosities below 800 cP. Thermosets of hesperetin monomers were produced with glass transition temperature (Tg) values up to 225°C. Ultimate strength up to 20 MPa and tensile modulus of 5.0 GPa were also observed. Additionally, thermosets with char yield near 30% were measured. Char yield, ultimate strength and tensile modulus of hesperetin based thermosets were superior to those derived from the petrochemical bisphenol A dimethacrylate (BPAM). However, thermosets that employed hesperetin derived monomers displayed properties that were less than expected compared to Bicerano model predictions. Also, select HTM:Sty thermosets displayed a noticeable holographic type morphology. Reactivity ratios, spectroscopy, microscopy and structure property relationships indicated that poor copolymerization behavior during cure and high degrees of crosslinking during postcure were responsible for the microcrack formation in the material. This also caused the observed morphology and resulted in reduced properties relative to Bicerano predictions.
Lowering Serum Urate With Urate‐Lowering Therapy to Target and Incident Fracture Among People With Gout
Authors: Wei Jie , Choi Hyon K. , Dalbeth Nicola , Lane Nancy E. , Wu Jing , Lyu Houchen , Zeng Chao , Lei Guanghua , Zhang Yuqing 
Published: March 2023

ObjectiveGout is associated with a higher risk of fracture; however, findings on the associations of hyperuricemia and urate‐lowering therapy (ULT) with the risk of fracture have been inconsistent. We examined whether lowering serum urate (SU) levels with ULT to a target level (i.e., <360 μmoles/liter) reduces the risk of fracture among individuals with gout.MethodsWe emulated analyses of a hypothetical target trial using a “cloning, censoring, and weighting” approach to examine the association between lowering SU with ULT to the target levels and the risk of fracture using data from The Health Improvement Network, a UK primary care database. Individuals with gout who were age 40 years or older and for whom ULT was initiated were included in the study.ResultsAmong 28,554 people with gout, the 5‐year risk of hip fracture was 0.5% for the “achieving the target SU level” arm and 0.8% for the “not achieving the target SU level” arm. The risk difference and hazard ratio for the “achieving the target SU level” arm was –0.3% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] –0.5%, –0.1%) and 0.66 (95% CI 0.46, 0.93), respectively, compared with the “not achieving the target SU level” arm. Similar results were observed when the associations between lowering SU level with ULT to the target levels and the risk of composite fracture, major osteoporotic fracture, vertebral fracture, and nonvertebral fracture were assessed.ConclusionIn this population‐based study, lowering the SU level with ULT to the guideline‐based target level was associated with a lower risk of incident fracture in people with gout.image
Ultrathin Dendritic Pd‐Ag Nanoplates for Efficient and Durable Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to Formate
Authors: Huang Hui‐Zi , Liu Di , Chen Li‐Wei , Zhu Zhejiaji , Li Jiani , Yu Zi‐Long , Su Xin , Jing Xiaoting , Wu Si‐Qian , Tian Wenjing , Yin An‐Xiang 
Published: March 2023

AbstractCO2 reduction reactions (CO2RR) powered by renewable electricity can directly convert CO2 to hydrocarbons and fix the sustainable but intermittent energy (e. g., sunlight, wind, etc.) in stable and portable chemical fuels. Advanced catalysts boosting CO2RR with high activity, selectivity, and durability at low overpotentials are of great importance but still elusive. Here, we report that the ultrathin Pd‐Ag dendritic nanoplates (PdAg DNPs) exhibited boosted activity, selectivity, and stability for producing formate from CO2 at a very low overpotential in aqueous solutions under ambient conditions. As a result, the PdAg DNPs exhibited a Faradaic efficiency (FE) for formate of 91% and a cathodic energy efficiency (EE) of ∼90% at the potential of −0.2 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (vs. RHE), showing significantly enhanced durability as compared with pure Pd catalysts. Our strategy represents a rational catalyst design by engineering the surface geometrical and electronic structures of metal nanocrystals and may find more applicability in future electrocatalysis.
Adaptive fault‐tolerant control for a class of flexible air‐breathing hypersonic vehicles
Authors: Huang Jian , Wang Tianyi , Wang Guan , Song Zhiyi , Yin Zuosheng 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn this paper, a novel adaptive fault‐tolerant control (FTC) scheme is proposed for a class of flexible air‐breathing hypersonic vehicles with unknown inertial and aerodynamic parameters and even input constraints. The fault model under consideration covers the case that all actuators suffer from unknown time‐varying faults. In the controller design and stability analysis, we introduce new Lyapunov functions, some differentiable auxiliary functions, a bound estimation approach, and a Nussbaum function, which help us successfully circumvent the obstacle caused by the faults, input constraints, and flexible modes. In addition to higher reliability, the proposed scheme is able to ensure that all closed‐loop signals are globally uniformly bounded and to steer the tracking errors of altitude and velocity into predefined arbitrarily small residual sets. As a result, the tracking accuracy can be designated in advance. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
A multi‐omic approach identifies an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) regulatory complex of functional epimutations in placentas from children born preterm
Authors: Freedman Anastasia N. , Clark Jeliyah , Eaves Lauren A. , Roell Kyle , Oran Ali , Koval Lauren , Rager Julia , Santos Hudson P. , Kuban Karl , Joseph Robert M. , Frazier Jean , Marsit Carmen J. , Burt Amber A. , O'Shea T. Michael , Fry Rebecca C. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractChildren born preterm are at heightened risk of neurodevelopmental impairments, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The placenta is a key regulator of neurodevelopmental processes, though the precise underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we employed a multi‐omic approach to identify placental transcriptomic and epigenetic modifications related to ASD diagnosis at age 10, among children born preterm. Working with the extremely low gestational age (ELGAN) cohort, we hypothesized that a pro‐inflammatory placental environment would be predictive of ASD diagnosis at age 10. Placental messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, CpG methylation, and microRNA (miRNA) expression were compared among 368 ELGANs (28 children diagnosed with ASD and 340 children without ASD). A total of 111 genes displayed expression levels in the placenta that were associated with ASD. Within these ASD‐associated genes is an ASD regulatory complex comprising key genes that predicted ASD case status. Genes with expression that predicted ASD case status included Ewing Sarcoma Breakpoint Region 1 (EWSR1) (OR: 6.57 (95% CI: 2.34, 23.58)) and Bromodomain Adjacent To Zinc Finger Domain 2A (BAZ2A) (OR: 0.12 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.35)). Moreover, of the 111 ASD‐associated genes, nine (8.1%) displayed associations with CpG methylation levels, while 14 (12.6%) displayed associations with miRNA expression levels. Among these, LRR Binding FLII Interacting Protein 1 (LRRFIP1) was identified as being under the control of both CpG methylation and miRNAs, displaying an OR of 0.42 (95% CI: 0.17, 0.95). This gene, as well as others identified as having functional epimutations, plays a critical role in immune system regulation and inflammatory response. In summary, a multi‐omic approach was used to identify functional epimutations in the placenta that are associated with the development of ASD in children born preterm, highlighting future avenues for intervention.
Impact of X‐ray irradiation as an equivalent alternative to gamma for sterilization of single‐use bioprocessing polymers
Authors: Grzelak Adam W. , Jeffkins Sarah , Luo Lan , Stilwell James , Hathcock James 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIrradiation sterilization of polymeric pharmaceutical processing systems and medical devices, an essential healthcare technology, is facing critical business continuity challenges, driving the need to qualify equivalent alternative irradiation technologies, such as X‐ray. Whereas the underlying there is a paucity of cross‐industry published data evaluating X‐ray irradiation effects on plastics as compared to gamma irradiation. That leads to regulatory uncertainty in the levels of costly validation data regulators will require and overall apprehension in the rate of X‐ray irradiation adoption. The present study evaluates the impact of X‐ray versus gamma irradiation on a wide range of polymers with more than 36 single‐use (SU) components, using a comprehensive set of industry aligned methods for characterization of bioprocess polymers. Whereas many of these techniques readily demonstrate changes in polymer properties following irradiation, all of the polymers evaluated demonstrated that the impact of X‐ray irradiation was to the same degree or less as compared to gamma. Increased publication of studies evaluating the impact to polymers of X‐ray versus gamma irradiation is critical to leveraging extensive, existing validation packages on bioprocess systems and medical devices obtained following gamma irradiation, and essential in qualifying X‐ray irradiation as an equivalent technology (i.e., materials are impacted to the same extent or less than gamma) that can overcome business continuity challenges to ensure continued availability of critical patient therapies.
Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada syndrome in the setting of COVID‐19 infection
Authors: Eatz Tiffany , Charles Jude Hassan 
Published: March 2023

AbstractTo report a case of Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease (VKH) in a 27‐year‐old male 2 weeks proceeding COVID‐19 infection onset. Severe complications of VKH can be avoided by early diagnosis and adequate treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. It is possible that COVID‐19 was a potential immunological trigger of VKH in our patient.
Improvement of Plasma Reactor Design for Methane Pyrolysis by Simulation
Authors: Magazova Aliya , Agar David W. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractHydrogen generation by plasma reactors from methane is a promising technology. Although, much research is done on accurately describing the plasma, fewer was focused on the reactor design optimization. By altering the design, the velocity profiles and heat transport can be managed in such a way that the conversion of methane can be increased. Through a simplified simulation approach, it was possible to increase the gliding arc reactor conversion from 30 to 50 %, which was tested by experiments. Similar finding resulted from the microwave plasma simulation, where simulations showed a potential rise from 66 % to 84 %.
Use of exotic Nicotiana tabacum germplasm for confronting an inverse genetic correlation in flue‐cured tobacco
Authors: Lewis Ramsey S. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractInverse genetic correlations between cured leaf yields and alkaloid accumulation in flue‐cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) complicate the development of higher yielding cultivars while maintaining alkaloids at commercially acceptable levels. Introgression of genomic regions from exotic source material that positively affect alkaloid levels, but with less of a corresponding negative influence on yielding ability, could enhance long‐term efforts to develop improved cultivars. Germplasm accessions “TI 464” and “TI 959” were previously identified as being potentially useful for this purpose. In this study, the relationships between yield and alkaloid accumulation were investigated in BC1F1 populations derived from crosses with these materials and found to be slightly negative or slightly positive. Derived BC1F2 families were used to calculate heritability estimates for alkaloid accumulation on a single plant basis that were low to intermediate in magnitude. The relationships between alkaloid levels of leaves from individual stalk positions and alkaloid levels averaged over all stalk positions were determined. The third stalk position was found to be the most predictive of average alkaloid levels. Selection for alkaloid levels using a single leaf from this stalk position could increase breeding efficiency. BC4F6 lines carrying low genomic contributions from either TI 464 or TI 959 were generated and evaluated as lines per se and in F1 hybrid combinations with a very high‐yielding inbred line with increased leaf number. Performance of these materials indicated that TI 464 and, to a lesser extent TI 959, may be useful for developing higher yielding tobacco cultivars with acceptable alkaloid levels.
Forest edge effects on moss growth are amplified by drought
Authors: Koelemeijer Irena Adia , Ehrlén Johan , De Frenne Pieter , Jönsson Mari , Berg Peter , Hylander Kristoffer 
Published: March 2023

AbstractForest fragmentation increases the amount of edges in the landscape. Differences in wind, radiation, and vegetation structure create edge‐to‐interior gradients in forest microclimate, and these gradients are likely to be more pronounced during droughts and heatwaves. Although the effects of climate extremes on edge influences have potentially strong and long‐lasting impacts on forest understory biodiversity, they are not well understood and are not often considered in management and landscape planning. Here we used a novel method of retrospectively quantifying growth to assess biologically relevant edge influences likely caused by microclimate using Hylocomium splendens, a moss with annual segments. We examined how spatio‐temporal variation in drought across 3 years and 46 sites in central Sweden, affected the depth and magnitude of edge influences. We also investigated whether edge effects during drought were influenced by differences in forest structure. Edge effects were almost twice as strong in the drought year compared to the non‐drought years, but we did not find clear evidence that they penetrated deeper into the forest in the drought year. Edge influences were also greater in areas that had fewer days with rain during the drought year. Higher levels of forest canopy cover and tree height buffered the magnitude of edge influence in times of drought. Our results demonstrate that edge effects are amplified by drought, suggesting that fragmentation effects are aggravated when droughts become more frequent and severe. Our results suggest that dense edges and buffer zones with high canopy cover can be important ways to mitigate negative drought impacts in forest edges.
Comparing ant morphology measurements from microscope and online AntWeb.org 2D z‐stacked images
Authors: Csősz Sándor , Báthori Ferenc , Rádai Zoltán , Herczeg Gábor , Fisher Brian L. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractUnprecedented technological advances in digitization and the steadily expanding open‐access digital repositories are yielding new opportunities to quickly and efficiently measure morphological traits without transportation and advanced/expensive microscope machinery. A prime example is the AntWeb.org database, which allows researchers from all over the world to study taxonomic, ecological, or evolutionary questions on the same ant specimens with ease. However, the reproducibility and reliability of morphometric data deduced from AntWeb compared to traditional microscope measurements has not yet been tested. Here, we compared 12 morphological traits of 46 Temnothorax ant specimens measured either directly by stereomicroscope on physical specimens or via the widely used open‐access software tpsDig utilizing AntWeb digital images. We employed a complex statistical framework to test several aspects of reproducibility and reliability between the methods. We estimated (i) the agreement between the measurement methods and (ii) the trait value dependence of the agreement, then (iii) compared the coefficients of variation produced by the different methods, and finally, (iv) tested for systematic bias between the methods in a mixed modeling‐based statistical framework. The stereomicroscope measurements were extremely precise. Our comparisons showed that agreement between the two methods was exceptionally high, without trait value dependence. Furthermore, the coefficients of variation did not differ between the methods. However, we found systematic bias in eight traits: apart from one trait where software measurements overestimated the microscopic measurements, the former underestimated the latter. Our results shed light on the fact that relying solely on the level of agreement between methods can be highly misleading. In our case, even though the software measurements predicted microscope measurements very well, replacing traditional microscope measurements with software measurements, and especially mixing data collected by the different methods, might result in erroneous conclusions. We provide guidance on the best way to utilize virtual specimens (2D z‐stacked images) as a source of morphometric data, emphasizing the method's limitations in certain fields and applications.
Is excessive ventricular irregularity predictive of rehospitalization in patients with permanent AF and HFpEF?
Authors: Chaumont Corentin , Omouri Lisa , Savouré Arnaud , Al Hamoud Raphaël , Fauvel Charles , Godin Bénédicte , Eltchaninoff Hélène , Anselme Frédéric 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAimsThere are currently limited therapeutic approaches for patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) who have developed permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to analyse the impact of ventricular irregularity on heart failure rehospitalization in patients with permanent AF and HFpEF.Methods and resultsAll 24 h ambulatory Holter monitoring performed in our centre within a month after a first heart failure hospitalization were screened. Patients with HFpEF and permanent AF were included in the retrospective analysis. The following parameters of ventricular irregularity were calculated over the 24 h recording period: standard deviation of all RR intervals (SDNN), coefficient of variation of SDNN (CV‐SDNN = SDNN/mean RR), root of the mean squared differences of successive RR intervals (RMSSD), and percentage of consecutive RR intervals with difference over 50 ms (pNN50). The primary endpoint was rehospitalization for acute heart failure (HFrH). From 2010 to 2021, 51/216 screened patients were included. During a median follow‐up of 3.13 years, 29/51 patients reached the primary endpoint. HFrH patients had higher SDNN (205 ± 65 vs. 154 ± 46 ms; P < 0.01), CV‐SDNN (26 ± 8% vs. 19 ± 5%, P < 0.01), RMSSD (182 ± 47 vs. 138 ± 65 ms, P = 0.013), and pNN50 (76 ± 9 vs. 58 ± 26, P < 0.001) when compared with patients with no HFrH. In multivariate analysis, all those parameters remained significantly associated with HFrH.ConclusionsIn this pilot study, we found some evidences for a deleterious impact of excessive ventricular irregularity on HFrH in AF patients with HFpEF. Those new findings could pave the way for new prognosis and therapeutic approaches in this patients' population.