bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Herbal Medicine for Dental Pain in Saudi Arabia: Prevalence and Knowledge Assessment
Authors: Mandorah Ayman , Wali Othman , Alqais Malak , Alsaegh Layla , Fatani Buthaina , Alomar Ziyad , Kabli Razan , BinSalman Rawan , Alqubali Maha , Albalawi Alanoud , Abdullah Abeer , Alshahrani Faten , Alqahtani Abeer , Alqahtani Rahaf , Alzahrani Khames T.
Published: December 2021

Background: The dental community has started to use natural plant properties to relieve dental pain. Besides their significant serious side effect, Herb’s ingredients should be chosen wisely. However, many studies are conducted to find out the herb’s information due to the lack of randomized controlled clinical trials. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and the knowledge of the effect of using herbal medicine for dental pain among Saudi population.

Methodology: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia between September 2020 and October 2021. based on a structured questionnaire among Saudi populations. Structured self-administrated questionnaires in English and Arabic languages were used as a study tool. Authors collected the information using social media channels through google forms. SPSS 26 was used for data entry and data analysis.

Results: The study included 4213 participants. 25% of study sample were males and 75% were females. 51.6% aged between 20- 30 years old. 61.8% of all participants use herbs to relieve toothache (82% of them use clove or clove oil and 36% use thyme). Think herbs are safe and free from side effects in treating toothache. 8% noticed side effects or damage while using herbs to relieve dental pain (27% of them swelling, 21% sharp stomach pain, 21% hypersensitive and 17% bleeding).

Conclusion: The Saudi population show relatively good knowledge level and practice towards herbs use in dentistry. The use of herbs to relieve toothache was significantly associated with female gender, age, residence area in western region and average monthly income.
COVID-19: The Pediatric Perspective
Authors: Basalom Batoul , Ismail Ahmed , Sindi Fares , Mansouri Feras , Kattan Abdullah , Balkhy Elaf , Alamri Eyad , Alsurayhi Atheer , Alhnaidi Fatoma , Morya Nusaybah , Alwagdani Raghad , Alrajhi Nermeen
Published: December 2021

Since the appearance of the novel corona virus disease 19 (COVID-19) from Wuhan in China, there have been a lot of researches to uncover the hidden clues that may help in eliminating the outbreak. In a short period of time, the disease has infected millions of people around the globe and was declared as a pandemic by the world health organization (WHO). Different subgroups of the community have been studied and reports have described the course of the disease among pregnant ladies, elders, immunodeficient patients and patients with chronic diseases. However, this review aimed at describing the novel COVID-19 among children and adolescents. The review discusses the prevalence, symptoms, diagnostic investigations, management, and the role of pharmacotherapy of COVID-19. In general, children have a milder course of diseases compared to adults. The symptoms include fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cough, fatigue, and other non-specific symptoms. The diagnosis is usually made with a serological test of a body fluid sample from saliva or nose. The role of radiography in the forms of chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) is not of great benefit to the children. For mild presentations of the disease among children, the management is mainly supportive and there is no indication for antiviral therapy or specific pharmacotherapy except for fever lowering agents like Paracetamol. In terms of prevention, children aged 12 or more can be vaccinated for the objective of preventing the spread of infection, inducing antibody release, and shortening the recovery period.
Exercise as an Emerging Factor Effecting Cardiovascular Health (An Experimental Approach)
Authors: Khan Alamgir , Butt Muhammad Zafar Iqbal , Khan Shahzaman , Tanweer Abdul Jabbar , Tanweer Abdul Manan , Khan Samiullah , Jamil Muhammad , Duranni Muhammad  Roman Al-Ala , Selamoglu Zeliha
Published: December 2021

This resaerch study was basically carried out for the purpose to assess the effect of moderate intensity exercise on cardiovascular health. Ten (10) participants were voluntarily selected and thus they were randomly divided into two (02) groups i.e. (Experimental Group (EG)=05+ Control Group (CG)=05.A self-made eight weeks’ self-made moderate intensity exercise protocol was applied on all the subjects. Pre and post test data were collected through Harvard Step Test. A written informed consent was taken from each subject before participation in the study. All participants were informed about the benefits and risk factors of the study. After fulfilling all the ethical protocols, eight weeks self-made moderate intensity exercise protocol was applied on all the subjects. Pre and post test data were collected through Harvard Step Test. The collected data were tabulated and analyzed by using various statistical tools. On the basis of analysis the researcher arrived at conclusion that exercise has a significant effect on cardiovascular health.
The Psychology behind Luxury Consumption
Authors: Thani Shradha , Sharma Arpita
Published: December 2021

This paper will talk about the psychology of consumption of luxury products and experiences and how individuals get emotionally connected to them. This paper discussed new drivers, forms, and consequences of luxury spending. Also, the belief that the psychology of luxury consumption is driven by a series of conflicts between what luxury is to oneself and the external factors that drive luxury consumption. These tensions influence consumer behavior and the post-purchase feelings of consumption of luxurious products or experiences. Since some individuals regard non-luxury items as inferior merely because they are non-luxury, they also conclude that more expensive goods are of more outstanding quality, without any evidence about their absolute level of quality or longevity. Another angle that we discuss in detail is how self-esteem plays a role in impacting a person's choice of purchases and instilling a sense of belonging. This paper is going to be based on an amalgamation of primary and secondary research and will contribute to self-awareness of people who do and do not indulge in luxury buying and what goes behind the mindset of both categories. This will also help brands decide on their unique selling propositions to appeal to their respective target groups.
Safety of Weekly Primaquine in Glucose 6 Phosphatase Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficient Children
Authors: Shaikh Salma , Chohan Muhammad Nadeem , Touseef Muhammad , Buriro Hafiz Wajid Ali , Shah Mushtaque Ali , Muzaffar Sehrish
Published: December 2021

Aim: To assess the Safety of weekly Primaquine in Glucose 6 Phosphatase Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient children, for radical treatment of Plasmodium vivax malaria

Study Design: cross sectional study

Place and Duration: Pediatrics Out Patient Department, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Hyderabad from 11 January 2018 to 31st August 2019 (total 20 months’ duration)

Methodology: A sample of 40 patients was studied during study period. Male children between 4 years to 12 years of age having confirmed vivax malaria were included in the study. If G6PD result showed decreased level of G6PD level then, they were enrolled for study. MP was checked by thick and thin slide method. 5 ml blood was taken in anticoagulant bottle for G6PD, liver function test, creatinine, complete blood count, and reticulocyte count tests.  Haemoglobin  < 7 g/dL, reticulocyte count > 4, SGPT > 80, G6PD Level < 60% of normal and creatinine > 1.2 was considered significant. Treatment was given with Artemether and Lumefantrine for 3 days while Primaquine, 0 .75 mg base/kg body weights once a week was given for 8 weeks. Patients were followed at OPD initially on 3rd day of therapy then every week for 8 weeks for any hemolysis. 

Results: There was no hemolysis during the first week and 8 weeks after therapy. Most common side effect was abdominal pain 4 (10%). Mean hemoglobin was 11.8mg/dl. Plasmodium vivax was negative on 3rd day of therapy, it was also negative on 8 week of therapy. Reticulocyte count, Liver function test, creatinine were also normal on 8 weeks of therapy.

Conclusion: Primaquine 0.75mg//kg/week for total eight weeks is highly effective for the radical cure of Plasmodium vivax in G6PD deficient children. There is no recurrence of Plasmodium vivax after 8 weeks of therapy. We found this regimen safe as there was no hemolysis demonstrated in children.
Artificial Intelligence in Diagnosis of Oral Potentially Malignant Lesions- Need of the Hour
Authors: Chapade Abhilasha , Chhabra Kumar Gaurav , Reche Amit , Madhu Priyanka Paul
Published: December 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technological breakthrough that is rapidly progressing and has captivated the minds of researchers all over the world. AI can be used to make a diagnosis of oral cavity lesions, detect and identify suspicious changed oral mucosa undergoing premalignant and malignant transformations. The purpose of this review is to give a comprehensive summary of developing optical imaging technologies, innovative artificial intelligence-based techniques. The concepts of image-based techniques for identifying oral cancer are defined in terms of clinical requirements and features. Although artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to have a significant impact on increasing diagnosis accuracy in a variety of fields of medicine, there has been limited research on oral cancer to date. These results suggest that combining artificial intelligence with imaging can improve oral cancer outcomes, applications ranging from very low-cost oral cancer screening with Smartphone-based probes to algorithm-guided identification premalignant lesion heterogeneity and margins using optical coherence tomography. Oral cancer outcomes can be improved by combining imaging and artificial intelligence technologies for better detection and diagnosis.
A Study on Applying Phenol Foam Insulation Material as Pipe Lagging Material
Authors: Sa Jeachun , Kown Youngkyu , Lee Jaemoon , Min Sehong
Published: December 2021

During a fire, the major cause of casualties is the toxic gas produced from combustible interior and exterior materials. Increasing the time for occupant evacuation by reducing toxic gas is the most effective way of reducing casualties. Many casualties occurred in recent fires at the Jecheon Sports Center, Miryang Sejong Hospital, and Icheon Distribution Center. The commonality is that the toxic gas produced from combustible interior and exterior materials was the major cause of the casualties. In this study, phenol foam insulation material was considered as an alternative pipe lagging material, owing to its limited combustibility and non-production of toxic gas, to determine a method for removing the toxic gas generated from the combustion of pipe lagging material. Phenol foam insulation material is often used as the insulation material for building exteriors owing to its excellent insulation performance. Moreover, it has the advantage of being an environment-friendly product with zero ozone layer destruction coefficient and low harmful substance emissions. The incombustibility of phenol foam insulation material was verified through the Standard Performance Test of the Limited Combustible Material (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Notice No. 2020-1053). Further, an alternative is to be proposed if a pipe lagging material with inadequate incombustibility is used in the site even though a tested pipe lagging material with limited combustibility is available.
Determination of Appropriate Operation of Firefighting Facility using Fire and Evacuation Simulations
Authors: Kim Kil-Joong , Seo Yong-Goo , Yoon Myung-Won , Min Se-Hong
Published: December 2021

Recently, a performance-based design of a fire protection facility has been proposed that significantly contributes to the construction of safe and reliable buildings. Improving the performance of the fire protection facility will enable protection of the public along with the infrastructure. Designs focusing on the fire protection performance generally add or modify architectural aspects through fire and evacuation simulations. However, a secure evacuation system aided with CCTVs has rarely been considered as an active system. Particularly for apartments, it is very difficult to assure evacuation safety without using an active system in fire and evacuation simulations with the front door of the burning room open. Safety can be achieved by combining a passive system with an active system, on the basis that the building premises has the foundation of a passive system. The regulation on the evacuation delay time in the nation was brought in effect through the SFPE paper but was deleted since the data reliability was insufficient. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to analyze the operation of a fire protection facility required to ensure safety by planning multiple simulations of a fire and evacuation system. An apartment has been considered as an example to design the foundation for a standard evacuation safety system. An active system is applied to execute fire and evacuation simulations, with focus on the fire protection performance.
Constructability of Full-Depth Precast Deck on a Steel Girder Bridge with Injection Channel Connection
Authors: Choi Chan-Yong , Lee Hyeoung-Deok , Choi Byung-Ho , Moon Jiho
Published: December 2021

In this study, the constructability of a full-depth precast deck installation on a steel girder bridge with injection channel connection was evaluated. This type of girder has been developed to avoid the overlap between the shear studs and the bridge deck, which is a major issue causing delays in modular construction. First, the optimal dimensions and lifting method for the deck were determined through finite element analysis. Subsequently, the constructability of deck installation on the bridge was evaluated with various radii of curvature using building information modeling (BIM). For the efficient use of BIM, algorithm-based models for the girder and deck were developed to change their shapes easily.
Quantitative Flood Damage Evaluation Using Grid-Based Spatial Analysis Data
Authors: Kang Yu Jin , Wang Won-joon , Lee Haneul , Kim Kyung Tak , Kim Soojun , Kim Hung Soo
Published: December 2021

In Korea, flood damage occurs every year due to typhoons and heavy rains, resulting in increasing damage to human lives and properties in urban areas. To reduce the scale of flood damage, economic analyses of flood-control work are conducted as part of efficient disaster management in the context of a limited budget. In this study, a quantitative evaluation of flood damage in Ulsan due to Typhoon Chaba was conducted using multi-dimensional flood damage analysis (MD-FDA). However, the land cover map applied to MD-FDA has limited data resolution and update intervals. Examination of domestic and foreign research cases to complement these spatial analysis data showed that grid data were being used in disaster-related fields. This study evaluated whether grid data are suitable for quantitative assessment through economic analyses conducted using new spatial analysis data such as road name address digital maps and 100 × 100 m grid-based spatial analysis data. The results of this study confirm that center-point-method grid data constitute spatial analysis data suitable for economic analysis.
Evaluation and Re-estimation of Instream Flow Considering the Water Quality and Aquatic Ecosystem of the Seomjingang River Watershed
Authors: Kang Seongkyu , Choi Sijung , Lee Dongryul
Published: December 2021

In this study, the appropriateness of the current publicly announced and managed instream flow in the Seomjingang River watershed was evaluated based on the water quantity, water quality, and state of the aquatic ecosystem. The stream flow was evaluated based on the observed water flow rate at the Gurye-gun (Songjeong-ri) station that is the main point of the Seomjingang River flow management and located at the lowest downstream of the main stream of the Seomjingang River. Another important reason for choosing this station was that observational data from before the construction of the major dam to the present day were available. The water quality and aquatic ecosystem conditions were reviewed based on the data measured over the past 20 years, and the achievement ratio of instream flow was compared with that of stations in the other major river systems. Based on the evaluation result, the instream flow was re-estimated for the 11 important stations of the Seomjingang River and its two branches. Based on the currently permitted water use of the Seomjingang River, the amount of water required to supply for the instream flow deficit during dry seasons was predicted and presented as a reference for water management work.
The splicing factor DHX38/PRP16 is required for ovarian clear cell carcinoma tumorigenesis, as revealed by a CRISPR‐Cas9 screen
Authors: Cona Brandon , Hayashi Tomoatsu , Yamada Ai , Shimizu Naomi , Yokota Naoko , Nakato Ryuichiro , Shirahige Katsuhiko , Akiyama Tetsu
Published: December 2021

Certain cancers, such as ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC), display high levels of genetic variation between patients, making it difficult to develop effective therapies. In order to identify novel genes critical to OCCC growth, we carried out a comprehensive CRISPR‐Cas9 knockout screen against cell growth using an OCCC cell line and a normal ovarian surface epithelium cell line. We identified the gene encoding DHX38/PRP16, an ATP‐dependent RNA helicase involved in splicing, as critical for the growth and tumorigenesis of OCCC. DHX38/PRP16 knockdown in OCCC cells, but not normal cells, induces apoptosis and impairs OCCC tumorigenesis in a mouse model. Our results suggest that DHX38/PRP16 may play a role in OCCC tumorigenesis and could potentially be a promising therapeutic target.
Mazdakism
Authors: Rezania Kianoosh
Published: December 2021

Mazdakism was a Zoroastrian commentary school underlining egalitarianism and communal ownership of property and women that led to a social movement against the Sasanian upper class in the sixth centuryce.
Animals, in Zoroastrianism
Authors: Moazami Mahnaz
Published: December 2021

In Zoroastrianism the entire creation is divided into two main groups belonging to the opposing powers of good and evil. The world in which we live is a mixture of these two powers which not only determine the lives of humans, but also control that of animals. The “beneficent animals” (Avestan: gao.spəṇta‐; Middle Persian:gōspand) are the creatures of the Good Spirit/Ohrmazd and the “evil animals” (Avestan: xrafstra‐; Middle Persian:xrafstar) are the creatures of the Evil Spirit/Ahriman. Beneficent animals (cattle, dogs, and other domestic animals) all play important roles in promoting human welfare; they can be tamed, eaten, or sacrificed to the deities. Opposed to them are evil animals (frogs, scorpions, lizards, and snakes) which are potentially harmful to human beings and their agricultural crops or else hideous and obnoxious in aspect; they are regarded as inedible and unsuitable as sacrificial offerings. Eliminating the evil animals was regarded as a highly meritorious deed for Zoroastrians and could be part of atonement for various sins and purification rituals.
Law in Pre‐Islamic Iran
Authors: Jany János
Published: December 2021

This entry considers the history, sources, legal theory, and substantive law of ancient Persia, mainly during the time of the Sasanians (224–651ce). It examines the historic process by which Persian law developed into Zoroastrian law and how legal theory reflected this new situation. Substantive law mainly concerns secular law, particularly family law and criminal law, and their administration.
Fire Temples, Pre‐Islamic Religions
Authors: Farridnejad Shervin
Published: December 2021

An ever‐burning sacred fire and the cults of its veneration and maintenance have always held an essential position in the Zoroastrian religion and its rituals. However, less is known about the consecrated building or fire temple in which the ever‐burning fire was kept from the early stages of the religion. It seems that the temple cult of fire and the building of fire temples developed at the latest from the mid part of the Achaemenian period (fourth century
bce
) onward and has continued up to the present day. Fire temples remained the most prevalent religious architectural structure for housing holy fires and for the performance of the holiest Zoroastrian rituals during the Parthian and Sasanian periods, most prominently in the form of the Chahar‐Taq, i.e. the four‐arched domed square chambers.
Cotton in Africa
Authors: Tallet Gaëlle
Published: December 2021

Cotton in Africa during antiquity comes in various forms: seeds and fibers, of two different origins (Indian and African), yarns and fabrics. In addition to a circuit of cotton textiles imported from India and the South Arabian Peninsula, recent historical, archaeological, and archaeobotanical research has revealed an African culture of cotton and production of cotton fabrics, limited for the moment to the northeastern quarter of Africa. The very high added value of the product, which is also ecologically adapted to certain African environments, notably oases, has contributed to its integration into trans‐Saharan and Mediterranean connectivity. This entry presents the archaeological discoveries of cotton seeds, fibers, and textiles in northeast Africa and opens avenues of reflection on a cash crop inserted in African mobility and trade relations with the Roman Mediterranean, and its potential impact on social organization.
Food Culture in Highland Ethiopia
Authors: Lyons Diane
Published: December 2021

Food culture in the Ethiopian highlands is associated with the Habashat super‐regional identity. This identity applies to Semitic‐speaking and Orthodox Christian highlanders. Habashat cuisine and identity developed over the past 2000 years or more as part of the formation of the Aksumite kingdom in the first millenniumceand the Abyssinian state in the second millenniumce. The foods used in the cuisine include domesticated plants and animals of Near Eastern, African, Asian, and American origin. Habashat food culture plays a role in creating common social identities in shared dishes and beverages that people across the highlands enjoy. The cuisine is shaped by the religious proscriptions of the Orthodox Christian Church, and by the historic needs of Aksumite and Abyssinian rulers to distinguish themselves from the people that they ruled.
Tamil Grantha script
Authors: Rajagopal S.
Published: December 2021

The Tamil Grantha or simply Grantha (Kirantam in Tamil) script was a writing system that came into use mostly in the Tamil‐speaking areas from as early as the tenth century to accommodate the Sanskrit language, though its roots may be traced to as early as the seventh century. It reached its mature form by 1300ce.
Sasanians
Authors: Daryaee Touraj
Published: December 2021

The Sasanians established an empire in the Near East which held power over modern‐day Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, and parts of Arabia and the Caucasus. The Sasanians, with the rise of Ardashir I to power in 224 until the death of Yazdgerd III in 651, held a huge landmass together and brought prosperity, while defending themselves against the Roman Empire in the West and the nomadic tribes and kingdoms in the East and the South.
Shrines
Authors: Ichumbaki Elgidius B. , Schmidt Peter R.
Published: December 2021

Social problems and related disasters continue to affect many societies in Africa and beyond. Likewise, various communities continue to seek solutions and/or alternatives for such problems and disasters they regularly encounter. One among several solutions is conducting ritual practices at various localities including hills, major trees, at monumental structures, in caves, and within major forests. This entry examines places commonly known as shrines.
African Furnaces, Smelting, Refining, and Smithing
Authors: Lyaya Edwinus Chrisantus
Published: December 2021

For over two and half millennia, African people have used iron and steel for various purposes including hunting, fishing, intertribal wars, marriage, coronation rituals, decoration, and agriculture. Besides iron and steel, African people have also used copper, gold, and tin. This entry discusses iron and steel in terms of furnaces, smelting, refining, and smithing. Archaeological, experimental, and analytical techniques have shown that African iron technology was greatly variable across time and space. Some societies, particularly in the African Great Lakes region, involved three stages of iron technology: smelting, refining, and (primary and secondary) smithing, while others did not – involving smelting and smithing alone. Another feature of iron technology is that there is neither archaeological nor archaeometallurgical evidence of the production of liquid cast iron in Africa. African iron production critically incorporated rituals, symbols, and techno‐medicines in its technological processes.
Zhuangzi
Authors: Porat Roy
Published: December 2021

TheZhuangzi莊子 is a late Warring States text which is regarded as one of China's greatest philosophical and literary masterpieces and, along with theLaozi老子 (Daodejing道德經), as one of the two fundamental works of Daoism. TheZhuangziis famous for its vibrant style and original thought, which had a tremendous influence on Chinese thinkers and writers of the past two millennia, as well as on the formation of Chinese Buddhism, especially Chan (Zen).
Tsinghua University Bamboo Strips
Authors: Foster Christopher J.
Published: December 2021

In July 2008, Tsinghua University acquired a large collection of Warring States bamboo‐strip manuscripts. This collection, often referred to as the “Tsinghua strips,” includes historical anecdotes featuring speeches and poetry, political and philosophical treatises, manuals for divination and calculations, ritual and prayer scripts, medical recipes and more. A number of the Tsinghua manuscripts correspond to titles in theShangshuandYi Zhoushuclassics, providing fresh evidence by which to assess the nature of these important works and their complex histories. Other manuscripts bear long‐lost texts not seen among the received corpus, offering a wealth of new insights into early Chinese thought and culture. The Tsinghua strips, moreover, have advanced research on Pre‐Qin paleography, manuscript production, and related fields. Unfortunately, this collection was not archaeologically excavated, but acquired from the antiquities market. While the majority of scholars accept the authenticity of the Tsinghua strips, the lack of archaeological context impedes study of these manuscripts, and concerns have been raised about the professional ethics of working on looted artifacts.
Mawangdui Manuscripts
Authors: Waring Luke
Published: December 2021

The Mawangdui manuscripts, comprising some forty documents made of silk, bamboo, and wood, were recovered from Tomb 3 at the Mawangdui tomb site in Changsha, Hunan province. Excavated in 1973, the tomb probably belonged to the Western Han (202
bce
–9
ce
) dynasty nobleman Li Xi (d. ca. 168
bce
). The manuscripts created an international sensation when they were first discovered, and their importance has been likened to that of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Comprising early editions of important texts as well as previously unknown works, they are invaluable sources for the study of early Chinese philosophy, history, divination, and medicine. In addition, as the only significant collection of ancient Chinese silk manuscripts, they have revolutionized our understanding of early Chinese textual practices and provided an insight into the roles played by manuscripts in early Chinese tombs.
Qi
Authors: Cook Constance A.
Published: December 2021

Literate diviners and philosophers in the lands that would become China in 221
bce
called the invisible forces of life, death, and regeneration by the term
qi
. Understanding the different modes and flow of
qi
in the body and the larger cosmos has been key to the practice of Chinese medicine and self‐cultivation practices. The earliest documentation for the term dates to the fourth century
bce
and the fact that it was written with different graphs may signify an evolving meaning.
Morphological Evolution from Open Cells to Reticulated Structures in Moderately Branched Polybutylene Terephthalate Foamed Using Supercritical CO2
Authors: Wang Yaqiao , Zhang Chen , Han Shuo , Mi Jianguo , Du Zhongjie , Chen Shihong , Wang Xiangdong
Published: December 2021

A simple and feasible method is proposed to fabricate thermoplastic reticulated foams, which are commercially valuable materials applied in the areas of environmental protection, impact absorption, and tissue engineering. The key to achieving the evolution from open‐cell (OC) foam to reticulated foam is to match the melt strength of the polymer with the driving force of the cell growth. Therefore, herein, a small amount of triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC) containing three epoxy groups reacts with linear polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) to form a branched structure to finely control the melt strength. The crystallization temperature and crystallization rate decrease with the formation of branched PBT. Based on these findings, a cooling batch foaming method is designed and applied at different foaming pressures to prepare reticulated foams. As the TGIC content decreases from 0.2 to 0.05 phr, closed cells, conventional OCs, reticulated cells, and collapsed cells are observed in turn. Reticulated PBT foams with an OC content of 91.1% and a volume expansion ratio (VER) of 17.5 are formed in the PBT/TGIC0.15 sample in optimum foaming conditions. In addition, conventional OC foams with an OC content of 95.1% and VER of 34.3 are also obtained in PBT/TGIC0.2 sample.
Unraveling the Mechanisms Governing Anisotropy in Accordion‐Shaped Honeycomb Microlattice Fabricated by Two‐Photon Polymerization
Authors: Nautiyal Pranjal , Wiedorn Victoria , Thomas Tony , Bacca Nicole , White Alice , Agarwal Arvind
Published: December 2021

High‐resolution printing afforded by two‐photon polymerization (2PP) has opened up vast design space, spanning over four orders of magnitude (sub‐μm to cm), unleashing the opportunity to fabricate architected materials with intriguing mechanical characteristics. This study seeks to exploit direct laser writing to print accordion‐shaped honeycomb lattices constituted of slender micro‐membranes to achieve in‐plane mechanical anisotropy. The deformation mechanisms governing orientation‐sensitive mechanical properties of the lattice are examined by in situ investigations in a scanning electron microscope. The microlattice displays greater flexibility, compliance, and strain hardening during in‐plane compression, whereas it is highly stiff and resistant to fatigue in the out‐of‐plane orientation. The high aspect ratio of accordion‐shaped cells imparts prominent in‐plane anisotropy, with longitudinal stiffness twice the transverse stiffness. Folding, interlocking, and compaction of micro‐walls are the major deformation mechanisms, inducing brilliant energy dissipation ability, with up to 87% mechanical work‐absorption. Digital image correlation analysis reveals that strain re‐distribution facilitated by hinges dictates the recoverability of the microlattice. This work provides useful mechanistic insights at the micrometer length scale for tuning the orientation‐sensitive mechanical response of mesostructures printed by 2PP.
Fabrication and Properties of Thermoplastic Polyurethane/Silver Parts via Fused Deposition Modeling for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding and Wearable Sensors
Authors: Li Zhongming , Feng Dong , Li Bin , Xie Delong , Mei Yi , Zeng Tianbiao
Published: December 2021

With the rapid development of high technology, there is an urgent requirement for multifunctional and flexible intelligent devices. Herein, the segregated thermoplastic polyurethane/silver (TPU/Ag) composite with continuous silver structure were fabricated by a jealous combination of fused deposition modeling (FDM) and selective microwave sintering (SMS). The SMS process significantly improves the mechanical performance of the parts, mainly attributed to the enhanced interfacial bonding strength between heated filaments. Benefiting from the high flexibility and continuous segregated Ag structure of the printed parts, the TPU/Ag composites with 2.34 mm of thickness can achieve an excellent electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of average ≈78.3 dB in X‐band (8.2–12.4 GHz). In addition, the elastic characteristic of the printed parts enabling a prominent stretchable sensitivity under repeated tensile mode. The sensors exhibit high‐sensitive performance (GF = 1900.6 at strain of 9%) and can monitor subtle human activity. The facile and green strategy proposed in this study is highly favorable for the fabrication of functional 3D printed parts with enhanced mechanical strength for the applications of portable electronic devices and wearable smart sensors.
Weldable and Reprocessable Shape Memory Epoxy Vitrimer Enabled by Controlled Formulation for Extrusion‐Based 4D Printing Applications
Authors: Choi Seonhui , Park Bumsoo , Jo Seongjun , Seo Jong Hwi , Lee Woohwa , Kim Dong-Gyun , Lee Ki Bong , Kim Yong Seok , Park Sungmin
Published: December 2021

Vitrimers are attracting attention owing to their cross‐linked polymer architecture with reprocessability based on an associative covalent adaptable network (CAN). To expand their field of application, intensive research is being conducted to control the properties of vitrimers. Herein, the properties of vitrimers are tuned to render these materials extrudable and weldable. The engineered vitrimer is utilized as a functional “ink” for fused filament fabrication (FFF) 4D printing. The rheological properties of the vitrimers are adjusted by changing the chemical formulation without the use of special chemicals, additional reactions, or unique processes. Using the intrinsic cross‐linked architecture of the vitrimers, shape memory performance is demonstrated and used in 4D printing applications. A bond exchange reaction involving transesterification leads to the topological rearrangement of vitrimers, thus allowing them to be reprocessed, reshaped, recycled, and reprinted. In addition, heterogeneous materials in the form of an epoxy vitrimer and ester‐containing polylactic acid (PLA) are joined using direct interfacial welding. This study suggests a simple approach to customize the characteristics of vitrimers to confer special properties (shape memory) upon conventionally printed 3D objects, which could be used for soft robot fabrication, the assembly of materials, and multifunctional composites.
Implementation of Synaptic Device Using Ultraviolet Ozone Treated Water‐in‐Bisalt/Polymer Electrolyte‐Gated Transistor
Authors: Lee Haeyeon , Jin Minho , Na Hyun‐Jae , Im Changik , Lee Jae Hak , Kim Jiyeon , Gong Yong Jun , Lee Chan , Lee Eungkyu , Kim Youn Sang
Published: December 2021

Electrolyte‐gated transistors (EGTs) have been extensively studied as a next‐generation neuromorphic device mimicking the biological ionic flux in synapses. However, its long‐term plasticity characteristic lasts only for few seconds because of the rapid self‐discharge of electrical double layer. Here, ultraviolet ozone (UVO) treated water‐in‐bisalt (WiBS)/polymer electrolyte‐gated synaptic transistor (WEST) which excellently implements multiple synaptic functions is proposed. Ultraviolet (UV) light and reactive oxygen radicals generated during UVO treatment form trap sites on the surface of active layer, causing lithium cations in the WiBS/polymer electrolyte to be captured at the electrolyte/active layer interface. The UVO treated WEST shows enhanced nonvolatile memory performance for 10 000 s, up to 1186 times longer than that of the untreated WEST. Also, near‐ideal weight update over 10 000 cycle tests with 0.32 and −0.55 nonlinearities of long‐term potentiation and depression is acquired with a ten times improved symmetricity. These results confirm that the surface engineering is a key technique for sophisticated ion transport, and demonstrate various applicability of EGTs as a neuromorphic device.
Crystal Water‐Assisted Additional Capacity for Nickel Hydroxide Anode Materials
Authors: Kim Hyunwoo , Lee Wontae , Choi Woosung , Yun Soyeong , Lee Eunkang , Yoon Won‐Sub
Published: December 2021

To further increase the energy density of rechargeable batteries to meet the rapidly growing needs of high‐energy consuming devices, various materials are tested as anode materials. Some of these newly developed anode materials exhibit anomalously high capacities that exceed their theoretical values. Advanced analytical techniques have revealed that unconventional reaction mechanisms account for these extra capacities. However, despite the potential to take current battery technology development to the next level, research on the utilization of these reactions is currently limited. Herein, a new strategy is proposed to maximize the reaction of ‐OH components by using crystal water to increase the extra capacity obtained from the abnormal reactions of LiOH species. In addition to the LiOH phase formed by the conversion reaction of metal hydroxides, the H2O inside Ni(OH)2 crystals contributes to the formation of LiOH, which then reacts with lithium. As a result, water‐containing Ni(OH)2 exhibits greater reversible capacities than bare Ni(OH)2 and NiO, thereby confirming the beneficial effects of crystal water. This novel concept for the enhancement of electrochemical ion storage capacities through the introduction of crystal water to conversion‐based anode materials can expand the design factors for maximizing the available capacities of active materials.
Boosting O2 Reduction and H2O Dehydrogenation Kinetics: Surface N‐Hydroxymethylation of g‐C3N4 Photocatalysts for the Efficient Production of H2O2
Authors: Liu Binyao , Du Jinyan , Ke Gaili , Jia Bi , Huang Yujie , He Huichao , Zhou Yong , Zou Zhigang
Published: December 2021

g‐C3N4 photocatalysis is a safe and green approach for H2O2 production, but the activity of pristine g‐C3N4 photocatalysts is unsatisfactory. At present, most of the modifications on g‐C3N4 photocatalysts for H2O2 production have focused on thermodynamic processes, few have considered the kinetic aspects. Herein, the surface N‐hydroxymethylation of g‐C3N4 photocatalysts for the efficient kinetic production of H2O2 is reported. Through the reaction of formaldehyde with the amino moieties (–NH2) on the g‐C3N4 surface, N‐hydroxymethyls groups (‐NH‐CH2‐OH) are introduced on typical g‐C3N4 photocatalysts. Relative to the pristine g‐C3N4 photocatalysts, the modified g‐C3N4 photocatalysts have over 1280% higher activity for H2O2 production in pure water system, and impressive solar‐to‐chemical conversion efficiency. The experimental investigations and theoretical calculations reveal that the introduction of ‐NH‐CH2‐OH on the g‐C3N4 photocatalysts does not change their morphology, light absorption intensity and edges, band positions, charge separation and transfer properties, but markedly improved the H2O dehydrogenation and O2 adsorption properties of g‐C3N4. As a result, the reduction kinetics of O2 to H2O2 on the g‐C3N4 photocatalysts with ‐NH‐CH2‐OH is more energetically favorable. This work provides a useful reference and inspiration to achieve the effective modification of g‐C3N4 or other metal‐free photocatalysts from the kinetic perspective.
Ultrarapid Method for Coating Electrochemical Sensors with Antifouling Conductive Nanomaterials Enables Highly Sensitive Multiplexed Detection in Whole Blood
Authors: Timilsina Sanjay S. , Durr Nolan , Yafia Mohamed , Sallum Hani , Jolly Pawan , Ingber Donald E.
Published: December 2021

The commercialization of electrochemical (EC)‐sensors for medical diagnostics is currently limited by their rapid fouling in biological fluids, and use of potential antifouling coatings is hindered by the complexity and cost of application methods. Here, a simple ultrafast (< 1 min) method is described for coating EC‐sensors with cross‐linked bovine serum albumin infused with conductive, pentaamine‐functionalized, graphene particles that can be stored at room temperature for at least 20‐weeks, which provides unprecedented sensitivity and selectivity for diagnostic applications. The antifouling coating is applied directly on‐chip using rapid heating via simple dip‐coating, which provides unprecedented high levels of electrode conductivity for up to 9‐weeks in unprocessed biological samples. This method is leveraged to develop a multiplexed platform for detecting clinically relevant biomarkers including myocardial infarction and traumatic brain injury using only 15 µL of blood. Single‐digit pg mL−1 sensitivity is obtained within minutes in unprocessed human plasma and whole blood, which is faster and at least 50 times more sensitive than traditional enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, and the signal generated is stable enough to be measured after 1 week of storage. The multiplexed EC‐sensor platform is validated by analyzing 22 patient samples and demonstrating excellent correlation with reported clinical values.
Sunlight‐Coordinated High‐Performance Moisture Power in Natural Conditions
Authors: Bai Jiaxin , Huang Yaxin , Wang Haiyan , Guang Tianlei , Liao Qihua , Cheng Huhu , Deng Shanhao , Li Qikai , Shuai Zhigang , Qu Liangti
Published: December 2021

It is a challenge to spontaneously harvest multiple clean sources from the environment for upgraded energy‐converting systems. The ubiquitous moisture and sunlight in nature are attractive for sustainable power generation especially. A high‐performance light‐coordinated “moist‐electric generator” (LMEG) based on the rational combination of a polyelectrolyte and a phytochrome is herein developed. By spontaneous adsorption of gaseous water molecules and simultaneous exposure to sunlight, a piece of 1 cm2 composite film offers an open‐circuit voltage of 0.92 V and a considerable short‐circuit current density of up to 1.55 mA cm−2. This record‐high current density is about two orders of magnitude improvement over that of most conventional moisture‐enabled systems, which is caused by moisture‐induced charge separation accompanied with photoexcited carrier migration, as confirmed by a dynamic Monte Carlo device simulation. Flexible devices with customizable size are available for large‐scale integration to effectively work under a wide range of relative humidity (about 20–100%), temperature (10–80 °C), and light intensity (30–200 mW cm−2). The wearable and portable LMEGs provide ample power supply in natural conditions for indoor and outdoor electricity‐consuming systems. This work opens a novel avenue to develop sustainable power generation through collecting multiple types of natural energy by a single hybrid harvester.
Ionic Liquid Treatment for Highest‐Efficiency Ambient Printed Stable All‐Inorganic CsPbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Du Yachao , Tian Qingwen , Chang Xiaoming , Fang Junjie , Gu Xiaojing , He Xilai , Ren Xiaodong , Zhao Kui , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: December 2021

All‐inorganic cesium lead triiodide (CsPbI3) perovskite is well known for its unparalleled stability at high temperatures up to 500 °C and under oxidative chemical stresses. However, upscaling solar cells via ambient printing suffers from imperfect crystal quality and defects caused by uncontrollable crystallization. Here, the incorporation of a low concentration of novel ionic liquid is reported as being promising for managing defects in CsPbI3 films, interfacial energy alignment, and device stability of solar cells fabricated via ambient blade‐coating. Both theoretical simulations and experimental measurements reveal that the ionic liquid successfully regulates the perovskite thin‐film growth to decrease perovskite grain boundaries, strongly coordinates with the undercoordinated Pb2+ to passivate iodide vacancy defects, aligns the interface to decrease the energy barrier at the electron‐transporting layer, and relaxes the lattice strain to promote phase stability. Consequently, ambient printed CsPbI3 solar cells with power conversion efficiency as high as 20.01% under 1 sun illumination (100 mW cm−2) and 37.24% under indoor light illumination (1000 lux, 365 µW cm−2) are achieved; both are the highest for printed all‐inorganic cells for corresponding applications. Furthermore, the bare cells show an impressive long‐term ambient stability with only ≈5% PCE degradation after 1000 h aging under ambient conditions.
A Stiffness‐Switchable, Biomimetic Smart Material Enabled by Supramolecular Reconfiguration
Authors: Zhao Dawei , Pang Bo , Zhu Ying , Cheng Wanke , Cao Kaiyue , Ye Dongdong , Si Chuanling , Xu Guangwen , Chen Chaoji , Yu Haipeng
Published: December 2021

In nature, stiffness‐changing behavior is essential for living organisms, which, however, is challenging to achieve in synthetic materials. Here, a stiffness‐changing smart material, through developing interchangeable supramolecular configurations inspired from the dermis of the sea cucumber, which shows extreme, switchable mechanical properties, is reported. In the hydrated state, the material, possessing a stretched, double‐stranded supramolecular network, showcases a soft‐gel behavior with a low stiffness and high pliability. Upon the stimulation of ethanol to transform into the coiled supramolecular configuration, it self‐adjusts to a hard state with nearly 500‐times enhanced stiffness from 0.51 to 243.6 MPa, outstanding load‐bearing capability (over 35 000 times its own weight), and excellent puncture/impact resistance with a specific impact strength of ≈116 kJ m−2 (g cm−3)−1 (higher than some metals and alloys such as aluminum, and even comparable to the commercially available protective materials such as D3O and Kevlar). Moreover, this material demonstrates reconfiguration‐dependent self‐healing behavior and designable formability, holding great promise in advanced engineering fields that require both high‐strength durability and good formability. This work may open up a new perspective for the development of self‐regulating materials from supramolecular‐scale configuration regulation.
Reshaping the Tumor Immune Microenvironment Based on a Light‐Activated Nanoplatform for Efficient Cancer Therapy
Authors: Yang Zebin , Luo Yu , Yu Huizhu , Liang Kaicheng , Wang Miao , Wang Qigang , Yin Bo , Chen Hangrong
Published: December 2021

The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) always causes poor antitumor immune efficacy, prone to relapse and metastasis. Herein, novel poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) modified BiFeO3/Bi2WO6 (BFO/BWO) with a p–n type heterojunction is constructed for reshaping the immunosuppressive TME. Reactive oxygen species can be generated under light activation by the well‐separated hole (h+)–electron (e−) pairs owing to the heterojunction in BFO/BWO‐PVP NPs. Interestingly, h+ can trigger the decomposition of H2O2 to generate O2 for alleviating tumor hypoxia, which not only sensitizes photodynamic therapy (PDT) and radiotherapy (RT), but also promotes tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) polarization from M2 to M1 phenotype, which is beneficial to decrease the expression of HIF‐1α. Importantly, such a light‐activated nanoplatform, combining with RT can efficiently activate and recruit cytotoxic T lymphocytes to infiltrate in tumor tissues, as well as stimulate TAMs to M1 phenotype, dramatically reverse the immunosuppressive TME into an immunoactive one, and further boost immune memory responses. Moreover, BFO/BWO‐PVP NPs also present high performance for computed tomography imaging contrast. Taken together, this work offers a novel paradigm for achieving O2 self‐supply of inorganic nanoagents and reshaping of the tumor immune microenvironment for effective inhibition of cancer as well as metastasis and recurrence.