bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nanofiber Topographies Enhance Platelet‐Fibrinogen Scaffold Interactions
Authors: Kenny Martin , Stamboroski Stephani , Taher Reem , Brüggemann Dorothea , Schoen Ingmar 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe initial contact with blood and its components, including plasma proteins and platelets, directs the body's response to foreign materials. Natural scaffolds of extracellular matrix or fibrin contain fibrils with nanoscale dimensions, but how platelets specifically respond to the topography and architecture of fibrous materials is still incompletely understood. Here, planar and nanofiber scaffolds are fabricated from native fibrinogen to characterize the morphology of adherent platelets and activation markers for phosphatidylserine exposure and α‐granule secretion by confocal fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Different fibrinogen topographies equally support the spreading and α‐granule secretion of washed platelets. In contrast, preincubation of the scaffolds with plasma diminishes platelet spreading on planar fibrinogen surfaces but not on nanofibers. The data show that the enhanced interactions of platelets with nanofibers result from a higher locally accessible surface area, effectively increasing the ligand density for integrin‐mediated responses. Overall, fibrinogen nanofibers direct platelets toward robust adhesion formation and α‐granule secretion while minimizing their procoagulant activity. Similar results on fibrinogen‐coated polydimethylsiloxane substrates with micrometer‐sized 3D features suggest that surface topography could be used more generally to steer blood‐materials interactions on different length scales for enhancing the initial wound healing steps.
High‐Performance Organic Solar Modules via Bilayer‐Merged‐Annealing Assisted Blade Coating
Authors: Fan Jing‐Yuan , Liu Zhi‐Xi , Rao Jack , Yan Kangrong , Chen Zeng , Ran Yixin , Yan Buyi , Yao Jizhong , Lu Guanghao , Zhu Haiming , Li Chang‐Zhi , Chen Hongzheng 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAlthough encouraging progress is being made on spin‐coated prototype cells, organic solar cells (OSCs) still face significant challenges, yet to be explored, for upscaling the multi‐stacked photoactive layers in the construction of large‐area modules. Herein, high‐performance opaque and semitransparent organic solar modules are developed via a bilayer‐merged‐annealing (BMA)‐assisted blade‐coating strategy, achieving impressive efficiencies of 14.79% and 12.01% with respect to active area of 18.73 cm2, which represent the best organic solar minimodules so far. It is revealed that the BMA strategy effectively resolves the de‐wetting issues between polar charge transport layer solution and non‐polar bulk heterojunction blends, hence improving the film coverage, along with electronic and electric contacts of multi‐stacked photoactive layers. As result, organic solar modules coated under ambient conditions successfully retain the high‐efficiency of small‐area cells upon 312 times area scaling‐up. Overall, this work provides a facile and effective method to fabricate high‐performance organic solar modules under ambient conditions.
Coalescent‐based species delimitation in North American pinyon pines using low‐copy nuclear genes and plastomes
Authors: Montes José‐Rubén , Peláez Pablo , Moreno‐Letelier Alejandra , Gernandt David S. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractPremiseAccurate species delimitation is essential for evolutionary biology, conservation, and biodiversity management. We studied species delimitation in North American pinyon pines,PinussubsectionCembroides,a natural group with high levels of incomplete lineage sorting.MethodsWe used coalescent‐based methods and multivariate analyses of low‐copy number nuclear genes and nearly complete high‐copy number plastomes generated with the Hyb‐Seq method. The three coalescent‐based species delimitation methods evaluated were the Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC), Poisson Tree Process (PTP), and Trinomial Distribution of Triplets (Tr2). We also measured admixture in populations with possible introgression.ResultsOur results show inconsistencies among GMYC, PTP, and Tr2. The single‐locus based GMYC analysis of plastid DNA recovered a higher number of species (up to 24 entities, including singleton lineages and clusters) than PTP and the multi‐locus coalescent approach. The PTP analysis identified 10 species whereas Tr2 recovered 13, which agreed closely with taxonomic treatments.ConclusionsWe found that PTP and GMYC identified species with low levels of ILS and high morphological divergence (P.maximartinezii,P.pinceana, andP.rzedowskii). However, GMYC method oversplit species by identification of more divergent samples as singletons. Moreover, both PTP and GMYC were incapable of identifying some species that are readily identified morphologically. We suggest that the divergence times between lineages within North American pinyon pines are so disparate that GMYC results are unreliable. Results of the Tr2 method coincided well with previous delimitations based on morphology, DNA, geography, and secondary chemistry.
A comparison of full model specification and backward elimination of potential confounders when estimating marginal and conditional causal effects on binary outcomes from observational data
Authors: Luijken Kim , Groenwold Rolf H. H. , van Smeden Maarten , Strohmaier Susanne , Heinze Georg 
Published: May 2022

AbstractA common view in epidemiology is that automated confounder selection methods, such as backward elimination, should be avoided as they can lead to biased effect estimates and underestimation of their variance. Nevertheless, backward elimination remains regularly applied. We investigated if and under which conditions causal effect estimation in observational studies can improve by using backward elimination on a prespecified set of potential confounders. An expression was derived that quantifies how variable omission relates to bias and variance of effect estimators. Additionally, 3960 scenarios were defined and investigated by simulations comparing bias and mean squared error (MSE) of the conditional log odds ratio, log(cOR), and the marginal log risk ratio, log(mRR), between full models including all prespecified covariates and backward elimination of these covariates. Applying backward elimination resulted in a mean bias of 0.03 for log(cOR) and 0.02 for log(mRR), compared to 0.56 and 0.52 for log(cOR) and log(mRR), respectively, for a model without any covariate adjustment, and no bias for the full model. In less than 3% of the scenarios considered, the MSE of the log(cOR) or log(mRR) was slightly lower (max 3%) when backward elimination was used compared to the full model. When an initial set of potential confounders can be specified based on background knowledge, there is minimal added value of backward elimination. We advise not to use it and otherwise to provide ample arguments supporting its use.
Improving learning experiences in software engineering capstone courses using artificial intelligence virtual assistants
Authors: González Luis A. , Neyem Andrés , Contreras‐McKay Ignacio , Molina Danilo 
Published: May 2022

AbstractStudents of Software Engineering Capstone Courses face situations and challenges that grant them valuable experiences. However, as this knowledge is acquired through real‐life exposure, it is difficult to transmit it across different generations. To deal with this problem, it has been proposed that students record their learnings through a lesson learned model. But the question of how future students can best benefit from these records remains unanswered. This study addresses this problem through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Virtual Assistant combined with a recommender system. Artificial Intelligence Virtual Assistants, as conversational chatbots, are a manifestation of AI via the simulation of conversation with human users. The technology has the potential to provide personalized service to a range of stakeholders. Thus, we seek to move this trend forward by now pushing these capabilities into the field of higher education. Consequently, we aim to assist software engineering students by leveraging collective knowledge to enhance learning experiences.
Molecular and clinical characteristics of IDH mutations in Chinese NSCLC patients and potential treatment strategies
Authors: Chen Shuchen , Zhu Honglin , Jin Meizi , Yuan Hongling , Liu Zhenzhen , Li Jielin , Zhang Xiang , Meng Lihui , Li Ting , Diao Yuzhu , Gao Hong , Hong Chengyu , Zhu Xinjiang , Zheng Jian , Li Fei , Niu Yanling , Ma Tonghui , Li Xiaoling 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundIsocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) is an appealing target for anticancer therapy, and IDH (IDH1/2) inhibitors have been approved for targeted therapy of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Cholangiocarcinoma. The therapeutic potential of IDH inhibitors for non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients is under active clinical investigation. Thus, it would be necessary and meaningful to study the molecular and clinical characteristics of IDH mutation in NSCLC patients, especially in the Chinese population.MethodsA total of 17,978 Chinese patients with NSCLC who underwent next ‐generation sequencing (NGS) testing were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsWe identified 161 unique IDH mutations in 361 of 17,978 patients (2.01%). Common active‐site mutations, including IDH1R100, IDH1R132, IDH2R140, and IDH2R172, were detected in 154 patients (0.86%) and were associated with male sex (p = 0.004) and older age (p = 0.02). The IDH mutation spectra observed in NSCLC were quite different from those in glioma or AML. Patients with IDH active‐site mutations exhibited significantly higher coalterations in KRAS (p. G12/13/61, 22.1% vs. 8.2%, p < 0.001) or BRAF (p. V600E, 6.5% vs. 1.0%, p < 0.001), but significantly lower coalterations in activating EGFR (e18–e20, 22.7 vs. 37.9%, p < 0.001) than IDH wild‐type patients. Furthermore, we found that active‐site IDH mutations were correlated with a short PFS (2–5.6 months) and short OS (2–9.5 months), which may arise as a resistance mechanism against common targeted drugs. In vitro, we experimentally observed that the combination of an IDH inhibitor and EGFR TKI could better inhibit lung cancer cell proliferation than an EGFR TKI alone.ConclusionsTaken together, this study reveals the molecular and clinical characteristics of IDH mutations in Chinese NSCLC patients and provides a theoretical basis for IDH‐directed treatment. The potential of IDH mutations as response markers for targeted therapy warrants further investigation.
Installing Reduction Responsiveness into Biomolecules by Introducing Nitroaryl Groups
Authors: Higashi Sayuri L. , Shintani Yuki , Ikeda Masato 
Published: May 2022

AbstractArtificially synthesized stimuli‐responsive biomolecules are attractive as molecular tools for monitoring and modulating biological systems. In biological systems, redox stimuli are common, and their dysregulation is typically linked to various abnormal or disease states. In this Concept article, the molecular design of reduction‐responsive biomolecules, such as peptides, nucleic acids, and saccharides, which are produced by introducing nitroaryl groups into them, is reviewed with a special emphasis on simple 4‐nitrobenzene‐based motifs.
Covalent functionalization of boron nitride nanotubes through photo‐initiated chemical vapour deposition
Authors: Torres‐Castillo Cristina S. , Tavares Jason R. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBoron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are analogous nanostructures to carbon nanotubes (CNTs), possessing similar properties such as Young's modulus and thermal conductivity, but superior resistance to oxidation and thermal stability. In addition, BNNTs are insulating materials, whereas CNTs are electrically conductive. They could be used as reinforcements in polymeric matrices as heat dissipators or as protective coatings in harsh environments. However, when incorporating them into polymers, one main drawback is their tendency to agglomerate. To improve their dispersion, covalent surface modification can be applied, with solvent‐free approaches being preferred. Herein, we used syngas photo‐initiated chemical vapour deposition (PICVD) to incorporate oxygen functionalities on the surface of BNNT. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed a highly oxidized BNNT surface after treatment. In addition, a decrease in water contact angle and an increase in surface energy were observed for the treated material. These results open new possibilities to incorporate hydrophilic BNNTs surfaces into polar polymers or other matrices of interest.
Morphology‐Dependent Catalysis of CeO2‐Based Nanocrystal Model Catalysts
Authors: Wen Yang , Huang Qiuyu , Zhang Zhenhua , Huang Weixin 
Published: May 2022

Comprehensive SummaryRecent progress in colloidal synthesis has realized the preparations of uniform nanocrystal (NC) model catalysts with rich and well‐controlled morphologies that were employed to explore structure‐activity relationships of powder catalysts, similar to single‐crystal‐based model catalysts under ultrahigh vacuum conditions but can work at the same conditions as powder catalysts without the “materials gap” and “pressure gap”. In this perspective, the CeO2‐based NC model catalysts with various morphologies are included and their relevant progresses are critically reviewed. The detailed descriptions of morphology‐controlled synthesis and characterizations of uniform CeO2 NCs, and morphology‐dependent catalysis of CeO2‐based NC model catalysts containing pure CeO2 NCs, CeO2‐supported oxide catalysts, and CeO2‐supported metal catalysts, provide us a comprehensive cognition in CeO2‐involved catalytic reactions and also open up a new approach for the fundamental studies of complex heterogeneous catalysis. Finally, a concept of oxide‐based NC model catalysts and outlook of oxide NCs acting not only as model catalysts for the fundamental study but also as the support in tailoring structures and optimizing performance of oxide‐involved catalysts are discussed.
Synthesis of Bimodal Distributed Cyclic Olefin Copolymers with Improved Tensile Properties
Authors: Wang Feng , Huang Dong , Gao Huan , Wang Fei , Pan Li , Li Yuesheng 
Published: May 2022

Comprehensive SummaryEthylene/norbornene(NBE) copolymers are the most representative and widely‐used cyclic olefin copolymers (COCs). Higher NBE content in COCs leads to higher transparency, glass transition temperature and mechanical strength, but also makes the COC more brittle and therefore hampers its end uses. In this study, to improve the brittleness of COCs while maintaining their high strength, heat‐resistant and transparency, bimodal distributed COCs have been prepared via two selective catalysts reactive blending in one pot. The shape of the molecular weight distribution curves of the obtained COCs could be easily controlled by adjusting the proportion of the two catalysts. These COCs maintained high glass transition temperature, balanced tensile performance, high transparency. Roles of the molecular weight and NBE incorporation in physical properties of the COC blends were studied. As we proved, the bimodal distribution COCs, which were composed of COC with high NBE incorporation, high molecular weight and COC with low NBE incorporation, low molecular weight, showed evident improvement in tensile properties (elongation at break up to 9.6%, tensile strength beyond 50.5 MPa), which were more flexible than the neat ethylene/NBE copolymer, while their glass transition temperatures were almost equally high (beyond 130°C).
Chlorinated Conjugated Polymer Based on Chlorine‐ and Cyano‐substituted (E)‐1,2‐Di(thiophen‐2‐yl)ethane for Ambipolar and n‐Type Organic Thin‐film Transistors
Authors: Zhang Yulong , Zhang Chan , Su Yunran , Dong Weijia , Li Yanru , Liu Zhongwei , Yao Xiang , Han Yang , Fei Zhuping 
Published: May 2022

Comprehensive SummaryChlorinated conjugated polymers are rarely reported in ambipolar and n‐type organic thin‐film transistors (OTFTs), mainly due to the lack of chlorinated strong electron‐deficient building blocks. Herein, we report three new chlorine (Cl)‐ and cyano (CN)‐ substituted (E)‐1,2‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl)ethane building blocks and their copolymers P2Cl1CNTVT‐DPP, P4Cl1CNTVT‐DPP and P2Cl2CNTVT‐DPP. P2Cl1CNTVT‐DPP and P2Cl2CNTVT‐DPP had nearly planar backbone geometries, mixture of edge‐on and face‐on orientation and deeper energy levels, while P4Cl1CNTVT‐DPP had a twist backbone geometry, face‐on orientation and shallower energy levels. As a result, P2Cl1CNTVT‐DPP exhibited ambipolar characteristic with hole mobility (μh) of 0.70 cm2·V–1·s–1 and electron mobility (μe) of 0.84 cm2·V–1·s–1 and P2Cl2CNTVT‐DPP exhibited n‐type characteristic with μe of 0.64 cm2·V–1·s–1, while P4Cl1CNTVT‐DPP exhibited the lowest μe of 0.36 cm2·V–1·s–1. The devices based on P2Cl2CNTVT‐DPP exhibited good stability after being stored for 10 d in air. The results demonstrate that by rational molecular design, chlorinated polymers with low cost can be applied to high‐performance ambipolar and n‐type OTFTs.
Using a multi‐model ensemble approach to determine biodiversity hotspots with limited occurrence data in understudied areas: An example using freshwater mussels in México
Authors: Kiser Alexander H. , Cummings Kevin S. , Tiemann Jeremy S. , Smith Chase H. , Johnson Nathan A. , Lopez Roel R. , Randklev Charles R. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractSpecies distribution models (SDMs) are an increasingly important tool for conservation particularly for difficult‐to‐study locations and with understudied fauna. Our aims were to (1) use SDMs and ensemble SDMs to predict the distribution of freshwater mussels in the Pánuco River Basin in Central México; (2) determine habitat factors shaping freshwater mussel occurrence; and (3) use predicted occupancy across a range of taxa to identify freshwater mussel biodiversity hotspots to guide conservation and management. In the Pánuco River Basin, we modeled the distributions of 11 freshwater mussel species using an ensemble approach, wherein multiple SDM methodologies were combined to create a single ensemble map of predicted occupancy. A total of 621 species‐specific observations at 87 sites were used to create species‐specific ensembles. These predictive species ensembles were then combined to create local diversity hotspot maps. Precipitation during the warmest quarter, elevation, and mean temperature were consistently the most important discriminatory environmental variables among species, whereas land use had limited influence across all taxa. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first freshwater mussel‐focused research to use an ensemble approach to determine species distribution and predict biodiversity hotspots. Our study can be used to guide not only current conservation efforts but also prioritize areas for future conservation and study.
Community dynamics of estuarine forage fishes are associated with a latitudinal basal resource regime
Authors: Peake Jonathan A. , MacDonald Timothy C. , Thompson Kevin A. , Stallings Christopher D. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractForage fishes are an important component of marine, estuarine, and aquatic food webs that facilitate the transfer of energy and nutrients from primary producers to upper trophic levels. Previous studies of forage fishes have focused primarily on pelagic planktivorous species in pelagic environments. However, benthically associated taxa can be just as important as planktivorous species, particularly in highly productive estuarine environments that provide critical habitat for many predators. In this study, we analyzed a 20‐year forage fish community composition and abundance dataset across four eastern Gulf of Mexico estuaries spanning a broad latitudinal gradient to investigate spatiotemporal variability in community structure and quantify associations with habitat. Our analyses revealed significant regional structuring of forage fish communities, coupled with a strong association with habitat characteristics related to latitudinal effects and basal resource regime. Communities in the two northern estuaries and two southern estuaries were associated primarily with planktonically reliant and benthically reliant taxa, respectively. Despite regional differences, we uncovered a coherent annual cycle in forage fish communities across all estuaries related to seasonal shifts in abundances of several abundant and ubiquitous species. We additionally revealed significant subdecadal periodicity potentially associated with bottom‐up effects of global climatic cycles. The significant association of forage fish communities with habitat regime shown in this study underlies the importance of continued monitoring of these communities. This study represents a novel approach to assess this critical ecosystem component in diverse estuarine systems globally.
Sphingosine 1‐Phosphate Prevents Human Embryonic Stem Cell Death Following Ischemic Injury
Authors: Assis Juliane L. de , Fernandes Aline M. , Aniceto Bárbara S. , Pompeu Pedro , Banchio Claudia , Girardini Javier , Vieyra Adalberto , Valverde Rafael H. F. , Einicker‐Lamas Marcelo 
Published: May 2022

AbstractCell therapy based on humanembryonic stem cells (hESCs) is a potential treatment for several human diseases caused by ischemic processes. Efficiency and feasibility of these therapies rely on understanding stem cell biology and the interaction and survival of these cells within the injured tissue. hESCs are an important source of diffusible bioactive paracrine modulators and the targets for different signaling molecules that prime cellular tissue repair. Notably, sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) is an emerging bioactive lipid that activates G protein‐coupled receptors, known as S1P receptors (S1PR1–5), promoting cell survival, differentiation, and migration. It is shown that S1P increases cell viability and prevents death in about 50% after the ischemic insult. S1P‐mediated protectiveeffect is attributed to the modulation of S1PR3 and S1PR4 expression, which have been associated with the reperfusion injury salvage kinase/survivoractivating factor enhancement (RISK/SAFE) pathway. Involvement of the SAFE pathway is further verified by applying Janus Kinase (JAK2) and signal transducer and activation of transcription 3 pathway inhibitors, which prevents the S1P protective effect. An increase in sphingosine kinase (SphK) activity is also observed after S1P pretreatment. These results provide evidence for an S1P‐dependent, SphK positive feedback that stimulates hESCs to deliver large amounts of S1P. Thus, S1P protects hESC under ischemic conditions through the different receptors.Practical Applications: It is considered that S1P can be used as an adjuvant to pretreat hESCs prior to the administration in cell therapy‐based protocols for different diseases.