bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is Banking Concentration in CEMAC Socially Optimal?
Authors: Parfait Kansea Enogo , Colin Bouhem Francois , Bouba Woulkam
Published: July 2022

The objective of this paper is to verify whether the structure of the CEMAC banking market tends towards a socially optimal concentration. The theoretical basis of this study is built around the debate between structuralists and Chicago School advocates. In order to carry out this work, we draw on the models of Chauveau and Saidane (1991) and Mirzaei and Moore (2014). The study covers all CEMAC countries over the period 2002-2019. The selected model is estimated by the lagged OLS of its explanatory variables and the 2SLS. We obtain the robust result that the structure of the CEMAC banking market does not tend towards a socially optimal concentration. In fact, banking concentration and control of corruption hinder competition among banks and hence, reduce satisfaction of customers. This occurs because CEMAC banking concentration was achieved through external growth, it is’nt result of banks. . To this end, economic policy recommendations for further bank restructuring in CEMAC are proposed.
Gender and the Meaning of Work: A Critical Approach to Career Orientation based on the Cases of Women Working at the Megalopolis Mines at the Factory of the Hellenic Public Power Corporation (DEI)
Authors: Asproulis Aris
Published: July 2022

The present article examines the meaning of work in relation to gender. For this purpose, it initially proceeds to a brief overview of important sociological studies on the question of the meaning of work, having Goldthorpe and Lockwood’s work orientation theory at their core. The text then proceeds to the critical examination of this theory, based on interviews of women engaged in various occupations at the Hellenic Public Power Corporation mines at the Factory of Megalopolis.
Effectiveness of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) to Reduce Nitrate and Phosphate Concentrations in Cimulu River Water, Tasikmalaya City, Indonesia
Authors: Khairunisa Hanifa , Hasan Zahidah , Herawati Heti , Lili Walim
Published: July 2022

Water hyacinth and water spinach can be used as phytoremediation agents in the Cimulu River because these two plants can grow and adapt in the Cimulu River. This study compared the effectiveness of the two plants in reducing nitrate and phosphate in Cimulu river water. The research was conducted from September to October 2021. The research was conducted ex-situ and in-situ. Media retrieval from the Cimulu River was carried out in situ in the middle of the Cimulu River, Tawang District, Tasikmalaya City, Indonesia. aquatic plants, analysis of pH, temperature, and sampling were carried out ex-situ in the backyard of the house at the LIK Complex, Tasikmalaya City, Indonesia. Analysis of water samples such as DO, BOD, nitrate, and phosphate was carried out ex-situ at the Water Resources Management Laboratory of FPIK Padjadjaran University. The method used is an experimental method, with three treatments consisting of control treatment, treatment A (water hyacinth), and treatment B (water spinach). Each aquarium in treatments A and B contained aquatic plants weighing 200 g each. The results of the research conducted for 28 days showed that water hyacinth weighing 200 g was more effective in reducing nitrate and phosphate than water spinach with the same weight. Furthermore, water hyacinth can reduce nitrate by 61.72% and phosphate by 78.27% with the absorption rate of nitrate in one day reaching 0.006 g/m2 and phosphate 0.038 g/m2. The growth rates of water hyacinth in weeks I, II, III, and IV were 5.03±0.971%, 6.31±0.971%, 6.80±0.321%, and 7.18±0.277%. Meanwhile, other water parameters that can be reduced are BOD from 37.3 mg/L to 8.10 mg/L.
Phytochemical Screening and In-vitro Antioxidant Activity of the Aqueous Extract of Detarium Senegalense Root Bark
Authors: Okezie Kelechi E. , Uchenna Nancy O. , Aguwa Obinna M.
Published: July 2022

Aims: To screen for the presence of bioactive antioxidant phytochemicals and determine the antioxidant activity of Detarium Senegalense root bark.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria, between April 2018 and December 2018.

Methodology: Two solvents, water mixed with chloroform (70:30) was used for extraction. The plant extract was screened for the presence of phytochemicals by standard qualitative analysis and evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity by determining the reducing power, total antioxidant capacity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity in comparison with ascorbic acid and gallic acid.

Results: The reducing power and nitric oxide scavenging activity of the extract increased in a concentration/dose dependent manner and was significantly (P<.05) lower when compared to ascorbic acid and gallic acid at all concentrations tested. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the extract also increased as the concentration increased. Interestingly, at 1000µg/ml, the extract (201.45±0.95) was found to be significantly higher (p<.05) than that of ascorbic acid (198.36±0.83), although lower than gallic acid (266.50±0.84). The % DPPH inhibition of the extract was also significantly lower when compared to ascorbic acid and gallic acid at all concenterations tested. Overall, the results showed the extract was able to scavenge free radicals in a dose dependant manner and revealed the presence of tannins, steroids, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins and phenols whose synergistic effect may be responsible for the  antioxidant activity of the extract.

Conclusion: From the study, it is concluded that the aqueous extract of Detarium Senegalense root bark possess appreciable/considerable antioxidant properties and could be exploited as source of antioxidant additives or supplements. However, there is need for further work to clarify and isolate the different classes of phytochemical constituents and also to investigate it’s in vivo potential.
Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Dral 1 gene of Schistosoma haematobium Associated with Pathogenesis of Human Urinary Schistosomiasis among School Pupils in Cross River State, Nigeria
Authors: Osondu-Anyanwu Chinyere , E. Edema Imalele , Nkang Nkoyo Ani , Mbah Jenavine Onyinye , M. Ubi Godwin
Published: July 2022

Urinary schistosomiasis which is transmitted by schistosome species is the major cause of liver and bladder pathologies and still remains a serious threat in the underdeveloped and developing world. This study evaluates the prevalence of Schistosoma haematobiuminfection  among school aged children in Biase, Obubra and Ogoja Local Government Areas of Cross River State. Five hundred (500) pupils were examined and selected randomly from a public primary and secondary schools in the study area. Freshly passed mid-day urine samples were collected and transferred to the laboratory where there were examined for the presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs. Study participants were grouped into three age groups,8-10 years. 11-13 years, and 14-16 years old. Overall prevalence of S. heamatobium was (13.6%). Infection was more prevalent among the age group of 14-16years, the percentage of prevalence and intensity of infection were higher in males (14.1%) than in females (6.9%). Inter simple sequence repeats of PCR test performed for the collected urine samples using ISSR test of the Dral-1 gene reveals 73% study subjects had a polymorphism for UPA02 and UPA13 primers, while primer UPA13 showed 24% polymorphism. Total number of polymorphic bands were 2 each for primers UPA02 and UPA13 primers while UPA12 showed only one polymorphic band. Major allele frequencies (MAF) were 0.53 for each of UPA02 and UPA 13 primers but showed 0.71 frequency with UPA12 primer. Allele frequencies (AF) also varied slightly among the primers used. UPA02 and UPA 13 had allele frequencies of 8 each while UPA12 had 4 allele frequencies (Table 13). Nei’s genetic diversity indices for the primers revealed variations among the different primers. UPA02 and UPA13 Nei’s gene diversity of 0.64 each while primer UPA12 showed gene diversity of 0.28. Results of polymorphic information content showed that primers UPA02 and UPA13 discriminately revealed a PIC of 0.68 while UPA12 discriminated 0.28 PIC. This study therefore, revealed a critical need for targeting health campaign towards school age children and heads of households in order to empower them with the basic knowledge to recognize, treat and manage their health challenges.Applications of one to two doses of praziquantel considerably reduced the severity of urinary Schistosomiasis in the study area.
Impact of Rainfall Variability on the Streamflow of the Kara River Basin, Northern Togo
Authors: Sinam Mélila , Eustache Bokonon–Ganta Bonaventure , Atina Badameli Pyalo , Euloge Ogouwale
Published: July 2022

Water resources are affected by hydrological and climatological reactions in the Kara river Basin. The aim of this work is to analyze the dynamics of rainfall variability on the flow of the Kara River. Data was collected through documentary research and field surveys carried out among 82 correspondents. Data from the hydrological and climatological records (1955-2015) as well as socio-anthropological were used to conduct this research. The results were ascertained through state-pressure-impact-response model (SPIR). Year to year rainfall trends (1963 -2003) related to the stream flow showed that there has been low rainfall since the 1980s. This situation leads to extreme harsh flows of the Kara River located in the Kozah district. A look into the seasonal flow variability (1955-2015) showed that the average monthly flow figures over the years are very low from October to July (09 months) especially after the 1970s. This hydroclimatic dynamics have impacted the availability of water resources in the Kara basin located in the Kozah district. Indeed, the results of the annual changes in rainfall in relation to the flows of the Kara River showed a decrease in rainfall conditions from 1963 to 2003. As a result, people develop coping strategies that are ineffective.
Response of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) to Sulphur and Zinc Elements
Authors: Akhil Gadde Hari Venkata , Debbarma Victor
Published: July 2022

A field experiment was conducted aiming to study the influence of Sulphur and Zinc on growth and yield of chickpea during the Rabi season 2021/22. The treatments were T1 (20 kg sulphur h-1 + 10 kg zinc h-1), T2 (20 kg sulphur h-1 + 15 kg zinc h-1), T3 (20 kg sulphur h-1 + 20 kg zinc h-1),T4 (30 kg sulphur h-1 + 10 kg zinc h-1), T5 (30 kg sulphur h-1 + 15 kg zinc h-1), T6 (30 kg sulphur h-1 + 20 kg zinc h-1), T7 (40 kg sulphur h-1 + 10 kg zinc h-1), T8 (40 kg sulphur h-1 + 15 kg zinc h-1) and T9 (40 kg sulphur h-1 + 20 kg zinc h-1). The findings show that the treatment T9 recorded highest plant height (44.11 cm), maximum number of nodules/plant (42.40), highest plant dry weight (8.05 g/plant), maximum number of pods/plant (31.53), maximum number of seeds/pod (1.73), highest seed index (237.67 g), highest seed yield (1819.00 kg/ha) and maximum stover yield (3253.67 kg/ha), highest gross returns (130068.00 INR/ha), highest net return (92527.62 INR/ha) and highest benefit cost ratio (2.40) compared to other studied treatments, while the lowest one was realized with T1 treatment.
A Study on Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) for Yield and Yield Contributing Traits
Authors: Nazir Gazala , Hussain Khursheed , Zehra Syed Berjes , Masoodi U. H. , Tabassum Saima
Published: July 2022

Correlation and path analysis was studied for 43 lines and F1s of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) for seventeen qualitative and quantitative characters. The studies revealed that total fruit yield plant-1 which is the most important trait had highly significant and positive association with fruit weight, number of fruits plant-1, fruit length, fruit diameter and number of pickings plant-1 at both phenotypic and genotypic level. A significant but negative correlation of fruit yield was recorded with days to first flowering, days to first fruit set and days to first fruit picking. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the highest magnitude of positive direct effect on yield was exerted by number of fruits plant-1 (1.865) followed by fruit weight (0.848), fruit length (0.259), plant spread (0.188), plant height (0.142), number of pickings (0.109) whereas, lowest positive direct effect on fruit yield was observed for fruit diameter (0.088). For negative direct effects, days to first flowering (-0.868) showed highest negative direct effect on total fruit yield plant-1 followed by number of branches plant-1 (-0.099), days to first fruit picking (-0.078), and days to first fruit set (-0.044). Therefore, during selection, these characters should also be taken into consideration. Direct selection may be carried out. Considering these traits as the main selection criteria, direct selection can be done.  This will also cut down the indirect effect of other characters for developing high yielding brinjal varieties.
Direct and Indirect Effects of Yield Contributing Characters on Grain Yield in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Pushkarnath Kantam Manoj , Reddy Ambati Janardhan , M. Lal Gaibriyal , Lavanya G. R.
Published: July 2022

The present study consists of 23 rice genotypes including one check variety were evaluated at Field Experimentation Centre of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Direct and indirect effects of yield contributing characters on grain yield in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) for 13 quantitative characters. The experiment was conducted by using Randomized Block Design with three replications during Kharif, 2021. MTU-1224 (54.85gm) to be high yielding followed by, RNR-1446 (41.4gm), SHIVA 555 (39.267gm), MTU-1121 (39.2gm), MTU-1272 (38gm) showed higher yield over the NDR359 (check). High to moderate estimates of GCV and PCV were recorded for Number of tillers/hill followed by Grain yield per hill, Test weight, Number of spikelet’s/hill, Biological yield, Harvest index, Number of panicles/hill, Flag leaf width, Flag leaf length and Plant height. Grain yield indicated significant positive correlation with Harvest index followed by Number of panicles/hill, Number of tillers/hill, Number of spikelet’s/Panicles and Biological yield at both phenotypic level and genotypic level. Positive significant direct effects on grain yield per hill were exhibited by harvest index, biological yield and days to 50% flowering at genotypic level and phenotypic level. Thus, these traits are identified as the efficient and potential for indirect selection for the improvement of rice productivity in the present experimental materials.
Sub-soil Properties as Influenced by Long-Term Manuring and their Relationship with Yield and Sustainability of a Rice-Rice Production System in Eastern India
Authors: Mukhi Sujit Kumar , Rout Kumbha Karna , Patra Ranjan Kumar , Dash Abhiram , Parida Amulya Kumar , Shivhare Sugyata
Published: July 2022

Investigation was made to study the impact of long-term fertilizer and manure application on the sub-soil properties of an acidic Inceptisol under continuous rice-rice cropping system. For this purpose, a long-term fertilizer experiment commenced from 2005-06, rabi season in the Central Farm of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar under aegis of ICAR, New Delhi was used. The experiment had 12 manurial treatments whose impact has been assessed after 20 cropping cycles. The initial soil was acidic (pH 5.8) with low soil organic carbon (4.3 g kg -1) and CEC of 3.75 cmol (p+) kg-1. After 20 cropping cycles there was decrease in surface soil pH in all the fertilized treatments by 0.16 - 0.96 units except high yielding FYM amended treatments (NPK+FYM and NPK+FYM+lime) that resisted the drop. The pH, however increased to alkaline level (7.72-8.44) down the layers irrespective of treatments. More accumulation of salt was found at 60-75 cm layer with highest (0.418 dSm-1) recorded in 100% NPK + FYM+lime treatment.  The soil organic carbon (SOC) content increased in all the fertilized treatments in the surface layer and with depth it decreased sharply from 15-30 cm to 30-45 cm layer. The high yielding NPK+FYM treatment had highest content of SOC in all the layers. Among the parameters studied, SOC of all the layers, pH & EC of 15-30 cm layer could explain maximum variation in both yield and sustainability. Lower layer properties particularly of 15-30 cm layer had strong correlation with the surface layer. The SOC of layers up to 75 cm could explain 64.1 - 85.8% variation in productivity and 53.0 to 78.7 % variation in sustainability. The pH and EC of 15-30 cm layer also explained 75.6 and 47.9 % variation in productivity and 75.4 and 62.3 % in sustainability, respectively. Thus, lower layers also contribute to soil fertility of surface layer and in turn the productivity and sustainability of wet land rice-rice cropping system in sub -tropical ecosystem.
Growth and Yield of Bitter Gourd as Influenced by Gibberellic Acid and Naphthalene Acidic Acid (Momordica charantia L.)
Authors: Rajashree V. , Deepanshu .
Published: July 2022

An experiment was carried out in the departmental field of Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj during February to May 2021 on bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) to find out the best treatments of plant growth regulators for better growth and yield in bitter gourd. The experiment include growth regulators like GA3 and NAA with different ppm. Nine treatments were made and replicated thrice in randomized block design. Application of plant growth regulators was done as per the treatment allocation at four leaf stage. The experimental results revealed that treatment 25 ppm GA3 was found most effective in terms of vine length and results maximum at 20,40,60 and at harvest, and days to first appearance of male flowers whereas treatment T8 NAA 150ppm was recorded significantly minimum at days to first harvest (57.267) and maximum in fruit weight (134.933), fruit length (14.107), fruit diameter (4.453), No. of fruits per plant (11.867), average yield per plant (1,609.100), yield tonne per hectare (10.725).
Phytoconstituents and Therapeutic Aspects of Neem (Azardirachta indica): A Review
Authors: Mandi Nandita , Sharma Reena , Sushma .
Published: July 2022

It has been centuries since neem plant is known to have medicinal importance to the humans. Whole plant parts have uncountable properties such as anti-bacterial, anti-malarial, anti- fungal, and anti-cancerous. Worldwide the extract from different parts of this plant is being used in many herbal and allopathic medicines. It enriches skin and prevent any kind of skin infection. The phytoconstituents such as azadiractin and nimbidin are found in seed oil extract that possesses anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory properties. Neem plant also shows great potential to increase the metabolic activity and improves the immunity of the human beings. This review gives a detail overview about the various phytoconstituents present in different parts of neem plant, their effectiveness to cure various diseases and the recent worldwide development in use of this plant.
Interest of Gain and Good Neighbourliness in Cameroon: A Logistic Analysis
Authors: Simo Guy Noël Piam
Published: July 2022

The objective of this paper is to study the consequences of interest of gain on good neighbourliness in Cameroon. According to Bergalli [1], corruption is an indicator of change in the forms of social interaction: the interest of gain becomes the most important of the interests that weave the social bond. At this point, in a relation of mutual assistance, help during difficult times can decrease because there is nothing to gain by helping. Using survey data from the National Institute of Statistics on 9,222 households in 2014, estimates from a logit model show that the fact that corruption is a major problem for the country decreases the probability of getting help from neighbours in difficult times. The interest of gain has led to a deterioration of good neighbourliness in Cameroon.
Intrafractional accuracy and efficiency of a surface imaging system for deep inspiration breath hold during ablative gastrointestinal cancer treatment
Authors: Zeng Chuan , Lu Wei , Reyngold Marsha , Cuaron John J. , Li Xiang , Cerviño Laura , Li Tianfang
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Beam gating with deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) usually depends on some external surrogate to infer internal target movement, and the exact internal movement is unknown. In this study, we tracked internal targets and characterized residual motion during DIBH treatment, guided by a surface imaging system, for gastrointestinal cancer. We also report statistics on treatment time.

Methods and materials

We included 14 gastrointestinal cancer patients treated with surface imaging‐guided DIBH volumetrically modulated arc therapy, each with at least one radiopaque marker implanted near or within the target. They were treated in 25, 15, or 10 fractions. Thirteen patients received treatment for pancreatic cancer, and one underwent separate treatments for two liver metastases. The surface imaging system monitored a three‐dimensional surface with ± 3 mm translation and ± 3° rotation threshold. During delivery, a kilovolt image was automatically taken every 20° or 40° gantry rotation, and the internal marker was identified from the image. The displacement and residual motion of the markers were calculated. To analyze the treatment efficiency, the treatment time of each fraction was obtained from the imaging and treatment timestamps in the record and verify system.

Results

Although the external surface was monitored and limited to ± 3 mm and ± 3°, significant residual internal target movement was observed in some patients. The range of residual motion was 3–21 mm. The average displacement for this cohort was 0–3 mm. In 19% of the analyzed images, the magnitude of the instantaneous displacement was > 5 mm. The mean treatment time was 17 min with a standard deviation of 4 min.

Conclusions

Precaution is needed when applying surface image guidance for gastrointestinal cancer treatment. Using it as a solo DIBH technique is discouraged when the correlation between internal anatomy and patient surface is limited. Real‐time radiographic verification is critical for safe treatments.
Could Capacitive Behavior be Triggered in Inorganic Electrolyte‐Based All‐Solid‐State Batteries?
Authors: Long Ziyao , Ruan Jiafeng , Li Shuyang , Hu Jiaming , Hu Renzong , Fang Fang , Wang Fei , Song Yun , Sun Dalin
Published: July 2022

Recent studies in all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs) based on inorganic solid electrolytes (ISEs) have improved the energy density to a higher level. However, its commercialization is still delayed by many intrinsic limitations, among which the fast‐charging capability is not mentioned enough. Despite few elaborately selected electrolytes coupled with electrodes that can deliver an extremely high rate, the rate improvement strategy is still lacking. Here, a novel and effective strategy of introducing liquid metal is demonstrated to trigger the capacitive behavior in the ASSBs for the first time. Two paramount criteria of inducing capacitive behavior in ASSBs are proposed, and both of them are accomplished by utilizing liquid metal Ga. As a result, the capacitive behavior contribution to total charge storage reaches 73% at 1 mV s−1. Benefitted from the improved kinetics, both an excellent rate of performance (81% specific capacity retained at 5 C) and a good cyclability (0.02% decay per cycle during 800 cycles at 1 C) are delivered. The universality of the liquid metal induced capacitive behavior in ASSBs is further verified in multiple active materials. This work provides a fundamental understanding of the origin of the capacitive behavior and opens a new route for fast‐charging ASSBs.
Robust Dual Enzyme Cascade‐Catalytic Cholesterol Depletion for Reverse Tumor Multidrug Resistance
Authors: Guo Jialing , Du Xiaoming , Huang Jingshu , Liu Chenxin , Zhou Yingying , Li Ying , Du Bin
Published: July 2022

Although combination drugs and P‐glycoprotein inhibitors are the main methods to solve multidrug resistance, these methods ignore the pathological structure of drug‐resistant cells and extremely limit curative effect. Herein, a new paradigm of reversing multidrug resistance with abnormal expression of cholesterol as the target is proposed, which uses the cascade catalysis of “natural enzyme” cholesterol oxidase (COD) and “nanoenzyme” Cu2+‐modified zirconium‐based metal–organic framework (ZrMOF(Cu)) to convert cholesterol into the highly cytotoxic hydroxyl radicals. The doxorubicin (DOX)‐loaded nanoparticles (DOX@COD‐MOF) can significantly reduce the cholesterol content of cancer cells via COD, which decrease the rigidity of drug resistant cancer cell membranes and restore the sensitivity of multidrug‐resistant cells to DOX. Afterward, DOX@COD‐MOF is encapsulated by cancer cell membranes (CCM) to construct a bionic “dual enzyme catalytic cascade nanoreactor” (DOX@COD‐MOF@CCM). Such a rational design presents a preferential accumulation tendency to tumor sites due to the homologous targeting mechanism of CCM, and affords 94.4% in tumor growth suppression without systemic toxicity in vivo. This work aims to achieve the therapeutic purpose of high efficiency and low toxicity. It has the characteristics of “converting enemy into friend, ” and opens up a promising way for effectively reversing multidrug resistance of tumors.
Controlled Covalent Self‐Assembly of a Homopolymer for Multiscale Materials Engineering
Authors: Bai Xiangyang , Sun Qingxue , Cui Hao , Guerzoni Luis P. B. , Wuttke Stefan , Kiessling Fabian , De Laporte Laura , Lammers Twan , Shi Yang
Published: July 2022

Polymer self‐assembly is a crucial process in materials engineering. Currently, almost all polymer self‐assembly is limited to non‐covalent bonding methods, even though these methods have drawbacks as they require complicated synthesis techniques and produce relatively unstable structures. Here, a novel mechanism of covalent polymer self‐assembly is discovered and employed to address drawbacks of non‐covalent polymer self‐assembly. A simple ketone homopolymer is found to self‐assemble into nano‐ to macroscale hydrogels during covalent crosslinking. In contrast to non‐covalent self‐assembly, the covalent self‐assembly is independent of and unaffected by solvent conditions (e.g., polarity and ionic strength) and does not require additional agents, e.g., organic solvents and surfactants. The covalent polymer self‐assembly is subjected to a new mechanism of control by tuning the covalent crosslinking rate. This leads to nanogels with an unprecedented and tightly controlled range of dimensions from less than 10 nm to above 100 nm. Moreover, the crosslinking rate also regulates the assembly behavior of microgels fabricated by microfluidics. The microgels self‐assemble into granular fibers, which is 3D printed into stable porous scaffolds. The novel covalent polymer assembly method has enormous potential to revolutionize multiscale materials fabrication for applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and many other fields.
Shaping 90 wt% NanoMOFs into Robust Multifunctional Aerogels Using Tailored Bio‐Based Nanofibrils
Authors: Rostami Jowan , Benselfelt Tobias , Maddalena Lorenza , Avci Civan , Sellman Farhiya Alex , Cinar Ciftci Goksu , Larsson Per A. , Carosio Federico , Akhtar Farid , Tian Weiqian , Wågberg Lars
Published: July 2022

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are hybrid porous crystalline networks with tunable chemical and structural properties. However, their excellent potential is limited in practical applications by their hard‐to‐shape powder form, making it challenging to assemble MOFs into macroscopic composites with mechanical integrity. While a binder matrix enables hybrid materials, such materials have a limited MOF content and thus limited functionality. To overcome this challenge, nanoMOFs are combined with tailored same‐charge high‐aspect‐ratio cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) to manufacture robust, wet‐stable, and multifunctional MOF‐based aerogels with 90 wt% nanoMOF loading. The porous aerogel architectures show excellent potential for practical applications such as efficient water purification, CO2and CH4gas adsorption and separation, and fire‐safe insulation. Moreover, a one‐step carbonization process enables these aerogels as effective structural energy‐storage electrodes. This work exhibits the unique ability of high‐aspect‐ratio CNFs to bind large amounts of nanoMOFs in structured materials with outstanding mechanical integrity—a quality that is preserved even after carbonization. The demonstrated process is simple and fully discloses the intrinsic potential of the nanoMOFs, resulting in synergetic properties not found in the components alone, thus paving the way for MOFs in macroscopic multifunctional composites.
Synergistically Microstructured Flexible Pressure Sensors with High Sensitivity and Ultrawide Linear Range for Full‐Range Human Physiological Monitoring
Authors: Cui Xihua , Jiang Yue , Hu Lin , Cao Miao , Xie Hongyan , Zhang Xianchao , Huang Fengli , Xu Zhiguang , Zhu Yutian
Published: July 2022

High sensitivity and wide linear range are core performances for flexible pressure sensors in practical applications. Due to the trade‐off between sensitivity and linear range, developing high‐performance flexible pressure sensors with both high sensitivity and wide linear range through a facile method is still a great challenge. Herein, a synergistically microstructured flexible pressure sensor with fibrous and microdomed (FMD) structure composed of a fibrous conductive layer sandwiched between a microdome‐structured PDMS layer and an interdigital electrode is proposed. Ascribed to the synergistic effect of the FMD structure possessing multiple deformations, the resistance of the sensor varies sensitively and continuously under pressure. Consequently, the pressure sensors perform a high sensitivity (6.31 kPa−1), an ultrawide linear range (4.6 Pa–800 kPa), short response time (72 ms) and relaxation time (88 ms), and remarkable stability during 10 000 loading/unloading cycles under 127.4 kPa. These high performances allow the sensors to detect full‐range human psychological signals from low to high pressures, such as pulse, phonation, joint moments, and plantar pressure. Moreover, the synergistically microstructured sensors can be integrated into large‐area and crosstalk‐free sensor array to map the spatial pressure distribution, demonstrating their viable applications in personal physiological parameters monitoring and human–machine interfaces.
Addressing conservation practice limitations and trade‐offs for reducing phosphorus loss from agricultural fields
Authors: Kleinman Peter J. A. , Osmond Deanna L. , Christianson Laura E. , Flaten Don N. , Ippolito James A. , Jarvie Helen P. , Kaye Jason P. , King Kevin W. , Leytem April B. , McGrath Joshua M. , Nelson Nathan O. , Shober Amy L. , Smith Douglas R. , Staver Kenneth W. , Sharpley Andrew N.
Published: July 2022

Conservation practices that reduce nutrient and soil loss from agricultural lands to water are fundamental to watershed management programs. Avoiding trade‐offs of conservation practices is essential to the successful mitigation of watershed phosphorus (P) losses. We review documented trade‐offs associated with conservation practices, particularly those practices that are intended to control and trap P from agricultural sources. A regular theme is the trade‐off between controlling P loss linked to sediment while increasing dissolved P losses (no‐till, cover crops, vegetated buffers, constructed wetlands, sediment control basins). A variety of factors influence the degree to which these trade‐offs occur, complicated by their interaction and uncertainties associated with climate change. However, acknowledging these trade‐offs and anticipating their contribution to watershed outcomes are essential to the sustainability of conservation systems.
Advances in Intelligent Regeneration of Cathode Materials for Sustainable Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Jin Yachao , Zhang Tong , Zhang Mingdao
Published: July 2022

Explosively increased market penetration of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and stationary energy storage devices has recently aroused new concerns on nonrenewable metal resources and environmental pollution because of the forthcoming wave of retired popularized LIBs. Recycling the retired LIBs in an environmentally sustainable and cost‐effective way thus becomes much urgent and imperative. As a preferable route, the direct regeneration strategy has been innovatively proposed to repair degraded cathode materials in retired LIBs under non‐destructive conditions, which exhibits tremendous superiority compared to conventional metallurgical method that just emphasizes the recovery of target metal elements. Nevertheless, the development of direct regeneration methods for degraded cathode materials is still in infancy, and there remain many scientific and technological obstructions to conquer. It is even absent in the thorough summaries and assessments of this kind of avenue so far. In this review, the current states of various direct regeneration approaches from the regenerative processes, principles, merits, and challenges aspects are summarized, highlighting the extraordinary importance in constructing the really‐green closed loop industry for future sustainable energy and, more significantly, in turn providing profound insights into rationally designing more advanced regeneration approaches at the industrial scale.
Unraveling the Key Atomic Interactions in Determining the Varying Li/Na/K Storage Mechanism of Hard Carbon Anodes
Authors: Li Qi , Zhang Jun , Zhong Lixiang , Geng Fushan , Tao Ying , Geng Chuannan , Li Shuzhou , Hu Bingwen , Yang Quan‐Hong
Published: July 2022

Hard carbons have been identified as competitive anodes for Li/Na/K‐ion batteries but their Li/Na/K‐ion storage mechanisms significantly vary in different batteries. It is fundamental to understand the basic science behind the difference. Herein, it is theoretically revealed that defects on the carbon layers generally have an influential impact on the atomic interactions including the metal–metal (M–M) and metal–carbon (M–C) interactions, thereby determining whether the stored alkali‐metal atoms are in ionic or quasi‐metallic states. Upon increasing the number of metal atoms on a carbon layer composed of only hexatomic rings, K tends to be stored in an ionic state similar to Li due to the dominant M–C interaction, while on a carbon layer with defects, K tends to be stored in a quasi‐metallic state similar to Na due to the dominant M–M interaction. For experimental verification, a glassy carbon, the extreme form of hard carbon with dominant sp2 hybridization and only Stone–Wales defects, is selected as a model anode, and its Li/Na/K‐ion storage mechanisms are exactly consistent with the theoretical prediction. More profoundly, for the first time, the quasi‐metallic K cluster information is captured by ex situ electron paramagnetic resonance.
Climate change impacts on maize and soybean yields in Zambia
Authors: Chilambwe Alice , Crespo Olivier , Chungu Donald
Published: July 2022

Projected changes in temperature and rainfall directly threaten the overall agricultural crop production system in Zambia where 75% of agricultural production is rainfed. This study investigates the effects of future climate on maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yields using relatively high spatial resolution downscaled climate data in Central and Eastern Zambia. The Agrometshell model was applied to simulate historical and future crop yields. To account for the effects of climate change on crop yields, global climate models (GCMs) and Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) were used. Most yield functions were significant with R2 values >.7 with p < .05, indicating the model's ability to capture variations in observed data. Mean maize yield change decreased across RCPs and GCMs in Central Province and the decrease amplified in several areas in the far future, suggesting worsening effects into the future. But the projected mean yield changes in Eastern Province remain mostly within the historical range of variability, suggesting that maize yield in this province is less sensitive to climate change. Projected mean soybean yield changes in Central Province consist of a combination of reductions and improvements. Soybean yields in Eastern Province were projected to increase in the near future, shifting to large increases in the far future. Drastic reductions in maize yields are likely to cause major negative effects in the agricultural system because maize is a staple crop in the country. In contrast, soybean showed less sensitivity to future climate and demonstrates the value of diversifying agricultural systems and increasing the sustainability of food production systems.
Spherical boron nitride/silicone rubber composite with high isotropic thermal conductivity via pre‐constructing thermally conductive networks
Authors: Hu Yu‐Fan , Zhou Xue‐Jun , Ni Shi‐Hao , Wu Feng‐Yang , Zong Ji‐You , Yang Tai‐Bao , Yan Ding‐Xiang , Tang Jian‐Hua , Lei Jun , Li Zhong‐Ming
Published: July 2022

Thermal interface material (TIM) is crucial for electronic devices to dissipate heat, but the high interface thermal resistance between polymer matrix and filler is a major problem affecting its thermal conductivity (TC). In this study, we prebuilt excellent thermally conductive pathway of isotropic spherical boron nitride (sBN) using a facile method, that is, pressing fillers, to decrease the interface thermal resistance before filling matrix silicon rubber (SR), and prepared a TIM with high isotropic TC. At 50 wt% filler content, the through‐plane and in‐plane TCs of sBN/SR composite reached 9.36 and 7.82 W/(m·K), respectively, which are higher than the highest value of previous research on bulk BN/SR composites (not including film), 4.13 and 6.56 W/(m·K), respectively. Meanwhile, the thermal decomposition temperature of TIM is 47.2°C higher than that of pure SR. In addition, the TIM has a low hardness (shore A hardness <70) and can be bent and folded, so can be used to substitute traditional thermally conductive silicone pad.
Preparation of epoxy resin foam by composite foaming agent prepared from microporous silica and 4,4′‐bisoxybenzenesulfonyl hydrazide
Authors: Ma Congyang , Wang Sheng , Li Yage , Yu Tianjia , Yao Youwei , Du Hongda , Cai Qiang
Published: July 2022

Generally, foamed epoxy resin prepared by chemical method has relatively large average cell size and low cell density, resulting in low mechanical properties and poor heat resistance. In this work, a new type of composite foaming agent (CFA) was prepared by filling the chemical foaming agent 4,4′‐bisoxybenzenesulfonyl hydrazide (OBSH) into microporous silica microspheres (MSMs), and then used for epoxy resin foaming research. The effects of curing agent diethylenetriamine (DETA) and CFA contents on cell density and size were also discussed. The best epoxy resin foaming sample has a cell density of 106 cells cm−3 with an average cell diameter of 65 μm, and a high compressive strength of 34 MPa as well as a good heat resistance. These results indicate the potential application of CFA in epoxy resin foaming area.
Arousal‐modulated memory encoding and retrieval in adults with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Bast Nico , Gaigg Sebastian B. , Bowler Dermot M. , Roessner Veit , Freitag Christine M. , Ring Melanie
Published: July 2022

Recently, we have shown that pupil dilation during a recognition memory task can serve as an index of memory retrieval difficulties in autism. At the time of publication, we were unaware of specific data‐analysis methods that can be used to shed further light on the origins of such memory related pupil dilation. Specifically, by distinguishing “tonic” from “phasic” changes in pupil dilation and considering their temporal progression, it is possible to draw inferences about the functional integrity of a locus coeruleus—norepinephrine system (LC‐NE) that is known to play a key role in regulating memory encoding and retrieval processes. We therefore apply these analyses to our previously published eye‐tracking data of adults with ASD (N = 24) and neurotypical development (TD, N = 30) during the recognition memory task. In this re‐analysis, we related pupil dilation during encoding and retrieval to recognition accuracy in a per‐trial analysis of linear mixed models. In ASD, we replicated attenuated recognition accuracy, which was accompanied by attenuated pupil dilation during encoding and retrieval. Group differences in pupil dilation during retrieval occurred late during the trial (after 1.75 s) and indicated an altered top‐down processing like attenuated attribution of semantic salience in response to previously encoded stimuli. In addition, only in the ASD group were higher pupil dilation during encoding and lower pupil dilation during retrieval associated with decreased recognition accuracy. This supports altered modulation of memory encoding and retrieval in ASD, with LC‐NE phasic activity as promising underlying mechanism.

Lay Summary

We investigated the changes of pupil size during memory testing in autism spectrum disorder. Adults with ASD remembered fewer items correctly than neurotypical individuals (TD). This reduced memory was related to increased pupillary responses at study and decreased pupil dilation at test only for adults with ASD indicating a different modulation of memory by the locus coeruleus.
Development of versatile affinity‐based system for one step purification process: Case of Group A Streptococcus vaccine
Authors: Chevrel Anne , Candela Leo , Innocenti Elisa , Golibrzuch Carolin , Skudas Romas , Schwämmle Achim , Carrondo Manuel J. T. , Kitten Olivier , Nissum Mikkel , Silva Ricardo J. S.
Published: July 2022

Affinity capture is one of the most attractive strategies for simplifying downstream processing. Although it is a key mainstream approach for antibody purification, the same is not true for other biologics such as vaccines, mainly due to the lack of suitable affinity material. In this study, a novel custom affinity system is introduced permitting widespread adoption of affinity capture for the purification of biologics beyond antibodies. This is illustrated here by the development of a one‐step purification process of a mutant form of streptolysin O (SLO), a vaccine candidate against Streptococcus pyogenes infection. The system consists of the association of custom ligands based on the Nanofitin protein scaffold, with Eshmuno® industry‐grade chromatography medium. The Nanofitins were selected for their specificity to the target product. The newly developed affinity medium was used at different column sizes to monitor scalability from process development (1 ml) and robustness verification (5 ml) to pilot (133 ml) and technical (469 ml) runs. The single‐step affinity purification consistently delivered high purity product (above > 90%) and improved performances compared with the current three‐step process: reduced process time and footprint (3 to 1 step) and increased product yields (0.31 g vs. 0.04 g of SLO per kg of harvest broth). The custom affinity system herein described can potentially be applied to any biologic for which a specific Nanofitin is identified, thus establishing a platform with a strong impact on the manufacturing of vaccines and other biological targets.
Design and synthesis of novel lanthanide MOFs by unique in situ organic and inorganic reactions
Authors: Yoon Jung Heum , Lee Woo Ram , Lee Jeong Tae , Song Jeong Hwa , Lee Giseong , Lim Kwang Soo
Published: August 2022

Four novel metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), H3O[Ln(Ox)1.5(formate)] (Ln = Tb (1), Dy (2), Ho (3), Er (4), Ox = oxalate) were synthesized, and their structures and properties were analyzed. They were prepared by solvothermal reaction under acidic condition with structure‐directing agents (H4dobpdc; 4,4′‐dihydroxy‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐3,3′‐dicarboxylic acid) and the corresponding Ln metal ion(s). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that 1 and 2 (Group I) are isostructural as Cmca space group to 3 and 4 (Group II) as Pnma space group, respectively. This result probably comes from the change in structure according to the size of the lanthanide metal. TGA showed that the framework is thermally stable up to about 300 °C for all 1–4. Furthermore, we measured N2 adsorption at 77 K and CO2 adsorption at 195 K, and compound 2–4 had a type I adsorption isotherm graph and adsorbed CO2. In the study, we prepared and characterized four novel Ln‐MOFs, H3O[Ln(Ox)1.5(formate)] (Ln = Tb (1), Dy (2), Ho (3), Er (4), Ox = oxalate) by an unique in situ synthetic method.
New quantification method for monitoring 18 l‐amino acids levels in schizophrenic patients by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer
Authors: Kaddah Mohamed M. Y. , Ali Heba M. , Hammad Sherin F. , El‐Malla Samah F.
Published: July 2022

A fast, uncomplicated, sensitive and fully validated high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) method has been developed for estimating l‐amino acids in the plasma of schizophrenic patients. The gradient‐elution chromatographic method was implemented with the Luna® PFP column (50 × 2.0 mm, 5 μm), and a mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid in water and methanol was used. The intra‐ and interday variability of the l‐amino acids was <13.11%, their accuracy ranged from 85.14 to 116.75% at the quality control levels and the lower limit of quantification ranged from 2.5 to 15 nm. The extraction efficiency (apparent recovery) of amino acids from healthy plasma was employed by spiking the plasma with standard amino acids at the quality control levels. Their percentage recoveries ranged from 80.4 to 119.94%. Our method has a short run time and fast sample preparation compared with existing methods, which suffer from long preparative steps and/or time‐consuming analysis, restricted reagents and the suboptimal performance characteristics of presently available technologies. Therefore, the proposed HPLC–MS/MS method was effectively applied for monitoring the l‐amino acids in the plasma of schizophrenic patients and healthy volunteers.