bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LE BREVET : VALET OU MAÎTRE DU DROIT À LA SANTÉ ?
Authors: Joly Yann , Schorno Deborah
Published: September 2020

En droit international, il existe une littérature abondante concernant le rapport de force entre la propriété intellectuelle et les droits de l’homme. Pourtant, peu d’études se sont attachées à ce jour à examiner de façon systématique et exhaustive les différents points de rencontre entre le droit à la santé et le droit des brevets. Les auteurs proposent dès lors d’aborder la problématique de façon globale, en tenant compte des développements scientifiques et politiques les plus récents. Alors que le droit à la santé est un concept éthéré, alimenté par des normes qui tiennent plus souvent de la recommandation que de l’obligation juridique ferme, le droit des brevets est consacré depuis longtemps par des textes contraignants et il est généralement présenté comme un instrument permettant de stimuler l’inventivité et le progrès, grâce à un mécanisme de droits exclusifs qui restreignent temporairement l’utilisation de l’innovation en faveur de l’inventeur. Partant, il est donc légitime de se demander si le droit des brevets permet, même indirectement, de servir le droit à la santé en stimulant la recherche biomédicale, ou si au contraire il lui nuit en privatisant les innovations utiles en santé et les produits qui en sont issus. Pour tenter de répondre à cette question, l’article aborde différents enjeux, suivant à la fois les domaines d’application, soit l’accès aux produits de santé et l’innovation, et les pays en cause – États développés ou en développement. Sans chercher à porter un jugement définitif sur la valeur intrinsèque du système des brevets et son apport au domaine des soins de santé, les auteurs constatent néanmoins que la globalisation a occasionné l’importation de règles de propriété intellectuelle dans des pays qui ne possèdent pas nécessairement les infrastructures requises pour retirer les bénéfices pour la santé qui y sont généralement associés. Il serait pourtant possible de répartir plus équitablement les fruits de la mondialisation en faisant de la santé une priorité globale, à la fois instrument et expression de la solidarité humaine.
LA LÉGITIME DÉFENSE EN DROIT INTERNATIONAL : QUELQUES OBSERVATIONS SUR UN CONCEPT JURIDIQUE AMBIGU
Authors: Sierpinski Batyah
Published: September 2020

La légitime défense est un concept auquel il est souvent fait référence pour justifier l’emploi de la force en droit international. Or, l’utilisation d’une telle justification peut révéler des ambiguïtés, lesquelles sont caractéristiques de ce concept. Dans le but d’en faire l’analyse, cet article aborde en premier lieu la reconnaissance normative de la légitime défense dans la Charte des Nations unies, puis présente différentes pratiques d’emploi de la force faites par des États ou par le Conseil de sécurité, chacune fondée sur la légitime défense. La nature particulière de la légitime défense dans le cadre international sera également étudiée. Une réflexion s’impose ensuite : l’usage de cette notion serait-il le révélateur d’une crise de la société internationale ?
BRAVE NEW DIGITAL WORLD?
REFLECTIONS ON THE WORLD SUMMIT
ON THE INFORMATION SOCIETY
Authors: Leuprecht Peter
Published: September 2020

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is organized in two parts: the first part in Geneva in
December 2003, the second part in Tunis in November 2005. The WSIS is an initiative of the International
Telecommunications Union (ITU), a technical organization in which corporate interests carry considerable
weight. This inevitably has an influence on the orientation of the Summit. The texts adopted by the first
phase of the WSIS project a naïve belief in technology and in a brave new digital world in which
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) will solve all problems. In reality, they cover up
fundamental disagreements and diametrically opposed world views. The digital divide is no more than a
symptom of the unequal distribution of wealth among and within countries. Any serious policy of ICT
development must be part and parcel of a global policy of human and sustainable development. The main
contentious issues of the first part of the WSIS were human rights, Internet governance, free software,
intellectual property rights and the financial means of bridging the digital divide. This first phase of the
WSIS gives rise to a number of critical reflections on the present state of the international community. The
first part of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from
10 to 12 December 2003. Its second part is to be held in Tunis, Tunisia, from 16 to 18 November 2005. The
purposes of this article are (I) to give a brief account of the preparation and organization of the Summit, (II)
to present the main results of its first phase, (III) to deliver a critical analysis of these results, and (IV) to
show that the WSIS gives rise to some critical reflections on the present state of the international
community.
THE INFORMATION SOCIETY, POVERTY AND
DEVELOPMENT: AN AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Udombana Nsongurua J.
Published: September 2020

Our age of the Information Society (IS), as represented by Information and Communications Technologies
(ICTs), offers immense opportunities for sustainable economic development and the reduction of poverty.
It does so by increasing access to market information and reducing transaction costs for poor farmers and
traders; by increasing efficiency, competitiveness and market access of developing country firms; and by
enhancing the ability of developing countries to participate in the global economy, thereby exploiting the
comparative advantage in factor costs, in particular skilled labour. Yet, these goals are unattainable in the
present state of digital divide, since access to ICTs is determined not only by infrastructure but also by
people’s ability to afford and use them. Furthermore, the digital divide perpetuates underdevelopment,
which is Africa’s current condition. Bridging that gap requires creating a knowledge society and forging
new partnerships for development among members of the international community.
LE RÔLE DE L’AIEA DANS LA GESTION DU SECTEUR NUCLÉAIRE : UNE APPRÉCIATION CRITIQUE
Authors: Boustany Katia
Published: September 2020

Élaboré durant la Guerre froide, le Statut de l’Agence internationale de l’énergie atomique (AIEA), reflète la tension entre les intérêts des puissances disposant de l’arme nucléaire et celles qui, ne la possédant pas, cherchent tout de même à faire un usage civil des technologies liées à l’atome. Partant, l’AIEA se voit investie d’une double mission : d’une part le contrôle des risques de dissémination militaire et la gestion du risque sanitaire pour les personnes et les biens. Forte de l’observation de la culture et du comportement de l’AIEA, l’auteur soutient que les défaillances de l’Agence dans la performance de son mandant relèvent principalement d’une perception inadéquate de sa place dans l’ordre juridique international et d’un entendement à courte vue des termes de son Statut. À la lumière du droit international régissant les organisations internationales et leurs rapports avec les États, l’auteur présente cinq de ces défaillances : (1) l’absence d’autonomie effective à l’égard des États membres; (2) une conception déficiente du régime des garanties; (3) les résultats insuffisants de l’application des normes de sûreté; (4) la méconnaissance de la compétence d’assistance législative et (5) le non-respect des principes d’indépendance des fonctionnaires internationaux, notamment concernant la politique de rotation du personnel. En conclusion, il est suggéré qu’il revient à l’AIEA, si elle veut être en mesure de continuer de remplir le rôle capital qui lui revient dans le monde de l’après Guerre froide, de moderniser conceptuellement et factuellement ses méthodes de travail, de réformer sa culture et de restructurer son action.
LES PRINCIPAUX INSTRUMENTS INTERNATIONAUX EN MATIÈRE DE DROITS DE LA PERSONNE AUXQUELS LE CANADA N’A PAS ENCORE ADHÉRÉ
Authors: LaViolette Nicole
Published: September 2020

L’image que projette le Canada sur la scène internationale est celle d’un ardent défenseur de la protection des droits de la personne et de l’avancement des valeurs démocratiques. Or, il demeure que le Canada n’a toujours pas ratifié 31 conventions internationales en matière de droits de la personne. Le présent article répartit ces conventions en trois groupes (les instruments pour lesquels les motifs de non-ratification sont inconnus ou équivoques; les instruments pour lesquels une ratification est moins pertinente; et les instruments pour lesquels une ratification est toujours pertinente) afin de faire l’évaluation critique des motifs canadiens de non-ratification. Même si l’auteure reconnaît le bien-fondé du refus d’adhérer à certaines conventions, elle insiste sur le fait que, pour la majorité des traités non-ratifiés, le gouvernement canadien est soit incapable d’étayer clairement, tant au public canadien qu’à la communauté internationale, les motifs justifiant la non-ratification, soit paralysé par des négociations sans fin avec les gouvernements provinciaux et territoriaux. Ainsi, l’auteure affirme qu’il est impératif de parer aux lacunes existantes qui entravent la mise en place d’un processus de ratification transparent, responsable et efficace. Par exemple, l’auteure remarque que la réticence du gouvernement canadien face à l’utilisation de réserves ou de déclarations interprétatives lors de la ratification garantit que certaines conventions importantes ne seront jamais ratifiées.
The Appeal of Panpsychism in Victorian Britain
Authors: Pinch Adela
Published: September 2020

This article argues that current trends in the humanities that embrace panpsychism, vibrant matter, object-oriented ontologies, and extended or dispersed conceptions of consciousness, could benefit from an examination of Victorian debates about panpsychism. The article does this by exploring panpsychism’s relation to Victorian theories of evolution, late nineteenth-century idealism, and above all to conversations about desire, will, and consciousness. The article suggests further that understanding Victorian panpsychism can illuminate key aspects of Victorian aesthetics: detail, pattern, and dispersal. Authors discussed include philosophers W.K. Clifford, William James, and May Sinclair; the article then turns to Victorian translations of Lucretius, the poetry of Swinburne, the designs of William Morris, and the literary theory of Vernon Lee.
“Mindful of the hour of conquest”: Welsh Patriotism in Southey’s 1798 Morning Post Poems
Authors: Jones Matthew C.
Published: September 2020

This essay examines the six poems on Welsh subjects that Southey published in the Morning Post in 1798, specifically in the context of their being written during a time of political oppression. As scholars have pointed out, during this period Southey masked his poetry’s radical messages in historical or abstract terms in order to evade allegations that he was being politically subversive. But, these accounts have overlooked how in these Welsh poems Southey weaves a radical vision of Welsh history that he ultimately brings into modernity, as well as how this link to the present depends upon contemporary Welsh culture (and various English views of it). This essay focuses on how Southey’s repetition and development of key terms across the poems, such as “patriotism,” “gallantness,” and “stranger,” operate in order to unite Welsh and English people against common transhistorical forces such as “Treachery” and “Power.” A focus on such themes elevates their permanence across time and space, and also allows Southey to bring the people of Britain together through shared histories of conquest and subjugation. Finally, by repeatedly emphasizing Wales’s current pacifism despite its charged histories Southey funnels radical potential into a living community without identifying it as a potential target for repressive state measures.
Prospects for Evaluating the Damageability of Asphalt Concrete Pavements During Cold Recycling
Authors: Zankavich Vitali , Khroustalev Boris , Liu Tingguo , Veranko Uladzimir , Haritonovs Viktors , Busel Aleksey , Shang Bo , Li Zhongyu
Published: September 2020

The article considers improvement of the methodology for accounting for the degradation of asphalt concrete working in the upper layers of the pavement. Development of recycling technologies for road structures is an ongoing process; it allows reaching a higher quality of reclaimed materials and using them for subsequent construction of structural layers, including the upper layers without the protective ones, as well as during repair and reconstruction of roads of various technical categories. At the same time, the system of pre-project assessment (diagnostics) of the state of asphalt concrete pavements cannot be considered optimal and effective because the determined indicators demonstrate that, firstly, various surface and structural defects are present, and, secondly, that the indicators mentioned above are more relevant to the road structure as a whole. The joint handling of the theoretical and experimental data allows concluding that damageability level depends on the physical, mechanical and structural properties, the main being maximal structural strength and the number of elastic bonds involved in the deformation process. A variant of modelling of asphalt concrete damageability depending on the work capacity is proposed, when the reduced amount of dissipated energy is replaced with sufficient accuracy for practice by the ratio of the actual number of load application cycles (freezing and thawing cycles) to the limit. A correlation between the level of damageability and the kinetics of changes of the interpore space of asphalt concrete under the influence of strain (temperature, climatic factors) has been established. Results allow fixing (predicting) the level of damageability by measuring the level of water permeability. The research methodology and equipment for implementation thereof was developed earlier, it can be effectively used at the stage of pre-project diagnosis.
Biogeographical factors determining Triatoma recurva distribution in Chihuahua, México, 2014
Authors: Torres María Elena , Rojas Hugo Luis , Alatorre Luis Carlos , Bravo Luis Carlos , Uc Mario Iván , González Manuel Octavio , Wiebe Lara Cecilia , Granados Alfredo
Published: September 2020

Introduction: Triatoma recurva is a Trypanosoma cruzi vector whose distribution and biological development are determined by factors that may influence the transmission of trypanosomiasis to humans.Objective: To identify the potential spatial distribution of Triatoma recurve, as well as social factors determining its presence.Materials and methods: We used the MaxEnt software to construct ecological niche models while bioclimatic variables (WorldClim) were derived from the monthly values of temperature and precipitation to generate biologically significant variables. The resulting cartography was interpreted as suitable areas for T. recurva presence.Results: Our results showed that the precipitation during the driest month (Bio 14), the maximum temperature during the warmest month (Bio 5), and the altitude (Alt) and mean temperature during the driest quarter (Bio 9) determined T. recurva distribution area at a higher percentage evidencing its strong relationship with domestic and surrounding structures.Conclusions. This methodology can be used in other geographical contexts to locate potential sampling sites where these triatomines occur.
Factors associated with functional loss among community-dwelling Mexican older adults
Authors: Castellanos-Perilla Nicolás , Borda Miguel Germán , Fernández-Quilez Álvaro , Aarsland Vera , Soennesyn Hogne , Cano-Gutiérrez Carlos Alberto
Published: September 2020

Introduction: Functional status decline is related to many negative outcomes.Objective: To explore the relationship of sociodemographic, medical, and psychological factors with the incidence of functional status decline in Mexican older adults.Materials and methods: Data from the 2012 and 2015 waves of the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) survey were analyzed. Participants with previous functional status decline at baseline were excluded. We assessed functional status decline individually with activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADLs) in an individual way.Results: Age was associated with functional limitations in ADL. Being male had an association with limitations for IADL. A poor financial situation and lower education related to higher limitations for ADL. Furthermore, pain, comorbidities, and depression were found to be independently associated with limitations in ADL. IADL limitation was associated with age, poor education, comorbidities, and depression, as well as cognitive impairment.Conclusions: We found that factors such as age, financial status, educational level, pain, and the number of comorbidities were associated with the incidence of functional status decline. Pain had a greater association in the 3-year functional ADL decline incidence when compared with cognitive impairment. Studying functional decline by domains allowed us to find more detailed information to identify factors susceptible to intervention with the aim to reduce the incidence of functional status decline and dependence.
Physicochemical and Sensory Evaluation of Cookies Produced by Partial Substitution of Margarine with Avocado (Persia americana) Pulp
Authors: Adie P. A. , Enenche D. E. , Atsen T. M. , Ikese C. O.
Published: September 2020

The production and determination of the nutritional properties of cookies produced by partial substitution of margarine with avocado pear pulp was studied. Well cleaned avocado pear was blended into paste and used to substitute margarine in the prepared cookies. The ratio of avocado pear pulp substituted was 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%. The substituted products and the control (100% margarine) were subjected to physicochemical and sensory evaluation. The results of the proximate analysis showed that the protein content ranged from 6.93% -7.83% with sample A having the highest protein content and fat content. Moisture content and ash content of samples were seen to be higher in sample E (50:50 ratio). Sample A had the least value of moisture, ash and crude fibre with moisture content of 11.13%, ash content of 1.40% and crude fibre value of 0.29%, while sample E  recorded the least value of crude fat  (16.00%). The carbohydrate content was recorded to be higher in sample C. The physical properties showed that cookies made with higher avocado pear pulp had less thickness compared to the control cookies. The sensory evaluation results showed that sample A had the highest values of 8.05%, 7.85% and 7.95% for appearance, taste and aroma respectively while sample E (50:50 ratio) had the least values in crunchiness, taste and aroma. The overall acceptability of the results showed that sample A recorded the highest value but not significantly different (p<0.05) from sample B (80:20 margarine avocado). The research concluded that the partial substitution of avocado improved the nutritional value of the cookies by lowering the saturated fat content.
Level of Preparedness for COVID-19 by Primary Healthcare Workers in Rivers State, Nigeria: A Facility Cross-sectional Survey
Authors: Edet Clement Kevin , Wegbom Anthony Ike , Kiri Victor Alangibi
Published: September 2020

Introduction: The primary healthcare workers (PHCWs) may be faced with a higher risk of infection of COVID-19, due to inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and lack of training on the disease control and prevention. This study was designated to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of PHCWs about COVID-19 in Rivers State, Nigeria.

Methods: A facility cross-sectional survey was conducted involving the primary healthcare workers in Rivers State, Nigeria. The association between the KAP and demographic characteristics were tested with the Chi-square test, while the association existing among KAP were evaluated with Pearson correlation coefficient. Statistical significance was evaluated at P<0.05.

Results: The proportion of respondents with good scores in knowledge, attitude, and COVID-19 related practices are 86.4% (10.66 ± 2.40), 85.0% (8.28 ± 1.94), and 97.3% (8.34 ± 1.39) respectively. Gender, occupation, and years of experience are associated with knowledge, whilst years of experience and marital status are associated with the attitude and level preventive practices; knowledge score also has significant positive linear associations with both attitude  and practices (  scores towards COVID-19.

Conclusion: Based on these findings, we suggest that public health education programs should be sustained, and staff should be expose to more training and workshop regarding COVID-19 preventive practices. Furthermore, adequate personnel preventive equipment should be deployed at the primary healthcare facilities, as this will instill the right attitude and confidence in carrying out their duties without the fear of contracting the disease.
The Impact of Exchange Rate on Bangladesh’s Export: A Cointegration Approach
Authors: Sayeda Takrima
Published: September 2020

The purpose of the paper is to see if there is any relationship exist between free floating exchange rate and export performance of Bangladesh. It inspects the monthly data of exchange rate and export value for the time period between year 2000 and 2017. It utilized the Johansen [1] cointegration approach to identify the extent of long run and short run relationship between them. The study could not establish neither any long term trend nor any short term dynamics between the variables. Respective variables are significantly related to their own immediate past values. Distant past values do not have any implications. This study suggests that short run macroeconomic policy would be beneficial to influence the foreign exchange market and eventually the performance of export of Bangladesh.
Boron‐Based Frustrated
L
ewis Pairs in Organic Transformations
Authors: Dobrovetsky Roman
Published: September 2020

In this chapter, the organic transformations induced or catalyzed by boron‐based frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) are discussed. Despite the rapid progress in the development of FLPs chemistry, their use in promoting organic transformations, especially as catalysts, is still scarce. However, many of the transformations discussed here show the great potential of FLPs as metal‐free substitutes to the known transition metal‐based catalysts.
Prevalence, Predictors, and Prognostic Benefits of Remission Achievement in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Systematic Review
Authors: Yang Ziyi , Cheng Cheng , Wang Ziqian , Wang Yanhong , Zhao Jiuliang , Wang Qian , Tian Xinping , Hsieh Evelyn , Li Mengtao , Zeng Xiaofeng
Published: September 2020

Objective

To systematically review and evaluate the prevalence, potential predictors, and prognostic benefits of remission achievement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Studies reporting on the prevalence, predictors, and prognostic benefits of remission in adult patients with SLE were searched and selected from PubMed and Embase databases. Studies were reviewed for relevance and quality. Two reviewers independently assessed the studies and extracted data.

Results

Data from 41 studies including 17,270 patients were included and analyzed. Although no consensus has been achieved on the definition of remission, clinical disease activity, serologic activity, duration, and treatment are agreed to be critical components of defining remission status. In most studies published in the recent 5 years, 42.4–88% of patients achieved and maintained the remission status for 1 year, and 21.1–70% did so for at least 5 years. Factors associated with remission included older age at diagnosis, lower baseline disease activity, and absence of major organ involvement, while positive serologic results were shown to be negatively associated with remission. Remission (especially prolonged remission) when achieved, demonstrated an association with lower accrual of damage and better quality of life among patients with SLE.

Conclusion

Remission is an achievable and desirable target for SLE patients and proven to be associated with prognostic benefits. Further development and assessment of a clear remission definition, a risk stratification model, as well as a full algorithm with frequency of monitoring time points for treatment adjustment and drug withdrawal are required.
Parent Perspectives on Addressing Emotional Health for Children and Young Adults With Juvenile Myositis
Authors: Ardalan Kaveh , Adeyemi Oluwatosin , Wahezi Dawn M. , Caliendo Anne E. , Curran Megan L. , Neely Jessica , Kim Susan , Correll Colleen K. , Brunner Emily J. , Knight Andrea M.
Published: September 2020

Objective

To assess parent perspectives regarding the emotional health impact of juvenile myositis (JM) on patients and families, and to assess preferences for emotional health screening and interventions.

Methods

Parents of children and young adults with JM were purposively sampled for participation in focus groups at the Cure JM Foundation National Family Conference in 2018. Groups were stratified by patient age group (6–12, 13–17, and 18–21 years), and conversations were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and co‐coded via content analysis, with subanalysis by age group. A brief survey assessed preferences for specific emotional health interventions.

Results

Forty‐five parents participated in 6 focus groups. Themes emerged within 2 domains: emotional challenges, and screening and interventions. Themes for emotional challenges comprised the impact of JM on: 1) patient emotional health, particularly depression and anxiety; 2) parent emotional health characterized by sadness, grief, anger, guilt, and anxiety; and 3) family dynamics, including significant sibling distress. Subanalysis revealed similar themes across age groups, but the theme of resiliency emerged specifically for young adults. Themes for emotional health screening and interventions indicated potential issues with patient transparency, several barriers to resources, the facilitator role of rheumatology providers, and preferred intervention modalities of online and in‐person resources, with survey responses most strongly supporting child/parent counseling and peer support groups.

Conclusion

JM is associated with intense patient and family distress, although resiliency may emerge by young adulthood. Despite existing barriers, increasing access to counseling, peer support groups, and online resources with rheumatology facilitation may be effective intervention strategies.
Low‐Symmetry PdSe2 for High Performance Thermoelectric Applications
Authors: Zhao Yunshan , Yu Peng , Zhang Gang , Sun Minglei , Chi Dongzhi , Hippalgaonkar Kedar , Thong John T. L. , Wu Jing
Published: September 2020

As an emerging member in 2D materials, pentagonal palladium diselenide (PdSe2) has interesting ambipolar charge transport behavior with high air‐stability and shows great potential in nanoelectronics and optoelectronics. Moreover, the puckered pentagon structure in PdSe2 results in an intrinsic low lattice thermal conductivity, which makes PdSe2 a superior material prospect for thermoelectric (TE) applications. However, its TE properties have yet to be experimentally demonstrated. Here, the TE transport in 2D PdSe2 with a low‐symmetry pentagonal lattice is probed for the first time. By thickness‐engineering, it is demonstrated that the TE property of PdSe2 can be effectively manipulated due to its sensitive dependence on the interlayer coupling originating from the special lattice structure. The TE performance can be largely enhanced benefiting from the high band convergence and quantum confinement in thinner PdSe2 flakes. A power factor as high as 1.5 mW m−1 K−2 can be achieved for a PdSe2 flake with a thickness of 5 nm. This work provides the first TE study on a pentagonal lattice as opposed to hexagonal lattices that dominate the 2D layered material family. The unique lattice structure with special interlayer interaction in PdSe2 opens up new pathways for TE applications, low‐dimensional electronics, and quantum devices.
Metal‐Organic‐Framework Derived Core‐Shell N‐Doped Carbon Nanocages Embedded with Cobalt Nanoparticles as High‐Performance Anode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Xu Haoran , Zhao Lanling , Liu Xiaomeng , Huang Qishun , Wang Yueqing , Hou Chuanxin , Hou Yuyang , Wang Jun , Dang Feng , Zhang Jintao
Published: September 2020

To enhance the performance of Li‐ion batteries, hierarchical carbon‐based hollow frameworks embedded with cobalt nanoparticles are prepared by the pyrolysis of core‐shell ZIF‐8@ZIF‐67 polyhedrals prepared via a seed‐mediated growth method. The resultant hollow frameworks are composed of the N‐doped carbon as the inner shells and the porous graphitic carbon embedded with cobalt nanoparticles as the outer shells. Benefiting from the unique hollow architecture with large surface area and good electrical conductivity, the electrode materials exhibit good electrochemical performance with improved specific capacities, high‐rate capability, and good cycling stability for Li‐ion batteries. More importantly, the quantitative kinetic analysis reveals the crucial contributions of N doping and the porous structure of graphitic carbon with cobalt nanoparticles for boosting the performance of carbon‐based materials. The rational design of the unique carbon‐based architecture and the understanding of the underlying mechanism for the charge storage process are crucial to construct advanced carbon‐based materials for high‐performance Li‐ion batteries.
Designing Robust, Breathable, and Antibacterial Multifunctional Porous Membranes by a Nanofluids Templated Strategy
Authors: Ju Junping , Hao Longyun , Yang Shiwen , Wang Dandan , Zhang Yongzhi , Yuan Hua , Yin Xianze , Tan Yeqiang
Published: September 2020

Advanced medical dressings need to meet these requirements of breathability, moisture absorption balance, antibacterial activity, and mechanical strength. Both breathability and moisture absorption balance strongly depend on the porous structure that inversely sacrifice their mechanical properties and bulk antibacterial activity. Herein, multifunctional porous structure is designed that can synchronously realize excellent antibacterial activity, breathability, superhydrophilicity, and enhanced mechanical properties just using nanofluids templating. The pore sizes, density, and functionality of porous polymers are regulated through nanofluids loading and multiple functional components including inorganic nanoparticles core and organic corona/canopy composed of organic long chains with different charges. An ionically tethered, nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate as a canopy of nanofluids can be removed with sodium chloride solution to form porous structure, greatly improving the breathability of membrane and achieving superhydrophilicity to obtain moisture absorption balance. Meantime, exposed polysiloxane quaternary ammonium salts as covalently bonded corona of nanofluids exhibit excellent antibacterial activity. Finally, nanoparticles core endows supreme tensile strength ratio (115%) of porous membrane. Overall, nanofluids templating approach is expected to develop into a universal strategy to construct a series of multifunctional porous polymer materials via varying the component of nanofluids, which provide a promising application in biomedicine, human health, and life science.
Metal Halide Perovskite Nanorods: Shape Matters
Authors: Zhang Chengxi , Chen Jiayi , Wang Sheng , Kong Lingmei , Lewis Simon W. , Yang Xuyong , Rogach Andrey L. , Jia Guohua
Published: September 2020

Quasi‐1D metal halide perovskite nanorods (NRs) are emerging as a type of materials with remarkable optical and electronic properties. Research into this field is rapidly expanding and growing in the past several years, with significant advances in both mechanistic studies of their growth and widespread possible applications. Here, the recent advances in 1D metal halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) are reviewed, with a particular emphasis on NRs. At first, the crystal structures of perovskites are elaborated, which is followed by a review of the major synthetic approaches toward perovskite NRs, such as wet‐chemical synthesis, substrate‐assisted growth, and anion exchange reactions, and discussion of the growth mechanisms associated with each synthetic method. Then, thermal and aqueous stability and the linear polarized luminescence of perovskite NRs are considered, followed by highlighting their applications in solar cells, light‐emitting diodes, photodetectors/phototransistors, and lasers. Finally, challenges and future opportunities in this rapidly developing research area are summarized.
Electrospinning Oriented Self‐Cleaning Porous Crosslinking Polymer for Efficient Dyes Removal
Authors: Xu Wenshi , Chen Yong , Xu Wenwen , Wu Xuan , Liu Yu
Published: September 2020

The separation of harmful substances by supramolecular crosslinking polymers is the focus of current research. As far as it is known, supramolecular crosslinking systems based on electrospun nanofibers are rarely reported. However, electrospun nanofibers should be promising candidates for interfacial crosslinking substrates because of their adjustable morphology and can be doped with different functional nanoparticles. In this study, β‐cyclodextrin and acyl chloride compounds are interfacially polymerized on polyacrylonitrile electrospun nanofibrous substrates with different morphologies. The diameter and orientation of electrospun nanofibrous substrates affect the dye‐filtration efficiency, with a porous membrane composed of aligned nanofibers giving the highest efficiency. Cationic dyes can be selectively filtered from mixtures of cationic and anionic dyes, and the porous supramolecular crosslinking polymers are also suitable for mixtures of various cationic dyes. When TiO2is present in the nanofibrous substrate, UV irradiation of the used porous composite membranes efficiently in situ degrade the absorbed dye, making the membranes self‐cleaning and thus reusable.
Off‐Chip Vertical Step Emulsification Droplets Preparation Device Applied for Droplet Digital PCR
Authors: Shi Bing , Wu Di , Jiang Yangyang , An Junru , Wu Wenming
Published: September 2020

High efficient and stable droplets preparation is an essential technology in digital PCR (dPCR) and other analytical fields. In this paper, a microfluidic device called vertical step emulsification (VSE) device to produce emulsion droplets rapidly off‐chip is developed. VSE device prepares droplets by perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) capillary and microcentrifuge tube, when the continuous water phase in PFA capillary jets into the static oil phase in the microcentrifuge tube at a certain speed, the continuous water phase is emulsified into stable droplets due to the sudden change of surface tension. In order to control the droplet size accurately, a general screw mechanism to control the gap between the PFA capillary outlet and the bottom of the inner wall of microcentrifuge tube is used. Meanwhile, dPCR tests with high dynamic range throughput droplets from VSE device are performed. The results show that the off‐chip droplet preparation device developed by the authors not only gets rid of the complicated control structure, has the advantages of low cost, easy operation, and user‐friendly, but also provides a sustainable development scheme for the preparation of high‐throughput and stable droplets in a short time.
Two‐Step Synthesis of Large‐Area 2D Bi2S3 Nanosheets Featuring High In‐Plane Anisotropy
Authors: Messalea Kibret A. , Zavabeti Ali , Mohiuddin Md , Syed Nitu , Jannat Azmira , Atkin Paul , Ahmed Taimur , Walia Sumeet , McConville Chris F. , Kalantar‐Zadeh Kourosh , Mahmood Nasir , Khoshmanesh Khashayar , Daeneke Torben
Published: September 2020

2D materials with high in‐plane anisotropy are rapidly emerging as a tantalizing class of nanomaterials with promising applications in nanoelectronics and optoelectronics since they provide an additional degree of freedom that can be exploited in device design. The large‐area synthesis of such materials remains however challenging since the anisotropic crystal structure renders identifying a suitable growth substrate to be difficult, while the nanosheets are usually too fragile for the exfoliation and transfer of macroscopic sheets. This work reports the scalable synthesis of highly crystalline, large‐area 2D Bi2S3 nanosheets using a novel liquid‐metal‐based synthesis approach. Ultrathin bismuth oxide sheets are exfoliated from molten bismuth followed by tube furnace sulfurization. The strategy effectively separates the formation of layered structures from the process of anisotropic crystallization, overcoming the shortcomings of established techniques. The synthesized nanosheets feature a highly anisotropic orthorhombic crystal structure with intraplane van der Waals gaps and a direct bandgap of ≈2.3 eV. The nanosheets are found to be highly photoconductive with a photoresponsivity of 8 A W−1. Bi2S3 channel‐based field effect transistors feature a maximum hole mobility of 28 cm2 V−1 s−1, highlighting the excellent electronic properties of the isolated nanosheets.
Forming‐Free, Nonvolatile, and Flexible Resistive Random‐Access Memory Using Bismuth Iodide/van der Waals Materials Heterostructures
Authors: Li Chia‐Shuo , Kuo Sheng‐Wen , Wu Yu‐Tien , Fu Fang‐Yu , Ni I‐Chih , Chen Mei‐Hsin , Wu Chih‐I
Published: September 2020

Resistive switching devices based on halide perovskites exhibit promising potential in flexible resistive random‐access memory (RRAM) owing to low fabrication cost and low processing temperature. However, the toxicity of these materials hinders their commercialization. Herein, bismuth iodide (BiI3) is employed as an insulator in RRAM. A monolayer of graphene or hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) is employed as a buffer layer to achieve van der Waals epitaxy of BiI3 and meanwhile to prevent the intrusion of copper atoms. Thus, the film quality of the BiI3 layer is greatly improved. Resistive‐switching devices with the structure of copper foil/h‐BN/BiI3/Au exhibited forming‐free characteristics, high on/off ratio, excellent data‐retention capability, and high endurance to 2500 sweep cycles. The forming‐free behavior in the devices is studied using X‐ray and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopies, where a self‐formed conductive filament composed of metallic bismuth is observed. The formation and rupture of the conductive filament in the BiI3 layer, which serves as the in‐gap channel, causes the switchable resistance of the devices. In addition, the devices exhibit excellent tolerance to bending, thus demonstrating high stability to at least 5000 bending cycles at a bending radius of 8.75 mm. This study demonstrates the promising potential of BiI3‐based flexible resistive‐switching memories.
pH‐Responsive Superwettability Surface: The Study of Oil Dewetting Ability from Air to Water on a Rough Surface and Selective Oil‐Water Separation
Authors: Tang Lei , Zeng Zhixiang , Wang Gang , Shen Luli , Zhu Lijing , Zhang Yingxin , Xue Qunji
Published: September 2020

Responsive smart surfaces with controllable wettability have a high potential application in self‐cleaning and oil‐water separation. In this work, a new and simple method is reported to fabricate a pH‐responsive superwettability surface. And the self‐cleaning performance from air to water after oil contamination in a dry state is studied. Wettability regulation can be achieved by controlling the ratio of carboxyl groups with protonation or deprotonation state in acid or basic solutions. Rough surface with 40% carboxyl content (XCOOH = 0.4) shows the most significant response. The surface is superoleophilic underwater after wetted in acid solution in advance but superoleophobic underwater with basic solution pre‐wetted. Oil desorption can be achieved under the superoleophobic state to realize the self‐cleaning effect on a rough surface with a complex process. The dynamic self‐cleaning process can be achieved by changing the pH value of the solution. This pH‐responsive surface also has a good self‐cleaning effect for the common water and solid pollutants. Moreover, a smart separation system with the ability to realize selective oil‐water separation under two different states is prepared. It is believed that the results reported could broaden the understanding of self‐cleaning systems and open a new perspective in controlling wettability.
Atomic‐Scale Interface Engineering: Boosting Oxygen Electroreduction over Supported Ternary Alloys Fabricated by Carbon‐Assisted Galvanic Replacement
Authors: Su Yucan , Liu Jingjun , Mo Shaolan , Wang Feng
Published: September 2020

Interfacial ensemble and ligand engineering is a smart strategy to economically and efficiently improve electrocatalytic activity of composite catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. In this paper, a ternary PtPdCu alloy, chemically coupled with carbon black (11.9 wt% Pt), is synthesized in large scale via carbon‐assisted galvanic replacement in anhydrous ethylene glycol (EG) solutions. The obtained low platinum alloy disperses well on carbon with an average size of about 1.9 nm. In 0.1 m HClO4, the supported alloy exhibits superior ORR activity and long‐term stability than those obtained by unsupported alloy or commercial Pt/C (20 wt% Pt). The substantially improved property can result from the presence of interfacial ensemble and ligand effects derived from d–p‐orbital hybridization of Pt and C atoms at atomic level, while the good durability is responsible for enriched Pd atoms at near‐surface layers that hinder the leaching of Pt and Cu atoms in their alloys, as verified by density functional theory (DFT) results. Therefore, interface engineering tuned by modified galvanic replacement may be a feasible strategy for large‐scale preparation of supported catalysts with nanoengineered interfaces.
Patterned, Wearable UV Indicators from Electrospun Photochromic Fibers and Yarns
Authors: Zheng Yue , Panatdasirisuk Weerapha , Liu Jiaqi , Tong Aijun , Xiang Yu , Yang Shu
Published: September 2020

Wearable sensors allow for continuous and real‐time monitoring of the human health and potential environmental hazards such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the daily basis. Here, textile‐based wearable UV indicators are fabricated, which can show easily recognizable color patterns depending on UV irradiation intensity over time. The sensors are prepared by templating electrospun polycaprolactone fibers doped with photochromic dyes or embroidering the photochromic core–sheath yarns into commercial fabrics. This study provides a new design concept in developing smart wearable indicators.
Electrocatalytic Oxidation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural into the Monomer 2,5‐Furandicarboxylic Acid using Mesostructured Nickel Oxide
Authors: Holzhäuser Fabian Joschka , Janke Tobias , Öztas Fatma , Broicher Cornelia , Palkovits Regina
Published: September 2020

Transforming biomass based compounds with renewable electrical energy into products presents a promising approach towards development of a circular economy. Herein, 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), derivable from cellulose and hemicellulose, is successfully electrochemically converted into 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The reactions are performed in alkaline aqueous solutions using commercial nickel oxide (NiO) or a mesostructured nickel oxide derived by CMK‐1 templating (NiO‐CMK‐1). Both catalytic activity and the selectivity of FDCA are highly dependent on the catalyst structure. NiO‐CMK‐1 facilitates multiple times higher FDCA selectivity (>80%) compared with commercial NiO (30%). Electrochemical analyses emphasize a net‐current density for NiO of 2 mA cm−2 whereas for NiO‐CMK‐1 the net‐current density increases significantly to above 4 mA cm−2. The exposed material surface and structure of the catalysts are analyzed via nitrogen physisorption and powder X‐ray diffraction revealing that both NiO and NiO‐CMK‐1 possess a face‐centered cubic crystal structure but distinctly different exposed surface areas. Since NiO‐CMK‐1 enables remarkably improved catalytic activity for the oxidation of HMF, a recycling study is conducted with five consecutive catalytic cycles emphasizing the technological potential of this approach.
Carbon Microtube Textile with MoS2 Nanosheets Grown on Both Outer and Inner Walls as Multifunctional Interlayer for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Yang Jiaye , Yu Lihong , Zheng Bangbei , Li Narui , Xi Jingyu , Qiu Xinping
Published: September 2020

The shuttle effect of soluble lithium polysulfides during the charge/discharge process is the key bottleneck hindering the practical application of lithium–sulfur batteries. Herein, a multifunctional interlayer is developed by growing metallic molybdenum disulfide nanosheets on both outer and inner walls of cotton cloth derived carbon microtube textile (MoS2@CMT). The hollow structure of CMT provides channels to favor electrolyte penetration, Li+ diffusion and restrains polysulfides via physical confinement. The hydrophilic and conductive 1T‐MoS2 nanosheets facilitate chemisorption and kinetic behavior of polysulfides. The synergic effect of 1T‐MoS2 nanosheets and CMT affords the MoS2@CMT interlayer with an efficient trapping‐diffusion‐conversion ability toward polysulfides. Therefore, the cell with the MoS2@CMT interlayer exhibits enhanced cycling life (765 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at 0.5 C) and rate performance (974 mAh g−1 at 2 C and 740 mAh g−1 at 5 C). This study presents a pathway to develop low‐cost multifunctional interlayers for advanced lithium–sulfur batteries.
Recent Advances in 2D Metal Monochalcogenides
Authors: Sarkar Abdus Salam , Stratakis Emmanuel
Published: September 2020

The family of emerging low‐symmetry and structural in‐plane anisotropic two‐dimensional (2D) materials has been expanding rapidly in recent years. As an important emerging anisotropic 2D material, the black phosphorene analog group IVA–VI metal monochalcogenides (MMCs) have been surged recently due to their distinctive crystalline symmetries, exotic in‐plane anisotropic electronic and optical response, earth abundance, and environmentally friendly characteristics. In this article, the recent research advancements in the field of anisotropic 2D MMCs are reviewed. At first, the unique wavy crystal structures together with the optical and electronic properties of such materials are discussed. The Review continues with the various methods adopted for the synthesis of layered MMCs including micromechanical and liquid phase exfoliation as well as physical vapor deposition. The last part of the article focuses on the application of the structural anisotropic response of 2D MMCs in field effect transistors, photovoltaic cells nonlinear optics, and valleytronic devices. Besides presenting the significant research in the field of this emerging class of 2D materials, this Review also delineates the existing limitations and discusses emerging possibilities and future prospects.
Mesenchymal Transformation: The Rosetta Stone of Glioblastoma Pathogenesis and Therapy Resistance
Authors: Azam Zulfikar , TO Shing‐Shun Tony , Tannous Bakhos A.
Published: September 2020

Despite decades of research, glioblastoma (GBM) remains invariably fatal among all forms of cancers. The high level of inter‐ and intratumoral heterogeneity along with its biological location, the brain, are major barriers against effective treatment. Molecular and single cell analysis identifies different molecular subtypes with varying prognosis, while multiple subtypes can reside in the same tumor. Cellular plasticity among different subtypes in response to therapies or during recurrence adds another hurdle in the treatment of GBM. This phenotypic shift is induced and sustained by activation of several pathways within the tumor itself, or microenvironmental factors. In this review, the dynamic nature of cellular shifts in GBM and how the tumor (immune) microenvironment shapes this process leading to therapeutic resistance, while highlighting emerging tools and approaches to study this dynamic double‐edged sword are discussed.