bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility and acceptability of a parent–child intervention to improve step count in childhood cancer survivors exposed to cardiotoxic therapy: The STEP UP for FAMILIES Study
Authors: Friedman Danielle Novetsky , Lavery Jessica A. , Moskowitz Chaya S. , Gordon Isabella , Gilliland Jaime , Scott Jessica , Diotallevi Deborah , Pottenger Elaine , Wilson Nadia , Antal Zoltan , Ramjan Sameera , Sands Stephen
Published: September 2024

Background

Late morbidity after childhood cancer may be mitigated by healthy lifestyle behaviors. We piloted a game‐based, parent–child digital intervention to increase activity in sedentary survivors.

Methods

Survivors aged 10–16 treated with cardiotoxic therapy and not meeting US physical activity guidelines were enrolled in a single‐arm study with a parent. Following a 14‐day run‐in, participants chose a prespecified step goal and wore an accelerometer daily for 24 weeks (12‐week game‐based intervention; 12‐week follow‐up). Participants completed the Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM) at 24 weeks; a subset of dyads completed qualitative interviews.

Results

Among 129 eligible survivors, 27 enrolled (20.9% participation rate) with a parent. Four dyads were removed during the 14‐day run‐in period due to noncompliance. Among the 23 dyads who continued to the study, the tracker was worn for 95% of days during the 12‐week intervention (95% confidence interval [CI]: 94–96) and 81% during the 12‐week follow‐up (95% CI: 79–82). Overall, the prespecified step goal was met for 64% (95% CI: 63–66) of days during the intervention and 37% (95% CI: 35–38) during the follow‐up. At the end of study, 17/23 dyads responded to AIM; 82% of survivors and 94% of parents reported the intervention as acceptable. During qualitative interviews (n = 5), dyads noted that they liked the accountability of the “buddy system,” but would have liked more personalized goal‐setting.

Conclusions

Despite high ratings of acceptability among participants, difficulties with sustained adherence and retention were encountered in this parent–child gamification intervention. Alternate, tailored designs should be considered in the future.
Compressive and flexural properties and damage modes of aluminum foam/epoxy resin interpenetrating phase composites reinforced by silica powder
Authors: Su Mingming , Zhou Zhiming , Wang Han
Published: September 2024

Interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs) can combine the advantages of each component and have a good application prospect. IPCs were prepared by combining open‐cell aluminum foam (AF) and epoxy resin (EP) in three‐dimensional space in this study. Different contents of silica powder (SP, 80, 100, 120, and 140 wt%) were added to EP to improve the compressive and three‐point bending properties of IPCs. In the bending test, acoustic emission (AE) was applied to track the bending deformation of the samples, and k‐means clustering algorithm was applied to identify the damage modes. The compressive and bending properties of IPCs increased first and then decreased with the increase of SP content, and reached the maximum when the SP content was 100 wt%, with a compressive yield strength of 74.6 MPa and a bending peak load of 1.96 kN. The performance degradation was mainly attributed to the AF/EP debonding due to SP distribution at the interface. The X‐type shear band and EP/AF debonding appeared in compression failures of AF and IPCs, respectively. The AE clustering results showed that under bending load, plastic deformation of matrix (60–200 kHz) and fracture failure (230–340 kHz) modes appeared in AF, while EP/AF debonding (60–120 kHz), EP failure (120–230 kHz) and plastic deformation of foam matrix (230–250 kHz) modes appeared in IPCs.

Highlights

Silica powder was added to improve compressive and bending properties of IPCs.

Acoustic emission was used to monitor bending of foam and IPCs firstly.

k‐means clustering was used to identify and classify bending damage patterns.
The relationship between openness to experience and humor production: Exploring the mediating roles of cognitive flexibility and ambiguity tolerance
Authors: Sun Cuicui , Shen Jielin , Lin Jiajia , Zhang Tingyu , Li Junyi
Published: September 2024

The purpose of this study was to examine how individual openness to experience influences humor production and to explore the underlying psychological mechanisms of this relationship, specifically focusing on cognitive flexibility (the cognitive path) and ambiguity tolerance (the motivational path). To comprehensively evaluate individuals' humor production ability, Study 1 employed a subjective self‐report questionnaire on sense of humor, while Study 2 used an objective humor dialogue generation task. The results of Study 1 indicated that openness to experience did not directly impact sense of humor; instead, the relationship between openness to experience and sense of humor was fully mediated by cognitive flexibility. In Study 2, findings showed that openness to experience positively predicted humor production ability, with ambiguity tolerance partially mediating this effect. These results suggest that individuals with higher levels of openness to experience have a greater capacity for generating humorous perspectives. Moreover, the study identified two psychological pathways—cognition and motivation—in the process of generating funny ideas. The specific pathway influenced by the measurement method used for humor production further highlights the importance of both cognitive flexibility and ambiguity tolerance in understanding how openness to experience contributes to humor production.
Epoxy composite dust reinforced novel polypropylene composites: An eco‐friendly approach toward sustainable resource management
Authors: Sharma Hitesh , Gairola Sandeep , Misra Joy Prakash , Singh Inderdeep
Published: September 2024

This study presents an innovative technique for recycling leftover epoxy composites reinforced with natural fillers. The waste epoxy composites were successfully ground into a 75–150 μm fine powder. With the aid of extrusion injection molding, this powder was subsequently utilized to create polypropylene matrix‐based polymer composites with variable filler loadings ranging from 10% to 30%. The mechanical, thermal, thermomechanical, and morphological properties of the developed composites were assessed. The greatest tensile strength of the polypropylene composites produced with 10% filler loading was found to be 24.15 MPa. The addition of epoxy composite filler increased the thermal stability. During morphological investigations, it was discovered that pits, voids, and filler agglomerations predominated the fractured surface of the developed composites. Overall, it can be concluded that there is a lot of promise for value‐added recycling of thermosetting resin‐based composites using this low‐cost, high‐efficiency, and ecologically benign process, which would lessen the environmental impact of plastic.

Highlights

Novel polypropylene composites using epoxy composite dust was developed.

Mechanical, thermal, thermomechanical, and morphological studies were performed.

Toys, tableware, mementos, and furniture can be the potential applications.

The developed composites can reduce plastic load on the environment.
Unpacking the differences in social impact and social preference among Spanish preschool aggressors, victims, aggressor‐victims, and defenders whilst controlling for emotional competences
Authors: Navarro Raúl , Víllora Beatriz , Rodríguez‐Álvarez Juan Manuel , Yubero Santiago , Larrañaga Elisa
Published: September 2024

Peer status among preschool children has been associated with their roles in aggression‐related interactions. This study analyses the differences between aggressors, victims, aggressor‐victims and defenders on two measures of peer status (social impact and social preferences) whilst controlling for individual factors. The sample comprised 394 preschool children (184 girls, 210 boys) between the ages of 3–6 years old (M = 4.36, SD = 0.87) and their parents supplying information about socio‐demographic variables and children's emotion regulation. Teachers rated emotional competences for each child in their class. Analysis of covariance along with Bonferroni‐adjusted post‐hoc comparisons were conducted to compare mean scores between the aggression roles for social impact and social preference while controlling for significant individual factors. The results revealed that aggressors and aggressor‐victims exhibited higher social impact but lower social preference after controlling for individual factors. In contrast, defenders enjoyed higher social status among their peers, characterized by both higher social preference and social impact. Victims were associated with lower social preference and social impact. Uninvolved children consistently exhibited lower social impact. Results underscore the need for interventions that focus on promoting prosocial behaviors, addressing aggressive tendencies, and enhancing emotional competences to create a more positive and supportive peer environment.
The development of sources of self‐efficacy in self‐regulation during one primary school year: the role of gender, special educational needs, and individual strengths
Authors: Ikävalko Minna J. , Sointu Erkko T. , Lambert Matthew C. , Lazarides Rebecca , Viljaranta Jaana
Published: September 2024

The study investigated the development of sources of self‐efficacy in self‐regulation in 9–12 year old (N = 317, primary school) students during one school year. We used latent growth curve modeling to determine (1) how the different sources of self‐efficacy for self‐regulation (i.e., mastery experience, vicarious experience, social persuasion, physiological and emotional arousal) change over one school year, and (2) how students' gender, special educational needs, and behavioral and emotional strengths relate to these changes. These results indicated that, on average, mastery experiences decreased and physiological and emotional arousal increased, whereas vicarious experience and social persuasion remained stable. Girls had higher initial levels of physiological and emotional arousal than boys, and experienced a steeper decline in mastery experiences compared to boys. Students with special educational needs had lower initial levels of mastery experience and higher physiological and emotional arousal than students without special educational needs. In addition, students with higher individual strengths presented higher initial levels of mastery and vicarious experiences, and lower physiological and emotional arousal. The results contribute to current research and practice by indicating that sources of self‐efficacy for self‐regulation change over time and are thus malleable in the school context.
Das zirkumgalaktische Medium
Authors: Richter Philipp
Published: September 2024

Als zirkumgalaktisches Medium bezeichnet man die gasförmigen Hüllen von Galaxien, die sich räumlich weit über deren stellaren Körper hinausstrecken. In den letzten Jahren hat sich unser Verständnis des zirkumgalaktischen Mediums durch die Kombination verschiedener Analysemethoden, der Nutzung neuester Beobachtungsinstrumente sowie der Auswertung magnetohydrodynamischer Simulationen entscheidend verbessert. Als Materiereservoir zur Bildung neuer Sterne in Galaxien kommt dem zirkumgalaktischen Medium in der Strukturentwicklung in allen kosmologischen Epochen eine wichtige Funktion zu. Systematische Untersuchungen des zirkumgalaktischen Mediums unserer Milchstraße spielen hierbei eine wichtige Rolle, da nur hier das Gas in all seinem Detailreichtum eingehend studiert werden kann.
Sanctions and infrastructural ideologies: Assessing the material shaping of EU digital sovereignty in response to the war in Ukraine
Authors: ten Oever Niels , Perarnaud Clement , Kristoff John , Müller Moritz , Resing Max , Filasto Arturo , Kanich Chris
Published: September 2024

In this paper, we interrogate the sanctions instated against Russian media by the European Union (EU) in response to Russia's aggression in Ukraine. We do this in three ways. First, we present the outcome of extensive network measurements that show the heterogeneous implementation of the sanctions in EU Member States. Second, we explain how the sanctions fit the EU's digital sovereignty agenda. And third, we theorise the EU's digital sovereignty policies and sanctions as the emergence of a repressive state apparatus that forms a metagovernance regime with the ideological state apparatus of multistakeholder internet governance. We explain how networks are shaped in the dialectical relation between the ideological and repressive state apparatuses by showing how multistakeholder internet governance aims to stay politically neutral to accommodate the politics of different repressive state apparatuses. In turn, repressive state apparatuses define their demands in a technologically neutral way so multistakeholder internet governance can continue to develop and adapt communication networks. This research combines methods from Computer Science with theoretical frameworks from European Studies, Science and Technology Studies, Media Studies and International Relations. Through this work, we aim to contribute to the practice of interdisciplinary analysis of communication networks and debates on digital sovereignty, European infrastructuralisation, and internet governance.
Survivorship Needs in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer in Regional, Rural and Remote Areas: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pradhan Poorva , Sharman Ashleigh R. , Palme Carsten E. , Elliott Michael S. , Clark Jonathan R. , Venchiarutti Rebecca L.
Published: September 2024

Objective

Understanding survivorship issues among people with head and neck cancer (HNC) is important as survival rates increase. Most research has focused on urban patients, leaving a gap in understanding the challenges faced by those in rural areas. This study aims to summarise the literature on survivorship needs for people with HNC in rural areas.

Methods

PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Embase were searched from database inception to 10 July 2024, with no restriction on publication period, country, or language. Data on study aims, country, methodology, and major findings related to HNC survivors in rural areas were extracted. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklists.

Results

Twenty‐one studies met the inclusion criteria. Eight studies were qualitative, 11 were quantitative, and two adopted a mixed‐methods approach. Results demonstrate the impact of complex treatments on physical (n = 13) and psychosocial (n = 14) functioning. This study also emphasises multifaceted challenges, including reduced access to specialised services, resulting in greater travel and financial burden, extending to caregivers. Hence, primary healthcare services are crucial in supporting these patients closer to home.

Conclusions

Addressing the gaps in equitable post‐treatment care requires an even distribution of healthcare funding and workforce in rural areas. Future research could target these issues to develop tailored interventions or models of care, such as shared care, to ease access and financial burden.
Social care provision for older adults in China: Regional disparities and driving factors
Authors: Kong Xinyue , Li Lianyou
Published: September 2024

In the context of rapid ageing, the scale and distribution of social care resources for older adults in China are undergoing significant changes. Based on the macroscopic samples of the National Statistical Yearbooks from 2011 to 2021, this study examines the regional disparities, dynamic evolution, and drivers of social care provision for older adults in China. The results reveal that while the overall level of social care provision for older adults has consistently improved, significant regional disparities persist. The most abundant social care resources have long been concentrated in the economically prosperous coastal regions. Although overall disparities have shown a fluctuating downward trend over time, the absolute gaps across certain economic regions continue to widen. Furthermore, this study identifies several driving factors behind senior social care provision, including regional economic conditions, government preferences for welfare fiscal expenditure, regional consumption patterns, and urbanisation rates. However, the increase in local financial autonomy has a negative impact on the provision of social care for older adults. The findings highlight the importance of developing a more scientific fiscal oversight mechanism, creating region‐specific policies, and addressing the needs of older migrants to achieve the goal of equalising social care provision for older adults.
Performance Enhancement of SnS Solar Cell with Tungsten Disulfide Electron Transport Layer and Molybdenum Trioxide Hole Transport Layer
Authors: Siddeka Ayasha , Khan Tanvir Mahtab , Ali Md. Raton , Hosen Adnan , Rahman Md. Ferdous , Ahmed Sheikh Rashel Al
Published: September 2024

Herein, a new heterojunction photovoltaic (PV) device is designed by incorporating molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) as a hole transport layer (HTL), tin sulfide (SnS) as an absorber, and tungsten disulfide (WS2) as an electron transport layer (ETL). The PV outputs of the proposed thin‐film solar cell (TFSC) of Ni/MoO3/SnS/WS2/FTO/Al are investigated using the widely used solar cell simulator (SCAPS‐1D). It is found that the SnS TFSC with suitable band alignments at both the SnS/WS2 and MoO3/SnS interfaces gives better photoconversion efficiency than the conventional one. To optimize the material properties, the performance parameters, including open‐circuit voltage (Voc), short‐circuit current density (Jsc), fill factor (FF), and efficiency, have been calculated by varying the influences of the material's thickness, doping concentration, bulk and interface defect densities, operational temperature, and work function of back‐contact. At optimized thicknesses of 0.1 μm for MoO3 HTL and 1.0 μm for SnS absorber, the efficiency is estimated to be 30.42% with Voc of 1.02 V, Jsc of 34.38 mA cm−2, and FF of 87.04% for the suggested TFSC. These outcomes imply that the nontoxic MoO3 and WS2 materials can be applied as HTL and ETL into the inexpensive, highly efficient, and environmentally friendly SnS‐based PV cell.
Dual‐channel observer design for composite disturbances based on characteristic compensation
Authors: Wen Xinyu , Wang Zhihao , Dong Yaling , Li Ruixian
Published: September 2024

This paper presents a non‐coupled structure of characteristic compensation dual‐channel observer (CCDCO) for handling systems subjected to composite disturbances. There exist an outer disturbance compensation channel (ODCC) and an inner disturbance compensation channel (IDCC) in the design strategy. Specifically, in the ODCC, the proposed frequency characteristic compensation observer (FCCO) extracts and removes the regular periodic components from the composite disturbances, where the estimation error preserves irregular characteristics. Thus, the estimation error of FCCO and irregular parts are treated as lumped terms estimated via compensation function observer (CFO) in the IDCC. As a solving skill for composite disturbances estimation, CCDCO has two important advantages over previous designs. First, the proposed non‐coupled structure explicitly distinguishes disturbance characteristics according to a priori information known or not. Second, by combining the benefits of the CFO and proposed FCCO, different types of disturbances can be estimated accordingly without coupling of each other. Simulation results on the robotic manipulator are provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Civic Place Literacies: Tracing Urban Migrant Girls' Democratic Meaning‐Making Through Virtual Transnational Practitioner Research
Authors: Thakurta Ankhi G.
Published: September 2024

Historically marginalized youth shape public life through civic literacies that are rooted in their identities and experiences with systemic injustices. Literacy scholarship has accordingly traced how practitioner inquiry, a participatory approach to knowledge production, can educationally support the flourishing of these literacies. But while marginalized youth negotiate public life across multiple national contexts of inequality, this research has remained mostly nation‐bound. This paper extends prior scholarship in a comparative, cross‐national direction by exploring how, in a virtual transnational practitioner study, two urban migrant girls based in the United States and India—multiply marginalized youth from two of the world's largest and most unequal democracies—engaged in democratic meaning‐making. Tracing how youth took up learning invitations across two separate inquiry communities and one‐on‐one conversations with the teacher‐researcher, it foregrounds their civic place literacies: that is, their meaning‐making practices which reflected how their intersectional identities in their democratic communities shaped, too, their socio‐spatial navigations of those contexts. Tracing two themes related to girls' civic place literacies across India and the United States, the article concludes with implications for how future research and praxis can center urban migrant girls' civic place literacies, agency, and resistance across borders. (WC = 203).
Group Response‐Adaptive Randomization With Delayed and Missing Responses
Authors: Zhai Guannan , Li Yang , Zhang Lixin , Hu Feifang
Published: September 2024

Response‐adaptive randomization (RAR) procedures have been extensively studied in the literature, but most of the procedures rely on updating the randomization after each response, which is impractical in many clinical trials. In this article, we propose a new family of RAR procedures that dynamically update based on the responses of a group of individuals, either when available or at fixed time intervals (weekly or biweekly). We show that the proposed design retains the essential theoretical properties of Hu and Zhang's doubly adaptive biased coin designs (DBCD), and performs well in scenarios involving delayed and randomly missing responses. Numerical studies have been conducted to demonstrate that the new proposed group doubly adaptive biased coin design has similar properties to the Hu and Zhang's DBCDs in different situations. We also apply the new design to a real clinical trial, highlighting its advantages and practicality. Our findings open the door to studying the properties of other group response adaptive designs, such as urn models, and facilitate the application of response‐adaptive randomized clinical trials in practice.
A Reactor based on P‐N Heterojunction of Polypyrrole and Porous Silicon for Photocatalytic and Electro‐assisted Photocatalytic Performance
Authors: Thai Giang Hong , Giang Ho Truong , Hieu Ngo Thanh , Thu Do Thi Anh , Ngan Pham Quang , Nguyen Quoc Cuong , Cuong Dao Huy , Ha Ngo Ngoc , Nguyen Truong Giang , Huy Nguyen Thanh
Published: September 2024

In this work, a photoelectrochemical reactor with an anode based on hybrid structure between conducting polymer polypyrrole (PPy) and porous silicon (PSi) was fabricated and utilized to evaluate the photocatalysis and electro‐assisted photocatalysis for degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) solution. The PSi was made of n‐type silicon single‐crystal wafer by the metal‐assisted chemical etching (MACE). The anode PPy/PSi formed following a polymerization of the PPy on the PSi from the vapour‐phase route using oxidant FeCl3. Typical material characterizations of the PPy, PSi and PPy/PSi were investigated via scanning electron microscope (SEM), and spectroscopies of Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR), Raman scattering and UV‐vis. Under visible light radiation (halogen light with the wavelength region of 400–700 nm), photocatalytic and electro‐assisted photocatalytic processes of the reactor were conducted by degradation of the RhB solution. A heterojunction (p‐n) of the PPy/PSi was proposed to explain the efficient catalytic performance of the reactor.
Optimizing a Facile and Rapid Method for Extraction of Flavonoids from Matricaria Chamomilla Using TiO2 Nanoparticles
Authors: Aghababaei Rezvan , Dastan Dara
Published: September 2024

Flavonoids are known as valuable natural compounds and Chamomile is a rich source of flavonoids. The extraction efficiency of flavonoids is affected by various conditions. So it appears necessary to develop a practical method for the extraction of these compounds. In this study, we attempted to extract the phenolic compounds from chamomile using the surface capacity of titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO2). UV and FT‐IR spectroscopy was used to determine the accuracy of the binding. The HPLC‐PDA technique was used for the quantification of phenolic compounds and the recovery test result was 84 %. Determining the antioxidant, phenolic, and flavonoid contents suggested that the developed method is successful for the extraction of phenolic compounds. The influential extraction parameters after optimization consisted of the pH of 7, extraction temperature of 25 °C, extraction time of 15 min, and TiO2 nanoparticle concentration of 4 mM. The method seems acceptable for industrial applications.
Advancements in Castor Oil‐Derived Smart Materials: A Comprehensive Mini‐Review
Authors: Mukherjee Chandrapaul , Nath Aashika R. , Jaisankar Sellamuthu N. , Sarkar Jit
Published: September 2024

Smart materials encompass a class of materials capable of reorienting themselves in response to external stimuli (heat, light, and chemical), and generate smart properties such as self‐healing (SH) and shape‐memory (SM), etc. Recently, castor oil has emerged as a bio‐renewable feedstock facilitating the synthesis of smart polymers such as polyurethanes and epoxidized castor oil (CO)‐based polymers. Furthermore, fillers and nanomaterials have been added to prepare responsive materials (SH and SM) and drug delivery systems. This review delves into the recent developments in CO‐based smart materials since 2015 under thermal, photo, and chemical stimuli and their applications in coating, adhesive, soft robotics, and drug delivery. Additionally, the challenges and future scopes for the development of castor oil‐based advanced smart materials have been discussed.
Surfactant Regulated Chemical Modification of Rice Straw Powder for Biomass Composite Polyurethane Synthetic Leather
Authors: Wang Qian , Liu Shao‐you , Li Hong , Li Chao‐ping , Zhang Bao‐shen , Long You
Published: September 2024

For agricultural countries in Aisa, rice straw is a waste product, but also a valuable bioresource, with its recycling methods often drawing widespread attention. In this study, a novel multicomponent extraction method was proposed to perform comprehensive extraction of holocellulose and lignin from rice straw powder (RSP), resulting in modified rice straw powder (MRSP) with different micro‐morphologyies. The results indicate that the cosolvent tetraethylammonium chloride (TEAC) is more effective for extracting holocellulose and lignin compared to others, and different surfactants have decisive impacts on the extraction of holocellulose and lignin from RSP. Among them, anionic surfactants aid in the extraction of holocellulose, with sodium allylate sulfonate (SAS) being superior due to its greater changes in allyl polarity. Conversely, cationic surfactants facilitate the extraction of lignin, with octadearyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (OTAC) being superior due to the length of its alkyl‐carbon chain. And the quantized contribution of hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups of surfactants to the extraction of holocellulose and lignin, as well as, the different micromorphology of MRSP is obtained. Additionally, compared to the traditional PU (polyurethane) modified by eucalyptus wood powder (EWP/PU), the MRSP was used to prepare a series of biomass composite polyurethane synthetic leather (MRSP/PU), its tensile strength and peel strength of MRSP/PU coatings are greatly enhanced at the feedstock of 18 %.
3D Printed Metal Organic Framework Hydrogel for Dye Adsorption and Gas Sensing
Authors: Zhu YongChao , Chen Ziyi , Wang Chengyun , Yao Selina X. , Jin Qingxin , Zhou Jun , Li Pengcheng , Liu Bingjie , Long Yu , Xu Hai
Published: September 2024

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have tunable chemical structures, orderly pore structures, and modifiable surface functional groups making them a promising material for environmental remediation. However, their rigid powder morphology poses significant challenges for customizing MOF structures with adjustable mechanical properties. Here, we synthesis the stretchable UV‐curable MOF hydrogels through high‐resolution digital light processing 3D printing, and evaluated its adsorption effect on seven common dyesand.The results showed that it had selective adsorption effect on methylene blue (MB), and the adsorption effect increased with the increase of the initial concentration of MB: its adsorption capacity on 6 mgL−1, 12 mgL−1 and 24 mgL−1 MB solution reached 13.55 mgg−1, 26.31 mgg−1 and 50.70 mgg−1 respectively. Compared to powdered MOFs, the 3D‐printed MOF (Cu‐BTC) exhibited superior adsorption for dye and radioactive pollution, with methylene blue adsorption increasing from 8.93 mgg−1 to 25.05 mgg−1 and I2 adsorption from 141.56 mgg−1 to 792.65 mgg−1. Furthermore, the 3D‐printed MOF structure proved easily cleanable with dilute HCl and reusable over five times without degradation. In addition, our study highlighted the suitability of the 3D‐printed MOF for CO2‐sensing devices, demonstrating its broad applicability in environmental remediation and sensing technology.
Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Spiro Heterocyclic Scaffolds Using Graphite Oxide as a Heterogeneous Carbocatalyst and Study of their Anti‐Microbial Activities
Authors: Paul Pooja , Goswami Munmee , Chakravarty Debaraty , Joshi Sheetal , Joshi Santa Ram , Nongkhlaw Rishanlang
Published: September 2024

Even though an astonishing variety of spirooxindole derivatives has been synthesized until now, the look for rapid, highly efficacious, environmental‐friendly and more skilful methods is yet an ongoing challenge. Here, we present a microwave‐assisted synthetic approach for the one‐pot synthesis of spirooxindole‐pyrimidine and spiro‐chromeno indoline‐trione derivatives in water using graphite oxide (GO) as a charismatic heterogeneous metal‐free carbocatalyst.Microwave‐assisted synthesis reduces the reaction times from hours (conventional heating) to minutes. The use of a heterogeneous catalyst allows for efficient recovery and reusability up to eight cycles without losing much of its effectiveness, thereby enhancing sustainability. This method offers high product yields of diverse substrates with low catalyst loading and simple work‐up and catalyst handling. In addition, the antimicrobial activities for some randomly taken compounds have also been studied against gram positive bacteria Staphylococcos aureus (MTCC96) and gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli(MTCC730).
Wearable Device with High Thermoelectric Performance and Long‐Lasting Usability Based on Gel‐Thermocells for Body Heat Harvesting
Authors: Jia Yuhang , Zhang Shengming , Li Jing , Han Zhiliang , Zhang Dong , Qu Xiangyang , Wu Zhuotong , Wang Huaping , Chen Shiyan
Published: September 2024

Utilizing the thermogalvanic effect, flexible thermoelectric materials present a compelling avenue for converting heat into electricity, especially in the context of wearable electronics. However, prolonged usage is hampered by the limitation imposed on the thermoelectric device's operational time due to the evaporation of moisture. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) offer a promising solution for low‐moisture gel fabrication. In this study, a bacterial cellulose (BC)/polyacrylic acid (PAA)/guanidinium chloride (GdmCl) gel is synthesized by incorporating BC into the DES. High‐performance n‐type and p‐type thermocells (TECs) are developed by introducing Fe(ClO4)2/3 and K3/4Fe(CN)6, respectively. BC enhances the mechanical properties through the construction of an interpenetrating network structure. The coordination of carboxyl groups on PAA with Fe3+ and the crystallization induced by Gdm+ with [Fe(CN)6]4− remarkably improve the thermoelectric performance, achieving a Seebeck coefficient (S) of 2.4 mV K−1 and ion conductivity (σ) of 1.4 S m−1 for the n‐type TEC, and ‒2.8 mV K−1 and 1.9 S m−1 for the p‐type TEC. A flexible wearable thermoelectric device is fabricated with a S of 82 mV K−1 and it maintains a stable output over one month. This research broadens the application scope of DESs in the thermoelectric field and offers promising strategies for long‐lasting wearable energy solutions.
Lamellipodia‐Mediated Osteoblast Haptotaxis Guided by Fibronectin Ligand Concentrations on a Multiplex Chip
Authors: Liu Chao , Feng Xiaotian , Jeong Seoyoung , Carr Melissa L. , Gao Yiwen , Atit Radhika P. , Senyo Samuel E.
Published: September 2024

Skull morphogenesis is a complex, dynamic process involving two different germ layers and progressing to the coordinated, directional growth of individual bones. The mechanisms underlying directional growth toward the apex are not completely understood. Here, a microfluidic chip‐based approach is utilized to test whether calvarial osteoblast progenitors undergo haptotaxis on a gradient of Fibronectin1 (FN1) via lamellipodia. Mimicking the embryonic cranial mesenchyme's FN1 pattern, FN1 gradients is established in the chip using computer modeling and fluorescent labeling. Primary mouse calvarial osteoblast progenitors are plated in the chip along an array of segmented gradients of adsorbed FN1. The study performs single‐cell tracking and measures protrusive activity. Haptotaxis is observed at an intermediate FN1 concentration, with an average directional migration index (yFMI) of 0.07, showing a significant increase compared to the control average yFMI of ‐0.01. A significant increase in protrusive activity is observed during haptotaxis. Haptotaxis is an Arp2/3‐dependent, lamellipodia‐mediated process. Calvarial osteoblast progenitors treated with the Arp2/3 (Actin Related Protein 2/3 complex) inhibitor CK666 show significantly diminished haptotaxis, with an average yFMI of 0.01. Together, these results demonstrate haptotaxis on an FN1 gradient as a new mechanism in the apical expansion of calvarial osteoblast progenitors during development and shed light on the etiology of calvarial defects.
Entrapment and Reactivation of Polysulfides in Conductive Amphiphilic Covalent Organic Frameworks Enabling Superior Capacity and Stability of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Wu Chuanguang , Yan Xiaorong , Yu Haiping , Xiong Jiakui , Zhang Hao , Li Tengfei , Zhao Guoqing , Shan Guangcun , Liu Jinzhang , Hu Mingjun , Luo Jun , Yang Jun
Published: September 2024

Inhibiting the shuttle of polysulfides is of great significance for promoting the practical application of lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs). Here, an imine‐linked covalent organic framework@carbon nanotube (COF@CNT) interlayer composed of triazine and boroxine rings is constructed between the sulfur cathode and the separator for polysulfides reception and reutilization. The introduction of CNT imparts the conductor characteristic to the interlayer attributed to electron tunneling in thin COF shell, and creates a hierarchical porous architecture for accommodating polysulfides. The uniform distribution of amphiphilic adsorption sites in COF microporous structure not only enables efficient entrapment of polysulfides while allowing the penetration of Li+ ions, but also provides a stable electrocatalytic channel for bidirectional conversion of active sulfur to achieve the substantially improved capacity and stability. The interlayer‐incorporated LSBs deliver an ultrahigh capacity of 1446 mA g−1 at 0.1C and an ultralow capacity decay rate of 0.019% at 1C over 1500 cycles. Even at an electrolyte/sulfur ratio of 6 µL mg−1, an outstanding capacity of 995 mAh g−1 and capacity retention of 74.1% over 200 cycles at 0.2C are obtained. This work offers a compelling polysulfides entrapment and reactivation strategy for stimulating the study on ultra‐stable LSBs.
A Biodegradable, Porous Flier Inspired by a Parachute‐Like Tragopogon Fruit for Environmental Preservation
Authors: Mariani Stefano , Cikalleshi Kliton , Ronzan Marilena , Filippeschi Carlo , Naselli Giovanna Adele , Mazzolai Barbara
Published: September 2024

New devices inspired by flying seeds, or more technically by fruits with dispersal units, could have a significant impact for environmental monitoring and aerial seeding. Among the various types of dispersal units (e.g., winged, gliding), parachuted or plumed units offer the lowest vertical descent speed (i.e., 0.3–0.7 m s−1), making them an appealing solution for wind‐driven distribution over large areas. Here, a biodegradable and porous parachute flier based on cellulose acetate, inspired by a Tragopogon pratensis fruit is presented. A micrometric‐thick pappus is 3D printed and integrated with a porous colorimetric indicator or a porous beak, with micrometric pores, fabricated through injection molding and leaching techniques. Thanks to the bioinspired design and the lightweight porous structure, the artificial Tragopogon mimics the aerodynamics and descent speed of the natural species. Its feasibility is demonstrated in aerial seeding by integrating the beak with a mustard seed (as a model), and in environmental monitoring by coupling it with colorimetric indicators for rain pH and nitrate levels in soils. The proposed flier represents a significant advancement as it is the first parachute‐like biodegradable solution, seamlessly integrated into natural ecosystems, thus contributing to moving a step forward in artificial solutions with zero impact.
Droplet Friction on Superhydrophobic Surfaces Scales With Liquid‐Solid Contact Fraction
Authors: Lepikko Sakari , Turkki Valtteri , Koskinen Tomi , Raju Ramesh , Jokinen Ville , Kiseleva Mariia S. , Rantataro Samuel , Timonen Jaakko V.I. , Backholm Matilda , Tittonen Ilkka , Ras Robin H.A.
Published: September 2024

It is generally assumed that contact angle hysteresis of superhydrophobic surfaces scales with liquid–solid contact fraction, however, its experimental verification has been problematic due to the limited accuracy of contact angle and sliding angle goniometry. Advances in cantilever‐based friction probes enable accurate droplet friction measurements down to the nanonewton regime, thus suiting much better for characterizing the wetting of superhydrophobic surfaces than contact angle hysteresis measurements. This work quantifies the relationship between droplet friction and liquid–solid contact fraction, through theory and experimental validation. Well‐defined micropillar and microcone structures are used as model surfaces to provide a wide range of different liquid–solid contact fractions. Micropillars are known to be able to hold the water on top of them, and a theoretical analysis together with confocal laser scanning microscopy shows that despite the spiky nature of the microcones droplets do not sink into the conical structure either, rendering a diminishingly small liquid–solid contact fraction. Droplet friction characterization with a micropipette force sensor technique reveals a strong dependence of the droplet friction on the contact fraction, and the dependency is described with a simple physical equation, despite the nearly three‐orders‐of‐magnitude difference in liquid–solid contact fraction between the sparsest cone surface and the densest pillar surface.
Effect of Size Tuning of Hexagonal SnS2 Nanosheet on the Efficiency of Photocatalytic Degradation Processes
Authors: Wang Jinnong , Zhao Xinyu , He Jie , Chen Tianen , Han Lin , Zhou Qianyu , Zhao Dongye , Wang Yuanhao , Wang Shifeng
Published: September 2024

Recent research on SnS2 materials aims to enhance their photocatalytic efficiency for water pollution remediation through doping and constructing heterojunctions. These methods face challenges in cost‐effectiveness and practical scalability. This study synthesizes hexagonal SnS2 nanosheets of various sizes via a hydrothermal method, assessing their performance in degrading methyl orange (MO) and reducing hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). The results show that smaller SnS2 nanosheets exhibit higher photocatalytic efficiency under sunlight. Specifically, 50 mg of small‐sized nanosheets degraded 100 ml of MO (10 mgL−1) in 30 min and reduced Cr(VI) (10 mgL−1) in 105 min. The enhanced performance is attributed to: i) an energy bandgap of 2.17 eV suitable for visible light, and ii) more surface sulfur (S) vacancies in smaller nanosheets, which create electronic states near the Fermi level, reducing electron‐hole recombination. This study offers a straightforward strategy for improving 2D materials like SnS2.
1D Anionic Covalent Organic Frameworks With Directed Migration of Alkali Metal Ions for High Ionic Conductivity
Authors: Gao Ye , Han Wang‐Kang , Zhu Ruo‐Meng , Fu Jia‐Xing , Feng Jing‐Dong , Gu Zhi‐Guo
Published: September 2024

Rational construction of high‐performance ionic conductors is a critical challenge in the field of energy storage. In this study, a series of 1D anionic titanium‐based covalent organic frameworks (COFs) containing abundant alkali metal ion migration sites, namely, COF‐M‐R (M = Li, Na, K; R = H, Me, Et), is constructed. The integration of negative TiO62− sites on 1D anionic COFs allows alkali metal cations to migrate directly through the channels. Meanwhile, the π–π stacking of 1D chain‐to‐chain allows the distribution of ion‐migration sites in 2D planes. In view of this, multidimensional ionic transport in COFs is realized to achieve high ionic conductivity. COF‐M‐Rs exhibit an increased ionic conductivity as the counterions change from Li+ to Na+ to K+. Notably, COF‐Na‐Et has an impressive ionic conductivity as high as 0.81 × 10−3 S cm−1. The different decorated groups (H, Me, and Et) on the skeleton influence the dissociation of the cation from the polyanion. This study offers deep insights into the design of COF‐based solid‐state electrolytes to achieve high ionic conductivity by increasing the ionic transport dimensions.
Biocompatible WSe2@BSA Dots with Merged Catalyst and Coreactant for Efficient Electrochemiluminescence
Authors: Yin Fei , Zhou Xiaohe , Zhang Mingming , Sun Qian , Zhao Jinjin , Wu Guoqiu , Zhang Yuanjian , Shen Yanfei
Published: September 2024

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) is a powerful tool for clinical diagnosis due to its exceptional sensitivity. However, the standard tripropylamine (TPrA) coreactant for Ru(bpy)3Cl2, the most widely studied and used ECL system, is highly toxic. Despite extensive research on alternative coreactants, they often fall short in poor efficiency. From a reaction kinetics perspective, accelerating electrooxidation rate of Ru(bpy)3Cl2 is an essential way to compensate the efficiency limitation of coreactants, but is rarely reported. Here, a hybrid electrocatalyst@coreactant dots for the ECL of Ru(bpy)3Cl2 is reported. The as‐prepared WSe2@bovine serum albumin (WSe2@BSA) dots is biocompatible, and demonstrate dual functions, i.e., the BSA shell works as a coreactant, meanwhile, the WSe2 core effectively catalyzes Ru(bpy)3Cl2 oxidation. As a result, WSe2@BSA dots exhibit an exceptionally high efficiency comparable to TPrA for the ECL of Ru(bpy)3Cl2. In addition, the procedure for synthesizing WSe2@BSA dots is facile (room temperature, atmospheric conditions), rapid (5 min), and scalable (for millions of bioassays). A biosensor utilizing WSe2@BSA dots shows promise for highly sensitive detecting glypican‐3 in clinical liver cancer serum samples, especially for alpha‐fetoprotein‐negative patients. This work opens a new avenue for developing a highly efficient ECL system for biosensing and clinical diagnosis.
Green Hydrogen Production by Low‐Temperature Membrane‐Engineered Water Electrolyzers, and Regenerative Fuel Cells
Authors: Bodard Alexandre , Chen Zhangsen , ELJarray Oumayma , Zhang Gaixia
Published: September 2024

Green hydrogen (H2) is an essential component of global plans to reduce carbon emissions from hard‐to‐abate industries and heavy transport. However, challenges remain in the highly efficient H2 production from water electrolysis powered by renewable energies. The sluggish oxygen evolution restrains the H2 production from water splitting. Rational electrocatalyst designs for highly efficient H2 production and oxygen evolution are pivotal for water electrolysis. With the development of high‐performance electrolyzers, the scale‐up of H2 production to an industrial‐level related activity can be achieved. This review summarizes recent advances in water electrolysis such as the proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) and anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE). The critical challenges for PEMWE and AEMWE are the high cost of noble‐metal catalysts and their durability, respectively. This review highlights the anode and cathode designs for improving the catalytic performance of electrocatalysts, the electrolyte and membrane engineering for membrane electrode assembly (MEA) optimizations, and stack systems for the most promising electrolyzers in water electrolysis. Besides, the advantages of integrating water electrolyzers, fuel cells (FC), and regenerative fuel cells (RFC) into the hydrogen ecosystem are introduced. Finally, the perspective of electrolyzer designs with superior performance is presented.
Fiber orientation and orientation factors in steel fiber‐reinforced concrete beams with hybrid fibers:Acritical review
Authors: Medeghini Filippo , Tiberti Giuseppe , Guhathakurta Jajnabalkya , Simon Sven , Plizzari Giovanni A. , Mark Peter
Published: September 2024

Fiber orientation is of paramount importance for the design of fiber‐reinforced concrete (FRC) structural elements, because it markedly influences the postcracking properties of such material. For this reason, structural codes introduce orientation factors which aim to correlate the real mechanical properties of the structural element with the ones determined from standard beams. Although the need of considering fiber orientation in design codes is commonly accepted, the orientation factors are still based on a limited number of research studies, raising the need to better determine fiber orientation to improve the current standards and support the design process of FRC elements. In this research, a steel fiber‐reinforced concrete (SFRC) with a hybrid system of macro and microfibers is steered into a broad range of fiber orientations and cast into standard beams. Besides measuring the mechanical performance of these SFRC beams, three different methods for assessing fiber orientation are employed, namely electromagnetic induction, image analysis, and micro‐computed tomography. The comparison between the outcomes of the different methods provides detailed information about the accuracy and suitability of each method, considering the corresponding domain of applicability at structural level. Finally, a critical review of the most common 2D and 3D orientation parameters found in literature is performed, and the equations are adapted to account for the hybrid system of fibers.