bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of Activity Levels 226ra, 232th and 40k in some Soil Samples of Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo Main Campus Using Gamma Ray Spectrometry
Authors: Sarki Sunday H. , Japhet Lullah-Deh A. , Isaac Daniel H. , Kassimu Abdullahi A. , Habila Davou D.
Published: September 2023

This paper presents an investigation on radioactivity level of radioactive elements within Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo Main Campus. A total of forty (40) soil samples were analyzed using Gamma-Ray Spectrometry of 76×76mmNaI (TI) detector crystal with radioactivity activity concentration of potassium (40K), Radium (226Ra) and Thorium (232Th) were determined within the study area. Results obtained showed the highest activity concentration of 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th from locations AB3 (898.7365 Bq/kg), AB3 (107.7457 Bq/kg) and AB2 (243.1510 Bq/kg) respectively. The mean activity of 206.7681 Bq/kg obtained for 40K was seen to be lower than the world average of 420 Bq/kg while the mean activity concentrations of 232Th (95.393 Bq/kg) was above the world average of 50 Bq/kg. These upshots could be attributed to the presence of mountains which surround the polytechnic and the quarry activity taking place close to the polytechnic. Equally, Thorium. 226 Ra also had a lowest mean activity concentration of 43.8600 Bq/kg, which is also lower than the world average of 370 Bq/kg. In-situ dose rate measurement of the study area was also carried out using a Radiation Alert Inspector meter and the background radiation reading obtained was seen to fall within a range of 0.11µsv/hr - 0.21µsv/hr, which did not exceed the 1mSv/yr as recommended by National Council on Radiation Protection (NCRP).
Effects of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) on Body Weight and Pathology of Vital Organs in Pathogenic Staph Infection
Authors: Osho I. B.  , Oyekanmi B. A.  , Osanyintuyi S. G.
Published: September 2023

Aims: Oyster mushroom is rich in secondary metabolites of pharmacological importance. This study evaluates the effect of ethanolic extract of Oyster mushroom on the vital organs of Staphylococcus aureus infected Wistar rats after seven days of administration.

Study Design: Completely randomized design was used in the study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the Microbiology, Parasitology and Ethnoveterinary medicine Unit of the Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, between March and December 2022.

Methodology: The mushroom was processed using a cold extraction technique. A bacterial suspension of Staphylococcus aureus was inoculated via oral route into the experimental animals, which were randomly distributed into six groups of five. Group 1: normal control; group 2: positive control; group 3: negative control, inoculated but received no antimicrobial; and group 4 to 6 were inoculated, and administered with 625, 1250 and 2500 mg dose of the extract respectively. The treatment was administered for seven days, after which blood samples were cultured for the bacterial count and vital organs were analysed for pathological changes.

Results: The colony count was significantly raised at 625 mg dose while the dose ranging from 1250 to 2500 mg yielded insignificant bacterial growth (P<0.01). The percentage weight gain was significantly lower (P<0.01) in 1250 mg extract in comparison with the negative control after 7 days complete treatment but there was no statistical variation in the 7 days post-treatment percentage weight gain and the relative organ weight (P<0.01).The histological sections showed no variation from normal controls except 625 mg liver that showed some vacuolations within the hepatocytes.

Conclusion: The organ-body mean weight was proportionate, and the histological sections of the liver, kidney, skin, lungs, heart and spleen were indicative of no anatomical variations as compared with the normal control tissues. The beneficial effect of P. ostreatus on the vital organs was further established by the active clearing of S. aureus infection at 1250 to 2500 mg dose with no observable pathological change in the tissues. The bioactive agents inherent in P. ostreatus were effective against S. aureus infection. The vacuolations observed in the low dose liver sections unveiled the ill effect of under-dose treatment and its consequence on the liver cells. The histopathological investigations were suggestive of the safety and tolerance of P. ostreatus to the body system. Nevertheless, further studies should be carried out on its toxicological profiles.
Effects of Methanolic Ginger and Garlic Extracts on Biofilm Forming Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Borehole Water
Authors: George, P. A.  , Akani, N. P.  , Ugboma, C. J.
Published: September 2023

This study investigated the effect of Zingiber officinale (Ginger) and Allum sativum (Garlic) on biofilm forming Staphylococcus aureus isolated from selected boreholes in Port Harcourt city Local Government Area of Rivers State. Twenty four water samples were collected from 4 randomly selected borehole. Borikiri had the highest number of isolates that produced biofilm, while Elelennwo had the lowest number. Out of 23 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, 14 were positive for biofilm production. Hemolysis production range of these isolates was from alpha, beta and gamma. Filter paper disc were inoculated with various plant extract concentrations. Methanol garlic extract at 100mg/ml had the highest range of zone of inhibition at Borikiri when compared to methanol ginger extract while methanol garlic extract at 100mg/ml had no range at Elelenwo when compared to methanol ginger extract. This study suggests that methanolic ginger and garlic extracts can be used as a potential anti-biofilm agent in borehole water, to reduce the risk of bacterial biofilm formation.

Surveillance systems should be increased for assessing risk factors of diseases and to provide strategies to prevent and protect public health.
Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites among Children Accessing Medical Healthcare at the Federal Medical Centre Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Authors: Adebambo Morakinyo Abraham , Olley Mitsan , Ibrahim Ismaila , Olayinka Ajongbolo Abigail , Ibrahim Azeez Oyemomi , Omotosho Samuel Idowu , Alabi Ayodele Kamal , Omenyi Bawonda Ene , Sito Kehinde Oluwafunmilayo
Published: September 2023

Aim: This work was conducted between the period of April 2022 and March 2023 to investigate the prevalence and predisposing factors of enteric parasites among children accessing medical healthcare at the Federal Medical Center keffi, Nasarawa State.

Study Design: The study was a cross-sectional study. 

Methodology: Fresh stool specimens were collected into sterile bottles from children aged 1-15 (246 males and 194 females) who accessed medical healthcare at the Federal Medical Center keffi, Nasarawa State between the period of April 2022 and March 2023. Information such as age, gender, and drinking water sources were obtained from the subjects through a structured questionnaire. The stool specimens were observed visually for colour, consistency, and presence of blood, pus, and adult worms while the concentration of the eggs, cysts, and larvae of the intestinal parasites was carried out using the formol ether method and viewed with X10 and X40 magnifications of the binocular microscope. Data obtained from this study were analyzed using the chi-square test by the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version (21.0). Values obtained were considered significant at 95% probability.

Results: An overall prevalence of 27.26% was obtained in the study participants with a total of five species of intestinal parasites identified. The parasites include; Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Trichomonas hominis. Entamoeba. histolytica was the most prevalent (15.45%) while S. stercoralis was the least prevalent (1.36%). In this study, males recorded a higher prevalence of Entamoeba. histolytica (16.49%) than females (14.63%) likewise for E. coli (5.14%) and (4.07%), Strongyloides stercoralis (1.55%) and (1.22%) respectively. In contrast, females recorded a higher prevalence of Giardia lamblia (2.85%) than males (2.58%) and Trichomonas hominis (3.25%) and (1.03%) respectively. The prevalence of intestinal parasites varied significantly among the age groups, with the age group 1-5 years being the most susceptible to E. histolytica (45.71%). Children who drank river water had the highest prevalence of parasitic infection (57.14%) while those who drank borehole water had the lowest majority (14.29%).

Conclusion: The high prevalence of intestinal parasites observed in this study in relation to the sources of drinking water of the subjects suggests a major predisposing factor to intestinal parasitic infections. Therefore, the provision of potable drinking water and public enlightenment on proper hygiene practices in the study area is of great importance.
High throughput sequencing data reveals the complete mitogenome, abundance, maternal phylogeny, and mitogenomic diversity of Alectoris chukar of Iraq
Authors: Yousif Paiman , Taha Hevidar
Published: September 2023

Alectoris chukar is a wild game bird found in the north of Iraq, near the center of domestication and diversity of species. The mitogenome is one of the most vital resources for comprehensive studies of genetic diversity and molecular evolutionary relationships among avian species. In this study, we used whole genome sequencing raw reads and bioinformatics analysis to sequence and assemble Alectoris chukar's complete mitogenome for the first time. We also studied the maternal lineage and phylogenetic position of Alectoris chukar, as well as some mitogenomic diversity parameters. As a result, the complete mitogenomes with a length ranging from 16686 bp to 16688 bp of four individuals of wild Alectoris chukar were sequenced and assembled. They have a typical avian mitogenome structure with 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA), 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and one non-coding control region. Our findings from bioinformatics analysis remarkably demonstrated that copies of the mitogenome are more abundant in liver tissues than in blood and in the liver tissues of females than in males. The results of phylogenetic analysis clustered the studied mitogenomes with Alectoris chukar as a monophyletic clade. Moreover, in comparison to the different genera, Alectoris chukar showed a high level of mitogenomic similarities to the snowcock species of the genus Tetraogallus within the Phasianidae family. However, they were more distant from other partridges. Additionally, a high percentage of mitogenomic pairwise identities within Iraqi Alectoris chukar and high mitogenomic variations compared to Chinese populations were discovered. The number and location of polymorphic sites indicated that the majority of the mitogenome sequences were conserved, with the control region, ND5, and CYTB genes having the most polymorphic sites. Analyses of phylogenetic and mitogenomic diversity revealed that samples of Alectoris chukar from Iraq have a unique maternal lineage and mitogenomic diversity specific to their geographic distribution, suggesting an Alectoris chukar kurdestanica subspecies. The molecular findings presented here provide valuable knowledge and mitogenomic resources into the evolutionary relationships of Alectoris chukar from the Middle East to avian species in the Phasianidae family.

Key words: DNA sequencing; Mitochondrial genome; Partridges; Phasianidae; Phylogeny
Preliminary study of Nicuatole, a traditional endemic food based on Zea mays from the Central Valleys Region, Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: José Luis Morales-Sánchez , Emilio Hernández-Bautista , Marco Antonio Sánchez-Medina , Alma Dolores Pérez-Santiago , Diana Matías-Pérez , Iván Antonio García-Montalvo
Published: September 2023

The present investigation evaluated the pre-Hispanic food called "nicuatole" based on corn, from the Central Valleys region of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. The objective of the present work was to present preliminary results of the physicochemical and proximate properties of the pre-Hispanic food locally known as "nicuatole". The sample was prepared based on the traditional endemic recipe of the population of San Agustín Yatareni, Oaxaca, Mexico. To determine the physicochemical composition, samples of 10 g and 3 g were used for the tests (pH and density) and nutritional tests (moisture, proteins, lipids, minerals, and carbohydrates) based on the methods described by the Association of Official Analytical Chemistry (AOAC). As results, it was obtained that it has a pH of 6.18 and a density of 1.0812 g*mL-1. The main results of the proximal analysis and chemical composition of "nicuatole" were 2.1325% protein; 1.54% ash; 66.3738% humidity content; 0.7563% lipids; 9.6271% carbohydrates; 13.1731% fiber. The pre-Hispanic food known as "nicuatole" can be considered a healthy alternative for the Mexican population.

Keywords: Pre-hispanic food; Nicuatole; Zea mays; Mexico; Dessert
Organic Wastewater Treatment using Two-dimensional Graphene-based Photocatalysts: A Review
Authors: Kong Kelvert , Zhu Zhiying , Nurhadi Mukhamad , Sumari Sumari , Wong Siew Fan , Lai Sin Yuan
Published: September 2023

Photocatalysts have gained enormous attention in water decontamination due to their economic viable and intriguing properties. Recently, graphene-based semiconductors have become the sparkling star on the horizon of material science. The coupling of two-dimensional graphene and its derivatives (graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide) with semiconductors could effectively enhance the efficiency in organic wastewater degradation under light irradiation. Hence, a collective study on this topic is necessary.  Four types of graphene-based semiconductors, viz. titania, zinc oxide, cadmium sulfide, and bismuth oxychloride, are explored. Besides, synthesis approaches and properties of these photocatalysts are elucidated too. We hope this review could enable us to rationally design and harness the morphology, structure and electronic properties of these advanced materials. Copyright © 2023 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Teoria do valor-trabalho, exploração capitalista, universidade e lutas sindicais
Authors: Rosso Sadi dal
Published: September 2023

Entrevista com Sadi dal Rosso, ex-presidente do Andes-SN e professor emérito da Universidade de Brasília (UnB).
Projeto do capital para a educação: as cartilhas do Andes-sn e a necessidade da disputa de caráter pedagógico de uma educação emancipadora
Authors: Chiote Fernanda de Araújo Binatti , Júnior Fernando Lacerda , Galvão Ana Carolina
Published: September 2023

O artigo apresenta uma análise de caráter bibliográfico a partir das Cartilhas elaboradas pelo GTPE/Andes-SN. Objetiva salientar a necessidade da disputa do caráter pedagógico que pode colaborar com uma concepção de educação emancipadora, pautada pelos pressupostos da pedagogia histórico-crítica. Reconhecemos a contribuição das Cartilhas do GTPE na construção da luta contra o projeto do capital para a educação e os avanços que aos poucos se imprimem nos materiais, sobre a dimensão pedagógica. No entanto, é necessário fortalecer e aprofundar essas discussões no interior do sindicato, superando o poder ilusório, calcado em teorias pedagógicas igualmente ilusórias para melhor amparar o poder real que temos, na luta pela educação que almejamos.
Ofensiva neoconservadora do capital e resistências sindicais e populares da educação brasileira
Authors: Paiva Kate Lane Costa de , Francelino Sâmbara Paula , Cardoso Mario Mariano Ruiz de , Castelo Rodrigo
Published: September 2023

O presente texto é o editorial do volume 15, número 2, de agosto de 2023, da revista Germinal: marxismo e educação em debate, cujo dossiê tratou do tema "Sindicalismo e movimentos sociais em defesa da educação pública e popular". O nosso objetivo é socializar a produção acadêmica que parte de um olhar crítico sobre a educação em suas diferentes dimensões da formação humana na sociedade capitalista e analisa e reflete sobre os caminhos teóricos, políticos e práticos para superar o quadro atual, tendo como base o movimento da classe trabalhadora em toda sua riqueza constitutiva e experiência histórica.
Adventures With Parasites, Metabolism, Inborn Errors, and Cancer
Authors: Borst Piet
Published: September 2023

In this Viewpoint, Lasker Award winner Piet Borst looks back over a 50-year career in scientific research, including work with trypanosomatids, mechanisms of drug resistance in cancer cells, and inborn errors of metabolism.
How to Safely Integrate Large Language Models Into Health Care
Authors: Gottlieb Scott , Silvis Lauren
Published: September 2023

This JAMA Forum discusses categories of artificial intelligence devices such as clinical decision support tools and large language models that are increasing being used in health care and the improvements needed to ensure the accuracy and rigor of these tools for patient use.
Incidence of Diabetes Among Youth Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mefford Matthew T. , Wei Rong , Lustigova Eva , Martin John P. , Reynolds Kristi
Published: September 2023

Importance

Prior research found increases in diabetes among youth during the COVID-19 pandemic, but few studies examined variation across sociodemographics.

Objective

To examine diabetes incidence rates among a diverse population of youth in the US before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study included data from Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021. KPSC members aged from birth to 19 years with no history of diabetes were included. Individuals were followed up using electronic health records for diabetes incidence defined using diagnoses, laboratory values, and medications. Analyses were conducted between November 2022 and January 2023.

Main Outcome and Measures

Age- and sex-standardized annual and quarterly incidence rates per 100 000 person-years (PYs) were calculated for type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes between 2016 and 2021. Rates were calculated within strata of age (<10 and 10-19 years), sex, and race and ethnicity (Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White, and other/multiple/unknown). Using Poisson regression with robust error variances, incidence rate ratios (IRR) comparing 2020 to 2021 with 2016 to 2019 were calculated by diabetes type and within age, sex, and race and ethnicity strata and adjusting for health care utilization.

Results

Between 2016 to 2021, there were 1200, 1100, and 63 patients with type 1 diabetes (mean [SD] age, 11.0 [4.5] years; 687 [57.3%] male), type 2 diabetes (mean [SD] age, 15.7 [2.7] years; 516 [46.9%] male), and other diabetes, respectively. Incidence of type 1 diabetes increased from 18.5 per 100 000 PYs in 2016 to 2019 to 22.4 per 100 000 PYs from 2020 to 2021 with increased IRRs among individuals aged 10 to 19 years, male individuals, and Hispanic individuals. Incidence of type 2 diabetes increased from 14.8 per 100 000 PYs from 2016 to 2019 to 24.7 per 100 000 PYs from 2020 to 2021 with increased IRRs among individuals aged 10 to 19 years, male and female individuals, and those with Black, Hispanic, and other/unknown race and ethnicity.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of youth in KPSC, incidence of diabetes increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and was more pronounced in specific racial and ethnic groups. Future research to understand differential impacts of physiologic and behavioral risk factors is warranted.
Military Medicine’s Value to US Health Care and Public Health
Authors: Kellermann Arthur L. , Kotwal Russ S. , Rasmussen Todd E.
Published: September 2023

Importance

Military medicine in the US was established to treat wounded and ill service members and to protect the health and well-being of our military forces at home and abroad. To accomplish these tasks, it has developed the capacity to rapidly adapt to the changing nature of war and emerging health threats; throughout our nation’s history, innovations developed by military health professionals have been quickly adopted by civilian medicine and public health for the benefit of patients in the US and around the world.

Observations

From the historical record and published studies, we cite notable examples of how military medicine has advanced civilian health care and public health. We also describe how military medicine research and development differs from that done in the civilian world. During the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, military medicine’s focused approach to performance improvement and requirements-driven research cut the case fatality rate from severe battlefield wounds in half, to the lowest level in the history of warfare.

Conclusions and Relevance

Although innovations developed by military medicine regularly inform and improve civilian health care and public health, the architects of these advances and the methods they use are often overlooked. Enhanced communication and cooperation between our nation’s military and civilian health systems would promote reciprocal learning, accelerate collaborative research, and strengthen our nation’s capacity to meet a growing array of health and geopolitical threats.
Head and Neck Surgery—The Call to Joyful Sacrificial Giving
Authors: Burkey Brian B.
Published: September 2023

This Viewpoint explores the role of the servant leader and its implications as a leadership model for head and neck surgeons.
The anti‐cancer effect of epigallocatechin‐3‐O‐gallate against multiple myeloma cells is potentiated by 5,7‐dimethoxyflavone
Authors: Bae Jaehoon , Kumazoe Motofumi , Park Su‐Jin , Fujimura Yoshinori , Tachibana Hirofumi
Published: September 2023

(−)‐Epigallocatechin‐3‐O‐gallate (EGCG) is one of the major components of green tea polyphenol. Previous studies have shown that EGCG induces cancer‐specific cell death in vitro and in vivo without causing severe side effects. However, the anti‐cancer effect of EGCG alone is limited. 5,7‐dimethoxyflavone (5,7‐DMF), one of the principal functional components of black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora), also exerts anti‐cancer effects. Here, we show that 5,7‐DMF synergistically enhances the anti‐cancer effect of EGCG in multiple myeloma cells by potentiating EGCG‐induced intracellular cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) production. Moreover, the combination of EGCG and 5,7‐DMF induces apoptotic cell death in multiple myeloma cells, and this is accompanied by activation of the cGMP/acid sphingomyelinase (ASM)/cleaved caspase‐3 pathway. In conclusion, we have shown that 5,7‐DMF enhances the anti‐cancer effect of EGCG by upregulating cGMP in multiple myeloma cells.
Expand and Sensitize: Guanidine‐Functionalized Exopolysaccharide Nanoparticles Cause Bacterial Cell Expansion and Antibiotic Sensitization
Authors: Li Chengcheng , Jia Hao‐Ran , Seidi Farzad , Shi Xiaotong , Gu Ruihan , Guo Yuxin , Liu Yi , Zhu Ya‐Xuan , Wu Fu‐Gen , Xiao Huining
Published: September 2023

Conventional antibacterial agents and mechanisms are frequently observed to be ineffective due to the evolution of bacteria to the strains with stronger antibiotic resistance, and hence developing alternative antibacterial materials and mechanisms is urgently needed. Here, guanidine‐functionalized exopolysaccharide (EPS) nanoparticles (termed EPGNs) with durable antibacterial and antibiofilm activities are developed. Very interestingly, the EPGNs obtained by the reaction of EPS, epichlorohydrin, and polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride exhibit an unconventional antibacterial mechanism, i.e., they can induce substantial bacterial cell expansion by upregulating the SulA and DicB proteins that are responsible for cell division inhibition, along with the increase of reactive oxygen species production, bacterial cell surface disruption, and bacterial ribosomal RNA degradation. The transcriptome analysis reveals that EPGNs can hinder cell motility, induce loss of cell integrity, decrease the resistance of bacteria to oxidative stress, and finally lead to cell death. Moreover, EPGNs can effectively accelerate the bacteria‐infected wound healing. This work provides the first example that nanomaterials can cause bacterial cell expansion by affecting intracellular structures and inhibiting cell division, and it may inspire other researchers to investigate the effect of antibacterial materials on the change of bacterial volume and design unconventional antibacterial materials/strategies.
Conformal Build‐Up of Functionalized Air Filters with Improved Air Cleaning and Bioprotective Traps
Authors: Zhou Zhiqiang , You Tianle , Wang Di , Pan Zhengyuan , Xu Guilong , Liang Yun , Tang Min
Published: September 2023

Air filtration is vital for passive pollution control toward advanced manufacturing industries and human health protection. However, large‐scale air‐filter utilization is limited by high energy costs. Therefore, it is crucial to develop filter media that exhibit a high removal efficiency, low pressure drop, and stable biocidal effects. This study reports an efficient and scalable bottom‐up approach for fabricating shellac‐based glass fiber matrices with bioprotective traps (GFMs‐traps) with tunable conformal micro/nanostructures, superhydrophobicity, and biocidal functions. The synthesis, which involves freeze‐drying‐free ice‐shellac double‐template formation, perfluorosilane‐based grafting, and filtration, eliminates capillary‐force‐induced micro/nanofibrous cluster formation. Theoretical modeling and experimental results indicate that the air cleaning and biocidal properties of the GFMs‐traps can be attributed to their uniformly distributed micro/nanofibrous structures and stable nanoparticle (NP) coatings (AgNPs, CuNPs, and TiO2NPs). The GFMs‐traps exhibit integrated air cleaning, with excellent filtration performance at the most penetrating particle size (99.97%, 234 Pa), superhydrophobicity (≥150°), a high virus‐filtration efficiency (99.995%), and good antibacterial and antiviral activity. Additionally, a commercial air purifier comprising a GFMs‐trap filter exhibits high potential for commercial applications. The facile strategy for fabricating high‐performance bioprotective filter media reported here may facilitate advanced large‐scale air filtration applications in the future.
Π‐Skeleton Tailoring of Olefin‐Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks Achieving Low Exciton Binding Energy for Photo‐Enhanced Uranium Extraction from Seawater
Authors: Yu Fengtao , Li Chuangye , Li Wanru , Yu Zhiwu , Xu Zhenzhen , Liu Yan , Wang Bo , Na Bing , Qiu Jianding
Published: September 2023

Adsorption‐photocatalysis technology based on covalent organic frameworks (COFs) offers an alternative method for advancing the field of uranium extraction from seawater. When determining the photocatalytic activity of COFs, the binding energy of excitons (Eb) functions is the decisive factor. Nevertheless, the majority of reported COFs have a large Eb, which seriously restricts their application in the field of photocatalysis. Using a practical π‐skeleton engineering strategy, the current study synthesizes three donor‐acceptor olefin‐linked COFs containing amidoxime units in an effort to minimize Eb. Theoretical and experimental results reveal that the construction of planar and continuous π‐electron delocalization channels can significantly reduce Eb and promote the separation of electron‐hole pairs, thereby enhancing the photocatalytic activities. Moreover, the Eb of the TTh‐COF‐AO with a planar π‐skeleton donor is significantly reduced, and exhibits a substantially smaller Eb (38.4 meV). Under visible light irradiation, a high photo‐enhanced uranium extraction capacity of 10.24 mg g−1 is achieved from natural seawater without the addition of sacrificial reagents, which is superior to the majority of olefin‐linked COFs that have been reported to date. This study, therefore, paves the way for the development of tailored, efficient COFs photocatalysts for the extraction of uranium from seawater.
Ag Electrode Anticorrosion in Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Acan , Li Xiaodong , Zhang Wenxiao , Yang Hui , Guo Xuemin , Lu Chunyan , Yuan Haobo , Ou‐Yang Wei , Fang Junfeng
Published: September 2023

Ag electrode is widely used in inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs), but its easy reaction and corrosive nature with perovskite always induces severe stability issue. Here, from typical theory of metal anticorrosion, a chemical anticorrosion approach for Ag electrode in inverted PSCs through introducing 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) as a corrosion inhibitor is reported. MBT can strongly bond to Ag and form a compact [MBT‐Ag] chain on Ag surface owing to its N atom in thiazolyl ring and exocyclic thiol groups. As a result, Ag anticorrosion ability is greatly enhanced by increasing the corrosion potential and decreasing the corrosion current, thus effectively inhibiting possible chemical reaction and corrosion between perovskite and Ag electrodes. PSCs containing MBT/Ag exhibit high efficiency of over 23% with good stability, retaining 95 ± 4.1% of initial efficiency after storage for 3800 h in glovebox. Importantly, resulting PSCs also show excellent thermal stability, maintaining 90 ± 1.8% of initial efficiency after aging for 900 h at 85 °C.
Stretchable Enzymatic Biofuel Cells Based on Microfluidic Structured Elastomeric Polydimethylsiloxane with Wrinkled Gold Electrodes
Authors: Lee Joonyoung , Kim Ki‐Yoon , Kwon Yongchai , Khang Dahl‐Young
Published: September 2023

Various sensors and electronic devices are recently developed to monitor human health in mechanically flexible or even stretchable forms for intimate contact with non‐flat curvilinear surfaces of the human body. For successful operation of these devices, finding a proper way to electrically power them is very important. In this work, glucose/oxygen fueled enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs) based on microfluidic structured elastomeric polydimethylsiloxane substrate with wrinkled gold (Au) electrodes are suggested for power supply. For doing that, firstly, bottom surface of microfluidic channel is covered with buckled Au electrodes for stretchability. By microfluidic design showing capillary imbibition through fluidic channels, loading of catalyts is promoted. Interestingly, buckled Au electrodes induce much better anodic and cathodic reaction rates than those of non‐buckled Au electrodes by 25% and 33%, respectively. This is because surface area and the amount of catalyst loading in electrodes increase by Au wrinkling. In evaluations of EBFCs using the buckled Au electrodes, maximum power density reaches 7.1 ± 0.64 µW cm−2, while they show decent performance of 5.4 ± 0.49 µW cm−2 even under external stretching. Taken together, it is corroborated that such proposed stretchable EBFCs are alternative for providing electrical power in wearable or implantable devices.
Imaging Light‐Induced Migration of Dislocations in Halide Perovskites with 3D Nanoscale Strain Mapping
Authors: Orr Kieran W. P. , Diao Jiecheng , Lintangpradipto Muhammad Naufal , Batey Darren J. , Iqbal Affan N. , Kahmann Simon , Frohna Kyle , Dubajic Milos , Zelewski Szymon J. , Dearle Alice E. , Selby Thomas A. , Li Peng , Doherty Tiarnan A. S. , Hofmann Stephan , Bakr Osman M. , Robinson Ian K. , Stranks Samuel D.
Published: September 2023

In recent years, halide perovskite materials have been used to make high‐performance solar cells and light‐emitting devices. However, material defects still limit device performance and stability. Here, synchrotron‐based Bragg coherent diffraction imaging is used to visualize nanoscale strain fields, such as those local to defects, in halide perovskite microcrystals. Significant strain heterogeneity within MAPbBr3 (MA = CH3NH3+) crystals is found in spite of their high optoelectronic quality, and both 〈100〉 and 〈110〉 edge dislocations are identified through analysis of their local strain fields. By imaging these defects and strain fields in situ under continuous illumination, dramatic light‐induced dislocation migration across hundreds of nanometers is uncovered. Further, by selectively studying crystals that are damaged by the X‐ray beam, large dislocation densities and increased nanoscale strains are correlated with material degradation and substantially altered optoelectronic properties assessed using photoluminescence microscopy measurements. These results demonstrate the dynamic nature of extended defects and strain in halide perovskites, which will have important consequences for device performance and operational stability.
Rational Design of a 3D Crown‐Based Material for the Selective Recovery of Silver Ions from Seawater and e‐Waste
Authors: Abdulazeez Ismail , Al‐Hamouz Othman Charles S. , Salhi Billel , Baig Nadeem , Aljundi Isam , Abu‐Zahra Nidal
Published: September 2023

Silver recovery from sustainable sources such as seawater and e‐waste is critical for the conservation of land‐based resources and the reduction of the environmental impacts of e‐waste disposal. However, the abundance of competing metal ions in seawater and in e‐waste makes the recovery extremely challenging. Thus, to effectively capture silver ions under these conditions, the designing of materials with high selectivity, sufficient binding sites, and low affinity to competing metal ions is vital. Herein,  we  report the design and synthesis of a 3D‐like Schiff‐bridging crown‐based material named AC5, for the selective recovery of Ag+ ions. Through this design, a significant enhancement in the silver ion recovery  was  achieved with an excellent removal efficiency of up to 99.9%, and a tremendous increase in selectivity of 400 000 – 900 000% when compared to the metal ions (Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+) found in seawater, and the heavy metal ions (Cu2+, Cd2+, Ni2+, and Pb2+) found in electronic wastes.  Density functional theory and molceular dynamics simulations revealed that the structural geometry of AC5 favors high charge transfer, lowered global hardness, and enhanced ion‐dipole attractions toward Ag+ ions, making the material an excellent candidate for the efficient recovery of silver from desalination brine and spent silver resources.
Reusability, Long‐Life Storage and Highly Sensitive Zirconium Nitride (ZrN) Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) Substrate Fabricated by Reactive Gas‐Timing Rf Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Sucheewa Nguentra , Wongwiriyapan Winadda , Rattanawarinchai Prapakorn , Wuttikhun Tuksadon , Sinthiptharakoon Kittiphat , Youngjan Saran , Khemthong Pongtanawat , Tumcharern Gamolwan , Lertvanithphol Tossaporn , Limsuwan Nutthamon , Pankiew Apirak , Horprathum Mati , Porntheeraphat Supanit , Yordsri Visittapong , Khemasiri Narathon , Obata Michiko , Fujishige Masatsugu , Takeuchi Kenji , Endo Morinobu , Klamchuen Annop , Nukeaw Jiti
Published: September 2023

Transition metal nitrides (TMN) are promising material alternative to replace noble metals in the field of plasmonic applications, especially surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Here  we  demonstrate a practical surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate using zirconium nitride (ZrN) thin films grown by reactive gas‐timing (RGT) rf magnetron sputtering. The tailored properties of ZrN thin film exploited for SERS activity could be achieved to obtain a highly sensitive ZrN thin film SERS substrate with the enhancement factor (EF) of 1.24 × 106 and 4.8 %RSD at 1626 cm‐1 toward methylene blue (MB) analyte which are comparable to the optimized Au sputtered thin films (EF=1.18 × 106 and with 5.1%RSD).  We  find that the spatial plasmonic hotspots on the surface of ZrN SERS substrate controlled by the turn‐on timing of Ar:N2 sputtered gas sequence, leading to the discrete conductive surface profile, strongly relates to non‐stoichiometric composition and the degree of (200)‐oriented texture at the surface of ZrN thin film. Furthermore, ZrN thin film SERS substrates exhibit an excellent recyclability more than 30 cycles with simple cleaning process and a storage time longer than 6 months. The detection and reusability of ZrN SERS substrate on the low concentration of trinitrotoluene (TNT) for homeland security are also performed.
Synthesis of 2‐Aminopyridines via Cobalt‐Catalyzed Cycloaddition of Diynes with N‐Substituted and N‐Unsubstituted Cyanamides
Authors: Sugiyama Yu‐ki , Amo Masaki , Ibe Kouta , Okamoto Sentaro
Published: September 2023

Reactivity of nitriles in a CoCl2−6H2O/dppe/Zn‐catalyzed diyne‐nitrile cycloaddition was explored through the competitive reactions of a diyne with two different nitriles, and it was found that cyanamides are good substrates, and the reaction yielded 2‐aminopyridines. Notably, N‐unsubstituted cyanamide (H2N−CN) could be used for the reaction with 1,6‐diynes to afford the corresponding N‐unsubstituted 2‐aminopyridines, which cannot be prepared via other catalytic reactions and are versatile intermediates for further transformations such as the synthesis of 2‐substituted pyridines and 6,7‐annulated imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines.
Visible‐Light‐Catalyzed Formal [3+2] Annulation‐Aromatization of Amidines with Isoquinolinium N‐Ylides: Access to Imidazo[2,1‐a]isoquinolines
Authors: Zheng Lvyin , Zou Xiaoying , Yang Xiaojuan , Deng Lei , Guo Wei
Published: September 2023

A visible‐light‐catalyzed formal [3+2] annulation‐aromatization reaction for the synthesis of various substituted imidazo[2,1‐a]isoquinolines from amidines with stabilized isoquinolinium N‐ylides in the presence of bases is developed. The procedure reported here involves a direct C−H activation and the formation of C−C/C−N bonds in one‐pot. The reaction mechanism is probed by radical‐trapping experiment, fluorescence quenching, and light on/off experiments. The late‐stage modification experiments provide the potential applications in the field of organic and medicinal chemistry for chemists.
Construction of Thiadiazole‐Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks via Facile Linkage Conversion with Superior Photocatalytic Properties
Authors: Yang Shuailong , Chen Ziao , Zou Lei , Cao Rong
Published: September 2023

The establishment of facile synthetic routes to engineer covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with fully conjugated structure and excellent stability is highly desired for practical applications in optoelectronics and photocatalysis. Herein, a novel linkage conversion strategy is reported to prepare crystalline thiadiazole‐linked COFs via thionation, cyclization, and oxidation ofN‐acylhydrazole bonds with Lawesson's reagent (LR). The as‐prepared thiadiazole‐linked COFs not only remain porosity and crystallinity, but enhance its chemical stability. Furthermore, thiadiazole‐linked COFs are more favorable to lower exciton binding energy and promote π‐electron delocalization over the whole reticular framework thanN‐acylhydrazone‐linked COFs. Notably, the extended π‐conjugation structure and decent crystallinity of the resulting TDA‐COF are reflected by its higher photocatalytic H2evolution rate (61.3 mmol g−1in 5 h) in comparison with that (7.5 mmol g−1) of NAH‐COF.
Biomass‐based materials for advanced supercapacitor: principles, progress, and perspectives
Authors: Wang Yaxuan , Xu Ting , Liu Kun , Zhang Meng , Cai Xu‐Min , Si Chuanling
Published: September 2023

Supercapacitors exhibit considerable potential as energy storage devices due to their high power density, fast charging and discharging abilities, long cycle life, and eco‐friendliness. With the increasing environmental concerns associated with synthetic compounds, the use of environment friendly biopolymers to replace conventional petroleum‐based materials has been widely studied. Biomass‐based materials are biodegradable, renewable, environment friendly and non‐toxic. The unique hierarchical nanostructure, excellent mechanical properties and hydrophilicity allow them to be used to create functional conductive materials with precisely controlled structures and different properties. In this review, the latest development of biomass‐based supercapacitor materials is reviewed and discussed. This paper describes the physical and chemical properties of various biopolymers and their impact on supercapacitors, as well as the classification and basic principles of supercapacitors. Then, a comprehensive discussion is presented on the utilization of biomass‐based materials in supercapacitors and their recent applications across a range of supercapacitor devices. Finally, an overview of the future prospects and challenges pertaining to the utilization of biomass‐based materials in supercapacitors is provided.
Liquid‐phase selective adsorption of xylene isomers in ultramicroporous carbon spheres
Authors: Chen Shibin , Yang Cuiting , Zhou Xiaoying , Miao Guang , Yu Hao , Xiao Jing
Published: September 2023

The objective of this work is to investigate adsorption separation of liquid‐phase xylene isomers using ultramicroporous carbon spheres. The synthesized glucose‐based adsorbent (UMC‐xyl) enabled the challenging separation of liquid‐phase p‐xylene/m‐xylene with an adsorption selectivity of 53 as well as p‐xylene uptake of 91mg/g, outperforming a series of commercial adsorbents including the industrial benchmark KBaX. The micropore diffusion model was used to give the best fit to the adsorption kinetics of UMC‐xyl with a rate achieved higher than KBaX. The xylene isomer separation was facilitated by the narrow ultramicropore size distributed at 5.8–6.8 Å in UMC‐xyl via a synergistic kinetic and size‐sieving separation mechanism. Breakthrough experiments confirmed the effectiveness of UMC‐xyl in the dynamic selective separation of p‐xylene from xylene isomers, together with superior multiple‐cycle eluent regenerability under the synergistic effects of the “like‐dissolve‐like” principle and π–π interaction. The work opens a new direction of using porous carbon adsorbents for continuous liquid‐phase separation of challenging hydrocarbon isomers.
Multi‐impeller mixing performance prediction in stirred tanks using mean age theory approach
Authors: Wu Mei , Jurtz Nico , Hohl Lena , Kraume Matthias
Published: September 2023

The mixing performance and power consumption for four dual‐impeller configurations in a stirred tank are studied using the mean age theory (MAT) approach, the fully transient techniques (FTT), and experiments. A novel method is developed based on the scaled mean age probability distribution curve, allowing the MAT method to be applied to multi‐impeller systems for the first time. The MAT approach provides three‐dimensional tracer distribution within the vessel, which is confirmed by FTT and experiments. Compared to the experimental data, the predicted mixing time from the MAT approach shows a deviation within 20%. This is a good degree of accuracy compared to FTT and correlations. For steady‐state predicted power numbers, a 20% deviation from the experimental data is observed, while the transient approach exhibits a lower deviation at 10%. However, the computational time can be reduced significantly using the steady‐state MAT approach.
A Quantum Perspective on Oscillation Frequencies in Axion Dark Matter Experiments
Authors: Jaeckel Joerg , Montoya Valentina , Quint Cedric
Published: September 2023

In this paper, the time evolution of signals in axion dark matter experiments is considered from a quantum perspective. The aim is to illuminate the specific case of axion experiments and not to contribute new results to the general discussion of the quantum/classical connection. Classically, one expects a signal oscillating with a frequency equal to the axion mass whose amplitude is slowly rising due to the tiny interaction of the axions with ordinary matter. Quantum mechanically the latter time‐scale arises from the small splitting in the energy levels induced by the interaction between the axions and the experiment. It is always present in suitable, sensitive experiments. Signals that oscillate with the axion mass arise from processes changing the axion number. For certain observables such oscillations are absent for special initial quantum states of the axions. Examples are shown where these special states can be affected by the experiment such that a signal oscillating with the axion mass re‐appears. Suitable correlators that feature an oscillation with the axion mass are discussed, and comments on the connection to the classical treatment are provided. Explicitly, the Cosmic Axion Spin Precession Experiment (CASPEr) is studied, but these findings are expected to be adaptable to other axion dark matter searches.
Solvation‐Mediated Self‐Assembly from Crystals to Helices of Protic Acyclic Carbene AuI‐Enantiomers with Chirality Amplification
Authors: Liu Ying‐Jie , Liu Yu , Zang Shuang‐Quan
Published: September 2023

Constructing chiral supramolecular assembly and exploring the underlying mechanism are of great significance in promoting the development of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL)‐active materials. Herein, we report a solvation‐mediated self‐assembly from single‐crystals to helical nanofibers based on the first protic acyclic (methoxy)(amino)carbenes (pAMACs) AuI‐enantiomers driven by a synergetic aurophilic interactions and H‐bonds. Their aggregation‐dependent thermally activated delayed fluorescence properties with high quantum yields (ΦFL) up to 95 % were proved to be attributed to packing modes of Au⋅⋅⋅Au dimers with π‐stacking or one‐dimensional extended Au⋅⋅⋅Au chains. Via drop‐casting method, supramolecular P‐ or M‐helices were prepared. Detailed studies on the helices demonstrate that formations of extended helical Au⋅⋅⋅Au molecular chains amplify supramolecular chirality, leading to strong CPL with high dissymmetry factor (|glum|=0.030, ΦFL=67 %) and high CPL brightness (BCPL) of 4.87×10−3. Our findings bring new insights into the fabrication of helical structures to improve CPL performance by modifying aurophilic interactions.
Green Approach for the Synthesis of Chalcogenyl‐ 2,3‐dihydrobenzofuran Derivatives Through Allyl‐phenols/ Naphthols and Their Potential as MAO‐B Inhibitors
Authors: Azevedo Amanda R. , Cordeiro Pâmella , Strelow Dianer N. , de Andrade Karine N. , Neto Marcos R. S. , Goetze Fiorot Rodolfo , Brüning César A. , Braga Antonio L. , Lião Luciano M. , Bortolatto Cristiani F. , Neto José S. S. , Nascimento Vanessa
Published: September 2023

This work presents the design, synthesis, and MAO‐B inhibitor activity of a series of chalcogenyl‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofurans derivatives. Using solvent‐ and metal‐free methodology, a series of chalcogen‐containing dihydrobenzofurans 7–9 was obtained with yields ranging from 40% to 99%, using an I2/DMSO catalytic system. All compounds were fully structurally characterized using 1H and 13C NMR analysis, and the unprecedented compounds were additionally analyzed using high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). In addition, the mechanistic proposal that iodide is the most likely species to act in the transfer of protons along the reaction path was studied through theoretical calculations. Finally, the compounds 7b–e, 8a–e, and 9a showed great promise as inhibitors against MAO‐B activity.
The dynamic role of cohesin in maintaining human genome architecture
Authors: Agarwal Abhishek , Korsak Sevastianos , Choudhury Ashutosh , Plewczynski Dariusz
Published: September 2023

Recent advances in genomic and imaging techniques have revealed the complex manner of organizing billions of base pairs of DNA necessary for maintaining their functionality and ensuring the proper expression of genetic information. The SMC proteins and cohesin complex primarily contribute to forming higher‐order chromatin structures, such as chromosomal territories, compartments, topologically associating domains (TADs) and chromatin loops anchored by CCCTC‐binding factor (CTCF) protein or other genome organizers. Cohesin plays a fundamental role in chromatin organization, gene expression and regulation. This review aims to describe the current understanding of the dynamic nature of the cohesin‐DNA complex and its dependence on cohesin for genome maintenance. We discuss the current 3C technique and numerous bioinformatics pipelines used to comprehend structural genomics and epigenetics focusing on the analysis of Cohesin‐centred interactions. We also incorporate our present comprehension of Loop Extrusion (LE) and insights from stochastic modelling.