bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Solution epitaxy of polarization-gradient ferroelectric oxide films with colossal photovoltaic current
Authors: Lin Chen , Zhang Zijun , Dai Zhenbang , Wu Mengjiao , Liu Shi , Chen Jialu , Hua Chenqiang , Lu Yunhao , Zhang Fei , Lou Hongbo , Dong Hongliang , Zeng Qiaoshi , Ma Jing , Pi Xiaodong , Zhou Dikui , Wu Yongjun , Tian He , Rappe Andrew M. , Ren Zhaohui , Han Gaorong 
Published: April 2023

AbstractSolution growth of single-crystal ferroelectric oxide films has long been pursued for the low-cost development of high-performance electronic and optoelectronic devices. However, the established principles of vapor-phase epitaxy cannot be directly applied to solution epitaxy, as the interactions between the substrates and the grown materials in solution are quite different. Here, we report the successful epitaxy of single-domain ferroelectric oxide films on Nb-doped SrTiO3 single-crystal substrates by solution reaction at a low temperature of ~200 oC. The epitaxy is mainly driven by an electronic polarization screening effect at the interface between the substrates and the as-grown ferroelectric oxide films, which is realized by the electrons from the doped substrates. Atomic-level characterization reveals a nontrivial polarization gradient throughout the films in a long range up to ~500 nm because of a possible structural transition from the monoclinic phase to the tetragonal phase. This polarization gradient generates an extremely high photovoltaic short-circuit current density of ~2.153 mA/cm2 and open-circuit voltage of ~1.15 V under 375 nm light illumination with power intensity of 500 mW/cm2, corresponding to the highest photoresponsivity of ~4.306×10−3 A/W among all known ferroelectrics. Our results establish a general low-temperature solution route to produce single-crystal gradient films of ferroelectric oxides and thus open the avenue for their broad applications in self-powered photo-detectors, photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices.
Associations between in vitro, in vivo and in silico cell classes in mouse primary visual cortex
Authors: Wei Yina , Nandi Anirban , Jia Xiaoxuan , Siegle Joshua H. , Denman Daniel , Lee Soo Yeun , Buchin Anatoly , Van Geit Werner , Mosher Clayton P. , Olsen Shawn , Anastassiou Costas A. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe brain consists of many cell classes yet in vivo electrophysiology recordings are typically unable to identify and monitor their activity in the behaving animal. Here, we employed a systematic approach to link cellular, multi-modal in vitro properties from experiments with in vivo recorded units via computational modeling and optotagging experiments. We found two one-channel and six multi-channel clusters in mouse visual cortex with distinct in vivo properties in terms of activity, cortical depth, and behavior. We used biophysical models to map the two one- and the six multi-channel clusters to specific in vitro classes with unique morphology, excitability and conductance properties that explain their distinct extracellular signatures and functional characteristics. These concepts were tested in ground-truth optotagging experiments with two inhibitory classes unveiling distinct in vivo properties. This multi-modal approach presents a powerful way to separate in vivo clusters and infer their cellular properties from first principles.
Wafer-scale high-κ dielectrics for two-dimensional circuits via van der Waals integration
Authors: Lu Zheyi , Chen Yang , Dang Weiqi , Kong Lingan , Tao Quanyang , Ma Likuan , Lu Donglin , Liu Liting , Li Wanying , Li Zhiwei , Liu Xiao , Wang Yiliu , Duan Xidong , Liao Lei , Liu Yuan 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe practical application of two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors for high-performance electronics requires the integration with large-scale and high-quality dielectrics—which however have been challenging to deposit to date, owing to their dangling-bonds-free surface. Here, we report a dry dielectric integration strategy that enables the transfer of wafer-scale and high-κ dielectrics on top of 2D semiconductors. By utilizing an ultra-thin buffer layer, sub-3 nm thin Al2O3 or HfO2 dielectrics could be pre-deposited and then mechanically dry-transferred on top of MoS2 monolayers. The transferred ultra-thin dielectric film could retain wafer-scale flatness and uniformity without any cracks, demonstrating a capacitance up to 2.8 μF/cm2, equivalent oxide thickness down to 1.2 nm, and leakage currents of ~10−7 A/cm2. The fabricated top-gate MoS2 transistors showed intrinsic properties without doping effects, exhibiting on-off ratios of ~107, subthreshold swing down to 68 mV/dec, and lowest interface states of 7.6×109 cm−2 eV−1. We also show that the scalable top-gate arrays can be used to construct functional logic gates. Our study provides a feasible route towards the vdW integration of high-κ dielectric films using an industry-compatible ALD process with well-controlled thickness, uniformity and scalability.
Targeted and high-throughput gene knockdown in diverse bacteria using synthetic sRNAs
Authors: Cho Jae Sung , Yang Dongsoo , Prabowo Cindy Pricilia Surya , Ghiffary Mohammad Rifqi , Han Taehee , Choi Kyeong Rok , Moon Cheon Woo , Zhou Hengrui , Ryu Jae Yong , Kim Hyun Uk , Lee Sang Yup 
Published: April 2023

AbstractSynthetic sRNAs allow knockdown of target genes at translational level, but have been restricted to a limited number of bacteria. Here, we report the development of a broad-host-range synthetic sRNA (BHR-sRNA) platform employing the RoxS scaffold and the Hfq chaperone from Bacillus subtilis. BHR-sRNA is tested in 16 bacterial species including commensal, probiotic, pathogenic, and industrial bacteria, with >50% of target gene knockdown achieved in 12 bacterial species. For medical applications, virulence factors in Staphylococcus epidermidis and Klebsiella pneumoniae are knocked down to mitigate their virulence-associated phenotypes. For metabolic engineering applications, high performance Corynebacterium glutamicum strains capable of producing valerolactam (bulk chemical) and methyl anthranilate (fine chemical) are developed by combinatorial knockdown of target genes. A genome-scale sRNA library covering 2959 C. glutamicum genes is constructed for high-throughput colorimetric screening of indigoidine (natural colorant) overproducers. The BHR-sRNA platform will expedite engineering of diverse bacteria of both industrial and medical interest.
Circulating cytokine levels in systemic sclerosis related interstitial lung disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Zheng Boyang , Keen Kevin J. , Fritzler Marvin J. , Ryerson Christopher J. , Wilcox Pearce , Whalen Beth A. , Sahin Basak , Yao Iris , Dunne James V. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractExploration of cytokine levels in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is needed to find common and diverse biomolecular pathways. Circulating levels of 87 cytokines were compared amongst 19 healthy controls and consecutive patients with SSc-ILD (n = 39), SSc without ILD (n = 29), and IPF (n = 17) recruited from a Canadian centre using a log-linear model adjusted for age, sex, baseline forced vital capacity (FVC), and immunosuppressive or anti-fibrotic treatment at time of sampling. Also examined was annualized change in FVC. Four cytokines had Holm’s corrected p-values less than 0.05. Eotaxin-1 levels were increased approximately two-fold in all patient categories compared to healthy controls. Interleukin-6 levels were eight-fold higher in all ILD categories compared to healthy controls. MIG/CXCL9 levels increased two-fold more in all but one patient category compared to healthy controls. Levels of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13, (ADAMTS13) were lower for all categories of patients compared to controls. No substantial association was found for any of the cytokines with FVC change. Observed cytokine differences suggest both common and diverse pathways leading to pulmonary fibrosis. Further studies evaluating longitudinal change of these molecules would be informative.
Wave optics of imaging with contact ball lenses
Authors: Maslov A. V. , Jin B. , Astratov V. N. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractRecent progress in microspherical superlens nanoscopy raises a fundamental question about the transition from super-resolution properties of mesoscale microspheres, which can provide a subwavelength resolution $$\sim \lambda /7$$

∼
λ
/
7

, to macroscale ball lenses, for which the imaging quality degrades because of aberrations. To address this question, this work develops a theory describing the imaging by contact ball lenses with diameters $$30<D/\lambda <4000$$

30
<
D
/
λ
<
4000

covering this transition range and for a broad range of refractive indices $$1.3<n<2.1$$

1.3
<
n
<
2.1

. Starting from geometrical optics we subsequently proceed to an exact numerical solution of the Maxwell equations explaining virtual and real image formation as well as magnification M and resolution near the critical index $$n\approx 2$$

n
≈
2

which is of interest for applications demanding the highest M such as cellphone microscopy. The wave effects manifest themselves in a strong dependence of the image plane position and magnification on $$D/\lambda $$

D
/
λ

, for which a simple analytical formula is derived. It is demonstrated that a subwavelength resolution is achievable at $$D/\lambda \lesssim 1400$$

D
/
λ
≲
1400

. The theory explains the results of experimental contact-ball imaging. The understanding of the physical mechanisms of image formation revealed in this study creates a basis for developing applications of contact ball lenses in cellphone-based microscopy.
mRNA markers associated with malignant pleural effusion
Authors: Hsu Shih-Chang , Chang Shan-Yueh , Hwang Yi-Ting , Terng Harn-Jing , Tsai Chen-Liang , Shen Chih-Hao , Huang Shau Ku , Chian Chih‑Feng 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMalignant pleural effusions (MPE) commonly result from malignant tumors and represent advanced-stage cancers. Thus, in clinical practice, early recognition of MPE is valuable. However, the current diagnosis of MPE is based on pleural fluid cytology or histologic analysis of pleural biopsies with a low diagnostic rate. This research aimed to assess the diagnostic ability of eight previously identified Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)-associated genes for MPE. In the study, eighty-two individuals with pleural effusion were recruited. There were thirty-three patients with MPE and forty-nine patients with benign transudate. mRNA was isolated from the pleural effusion and amplified by Quantitative real-time PCR. The logistic models were further applied to evaluate the diagnostic performance of those genes. Four significant MPE-associated genes were discovered in our study, including Dual-specificity phosphatase 6 (DUSP6), MDM2 proto-oncogene (MDM2), Ring finger protein 4 (RNF4), and WEE1 G2 Checkpoint Kinase (WEE1). Pleural effusion with higher expression levels of MDM2 and WEE1 and lower expression levels of RNF4 and DUSP6 had a higher possibility of being MPE. The four-gene model had an excellent performance distinguishing MPE and benign pleural effusion, especially for pathologically negative effusions. Therefore, the gene combination is a suitable candidate for MPE screening in patients with pleural effusion. We also identified three survival-associated genes, WEE1, Neurofibromin 1 (NF1), and DNA polymerase delta interacting protein 2 (POLDIP2), which could predict the overall survival of patients with MPE.
Water and heat exchanges in mammalian lungs
Authors: Haut Benoit , Karamaoun Cyril , Mauroy Benjamin , Sobac Benjamin 
Published: April 2023

AbstractA secondary function of the respiratory system of the mammals is, during inspiration, to heat the air to body temperature and to saturate it with water before it reaches the alveoli. Relying on a mathematical model, we propose a comprehensive analysis of this function, considering all the terrestrial mammals (spanning six orders of magnitude of the body mass, M) and focusing on the sole contribution of the lungs to this air conditioning. The results highlight significant differences between the small and the large mammals, as well as between rest and effort, regarding the spatial distribution of heat and water exchanges in the lungs, and also in terms of regime of mass transfer taking place in the lumen of the airways. Interestingly, the results show that the mammalian lungs appear to be designed just right to fully condition the air at maximal effort (and clearly over-designed at rest, except for the smallest mammals): all generations of the bronchial region of the lungs are mobilized for this purpose, with calculated values of the local evaporation rate of water from the bronchial mucosa that can be very close to the maximal ability of the serous cells to replenish this mucosa with water. For mammals with a mass above a certain threshold ($$\simeq 5$$

≃
5

kg at rest and $$\simeq 50$$

≃
50

g at maximal effort), it appears that the maximal value of this evaporation rate scales as $$M^{-1/8}$$

M

-
1
/
8

at rest and $$M^{-1/16}$$

M

-
1
/
16

at maximal effort and that around 40% (at rest) or 50% (at maximal effort) of the water/heat extracted from the lungs during inspiration is returned to the bronchial mucosa during expiration, independently of the mass, due to a subtle coupling between different phenomena. This last result implies that, above these thresholds, the amounts of water and heat extracted from the lungs by the ventilation scale with the mass such as the ventilation rate does (i.e. as $$M^{3/4}$$

M

3
/
4

at rest and $$M^{7/8}$$

M

7
/
8

at maximal effort). Finally, it is worth to mention that these amounts appear to remain limited, but not negligible, when compared to relevant global quantities, even at maximal effort (4–6%).
Plasma mineral status after a six-month intervention providing one egg per day to young Malawian children: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Perez-Plazola Marina , Diaz Jenna , Stewart Christine P. , Arnold Charles D. , Caswell Bess L. , Lutter Chessa K. , Werner E. Rochelle , Maleta Kenneth , Turner Jay , Prathibha Pradeep , Liu Xuan , Gyimah Emmanuel , Iannotti Lora 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMineral deficiencies are common in children living in low-resource areas. Eggs are a rich source of essential nutrients and have been shown to improve growth in young children, although little is known about their impact on mineral status. Children aged 6–9 months (n = 660) were randomized to receive either one egg/day for 6-months or no intervention. Anthropometric data, dietary recalls, and venous blood were collected at baseline and 6-months follow-up. Quantification of plasma minerals (n = 387) was done using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. Difference-in-difference mean plasma mineral concentrations was determined from baseline and follow-up values and assessed between groups by intention-to-treat using ANCOVA regression models. Prevalence of zinc deficiency was 57.4% at baseline and 60.5% at follow-up. Mean difference (MD) of plasma magnesium, selenium, copper, and zinc levels were not different between groups. Plasma iron concentrations were significantly lower in the intervention compared to the control group (MD = − 9.29; 95% CI: − 15.95, − 2.64). Zinc deficiency was widely prevalent in this population. Mineral deficiencies were not addressed with the egg intervention. Further interventions are needed to improve the mineral status of young children.
Food allergens in oral care products
Authors: Coimbra Luísa , Costa Isabel Margarida , Evangelista José Grillo , Figueiredo Alexandra 
Published: April 2023

AbstractFood allergies are a growing concern, especially in Western societies and can dramatically impact the quality of life of affected individuals. In recent years, various food allergens have been introduced into the oral care industry to improve product properties and provide the best possible treatment. Since small doses of food allergens may be sufficient to trigger allergic reactions, the non-discrimination of the sources of certain excipients in the product composition can compromise the patient's health. Therefore, knowledge and awareness of allergies and product composition among health professionals are critical on behalf of patients’ and consumers’ health. This study aimed to ascertain the presence of dairy products (e.g., cow's milk proteins and lactose), cereals (e.g., gluten, soy, and oats), fruits, nuts, spices, shellfish, and additives as excipients in oral care products for outpatients and products for professional use in the Dental Office. Among the 387 surveyed products, the highest prevalence of food allergens was found in toothpaste, fluoride varnishes, and alginates, mostly in spices and fresh fruits. As food allergies may occur because of erroneous information or a lack of labeling on the allergen list, manufacturers should be more rigorous in declaring allergens on product labeling regarding the safety of consumers.
Non-carcinogenic and cumulative risk assessment of exposure of kitchen workers in restaurants and local residents in the vicinity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: Shamsedini Narges , Dehghani Mansooreh , Samaei Mohammad Reza , Nozari Majid , Bahrany Shayan , Tabatabaei Zeynab , Azhdarpoor Aboolfazl , Hoseini Mohammad , Fararoei Mohammad , Roosta Sareh 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are often formed when organic substances do not burn completely. This study evaluates the non-carcinogenic and cumulative risks associated with PAHs levels by testing blood and urine samples in kitchen workers and residents near restaurants in Shiraz, Iran. Metabolites of PAH in the urine samples as well as clinical parameters in the blood samples were measured. The non-carcinogenic and cumulative risk assessments from exposure of the study groups to PAH metabolites were also evaluated. The highest average concentrations of PAH metabolites were related to kitchen workers (2126.7 ng/g creatinine (ng/g cr)). The metabolites of 1-Hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and 9-Phenanthrene (9-OHPhe) had the highest and lowest mean concentrations, respectively. A direct correlation was observed between the levels of PAH metabolites with malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidation capacity (TAC) levels (p < 0.05). Hazard Index (HIi) was obtained less than one (HIi < 1), indicating low-risk negative health impacts on the target groups. Nevertheless, conducting more studies to determine the health status of these people is quite evident.
High concentrations of soluble endoglin can inhibit BMP9 signaling in non-endothelial cells
Authors: Andersson-Rusch Clara , Liu Bin , Quist-Løkken Ingrid , Upton Paul D. , Olsen Oddrun Elise , Hella Hanne , Yang Xudong , Tong Zhen , Morrell Nicholas W. , Holien Toril , Li Wei 
Published: April 2023

AbstractEndoglin (ENG) is a single-pass transmembrane protein highly expressed on vascular endothelial cells, although low expression levels can be detected in many other cell types. Its extracellular domain can be found in circulation known as soluble endoglin (sENG). Levels of sENG are elevated in many pathological conditions, in particular preeclampsia. We have shown that while loss of cell surface ENG decreases BMP9 signaling in endothelial cells, knocking down ENG in blood cancer cells enhances BMP9 signaling. Despite sENG binding to BMP9 with high affinity and blocking the type II receptor binding site on BMP9, sENG did not inhibit BMP9 signaling in vascular endothelial cells, but the dimeric form of sENG inhibited BMP9 signaling in blood cancer cells. Here we report that in non-endothelial cells such as human multiple myeloma cell lines and the mouse myoblast cell line C2C12, both monomeric and dimeric forms of sENG inhibit BMP9 signaling when present at high concentrations. Such inhibition can be alleviated by the overexpression of ENG and ACVRL1 (encoding ALK1) in the non-endothelial cells. Our findings suggest that the effects of sENG on BMP9 signaling is cell-type specific. This is an important consideration when developing therapies targeting the ENG and ALK1 pathway.
Movements and spatial usage of harbour seals in the Elbe estuary in Germany
Authors: van Neer Abbo , Nachtsheim Dominik , Siebert Ursula , Taupp Thomas 
Published: April 2023

AbstractHarbour seals are top predators in the North Sea and regarded as sentinels for ecosystem health. A few hundred also occur in adjacent estuaries, such as the Elbe estuary, Germany. However, only little is known about how these animals use this dynamic tidally influenced habitat, which has been under high anthropogenic pressure for decades. In this context, nine harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) from the Elbe estuary were equipped with biotelemetry devices to track their movements over multiple months. Harbour seal movements were characterised by short trips (trip length outside pupping season for females: 9.0 ± 1.12 km, males: 7.0 ± 1.24 km) as well as small home ranges (median 50% home range for females: 16.3 km2, males: 36.1 km2) compared to harbour seals from marine regions. Within the estuary, the animals utilised the fairway, river branches and tributaries. During the pupping season in June and July, four seals showed strongly reduced trip lengths and durations, increased daily haul out durations as well as smaller home ranges. Even though a continuous exchange with harbour seals from the Wadden Sea likely occurs, most individuals in this study spent the entire deployment duration inside the estuary. This indicates that the Elbe estuary provides a suitable habitat for harbour seals, despite extensive anthropogenic usage, calling for further studies on the consequences of living in such an industrialised habitat.
Pioglitazone use increases risk of Alzheimer's disease in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving insulin
Authors: Lin Hsin-Chung , Chung Chi-Hsiang , Chen Lih-Chyang , Wang Jui-Yang , Chen Chien-Chou , Huang Kuo-Yang , Tsai Ming-Hang , Chien Wu-Chien , Lin Hsin-An 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPioglitazone is an insulin resistance inhibitor widely used as monotherapy or combined with metformin or insulin in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study further investigated the relationship between pioglitazone use and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) in patients newly diagnosed with T2DM, and examined the potential impact of insulin use on this association. Data were extracted from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. Our data exhibited that the risk of developing AD in the pioglitazone group was 1.584-fold (aHR = 1.584, 95% CI 1.203–1.967, p < 0.05) higher than that in the non-pioglitazone controls. Compared to patients without both insulin and pioglitazone, higher cumulative risk of developing AD was found in patients receiving both insulin and pioglitazone (aHR = 2.004, 95% CI = 1.702–2.498), pioglitazone alone (aHR = 1.596, 95% CI = 1.398–1.803), and insulin alone (aHR = 1.365, 95% CI = 1.125–1.572), respectively (all p < 0.05). A similar observation also found in the evaluation the use of diabetic drugs with a cumulative defined daily dose (cDDD). No interaction between pioglitazone and major risk factors (comorbidities) of AD was observed. In conclusion, alternative drug therapies may be an effective strategy for reducing risk of developing AD in T2DM patients.