bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘End to end’ linkage structure for integrated impact assessment of infrastructure networks under natural hazards
Authors: Syed Yasir , Uma S R , Prasanna Raj , Wotherspoon Liam
Published: June 2021

An infrastructure impact assessment process relies on the analysis of multiple types of models, the performance of individual infrastructure networks and the interdependencies between multiple infrastructure networks. Several models are developed for their specific purposes and there is a need to link these models for the assessment of natural hazard impacts on distributed infrastructures to deliver the desired outcomes on network functionality and disruption levels that are suitable to assess socio-economic impact. In this paper, an ‘end-to-end’ linkage structure is proposed to link different models by which various features, data standards, parameters and structures are linked in a transparent and consistent manner. The framework has adopted a dedicated knowledge discovery and data analysis process to acquire information around input and output parameters for each of these models developed by various researchers and used in risk assessment tools. The framework is illustrated by applying the step-by-step procedure towards integrated impact assessments of electricity, potable water and road networks and their interdependencies.
A hybrid for pain, i.e. bifunctional analgesics in neuropathy
Authors: Starnowska-Sokół Joanna
Published: June 2021

The need of developing new neuropathic pain therapies results from limited potency of currently
available treatments, which is underlain by low efficacy of conventional analgesics, complex etiology and
pathogenesis of neuropathy, diversity of its symptoms, as well as heightened side effects risk that accompanies
the polypharmaceutical strategy, employed commonly to improve the therapeutic outcomes. Designing hybrid
compounds, i.e. multimodal molecules that present the affinity to more than one receptor target, offers a promising
perspective in this context. The multimodal approach allows to increase the analgesic efficacy of a given compound
thanks to aiming at the very pathomechanisms specific for neuropathic pain, and to optimize the pharmacological
profile of the drug. Thanks to the hybrid structure, analgesic properties of its moieties can be maximized, even if their
action as separate pharmacophores tends to be limited or inconsistent under nerve injury conditions, such as in the
case of opioid agonists. The present review discusses selected targets of hybrid compounds in the view of potential
neuropathic pain therapy, along with the gains, limitations and challenges related to the use of hybrid compounds.
Desafios das Interfaces Gestuais para a Aprendizagem de Pessoas com Dispraxia
Authors: De Sousa Leonardo , Silveira Ismar
Published: June 2021

Ferramentas computacionais que se utilizam de interfaces gestuais podem ajudar as pessoas com Dispraxia como um recurso para melhoria de sua aprendizagem. Este trabalho tem como objetivo discutir os desafios de pesquisa relacionados ao desenvolvimento de aplicativos touchless para a Educac¸ ˜ao Especial, juntamente com questionamentos sobre o desenho da interface, acessibilidade, criac¸ ˜ao de diretrizes, impacto financeiro e aspectos cognitivos a serem mobilizados, almejando-se um aluno com igualdade de condic¸ ˜oes de aprendizagem quer em contextos de aprendizagem colaborativa ou individualizada atrav´es de Tecnologias Assistivas.
Investigando a Evolução da Plataforma Tecnológica em um Ecossistema de Software Federado
Authors: Antonio Nadja , Horita Flavio , Santos Rodrigo
Published: June 2021

Sistemas de Informação Federados (SIF) se interconectam para obter funcionalidades que exigem muitas integrações que, sozinhos, não conseguiriam realizar. SIF juntos cumprem uma missão maior, tal como a disponibilização de crédito ao cliente bancário. Por sua vez, os Sistemas de Informação (SI) são aqueles que fazem parte de uma mesma plataforma tecnológica comum com seus atores internos e externos. Ao conjunto destes SI, denomina-se Ecossistema de Software (ECOS). Partindo destes conceitos, o arranjo de SIF pode ser denominado Ecossistema de Software Federado (ECOSF). Nesse contexto, com o forte avanço da evolução tecnológica, cada vez mais se torna necessário que os SIF migrem para novas tecnologias e esta evolução pode causar novas tensões organizacionais (TO) entre os stakeholders durante essas migrações e na convivência dos SIF novos com legados. Isto ocorre porque existem diversos desafios envolvidos nesta migração: processos tradicionais; resistência a mudanças; questões orçamentárias, dentre outros. Este trabalho propõe investigar a evolução da plataforma tecnológica comum de um ECOSF e analisar como emergem as TO. Como contribuição para a indústria, pretende-se encontrar os elementos que influenciam na evolução da plataforma tecnológica comum de um ECOSF, auxiliando gestores na tomada de decisão na evolução dos SIF envolvidos. Como contribuição para a academia, será realizada uma teorização da evolução dos SIF, fornecendo mais uma forma de pensar, teorizar e entender sistemas desta natureza.
Characterizing Reactions and Comments Associated with News on Facebook
Authors: Guimarães Samuel , Benevenuto Fabrício
Published: June 2021

News consumption is increasingly done on social media websites. In this environment, all types of entities and people present themselves as news sources. These new outlets might focus on specific audiences, and some exhibit the news less objectively. Facebook is one of these platforms, which categorizes an extensive group of pages as a kind of news media. To analyze this phenomenon, it is crucial to characterize all pages that disseminate information in this ecosystem. Our main objective is to create an in-depth diagnostic of news stories and opinions, focusing on Brazilian Facebook. Our contributions are: (i) a new method to measure the political bias of Facebook pages on a given country, and (ii) a detailed characterization of a comprehensive sample of these pages.
Wills Formalities versus Testator’s Intention
Authors: Załucki Mariusz
Published: June 2021

In recent years in particular, as a result of the very rapid development of various technologies, the phenomenon of so-called informal wills has appeared on a large scale in the practice of succession law. These are wills made by testators who, when disposing of their assets in the event of their death, do not make use of the forms of will provided for by the law. This is most often the result of ignorance or confusion as to the admissibility of a particular method of disposing of assets in the event of their death. In the light of the relevant provisions such a will is frequently invalid. Despite clear and convincing evidence and testation intentions, the testator's last will does not produce any legal effects regarding his estate. The inappropriateness of this kind of solutions was shown, among others, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the need for making last wills has increased significantly, and has rarely been executed in a manner consistent with the formalities. Therefore, the main objective of this work is to design such a normative solution which could function in the provisions of succession law as one that constructs the legal figure of the form of a will.
Der Mitteleuropäische Sprachbund: Semantische Konvergenzprozesse (am Beispiel Deutsch und Tschechisch)
Authors: Jelisarjewa Maria
Published: June 2021

Der Aufsatz widmet sich dem mitteleuropäischen Sprachbund und geht der Frage nach, ob semantische Übereinstimmungen als relevantes Merkmal dieses Sprachbundes gelten können, zumal traditionell meistens nur phonetische und morphosyntaktische Ähnlichkeiten als konstituierende Züge eines Sprachbunds betrachtet werden. Ziel der Untersuchung ist es, semantische Übereinstimmungen im Deutschen und im Tschechischen, die auf den Sprachkontakt zurückgeführt werden könnten, aufzudecken und dadurch zu zeigen, dass semantische Parallelen für den mitteleuropäischen Sprachbund durchaus typisch sind. Hierzu wurden anhand deutsch-tschechischer sowie tschechisch-deutscher Wörterbücher tschechische Lexeme ausgewählt, bei denen es sich um deutsche Lehnbedeutungen und Lehnübersetzungen handeln kann. Die Analyse hat ergeben, dass Deutsch und Tschechisch weitreichende semantische Übereinstimmungen aufweisen, die auf Sprachkontakt zurückgeführt werden können, wobei Lehnübersetzungen und Lehnbedeutungen systematische Züge aufweisen und dazu führen, dass in beiden Sprachen manche Ausschnitte des sprachlich geformten Weltbilds auf die gleiche Weise verbalisiert und ausgedrückt werden.
Intervalo hídrico ótimo e valores críticos de densidade como indicadores de recuperação de um solo sob sistemas florestais e pasto
Authors: Faustino Lucas Luís , Marciano Cláudio Roberto
Published: June 2021

O intervalo hídrico ótimo (IHO) é um indicador de qualidade física do solo para o crescimento de plantas determinado não só pela disponibilidade de água, mas também pela aeração e resistência que o solo oferece à penetração das raízes. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência da revegetação com as leguminosas arbóreas Acácia, Sábia e Ingá, para a recuperação da qualidade física de um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo inicialmente sob pastagem degradada, utilizando como indicador o intervalo hídrico ótimo e as densidades críticas dele decorrentes. A área, localizada em Conceição de Macabú, Rio de Janeiro, constitui-se de cinco coberturas vegetais. Dessas, três foram plantios puros das leguminosas arbóreas acácia, sábia, e ingá, implantadas em 1998, em parcelas de 1500 m2. As outras áreas, utilizadas como referência e adjacentes aos plantios de leguminosas, foram uma pastagem degradada e um fragmento florestal de Mata Atlântica. Amostras de solo, coletadas em anéis volumétricos nas camadas 0-0,10 e 0,10-0,20 m de profundidade, foram utilizadas para a obtenção da curva de retenção de água, da curva de resistência à penetração e do IHO em função da densidade. Em nenhuma área ou camada foram verificadas restrições à aeração do solo. Por outro lado, valores de resistência à penetração superiores ao limite crítico de 3,0 MPa foram verificados em grande parte dos casos, fazendo com que o IHO fosse menor que a água disponível. As densidades do solo críticas às plantas quanto a restrições mecânicas e hídricas (DscRP e DscIHO) foram mais altas sob capoeira. As áreas sob leguminosas arbóreas apresentaram elevadas densidades médias e baixos valores de densidades críticas DscRP e DscIHO, similares às da área sob pastagem. Pode-se concluir que o solo sob capoeira apresenta resiliência frente ao processo de compactação, e que após 17 anos da revegetação com leguminosas arbóreas não houve evidências consistentes de recuperação estrutural do solo.
Potencial de regeneração natural de um plantio compensatório realizado em unidade de conservação urbana sob forte pressão antrópica
Authors: Barbosa Karina Cavalheiro , Catharino Eduardo Luis Martins , Barbosa Luiz Mauro , Couto Hilton Thadeu Zarate do , Santos Junior Nelson Augusto
Published: June 2021

Áreas protegidas por lei representam uma das estratégias para conservação da biodiversidade, principalmente em regiões sob forte pressão antrópica. Porém, muitas dessas áreas protegidas apresentam barreiras impeditivas à regeneração natural e conhecê-las torna-se primordial. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o potencial de regeneração de um plantio de restauração realizado em uma Unidade de Conservação, por meio da quantificação do aporte de diásporos e da formação de indivíduos jovens. Para isso, foram instalados coletores de sementes e parcelas de regeneração natural num plantio realizado no Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga, São Paulo, SP. Foram identificadas 54 espécies (41 arbóreas) e registrados 24.033 propágulos (17.775 da espécie invasora Urochloa decumbens) e quanto ao recrutamento de plântulas foram 58 espécies (16 arbóreas). O potencial de regeneração foi influenciado pelas condições da área, e a forte presença de gramíneas invasoras, aliada à baixa diversidade de espécies arbóreas identificadas na chuva de sementes e no recrutamento de plântulas, tem comprometido o processo.
Christian Missions and Covid-19 in Africa and Latin America: A Case Study of Brazil, Nigeria, and South Africa
Authors: Ashe Muesiri O. , Ojong Vivian Besem
Published: June 2021

Congregational worship among the religious organizations in Africa and Latin America, particularly the rapidly expanding Christian missions, has been of significant consideration in the light of medical recommendations involving social distancing and avoidance of large social gatherings concerning the coronavirus pandemic. This is among recent observations and has attracted more focus following an acute controversy over the role of the Church in Brazil vis-à-vis government policies on the Covid-19 pandemic and the fact that a number of churches in Nigeria were allegedly initially reluctant to respond to the government lockdown declaration and the resultant ban on congregational worship. Simultaneously, the agenda of financial and material assistance to the poor by the large Christian denominations in South Africa as one means of sustaining the lockdown rather attracted criticism, as they were unable to sustain the project. Furthermore, the role of religious bodies came to the fore as global surveys demonstrated that, on average, the masses in these two continents are among the most religiously observant people in the world. As we shall see in the concluding section, this is the major consideration of Idayat Hassan, Director of the Abuja-based Centre for Democracy and Development, in his assessment of the African context.
Vocational Rehabilitation for Persons With Visual Impairment at the Community: A Case Study in Dong Da District, Hanoi City, Vietnam
Authors: Tung Trinh Van , Nhung Le Thi , Ha Bui Ngoc , Hoai Nguyen Thi Thu
Published: June 2021

Work has been emphasized by the WHO, ILO, and UNESCO for years as to how individuals can escape poverty, secure the necessities and improve his/her economic and social status. In this sense, vocational rehabilitation is regarded as the means for persons with disabilities to access work. However, in the absence of either these programs or full respect for their right to work, they have been encountering different barriers in employment accessibility. This happens more seriously in developing countries, including Vietnam. Through mixed methods of desktop reviews, a survey with 110 persons with visual impairment in the community, and in-depth interviews with 10 key stakeholders, the article aims at briefing an overview on current situations of their employment as well as vocational rehabilitation services and support for occupations in Dong Da District, Hanoi City. Several key findings indicate that they have been coping with unemployment or low-tech and low-paid jobs. There is an intensive gap between needs and service supplies in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial components. In the community, available programs target supporting them in terms of physical aspects rather than cognitive and social components. Finally, the authors discuss more various vocational programs, capacity building to other potential providers, and awareness-raising.
Emotional Intelligence as a Factor against Burnout in Female Students and Teachers
Authors: Leonova Inna M. , Yevchenko Iryna M. , Masliuk Andrii M. , Brahina Kateryna I. , Salata Halyna V.
Published: June 2021

A joint analysis of the concepts of "emotional intelligence" and "burnout" allows finding new ways to protect against the adverse effects of chronic stress. It is known that emotional competencies are determined by gender and gender, but this aspect needs to be clarified. A longitudinal study was conducted in a female sample (575 students and 96 teachers from different regions of Ukraine) to determine the dynamics of burnout in calm and stressful periods and trace the correlation of symptoms with emotional abilities. The structural components of emotional intelligence (reflection, self-regulation, empathy, expressiveness, and acceptance of one's own emotions) and manifestations of burnout were measured; three diagnostic sections were made at the beginning of the academic year, after the winter and spring examination sessions. Significant growth of all burnout indicators during the annual training cycle (MANOVA) was recorded. The effect of the accumulation of fatigue (exhaustion) was robust in teachers and graduate students. At the same time, after the session, students grew a sense of self-efficacy, compensating for the resources spent. Comparison of means in six subsamples of students in grades 1-5 and teachers (ANOVA) showed that structural changes in emotional competencies describe the adaptive potential of a certain age period. The developed empathy and self-regulation are the main signs of women's emotional maturity after graduation. The structure of correlations between burnout parameters and emotional competencies differed in different groups. The most significant contribution to preventing burnout in students is made by reflection and self-regulation, in teachers — by self-regulation, empathy, and acceptance of one's feelings. The negative correlation between emotional abilities and symptoms of burnout is exacerbated during times of stress. It is concluded that there are two mechanisms of the protective influence of emotional intelligence: direct, which prevents exhaustion by controlling and regulating negative emotions, and indirect, through a sense of self-efficacy resulting from the successful overcoming of professional challenges.
The Delayed Effect of Parental Control on the Adaptation of Men and Women in Adulthood
Authors: Yakymchuk Borys A. , Yakymchuk Iryna P. , Vakhotska Iryna O. , Livandovska Inna A. , Hychko Yuliia V.
Published: June 2021

Parental control is an integral part of parent-child relations and a traditional tool of socialization. However, numerous negative effects of parental intervention in the child’s inner world are known. This study clarifies the delayed effects of parental control and a detached parenting style. 270 men and women are aged 35-44 years filled in the questionnaires of hardiness, the sovereignty of the psychological space, and perceived behavior by the father and mother. The results confirmed the prevalence of parental control, especially its manifestations on the part of mothers about daughters. In adult women's lives, mothers' directiveness correlates with hostility and violation of personal boundaries as regards the body, personal territory, things, habits, social connections, and values; men noted maternal interference in the formation of sovereign habits and values. At the same time, parental non-involvement is widespread; the autonomy of fathers about children is significantly greater than mothers. Correlation analysis confirmed the assumption that parental directivity/autonomy determines the hardiness and sense of integrity of personal boundaries in adulthood. The effect of parental control in adulthood depends on the gender of the children and the parents. Maternal control is a strong negative factor for daughters, while maternal autonomy positively correlates with indicators of hardiness. Paternal control was a neutral factor for daughters. For sons, the directivity of father and mother contributes to the formation of resilience. The conclusion was made about the need for differentiation of positive and negative effects of parental control, taking into account gender positions.
Implementing and managing remote public service interpreting in response to COVID-19 and other challenges of globalization
Authors: René de Cotret François , Beaudoin-Julien Andrée-Anne , Leanza Yvan
Published: June 2021

Although it has been acknowledged that public service interpreting helps reduce the language barriers faced by migrant populations, these barriers continue to be a significant cause of healthcare inequality. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, remote interpreting appears to be the most appropriate solution to address the health inequalities of migrant populations while intervening to reduce the risk of the virus spreading. The purpose of the research was to identify ways of providing a framework for the remote interpretation of public service encounters in the province of Quebec, Canada. A series of recommendations available in the literature were discussed with 27 key actors in the field during focus groups and individual conversations. A thematic analysis of participant discourse allowed us to confirm the extent to which existing recommendations were applicable, to clarify certain recommendations and to add seven new ones. TheGuide to the planning and practice of remote public service interpreting(see appendices) consists of 10 recommendations on the planning and management of remote interpreting services and 25 recommendations on the actual encounter. Results show that remote interpreting does not refer solely to telecommunications technology, but also to a knowledge and skill set needed to supervise and coordinate the use of that technology in very specific practice contexts while minimizing the effect of the virtual presence and encouraging the distribution of information among key actors through clearly identified communication channels. TheGuideaddressed these many features.
Roads of the Pskov borderland of the XVII century: from Pskov to Narva
Authors: Kolpakov Maksim Yur'evich
Published: June 2021

The article studies the history of the development and functioning of the main road from Pskov through Gdov to Ivangorod and Narva, which was actively used in the pre-Petrine era. This route can be considered as one of the typical examples of the Pskov borderland road. Written and pictorial sources of the XVII century allow us to reconstruct individual sections of the road, assess the quality of the road surface and infrastructure, and characterize the peculiarities of travelers' everyday life. The main sources were the texts of the 1616 report of the Dutch envoy Albert Joachimi, the painting of road routes from Pskov in 1656, the "Notes on Russia" of 1674 by Eric Palmquist, the entries of the "Diary" of General von Allart for 1700. Trips from Pskov to Narva were made along the traditional (long) route and two short roads. Travelers encountered many troubles characteristic of the border roads вЂ“ poor condition of the road surface, lack of inns, lack of road signs, bad weather, threat to health and property. The maximum average speed of a trip along the studied road is 61 versts per day. The typical average speed of a summer trip is 30 versts per day. Most of the goods between the cities were transported by sleigh from December to March, the road network of the Pskov border region was more adapted for winter trips.
Designation of Flood Risk Zones Using the Geographic Information System Technique and Remote Sensing Data in Wasit, Iraq
Authors: Rasn Kouther Hasheem , Nsaif Qutaiba Abdulwahhab , Al-Obaidi Mudhar A. , John Yakubu Mandafiya
Published: June 2021

Floods are a great concern for people and infrastructure, and this is an issue which has increased in several regions around the globe in recent years. This study aims to evaluate flood risk areas and create a flood risk map using integrated remote sensing data and a geographic information system (GIS) in the Wasit governorate – eastern Iraq. Specifically, GIS‑based multi‑criteria analysis (MCA) was used to map flood hazard areas using a four‑criteria layer which is as follows: flow accumulation, slope, rainfall, and elevation. These four layers are standardized and combined using the overlay approach in ArcGIS software and a final map was produced. The study area was divided into five zones based on the results map, namely: very low, low, medium, high, and very high, according to the flood risk area. The resulting map indicates that over 60% of the study area is likely to experience a high and very high level of propensity of flooding. This study could be useful for government planners and decision‑makers to predict potential flooding areas and enhance flood management plans.
Reliability of hip muscle strength measured in principal and intermediate planes of movement
Authors: Goncalves Basilio A.M. , Saxby David J. , Kositsky Adam , Barrett Rod S. , Diamond Laura E.
Published: June 2021

Background

Muscle strength testing is widely used in clinical and athletic populations. Commercially available dynamometers are designed to assess strength in three principal planes (sagittal, transverse, frontal). However, the anatomy of the hip suggests muscles may only be recruited submaximally during tasks performed in these principal planes.

Objective

To evaluate the inter-session reliability of maximal isometric hip strength in the principal planes and three intermediate planes.

Methods

Twenty participants (26.1 ± 2.7 years, 50% female) attended two testing sessions 6.2 ± 1.8 days apart. Participants completed 3-5 maximal voluntary isometric contractions for hip abduction, adduction, flexion, extension, and internal and external rotation measured using a fixed uniaxial load cell (custom rig) and commercial dynamometer (Biodex). Three intermediate hip actions were also tested using the custom rig: extension with abduction, extension with external rotation, and extension with both abduction and external rotation.

Results

Moderate-to-excellent intraclass correlation coefficients were observed for all principal and intermediate muscle actions using the custom rig (0.72–0.95) and the Biodex (0.85–0.95). The minimum detectable change was also similar between devices (custom rig = 11–31%; Biodex = 9–20%). Bland-Altman analysis revealed poor agreement between devices (range between upper and lower limits of agreement = 77–131%).

Conclusions

Although the custom rig and Biodex showed similar reliability, both devices may lack the sensitivity to detect small changes in hip strength commonly observed following intervention.
Me Senti em Casa
Authors: Cruz Francisco Mateus da Silva , Freitas Ana Augusta Ferreira de
Published: June 2021

A proliferação das comunidades virtuais aliada à recente popularização dos meios de hospedagem colaborativa no setor turístico oportunizou a consumação de experiências insólitas de hospitalidade que demandam alto grau de confiança dos viajantes. Este artigo buscou compreender como as revisões de hóspedes auxiliam na transmissão da confiança a outros usuários para novas reservas de estadias na plataforma Airbnb. Mediante abordagem qualitativa de cunho exploratório, empreendeu-se uma análise de conteúdo em 210 avaliações de hóspedes que viajaram para Fortaleza/CE, publicadas entre 2018 e 2019. O estudo inovou ao amparar-se nos determinantes da credibilidade de uma revisão on-line retratados na literatura acadêmica internacional (relevância, precisão, abrangência e atualidade) para a seleção dos comentários. Os resultados revelaram que, quanto ao anfitrião, os principais argumentos usados para propagar confiança foram a receptividade e a solicitude. Em relação ao espaço, destacaram-se localização, conforto e limpeza. No tocante as consequências da experiência, firmaram-se a propensão ao retorno e a recomendação. Observou-se também uma relação de convergência dos argumentos identificados com o sentimento de familiaridade e estar em casa que muitos hóspedes relataram. Surpreendentemente, a fidedignidade do espaço aos anúncios e a segurança do lugar – aspectos associados ao risco – não emergiram expressivamente nos discursos dos viajantes.
Elastomeric Haptic Devices for Virtual and Augmented Reality
Authors: Bai Hedan , Li Shuo , Shepherd Robert F.
Published: June 2021

Since the modern concepts for virtual and augmented reality are first introduced in the 1960's, the field has strived to develop technologies for immersive user experience in a fully or partially virtual environment. Despite the great progress in visual and auditory technologies, haptics has seen much slower technological advances. The challenge is because skin has densely packed mechanoreceptors distributed over a very large area with complex topography; devising an apparatus as targeted as an audio speaker or television for the localized sensory input of an ear canal or iris is more difficult. Furthermore, the soft and sensitive nature of the skin makes it difficult to apply solid state electronic solutions that can address large areas without causing discomfort. The maturing field of soft robotics offers potential solutions toward this challenge. In this article, the definition and history of virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR) is first reviewed. Then an overview of haptic output and input technologies is presented, opportunities for soft robotics are identified, and mechanisms of intrinsically soft actuators and sensors are introduced. Finally, soft haptic output and input devices are reviewed with categorization by device forms, and examples of soft haptic devices in VR/AR environments are presented.
Biodegradable Copper‐Based Nanoparticles Augmented Chemodynamic Therapy through Deep Penetration and Suppressing Antioxidant Activity in Tumors
Authors: Zheng Runxiao , Cheng Yan , Qi Fan , Wu Yunyun , Han Xiaoqing , Yan Jiao , Zhang Haiyuan
Published: June 2021

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) efficacy has been limited by the poor penetration ability of large nanoparticles (NPs) and the antioxidant activity of tumors, especially high heme oxygenase (HO‐1) and glutathione (GSH) levels. Herein, PEGylated CuMoOx‐coated and zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZP)‐loaded Cu (CCMZ) NPs are designed to afford rapid degradation ability and augmented CDT efficacy through inhibiting HO‐1 activity and depleting GSH. The deep penetration of tumor can be achieved under the high levels of GSH, which triggers the degradation of CuMoOx shell. Meanwhile, GSH itself is depleted, which converts the reductive environment into constant oxidative environment, thus leading to the degradation of Cu core. Furthermore, the release of ZP from CCMZ NPs can inhibit HO‐1 activity and provide a favorable microenvironment for CDT, and the release of Cu and Mo ions can convert hydrogen peroxide into hydroxyl radical to eliminate tumor cells more efficiently. In addition, CCMZ NPs also play an immune vaccine‐like effect to recruit different immune cells for antitumor immunotherapy. In vitro and in vivo studies prove the augmented CDT property of CCMZ NPs, supplying a new strategy for improving CDT efficacy.
Tailoring the Surface Properties of Micro/Nanofibers Using 0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D Nanostructures: A Review on Post‐Modification Methods
Authors: Schneider Rodrigo , Facure Murilo H. M. , Chagas Paulo A. M. , Andre Rafaela S. , dos Santos Danilo M. , Correa Daniel S.
Published: June 2021

Micro‐ and nanofibers produced by electrospinning and solution blow spinning (SBS) are highly suitable platforms for diverse applications due to their advantageous properties, including the high surface area to volume ratio, high porosity, and flexibility. To render them additional functionalities, distinct pre‐ or post‐modification processes have been proposed for modifying such micro‐ and nanofibers with 0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D nanostructures. The pre‐modification requires the addition of 0D–3D nanostructures (or their precursors) into the polymeric phase before the spinning process, which can demand laborious solubilization and requires changes in experimental spinning parameters, with impact on morphology, spinnability, and properties. Post‐modification methods, on the other hand, enable the fabrication of composite fibers without the need to optimize the spinning parameters, allowing a simple and efficient surface modification. Herein, recent advances on post‐modification methods of spun fibers, including wet chemistry, grafting, crosslinking, click chemistry, oxidations, hydrolysis and reduction strategies, dip‐coating, layer‐by‐layer, electro/air‐spray, atomic layer deposition, and plasma techniques aiming at the surface functionalization with 0D–3D nanostructures are surveyed. Recent results, trends, and challenges on the application of such surface‐modified fibers for environmental, industrial, and medical applications, including as adsorbent and filtering membranes, catalysts for pollutants degradation, and wearable sensors are examined.
3D Triptycene‐Fused Acridine Electron Donor Enables High‐Efficiency Nondoped Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescent OLEDs
Authors: Zhan Qun , Cao Chen , Huang Taian , Zhou Changjiang , Xie Ziyang , Zou Yang , Lee Chun‐Sing , Yang Chuluo
Published: June 2021

Organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) with simple nondoped device structure are extremely attractive for real applications since excitons can be utilized without considering the possible charge trapping and morphology issues in the host–dopant systems. Emitters with suppressed concentration annihilation capability are essential for nondoped devices. Herein, two thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters based on a novel 3D electron donor, namely, TDMAC, are constructed. The TDMAC donor consists of a conventional donor with fused triptycene scaffold. Benefitting from the unique rigid and bulky triptycene moiety, these TADF emitters exhibit excellent thermal, morphological, and photophysical properties. Consequently, highly efficient OLEDs with external quantum efficiencies up to 24.2% and 23% are realized for doped and nondoped devices, respectively.
Colored, Covert Infrared Display through Hybrid Planar‐Plasmonic Cavities
Authors: Lee Joong Hoon , Kim Yeong Jae , Yoo Young Jin , Chang Sehui , Lee Gil Ju , Ko Joo Hwan , Kang Kyung Muk , Chanda Debashis , Song Young Min
Published: June 2021

Artificial covert infrared (IR) displays have recently emerged as an anti‐counterfeiting method for spontaneous thermal emissive surfaces and optically encoded information. However, the unnatural appearance of a conventional thermal emissive label in the visible region limits the widespread application of an artificial covert IR display. This paper presents a colored, covert IR display exhibiting visible color patterns and thermally encoded data simultaneously based on a hybrid planar‐plasmonic cavity (HPPC). The HPPC is composed of two spectrally distinguished resonant structures: 1) an ultrathin planar cavity with an amorphous silicon (a‐Si) layer on gold (Au) for visible coloration and 2) an IR plasmonic cavity with hole‐patterned Au on a polymer substrate with a back mirror for thermal data encoding. Such hybridization of multi‐band resonance can not only enhance the vivid coloration but also enhance the data storage capacity per unit. Camouflage labels with encrypted thermal data are successfully demonstrated for practical applications using a flexible HPPC. Collectively, the proposed HPPC enables a new type of anti‐counterfeiting method that achieves both esthetic, visibly encoded data, and covert, thermally encoded data.
State of the Art in Crystallization‐Induced Diastereomer Transformations
Authors: Kolarovič Andrej , Jakubec Pavol
Published: June 2021

Crystallization‐induced diastereomer transformations (CIDT) enable isolation of the target compounds in high enantio‐ and diastereomeric purities and with up to quantitative yields simply by filtration. Numerous inspiring examples of this appealing synthetic strategy reported over the last fifteen years are reviewed. Important observations along with aspects to consider when designing CIDT experiments are discussed.

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Solid‐State Post Li Metal Ion Batteries: A Sustainable Forthcoming Reality?
Authors: Ferrari Stefania , Falco Marisa , Muñoz‐García Ana Belén , Bonomo Matteo , Brutti Sergio , Pavone Michele , Gerbaldi Claudio
Published: June 2021

In the quest for a sustainable society, energy storage technology is destined to play a central role in the future energy landscape. Breakthroughs in materials and methods involving sustainable resources are crucial to protect humankind from the most serious consequences of climate change. Rechargeable batteries of all forms will be required to follow the path. Elements that are eligible to harmonically contribute to the development of a sustainable ecosystem and fulfil the demands of high energy density batteries include Na, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, and Al. Numerous research efforts are underway to explore new battery chemistries based on these elements and, depending on the field of application, different elements inherit different advantages and challenges. Full sustainability implies that the environmental friendliness of these systems must be characterized by a “cradle‐to‐grave” approach. In this context, the pursuit of global environmental and economical sustainability from mass production, raw materials, and technical challenges is discussed herein for the most recent battery concepts based on monovalent and multivalent metal anodes. A perspective on strategies and opportunities particularly around the development of all‐solid‐state system configurations is provided, and the most important obstacles to overcome in search of a more sustainable future for electrochemical energy storage are addressed.
Asymmetric Organocatalysis of Activated Alkynes and Enynes
Authors: Sharma Akashdeep , Nagaraju Koppanathi , Rao Gunda Ananda , Gurubrahamam Ramani , Chen Kwunmin
Published: June 2021

Enantioselective organocatalytic protocols for the functionalization of electron‐deficient internal alkynes and enynes are reviewed. This review focuses on the applicability of activated conjugated π‐systems in asymmetric synthesis for providing diversified chiral entities under metal‐free reaction conditions. Various organocatalytic strategies with different catalytic modes are demonstrated.
Branched Aggregates with Tunable Morphology via Hierarchical Self‐Assembly of Azobenzene‐Derived Molecular Double Brushes
Authors: Xu Binbin , Qian Hongyu , Zhang Ling , Lin Shaoliang
Published: June 2021

Hierarchical self‐assembly is one of the most effective approaches to fabricate nature‐inspired materials with subtle nanostructures. We report a distinct hierarchical self‐assembly process of molecular double brushes (MDBs) with each graft site carrying a poly(azobenzene‐acrylate) (PAzo) chain and a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chain. Asymmetric tapered worm (ATW) nanostructures with chain‐end reactivity assembling from the azobenzene‐derived MDBs serve as primary subunits to prepare branched supermicelles by increasing water content (Cw) in THF/water. Various natural Antedon‐shaped multiarm worm‐like aggregates (MWAs) can be created via the particle–particle connection of ATWs. Intriguingly, the azobenzene moieties undergo trans–cis isomerization upon UV irradiation and further promote a morphology evolution of MWAs. Multiscale supermicelles comprised of starfish shapes with differing central body and arm morphologies (e.g., compare to the biological specimens Luidia ciliaris and Crossaster papposus) were prepared by manipulating irradiation time.
An Invitation to Engage with Computational Modeling: User‐Friendly Tool for In Silico Battery Component Generation and Meshing
Authors: Chouchane Mehdi , Franco Alejandro A.
Published: June 2021

With the growing interest in battery computational modeling to work hand‐in‐hand with experiments, the lack of user‐friendly software, in particular accessible for experimentalists, is an impediment to its development. In the battery field, time dependent 3D‐resolved computational modeling is a more promising approach compared to trial and error to capture the impact of the mesostructure of components (e. g. electrode, separator) on the electrochemical and transport properties of the cell. In this Concept, we introduce and describe an application, freely accessible and usable through an internet browser, that allows to import, generate and mesh battery components suited for time dependent 3D‐resolved electrochemical and transport process simulations.
Biomass‐derived Carbon Quantum Dots – A Review. Part 2: Application in Batteries
Authors: Thangaraj Baskar , Solomon Pravin Raj , Chuangchote Surawut , Wongyao Nutthapon , Surareungchai Werasak
Published: June 2021

The utility of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) based electrodes prepared from biomass has drawn the attention of the scientists and industrialists due to their structural diversities, tuneable physical or chemical properties, and economical, environmental, and social considerations. As the raw material for the production of CQDs is abundantly available in nature at low‐cost any technological know‐how is bound to be sustainable. These carbon quantum dots with porous structure have ideal architecture, physicochemical properties, amenability for doping with heteroatoms, good electrical conductivity thus making them very attractive for electrochemical energy storage. In this paper, application potentialities of various metal ion batteries (Li+, Na+, K+, Al2+, and Zn2+) using nanostructured carbon materials, Columbic efficiency, cyclic ability, reversible discharge capacity, current density, dimensional effects and cost considerations are brought into close focus.
Contribution of Superhydrophobic Surfaces and Polymer Additives to Drag Reduction
Authors: Kouser Taiba , Xiong Yongliang , Yang Dan
Published: June 2021

Drag reduction has constantly received great attention due to its extensive range of applications in fluid transportation and vehicle industries. The vital role of two different additive and non‐additive techniques (polymer additives and superhydrophobic surfaces) to reduce the drag force experienced by underwater vehicles, fluid flow through pipes, ducts, open or closed channels, and other wall‐bounded laminar and turbulent flows is highlighted. Reducing the drag resistance can significantly enhance the performance of immersed vehicles and results in saving the energy consumed on a large scale. The progress in theoretical modeling, experimental and computational studies of both techniques are reviewed, together with the surface design, wettability, and influence of the roughness factor of superhydrophobic surfaces and the effect of polymer drag‐reducing agents for wall‐bounded flows and multiphase flows. General formulations, potential applications, and major issues involved in the aforementioned approaches are summarized.
High‐Performance Bifunctional Ni−Fe−S Catalyst in situ Synthesized within Graphite Intergranular Nanopores for Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Yang Xiao‐Fan , Li Jing , Yang Xin‐Ming , Li Chao‐Xiong , Li Fang , Li Bing , He Jian‐Bo
Published: June 2021

Low‐cost and efficient bifunctional catalysts are urgently needed for overall water splitting used in large‐scale energy storage. In this study, we develop a nickel and iron (di)sulfide (Ni−Fe−S) composite catalyst that is in situ synthesized and fixed within the intergranular nanopores inside high pure polycrystalline graphite. Two precursor solutions (reactants) may permeate the graphite intergranular pores to a depth of more than 3.5 mm. The nanoscale pores serve as an array of nanoreactors for the synthesis of the Ni−Fe−S nanoparticles under conditions much milder than usual. The prepared catalyst efficiently catalyzes both the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER) in 1.0 M KOH. It delivers a current density of 400 mA cm−2 at a full cell voltage of around 2.3 V without considerable activity decay over 24 h electrolysis. The active species of the catalyst are different for the HER and OER and discussed accordingly. The synthesis strategy based on the nanopores in a monolithic conductive substrate proves to be a simple, efficient, and promising way to prepare electrocatalysts that are cheap, abundant, and industrially attractive.
Benzodithiophene‐Based Spacers for Layered and Quasi‐Layered Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Primera Darwich Barbara , Guijarro Nestor , Cho Han‐Hee , Yao Liang , Monnier Luc , Schouwink Pascal , Mensi Mounir , Yum Jun‐Ho , Sivula Kevin
Published: June 2021

Incorporating extended pi‐conjugated organic cations in layered lead halide perovskites is a recent trend promising to merge the fields of organic semiconductors and lead halide perovskites. Herein, we integrate benzodithiophene (BDT) into Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) layered and quasi‐layered lead iodide thin films (with methylammonium, MA) of the form (BDT)2MAn−1PbnI3n+1. The importance of tuning the ligand chemical structure is shown as an alkyl chain length of at least six carbon atoms is required to form a photoactive RP (n=1) phase. With N=20 or 100, as prepared in the precursor solution following the formula (BDT)2MAN−1PbNI3N+1, the performance and stability of devices surpassed those with phenylethylammonium (PEA). For N=100, the BDT cation gave a power conversion efficiency of up to 14.7 % vs. 13.7 % with PEA. Transient photocurrent, UV photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy point to improved charge transport in the device active layer and additional electronic states close to the valence band, suggesting the formation of a Lewis adduct between the BDT and surface iodide vacancies.
Sustained low‐dose interleukin‐2 therapy alleviates pathogenic humoral immunity via elevating the Tfr/Tfh ratio in lupus
Authors: Liang Kaili , He Jing , Wei Yunbo , Zeng Qunxiong , Gong Dongcheng , Qin Jiahuan , Ding Huihua , Chen Zhian , Zhou Ping , Niu Peng , Chen Qian , Ding Chenguang , Lu Liangjing , Chen Xiao‐Xiang , Li Zhanguo , Shen Nan , Yu Di , Deng Jun
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Low‐dose interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) has shown promising clinical benefits in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but how this therapy alleviates pathogenic humoral immunity remains not well understood. The dilemma is that IL‐2 can suppress both follicular helper and regulatory T (Tfh and Tfr) cells, which counteract each other in regulating autoantibody production.

Methods

Female NZB/W F1 mice received recombinant human IL‐2 (3 × 104 IU/dose) in three treatment regimens: (1) short, daily for 7 days; (2) medium, daily for 14 days, and (3) long, every second day for 28 days. Tfh (Foxp3−CXCR5+Bcl6+), Tfr (Foxp3+CXCR5+Bcl6+), germinal centre (GC, B220+GL‐7+Fas+) and antibody‐secreting cell (ASC, B220−CD138+TACI+) were analysed by flow cytometry. Serum anti‐dsDNA level was determined by ELISA. Kidney pathology was evaluated by H&E and immunofluorescence staining. Circulating Tfh and Tfr cells in SLE patients treated with low‐dose IL‐2 from a previous clinical trial (NCT02084238) was analysed.

Results

Low‐dose IL‐2 treatment consistently increased Tfr/Tfh ratio in mice and SLE patients, because of a stronger suppression on Tfh cells than Tfr cells. Three treatment regimens revealed distinct immunological features. Tfh suppression was observed in all regimens, but Tfr suppression and GC reduction were recorded in just medium and long regimens. Only the long treatment regimen resulted in inhibited ASC differentiation in spleen, which was accompanied by reduced anti‐dsDNA titres and ameliorated kidney pathology.

Conclusion

Low‐dose IL‐2 therapy increases the Tfr/Tfh ratio, and a less frequent and prolonged treatment can alleviate pathogenic humoral immunity and improve renal function.