Frontiers Of Science Research Articles

First Death Anniversary of Prof. Dr. Muhammad Aslam khan (1932-2023)

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Aslamkhan died peacefully on February 20, 2023, in Lahore, Pakistan. Prof. Aslamkhan was the founding head of the Human Genetics and Molecular Biology Department of the University of Health Sciences Lahore (UHS). He was also a Director of Sports and cocurricular activities at the UHS. His services to UHS were brought by the Higher Education Commission’s project entitled “strengthening of basic medical sciences at UHS, ” commonly known as SBMS as a project director. This project not only brought a lot of funding for the establishment of research facilities at the UHS but also employment opportunities for young people. Prof. Aslamkhan received his Doctorate of Science (D.Sc.) in Genetics and Anthropology from Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, in 1963, after his master's degree from Punjab University (1953). He was among the founding fellows of the Biological Society of Pakistan (1956) and the Zoological Society of Pakistan (1968). In 1968, he was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, London. Later, the Pakistan Academy of Medical Sciences awarded him a fellowship in 1985. His professional services include academic and research affiliations with the provincial bodies of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). He served as Deputy Chief for the Division of Medical Entomology of the International Center for Medical Research and Training (ICMRT) at the Pakistan Medical Research Center, Lahore. Later, he became the Chief of Malaria Vector Research at ICMRT. This was the time when he studied the bionomics of mosquito species in Pakistan, which serves as a reference (1). While affiliated with the University of Maryland School of Medicine, he extended his research towards vector-borne diseases of public health importance (2-10). After retirement from the University of Maryland, he worked as an independent consultant for several national and international bodies. Later, he joined the Higher Education Commission’s project SBMS as Project Director. During this affiliation, he also launched the first department of Human Genetics in the country at UHS Lahore. This department is still operational and produces many PhDs in human genetics, working at various reputable organizations in and outside the country. The department’s objective was to study the basics of genetic diseases in the country, and it has been doing very well until today. Prof. Aslamkhan’s research on genetic diseases has mainly focused on the role of consanguinity in gene pooling in the Pakistani population (11-13). Over the past several years, he has also voluntarily offered genetic counselling to patients with hemoglobinopathies at Sundas Foundation Lahore. He also studied the public health dynamics of blood donors at the Sundas Foundation in addition to genetic counselling (14, 15). He was also recognized as an Eminent Professor of Genetics by Higher Education Commission. In 2017, he founded The International Journal of Frontier Sciences and became its first editor-in-chief until he died last year. I am publishing this obituary at his first death anniversary on February 20, 2024, praying for his eternal peace. I wish him to rest in peace in his life in hereafter. Ameen!

Bloodstain pattern dynamics in microgravity: Observations of a pilot study in the next frontier of forensic science

As humanity advances into a space-faring species, the risk of injury by multiple means and intentions will follow. Expanding understanding of how forensic science adapts to extraterrestrial environments is a novel and inevitable expansion into the next forensic frontier. This study considers the unique challenges of bloodstain pattern analysis in microgravity environments. Specifically, observation in novel experimentation aboard a parabolic flight research airplane which yielded fluid dynamic behaviors in a microgravity environment that provides practical understanding of Earth-based and off-world bloodstain applications.

Global advances and smart innovations in supramolecular polymers

Supramolecular polymer represents a transformative frontier in materials science, reshaping polymer technology through unique assembly principles and dynamic properties. This manuscripts delves into the rapid advancements and future potential within this field, examining the theoretical foundations of supramolecular interactions and self-assembly that constitute these polymers. It progresses to explore state-of-the-art synthesis and design strategies that enhance the functionality of these complex materials. Particularly notable is the integration of supramolecular polymers with nanotechnology, fostering advancements that deepen our understanding and application in significant ways. The reported work showcases the adaptability of supramolecular polymers across various domains, including groundbreaking roles in drug delivery and tissue engineering within biomedical engineering, and as innovative agents for environmental purification and sensor development. The discussion also addresses current challenges such as stability, scalability, and reproducibility, central to transitioning from research to real-world applications. This state-of synthetic knowledge not only provides a comprehensive examination of the current status of supramolecular polymer research but also encourages further investigation and innovation, with the anticipation that these materials will revolutionize multiple industries with their inherent versatility and capacity for sustainability.

Acoustic metamaterials for realizing a scalable multiple phi-bit unitary transformation

The analogy between acoustic modes in nonlinear metamaterials and quantum computing platforms constituted of correlated two-level systems opens new frontiers in information science. We use an inductive procedure to demonstrate scalable initialization of and scalable unitary transformations on superpositions of states of multiple correlated logical phi-bits, classical nonlinear acoustic analog of qubits. A multiple phi-bit state representation as a complex vector in a high-dimensional, exponentially scaling Hilbert space is shown to correspond with the state of logical phi-bits represented in a low-dimensional linearly scaling physical space of an externally driven acoustic metamaterial. Manipulation of the phi-bits in the physical space enables the implementation of a non-trivial multiple phi-bit unitary transformation that scales exponentially. This scalable transformation operates in parallel on the components of the multiple phi-bit complex state vector, requiring only a single physical action on the metamaterial. This work demonstrates that acoustic metamaterials offer a viable path toward achieving massively parallel information processing capabilities that can challenge current quantum computing paradigms.

Mapping electric field components of superchiral field with photo-induced force.

Circular dichroism (CD) of materials, difference in absorbance of left- and right-circularly polarized light, is a standard measure of chirality. Detection of the chirality for individual molecules is a frontier in analytical chemistry and optical science. The usage of a superchiral electromagnetic field near metallic structure is one promising way because it boosts the molecular far-field CD signal. However, it is still elusive as to how such a field actually interacts with the molecules. The cause is that the distribution of the electric field vector is unclear in the vicinity of the metal surface. In particular, it is difficult to directly measure the localized field, e.g., using aperture-type scanning near-field optical microscope. Here, we calculate the three-dimensional (3D) electric field vector, including the longitudinal field, and reveal the whole figure of the near-field CD on a two-dimensional (2D) plane just above the metal surface. Moreover, we propose a method to measure the near-field CD of the whole superchiral field by photo-induced force microscopy (PiFM), where the optical force distribution is mapped in a scanning 2D plane. We numerically demonstrate that, although the presence of the metallic probe tip affects the 3D electric field distribution, the PiFM is sufficiently capable to evaluate the superchiral field. Unveiling the whole figure of near-field is significantly beneficial in obtaining rich information of single molecules with multiple orientations and in analyzing the boosted far-field CD signals.

Self-Assembly of a Novel Pentapeptide into Hydrogelated Dendritic Architecture: Synthesis, Properties, Molecular Docking and Prospective Applications.

Currently, ultrashort oligopeptides consisting of fewer than eight amino acids represent a cutting-edge frontier in materials science, particularly in the realm of hydrogel formation. By employing solid-phase synthesis with the Fmoc/tBu approach, a novel pentapeptide, FEYNF-NH2, was designed, inspired by a previously studied sequence chosen from hen egg-white lysozyme (FESNF-NH2). Qualitative peptide analysis was based on reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), while further purification was accomplished using solid-phase extraction (SPE). Exact molecular ion confirmation was achieved by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS) using two different matrices (HCCA and DHB). Additionally, the molecular ion of interest was subjected to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) employing collision-induced dissociation (CID) to confirm the synthesized peptide structure. A combination of research techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), fluorescence analysis, transmission electron microscopy, polarized light microscopy, and Congo red staining assay, were carefully employed to glean valuable insights into the self-assembly phenomena and gelation process of the modified FEYNF-NH2 peptide. Furthermore, molecular docking simulations were conducted to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the pentapeptide's supramolecular assembly formation and intermolecular interactions. Our study provides potential insights into amyloid research and proposes a novel peptide for advancements in materials science. In this regard, in silico studies were performed to explore the FEYNF peptide's ability to form polyplexes.

Perspectives in modelling ecological interaction networks for sustainable ecosystem management

Abstract The concept of ecological interaction networks has been widely used in fundamental ecology in the last two decades and has progressively infused in a diverse array of applied studies. Classical studies represented species interactions as static interaction webs to identify generalities in the structure of ecological networks and understand the propagation of indirect effects of species on each other and the environment. More recent research demonstrates that ecological networks are emerging features of community and interaction processes. Understanding the determinants of interaction variability in space and time and its consequences for biodiversity dynamics and ecosystem functioning constitute current frontiers in ecological network science. Although these frontiers meet a variety of applied ecological questions, many network models have been developed without clear applied perspectives. We detail how we could build on them to advance three main topics. First, the spatial dimension of ecological networks has direct implications for the design of sustainable landscapes and fisheries, for agroecology and for lake management. Second, the temporal dimension of ecological networks provides important insights for projecting biodiversity changes and adapting human actions. Third, the interactions between the abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems constitute key drivers of biogeochemical cycles, thereby providing important levers for sustainable management. Synthesis and applications. Collaborative work between empirical and theoretical network ecologists could accelerate the delivery of realistic models to inform applied practices across disciplines.

Recent progress in carbon-based materials and loss mechanisms for electromagnetic wave absorption

The burgeoning advancement of electronic technology and wireless communications has opened up an unprecedented era of electromagnetic wave applications, but the accompanying issues of electromagnetic pollution are equally deserving of profound attention. In recent years, a variety of novel electromagnetic absorbers have been ingeniously designed and actively emerged, among which carbon-based materials have become one of the most promising alternatives for next-generation electromagnetic functional materials, owing to the low density, tunable electrical properties, high stability, and chemical tolerance. This article comprehensively reviews the current research status and frontier science of carbon-based absorbing materials serving in microwave frequency band, and discusses in detail the microwave absorption mechanisms of various carbon-based systems as well as the critical factors affecting microwave attenuation. Furthermore, strategies to optimize microwave absorption performance of carbon-based materials through component design, structural modification, morphology modulation, and composite approaches will be discussed, with particular emphasis on their intrinsic correlation with magnetic-dielectric loss characteristics. Finally, the urgent requirements for improving carbon-based absorbing materials and insights into future development are provided, covering from material design to performance optimization to device-based applications. This review endeavors to support valuable references for research on carbon-based microwave absorbing materials and to stimulate further innovative thinking.

A Scientometric Review for Uncertainties in Integrated Simulation–Optimization Modeling System

Water resources management is a challenging task caused by huge uncertainties and complexities in hydrological processes and human activities. Over the last three decades, various scholars have carried out the study on hydrological simulation under complex conditions and quantitatively characterized the associated uncertainties for water resources systems. To keep abreast of the development of the collective knowledge in this field, a scientometric review and metasynthesis of the existing uncertainty analysis research for supporting hydrological modeling and water resources management has been conducted. A total of 2020 publications from 1991 to 2018 were acquired from the Web of Science. The scientific structure, cooperation, and frontiers of the related domain were explored using the science mapping software CiteSpace V5.4.R3. Through co–citation, collaboration, and co–occurrence network study, the results present the leading contributors among all countries and hotspots in the research domain. In addition, synthetical uncertainty management for hydrological models and water resource systems under climatic and land use change will continue to be focused on. This study comprehensively evaluates various aspects of uncertainty analysis in hydrologic simulation–optimization systems, showcasing advanced data analysis and artificial intelligence technologies. It focuses on current research frontiers, aiding decision–makers in better understanding and managing the complexity and uncertainties of water resource systems, thereby enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of responses to environmental changes.

Validating Operating Stability and Biocompatibility Toward SaferZinc-Based Batteries.

Wearable and implantable electronics are standing at the frontiers of science and technology, driven by the increasing demands from modernized lifestyles. Zinc-based batteries (ZBs) are regarded as ideal energy suppliers for these biocompatible electronics, but the corresponding biocompatibility validation is still in the initial stage. Meanwhile, complicated working conditions and some extreme electrolyte environments raise strict challenges, leaving less choices for safe ZBs. Toward higher operating stability and biocompatibility, this work proposes a hydrogel electrolyte featuring the moisture maintaining ability and a robust interface, which could further provide a milder environment for Zn-MnO2 batteries and Zn-air batteries. The cytotoxicity and tissue injury of batteries are evaluated with human cell lines and battery implantations on the animal models, which demonstrate the high biocompatibilityof ZBs, while preliminary wearable devices implementation further verifies their operating stability. This work may provide a pathway for developing and validating biocompatible ZBs, contributing to their future practical employment in relevant fields.

Grand challenges at the frontiers of fish science

We provide a review of what we consider to be grand research challenges for fish science in an era of human-induced rapid environmental change.

Scientific frontiers on migration and sustainability

Scientific frontiers on migration and sustainability

Resistant starch and the gut microbiome: Exploring beneficial interactions and dietary impacts

The intricate relationship between resistant starch (RS) and the gut microbiome presents a dynamic frontier in nutrition science. This review synthesizes current understandings of how RS, an indigestible form of starch found naturally in certain foods and also enhanced through various modification methods, interacts with the gut microbiome. We particularly focus on how RS fermentation in the colon contributes to the production of beneficial volatile fatty acids (VFAs) such as butyrate, acetate, and propionate. These VFAs have been recognized for their vital roles in maintaining gut barrier integrity, modulating inflammation, and potentially influencing systemic health. Additionally, we discuss the dietary implications of consuming foods rich in RS, both in terms of gut health and broader metabolic outcomes. By consolidating these insights, we emphasize the significance of RS in the context of dietary strategies aimed at harnessing the gut microbiome's potential to impact human health.

Towards bridging thermo/electrocatalytic CO oxidation: from nanoparticles to single atoms.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), as a feasible alternative to replace the traditional fossil fuel-based energy converter, contribute significantly to the global sustainability agenda. At the PEMFC anode, given the high exchange current density, Pt/C is deemed the catalyst-of-choice to ensure that the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) occurs at a sufficiently fast pace. The high performance of Pt/C, however, can only be achieved under the premise that high purity hydrogen is used. For instance, in the presence of trace level carbon monoxide, a typical contaminant during H2 production, Pt is severely deactivated by CO surface blockage. Addressing the poisoning issue necessitates for either developing anti-poisoning electrocatalysts or using pre-purified H2 obtained via a thermo-catalysis route. In other words, the CO poisoning issue can be addressed by either thermal-catalysis from the H2 supply side or electrocatalysis at the user side, respectively. In spite of the distinction between thermo-catalysis and electro-catalysis, there are high similarities between the two routes. Essentially, a reduction in the kinetic barrier for the combination of CO to oxygen containing intermediates is required in both techniques. Therefore, bridging electrocatalysis and thermocatalysis might offer new insight into the development of cutting edge catalysts to solve the poisoning issue, which, however, stands as an underexplored frontier in catalysis science. This review provides a critical appraisal of the recent advancements in preferential CO oxidation (CO-PROX) thermocatalysts and anti-poisoning HOR electrocatalysts, aiming to bridge the gap in cognition between the two routes. First, we discuss the differences in thermal/electrocatalysis, CO oxidation mechanisms, and anti-CO poisoning strategies. Second, we comprehensively summarize the progress of supported and unsupported CO-tolerant catalysts based on the timeline of development (nanoparticles to clusters to single atoms), focusing on metal-support interactions and interface reactivity. Third, we elucidate the stability issue and theoretical understanding of CO-tolerant electrocatalysts, which are critical factors for the rational design of high-performance catalysts. Finally, we underscore the imminent challenges in bridging thermal/electrocatalytic CO oxidation, with theory, materials, and the mechanism as the three main weapons to gain a more in-depth understanding. We anticipate that this review will contribute to the cognition of both thermocatalysis and electrocatalysis.

Brief History of Placozoa.

Placozoans are morphologically the simplest free-living animals. They represent a unique window of opportunities to understand both the origin of the animal organization and the rules of life for the system and synthetic biology of the future. However, despite more than 100years of their investigations, we know little about their organization, natural habitats, and life strategies. Here, we introduce this unique animal phylum and highlight some directions vital to broadening the frontiers of the biomedical sciences. In particular, understanding the genomic bases of placozoan biodiversity, cell identity, connectivity, reproduction, and cellular bases of behavior are critical hot spots for future studies.

InnovationInsights: A Visual Analytics Approach for Understanding the Dual Frontiers of Science and Technology.

Science has long been viewed as a key driver of economic growth and rising standards of living. Knowledge about how scientific advances support marketplace inventions is therefore essential for understanding the role of science in propelling real-world applications and technological progress. The increasing availability of large-scale datasets tracing scientific publications and patented inventions and the complex interactions among them offers us new opportunities to explore the evolving dual frontiers of science and technology at an unprecedented level of scale and detail. However, we lack suitable visual analytics approaches to analyze such complex interactions effectively. Here we introduce InnovationInsights, an interactive visual analysis system for researchers, research institutions, and policymakers to explore the complex linkages between science and technology, and to identify critical innovations, inventors, and potential partners. The system first identifies important associations between scientific papers and patented inventions through a set of statistical measures introduced by our experts from the field of the Science of Science. A series of visualization views are then used to present these associations in the data context. In particular, we introduce the Interplay Graph to visualize patterns and insights derived from the data, helping users effectively navigate citation relationships between papers and patents. This visualization thereby helps them identify the origins of technical inventions and the impact of scientific research. We evaluate the system through two case studies with experts followed by expert interviews. We further engage a premier research institution to test-run the system, helping its institution leaders to extract new insights for innovation. Through both the case studies and the engagement project, we find that our system not only meets our original goals of design, allowing users to better identify the sources of technical inventions and to understand the broad impact of scientific research; it also goes beyond these purposes to enable an array of new applications for researchers and research institutions, ranging from identifying untapped innovation potential within an institution to forging new collaboration opportunities between science and industry.

Health Care Innovation for Low-Resource Settings: The Value of Local Immersion and Partnership.

Health Care Innovation is the creation, development, and translation of new and better solutions to health care challenges. At its core, this endeavor does not require extending the frontiers of science or the creation of new fundamental technologies. Rather, it is primarily focused on the use of existing science and established technologies in the design of new solutions to problems in health care. Successfully innovating for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) requires a needs and stakeholder-driven approach to enable development and adoption of available, accessible, and acceptable solutions tailored to the specific need and context of care.

Publication authorship: A new approach to the bibliometric study of scientific work and beyond.

Bibliometric studies offer numerous ways of analyzing scientific work. For example, co-citation and bibliographic coupling networks have been widely used since the 1960s to describe the segmentation of research and to look the development of the scientific frontier. In addition, co-authorship and collaboration networks have been employed for more than 30 years to explore the social dimension of scientific work. This paper introduces publication authorship as a complement to these established approaches. Three data sets of academic articles from accounting, astronomy, and gastroenterology are used to illustrate the benefits of publication authorship for bibliometric studies. In comparison to bibliographic coupling, publication authorship produces significantly better intra-cluster cosine similarities across all data sets, which in the end yields a more fine-grained picture of the research field in question. Beyond this finding, publication authorship lends itself to other types of documents such as corporate reports or meeting minutes to study organizations, movements, or any other concerted activity.

Ultrafast and high-resolution X-ray imaging based on zero-dimensional organic silver halides

Supersensitive and fast X-ray imaging is of great importance in medical diagnosis, industrial flaw detection, security and safety inspection, and frontier science exploration.

Hydrogen Economy: Are we ready?

Hydrogen Economy: Are we ready?