bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Gradient pH‐Sensitive Polymer‐Based Antiviral Strategy via Viroporin‐Induced Membrane Acidification
Authors: Sun Yizhe , Gong Lidong , Yin Yue , Zhang Lei , Sun Qiangming , Feng Kai , Cui Yimin , Zhang Qiang , Zhang Xuehui , Deng Xuliang , You Fuping , Lu Dan , Lin Zhiqiang 
Published: February 2022

AbstractLipid‐membrane‐targeting strategies hold great promise to develop broad‐spectrum antivirals. However, it remains a big challenge to identify novel membrane‐based targets of viruses and virus‐infected cells for development of precision targeted approaches. Here, it is discovered that viroporins, viral‐encoded ion channels, which have been reported to mediate release of hydrogen ions, trigger membrane acidification of virus‐infected cells. Through development of a fine‐scale library of gradient pH‐sensitive (GPS) polymeric nanoprobes, the cellular membrane pH transitions are measured from pH 6.8–7.1 (uninfection) to pH 6.5–6.8 (virus‐infection). In response to the subtle pH alterations, the GPS polymer with sharp response at pH 6.8 (GPS6.8) selectively binds to virus‐infected cell membranes or the viral envelope, and even completely disrupts the viral envelope. Accordingly, GPS6.8 treatment exerts suppressive effects on a wide variety of viruses including SARS‐CoV‐2 through triggering viral‐envelope lysis rather than affecting immune pathway or viability of host cells. Murine viral‐infection models exhibit that supplementation of GPS6.8 decreases viral titers and ameliorates inflammatory damage. Thus, the gradient pH‐sensitive nanotechnology offers a promising strategy for accurate detection of biological pH environments and robust interference with viruses.
Boron Phosphide Films by Reactive Sputtering: Searching for a P‐Type Transparent Conductor
Authors: Crovetto Andrea , Adamczyk Jesse M. , Schnepf Rekha R. , Perkins Craig L. , Hempel Hannes , Bauers Sage R. , Toberer Eric S. , Tamboli Adele C. , Unold Thomas , Zakutayev Andriy 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWith an indirect band gap in the visible and a direct band gap at a much higher energy, boron phosphide (BP) holds promise as an unconventional p‐type transparent conductor. This work reports on reactive sputtering of amorphous BP films, their partial crystallization in a P‐containing annealing atmosphere, and extrinsic doping by C and Si. The highest hole concentration to date for p‐type BP (5 × 1020cm−3) is achieved using C doping under B‐rich conditions. Furthermore, bipolar doping is confirmed to be feasible in BP. An anneal temperature of at least 1000 °C is necessary for crystallization and dopant activation. Hole mobilities are low and indirect optical transitions are stronger than that predicted by theory. Low crystalline quality probably plays a role in both cases. High figures of merit for transparent conductors might be achievable in extrinsically doped BP films with improved crystalline quality.
3D and 4D Printing of Complex Structures of FeMnSi‐Based Shape Memory Alloy Using Laser Powder Bed Fusion
Authors: Kim Dohyung , Ferretto Irene , Leinenbach Christian , Lee Wookjin 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe additive manufacturing of shape memory materials, commonly known as 4D printing, facilitates the achievement of a complex 3D structure that possesses a temperature‐dependent shape change functionality. Herein, it is demonstrated that complex 3D structures of Fe‐based shape memory alloys (Fe‐SMAs) can be produced through a 3D printing process of laser powder bed fusion (L‐PBF). The 3D printed Fe‐SMA shows good mechanical properties with much higher strength and stiffness than those in shape memory polymers. The printed Fe‐SMAs manifest shape recovery behavior, demonstrating that material‐inherent functional behaviors can be combined with the functionalities of the complex 3D structures to facilitate shape morphing, self‐healing, and auxetic behavior and to achieve a lattice structure with extraordinary specific strength.
Optical Properties and Optimization of LaB6 Thin Films for Photothermal Applications
Authors: Sugavaneshwar Ramu Pasupathi , Handegård Ørjan Sele , Doan Anh Tung , Ngo Thien Duc , Tran Toan Phuoc , Ngo Hai Dang , Dao Thang Duy , Ishii Satoshi , Otani Shigeki , Nagao Tadaaki 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe growth of highly crystalline LaB6 films with an excellent optical response and low loss is reported, which will be useful for high‐performance photothermal device applications when combined with their inherent refractory properties. Optimum growth parameters for realizing uniaxial and coherent LaB6 thin films, exhibiting an excellent plasmonic response for near‐ to mid‐infrared device applications, are established. Numerical electromagnetic simulations of the epitaxial LaB6 nanostructures revealed that the electromagnetic field at the LaB6 surface can be as high as that of the Au nanostructures. Furthermore, the LaB6 nanostructures show resonance in the visible (red) to mid‐infrared region comparable to those of Au with the added advantage of improved temperature stability that can withstand harsh photothermal device operations.
Near‐Infrared Electroluminescent Light‐Emitting Transistors Based on CVD‐Synthesized Ambipolar ReSe2 Nanosheets
Authors: Mathew Roshan Jesus , Cheng Kai‐Hsiang , Hsu Ching‐Hong , Chand Pradyumna Kumar , Paul Inbaraj Christy Roshini , Peng Yu‐Lou , Yang Jung‐Yen , Lee Chih‐Hao , Chen Yit‐Tsong 
Published: February 2022

AbstractNear‐infrared light‐emitting technology is ideal for noncontact diagnostic medical imaging and high‐speed data communications. High‐quality ReSe2 nanosheets of anisotropic single‐crystal structure with a bandgap of 1.26 eV (≈984 nm) are synthesized with an atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) method. The as‐synthesized ReSe2 nanosheets‐fabricated light‐emitting transistors (LETs) exhibit nearly symmetric ambipolar characteristics in electrical transport. Judicious selection of asymmetric platinum (Pt)/chromium (Cr) electrodes, with their work functions matching respectively the conduction‐ and valence‐band edges of ambipolar ReSe2, generates a low turn‐on voltage ReSe2‐LET with the balanced number density and field‐effect mobility of bipolar carriers (i.e., electrons and holes). Room‐temperature near‐infrared electroluminescence (NIR EL) from the frequency‐modulated ReSe2‐LET has been observed unprecedentedly with the assistance of a lock‐in detection system. The NIR EL intensity is tested by varying the bias voltage applied to the ReSe2‐LET devices with different channel lengths. The wavelength of the NIR EL from ReSe2‐LET is differentiated with optical bandpass filters. Room‐temperature angle‐dependent two lobe‐shaped EL pattern manifests the inherent anisotropic in‐plane excitonic polarization of the ReSe2 crystal. The highly stable NIR EL from ReSe2‐LETs provides prospective 2D material‐based ultrathin scalable data communication electronics for future development.
Atomic‐Scale Observation of Off‐Centering Rattlers in Filled Skutterudites
Authors: Ge Zhen‐Hua , Li Wen‐Jie , Feng Jing , Zheng Fengshan , Jia Chun‐Lin , Wu Di , Jin Lei 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAs one of the most fundamental order parameters, the coordinate order of atoms is a cornerstone in determining the physical and chemical properties of materials. Off‐centering shifts of atoms from their centrosymmetric positions, a phenomenon that is closely related to symmetry breaking and structural transitions in crystals, is of key importance in modifying a broad range of fundamental properties, such as ferroelectricity, antiferroelectricity, and piezoelectricity. In thermoelectric materials, which can be used to directly interconvert heat to electricity, off‐centering has been proposed in, e.g., lead tellurides, halide perovskites, type I and II clathrates, and filled skutterudites, to be the physical origin of the experimentally measured exceptionally low thermal conductivity, but only indirectly supported from structural refinements and experimental/theoretical vibration mode analyses. In this work, Yb partially filled and Ce fully filled skutterudite is taken as a model system for directly measuring the off‐centering shifts of filler atoms, i.e., rattlers, with picometer precision in real space, by means of atomic‐resolution negative spherical aberration imaging transmission electron microscopy. This finding allows an in‐depth understanding of the relationship between the off‐centering and the thermoelectric performance, and the presented methodology here is also applicable to investigate the off‐centering phenomena in other functional materials, e.g., ferroelectrics and solar cells.
High‐Frequency Light Rectification by Nanoscale Plasmonic Conical Antenna in Point‐Contact‐Insulator‐Metal Architecture
Authors: Mupparapu Rajeshkumar , Cunha Joao , Tantussi Francesco , Jacassi Andrea , Summerer Leopold , Patrini Maddalena , Giugni Andrea , Maserati Lorenzo , Alabastri Alessandro , Garoli Denis , Proietti Zaccaria Remo 
Published: February 2022

AbstractNumerous efforts have been undertaken to develop rectifying antennas operating at high frequencies, especially dedicated to light harvesting and photodetection applications. However, the development of efficient high frequency rectifying antennas has been a major technological challenge both due to a lack of comprehension of the underlying physics and limitations in the fabrication techniques. Various rectification strategies have been implemented, including metal‐insulator‐metal traveling‐wave diodes, plasmonic nanogap optical antennas, and whisker diodes, although all show limited high‐frequency operation and modest conversion efficiencies. Here a new type of rectifying antenna based on plasmonic carrier generation is demonstrated. The proposed structure consists of a resonant metallic conical nano‐antenna tip in contact with the oxide surface of an oxide/metal bilayer. The conical shape allows for an improved current generation based on plasmon‐mediated electromagnetic‐to‐electron conversion, an effect exploiting the nanoscale‐tip contact of the rectifying antenna, and proportional to the antenna resonance and to the surface‐electron scattering. Importantly, this solution provides rectification operation at 280 THz (1064 nm) with a 100‐fold increase in efficiency compared to previously reported results. Finally, the conical rectifying antenna is also demonstrated to operate at 384 THz (780 nm), hence paving a way toward efficient rectennas toward the visible range.
A New PEDOT Derivative for Efficient Organic Solar Cell with a Fill Factor of 0.80
Authors: Kang Qian , Liao Qing , Yang Chenyi , Yang Yi , Xu Bowei , Hou Jianhui 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAlthough PEDOT:PSS is the most prominently used conducting polymer as hole transporting layer (HTL) material in organic solar cells (OSCs), the strong acidity of PEDOT:PSS has been proved to cause corrosion on electrodes, which is largely responsible for device instability. At present, the development of a non‐corrosive and stable PEDOT with comparable performance to PEDOT:PSS remains a great challenge in the field. Herein, a solid n‐PEDOT:POM powder with neutral pH is synthesized by utilizing polyoxometalate (POM) as an oxidizing reagent, which exhibits excellent water solubility, high chemical stability, and superior hole collection ability. Impressively, an amazing fill factor of 0.80 along with a photovoltaic efficiency of 17.62% is obtained in the OSC by using n‐PEDOT:POM as the HTL, suggesting an exceptional hole collection ability for n‐PEDOT:POM. In addition, the neutral pH of PEDOT:PSS effectively improves the long‐term stability of OSCs. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results reveal that, compared to the electrode/PEDOT:PSS interface, the permeation of dissociative indium from the electrode to n‐PEDOT:POM can be greatly retarded, which proves the non‐corrosive effect of n‐PEDOT:POM and its improvement of device stability. The successful preparation of a non‐corrosive and stable PEDOT derivative without sacrificing its hole collection ability provides the most fruitful new insight into developing high‐performance HTL materials.
Favorable Energy Band Alignment of TiO2 Anatase/Rutile Heterophase Homojunctions Yields Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution with Quantum Efficiency Exceeding 45.6%
Authors: Ruan Xiaowen , Cui Xiaoqiang , Cui Yi , Fan Xiaofeng , Li Zhiyun , Xie Tengfeng , Ba Kaikai , Jia Guangri , Zhang Haiyan , Zhang Lei , Zhang Wei , Zhao Xiao , Leng Jing , Jin Shengye , Singh David J. , Zheng Weitao 
Published: February 2022

AbstractDeveloping the technology for high yielding photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reactions is an important challenge. Development and optimization of photocatalytic junctions is a likely route for achieving this if heterojunctions with suitable band alignments can be achieved in sufficiently high‐density form. Here, a novel anatase‐TiO2/H‐rutile‐TiO2 heterophase homojunction system with near optimum energy band alignment is reported. The resulting as‐prepared catalyst exhibits an excellent photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 29.63 mmol g–1 h–1 under UV–vis light irradiation and an outstanding apparent quantum efficiency of 45.6% at 365 nm. The significant improvement is ascribed to near perfect lattice matching in combination with the rapid separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers in anatase‐TiO2/H‐rutile‐TiO2 heterophase homojunctions. In situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron spin resonance spin‐trapping tests, femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, steady‐state surface photovoltage spectroscopy, and transient‐state surface photovoltage with additional ex situ characterizations and theoretical calculations show that the mechanism is enhanced transfer of photogenerated carriers in the anatase‐TiO2/H‐rutile‐TiO2 catalyst. This work provides a pathway for enhancing photocatalytic performance through optimization of heterojunctions.
A relationship among the blood serum levels of interleukin‐6, albumin, and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D and frailty in elderly patients with chronic coronary syndrome
Authors: Dai Jing‐rong , Li, Jie , He, Xu , Huang, Hong , Li Yan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundWith the aggravation of the aging of the world population, frailty has become one of the common complications in elderly people. Its diagnosis is not objective, the pathogenesis is not clear, and interventions are not sound, thus intensifying the problem. Furthermore, frailty is closely associated with the occurrence and poor prognosis of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. Moreover, few studies report on the prevalence of frailty in elderly patients with the chronic coronary syndrome (CCS).ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the prevalence of frailty in elderly patients with CCS. We analyzed the correlation between the blood serum levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), albumin (Alb), and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) with frailty in elderly patients with CCS. We have also provided recommendations for helping the objective diagnosis as well as proposed new intervention methods in the future.MethodsTwo hundred eight‐eight inpatients (≥60 years) with the chronic coronary syndrome were recruited at the Department of Geriatrics, the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, China. General information and laboratory examination data were collected. The comprehensive geriatric assessment was conducted via an internet‐based platform of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (inpatient version) developed by us, among which frailty was assessed by the Chinese version of Fried Frailty Phenotype, a component of the assessment scale.ResultsAmong the total number of old patients with CCS, 87 (30.2%) had no frailty, 93 (32.3%) had early frailty, and 108 (37.5%) had frailty. According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for confounding factors, IL‐6 (OR = 1.066, 95% CI 1.012–1.127), Alb (OR = 0.740, 95% CI 0.560–0.978), and 25(OH)D (OR = 0.798, 95% CI 0.670–0.949) were independently associated with frailty in the three groups of models.ConclusionIL‐6 proved to be a risk factor for frailty in elderly patients with CCS, while Alb and 25(OH)D were protective factors, which make the potential targets for predicting and intervening frailty in elderly patients with CCS.
Predator avoidance and food patch proximity influence sleeping site use of Assamese macaques in a limestone forest of Southwest Guangxi, China
Authors: Liu Guanghua , Liu Shengyuan , Li Youbang , Huang Zhonghao 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectivesWe investigated the sleeping site use of one group of Assamese macaques in Southwest Guangxi, China. We examined their behavioral adaptation to limestone forests by evaluating hypotheses of predator avoidance, food proximity, and range or resource defense.Materials and MethodsWe recorded the locations of sleeping sites on a topographic map using a grid cell method and mapped the use of foraging patches within the home range.ResultsAssamese macaques used 19 different sleeping sites, mainly located on cliffs. They rapidly entered sleeping sites and then remained silent. They preferred three sites but never used them for more than four consecutive nights. Sleeping site use was positively correlated with the number of surrounding foraging patches, but the distances between sleeping sites and the last/first feeding areas (84.16 ± 41.26 and 94.88 ± 45.83 m, respectively) were not affected by seasonal fluctuations in fruit availability; these distances were longer than those predicted under a multiple central place foraging (MCPF) strategy but shorter than those predicted under a central place foraging (CPF) strategy. The observed distances between the sleeping sites and the first feeding areas in the rainy season were similar to the predicted distances of an MCPF strategy. The macaques slept in peripheral parts of their home range as expected, and there were no conflicts with neighboring groups.DiscussionSleeping site use was strongly affected by predator avoidance and proximity to food resources, but not by resource defense. The vertical distribution of sleeping sites on hills was not influenced by fruit availability. The macaques are closer to using an MCPF strategy to maximize food harvest efficiency, particularly in the rainy season. Assamese macaques' sleeping site use in limestone forests supports the hypotheses of predator avoidance and food proximity.
CSF biomarkers and plasma p‐tau181 as predictors of longitudinal tau accumulation: Implications for clinical trial design
Authors: Moscoso Alexis , Karikari Thomas K. , Grothe Michel J. , Ashton Nicholas J. , Lantero‐Rodriguez Juan , Snellman Anniina , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Schöll Michael 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIntroductionClinical trials targeting tau in Alzheimer's disease (AD) need to recruit individuals at risk of tau accumulation. Here, we studied cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers and plasma phosphorylated tau (p‐tau)181 as predictors of tau accumulation on positron emission tomography (PET) to evaluate implications for trial designs.MethodsWe included older individuals who had serial tau‐PET scans, baseline amyloid beta (Aβ)‐PET, and baseline CSF biomarkers (n = 163) or plasma p‐tau181 (n = 74). We studied fluid biomarker associations with tau accumulation and estimated trial sample sizes and screening failure reductions by implementing these markers into participant selection for trials.ResultsP‐tau181 in CSF and plasma predicted tau accumulation (r > 0.36, P < .001), even in AD‐continuum individuals with normal baseline tau‐PET (A+T–; r > 0.37, P < .05). Recruitment based on CSF biomarkers yielded comparable sample sizes to Aβ‐PET. Prescreening with plasma p‐tau181 reduced up to ≈50% of screening failures.DiscussionClinical trials testing tau‐targeting therapies may benefit from using fluid biomarkers to recruit individuals at risk of tau aggregation.
Versatile Vibrational Energy Sensors for Proteins
Authors: Löffler Jan G. , Deniz Erhan , Feid Carolin , Franz Valentin G. , Bredenbeck Jens 
Published: February 2022

AbstractVibrational energy transfer (VET) is emerging as key mechanism for protein functions, possibly playing an important role for energy dissipation, allosteric regulation, and enzyme catalysis. A deep understanding of VET is required to elucidate its role in such processes. Ultrafast VIS‐pump/IR‐probe spectroscopy can detect pathways of VET in proteins. However, the requirement of having a VET donor and a VET sensor installed simultaneously limits the possible target proteins and sites; to increase their number we compare six IR labels regarding their utility as VET sensors. We compare these labels in terms of their FTIR, and VET signature in VET donor‐sensor dipeptides in different solvents. Furthermore, we incorporated four of these labels in PDZ3 to assess their capabilities in more complex systems. Our results show that different IR labels can be used interchangeably, allowing for free choice of the right label depending on the system under investigation and the methods available.
Deep Downregulation of PD‐L1 by Caged Peptide‐Conjugated AIEgen/miR‐140 Nanoparticles for Enhanced Immunotherapy
Authors: Dai Jun , Hu Jing‐Jing , Dong Xiaoqi , Chen Biao , Dong Xiyuan , Liu Rui , Xia Fan , Lou Xiaoding 
Published: February 2022

AbstractDownregulating programmed cell death ligand 1(PD‐L1) protein levels in tumor cells is an effective way to achieve immune system activation for oncology treatment, but current strategies are inadequate. Here, we design a caged peptide‐AIEgen probe (GCP) to self‐assemble with miR‐140 forming GCP/miR‐140 nanoparticles. After entering tumor cells, GCP/miR‐140 disassembles in the presence of Cathepsin B (CB) and releases caged GO203 peptide, miR‐140 and PyTPA. Peptide decages in the highly reductive intracellular environment and binds to mucin 1 (MUC1), thereby downregulating the expression of PD‐L1. Meanwhile, miR‐140 reduces PD‐L1 expression by targeting downregulation of PD‐L1 mRNA. Under the action of PyTPA‐mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT), tumor‐associated antigens are released, triggering immune cell attack on tumor cells. This multiple mechanism‐based strategy of deeply downregulating PD‐L1 in tumor cells activates the immune system and thus achieves effective immunotherapy.
Reconfiguration and Reorganization of Bottlebrush Polymer Surfactants
Authors: Seong Hong‐Gyu , Chen Zhan , Emrick Todd , Russell Thomas P. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBottlebrush random copolymers (BRCPs), having randomly distributed hydrophilic and hydrophobic side chains, are shown to reconfigure into hydrophilic‐rich and hydrophobic‐rich conformations at liquid–liquid interfaces to reduce interfacial energy. Both the degree of polymerization (NBB) and extent of grafting in these BRCPs were found to impact surface coverage and assembly kinetics. The time‐dependence of the interfacial tension is described as the sum of two exponential relaxation functions characterizing BRCP diffusion, interfacial adsorption, and reorganization. Interfacial tension (γ) and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) results showed that higher molecular weight BRCPs require longer time to adsorb to the water–oil interface, but less time for interfacial reorganization. Overall, this work describes fundamental principles of BRCP assembly at liquid–liquid interfaces, with implications pertaining to polymer design with enhanced understanding of emulsification, adhesion, and related properties in fluids and at interfaces.