bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Efficacy of Bio-synthesized Silver Nanoparticles with Carica papaya Extract against Plasmodium berghei Infected Mice
Authors: Nassar Adebayo , Adedokun Amudatu Ambali , Onosakponome Evelyn Orevaoghene , Adegun Oluwafemi Joseph , Bakare Sodiq Adedolapo , Ayodele Emmanuel Adebayo
Published: December 2022

Background: The evolution of antimalarial drug resistance increases malaria's burden and is a recurring concern in the global fight against malaria. Medicinal herbs have played an important role in the treatment of malaria and have been advised in reducing Plasmodium parasite resistance to standard antimalarial medications. Papaya contains antimalarial bioactive chemicals. Medicinal plants have been found to have some limitations such as poor dosage regimens, determination of active phytochemical components and specific delivery issues at the right time without causing serious damage to the concerned tissue and organs in the body system. Using nanotechnology and nanomedicine for malaria treatment can overcome these limitations.

Objective: This study was aimed to assess the potential of Carica papaya leaf extract with silver nanoparticles against Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.

Materials and Methods: Fresh Carica papaya leaves were collected in Oke-Arade, Ogbomoso, active contents of leaves were extracted and biosynthesized silver nanoparticles were passed into the infected experimental mice. For the investigation, 40 mice were utilized, and their parasitemia level, haematological and histological parameters determined to assess safety effect of the nanoparticle as well as efficacy of the extract.  Kidney and liver samples were analyzed for haematological, parasitological, and histological parameters.

Results: On days 3 and 5, Ag-NPs at 25mg/Kg and 50mg/Kg cleared malaria parasitemia better than plant extracts at 100mg/Kg and 200mg/Kg (p<0.05). The mice's weight loss improved on day 5 (p>0.05), as did PCV (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The Ag-NPs synthesized with C. papaya showed antimalarial activity against Plasmodium berghei as more of the infected red blood cells were cleared indicating a decrease in parasitemia coupled with the reduction of the malaria parasite density across the experimental periods. This process of synthesizing Ag-NPs with the extract is simple and cost effective, thereby it's a promising antimalarial alternative.
Parenting and Mass Media as Determinants of Cultism among Students of Delta State University, Delta State
Authors: Faith Imafidon Iniabasi
Published: December 2022

This study examined parenting and mass media as determinants of cultism among students at Delta State University. The menace of cultism has eroded the conducive healthy social learning environment existing hitherto in Delta State University campuses. Two research questions and two corresponding null hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance guided the study. The study was a survey and it adopted an ex-post facto correlational design. The population comprised of 5,272 students from the three campuses of the university (Abraka, Oleh, and Asaba). The sample size of 600, comprising of 240 males and 360 females were selected from the students for the study, using the multistage random sampling technique. The research instrument used for data collection was a validated self-constructed instrument titled “Parenting, Mass Media and Cultism Scale” (PMCS). The reliability indices for the sub instruments were parenting r = 0.65, mass media r = 0.55, and cultism 0.53 but had an overall reliability coefficient of 0.79. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistical tool was used to analyze the data. The findings of the study revealed that parenting had no significant relationship with cultism while Mass Media had the greatest influence (4.1%) in determining students’ involvement in cultism at Delta State University. Based on the findings, the study recommends among others, that government should create an agency that will censor the type of films and images produced by the members of Nigeria Movie Producers Association (NMPA) before selling them to the public and an awareness campaign against the negative impact of cultism in the media should be organized by corporate bodies, government, parents, counsellors and other individuals.
Socio-Economic Importance of Solar Energy Application in Poultry Production System
Authors: Okonkwo W. I. , Ohagwu C. J. , Ojike O. , Ezenne G. I. , Olayinka K. E. , Onyechi A. U.
Published: December 2022

Solar energy is a renewable, inexhaustible and affordable form of energy that could help mitigate climate change in poultry production systems. Its application as an emerging technology in poultry production systems is not common among the Nigerian poultry farmers. This paper presents a survey of poultry farms in Enugu State, Southeast, Nigeria. The purpose of the survey was to ascertain the status of solar energy application in Poultry production systems in the state. A survey was conducted on the methods farmers use in poultry day-old chicks brooding technology. A total of 60 poultry farms were selected at random for the survey. Data was collected using a 25 structured questionnaire items. It was observed that two types of poultry brooding methods were in use by the poultry farmers. These were conventional method (the use of fossil fuel and electric power), and non-conventional method (the use of solar energy) respectively. Survey results showed that out of 60 respondents 25% and 65% used kerosene, and combined electric/kerosene brooding methods in their brooding operations respectively. Only 10% of the respondents have used solar energy technology in their poultry brooding operations. The average mortality rates were 22.38%, 12.17% and 2.97% for kerosene, combined electric/kerosene, and solar energy respectively, while US$474.54, US$2,456.34 and US$49.1, were the respective average energy cost implications for each brooding methods eight times in a year. Solar energy was observed to have the lowest mortality rate and the least energy cost implications among the rest. Further response from the farmers showed inadequate power supply, greenhouse gas emission, fire outbreak and low profit margins characterized kerosene, and the combined electric/kerosene usage while solar energy application was observed to be environmentally and user friendly with low mortality rate and low energy cost.  Solar energy utilization therefore appears the most attractive option because of the advantages it has over others. Its use in poultry brooding production will improve and enhance environmental air quality, healthy chicks’ production with higher profit margins. Its wide application in poultry production in Enugu State, Nigeria however, demands sensitization and educational awareness among the stakeholders.
Health and Safety Threats to Ukraine From Nonconventional Weapons
Authors: Goralnick Eric , Chai Peter R. , Erickson Timothy B.
Published: December 2022

This Viewpoint discusses the potential for use of nonconventional warfare threats (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives) in the conflict in Ukraine and how health care professionals need to recognize and respond to these threats.
Changes in Racial Equity Associated With Participation in the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced Program
Authors: Hammond Gmerice , Orav E. John , Zheng Jie , Epstein Arnold M. , Joynt Maddox Karen E.
Published: December 2022

Importance

The Medicare alternative payment models are designed to incentivize cost reduction and quality improvement, but there are no requirements established for evaluating the outcomes of the Medicare populations.

Objective

To examine whether participation in the Medicare Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI-A) program was associated with narrowing or widening of Black and White racial inequities in outcomes and access.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Retrospective cohort alternative payment models on equity and quality for disadvantaged populations were studied between April 6, 2021, and August 28, 2022, in US hospitals. Black and White Medicare beneficiaries admitted for any of the 29 inpatient conditions in the BPCI-A program between January 1, 2017, and September 31, 2019, were included.

Exposures

BPCI-A participation implemented in 2018.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Ninety-day readmission and mortality, healthy days at home, and proportion of Black patients hospitalized. Segmented regression models were used to examine quarterly changes in slopes for each outcome.

Results

The sample included 6 690 336 episodes (6 019 359 White patients, 670 977 Black patients). The population comprised approximately 43% men, 57% women, 17% individuals younger than 65 years, 47% between ages 65 and 80 years, and 36% older than 80 years. Prior to implementation of the BPCI-A program, compared with episodes for White patients, Black patients had higher 90-day readmissions (36.3% vs 29.6%), similar 90-day mortality (12.3% vs 13.3%), and fewer healthy days at home (mean, 68.5 vs 69.5 days). BPCI-A participation was not associated with significant changes in the racial gap in readmissions but was associated with a greater gain in heathy days at home (differences by race, −0.07 days per quarter; 95% CI, −0.12 to −0.01 days per quarter). Among Black patients admitted to BPCI-A hospitals vs controls, healthy days at home increased by 0.09 more days/episode per quarter (95% CI, 0.02-0.17 days/episode per quarter). The proportion of Black patients decreased similarly at BPCI-A and control hospitals.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, BPCI-A participation was not associated with improvements in racial inequities in clinical outcomes. Black patients in BPCI-A had a slight gain in healthy days at home; there were no changes in access. The findings of this study suggest that more needs to be done if payment policy reform is going to be part of the efforts to address glaring racial inequities in health care quality and outcomes. These findings support a need for payment policy reform specifically targeting equity-enhancing programs.
Computed Tomographic Radiomics in Differentiating Histologic Subtypes of Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Mandi , Perucho Jose A. U. , Hu Yangling , Choi Moon Hyung , Han Lujun , Wong Esther M. F. , Ho Grace , Zhang Xiaoling , Ip Philip , Lee Elaine Y. P.
Published: December 2022

Importance

Epithelial ovarian carcinoma is heterogeneous and classified according to the World Health Organization Tumour Classification, which is based on histologic features and molecular alterations. Preoperative prediction of the histologic subtypes could aid in clinical management and disease prognostication.

Objective

To assess the value of radiomics based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in differentiating histologic subtypes of epithelial ovarian carcinoma in multicenter data sets.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this diagnostic study, 665 patients with histologically confirmed epithelial ovarian carcinoma were retrospectively recruited from 4 centers (Hong Kong, Guangdong Province of China, and Seoul, South Korea) between January 1, 2012, and February 28, 2022. The patients were randomly divided into a training cohort (n = 532) and a testing cohort (n = 133) with a ratio of 8:2. This process was repeated 100 times. Tumor segmentation was manually delineated on each section of contrast-enhanced CT images to encompass the entire tumor. The Mann-Whitney U test and voted least absolute shrinkage and selection operator were performed for feature reduction and selection. Selected features were used to build the logistic regression model for differentiating high-grade serous carcinoma and non–high-grade serous carcinoma.

Exposures

Contrast-enhanced CT-based radiomics.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of tumor segmentation were measured by Dice similarity coefficients. The diagnostic efficiency of the model was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve.

Results

In this study, 665 female patients (mean [SD] age, 53.6 [10.9] years) with epithelial ovarian carcinoma were enrolled and analyzed. The Dice similarity coefficients of intraobserver and interobserver were all greater than 0.80. Twenty radiomic features were selected for modeling. The areas under the curve of the logistic regression model in differentiating high-grade serous carcinoma and non–high-grade serous carcinoma were 0.837 (95% CI, 0.835-0.838) for the training cohort and 0.836 (95% CI, 0.833-0.840) for the testing cohort.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this diagnostic study, radiomic features extracted from contrast-enhanced CT were useful in the classification of histologic subtypes in epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of tumor segmentation was excellent. The proposed logistic regression model offered excellent discriminative ability among histologic subtypes.
In Vivo N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor (NMDAR) Density as Assessed Using Positron Emission Tomography During Recovery From NMDAR-Antibody Encephalitis
Authors: Galovic Marian , Al-Diwani Adam , Vivekananda Umesh , Walker Matthew C. , Irani Sarosh R. , Koepp Matthias J. ,   NEST Investigators
Published: December 2022

This case-control study uses a radiotracer and positron emission tomography to assess N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) density changes during recovery from NMDAR-antibody encephalitis.
Activated Platelet‐Targeted IR780 Immunoliposomes for Photothermal Thrombolysis
Authors: Refaat Ahmed , del Rosal Blanca , Bongcaron Viktoria , Walsh Aidan P. G. , Pietersz Geoffrey , Peter Karlheinz , Moulton Simon E. , Wang Xiaowei
Published: December 2022

Acute thrombosis is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Pharmacological thrombolysis relies on plasminogen activators (PAs), which are associated with major side effects including potentially fatal bleeding. Alternative therapeutic options that do not rely on PAs are urgently required. Here, the efficacy of targeted photothermal therapy is evaluated for thrombolysis using liposomes loaded with IR780 dye, which release heat upon near‐infrared (NIR) irradiation. Liposomes targeted to activated platelets—one of the main components of thrombi—accumulate preferentially in thrombi both in vitro and in vivo compared to non‐targeted controls. In a mouse model of thrombosis, targeted IR780 immunoliposomes (Tar‐IR‐L) produce ≈12 °C average local temperature increase upon NIR irradiation (5 min, 1 W cm−2). This causes a significant reduction in clot area compared to controls treated with non‐targeted liposomes or phosphate‐buffered saline, which only increase local temperature slightly (6 and 3 °C) when irradiated. Co‐loading a low‐dose single chain urokinase plasminogen activator (scuPA) to targeted IR780 liposomes (Tar‐scuPA‐IR‐L) does not result in a superior thrombolytic effect, which indicates that photothermal therapy alone may allow thrombolysis without the need for fibrinolytic drugs. This approach may prevent potential bleeding complications, promising a safer alternative to current pharmacological approaches.
3D Printable One‐Part Carbon Nanotube‐Elastomer Ink for Health Monitoring Applications
Authors: Shar Andy , Glass Phillip , Park Sung Hyun , Joung Daeha
Published: December 2022

3D printing of conductive elastomers is a promising route to personalized health monitoring applications due to its flexibility and biocompatibility. Here, a one‐part, highly conductive, flexible, stretchable, 3D printable carbon nanotube (CNT)‐silicone composite is developed and thoroughly characterized. The one‐part nature of the inks: i) enables printing without prior mixing and cures under ambient conditions; ii) allows direct dispensing at ≈100 µm resolution printability on nonpolar and polar substrates; iii) forms both self‐supporting and high‐aspect‐ratio structures, key aspects in additive biomanufacturing that eliminate the need for sacrificial layers; and iv) lends efficient, reproducible, and highly sensitive responses to various tensile and compressive stimuli. The high electrical and thermal conductivity of the CNT‐silicone composite is further extended to facilitate use as a flexible and stretchable heating element, with applications in body temperature regulation, water distillation, and dual temperature sensing and Joule heating. Overall, the facile fabrication of this composite points to excellent synergy with direct ink writing and can be used to prepare patient‐specific wearable electronics for motion detection and cardiac and respiratory monitoring devices and toward advanced personal health tracking and bionic skin applications.
Self‐Reconstruction of Single‐Atom‐Thick A Layers in Nanolaminated MAX Phases for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution
Authors: Hu Chun , Dong Huilong , Li Youbing , Sinha Sapna , Wang Changda , Xu Wenjie , Song Li , Suenaga Kazu , Geng Hongbo , Wang Jiacheng , Huang Qing , Tan Yuanzhi , Huang Xiaoqing
Published: December 2022

Mn+1AXn (MAX) phases are a family of nanolaminated ternary carbide/nitride, which are generally investigated as high‐safety structural materials, but their direct applications on electrocatalysis is still far from reality. Here, it is shown that by taking the advantages of self‐reconstruction, a unique class of MAX phases of V2(Sn, A)C (A = Ni, Co, Fe) can be adopted as efficient catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The specific single‐atomic‐thick (Sn, A) layers within V–C networks in V2(Sn, A)C are highly flexible to react with electrolyte. As a result, the V2(Sn, Ni)C (VSNC) can maintain bulk crystalline structure, and merely encounter surface reconstruction to generate Ni‐based oxyhydroxide accompanying with the self‐doping of V and Sn elements under alkaline OER condition. The surface‐reconstructed VSNC exhibits significantly enhanced OER performance to that of reconstructed Ni nanopowder and V2SnC. Density functional theory simulations indicate that the doping of Sn/V into γ‐NiOOH leads to the change of reaction pathway of alkaline OER, while the introduction of V can reduce the reaction barrier to facilitate the OER process. This study exhibits a new functionality of a unique MAX phase toward OER, which puts forward the potential applications of MAX phase materials in electrocatalysis and beyond.
Amyloid‐Based Albumin Hydrogels
Authors: Diaz Carolina , Missirlis Dimitris
Published: December 2022

Amyloid fibrils may serve as building blocks for the preparation of novel hydrogel materials from abundant, low‐cost, and biocompatible polypeptides. This work presents the formation of physically cross‐linked, self‐healing hydrogels based on bovine serum albumin at room temperature through a straightforward disulfide reduction step induced by tris (2‐carboxyethyl) phosphine hydrochloride. The structure and surface charge of the amyloid‐like fibrils is determined by the pH of the solution during self‐assembly, giving rise to hydrogels with distinct physicochemical properties. The hydrogel surface can be readily functionalized with the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin and supports cell adhesion, spreading, and long‐term culture. This study offers a simple, versatile, and inexpensive method to prepare amyloid‐based albumin hydrogels with potential applications in the biomedical field.
Orbital‐Hybridization‐Driven Charge Density Wave Transition in CsV3Sb5 Kagome Superconductor
Authors: Han Shulun , Tang Chi Sin , Li Linyang , Liu Yi , Liu Huimin , Gou Jian , Wu Jing , Zhou Difan , Yang Ping , Diao Caozheng , Ji Jiacheng , Bao Jinke , Zhang Lingfeng , Zhao Mingwen , Milošević Milorad V. , Guo Yanqun , Tian Lijun , Breese Mark B. H. , Cao Guanghan , Cai Chuanbing , Wee Andrew T. S. , Yin Xinmao
Published: December 2022

Owing to its inherent non‐trivial geometry, the unique structural motif of the recently discovered kagome topological superconductor AV3Sb5 (A = K, Rb, Cs) is an ideal host of diverse topologically non‐trivial phenomena, including giant anomalous Hall conductivity, topological charge order, charge density wave (CDW), and unconventional superconductivity. Despite possessing a normal‐state CDW order in the form of topological chiral charge order and diverse superconducting gaps structures, it remains unclear how fundamental atomic‐level properties and many‐body effects including Fermi surface nesting, electron–phonon coupling, and orbital hybridization contribute to these symmetry‐breaking phenomena. Here, the direct participation of the V3d–Sb5p orbital hybridization in mediating the CDW phase transition in CsV3Sb5 is reported. The combination of temperature‐dependent X‐ray absorption and first‐principles studies clearly indicates the inverse Star‐of‐David structure as the preferred reconstruction in the low‐temperature CDW phase. The results highlight the critical role that Sb orbitals play and establish orbital hybridization as the direct mediator of the CDW states and structural transition dynamics in kagome unconventional superconductors. This is a significant step toward the fundamental understanding and control of the emerging correlated phases from the kagome lattice through the orbital interactions and provides promising approaches to novel regimes in unconventional orders and topology.
Selective Hydroxylation of Carbon Fiber Paper for Long‐Lasting Hydrophilicity by a Green Chemistry Process
Authors: Wilsey Madeleine K. , Watson Kendra R. , Fasusi Omolade C. , Yegela Brian P. , Cox Connor P. , Raffaelle Patrick R. , Cai Likun , Müller Astrid M.
Published: December 2022

This study reports the selective hydroxylation of macroscopic carbon surfaces that renders initially hydrophobic carbon fiber paper hydrophilic for more than one year (62 weeks) so far. This long time of sustained hydrophilicity is unprecedented and transforms the utility of macroscopic carbon materials. Quantification of surface oxygenates of a systematic series of 13 chemical treatments reveals that surface hydroxyls are predictors of long‐lasting hydrophilicity. The rapid, mild, acid‐free, transition‐metal‐free treatment does not leave surface residues, inhibits overoxidation of graphitic carbon beyond hydroxyls, and introduces the highest edge density on carbon surfaces, without altering the mesostructure of carbon fiber network architectures and without lowering the flexural strength of carbon fiber paper. Graphitic edges are required for enhanced stability of surface oxygenates that retain a threshold amount of adsorbed water, which is necessary for keeping carbon fiber paper hydrophilic. Application of hydrophilic carbon fiber paper as high‐surface‐area working electrode supports for alkaline water oxidation catalyzed by [NiFe]‐layered double hydroxide nanosheets demonstrates a factor of 60 higher mass activity compared to catalysis on flat basal‐plane highly ordered pyrolytic graphite electrodes.
Efficient Spin‐to‐Charge Interconversion in Weyl Semimetal TaP at Room Temperature
Authors: Mendes Joaquim B. S. , Vieira Andriele S. , Cunha Rafael O. , Ferreira Sukarno O. , dos Reis Ricardo D. , Schmidt Marcus , Nicklas Michael , Rezende Sergio M. , Azevedo Antonio
Published: December 2022

In this paper, spin‐to‐charge current conversion properties in the Weyl semimetal TaP by means of the inverse Rashba–Edelstein effect (IREE) with the interfacial integration of this quantum material with the ferromagnetic metal Permalloy (Py = Ni81Fe19) are presented. The spin currents are generated in the Py layer by the spin pumping effect (SPE) from microwave‐driven ferromagnetic resonance and are detected by a dc voltage along the TaP crystal, at room temperature. A field‐symmetric voltage signal is observed without the contamination of asymmetrical lines due to spin rectification effects observed in studies using metallic ferromagnets. The observed voltage is attributed to spin‐to‐charge current conversion based on the IREE, made possible by the spin–orbit coupling induced intrinsically by the bulk band structure of Weyl semimetals. The measured IREE coefficient λIREE =  (0.30 ± 0.01) nm is two orders of magnitude larger than in graphene and is comparable to or larger than the values reported for some metallic interfaces and for several topological insulators.
Development of Smart Sensing Film with Nonbiofouling Properties for Potentiometric Detection of Local pH Changes Caused by Bacterial and Yeast Infections Around Orthopedic Implants
Authors: Tomšík Elena , Gunár Kristýna , Krunclová Tereza , Ivanko Iryna , Trousil Jiří , Fojt Jaroslav , Hybášek Vojtěch , Daniel Matej , Sepitka Josef , Judl Tobiaš , Jahoda David , Hrubý Martin
Published: December 2022

The local peri‐implant pH changes caused by sterile inflammation and bacterial and fungal infections are studied herein. Then, a sensing electrode based on polyaniline and poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) on a titanium alloy support is developed for potentiometric detection of peri‐implant pH changes to enable early detection of the aforementioned pathologies. The infected endoprosthesis area is shown to have an average pH of 0.79 units lower than the aseptic sample. The pH measurements of the individual pathogenic bacteria or pathogenic yeast reveal that Escherichia coli decreased the pH by 1.24 units, Staphylococcus aureus decreased the pH by 1.33 units and the methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria decreased the pH from 7.2 to 5.6 during 10 h, followed by a subsequent increase to 6.4. The results are statistically significant (α = 0.01). Pseudomonas aeruginosa is not shown to change pH levels. On the other hand, the pathogenic yeast has the lowest recorded pH, which decreases from 5.8 to 4.8. This difference in pH can be used to identify the nature of the infection. The developed electrodes have a pH response between pH 5 and 8, with a Nernstian slope of −59.6/pH. The developed electrode can contribute to the next generation of biosensors.
A Self‐Purifying Smart Mask Integrated With Metal–Organic Framework Membranes and Flexible Circuits
Authors: Li Ya , Yang Qing , Liu Song , Liu Xinyu , Wu Ziyue , Wang Jing , Zhou Mingxing , Ren Miaoning , Wan Chunxue , Huo Wenxing , Gao Yu , Huang Xian
Published: December 2022

Masks are essential personal protective equipment during pandemics. Conventional masks that act as physical barriers due to size‐dependence filtration and electrostatic absorption may quickly lose their protection effectiveness due to surface degradation, generating massive obsoleted masks and ecological contamination. Here, a self‐purifying smart mask that combines active protection to airborne particles and hazardous gases while conducting real‐time monitoring is developed. Electrospun ZIF‐8/polyacrylonitrile membranes are used to replace melt‐blown non‐woven fabrics without additional electret processes. The active ingredients of ZIF‐8 can interact with intercepted pathogens and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), resulting in pathogen death and TVOC decomposition. When the electrospinning time exceeds 1 h, the membranes can block particulate matters with a filtration efficiency of over 99.58% and absorb TVOC with an efficiency of 92.57%. Its high disinfection performance can maintain for at least 72 h with an antibacterial rate of 99.07%. In addition, flexible circuits integrated with masks can quantify filtration effectiveness and monitor environmental parameters. The mask with the capability to renew its surface can enhance the endurance of masks for daily use and reduce the usage of single‐use masks. They can accommodate diverse demands in public health emergencies, occupational disease prevention, and biohazard defense.
Boosting Li‐Ion Storage Capability of Self‐Standing Ni‐Doped LiMn2O4 Nanowall Arrays as Superior Cathodes for High‐Performance Flexible Aqueous Rechargeable Li‐Ions Batteries
Authors: Zhang Xiaojie , Lan Xiong , Feng Yongbao , Wang Xianzhen , Kong Shuo , Xu Ziming , Ma Zhenping , Gong Wenbin , Yao Yagang , Li Qiulong
Published: December 2022

To meet the increasing desire for a means of powering wearable and portable devices, the development of high‐performance flexible aqueous rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries (FARLIBs) would be greatly desirable. The design of binder‐free cathode materials with 3D architectures is the key to develop FARLIBs. Herein, self‐standing 3D Ni‐doped LiMn2O4 (NLMO) nanosheets are successfully prepared assembled by nanowall arrays (NWAs) directly grown on carbon cloth (CC) as the cathode for LIBs, which is performed to slow down the dissolution of Mn and the Jahn–Teller effect of LiMn2O4 during the reaction process. The as‐prepared NLMO NWAs/CC electrode delivers a high capacity of 113.27 mAh g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1, and can also have a capacity retention rate of 81% after 500 cycles at 10 A g−1, both higher than that of pure LiMn2O4. The results of density functional theory simulation demonstrate that the Ni‐doped LiMn2O4 can significantly decrease the bandgap and Li ions diffusion barriers. A quasi‐solid‐state FARLIB is successfully constructed by using NLMO NWAs/CC as the positive electrode and rugby‐shaped NaTi2(PO4)3/CC as the negative electrode, exhibiting remarkable electrochemical performance and flexibility. These results offer a new opportunity for developing high‐performance FARLIB.
Hybrid Topography of Lotus Leaf under Hydrostatic/Hydrodynamic Pressure
Authors: Zhao Feng , Zhan Fei , Wang Lei
Published: December 2022

The superhydrophobic characteristics and functional durability of the lotus leaf are determined by its surface flexible multistage topography. In this study, it is found that the hybrid arrangement of sub‐millimeter (sub‐mm) and micron papillae arrays on the edge of lotus leaves is more conducive to its resistance to hydrostatic and hydrodynamic water pressure, which provides a guarantee for the survival of lotus leaves. Inspired by this special design, a flexible hybrid structure is prepared by the template method, whose surface contains sub‐mm pillars, micropillars, and nanostructures. It has obvious advantages in resisting the continuous impact of water droplets. This systematic study reveals why the surface of the lotus leaf can withstand the fluid impact, and it provides a theoretical and experimental basis for improving the durability of artificial superhydrophobic function.
RGB‐Color Textile‐Based Flexible and Transparent OLEDs Considering Aesthetics
Authors: Lee Junwoo , Choi Seungyeop , Lee Tae‐Woo , Hwang Yong Ha , Park Yongjin , Jeong So Yeong , Choi Kyung Cheol
Published: December 2022

Recently, as state‐of‐the‐art displays, wearable electronic devices and free‐form displays have begun to attract attention to the point that much research on textile‐based displays has been actively conducted as an ultimate platform for wearable displays. However, although many studies have reported organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) as the most suitable type for textile‐based displays due to their high opto‐electronic performance and flexibility, most research on textile‐based OLEDs (textile OLEDs) has left for the future improvements that require the use of transparent OLEDs (trOLEDs) for applications where aesthetics are important, such as fashion displays and automobile interiors. Herein, RGB‐color trOLEDs are designed using a dielectric‐metal‐dielectric transparent electrode to overcome the limitations of previous works on textile‐based non‐transparent OLEDs and to improve the aesthetic elements of textile displays. The opto‐electronic performance and the mechanical characteristics of textile RGB trOLEDs are analyzed, and specifically, this study suggests a new method and a novel equation for an optical analysis to quantify the clarity of printed color images (i.e., information) on a textile substrate when trOLEDs on the textile substrate are not operated, as needed to optimize and maximize the aesthetic elements of textile displays.
A High Responsivity and Photosensitivity Self‐Powered UV Photodetector Constructed by the CuZnS/Ga2O3 Heterojunction
Authors: Lv Zunxian , Yan Shiqi , Mu Wenxiang , Liu Yiyuan , Xin Qian , Liu Yang , Jia Zhitai , Tao Xutang
Published: December 2022

Fabricating a heterojunction photodetector is efficient to take advantage of the built‐in electric field formed by heterojunction and thus improve the performance of photodetector. Herein, a CuZnS/Ga2O3 type‐II heterojunction photodetector is designed and constructed by chemical bath deposition for the first time. The photodetector exhibits super high rectifying characteristics (5.7 × 104 at ± 1 V), high responsivity (48.01 mA W−1 at 0 V), and detectivity (1.83 × 1012 Jones at 0 V), which are higher than most of the reported inorganic devices as far as the authors know. Benefiting from built‐in electric field constructed by the CuZnS/Ga2O3 type‐II heterojunction, the photo‐induced electron and hole pairs are quickly separated by the built‐in electric field between the Ga2O3 and the CuZnS interface. Therefore, the photodetector constructed by CuZnS/Ga2O3 type‐II heterojunction shows a prominent self‐powered performance. At zero bias, the photodetector shows a fast photoresponse (rise time τr = 70 ms, decay time τd = 10 ms). These data of performance are significantly excellent to most of the reported Ga2O3 heterojunction photodetectors. These performances strongly suggest that the CuZnS/Ga2O3 photodetector has great potential in ultra‐high performance self‐powered solar‐blind photodetector.
Octylammonium Octyldithiocarbamate Assisted Modulation of Crystallization and Doping of In Situ‐Generated Lead Sulfide for Efficient and Highly Stable Carbon‐Based CsPbIBr2 Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Xiao , Jing Yu , Wang Chunyan , Wang Xin , Li Ruoshui , Xu Yuan , Yan Zhongliang , Zhang Huayan , Wu Jihuai , Lan Zhang
Published: December 2022

Perovskite silicon tandem solar cells are one of the effective ways to further improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) in the research and development of solar cells in the future. CsPbIBr2 can be used as the top cell material in tandem solar cells due to its wider bandgap and better long‐term stability. However, the serious defect density and carrier recombination limit its further improvement. In this work, Octylammonium Octyldithiocarbamate (ODTC) is added to the CsPbIBr2 precursor. Through its strong metal ion complexing ability, it combines with the uncoordinated Pb2+ in the CsPbIBr2, and then thermally decomposes to produce PbS during the annealing process. As an additive, ODTC modulates the crystallization of CsPbIBr2, increases the crystal size, reduces defect density, extends carrier lifetime, and improves charge transfer. Moreover, in situ‐generated PbS can also optimize photovoltaic performance of CsPbIBr2 perovskite solar cell (PSC). Consequently, the champion PCE of the devices can attain to 10.15% and still maintain an initial efficiency of 90% after 45 days. Therefore, the strategy is an effective way to prepare efficient and stable CsPbIBr2 PSCs.
Progress and Prospects of Nanoscale Emitter Technology for AR/VR Displays
Authors: Park Sun Jae , Keum Changmin , Zhou Huanyu , Lee Tae‐Woo , Choe Wonhee , Cho Himchan
Published: December 2022

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are emerging interactive technologies that realize the “metaverse,” leading to a totally new digital interactive experience in daily life in various aspects. In order to provide users with a more immersive experience, displays for AR/VR have rapidly evolved to achieve high resolutions and a large color gamut on small panels. Recently, nanoscale light emitters such as quantum dots (QDs) and metal halide perovskites (MHPs) with high photoluminescence quantum efficiency and color purity levels have garnered much attention as color conversion materials in AR/VR displays. However, the low material stability and the absence of a high‐resolution patterning process that does not impair the optical properties of nanoscale emitters act as obstacles preventing the realization of high‐resolution AR/VR displays. Herein, the state‐of‐the‐art technologies constituting current AR/VR devices are reviewed from an industrial point of view and the recent progress in QD and MHP emitter technologies are discussed, including their basic structural properties, synthesis strategies to enhance the stability, advanced patterning technologies, down‐conversion and light‐emitting diode applications. Based on the review, the authors’ perspective on future research directions of nanoscale emitters for next‐generation AR/VR displays is presented.
Line‐Shaped Laser Lithography for Efficiently Fabricating Flexible Transparent Electrodes with Hierarchical Metal Grids across λ/10 to Microscale
Authors: Qiao Jingyu , Huang Jiaxu , Zhao Liang , Yuan Dandan , Wang Pu , Xu Shaolin
Published: December 2022

Hierarchical metal grids are proven to be a promising solution for achieving high‐performance flexible transparent electrodes (FTEs) due to their significantly enhanced conductivity without noticeably sacrificing transparency. This work develops a one‐step mask‐free line‐shaped laser lithography by separated pulse laser ablation to efficiently fabricate large‐area FTEs composed of hierarchical metal grids, namely microscale grids interconnected with aligned nanowire arrays. The linewidth of aligned wires is highly controllable from the nanometer scale far beyond the diffraction limit (<λ/10) to the micrometer scale. This work experimentally studies the overall performance of FTEs to provide a guideline for selecting the layout and feature sizes of hierarchical metal grids. Hierarchical metal grids with 50 nm nanowires aligned inside the microscale grids show outstanding optoelectronic properties and mechanical stability, with sheet resistance of 4.6 Ω sq−1, transmittance of 82.9%, and a tiny increase in sheet resistance less than 4% after 1000 cycles of bending tests. These results prove that the line‐shaped laser lithography technique is a facile, low‐cost, and high‐throughput fabrication method for high‐performance FTEs.
Rapid Preparation of Patterned Conductive Films Based on In Situ Voltaic Cell Templated 3D Controllable Metal Deposition
Authors: Xia Lili , Qian Jin , Song Danting , Gong Haoyu , Zhu Chunxin , Zheng Zaiyang , Sun Huibin , Huang Wei
Published: December 2022

The fabrication of patterned metal films is essential for a wide range of applications. Here, a novel solution‐processing method is presented to achieve the area‐selective deposition of copper on aluminum substrates via an in situ Al/CuSO4/Graphite voltaic cell template. And the copper ions preferentially deposit in the graphite‐covered area due to the formed latent image of the potential difference between the graphite‐covered area and the blank area on the aluminum surface. Benefiting from the low adhesive force of graphite, the formed copper layer can be easily peeled off and transferred to a flexible substrate to obtain the patterned conductive metal films. By studying the electrochemical properties of different surfaces and the in situ microscopic observation, four stages of electroplating process are proposed. More importantly, a positive correlation between the deposition speed and graphite coverage density is confirmed. This further enables a regional control of deposition thickness in addition to area‐selective deposition, which means a 3D controllable metal deposition. Other forms of electroactive carbon are also demonstrated to replace graphite in this method, which offers a versatile and accessible technique to fabricate large‐area flexible patterned metal films with defined feature size and controlled resolution from microscale to macroscale.
Visible Light Active Silver Decorated Iron Titanate/Titanium Dioxide Nanohybrid for Sterilization of Explants Grown by In Vitro Technique
Authors: Seneviratne Kasun L. , Munaweera Imalka , Peiris Sriyani E. , Kodithuwakku Piyumi , Peiris Colin N. , Kottegoda Nilwala
Published: December 2022

Visible light (VL) active silver decorated iron titanate/titanium dioxide (Ag‐FeTiO3/TiO2) nanohybrids derived from natural ilmenite sand effectively cleanse the exophytic plant pathogens in explants grown by in vitro techniques. VL active nanohybrid is synthesized by acid‐hydrolysis of natural ilmenite, followed by precipitation of the lixivium and decoration with Ag onto FeTiO3/TiO2 nanoparticles, and finally calcination under a nitrogen environment to obtain Ag‐FeTiO3/TiO2. A morphological study conducted using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirms the formation of Ag‐FeTiO3/TiO2. Powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis shows that the nanohybrid primarily consists of anatase, iron titanate (FeTiO3), Ag2O, and Ag. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study suggests the presence of Ag0/Ag2O/Fe2O3 composites on the FeTiO3/TiO2 particle surface. The optical band gap significantly changes from 3.14 eV (ilmenite) to 2.80 eV after the decoration of FeTiO3/TiO2 with Ag. This nanohybrid is utilized as a surface‐sterilizing agent for in vitro establishment of the Dracaena sanderiana Sander ex Mast plant. Findings illustrate Ag‐FeTiO3/TiO2 nanohybrid‐based photo‐sterilization leads to the survival of 90% of the microbes’ free cultures while the material can be re‐used due to its photocatalytic behavior. Thus, the newly synthesized nanohybrid can replace harmful sterilization agents used in tissue culture techniques.
Flexible PolyCMUTs: Fabrication and Characterization of a Flexible Polymer‐Based Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Array for Conformal Ultrasonography
Authors: Omidvar Amirhossein , Cretu Edmond , Rohling Robert , Cresswell Mark , Hodgson Antony J.
Published: December 2022

Conventional ultrasound transducers are short and rigid, which limits their applications, especially in the area of musculoskeletal imaging where many of the structures to be imaged lie within long curved anatomical structures, such as limbs. In such cases, conformal ultrasound imaging can be advantageous. This paper presents a process for fabricating 1D and 2D flexible polymer‐based capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers (flexible CMUTs). As a proof of concept, all elements of a 32‐element linear flexible array are shown to be functional (100% yield) and uniform in fundamental resonant frequency (SD = 1.8%). One‐way and two‐way acoustic responses during immersion tests in flat, convex, and concave array configurations (radii of curvature = 3 cm) show an average fractional bandwidth of 83% and 75%, respectively, across these bending conditions. The flexible array shows no signal drop after over 100 bending cycles and only 6% variation in pulse amplitude after over 14 h of continuous operation. Finally, the resulting transducers are shown to operate at up to 15 MHz. The findings demonstrate robust operation of flexible CMUT arrays and justify further development targeted at key imaging applications, particularly in the area of diagnosing musculoskeletal conditions.
In Quest of Low‐Leakage Dynamic Random Access Memory Enabled by Doped TiO2 Dielectrics
Authors: Ye Fan , Xue Kan‐Hao , Yu Heng , Yang Shengxin , Yuan Jun‐Hui , Gu Rongchuan , Xu Ming , Miao Xiangshui
Published: December 2022

High permittivity rutile TiO2 has been regarded as a promising candidate for the capacitor dielectric in ultra‐scaled dynamic random access memory (DRAM), but its low band gap and low interfacial Schottky barrier cause the bothering leakage current problem. It is in principle possible to tune the electrode Fermi level to the mid‐gap of TiO2 for leakage current reduction. In this work, the generalized gradient approximation (GGA)‐1/2 method is shown as a viable first‐principles approach to predict the Schottky barriers of TiO2 based capacitors. Through RuO2/TiO2/RuO2 and IrO2/TiO2/IrO2 full capacitor calculations, the impact of trivalent cation dopants (Al, Ga, La, and Y) on the Schottky barrier tuning is systematically studied. Among the four dopants, it is discovered that Y doping is most effective in hindering the formation of oxygen vacancies by analyzing formation energy and crystal orbital Hamilton population. Y‐doped rutile TiO2 is a promising material for next‐generation high capacitance and low leakage DRAM capacitors.
Band‐to‐Band Tunneling Control by External Forces: A Key Principle and Applications
Authors: Woo Gunhoo , Kim Taesung , Yoo Hocheon
Published: December 2022

Band‐to‐band tunneling (BTBT) devices with superior subthreshold swing directly related to on/off switching speed and power consumption efficiency have emerged as a breakthrough of the limitation in conventional metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors (MOSFETs). However, it is difficult to reach a higher level of electrical characteristics with only a combination of materials based on their intrinsic characteristics. External forces, such as electric fields, light, and temperature, can modulate the electron and hole concentration and control the tunneling probability and the electrical characteristics of heterostructure electronics. Recent articles employing external forces to improve the BTBT performance and demonstrate the mechanism of BTBT devices are summarized with five representative external forces. Moreover, the utility of the external force‐induced performance improvement of the BTBT device is also discussed by providing various applications.
Short supply chain, technical efficiency, and technological change: Insights from cucumber production
Authors: Zhang Xiaoheng , Ma Wanglin , Vatsa Puneet , Jiang Shijie
Published: December 2022

This study examines the impact of participation in short supply chains (SSCs) on technical efficiency (TE) and technological change (TC) in cucumber production in China, using data for the period 2011–2016. The meta‐frontier model and the two‐stage residual inclusion approach are utilized to examine the association between SSC participation, comparable TE, and TC. Accounting for selection bias, we show that SSC participation significantly decreased the comparable TE of cucumber production but accelerated TC. The disaggregated analysis reveals that the comparable TE for SSC participants was generally smaller than that for nonparticipants. Furthermore, comparable TE for nonparticipants consistently increased year‐over‐year, whereas, for SSC participants, it increased during some years and decreased during others. Last but not least, TC for both SSC participants and nonparticipants increased over time. [EconLit Citations: Q12, D24].
Obesogenic environment around schools is associated with atherogenic risk in Brazilian children
Authors: de Albuquerque Fernanda Martins , Pessoa Milene Cristine , Filgueiras Mariana De Santis , do Carmo Ariene Silva , Vegi Aline Siqueira Fogal , Ribeiro Andréia Queiroz , de Novaes Juliana Farias
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Cardiometabolic risk factors often emerge in childhood, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. The school environments represent an important active space in a child's routine and may influence their health status.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, we aimed to evaluate the clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors and its association with the obesogenic and leptogenic environment around schools. A total of 378 children (181 boys; 197 girls) aged 8 and 9 years, enrolled in all urban schools of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, were evaluated. Concentrations of high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (HDL‐c) and triglycerides (TG), and the insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), waist circumference (WC), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured. The neighborhood income, walkability index, predominantly ultra‐processed food stores, public spaces for leisure and/or physical activities, traffic accidents, crime and green spaces densities were assessed in 400 road network buffers around schools. To test association of the obesogenic and leptogenic environment around schools with cardiometabolic risk clustering, binary logistic regression models were performed with generalized estimating equations.

Results

“Obesogenic school environments” had greater densities of ultra‐processed food stores, crime and traffic accidents, and higher walkability. The “↓ Atherogenic risk” cluster consisted of higher HDL‐c values. There was an inverse association between the obesogenic environment around schools and a child's “↓ atherogenic risk” clustering (OR = 0.63; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

We concluded that public policies aimed at modifying the environment around schools, by providing healthier food options and safe conditions for active mobility, are essential to prevent child's atherogenic risk.