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Neoantigen peptides hold great potential as vaccine candidates for tumor immunotherapy. However, due to the limitation of antigen cellular uptake and cross‐presentation, the progress with neoantigen peptide‐based vaccines has obviously lagged in clinical trials. Here, a stapling peptide‐based nano‐vaccine is developed, comprising a self‐assembly nanoparticle driven by the nucleic acid adjuvant‐antigen conjugate. This nano‐vaccine stimulates a strong tumor‐specific T cell response by activating antigen presentation and toll‐like receptor signaling pathways. By markedly improving the efficiency of antigen/adjuvant co‐delivery to the draining lymph nodes, the nano‐vaccine leads to 100% tumor prevention for up to 11 months and without tumor recurrence, heralding the generation of long‐term anti‐tumor memory. Moreover, the injection of nano‐vaccine with signal neoantigen eliminates the established MC‐38 tumor (a cell line of murine carcinoma of the colon without exogenous OVA protein expression) in 40% of the mice by inducing potent cytotoxic T lymphocyte infiltration in the tumor microenvironment without substantial systemic toxicity. These findings represent that stapling peptide‐based nano‐vaccine may serve as a facile, general, and safe strategy to stimulate a strong anti‐tumor immune response for the neoantigen peptide‐based personalized tumor immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contact‐electrification at solid–liquid interfaces (SL‐CE) and contact‐electro‐catalysis (CEC) are two blooming research areas with promising applications in sustainable energy, sensing, and chemical processes. However, prior research has neglected the impact of electronic defects on the ability of high‐performance tribo‐materials, like fluorinated polymers, to perform SL‐CE/CEC. Here, through first‐principle calculations, the addition of surface functional groups to fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) enables the tuning of its molecular orbitals' positions, and displacing deep‐level defect states from the HOMO‐LUMO gap is shown. Thereafter, FEP films are modified accordingly by plasma etching; resulting in a significant performance improvement of up to 202% (charge) in SL‐CE experiments, and up to 398% (kinetic rate) in CEC dye degradation. This study provides a theoretical and experimental framework to design high‐performance materials for SL‐CE and CEC, and insights into their physical mechanisms and defect passivation, which are all fundamental for the advancement of these fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

n‐Bu4NI/K2S2O8 mediated C−N coupling between aldehydes and amides is reported. A strong electronic effect is observed on the aromatic aldehyde substrates. The transformylation from aldehyde to amide takes place exclusively when an aromatic aldehyde bears electron‐donating groups at either the ortho or para position of the formyl group, while the cross‐dehydrogenative coupling dominates in the absence of these groups. Both the density functional theory (DFT) thermochemistry calculations and experimental data support the proposed single electron transfer mechanism with the formation of an acyl radical intermediate in the cross‐dehydrogenative coupling. The n‐Bu4NI/K2S2O8 mediated oxidative cyclization between 2‐aminobenzamide and aldehydes is also reported, with four quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones prepared in 65–99 % yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

n‐Bu4NI/K2S2O8 mediated transformylation from p‐anisaldehyde to primary amides is reported. The mechanistic studies suggest the reaction occurs via a single electron transfer pathway. Based on the DFT electronic structure calculations of various reaction pathways, the most plausible mechanism involves the formation of a phenyl radical cation and an arenium ion as the key intermediates. It represents the first example where p‐anisaldehyde is employed as a formyl source via a non‐metal mediated Csp2−Csp2 bond cleavage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A robust stratigraphic framework and a coherent depositional ramp model for the Zitai, Dawan, Meitan and Ningkuo formations of Floian–Darriwilian age (Early–Middle Ordovician) in the Yangtze (Daoba, Xiangshuidong, Daling, Gudongkou and Honghuayuan sections) and Jiangnan regions (Nanba section) was created based on lithofacies and major element analysis. Three siliciclastic (LF1–3) and six carbonate (LF4–9) lithofacies are recognized representing sediments that were deposited in mixed siliciclastic and carbonate ramp environment. The intensity of mixed sedimentation and terrigenous input were evaluated using the elemental proxies Intensity of Mixed sedimentation (IM) and Aluminum Accumulation Rate (AlAR), as well as their mean values during certain time intervals. Mixed sediments are most well‐developed along the marginal Yangtze region, strongly impacted by recurrent influx of westerly derived terrigenous materials in response to global eustatic changes and regional tectonic movements, shaping the gently southeast‐dipping morphology. Regular terrigenous influx resulted in periods of enhanced primary productivity on the Yangtze Ramp as evidenced by matching biodiversity peaks in planktonic organisms, i.e., chitinozoans and acritarchs. Brachiopods and other shelly fauna were also able to proliferate as new niches developed along the gently dipping ramp floor with substrate changes. The biodiversification patterns suggest that terrigenous influx controlled in part by regional tectonics played a more important role than previously thought in the development of Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event in South China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic protocells are minimal systems that mimic certain properties of natural cells and are used to research the emergence of life from a nonliving chemical network. Currently, coacervate microdroplets, which are formed via liquid–liquid phase separation, are receiving wide attention in the context of cell biology and protocell research; these microdroplets are notable because they can provide liquid‐like compartment structures for biochemical reactions by creating highly macromolecular crowded local environments. In this review, an overview of recent research on the formation of coacervate microdroplets through phase separation; the design of coacervate‐based stimuli‐responsive protocells, multichamber protocells, and membranized protocells; and their cell mimic behaviors, is provided. The simplified protocell models with precisely defined and tunable compositions advance the understanding of the requirements for cellular structure and function. Efforts are then discussed to establish signal communication systems in protocell and protocell consortia, as communication is a fundamental feature of life that coordinates matter exchanges and energy fluxes dynamically in space and time. Finally, some perspectives on the challenges and future developments of synthetic protocell research in biomimetic science and biomedical applications are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histone lysine crotonylation (Kcr) is one newly discovered acylation modification and regulates numerous pathophysiological processes. The binding affinity between Kcr and its interacting proteins is generally weak, which makes it difficult to effectively identify Kcr‐interacting partners. Changing the amide of crotonyl to an ester increased reactivity with proximal cysteines and retained specificity for Kcr antibody. The probe "H3g27Cr" was designed by incorporating the ester functionality into a H3K27 peptide. Using this probe, multiple Kcr‐interacting partners including STAT3 were successfully identified, and this has not been reported previously. Further experiments suggested that STAT3 possibly could form complexes with Histone deacetylase HDACs to downregulate the acetylation and crotonylation of Histone H3K27. Our unique design provided intriguing tools to further explore Kcr‐interacting proteins and elucidate their working mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical bath deposition (CBD) has been demonstrated as a remarkable technology to fabricate high‐quality SnO2 electron transport layer (ETL) for large‐area perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, surface defects always exist on the SnO2 film coated by the CBD process, impairing the devices' performance. Here, a facile periodic acid post‐treatment (PAPT) method is developed to modify the SnO2 layer. Periodic acid can react with hydroxyl groups on the surface of SnO2 films and oxidize Tin(II) oxide to Tin(IV) oxide. With the help of periodic acid, a better energy level alignment between the SnO2 and perovskite layers is achieved. In addition, the PAPT method inhibits interfacial nonradiative recombination and facilitates charge transportation. Such a multifunctional strategy enables to fabricate PSC with a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.25%, which remains 93.32% of its initial efficiency after 3000 h without any encapsulation. Furthermore, 3 × 3 cm2 perovskite mini‐modules are presented, achieving a champion efficiency of 18.10%. All these results suggest that the PAPT method is promising for promoting the commercial application of large‐area PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to reproduce signal transduction and cellular communication in artificial cell systems is significant in synthetic protobiology. Here, we describe an artificial transmembrane signal transduction through low pH‐mediated formation of the i‐motif and dimerization of DNA‐based artificial membrane receptors, which is coupled to the occurrence of fluorescence resonance energy transfer and the activation of G‐quadruplex/hemin‐mediated fluorescence amplification inside giant unilamellar vesicles. Moreover, an intercellular signal communication model is established when the extravesicular H+ input is replaced by coacervate microdroplets, which activate the dimerization of the artificial receptors, and subsequent fluorescence production or polymerization in giant unilamellar vesicles. This study represents a crucial step towards designing artificial signalling systems with environmental response, and provides an opportunity to establish signalling networks in protocell colonies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cambrian cnidarian Cambroctoconus orientalis occurs in clusters exhibiting pendent growth in crypts within thrombolite frameworks. Here we successfully reconstruct its three‐dimensional (3D) in situ mode of life. The 3D reconstruction shows the initial individuals of colonies and attachment structures, budding sites and growth modes of coralla in response to the extent of sheltered spaces. The earliest individuals were attached to the framework by a suction‐cup‐like structure and were basically orthogonal to the walls, growing downward. Their calicular bases were pierced by a hole. Individuals were initially cylindrical and gradually formed an octagonal column during growth. Budding occurred everywhere, and toroidal budding traces are abundant upon the corallite surfaces. The attachment structures were secondarily reinforced by continuous secretion from the coenenchymal tissue. Offsets continued to grow only when sufficient growth space was available, while producing as many individuals as possible. Growth of individuals was commonly halted by the surrounding framework. Growth directions were in part modified by corallite curvature to avoid collisions between corallites and to make full use of the intricate void spaces. In deteriorating conditions, offset corallites appeared through regeneration rather than budding from the remaining soft tissues. Active exploitation of the sheltered spaces within thrombolites, which remained dominant during the Cambrian, was thus conducted by C. orientalis. Notably, the cryptobionts treated herein adopted subtle growth strategies that have not previously been fully understood and are not easily interpreted with reference to organisms living in open spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In filter bank multi‐carrier (FBMC) with offset quadrature amplitude modulation (OQAM) systems, the major limitation of FBMC‐OQAM signaling is the high peak‐to‐average power ratio (PAPR). High PAPR results in increased hardware complexity and is also prone to non‐linear effects of high‐power amplifiers (HPA). The existing HPA energy‐efficient optimization strategies are constrained severely by the scarcity and heterogeneity of signal distribution in the degree of freedom. This paper theorizes the optimal FBMC‐OQAM signal distribution, which has a global and steady feature and evaluates the maximal HPA efficiency‐suited multi‐carrier modulation (MCM) signal. This paper first proposes that the Binary Particle Swarm Optimization based Partial Transmit Sequence (BPSO‐PTS) with the Input‐Back Off Modulation Error Ratio (IBO‐MER) scheme traces the signal distribution for maximal HPA efficiency to save supply‐side energy. This paper further proposes Continuous‐Unconstrained Particle Swarm Optimization based PTS(CUPSO‐PTS) with IBO‐MER to obtain the theoretical boundaries and drastically accelerate convergence in the continuous‐unconstrained searching space. To decrease the computational complexity of MER calculation, this paper proposes the CUPSO with IBO Signal‐to‐Distortion Ratio (IBO‐SDR), enabling it to meet more practical applications. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme outperforms conventional IBO and HPA efficiency schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhibition of amyloid‐β peptide (Aβ) aggregation is a promising therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD), as Aβ aggregation is generally believed to trigger AD pathology. Pre‐fibril Aβ‐oligomers induce membrane disruption and are crucial to neurotoxicity. We have previously designed a short peptide called cyclic helical amyloid surface inhibitor (cHASI) that can selectively bind to the Aβ fibril surface. Here, we use cHASI to efficiently inhibit the surface‐catalysed secondary nucleation process of Aβ in a lipid membrane environment. By incubating Aβ monomers with lipid vesicles, we show that during the assembly of Aβ into amyloid fibrils, oligomers are formed that markedly disrupt the lipid bilayer. Remarkably, when Aβ monomers are incubated with cHASI, although Aβ forms amyloid fibrils via primary nucleation and elongation, this pathway to fibrils does not damage the lipid bilayer. This indicates that only oligomers produced during secondary surface nucleation disrupt membrane integrity. The protective effect of cHASI is confirmed by cytotoxicity assays. Our study highlights the therapeutic potential for inhibiting the secondary nucleation process in Aβ aggregation, rather than inhibiting all pathways to fibril formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Saline‐sodic lands threaten the food supply and ecological security in the western Songnen Plain of northeast China, and the gypsum is commonly adopted for restoration. However, the dynamics of soil bacterial community and the correlation with crop yield during restoring processes remain poorly understood. Here, we elucidated the soil chemical properties and bacterial communities and their associations with rice yield under different flue gas desulphurization gypsum (FGDG) application rates combined with brackish ice leaching. RESULTS: The increased application rate of FGDG generally improved soil reclamation effects, as indicated by soil chemical properties, bacterial diversity, and rice yield. Compared with fresh ice irrigation, the rice yield in brackish ice treatment increased by 15.84%, and the soil alkalinity and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) decreased by 35.19% and 10.30%, respectively. The bacterial alpha diversity significantly correlated and predicted rice yield as early as brackish ice melt, suggesting the bacterial diversity was a sensitive indicator in predicting rice yield. Meanwhile, the bacterial communities in the control possessed a high abundance of oligotrophic Firmicutes, while eutrophic bacterial taxa (e.g. Proteobacteria) were enriched after brackish water irrigation and FGDG application. Moreover, we also established a Random Forest model and identified a bacterial consortium that explained an 80.0% variance of rice yield. CONCLUSION: Together, our results highlight the reclaiming effect of brackish ice in the saline‐sodic field and demonstrate the sensitivity and importance of the soil bacterial community in predicting crop yield, which would provide essential knowledge on the soil quality indication and bio‐fertilizer development for soil reclamation. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protolepidodendralean lycopsid Leclercqia represents one of the best studied Devonian plants, with a worldwide distribution, but is not known from the palaeocontinents that constitute the present northeastern China. Two species of the genus, Leclercqia cf. L. complexa and Leclercqia sp., are described for the first time from the Hanuo Obo Formation of Dong Ujimqin Qi, Inner Mongolia, northeastern China, an area poorly documented by record of early vascular plants. The first species is characterized by three‐dimensional, five‐tipped leaves, which show a long, downwardly recurved, central segment and two pairs of short, lateral segments, while the latter species bears seven‐tipped leaves and more robust axes. Our discovery confirms that the Hanuo Obo Formation is a distinctive lithological unit in Inner Mongolia, and suggests a Middle to Late Devonian (but no later than Frasnian) age for this formation based on the global spatio‐temporal occurrence of Leclercqia. The present finding indicates the spread of protolepidodendraleans to the Xing'an Block, or a part of the Mongolian Block, representing the northernmost distribution of this group during the Devonian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

8‐Oxo‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (OG) is the most common DNA lesion. Notably, OG becomes more susceptible to oxidative damage than the undamaged nucleoside, forming mutagenic products in vivo. Herein the reactions of singlet O2 with the radical cations of 8‐oxo‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (OG.+) and 9‐methyl‐8‐oxoguanine (9MOG.+) were investigated using ion‐molecule scattering mass spectrometry, from which barrierless, exothermic O2‐addition products were detected for both reaction systems. Corroborated by static reaction potential energy surface constructed using multi‐reference CASPT2 theory and molecular dynamics simulated in the presence of the reactants′ kinetic and internal energies, the C5‐terminal O2‐addition was pinpointed as the most probable reaction pathway. By elucidating the reaction mechanism, kinetics and dynamics, and reaction products and energetics, this work constitutes the first report unraveling the synergetic damage of OG by ionizing radiation and singlet O2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water erosion affects soil carbon (C) loss and C enrichment in deposited sediment. To better understand the dynamics of water erosion and topsoil C loss with sediments after vegetation restoration, we studied the sediment yield from each rainfall event over two growing seasons (June through October) in four runoff plots with different vegetation covers (Robinia pseudoacacia, Spiraea salicifolia, Stipa bungeana, and bare soil) in an eroding soil landscape on the Chinese Loess Plateau in 2016 and 2017. The results showed that the C loss in the deposited sediments was reduced by 99.0 ± 0.5% when the soil was vegetated compared to bare soil. Decreased organic C enrichment ratios were shown under the vegetation cover (2.14 ± 0.68 for tree cover, 1.34 ± 0.20 for shrub cover, and 1.63 ± 0.26 for grass cover) compared to bare soil (2.65 ± 0.99). The decreasing organic C enrichment ratios were affected by the fractional vegetation coverage and soil organic C concentration. During organic C enrichment in the bare soil, the additional particulate organic C or mineral‐associated organic C were based on the C enrichment ratio. The results can improve our understanding of C enrichment processes under different vegetation covers and help predict the C enrichment ratio in a vegetation restoration area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peroxidase‐mimicking nanozymes such as Fe3O4 nanoparticles are promising substitutes for natural enzymes like horseradish peroxidase. However, most such nanozymes work efficiently only in acidic conditions. In this work, the influence of various liposomes on nanozyme activity was studied. By introducing negatively charged liposomes, peroxidase‐mimicking nanozymes achieved oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in neutral and even alkaline conditions, although the activity towards anionic 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) was inhibited. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles adsorbed on the liposomes without disrupting membrane integrity as confirmed by fluorescence quenching, dye leakage assays, and cryo‐electron microscopy. Stabilization of the blue‐colored oxidized products of TMB by electrostatic interactions was believed to be the reason for the enhanced activity. This work has introduced lipids to nanozyme research, and it also has practically important applications for using nanozymes at neutral pH, such as the detection of hydrogen peroxide and glucose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work employed a polystyrene sphere as a template to synthesize a hollow nanocomposite with gold‐embedded zeolitic imidazolate framework‐67 (H‐Au@ZIF‐67). The morphological and structural characteristics of the prepared composite were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and energy‐disperse spectroscopy, indicating that H‐Au@ZIF‐67 with a sunflower‐shaped cross section was successfully prepared. The synthesized H‐Au@ZIF‐67 was used to construct a dopamine electrochemical sensor, which showed good linearity scope of 0.25–438.75 μM with a high sensitivity of 332.1 μA mM−1 cm−2 and low detection limit of 0.04 μM. These results showed that the H‐Au@ZIF‐67 can be a good electrode modification material for dopamine sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cambrian coral Cambroctoconus occurs selectively in the crypts of calcimicrobe Epiphyton reefs of the Zhangxia Formation (Miaolingian) in Shandong Province, North China. These cryptobionts preferentially grow laterally and/or downward, in some cases showing pendent growth from the ceilings of the reef framework. The upside‐down growth is clearly shown by the downward‐oriented aperture and the presence of fork‐like holdfasts at its base. The coral aggregations reveal two cryptic growth strategies: one involves the prevalence of far smaller individuals in vertically narrow spaces; the other involves the predominance of modular individuals in large cavernous spaces. Offset individuals frequently appear projecting downward and are connected to each other in a chain‐like fashion. Individuals often undergo rejuvenescence laterally and downward, when the growth directions may change. Therefore, the size and modularity of individuals and the direction of budding depend largely upon the cryptic microenvironments available at the time. The cryptobionts make the best use of vacant spaces by modifying the location of budding and altering their growth directions through rejuvenescence. The cryptic growth strategies found in Cambroctoconus indicate a certain degree of morphological variability in the modules. More importantly, they indicate that the individuals flexibly and exquisitely utilized the microbial crypts that were still predominant even during the middle Cambrian. These modes of cryptic growth demonstrate the age‐specific exploitation of niches by sessile skeletal organisms that was facilitated by the development of a firm attachment structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immobilization of compartmentalized microscale objects in 3D hydrogels provides a step towards the modular assembly of soft functional materials with tunable architectures and distributed functionalities. Herein, we report the use of a combination of micro‐compartmentalization, immobilization, and modularization to fabricate and assemble hydrogel‐based microreactor assemblies comprising millions of functionalized polysaccharide–polynucleotide coacervate droplets. The heterogeneous hydrogels can be structurally fused by interfacial crosslinking and coupled as input and output modules to implement a UV‐induced photocatalytic/peroxidation nanoparticle/DNAzyme reaction cascade that generates a spatiotemporal fluorescence read‐out depending on the droplet number density, intensity of photoenergization, and chemical flux. Our approach offers a route to heterogeneous hydrogels with endogenous reactivity and reconfigurable architecture, and provides a step towards the development of soft modular materials with programmable functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata (Araneae: Lycosidae) is an important biological control agent against rice pests in the paddy ecosystem. Vitellogenin (Vg) is the precursor of the yolk protein and is crucial for reproduction in P. pseudoannulata. We have identified three full‐length cDNAs encoding vitellogenins. The PpVg1 transcript is 5598 bp long, with an open reading frame (ORF) of 5379 bp encoding a 1792 amino acid protein. The PpVg2 transcript is 5394 bp long, with an ORF of 5205 bp encoding a 1734 amino acid protein. The PpVg3 transcript is 5229 bp long, with an ORF of a 5019 bp encoding a 1672 amino acid protein. Typical domains are found in all PpVgs sequences, including an N‐terminal lipoprotein domain, a DUF1943 domain and the von Willebrand factor type D domain. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that PpVg1, PpVg2 and PpVg3 are grouped with other arachnid Vgs. PpVg1 and PpVg2 are more closely related to Parasteatoda tepidariorum vitellogenin, whereas PpVg3 is segregated into a single clade in the arachnid group. Expression analysis by a quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction shows that PpVg1, PpVg2 and PpVg3 are mainly expressed in adult females. Mating elicite an increase in the transcription levels of PpVg1 and PpVg2, and the expression level of PpVg3 is up‐regulated after first oviposition. The present study represents the first report with respect to the molecular characterization and expression patterns for the spider vitellogenin and will greatly facilitate our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of P. pseudoannulata reproduction. Three full‐length cDNAs encoding vitellogenins are first identified and characterized in wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata.The PpVgs show conserved structural characteristics with respect to other insect and arachnid Vgs.Different PpVgs have different expression patterns and functions. Mating elicites an up‐regulation of PpVg1 and PpVg2. The expression level of PpVg3 is up‐regulated after first oviposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics of biophysical regulations of carbon fluxes can have a major effect on an ecosystems' carbon budget. Only a handful of comprehensive assessments of such dynamics exist. To better understand the carbon cycle, we measured all major carbon flux by biophysical regulations including rainfall, runoff, infiltration, and sediment yield at eight runoff plots in an eroding soil landscape on the Chinese Loess Plateau, a typical vegetation restoration area for the region. Results show that topsoil carbon flux by infiltration into deep soil layers was the largest efflux from topsoil in plots with vegetation, followed by runoff and sediment carbon effluxes. On the contrary, the carbon flux by sediment was the largest efflux from topsoil in plot without vegetation, followed by infiltration and runoff carbon effluxes. Total topsoil carbon flux by biophysical regulations to the deep layer is about 71 ± 10% of the typical carbon sequestration rate in the region. Topsoil carbon sequestration capacity might be underestimated by up to 43 ± 3% if the infiltrated carbon was not factored into estimates. The results of this study improve understanding of soil carbon dynamics and expand the dynamic carbon replacement hypothesis; photosynthesis replaces not only lateral carbon lost by erosion but also vertical carbon lost by infiltration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings during sleep are often contaminated by muscle and ocular artefacts, which can affect the results of spectral power analyses significantly. However, the extent to which these artefacts affect EEG spectral power across different sleep states has not been quantified explicitly. Consequently, the effectiveness of automated artefact‐rejection algorithms in minimizing these effects has not been characterized fully. To address these issues, we analysed standard 10‐channel EEG recordings from 20 subjects during one night of sleep. We compared their spectral power when the recordings were contaminated by artefacts and after we removed them by visual inspection or by using automated artefact‐rejection algorithms. During both rapid eye movement (REM) and non‐REM (NREM) sleep, muscle artefacts contaminated no more than 5% of the EEG data across all channels. However, they corrupted delta, beta and gamma power levels substantially by up to 126, 171 and 938%, respectively, relative to the power level computed from artefact‐free data. Although ocular artefacts were infrequent during NREM sleep, they affected up to 16% of the frontal and temporal EEG channels during REM sleep, primarily corrupting delta power by up to 33%. For both REM and NREM sleep, the automated artefact‐rejection algorithms matched power levels to within ~10% of the artefact‐free power level for each EEG channel and frequency band. In summary, although muscle and ocular artefacts affect only a small fraction of EEG data, they affect EEG spectral power significantly. This suggests the importance of using artefact‐rejection algorithms before analysing EEG data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing mathematical models for predicting neurobehavioural performance are not suited for mobile computing platforms because they cannot adapt model parameters automatically in real time to reflect individual differences in the effects of sleep loss. We used an extended Kalman filter to develop a computationally efficient algorithm that continually adapts the parameters of the recently developed Unified Model of Performance ( UMP) to an individual. The algorithm accomplishes this in real time as new performance data for the individual become available. We assessed the algorithm's performance by simulating real-time model individualization for 18 subjects subjected to 64 h of total sleep deprivation ( TSD) and 7 days of chronic sleep restriction ( CSR) with 3 h of time in bed per night, using psychomotor vigilance task ( PVT) data collected every 2 h during wakefulness. This UMP individualization process produced parameter estimates that progressively approached the solution produced by a post-hoc fitting of model parameters using all data. The minimum number of PVT measurements needed to individualize the model parameters depended upon the type of sleep-loss challenge, with ~30 required for TSD and ~70 for CSR. However, model individualization depended upon the overall duration of data collection, yielding increasingly accurate model parameters with greater number of days. Interestingly, reducing the PVT sampling frequency by a factor of two did not notably hamper model individualization. The proposed algorithm facilitates real-time learning of an individual's trait-like responses to sleep loss and enables the development of individualized performance prediction models for use in a mobile computing platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, dual-chamber microbial fuel cell ( MFC) was constructed, in which anaerobic sludge was used as the inoculum and potassium ferricyanide as the electron acceptor. We have investigated the untapped potential of carbon microspheres modified graphite anode ( CGA) fabricated by hydrothermal and calcinations method in the MFCs operation. The results showed that the CGA could be utilized as a novel and efficient MFC anode. The output power of the MFC involved with CGA is approximately 358 mW·m−2, which is 3.1 times of the counterpart MFC with graphite anode ( GA). Furthermore, this MFC showed a 68% chemical oxygen demand ( COD) removal rate of the wastewater. Through further analysis, the CGA could improve the specific surface area and enhance the adsorption of microorganism, which could efficiently favor the electron transfer rate between the microorganism and external circuit, resulting in the increase of the electrochemical activity of MFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossilized embryos afford direct insight into the pattern of development in extinct organisms, providing unique tests of hypotheses of developmental evolution based in comparative embryology. However, these fossils can only be effective in this role if their embryology and phylogenetic affinities are well constrained. We elucidate and interpret the development of Olivooides from embryonic and adult stages and use these data to discriminate among competing interpretations of their anatomy and affinity. The embryology of Olivooides is principally characterized by the development of an ornamented periderm that initially forms externally and is subsequently formed internally, released at the aperture, facilitating the direct development of the embryo into an adult theca. Internal anatomy is known only from embryonic stages, revealing two internal tissue layers, the innermost of which is developed into three transversally arranged walls that partly divide the lumen into an abapertural region, interpreted as the gut of a polyp, and an adapertural region that includes structures that resemble the peridermal teeth of coronate scyphozoans. The anatomy and pattern of development exhibited by Olivooides appears common to the other known genus of olivooid, Quadrapyrgites, which differs in its tetraradial, as opposed to pentaradial symmetry. We reject previous interpretations of the olivooids as cycloneuralians, principally on the grounds that they lack a through gut and introvert, in embryo and adult. Instead we consider the affinities of the olivooids among medusozoan cnidarians; our phylogenetic analysis supports their classification as total-group Coronata, within crown- Scyphozoa. Olivooides and Quadrapyrgites evidence a broader range of life history strategies and bodyplan symmetry than is otherwise commonly represented in extant Scyphozoa specifically, and Cnidaria more generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives During initial assessment of trauma patients, vital signs do not identify all patients with life-threatening hemorrhage. We hypothesized that a novel vital sign, muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2), could provide independent diagnostic information beyond routine vital signs for identification of hemorrhaging patients who require packed red blood cell ( RBC) transfusion. Methods This was an observational study of adult trauma patients treated at a Level I trauma center. Study staff placed the CareGuide 1100 tissue oximeter (Reflectance Medical Inc., Westborough, MA), and we analyzed average values of SmO2, systolic blood pressure ( sBP), pulse pressure ( PP), and heart rate ( HR) during 10 minutes of early emergency department evaluation. We excluded subjects without a full set of vital signs during the observation interval. The study outcome was hemorrhagic injury and RBC transfusion ≥ 3 units in 24 hours (24-hr RBC ≥ 3). To test the hypothesis that SmO2 added independent information beyond routine vital signs, we developed one logistic regression model with HR, sBP, and PP and one with SmO2 in addition to HR, sBP, and PP and compared their areas under receiver operating characteristic curves ( ROC AUCs) using DeLong's test. Results We enrolled 487 subjects; 23 received 24-hr RBC ≥ 3. Compared to the model without SmO2, the regression model with SmO2 had a significantly increased ROC AUC for the prediction of ≥ 3 units of 24-hr RBC volume, 0.85 (95% confidence interval [ CI], 0.75-0.91) versus 0.77 (95% CI, 0.66-0.86; p < 0.05 per DeLong's test). Results were similar for ROC AUCs predicting patients ( n = 11) receiving 24-hr RBC ≥ 9. Conclusions SmO2 significantly improved the diagnostic association between initial vital signs and hemorrhagic injury with blood transfusion. This parameter may enhance the early identification of patients who require blood products for life-threatening hemorrhage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemistry of singlet O2 toward the guanine base of DNA is highly relevant to DNA lesion, mutation, cell death, and pathological conditions. This oxidative damage is initiated by the formation of a transient endoperoxide through the Diels-Alder cycloaddition of singlet O2 to the guanine imidazole ring. However, no endoperoxide formation was directly detected in native guanine or guanosine, even at −100 °C. Herein, gas-phase ion-molecule scattering mass spectrometry was utilized to capture unstable endoperoxides in the collisions of hydrated guanine ions (protonated or deprotonated) with singlet O2 at ambient temperature. Corroborated by results from potential energy surface exploration, kinetic modeling, and dynamics simulations, various aspects of endoperoxide formation and transformation (including its dependence on guanine ionization and hydration states, as well as on collision energy) were determined. This work has pieced together reaction mechanisms, kinetics, and dynamics data concerning the early stage of singlet O2 induced guanine oxidation, which is missing from conventional condensed-phase studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the 14 505 participants, 7.2%, 19.9%, and 72.9% reported medical isolation, self-reported quarantine, and no isolation/quarantine, respectively, in the male sample; and 3.5%, 21.3%, and 75.2% reported medical isolation, self-reported quarantine, and no isolation/quarantine, respectively, in the female sample (Table S1). These rates are higher than those for the self-reported quarantine and the no isolation/quarantine subgroups. COVID-19, which first emerged in December 2019,1 has caused a global pandemic.2 Quarantine/isolation is an effective measure to control virus transmission, but may have negative effects on mental health.3 At present, there are few studies on the relation between mental health and quarantine/isolation during the COVID-19 outbreak. [Extracted from the article]

A Darriwilian (late Middle Ordovician) brachiopod fauna from the Lower Formation of the Chiatsun Group at Jiacun, northern Nyalam, southern Tibet, consists of ten brachiopod species, forming a distinct Aporthophyla- Paralenorthis Association. Its taxonomic composition is typical of the Aporthophyla Fauna that occupied lower BA2 to upper BA3 benthic environments on sandy lime mud substrates. The occurrence of Paralenorthis in southern Tibet is confirmed for the first time, represented by P. costata sp. nov. Numerical analyses ( PCA and CA) of 18 Darriwilian brachiopod faunas from ten palaeoplates or terranes indicate that: (1) the Aporthophyla Fauna was confined to a specific latitudinal belt although it had a wide lateral distribution from the large palaeocontinents of Gondwana to Laurentia; (2) the Saucrorthis Fauna, a typical late Middle Ordovician regional fauna, is limited to a much smaller area, marginal to the Gondwana supercontinent; (3) the strong provincialism persistent in the late Middle Ordovician contributed to increased gamma biodiversity during the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Fabry-Perot resonator excited by a microstrip patch antenna that has a superstrate with a stepped dielectric constant is designed to operate at 5.8 GHz. The antenna is fabricated and is shown to provide enhanced directivity over that achievable using uniform dielectric slabs, with either εr = 4.4 or εr = 10.2 as superstrates. The measured maximum gain of the patch antenna with a step-index dielectric constant superstrate with a dimension of 2λ0 × 2λ0 was found to be 13.44 dBi, whereas the corresponding values for the uniform dielectric superstrate are 11.25 (εr = 4.4) and 12.44 dBi (εr = 10.2). As shown in this article, the aperture efficiency of the step-index dielectric is also higher than those of the other two. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:711-715, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26614 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cover image is based on the Original Article I Discovery of the protolepidodendralean lycopsid Leclercqia from the Middle to Upper Devonian of Inner Mongolia, northeastern China i by Jinzhuang Xue et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/gj.4147. GLO:O81/01dec21:gj4358-toc-0001.jpg PHOTO (COLOR): . gl. [Extracted from the article]

Their reaction mechanisms, dynamics, and product structures were revealed by gas-phase ion-molecule reactions and mass spectrometry, from which a molecular-level understanding of the chemistry is provided for elucidating the biological consequences and implications. Ion-molecule reaction, mass spectrometry, nucleosides, reaction mechanisms, singlet oxygen Keywords: ion-molecule reaction; mass spectrometry; nucleosides; reaction mechanisms; singlet oxygen EN ion-molecule reaction mass spectrometry nucleosides reaction mechanisms singlet oxygen 1226 1226 1 09/29/21 20210901 NES 210901 B The Cover Feature illustrates b a synergetic damage of DNA guanine nucleobases by ionizing radiation and accompanying oxidation by electronically excited singlet molecular oxygen. [Extracted from the article]

Photothermal is a significant solar energy conversion process on Earth, and photothermal‐responsive protocells are a potential model for prebiotic chemistry. Here, polydopamine microcapsules are fabricated via emulsion droplets‐templated interfacial polymerization and investigated their potential as synthetic protocell models for photothermal conversion and utilization. DNAzyme‐mediated dopamine peroxidation and polymerization occur at the water/oil interface of the emulsion droplets, facilitated by a biphasic microfluidic technique, leading to the formation of uniform polydopamine microcapsules, which retain structural integrity upon transfer into a continuous water phase. These microcapsules exhibit size‐dependent semi‐permeability and high photothermal capability due to their broad spectral absorbance. The photothermal‐mediated temperature rise within the microcapsules triggers DNA denaturation and rearrangement, and intermittent photothermal irradiation modulates reversible phase separation of DNA condensates, mimicking membrane‐less organelles. This work suggests that interfacial polymerization fabricated polydopamine capsules are a plausible photothermal protocell model that can demonstrate aspects of primitive abiotic cellularity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the role of open internet in the exploration of geological big data.

Keywords: Kaskadenreaktionen; Koazervate; Hydrogele; Mikroreaktor; Weiche Materie EN Kaskadenreaktionen Koazervate Hydrogele Mikroreaktor Weiche Materie 6698 6698 1 04/11/20 20200420 NES 200420 B Kompartimentalisierte Protozellobjekte b , die in 3D-Hydrogelen immobilisiert sind, ermöglichen einen Schritt hin zur modularen Assemblierung weicher funktioneller Materialien. In ihrem Forschungsartikel auf S. 6920 präsentieren J. Liu, M. Li, S. Mann et al. die Entwicklung von modularen Hydrogel-basierten Mikroreaktorassemblaten bestehend aus Millionen von Polysaccharid-Polynukleotid-Koazervattröpfchen. Kaskadenreaktionen, Koazervate, Hydrogele, Mikroreaktor, Weiche Materie. [Extracted from the article]

3D printing has shown promise in the development of notable sensing and health detection devices. Nonetheless, challenges remain in the concurrent development of highly durable wearable sensors with low‐friction surfaces. This challenge serves as a limiting factor in the operational lifespans of these sensors. In this study, a magnetically assisted 3D printing technique is developed to fabricate composites reinforced with magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 nanochains (NCs) with dimensions of 60.2 µm in length (L) and 0.2 µm in diameter (D), indicating an L:D ratio exceeding 300. By applying a vertical magnetic field and extrusion flow field to the sensor's surface layer, the NCs can be arranged differently (together with the printed textures), reducing the coefficient of friction by 27.7% and improving the wear resistance. This approach is inspired by nacre, known for its impressive durability and resilience. A motion monitoring sensor with an extended lifespan is successfully fabricated by using liquid metal ink integrated with an anti‐wear layer. These findings offer significant insights into the evolution of wearable sensors, demonstrating their adaptability to multi‐material printing and resulting in improved performance and service lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]