bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Serum Adiponectin Level with Dyslipidaemia in North Indian Male Population: A Case-control Study
Authors: Mukherjee Ranadip , Misra Manish Kumar , Samanta Sumeru , Mahajan Kajal , Sarmah Devajit , Mukherjee Mohua Roy
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Adiponectin is the most abundant adipocytokines secreted from adipose tissues and circulates in considerably high concentration in human plasma. Circulating adiponectin levels are decreased in obese subjects and this decrease has been thought to play a crucial role in the early development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Changes in adiponectin concentration has been reported in dyslipidemic subjects, but the evidence is controversial and no study conducted in north Indian population. Moreover, low molecular adiponectin seems to be linked with a worse lipid profile leading to dyslipidaemic through an association with triglyceride but the exact role of adiponectin in modulating lipid fraction is not well established. Aim: To correlate the level of serum adiponectin with lipid fractions in dyslipidemic male subjects and also to compare them with apparently healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: This case control study was conducted from April 2015 to November 2016 in the Biochemistry department of Rajshree Medical Research institute, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. A total of 70 non diabetic dyslipidemic male subjects between the age group 35 years to 55 years were selected and all the biochemical parameters (adiponectin, fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile) were evaluated and compared with 70 apparently healthy controls. Statistical analysis was performed by licensed version of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 16.0 software. All the data were expressed in “mean±SD”. Student ‘t’ test was also applied to see statistical significance in adiponectin levels between dyslipidemic subjects and healthy controls. Results: The study shows mean±SD of age in dyslipidemic group was 43.61±4.85 years and for control group was 43.53±5.53 years. The mean±SD of BMI in dyslipidemic group 25.72±2.43 was significantly higher than control group 23.42±1.56 with p-value <0.0001. The serum adiponectin concentration was significantly reduced in dyslipidemic subjects 5.11±2.04 μg/mL as compared to healthy control 6.79±1.37 μg/mL with p-value <0.0001. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)- cholesterol were found to be negatively correlated with serum adiponectin (r= -0.89, -0.76 and -0.74) and positively correlated with High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (r= 0.70). Conclusion: The present study revealed that hypoadiponectinemia is associated with dyslipidaemic in men. The main observation of our present study, however, is that in dyslipidemic subjects, lower levels of adiponectin were associated with high total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol and reduced HDL cholesterol, though more extensive, multicentric, prospective research with increase sample size could obtain wider insights.
Psychometric Properties and Validation of Mini-International Personality Item Pool (Mini-IPIP) among Nigerian Population
Authors: Ogunsemi Joshua Oludare , Akinnawo Ebenezer Olutope , Akinbobola Olusola Iyabode , Ariyo Joy Osagiator , Babatunde Stephen Ishola , Akpunne Bede Chinonye
Published: August 2022

Aims: There is dearth of information on the psychometric of measures of personality on Nigerian population. This study investigates the internal consistencies and validity scores on the Mini- International Personality Item Pool (mini-IPIP) on Nigerian respondents.

Study Design: A cross-sectional survey design was used to validate the scale.

Place of Study: University of Ibadan, Oyo State, South-western Nigeria. Between January and April 2022.

Methodology: A multistage sampling technique was used to select two hundred and nineteen (219) individuals, made up of 113 (51.6%) of males and 106 (48.4%) of females, between the age of 35 and 61 years with Mean age = 46.49 ± SD = 6.23. The participants included administrative, technical and junior staff working in the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, and South-western Nigeria. Participants responded to The Big Five Inventory (BFI-10) and Mini-IPIP. The internal consistencies for the Mini-IPIP was calculated and obtained using Cronbach’s (α) reliability coefficient. Also, the concurrent validity coefficient was obtained using Pearson's Correlation Analysis, Min-IPIP was correlated with BFI-10 in order to ascertain the concurrent validity. The items total correlations were also obtained to test the relationship between each item and the composite/total item score.

Results: A modest but acceptable internal consistency of Extraversion, α =.80; Agreeableness, α =.79, Conscientiousness, α =.84; Neuroticism, α = .83; and Openness to Experience α =.88 for the factors of mini-IPIP was revealed. Positive concurrent validity coefficient was equally observed between the subsections of Mini-IPIP and the BFI-10 (r = .34, .12, .18, .20, .11 for extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience subscales respectively).

Conclusion: These findings provide evidence for the use of Mini-IPIP scale as screening tool for the assessment of human personality in Nigeria based on the five-factor model.
Constraints Faced by Rice Growers in Cauvery Delta Zone of Tamil Nadu in Cultivation of TNAU Modern Rice Varieties
Authors: Arockiam A. Jason , Theodore Ravi Kumar , Suresh R. , Sebastian Shibi , Kumar D. Suresh
Published: August 2022

The present study was carried out to analyse the constraints faced by rice growers in Cauvery Delta Zone (CDZ) of Tamil Nadu in use of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) modern rice varieties and to elicit suggestions for improving the adoption of TNAU modern rice varieties. Ex-Post Facto Research Design was followed in this study since it aimed to know the constraints faced by the rice growers. The study was conducted during May and June 2022. The selected districts for the study were Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai based on maximum area under rice cultivation. From each of the four districts, two blocks were selected and from the selected blocks, two villages from each block were selected for the study based on maximum area under rice cultivation. Based on proportionate random sampling technique, 160 respondents were selected for the study. The responses of the respondents were subjected to frequency and percentage analysis. More than three fourth of the respondents expressed lodging (83.10%) followed by disease infestation (81.90%) and pest infestation (80.60%) as the major constraints. Lack of awareness and knowledge in adopting TNAU modern rice varieties was expressed by around one-third (36.30%) of the respondents. Availability of non-lodging varieties (91.90%), flood tolerant varieties (91.30%), availability of disease-resistant varieties (90.00%), pest-resistant varieties (89.40%) and increasing promotional efforts (85.00%) were the major suggestions given by the rice growers for increasing the use TNAU modern rice varieties.
Assessment of Factors Influencing Women in Attending Higher Institutions in Sokoto State, Nigeria: Implications Sociology of Education
Authors: Halima Sarkinfada
Published: August 2022

The researcher investigated the assessment of factors influencing women in attending higher institutions in Sokoto state, Nigeria. To attain this objective, the researcher came up with four objectives to guide the study: socio-cultural practices, education policies, academic performance and socio-economic status. Descriptive survey method was used as the study intended to collect data from members of a given population to determine the status of that particular population with respect to one or more variables in the study. The target population for the study was 74100 women representing the total number of women students in the two higher institutions. A sample size of 382 was used in the study. A proportionate sampling technique was used to select respondents. The research instruments used in this study were questionnaires. A pilot study was done and the questionnaire validated by the expert from the faculty of education and extension services to establish the instruments validity. To ascertain the reliability of the instruments, split half technique was employed. Frequency tables were used to analyze the collected data. The finding was presented with the help of simple tables of frequency count and simple percentage. Results were interpreted and required recommendations made at the end of the study. It was found that less was less access to higher institution by women because of social cultural practices, educational policies, academic performance and socio-economic status. Recommendations for further research were made.
Contribution of the Fishery Sector to Regional Development in Bandung Regency, West Java Province, Indonesia
Authors: Audita Nanda Rizky Ramadhan , Maulina Ine , Syamsudin Mega Laksmini , Suryana Asep Agus Handaka
Published: August 2022

This study aims to analyze the contribution of the fisheries sector to the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GDP) of Bandung Regency and the level of market demand in the fisheries sector in Bandung Regency. The research methods used are both quantitative and qualitative. Location Quotient analysis is used to determine the magnitude of impact of the fishery sector on regional development and shift share analysis to assess the contribution of the fisheries sector to the GRDP. The results of the Location Quotient analysis in Bandung Regency, reveal that in 2015-2019, the average value was 0.45 (< 1), indicating that the fisheries sector in Bandung Regency is a non-economic sector. The sector also records slow growth as indicated by the negative growth of the net shift value. This is indicated by the net shift value of the Bandung Regency fisheries sector experiencing negative growth. Regional development can be maximized by optimizing the fishery sector, especially in the cultivation of consumption fish and ornamental fish to meet the needs of fishery products in Bandung Regency, as well as so that the fisheries sector can become the basis of the sector in Bandung Regency.
Extracurricular Reading of Business English Majors in South China University of Technology: A Survey-Based Comparative Analysis
Authors: Zhou Jianxin
Published: August 2022

The extracurricular reading situation of Chinese college students has always been unsatisfactory. However, extracurricular reading is one of the important ways to improve the quality of talent cultivation, especially conducive to the implementation of "whole-person" education in Chinese colleges and universities. Therefore, extracurricular reading situation of college students deserves attention. However, no relevant research has been carried out in the past two years, and up to now, there is not yet any research on the extracurricular reading status of business English majors. Through offline questionnaire survey and interview, one third (i.e.72) of students majoring in business English in South China University of Technology were surveyed, and 20 students were interviewed. At the same time, 836 undergraduates of all majors in South China University of Technology were surveyed and 120 were interviewed. By comparing the status of extracurricular reading of business English majors and all majors in South China University of Technology, it is found that business English majors and all majors in the university face the same problem and thus with similar characteristics in extracurricular reading, that is, they both bear heavy academic burdens, most of their extracurricular time is taken up by their professional study, and much of their remaining spare time is also used to surf internet for news or for entertainment. As a result, although they have extracurricular reading enthusiasm and ability, they have less extracurricular reading time, small amount of reading, and fragmented reading. Most students are dissatisfied with their extracurricular reading, but are unable to change. This reveals that for students in South China University of Technology, whether they are liberal arts students such as business English majors or students of other majors, same measures should be taken to improve extracurricular reading of all undergraduate students of the university. This research is the first study conducted by Chinese scholar on the extracurricular reading of business English majors, and it is also the first time to compare the extracurricular reading of business English majors and all majors in the university. The findings may have implications for other science and technology research universities in China in improving extracurricular reading of business English majors and all other majors.
Understanding Complement-mediated Nervous System aging in Order to Develop Neurodegenerative Therapeutics
Authors: Pisani Gabriel , Baron Byron
Published: August 2022

Aging is becoming one of the biggest burdens to the developed world, mainly due to it being linked to a variety of diseases from neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease to cancer. It involves the dysregulation of virtually every biological process known, affecting every organ and tissue by distinct mechanisms, the nature of which is only now beginning to be truly understood. This is also true for memory loss, which is considered one of the most typical signs of old age. This is not surprising, given the still limited knowledge regarding how memories and thoughts are stored and utilised by the Central Nervous System (CNS). A potential hint, however, is the recent discovery that the complement system plays a role in synaptic pruning, which is essential for erasing unneeded memories. This is particularly intriguing given that the complement system is a branch of the innate immune system which has been documented as being overactive with aging. This review will thus cover what is currently known about the relationship between the immune system and aging and how the changes in the immune system with age affect the brain in an effort to direct further research. This topic has not been reviewed as a whole, which is why this paper aims to summarise the information on this topic whilst also elaborating on the gaps in research in order to develop potential therapies for neurodegeneration and immunosenescence.
Effect of Varied Phases of Lunar on the Growth and Yield Parameters of Rice Varieties
Authors: Gurudevan S. , Maragatham N. , Dheebakaran Ga. , Djanaguiraman M. , Somasundaram E.
Published: August 2022

Aim: To understand and reason out the effect of lunar phases on the rice crop growth and development.

Study Design: Experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design.

Place and Duration of Study: Field trial was conducted in the wetland farm of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu during the Navarai season (Dec. 2021 – Apr. 2022).

Methodology: Treatment consists of two factors viz., Sowing date (4 Nos.) weekly sowing with respect to lunar phases – New moon, first quarter, full moon and third quarter) and Varieties (4 Nos.) in which two organic (i.e. Kullakar, Karunkuruvai) and two conventional varieties (ADT 43, ASD 16). Normal cultivation practices were followed as per the Tamil Nadu Crop Production Guide 2021.

Results: The pooled mean value revealed that the seeds sown at full moon gave significant positive influence on the growth parameters such as plant height, number of tillers, leaf area index and dry matter production compared to other sown dates. Whereas the treatments that had flowering stage synchronized with full moon phase were produced more yield and dry matter content.

Conclusion: The rice varieties sown in full moon phase exhibited superior growth on compared to other lunar phases and the treatments had flowering synced with full moon phase resulted with more yield and dry matter production.
Compost and Casing of Mushroom in Indian Perspective: A Brief Review
Authors: Gupta Dharmesh , Thakur Rajneesh , Pal Joginder , Pullareddy Vedukola , Jandaik Savita , Sharma Annu
Published: August 2022

The Himalayas, the Western Ghats, and the highlands of northeast India are all temperate areas where mushrooms have been successfully grown. Recently, mushroom farming has become a popular kind of self-employment for many unemployed people. It is past time that mushroom growers and consumers in India learned about the therapeutic and dietary benefits of both farmed and wild kinds of mushrooms. The majority of all mushrooms are white button mushrooms, accounting for around 73 percent of the market. Compost is necessary for cultivating white button mushrooms. The substrate in which the mushroom mycelium grows and eventually produces fruiting bodies is compost. The critical shift from vegetative growth to the reproductive stage occurs in the coating material, which is a nutritionally deficient medium is called casing layer. This layer plays a vital part in the formation of mushrooms. The most crucial process in mushroom cultivation is composting and casing, which has an impact on the crop's productivity, quality, and market value.
Potentiality of Colchicine in Induction of Polyploids in Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton cv. Ramanathapuram Gundumalli
Authors: Gopitha G. , Rajamani K. , Ganga M. , Ravikesavan R. , Gnanam R.
Published: August 2022

The study was commenced in a compulsion toaccomplish a successful approach in developing a commercially viable polyploidy variety in Jasminum sambac. Rooted cuttings of J. sambac cv. Ramanathapuram Gundumalli were treated with different concentrations of colchicine (0.05%, 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20% and 0.25%) for 48 hours. The survival and sprouting rates for the different treatments were determined after 45 days of treatment and the phenotypic and stomatal characteristics of the treated plants were recorded. Colchicine treatments registered reduction in plant height (76.00 cm to 27.33 cm), internodal length (3.88 cm to 2.64 cm) and number of flowering cymes per plant (56.33 to 20.44) in comparison with the control. In comparison to untreated plants, polyploidy-induced plants developed leaves with larger stomata and lower stomatal frequency.
Study of Soil Fertility Status in KVK Farm, Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Kumar Vivek , Kumar Satendra , Yadav Praveen Kumar , Singh Vikash , Verma Shikhar , Kumar Mohit
Published: August 2022

A study entitled Study of soil fertility status in KVK farm Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India was carried out during 2020-21. Soil Samples collected from different depths viz. 0-15 (Surface), 15-30 cm (Subsurface) were processed and analyzed for chemical properties. Soil pH, EC and OC ranged from 8.13-8.73, 0.20-0.28 and 0.41-0.76 at surface and all the samplers belongs to moderately alkaline to strongly alkaline range. Soils of KVK, Shahjahanpur classified based on pH, EC ( 1:2.5 soil: water ratio), and OC were low to medium, majority of soils falls under low EC and low to medium organic carbon, the available nitrogen of samples was in the range of 201.19 to 287.84 kg ha-1and were in low nutrient index range (1.38 NI), the available phosphorus of samples range between 16.34 to 21.67 kg ha-1for and falls in medium nutrient index range (2NI) while the available potassium of samples range between 357.54 to 484.98 kg ha-1 and falls in high nutrient index range (2.67 NI) where correlation acted positive in many of the cases. The soils of KVK, Shahjahanpur were categorized into low-medium-high (LMH) category based on available N, P and K concentrations. Ca/Mg ratio of the study area varied from 1.99-2.01 while Mg/K ratio varied from 1.20 to 2.26. Soils of study area were found in sufficient range for available Cu, Zn and Mn except of (Fe) Iron range found in marginal to sufficient. In these range of available nutrients wheat, rice, maize, fodder crops, pulses and some vegetables can be grown very well.
Impact of Field Water Tube based Irrigation and Split Application of Nutrients on Yield and Water Productivity (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Satheeshkumar P. , Natarajan S. K. , Thavaprakaash N. , Vanitha K.
Published: August 2022

A field experiment was conducted at Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during Navarai season (December-April) of 2021-22 to study the influence of field water tube and split nutrient application on yield and water productivity in transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.). The field experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design having seven treatments and replicated thrice.  The treatment details viz., T1 – Control (conventional planting 100% Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (RDF), T2 – Alternate wetting and drying + Leaf Colour Chart (LCC) based nitrogen management, T3 – Alternate wetting and drying with automated field water tube + 100% RDF, T4 – Irrigation through field water tube + 100% N & K application in 7 days intervals, T5 – Irrigation through field water tube  + 100% N & K application in 10 days intervals, T6 – Irrigation through field water tube  + 75 % N & K application in 7 days intervals, T7 –  Irrigation through field water tube  + 75% N & K application in 10 days intervals. Experimental results shows that significantly more yield was recorded in T5 which was on par with all other treatments expect conventional method. Among the irrigation treatments T5 recorded a higher grain yield of 6587 kg ha-1 and which was on par with T6 (6307 kg ha-1). Hence, this study revealed that the Irrigation through field water tube with 75% N& K application in 7 days intervals confer 34.7 % water saving and better results in yield attributes in transplanted low land rice.
Effects of Opioid Sparing Analgesia for Surgical Procedure of Laparoscopic Pyloromyotomy in Order to Enhance Recovery and Better Surgical Outcomes
Authors: Khaskheli Muhammad Saleh , Tabassum Rafia , Mengal Naseem , Brohi Ali Raza , Irfan Rao , Meraj Munazzah
Published: August 2022

Aim: To determine the analgesic efficacy in early post operative period with out respiratory depression and to determine surgical outcome for patients under laparoscopic pyloromyotomy.

Methodology: This study was done at Pediatric surgery operating theatre and Post anesthesia care unit (PACU). Peoples University of Medical and Health Sciences for women (PUMHSW) Nawabshah during the period of 2010-2022. Total 103 cases were observed with n=68 male and n=35 females. Ethical approval was obtained from PUMHSW ethical review board and written informed consent was taken from subjects’ parents or guardians.  Infants of both sexes with 2-4.5 kg weight, age 3-8 weeks and diagnosed cases of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) patients confirm by  ultrasound were included in this study. Patients with the age of more than 2 months, with significant co morbid conditions, required an additional procedure during the operation, and those subjects possess a contraindication to the laparoscopic approach in the opinion of either the surgeon or the anesthesiologist  were excluded from this study. Postoperative pain was measured by using the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) at 30,60,90,120 mins after completion of surgery.

Results: In current study 103 patients were participated with male (n=68) to female (35) ratio 1.94:1 with mean age 34.94±7.31 days. Mean weight of the patients were studied 3.08±0.59 kg. Laparoscopic surgical procedure are less painful and patients can be managed by non opioid analgesic combination of intravenous acetaminophen with local anesthetic infiltration to achieved adequate pain relief and avoidance of delayed recovery, postoperative respiratory depression.

Conclusion: Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy is safe and effective technique without postoperative respiratory depression and apneic episodes and better surgical outcome especially when opioid sparing multimodal analgesia is given.
SARS-CoV-2 Infections and Presymptomatic Type 1 Diabetes Autoimmunity in Children and Adolescents From Colorado, USA, and Bavaria, Germany
Authors: Rewers Marian , Bonifacio Ezio , Ewald Dominik , Geno Rasmussen Cristy , Jia Xiaofan , Pyle Laura , Ziegler Anette-Gabriele ,   ASK Study Group and Fr1da Study Group
Published: August 2022

This study screens more than 50 000 youths in diverse populations of Colorado and Bavaria to assess whether previous SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with autoimmunity, which predicts future type 1 diabetes.
APA on ways to fix structural racism in past SUD treatment
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2022

The American Psychiatric Association (APA), in a position statement adopted last month by its board of trustees, underscored a 2021 apology for its role in supporting structural racism, and recommended approaches to rectify past injustices in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment.
How do the Local Physical, Biochemical, and Mechanical Properties of an Injectable Synthetic Anisotropic Hydrogel Affect Oriented Nerve Growth?
Authors: Babu Susan , Chen I , Vedaraman Sitara , Gerardo‐Nava José , Licht Christopher , Kittel Yonca , Haraszti Tamás , Di Russo Jacopo , De Laporte Laura
Published: August 2022

As an injectable tissue regenerative platform, Anisogel aims to recapitulate the complex and anisotropic architecture of native extracellular matrix by the use of magneto‐responsive microgels, which are oriented under a low magnetic field of ≈100 mT, while a surrounding hydrogel matrix cross‐links around them. This system promotes the oriented growth of neurons when cultured in vitro. In this study, how the local microgel properties affect neurite outgrowth and orientation is aimed to understand using dorsal root ganglia from chicken embryos. When the surrounding matrix is a synthetic poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel, the microgel concentration and length required to achieve oriented nerve growth is higher compared to fibrin‐based Anisogels. Microgels should be stiffer than the matrix for cells to sense the mechanical anisotropy but a wide range of microgel stiffness leads to similar cell alignment and growth. On the other hand, modification of the microgels with common extracellular matrix molecules enhances nerve growth but deteriorates nerve alignment compared to bioinert microgels in a cell adhesive surrounding gel. Finally, covalently coupling these microgels to the surrounding matrix reduces both cellular orientation and outgrowth suggesting a reduction in the ability of cells to sense the anisotropy.
Oxidating Fresh Porous Graphene Networks toward Ultra‐Large Graphene Oxide with Electrical Conductivity
Authors: Zhang Penglei , He Peng , Zhao Yifeng , Yang Siwei , Yu Qingkai , Xie Xiaoming , Ding Guqiao
Published: August 2022

Ultra‐large graphene oxide (ULGO) is one of the most important graphene derivates because of its processability in constructing various macrostructures with unique properties. However, existing oxidation–exfoliation technologies are limited in the available size range, structure controllability, and preparation efficiency of ULGO by the slow oxidant diffusion among graphite interlayers. Herein, a highly efficient strategy to fabricate ULGO featuring the oxidation of porous graphene networks freshly derived from electrochemical delamination, which highlights the significance of not only creation but also keeping of the fast diffusion channels for oxidant, is proposed. Consuming only 40 min and ultralow oxidant dosage (1 wt equiv.), this economical oxidation realizes high‐yield preparation (≈99.5%) of ULGO with record‐large average size (188.3 µm) and unusual low‐defect structure. Unlike previous reports, free‐standing films assembled from the as‐prepared ULGO exhibit an unexpected electrical conductivity (305.3 S m−1) alongside record‐breaking mechanical properties (21.2 GPa in Young's modulus, 392.1 MPa in tensile strength). Also, the advantage of ULGO in constructing commercially desirable thick graphene films with high thermal conductivity is demonstrated (≈100 µm, 1576.1±26.7 W m−1 K−1). This new strategy based on new findings in mechanism provides a highly efficient route to enlarge lateral size and expand physical properties of graphene oxide.
An Undoped Tri‐Phase Coexistent Cathode Material for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Ranran , Gao Jian , Li Junpeng , Huang Hao , Li Xiaolei , Wang Wenlong , Zheng Li‐Rong , Hao Shu‐Meng , Qiu Jieshan , Zhou Weidong
Published: August 2022

The layered transition‐metal‐oxide materials are one type of promising cathode materials for sodium‐ion batteries, which typically include P2, P3, and O3 phases, and each has its own advantages and challenges. Taking into account the complementarity of each single‐phase structure, constructing the composite structures is an efficient pathway to stabilize the structure and improve the electrochemical performance. Herein, three composite cathode materials owning the phase structures of P3/P2, P2/O3, and P3/P2/O3 are prepared by changing the calcinating conditions without introducing any doping element. Among them, the composite of P3/P2/O3 shows the best capacity retention of 80 mAh g–1 after 200 cycles and the highest rate performance of 100 mAh g–1 at a current density of 750 mA g–1. The improved electrochemical performance can be attributed to the staggered arrangement of different phase structures and the gradient Na‐extraction/intercalation voltages of different phases. The slip of the transition metal layer is subjected to the constraint of the adjacent phase structure, thus inhibiting the phase transformation for capacity fading. This work provides an easy way for the preparation of composite cathode structures and brings a clear case for understanding the advantage of composite structures on electrochemical performance.
A Smart Silk‐Based Microneedle for Cancer Stem Cell Synergistic Immunity/Hydrogen Therapy
Authors: Yang Jingbo , Li Guangmeng , Yuan Jun , Jing Sibo , Wang Xiangjiang , Yang Fanwen , Liu Yang , Ding Youde , Li Gang , Xie Guoxi , Tao Ailin , Liu Ming , Xie Maobin
Published: August 2022

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for the melanoma recurrence, progression, and ineffective therapy. Despite striking anti‐CSCs results in immunotherapy with anti‐programmed death‐1 antibodies (aPD‐1), the therapeutic efficacy is restricted by the evolution of immune evasion of CSCs. Here, a wearable silk‐based microneedle device (SMND) integrating a synergistic immunity and hydrogen therapy is developed. The device mainly consists of a double‐layered MN patch (DLMNP), which employs aPD‐1 loaded silk fibroin (SF) as the inner matrix for immunotherapy, while ammonia borane‐loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (AB‐MSN) encapsulated polycaprolactone as the outer thermal‐responsive coating for H2 releasing. SMND can realize thermally responsive drug release triggered by a smartphone for a sustained anti‐CSCs therapy. In B16F10‐CSCs bearing mice melanoma models, the results demonstrates that the synergistic treatment strategy can realize a satisfying antitumor and anti‐CSCs efficacy, which is accompanied by a minimized systemic toxicity. In summary, the smart and synergistic anti‐CSCs features endow SMND as a highly functional platform, which can be potentially extended to chronic disease therapy.
Multifunctional Crystal Regulation Enables Efficient and Stable Sky‐Blue Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Shen Yang , Li Yan‐Qing , Zhang Kai , Zhang Liu‐Jiang , Xie Feng‐Ming , Chen Li , Cai Xiao‐Yi , Lu Yu , Ren Hao , Gao Xingyu , Xie Haijiao , Mao Hongying , Kera Satoshi , Tang Jian‐Xin
Published: August 2022

Perovskite light‐emitting didoes (PeLEDs) have shown considerable potential in solution‐processable display applications. However, the performance of blue PeLEDs in terms of efficiency and stability hinders their practicality on account of severe trap‐mediated nonradiative recombination losses and halide phase segregation. To ameliorate these issues, mixed‐halide sky‐blue perovskite materials are strategically modulated through crystal defect passivation with a trifurcate isocyanate oligomer, which leads to the synergistical suppression of charge trap density and halide ion migration. The proposed approach enables the performance improvement for sky‐blue PeLEDs, exhibiting a peak external quantum efficiency of 14.82% and spectrally stable emission at 487 nm. In addition, prolonged operational lifetime and enhanced capability of moisture resistance are achieved simultaneously, approaching a half‐lifetime of ≈2900 s at an initial brightness of 178 cd m–2.
Dynamics of Both Active Phase and Catalysis Pathway for Spinel Water‐Oxidation Catalysts
Authors: Sun Yu , Wu Jing , Xie Yong , Wang Xin , Ma Kaikai , Tian Zhen , Zhang Zheng , Liao Qingliang , Zheng Wenhao , Kang Zhuo , Zhang Yue
Published: August 2022

The active structure and catalysis pathway of catalytic materials jointly dominate the thermodynamic energy barrier and kinetic rate during the reactions, which severely restrict their catalysis service behaviors. Herein, the whole dynamic process covering both the structural evolution and the catalysis pathway evolution of model catalyst spinel NiCo2O4 during water oxidation via in situ experiments and theoretical calculations is investigated. Based on the identified authentic terminated active phase NiOOH and figured lattice oxygen oxidation pathway, an effective expedition and optimization of this reconfiguration with a proper doping approach is sufficiently evidenced, to finally establish a life‐time dynamic structure–performance correlation of catalysts and acquire outstanding catalysis activity. Results indicate synergistic deliberation of two critical issues regarding the dynamics of both catalyst structure and catalysis pathway can truthfully benefit the in‐depth understanding of advanced catalysts design and render their performance.
Addressing Mn Dissolution in High‐Voltage LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathodes via Interface Phase Modulation
Authors: Han Yi , Jiang Yun‐Shan , Yu Fu‐Da , Deng Liang , Ke Wang , Zhang Shu‐Jian , Que Lan‐Fang , Wu Bin , Ding Fei , Zhao Lei , Wang Zhen‐Bo
Published: August 2022

Spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO), high‐voltage and high‐power density, is a very promising cathode candidate. Nevertheless, its lack of cycling stability has historically been long accepted as an inherent issue. Based on the above problem, a strategy is initiated to directly address Mn dissolution and unstable interface structure. A beneficial solid‐phase reaction occurs at the LNMO interface, transforming the spinel phase into two functional phases. One is the layered phase that provides electrochemical activity and supports charge transport. The other is the rock‐salt like phase induced by Li/Mn exchange that can inhibit the dissolution of Mn and provide inert protection. The Li/Mn exchange structure increases the diffusion energy barriers of Mn, which restrains the loss of Mn, proven by the bond valence sum calculation. The two phases are modulated successfully at the LNMO interface to balance the stable material structure and excellent charge transfer, obtaining a sample with excellent electrochemical performance. The capacity retention rate of modified LNMO is 15% higher than that of the pristine sample after 500 cycles. The preparation method does not utilize any dopants or coatings and can play a guiding role in addressing issues regarding structural stability and electrochemical performance for cathode materials.
Engineered Exosomes Containing Cathelicidin/LL‐37 Exhibit Multiple Biological Functions
Authors: Su Yajuan , Sharma Navatha Shree , John Johnson V. , Ganguli‐Indra Gitali , Indra Arup K. , Gombart Adrian F. , Xie Jingwei
Published: August 2022

Exosomes show great potential in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Inspired by the human innate immune defense, herein, we report engineered exosomes derived from monocytic cells treated with immunomodulating compounds 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3, and CYP24A1 inhibitor VID400 which are slowly released from electrospun nanofiber matrices. These engineered exosomes contain significantly more cathelicidin/LL‐37 when compared with exosomes derived from either untreated cells or Cathelicidin Human Tagged ORF Clone transfected cells. In addition, such exosomes exhibit multiple biological functions evidenced by killing bacteria, facilitating human umbilical vein endothelial cell tube formation, and enhancing skin cell proliferation and migration. Taken together, the engineered exosomes developed in this study can be used as therapeutics alone or in combination with other biomaterials for effective infection management, wound healing, and tissue regeneration.
Rationally Structured Triboelectric Nanogenerator Arrays for Harvesting Water‐Current Energy and Self‐Powered Sensing
Authors: Deng Zichao , Xu Liang , Qin Huaifang , Li Xianye , Duan Jizhou , Hou Baorong , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: August 2022

Water‐current energy is an enormous and widely distributed clean energy in nature, with different scales from large ocean flow to small local turbulence. However, few effective technologies have been proposed to make use of different forms of water currents as a power source. Here, high‐performance paired triboelectric nanogenerators (P‐TENGs) capable of integrating massively into a thin flexible layer as a structured triboelectric surface (STS) are demonstrated for harvesting water‐current energy. Novel gas packet exchange structure and rigid–flexible coupling deformation mechanism are introduced to ensure that the device can work very effectively even in deep water under high water pressure. The rationally designed TENG array in the STS enables highly efficient power take‐off from the flow. Typically, the STS demonstrates a high‐frequency output up to 57 Hz, largely superior to current TENG devices, and the power density is improved by over 100 times for triboelectric devices harvesting current energy. The flexible STS is capable of attaching to various surfaces or applying independently for self‐powered sensing and underwater power supply, showing great potential for water‐current energy utilization. Moreover, the work also initiates universal strategies to fabricate high‐frequency devices under large environment pressure, which may profoundly enrich the design of TENGs.
A Dense Conformal Electrode Array for High Spatial Resolution Stimulation of Electrosensory Systems
Authors: Kumar Vikrant , Yu Caroline , McGinn Christine K. , Perks Krista E. , Thompson Sarah M. , Sawtell Nathaniel B. , Kymissis Ioannis
Published: August 2022

Studies of electrosensory systems have led to insights into a number of general issues in biology. However, investigations of these systems have been limited by the inability to precisely control spatial patterns of electrosensory input. In this paper, an electrode array and a system to selectively stimulate spatially restricted regions of an electroreceptor array are presented. The array has 96 channels consisting of chrome/gold electrodes patterned on a flexible parylene‐C substrate and encapsulated with another parylene‐C layer. The conformability of the electrode array allows for optimal current driving and surface interface conditions. Recordings of neural activity at the first central processing stage in weakly electric mormyrid fish support the potential of this system for high spatial resolution stimulation and mapping of electrosensory systems.
Ultrastrong Coupling of Band‐Nested Excitons in Few‐Layer Molybdenum Disulphide
Authors: Rose Aaron H. , Aubry Taylor J. , Zhang Hanyu , van de Lagemaat Jao
Published: August 2022

The 2D transition‐metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDCs) are an intriguing platform for studying strong light–matter interactions because they combine the electronic properties of conventional semiconductors with the optical resonances found in organic systems. However, the coupling strengths demonstrated in strong exciton–polariton coupling in the 2D TMDCs remain much lower than those found in organic systems. In this paper, a new approach is taken by utilizing the large oscillator strength of the above‐band gap C exciton in few‐layer molybdenum disulphide (FL‐MoS2). A k‐space Rabi splitting of 293 meV is shown when coupling FL‐MoS2 C excitons to surface plasmon polaritons at room temperature. This value is 11% of the uncoupled exciton energy (2.67 eV or 464 nm), ≈2× what is typically seen in the TMDCs, placing the system in the ultrastrong coupling regime. The results take a step toward finally achieving the efficient quantum coherent processes of ultrastrong coupling in a CMOS‐compatible system—the 2D TMDCs—in the visible spectrum.
Aesthetic Motivation in Quantum Physics: Past and Present
Authors: Zinkernagel Henrik
Published: August 2022

This essay explores the relations between aesthetics and motivation, primarily in quantum physics, focusing on the notions of play, beauty, and the joy of insight. The motivating role of these notions is examined both historically among the quantum pioneers and contemporarily, based on a series of interviews, among physicists associated with the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen.
Homogeneous Synthesis of Monodisperse Sequence‐Defined Conjugated Oligomers by Temperature Cycling
Authors: Xu Hao , Ye Shuyang , Zhao Ruyan , Seferos Dwight S.
Published: August 2022

Sequence‐defined synthetic oligomers and polymers provide unprecedented opportunities for polymer chemists to finely control properties such as chain folding, self‐assembly, and optoelectronic performance of materials. However, absolute control over both chain‐length and monomer sequence has been a long‐standing “grand challenge” for decades. Herein, we report a novel strategy to synthesize monodisperse sequence‐defined conjugated oligomers in a homogeneous manner by temperature cycling, thereby achieving single‐monomer precision in conjugated polyheterocycles. A series of sequence‐defined oligomers with up to twelve repeating units, four different monomers, and various sequences were successfully synthesized. Monomer sequence was also proved to affect optical properties. We believe this strategy not only exhibits general applicability to the synthesis of group 16 conjugated oligomers and polymers, but also has far‐reaching potential for other polymer systems.
Damping properties of acrylate polymers mediated by ionic coordination
Authors: Geng Xiaoning , Shi Gaopeng , Wu Guozhang
Published: August 2022

In this work, metallic ions are introduced to polyacrylates to break the mutual limitation between damping peak width and height. It is found that all the ion‐coordinated polymers exhibit two loss peaks. With the increase of concentration, coordination strength, and steric hindrance, the temperature gap between two damping peaks can be broadened significantly while the peak height is slightly decreased. We are surprised to find that the effective damping temperature region (peak height ≥0.3) for poly (butyl acrylate) ionomers with 100% neutralization and weak coordination strength can be more than 200 K. Moreover, the damping peak area also increases after the introduction of metallic ions. Our result provides a new strategy for developing novel damping materials with high performance.
An antisemitic transference and countertransference
Authors: White Robert S.
Published: August 2022

The author presents a clinical psychoanalysis in which his Jewish patient fears that her non‐Jewish analyst hates her for being Jewish. Antisemitic expressions of hate toward the analyst have been well‐documented, but a fear of the analyst's hateful transference to the patient has not been previously examined in a published report. This transference led to an impasse in the treatment and prompted exploration of countertransference on the analyst's part; was he, unconsciously, expressing any religious hatred? The author examines a technical question of whether such a transference can be analyzed in the usual way as a displacement of infantile trauma? Or do the antisemitic aspects of the transference need to be examined and understood in their cultural and religious implications first and then analyzed as a real aspect in the external world before its infantile roots can be exposed? In this particular case, the author concludes that the latter approach is necessary and useful to facilitating clinical progress. The author suggests that this approach may be applicable to other analyses where there are racial, class, or religious differences and the patient develops fears about the analyst's attitude. The author offers this case as an example of the necessary integration of cultural and sociological issues into the classical model of intrapsychic conflict.
Development and validation of ELISA for screening of Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) habitual users using urinary AZ122 biomarker
Authors: Jasim Rana Khudhair , Singh Darshan , Gam Lay‐Harn
Published: August 2022

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth) has been used traditionally in Southeast Asia for its therapeutic properties. The major alkaloid of kratom, mitragynine, binds to opioid receptors to give opioid‐like effects that causes addiction. In our previous study, we have identified AZ122 as a unique biomarker in habitual or regular kratom users through analysis of their urinary protein profiles. We aimed to develop and validate a screening method by means of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of kratom habitual users. An ELISA approach was applied for the development of a screening method using urinary AZ122 as biomarker. Method validation was carried out using three quality control materials at different concentration of AZ122. The data was analyzed statistically using SPSS (Version 25). The ELISA was presented with Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.9993. The repeatability and reproducibility were presented at CV <7%, while the accuracy ranged from 78 to 96% at various AZ112 concentrations. Upon testing on 176 male respondents (n = 88 regular kratom users and n = 88 healthy controls), the specificity and sensitivity of the assay were both 100%. The ELISA has been validated and can be potentially used as a reliable screening test for detection of kratom habitual users.
Evaluating public posting, goal setting, and rewards to increase physical activity in children
Authors: Miller Bryon G. , Livingston Cynthia P. , Zerger Heather M. , Valbuena Diego A. , Miltenberger Raymond G.
Published: August 2022

In this study, we evaluated several components of a pedometer‐based intervention with children in an elementary‐school‐aged classroom, across 24‐h sessions. The intervention included combinations of self‐monitoring, goal setting, feedback, and reinforcement, and data were analyzed at both the classroom level (i.e., average daily step totals) and the individual level (i.e., daily step totals), across phases. The highest levels of physical activity were observed when components of self‐monitoring, public posting, goal setting, and feedback with reward were applied concurrently.
Palladium‐catalyzed CH acetoxylation of arenes using a pyrazolonaphthyridine ligand
Authors: Kim Jisu , Joo Jung Min
Published: August 2022

Herein, Pd‐catalyzed CH acetoxylation reactions of arenes are developed using a pyrazolonaphthyridine ligand. In the presence of iodomesitylene diacetate as the oxidant, the electron‐deficient ligand facilitates the CH activation of the electron‐rich positions while preventing the formation of Pd black via bidentate binding. Although both acetic acid and hexafluoroisopropanol are employed for directing group‐assisted acetoxylation reactions, the latter proved to be more efficient for the nondirected reaction of arenes with the nitrogen ligand.