bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
אקלים תומך חדשנות בארגוני חינוך
Authors: גלעד חי סמדר
Published: November 2021

'אקלים תומך חדשנות' מוגדר כמידה שבה הערכים ונורמות העבודה בארגון מדגישים חדשנות. באופן כללי המושג 'אקלים' נתפס במחקר כמתייחס ל'אישיות הארגון', לאופן שבו נתפסת סביבת העבודה על ידי העובדים בכל הקשור ל'איך מתנהגים כאן', ובעיקר למידת ההסכמה הפנים־ארגונית לגבי נורמות עבודה וסטנדרטים של ביצוע המקובלים בו. ממצאים מעידים כי בכוחו של אקלים ארגוני להשפיע על מוטיבציית העובדים ועשוי לקדם את תחושת המשמעותיות גם בעבודת המורים.
גישת ההוראה המפורשת
Authors: פורטנוב נאמן ילנה
Published: November 2021

הוראה מפורשת היא מתודולוגיה מובנית ושיטתית והיא נחשבת לאחת הגישות הטובות והיעילות ביותר להוראה. היא נקראת 'מפורשת', משום שהיא גישה ישירה וחד־משמעית הכוללת פיתוח, הדרכה והסבר תהליכי. משתמשים בה בעיקר במתמטיקה, שבה מתמקד הערך, אך גם בהבנת הנקרא. הערך מציג כיצד גישת ההוראה משפיעה על הבנה של התלמיד ועל אסטרטגיות לפתרון בעיות.
גיוון לקסיקלי: תיאוריה, פרקטיקה ומה שביניהן
Authors: ח'ליל אבו רביעה איהאב
Published: November 2021

גיוון לקסיקלי הוא מונח מתחום הלקסיקון, אוצר המילים. לגיוון אוצר המילים ועושרו בתוכניות לימודי שפה, יש חשיבות מכרעת הן בכתיבה הן בדיבור, אך עדיין לא הוצעה דרך מדויקת למדידתו. לאוצר מילים מגוון ועשיר חשיבות רבה במבחני השפה השונים, אך אין הגדרה פרקטית לאופן שבו הבודק יכול להעריך אותו. המורים תופסים באופן שונה גיוון לקסיקלי ועושר לקסיקלי, מפני שהם מלמדים אוכלוסיות שונות בעלות יכולות לשוניות שונות. חשיפת המורים למחקרים הלשוניים על הערכת אוצר המילים, ובעיקר למחקרים העוסקים בגיוון הלקסיקלי, עשויה להקל עליהם את המלאכה.
Flood hydrometeorological situations associated with monsoon floods on the Par River in Western India
Authors: ARCHANA D. PATIL , PRAMODKUMAR S. HIRE
Published: November 2021

The objective of present work is to understand flood hydrometeorological situations associated with monsoon floods on the Par River, therefore, the analyses of synoptic conditions connected with large floods was carried out. This encompasses analysis of interannual rainfall variability and associated floods, analysis of storm tracts, investigation of normalized accumulated departure from mean (NADM) and evaluation of the relation between El Niño and monsoon rainfall. In order to accomplish above analyses, the annual rainfall data of the Par Basin have been obtained for 118 years from India Meteorological Department (IMD), Pune and Chennai. The annual maximum series (AMS)/stage data were procured for a gauging site namely Nanivahial for 45 years from Irrigation Department of Gujarat State, Ahmedabad.  The results indicate that the interannual variability was characterized by increased frequency and magnitude of floods on the Par River primarily after 1930s. Majority of the large floods in the basin were connected with low pressure systems. It is observed that most of the floods were associated with positive departure from mean rainfall in the basin. The NADM graph shows epochal behaviour of high and low rainfall of the basin and floods.  The analysis of El Niño and Southern Oscillation indicates that the probability of the occurrence of the floods in the Par Basin is high during the average SST index and majority of the floods in the basin have occurred during above normal conditions of rainfall. The present study can, therefore, prove to be a significant contribution towards the Par-Tapi-Narmada link project of the Government of Gujarat and water divergent projects of the Government of Maharashtra in association with Government of India.
EFFECT OF COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE AT CV. AFIF KING TAMBAK DELI SERDANG
Authors: Purnama Sari Dian
Published: November 2021

This study aims to determine whether communication and coordination both partially and simultaneously have a significant effect on employee performance at CV. Afif Raja Tambak Deli Serdang and how much influence he had. The method used in this study is a quantitative method with several tests, namely reliability analysis, classical assumption deviation test and linear regression. Based on the results of the primary data regression which was processed using SPSS 20, the following multiple linear regression equation was obtained: Y = 0.518 + 0.669 X1 + 0.327 X2. Partially, the communication variable (X1) has a significant effect on employee performance (Y) at CV. Afif Raja Tambak Deli Serdang. This means that the hypothesis in this study is accepted, as evidenced by the value of t count > t table (7.749 > 2.052). While the coordination variable (X2) has a significant effect on employee performance (Y) at CV. Afif Raja Tambak Deli Serdang. This means that the hypothesis in this study is accepted, as evidenced by the value of t count > t table (3.389 > 2.052). Simultaneously, the variables of communication (X1) and coordination (X2) have a significant effect on employee performance (Y) at CV. Afif Raja Tambak Deli Serdang. This means that the hypothesis in this study is accepted, as evidenced by the calculated F value > F table (340.584 > 3.35). Communication variables (X1) and coordination (X2) are able to contribute to the influence of employee performance variables at CV. Afif Raja Tambak Deli Serdang (Y) is 96.2% while the remaining 3.8% is influenced by other variables not examined in this study. From the conclusion above, The author suggests that employees and leaders should further improve and maintain existing coordination so that existing cooperation is more awake. Employees should work sincerely so that there are no company goals and employee needs are met by CV. Afif Raja Tambak Deli Serdang.
Explicit and implicit vocabulary learning: A comparative study based on EFL textbooks in Mainland China and Hong Kong
Authors: Liu Xin
Published: November 2021

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the vocabulary settings in two English textbooks used in Mainland China and Hong Kong respectively, and provide useful suggestions for teachers to choose or adapt English as a foreign language (EFL) textbook. The study centers on two English textbooks for grade-nine/ JS3 EFL learners in Mainland China and Hong Kong. Methods The two textbooks will firstly be compared and contrasted at the macro-level, covering perspectives such as organization, visual aids, glossary, and supplementary materials. Next, to study the treatment of vocabulary further at the micro-level, the study will focus on one unit in the two selected textbooks sharing the same theme. Results At the macro-level, the two textbooks are both clear and colored printed, theme-based, glossary included, visual aids provided, and practice given. They mainly differ in module components and word load in the glossary. At the micro-level, both of them give pre-teaching of new words before reading/listening, present words in context, provide scaffolding, follow a sequence of difficulty, integrate well with the development of other language skills, but they are different in some ways. Conclusion In terms of vocabulary treatment, results showed that both textbooks generally follow similar organization and presentation but differ in suggested teaching approaches. The textbook used in Mainland addresses on the word meaning while the textbook in Hong Kong follows a more implicit approach. In order to facilitate the evaluation of the vocabulary section in EFL textbooks, a new checklist and teaching implications for teachers are proposed in the thesis.
RELIGION, ELITES AND SANCTIONS IN NORTHEAST AFRICA: REGIONAL IMPACTS OF SUPERPOWER MESSIANISM
Authors: L. Fituni Leonid
Published: November 2021

The article exposes the regional context of geostrategic rivalry between the United States and China in Northeast Africa (NEA) against the backdrop of the emerging formation of a new bipolar world order and the messianic ambitions of the superpowers. The author predicts a significant increase in NEA’s geo-economic and strategic importance, due to the dominant vectors of global development and aspects of national interests of each of their superpowers. The article offers a detailed analysis of the evolution of NEA’s confessional space through the last 50 years and of the role of religious factors in the superpower rivalry in the region. The author arrives to the conclusion that the ruling, business and religious elites of the region have taken a wait-and-see attitude in the battle unfolding between the superpowers and do not want to unambiguously associate themselves with either side.
THE FIRST RUSSIAN RELIGIOUS MISSIONS TO ETHIOPIA
Authors: Denisova Tatyana
Published: November 2021

The aim of the article is to analyze the first attempts to forge a relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The paper considers religious and political preconditions for the rapprochement of the two empires. It is noted that in Russia since the 14th century, the perception of Ethiopians as exemplary Christians had existed, but Russian-Ethiopian contacts for a long time had remained sporadic. However, by the middle of the 19th century, the Russian Empire had become a major power with enormous foreign policy ambitions: it had also developed its own interests in the Horn of Africa region. In the second half of the 19th century, the interest in Abyssinia, its history and religion on the part of the Russian public, including the academic circles, increased noticeably. In the 1880s, the first religious missions were sent to Ethiopia, and contacts between the two churches were established. The development of relations between the two countries in various spheres was also greatly facilitated by the opening of the Embassy of the Russian Empire in Addis Ababa in 1897.
THE RISE AND FALL OF POLITICAL ISLAM IN SUDAN
Authors: V. Kostelyanets Sergey
Published: November 2021

In April 2019, Sudan's long-serving President Omar al-Bashir was deposed in a bloodless military coup d'état, which took place amid a major wave of popular protests in the country. The present paper aims to assess the historic path of Sudanese Islamists toward the seizure of power in the course of the 1989 Salvation Revolution and their role in domestic and foreign policies of the Republic of the Sudan in 1989-2019. It will be argued that by the time of the demise of the regime in 2019 political Islam in Sudan had fully eroded and could no longer serve as an effective instrument of legitimization for the government of al-Bashir and that the return of the Islamists to power is improbable.
RUSSIAN “SOFT POWER” IN THE NORTH-EAST AFRICA
Authors: S. Kulkova Olga
Published: November 2021

The article builds on the Russian understanding of the “soft power” concept as a complex of tools and methods to reach the foreign policy aims through public diplomacy, information and communication technologies, humanitarian assistance and cultural initiatives, civil society interactions, and religious and inter-religious dialogues. “Soft power” tools are regarded as an addition to the traditional diplomatic methods. The article will critically consider the range of Russia’s contemporary “soft power” assets in its foreign policy dialogue with the countries of North and East Africa. The aim is to analyze the aspirations, implementation (during the last decade), results and further prospects of Russia’s “soft power” initiatives within and towards the indicated regions.
HOW INTERNATIONAL TOURISM IMPACTS POLITICAL AND ETHNO-RELIGIOUS ISSUES IN AFRICA? A CASE STUDY OF INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY ON DEVELOPMENT (IGAD)
Authors: A. Suchkova Anna
Published: November 2021

The negative impact of political instability, religious and ethnic conflicts on tourism is well known. The article uses the example of a number of IGAD member countries to consider the reverse impact of tourism on inclusive development, weakening of ethno-religious problems, security and elimination of violence. Analysis of the tourism sector in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda shows that international tourism, being a driving force of economic development in these countries, is not a neutral factor in gender, religious and ethnic dynamics. Its positive impact is not automatically achieved. The article shows that the rapid growth of tourism-related industries, which is accompanied by an unequal distribution of its benefits between the state, business, local communities and religious organizations, can slow down the resolution of gender equality problems, escalate intercommunal and interreligious conflicts. However, the analysis of travel companies’ business practices shows that the transition to a sustainable tourism model can contribute to the elimination of interethnic and interreligious conflicts. Formation of professional tourism communities aware of their social responsibility will help the hospitality industry together with the state to solve the problems of youth employment and education, gender inequality and security in general.
MUSLIM WOMEN AND THE NIGERIAN PARTY POLITICS
Authors: Olawale Fahm AbdulGafar
Published: November 2021

Women’s participation in party politics in Nigeria has been largely marginal. This has led to the clamour for more involvement of women in political decisions and increased presence in political sphere. The objective of this paper is to examine the participation of Muslim women in the Nigerian party politics. Muslim women have made significant contributions in Nigerian society through their efforts in educational, economic, health, and humanitarian services i.e. playing a social responsibility role. Descriptive and analytical methods were adopted for this purpose. The study revealed that the involvement of Muslim women in party politics in Nigeria was impeded by cultural and religious bottlenecks and not lack of participation. It concluded that emphasis should be placed on the complementarity roles between men and women in order to suppress the intolerance often encounter by Muslim women in Nigeria party politics. Hence, there is a need for the existing political parties and most especially the ruling party to take advantage of the complementary differences in order to create balance in political decision-making.
THE POLITICS OF POPULAR ISLAM: AN ETHNOGRAPHIC EXPLORATION OF ISLAMIC REVIVALISM IN PAKISTAN
Authors: Bilal Muhammad
Published: November 2021

In the post-9/11 scenario, the rise of the Taliban and their coalition with Al-Qaeda have engendered new discourses about Islam and Pakistan. In this paper, I present a multi-sited ethnography of Bari Imam, a popular Sufi shrine in Pakistan while re-evaluating certain suppositions, claims and theories about popular Islam in the country. Have militarization, Shariatisation, and resurgence movements such as the Taliban been overzealously discussed and presented as the representative imageries of Islam? I also explore the Sufi dynamics of living Islam, which I will suggest continue to shape the lives and practices of the vast majority of Pakistani Muslims. The study suggests that general unfamiliarity of people outside the subcontinent with the Sufi attributes of living Islam, together with their lack of knowledge of the varieties of identification, observance and experience of Islam among Pakistanis, limit not only their understanding of the land of Pakistan, but also their perception of its people and their faith (Islam).
On the Sum of Distance Laplacian Eigenvalues of Graphs
Authors: Pirzada Shariefuddin , Khan Saleem
Published: November 2021

Let $G$ be a connected graph with $n$ vertices, $m$ edges and having diameter $d$. The distance Laplacian matrix $D^{L}$ is defined as $D^L=$Diag$(Tr)-D$, where Diag$(Tr)$ is the diagonal matrix of vertex transmissions and $D$ is the distance matrix of $G$. The distance Laplacian eigenvalues of $G$ are the eigenvalues of $D^{L}$ and are denoted by $\delta_{1}, ~\delta_{1},~\dots,\delta_{n}$. In this paper, we obtain (a) the upper bounds for the sum of $k$ largest and (b) the lower bounds for the sum of $k$ smallest non-zero, distance Laplacian eigenvalues of $G$ in terms of order $n$, diameter $d$ and Wiener index $W$ of $G$. We characterize the extremal cases of these bounds. As a consequence, we also obtain the bounds for the sum of the powers of the distance Laplacian eigenvalues of $G$.
Credit scoring development in the light of the new Brazilian General Data Protection Law
Authors: Oliveira-Junior Robinson A. A. de
Published: November 2021

With the advent of the new Brazilian General Data Protection Law (LGPD) which determines the right to the explanation of automated decisions, the use of non-interpretable models for human beings, known as black boxes, for the purposes of credit risk assessment may remain unfeasible. Thus, three different methods commonly applied to credit scoring – logistic regression, decision tree, and support vector machine (SVM) – were adjusted to an anonymized sample of a consumer credit portfolio from a credit union. Their results were compared and the adequacy of the explanation achieved for each classifier was assessed. Particularly for the SVM, which generated a black box model, a local interpretation method – the SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) – was incorporated, enabling this machine learning classifier to fulfill the requirements imposed by the new LGPD, in equivalence to the inherent comprehensibility of the white box models.
A Machine Learning Approach to Interpolating Indoors Trajectories
Authors: Carvalho Daniel , Sullivan Daniel , Almeida Rafael , Caminha Carlos
Published: November 2021

In this article we propose a machine learning-based modeling to solve network overload problems caused by continuous monitoring of the trajectories of multiple tracked devices indoors. The proposed modeling was evaluated with hundreds of object coordinate locations tracked in three synthetic environments and one real environment. We show that it is possible to solve the problem of network overload increasing latency in sending data and predicting as server-side trajectories with ensemble models, such as the Random Forest, and using Artificial Neural Networks. We also show that it is possible to predict at least fifteen intermediate coordinates of the paths of the tracked objects with R2 greater than 0.95.
Female Adnexal Tumor of Wolffian Origin Presenting as Paratubal / Broad Ligament Masses: A Case Report
Authors: Ghasemian Dizaj Mehr Sedigheh , Akhavan Setareh , Jahanbin Behnaz , Sheikhhasani Sharzad , Rashidi Fakari Farzaneh
Published: November 2021

Introduction: A female adnexal tumor of probable Wolffian origin (FATWO) is a rare type of gynecological tumor that is difficult to diagnose based on laboratory and radiologic studies. Although FATWO is considered a benign tumor, recurrence and metastasis have been reported. Currently, there is no best surgical and surveillance approach for FATWO. We presented two Wolffian tumors as paratubal / broad ligament masses. Case Presentation: This is a report of a 32-year-old woman with vaginal discharge and incidentally pelvic mass diagnosis who underwent conservative surgery with a frozen section based on the Wolffian duct tumor. Immunohistochemically, the results confirmed FATWO. The patient was free of recurrence 20 months after conservative surgery. Conclusions: Although FATWO has benign behavior, some types of this tumor have malignant features, and there is no clear recommendation regarding optimal treatment and surveillance of FATWO. Therefore, based on the literature, pathologists are recommended to utilize a wide array of immunohistochemical stainings to offer appropriate diagnosis and optimal surgery to patients. Moreover, patients should be followed up for a long-term period until we have enough knowledge in the field.
Data Curation Implications of Qualitative Data Reuse and Big Social Research
Authors: Mannheimer Sara
Published: November 2021

Objective: Big social data (such as social media and blogs) and archived qualitative data (such as interview transcripts, field notebooks, and diaries) are similar, but their respective communities of practice are under-connected. This paper explores shared challenges in qualitative data reuse and big social research and identifies implications for data curation.

Methods: This paper uses a broad literature search and inductive coding of 300 articles relating to qualitative data reuse and big social research. The literature review produces six key challenges relating to data use and reuse that are present in both qualitative data reuse and big social research—context, data quality, data comparability, informed consent, privacy & confidentiality, and intellectual property & data ownership.

Results: This paper explores six key challenges related to data use and reuse for qualitative data and big social research and discusses their implications for data curation practices.

Conclusions: Data curators can benefit from understanding these six key challenges and examining data curation implications. Data curation implications from these challenges include strategies for: providing clear documentation; linking and combining datasets; supporting trustworthy repositories; using and advocating for metadata standards; discussing alternative consent strategies with researchers and IRBs; understanding and supporting deidentification challenges; supporting restricted access for data; creating data use agreements; supporting rights management and data licensing; developing and supporting alternative archiving strategies. Considering these data curation implications will help data curators support sounder practices for both qualitative data reuse and big social research.
Effect of gender, muscle type and skinfold thickness on myometric parameters in young people
Authors: Mencel Joanna , Jaskólska Anna , Marusiak Jaroslaw , Kisiel-Sajewicz Katarzyna , Siemiatycka Magdalena , Kaminski Lukasz , Jaskólski Artur
Published: November 2021

Background

The aim of the study was to compare the mechanical properties of three human skeletal muscles: biceps brachii (BB), rectus femoris (RF), and tibialis anterior (TA) at rest measured by myoton device in males (n = 16, mean age 21.2 ± 0.6 years) and females (n = 16; 21.2 ± 0.9 years) and to investigate the influence of skin and subcutaneous tissue thickness (skinfold thickness, SFT) and gender on myometric parameters of the three skeletal muscles.

Methods

We measured the following mechanical and viscoelastic muscle properties using MyotonPRO®: frequency (F [Hz]), decrement (D [log]), stiffness (S [N/m]), relaxation time (R [ms]) and creepability (C [De]). The values of SFT for all selected muscles were assessed by caliper. A mixed-design analysis of variance with gender as between subject comparison was used for assessing the differences between gender and muscles in SFT and each of the myometric parameters separately (F, D, S, R and C). Pearson correlation coefficient or Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient between SFT and myometric parameters was conducted for males, females and males and females together. The level of statistical significance was set at α ≤ 0.05 with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons.

Results

The SFT over the RF, TA, and BB muscles in women was statistically significantly larger compared with that of males. In females and males, the SFT over the RF was larger than over the TA and BB, and the SFT over the TA was larger compared with over the BB. The values of F and S recorded for the TA muscle were the highest among the three muscles, while D, C, and R were lowest in TA but highest in the RF muscle in men and women. The values of F and S were smaller in females than in males. Gender comparison of D, C, and R values showed that only D for the RF was significantly lower in females than in males, and C for the RF and TA was significantly larger in females than in males. Some correlation between SFT and myometric parameters were different between males and females. For example, there was a significant, negative correlation between SFT and F for all muscles in females, and a significant, positive correlation between these parameters for BB and TA (not for RF) in males. For pooled data (males and females together), a negative significant correlation between SFT and F was observed for RF and TA (not significant for BB muscle).

Discussion

It is concluded that the TA compared with the BB and RF has significantly greater F and S but the smallest D and C and the shortest R. Gender and muscle differences in the SFT may affect the measurements of muscle properties using MyotonPRO®. The relationship between SFT and myometric parameters is different in males and females in the RF, TA, and BB muscles. Therefore, the myometric data should be analyzed in males and females separately.
Patient‐Reported Outcome Information Collected from Lupus Patients Using a Mobile Application: Compliance and Validation
Authors: Bell Kristy , Dykas Claire , Muckian Bridget , Williams Brooke , Rainey Hope , Comberg Maggy , Mora Mary , Owen Katherine A. , Lipsky Peter E.
Published: November 2021

Objective

Patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) can provide critical information concerning the impact of a disease on an individual. Mobile technology to collect PRO data in an electronic format (ePRO) allows for frequent assessment in the person's regular environment. The goal of this study was to assess the compliance with a phone application (app) and validate ePRO information in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

A smartphone app that collects ePRO data from various clinical instruments was developed. Information was collected by both an ePRO and a paper‐administered instrument as part of a multicenter randomized interventional clinical trial of patients meeting American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for the classification of SLE. To determine agreement between PRO information collected in the different formats, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), paired Student's t tests, and Bland–Altman plots were evaluated. Compliance and Cronbach's alpha were also assessed as a measure of survey reliability.

Results

For the 62 subjects from diverse ancestral backgrounds, compliance with ePRO completion was high (more than 75%). Cronbach alpha values for PROs indicated moderate to high survey reliability. The vast majority (73.4%) of ICC values were indicative of good to excellent reliability between measurement methods. Bland–Altman plots verified method agreement, and 87% of pairwise t tests yielded an insignificant difference between information collected with the different administration methods.

Conclusion

The excellent compliance and the high level of consistency between data collected by paper and that collected by electronic methods indicate that the app provides a reliable means of cataloging real‐time changes in PROs in SLE patients.
N‐Doped and P‐Doped Graphene on MgO (111): A First‐Principles Study
Authors: Li Dongbo , Shen Yinjie , Yang Ping
Published: November 2021

Herein, first‐principles density functional theory is used to investigate the atomic structure and electrical properties of the contact between primitive graphene, N‐doped graphene, P‐doped graphene, and MgO (111) surface. It has been found that the energy band of the graphene/Mg‐terminated MgO (111) interface exhibits p‐type characteristics, and the energy band of the graphene/O‐terminated MgO (111) interface exhibits n‐type characteristics. N‐doped or P‐doped can control the energy band structure of the interface. The interaction between the graphene and Mg‐terminated MgO (111) interface is a weak physical interaction, and the interaction between the graphene and O‐terminated MgO (111) surface is a strong chemical interaction. N‐doped or P‐doped can promote the charge transfer between the interfaces, and further enhancing the interfacial coupling strength. This result is helpful to understand the interaction between graphene and MgO interface and provides theoretical guidance for the practical application of graphene/MgO interface‐based devices.
Smart Material‐Integrated Systems for Isolation and Profiling of Rare Cancer Cells and Emboli
Authors: Sagdic Kutay , Inci Fatih
Published: November 2021

This review presents a broad aspect of smart material‐integrated systems for isolating and profiling rare circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor microemboli (CTM) to provide physiological, biological, and mechanistic insights into cancer research. In particular, CTCs/CTM have emanated as essential pieces of evidence that can reveal clonal evolution, tumor heterogeneity, and disease progression within the metastatic cascade. Morphologies, cellular compositions, and rarity of CTCs/CTM make them difficult to track and isolate for profiling distinct molecular characteristics in the case of metastatic potential. Accordingly, with the advanced‐characterization techniques, examining the aspects of the specific surface markers of CTCs/CTM, epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal (EMT), mesenchymal‐to‐epithelial (MET) transitions, and timing of tumor cell dissemination would assist us to understand cancer biology and metastatic characteristics. Existing clinical and research methods for the enrichment and isolation of these sporadic cells depend on mainly conventional methods with low‐yield and expensive features. Owing to their specialized functions and analytical performances, smart material‐based technologies hold an enormous impact not only on cell detection, but also on cell isolation for downstream analyses. Herein, the main reasons for cell isolation are discussed and the recent developments in CTCs/CTM approaches for identifying further methods and future perspectives are elaborated on.
Integrating Design of Flexible Surface and Gradient Porosity Interlayer for Improving Impact Resistance and Thermal Isolation
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhang Chenglin , Zhao Feng , Fu Junheng , Sun Chenkun , Liu Jing
Published: November 2021

A flexible porous interlayer is vital for stress transfer and energy storage; thus, it is widely used in the packaging field. The pomelo peel as a representative gradient porous topography is necessary for the protection of the seed and pulp. On subjecting the surface to an external force, the gradient porous interlayer of the pomelo peel not only generates a large deformation inside the peel for decreasing the stress on the pulp, but also decreases the deformation and stress at the upper surface for enhancing the stability of the surface topography. Combined with the surface structure design of the lotus leaf and gradient porosity interlayer of the pomelo peel, a sample with flexible multilevel topography surface and gradient porosity interlayer is successfully prepared herein for improving the impact resistance and extending the superhydrophobic/icephobic functions. This novel binary design has potential applications in rapid energy absorption, packaging, and thermal isolation.
N‐Type Conjugated Polymer as Multi‐Functional Interfacial Layer for High‐Performance and Ultra‐Stable Self‐Powered Photodetectors Based on Perovskite Nanowires
Authors: Chang Chih‐Yu , Wu Kuan‐Si , Chang Chun‐Ya
Published: November 2021

High‐performance and long‐term stable self‐powered photodetectors (PDs) based on methylammonium lead iodide nanowires (NWs) are demonstrated by incorporating n‐type conjugated polymer poly{2,5‐bis(2‐dodecylhexadecyl)‐3,6‐di(thiophen‐2‐yl)pyrrolo‐[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐1,4(2H,5H)‐dione‐alt‐(E)‐1,2‐bis(3‐cyanothiophen‐2‐yl)ethene} (DPP‐CNTVT) as multi‐functional interfacial layer. Incorporating DPP‐CNTVT with abundant Lewis base functional groups can effectively passivate under‐coordinated Pb2+ defects, enabling perovskite NWs to exhibit remarkable stability and optoelectronic properties. Meanwhile, high electron mobility, together with the proper energy level of DPP‐CNTVT, makes it ideal for use as an electron transport layer. Particularly, by taking advantage of the low bandgap of DPP‐CNTVT, the utilization of low energy photons can be improved. The resulting PDs exhibit responsivity up to 0.50 A W−1, specific detectivity approaching 1014 Jones, and a wide linear dynamic range of nearly 265 dB under zero bias operation, which represent the best results ever reported for self‐powered perovskite PDs. More encouragingly, with the incorporation of an appropriate encapsulation layer, nearly 90% of the initial detectivity of PDs can be secured after 15 300 h of continuous operation in ambient conditions. The application of NWs PDs for solution‐processed reflective‐mode pulse oximetry is also demonstrated. This study provides valuable insights into developing efficient and ultra‐stable self‐powered perovskite PDs through interfacial engineering, which can accelerate the practical applications of this emerging technology.
A Universal Strategy for Constructing Robust and Antifouling Cellulose Nanocrystal Coating
Authors: Yang Wenshuai , Pan Mingfei , Zhang Jiawen , Zhang Ling , Lin Fengcai , Liu Xiong , Huang Charley , Chen Xing‐Zhen , Wang Jianmei , Yan Bin , Zeng Hongbo
Published: November 2021

Super‐hydrophilic cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) hold great potential in fabricating antifouling surfaces based on their high‐water binding affinity. However, integrating CNCs as a robust surface coating on substrate still remains a challenge due to its limited surface adhesion property. Herein, inspired by marine bio‐adhesive strategy, a facile yet universal surface coating method is developed for tightly anchoring CNCs on various substrates with an intermediate adhesive layer composed of tannic acid (TA)/polyethylenimine (PEI)/vanadium(V). Introducing V3+ ions in the assembly process significantly reduces the roughness of the TA/PEI/V bio‐glue layer via coordination chemistry, thus achieving a CNCs coating with a highly‐dense structure and outstandingly low root‐mean‐square roughness (≈2 nm). The super‐hydrophilic CNCs coating exhibits universal and outstanding antifouling properties in inhibiting oil adhesion, protein adsorption or cell attachment, and maintaining its structural integrity and wettability over 100 friction cycles. Additionally, the CNCs‐coated polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane shows an ultra‐high water flux over 6000 L m–2 h–1 bar–1 and achieves nearly 100% permeating flux recovery ratio for separation of toluene‐in‐water emulsion containing various foulants. This study demonstrates a universal coating method to settle the long‐standing challenge of robust integration of rigid materials to various substrates for broad engineering and environmental applications.
Natural Polymer in Soft Electronics: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Prospects
Authors: Gao Dace , Lv Jian , Lee Pooi See
Published: November 2021

Pollution caused by nondegradable plastics has been a serious threat to environmental sustainability. Natural polymers, which can degrade in nature, provide opportunities to replace petroleum‐based polymers, meanwhile driving technological advances and sustainable practices. In the research field of soft electronics, regenerated natural polymers are promising building blocks for passive dielectric substrates, active dielectric layers, and matrices in soft conductors. Here, the natural‐polymer polymorphs and their compatibilization with a variety of inorganic/organic conductors through interfacial bonding/intermixing and surface functionalization for applications in various device modalities are delineated. Challenges that impede the broad utilization of natural polymers in soft electronics, including limited durability, compromises between conductivity and deformability, and limited exploration in controllable degradation, etc. are explicitly inspected, while the potential solutions along with future prospects are also proposed. Finally, integrative considerations on material properties, device functionalities, and environmental impact are addressed to warrant natural polymers as credible alternatives to synthetic ones, and provide viable options for sustainable soft electronics.
Lattice Polarity Manipulation of Quasi‐vdW Epitaxial GaN Films on Graphene Through Interface Atomic Configuration
Authors: Liu Fang , Wang Tao , Zhang Zhihong , Shen Tong , Rong Xin , Sheng Bowen , Yang Liuyun , Li Duo , Wei Jiaqi , Sheng Shanshan , Li Xingguang , Chen Zhaoying , Tao Renchun , Yuan Ye , Yang Xuelin , Xu Fujun , Zhang Jingmin , Liu Kaihui , Li Xin‐Zheng , Shen Bo , Wang Xinqiang
Published: November 2021

Quasi van der Waals epitaxy, a pioneering epitaxy of sp3‐hybridized semiconductor films on sp2‐hybridized 2D materials, provides a way, in principle, to achieve single‐crystal epilayers with preferred atom configurations that are free of substrate. Unfortunately, this has not been experimentally confirmed in the case of the hexagonal semiconductor III‐nitride epilayer until now. Here, it is reported that the epitaxy of gallium nitride (GaN) on graphene can tune the atom arrangement (lattice polarity) through manipulation of the interface atomic configuration, where GaN films with gallium and nitrogen polarity are achieved by forming CONGa(3) or COGaN(3) configurations, respectively, on artificial CO surface dangling bonds by atomic oxygen pre‐irradiation on trilayer graphene. Furthermore, an aluminum nitride buffer/interlayer leads to unique metal polarity due to the formation of an AlON thin layer in a growth environment containing trace amounts of oxygen, which explains the open question of why those reported wurtzite III‐nitride films on 2D materials always exhibit metal polarity. The reported atomic modulation through interface manipulation provides an effective model for hexagonal nitride semiconductor layers grown on graphene, which definitely promotes the development of novel semiconductor devices.
Phosphorus‐Directed Rhodium‐Catalyzed C−H Arylation of 1‐Pyrenylphosphines Selective at the K‐Region
Authors: Sire Charline , Cattey Hélène , Tsivery Anthonia , Hierso Jean‐Cyrille , Roger Julien
Published: November 2021

C−H arylation of 1‐pyrenylphosphine derivatives catalyzed by rhodium and directed by a diphenylphosphino group is selectively achieved at the K‐region, i. e. 4‐, 5‐, 9‐, or 10‐position of the pyrene moiety. This peri C−H activation/arylation of pyrenes using (hetero)aryl bromide coupling partners tolerates both electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing groups on the arene, and provides isolated yields of products between 25% to 90%, including from bulky polyaromatic bromoarene substrates. We achieved investigations directed at the formation and reactivity of pertinent intermediate species in this C−H arylation reaction. The P‐ligand coordination at rhodium was established using 31P NMR and XRD analysis, and we isolated five‐membered rhodacycles as intermediates to the directed C−H functionalization. The data obtained overall supported the occurrence of a cationic rhodium catalytic process. We further described the access to a large class of pyrenylphosphine ligands and their selenated derivatives. Phosphine selenation allows to rapidly estimate from 1JP=Se values the basic character of the ligand in the perspective of their use for coordination. Accordingly, linear P‐coordinated Au(I) gold complexes were isolated, in addition to the variously coordinated Rh(III) complexes. The present methodology significantly extends the scope of polyaromatics that are functionalizable at the K‐Region by direct C−H activation, beyond smaller‐sized naphtalenes and aminopyrenes.

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Thiol‐Functionalized Cellulose Wrapped Copperoxide as a Green Nano Catalyst for Regiospecific Azide‐Alkyne Cycloaddition Reaction: Application in Rufinamide Synthesis
Authors: Selim Abdul , Neethu K. M. , Gowri Vijayendran , Sartaliya Shaifali , Kaur Sharanjeet , Jayamurugan Govindasamy
Published: November 2021

In the past few decades, click chemistry (CuAAC reaction) has seen tremendous development both in terms of catalyst designing and method development because 1,2,3‐triazoles products have shown enormous applications in various fields. The sought after azide‐alkyne cycloaddition reaction catalyzed by smaller‐sized (∼7 nm) Cu(I/II) oxide nanoparticles (CuI/IIO NPs) supported by thiol‐functionalized cellulose provided triazole products in excellent yields (90–98%) with remarkable 1,4‐regioselectivity, including the 10 g scale synthesis of a rufinamide drug intermediate. The possible reasons for this exceptional activity are the higher ratio of Cu (I), along with the smaller‐sized and homogeneously dispersed colloidal nature of CuI/IIO NPs. Most importantly, the reaction underwent industrially friendly greener conditions such as aqueous medium, room temperature, and no additives, etc., suggesting promising for practical applications. The as‐prepared catalyst was recycled and reused up to 5 cycles by simply filtering the precipitate 1,2,3‐triazoles products without losing significant activity.
An ultra‐sensitive immunoassay detects and quantifies soluble Aβ oligomers in human plasma
Authors: Liu Lei , Kwak Hyunchang , Lawton Trebor L. , Jin Shan‐Xue , Meunier Angela L. , Dang Yifan , Ostaszewski Beth , Pietras Alison C. , Stern Andrew M. , Selkoe Dennis J.
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Evidence strongly suggests that soluble oligomers of amyloid beta protein (oAβ) help initiate the pathogenic cascade of Alzheimer's disease (AD). To date, there have been no validated assays specific for detecting and quantifying oAβ in human blood.

Methods

We developed an ultrasensitive oAβ immunoassay using a novel capture antibody (71A1) with N‐terminal antibody 3D6 for detection that specifically quantifies soluble oAβ in the human brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and plasma.

Results

Two new antibodies (71A1; 1G5) are oAβ‐selective, label Aβ plaques in non‐fixed AD brain sections, and potently neutralize the synaptotoxicity of AD brain‐derived oAβ. The 71A1/3D6 assay showed excellent dilution linearity in CSF and plasma without matrix effects, good spike recovery, and specific immunodepletion.

Discussion

We have created a sensitive, high throughput, and inexpensive method to quantify synaptotoxic oAβ in human plasma for analyzing large cohorts of aged and AD subjects to assess the dynamics of this key pathogenic species and response to therapy.
Prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias among veterans experiencing housing insecurity
Authors: Jutkowitz Eric , Halladay Christopher , Tsai Jack , Hooshyar Dina , Quach Lien , O'Toole Thomas , Rudolph James L.
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Housing insecure veterans are aging, but the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) in the population is unknown.

Methods

We calculated the prevalence of AD/ADRD diagnoses in 2018 among veterans that experienced homelessness, were at‐risk for homelessness, or were stably housed. We determined acute care (emergency department, hospitalizations, psychiatric hospitalizations), and any long‐term care (nursing home, and community‐based) use by housing status among veterans with an AD/ADRD diagnosis.

Results

The overall prevalence of AD/ADRD diagnoses for homeless, at‐risk, and stably housed veterans was 3.66%, 13.48%, and 3.04%, respectively. Housing insecure veterans with AD/ADRD used more acute care, and were more likely to have a nursing home admission compared to stably housed veterans. At risk, but not homeless veterans, were more likely to use US Department of Veterans Affairs–paid home and community‐based care than stably housed veterans.

Discussion

The prevalence of AD/ADRD diagnoses is greater among housing insecure veterans than stably housed veterans.
Engagement of vascular early response genes typifies mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Katsel Pavel , Fam Peter , Tan Weilun , Khan Sonia , Gama‐Sosa Miguel , De Gasperi Rita , Roussos Panos , Robinson Ari , Cooper Itzik , Schnaider‐Beeri Michal , Haroutunian Vahram
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Molecular responses in the brains of persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the earliest transitional state between normal aging and early Alzheimer's disease (AD), are poorly understood.

Methods

We examined AD‐related neuropathology and transcriptome changes in the neocortex of individuals with MCI relative to controls and temporal responses to the mild hypoxia in mouse brains.

Results

Subsets of vascular early response to hypoxia genes were upregulated in MCI prior to the buildup of AD neuropathology. Early activation of pro‐angiogenic hypoxia‐inducible factor signaling in response to mild hypoxia was detected in mouse brains similar to those that were altered in MCI. Protracted responses to hypoxia were characterized by activation of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)‐protein kinase B (Akt)‐the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways in brain microvessel isolates.

Discussion

These findings suggest that cerebrovascular remodeling is an important antecedent to the development of dementia and a component of the homeostatic response to reduced oxygen tension in aging prior to the onset of AD.
On the Inner Topological Pressure within the Topological Insulators
Authors: Faílde Daniel , Baldomir Daniel
Published: November 2021

Topological insulators (TIs) have axion electrodynamics instead of the usual Maxwell. Then, there is an additional energy density, whose origin is topological, generating a pressure that is found analytically. It is shown that the topological electric and magnetic fields act only on the surface, while the scalar axion does as a real Klein–Gordon field in all the TI, giving rise to a behavior quite similar to the Casimir effect without the intervention of the virtual photons of the vacuum. This opens the possibility to experimentally test the electrodynamics of axions for the TIs.
Direct Evidence of Subsurface Oxygen Formation in Oxide‐Derived Cu by X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Hsin‐Yi , Soldemo Markus , Degerman David , Lömker Patrick , Schlueter Christoph , Nilsson Anders , Amann Peter
Published: November 2021

Subsurface oxygen has been proposed to be crucial in oxide‐derived copper (OD‐Cu) electrocatalysts for enhancing the binding of CO intermediates during CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). However, the presence of such oxygen species under reductive conditions still remains debated. In this work, the existence of subsurface oxygen is validated by grazing incident hard X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, where OD‐Cu was prepared by reduction of Cu oxide with H2 without exposing to air. The results suggest two types of subsurface oxygen embedded between the fully reduced metallic surface and the Cu2O buried beneath: (i) oxygen staying at lattice defects and/or vacancies in the surface‐most region and (ii) interstitial oxygen intercalated in metal structure. This study adds convincing support to the presence of subsurface oxygen in OD‐Cu, which previously has been suggested to play an important role to mitigate the σ‐repulsion of Cu for CO intermediates in CO2RR.
Accelerated SuFEx Click Chemistry For Modular Synthesis**
Authors: Smedley Christopher J. , Homer Joshua A. , Gialelis Timothy L. , Barrow Andrew S. , Koelln Rebecca A. , Moses John E.
Published: November 2021

SuFEx click chemistry is a powerful method designed for the selective, rapid, and modular synthesis of functional molecules. Classical SuFEx reactions form stable S−O linkages upon exchange of S−F bonds with aryl silyl‐ether substrates, and while near‐perfect in their outcome, are sometimes disadvantaged by relatively high catalyst loadings and prolonged reaction times. We herein report the development of accelerated SuFEx click chemistry (ASCC), an improved SuFEx method for the efficient and catalytic coupling of aryl and alkyl alcohols with a range of SuFExable hubs. We demonstrate Barton's hindered guanidine base (2‐tert‐butyl‐1,1,3,3‐tetramethylguanidine; BTMG) as a superb SuFEx catalyst that, when used in synergy with silicon additive hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS), yields stable S−O bond linkages in a single step; often within minutes. The powerful combination of BTMG and HMDS reagents allows for catalyst loadings as low as 1.0 mol % and, in congruence with click‐principles, provides a scalable method that is safe, efficient, and practical for modular synthesis. ASSC expands the number of accessible SuFEx products and will find significant application in organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, and materials science.