bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti Inflammatory Activity of Herbal Formulation Prepared Using Mint and Green Tea
Authors: Preeja R. Pon , Arivarasu Lakshminarayanan , Kumar Rajesh , Thangavelu Lakshmi
Published: February 2022

Aim: The aim of my study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of herbal formulation prepared using mint and green tea.

Introduction: Green tea is a ‘non-fermented’ tea, and contains more catechins than black tea or oolong tea. Green tea and epigallocatechin 3-gallate, suppress the gene and/or protein expression of inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-related enzymes.Mint have a potent anti-inflammatory activity in the croton oil-induced mouse ear edema model.

Materials and Method: Preparation of herbal formulation:

To 100 ml of distilled water,1 g of tea leaves and 1 g of powdered mint is added .This mixture was heated for about 15-20 minutes and then filtered using filter paper.The mixture was again heated and concentrated from 70 ml to 20 ml.

Result: At 20 μl there is 59 percent of inhibition,at 50 μl there is 90 %of inhibition ,whereas in the standard there is only 40%of inhibition .Thus as the concentration increases the anti-inflammatory activity of the extract increases.

Conclusion: From this study we can conclude that green tea and mint have a great anti-inflammatory property.Anti-inhibitory zone ranging from 90 and is indicating that it is higher than the standard diclofenac sodium which has only 40% of inhibition.
Preparation of Mouthwash Using Blue Tea and Its Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Jibu Ritya Mary , Rajasekar Arvina , Rajeshkumar S.
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Clitoria ternatea also known as the "blue pea," is a perennial twinning herbaceous plant in the Fabaceae family. The medicinal properties of this plant have been scientifically validated, especially at an international level, and it has been recorded to have a variety of biological activities, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective properties.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant property of blue tea extract based mouthwash.

Materials and Methods: The study was performed as an in vitro study under a laboratory setting. Synthesis of the mouthwash was performed using dried leaves of the butter pea plant subsequently the mouthwash was tested for its antioxidant activity and was assessed via the DPPH assay. The obtained values were compared with that of a known standard. The obtained data was sorted in Microsoft Excel and statistically analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Software, Version 23.0). Unpaired t test was done for the comparison of blue tea extract with the standard and one way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test was done to compare various concentrations with standard.

Results: The blue tea extract mouthwash was tested with 10µL initially and then was increased to 20µL, 30µL, 40µL and 50µL. Based on DPPH assay, as the concentration of the extract solution was increased by 10µL each time tested, their antioxidant activity also increased over a scale. It was seen that the blue tea extract mouthwash had significantly less antioxidant capacity when compared to the standard (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The blue tea extract mouthwash is found to be a potent antioxidant agent however the antioxidant property was less effective when compared to the standard.
Ameloglyphics Patterns of Primary and Permanent Dentition Using Staining Method: An Observational Study
Authors: Yasothkumar Dinesh , Arthanari Abirami , Ramani Pratibha , George A. Melvin
Published: February 2022

Background: Forensic Odontology is a branch of Odontology which in the interest of justice deals with the proper handling and examination of dental evidence and with the proper evaluation and presentation of dental findings. Various applications of forensic dentistry include age estimation, bite mark analysis, ameloglyphics, rugoscopy, cheiloscopy, photographic study, genetic material analysis, and PCR for pulp DNA analysis. The aim of this study is to find out the utility of Hematoxylin and Toluidine blue stains in studying enamel rod end patterns of various dentitions in forensic odontology.

Results: In our study, Mean and standard deviation value of Hematoxylin and Toluidine blue showed the surface score of 6.4±1.782 and 6.6±1.979 respectively. Both maxillary and mandibular Permanent central Incisors showed lowest scores when compared to remaining dentition included in the study.

Conclusion: To conclude, Ameloglyphics patterns can be studied by staining the tooth. The Ameloglyphics pattern can be analyzed using hematoxylin and toluidine blue stains. Ameloglyphics patterns can be used as a valuable tool in personal identification when stained correctly, and they have a bright future in forensic dentistry.
Cisplatin and Nano-particle Formulations of Cisplatin for Cancer Therapy: A Review
Authors: Raj Popsy , Lal Bharat , Gadewar Manoj , Singh Anita , Prashanth G. K.
Published: February 2022

Cisplatin (cis-(diammine)dichloridoplatinum(II)) is the first platinum-based compound approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (U.S.). This is a first-line chemotherapeutic treatment used alone or combined with other anticancer drugs to treat a broad spectrum of malignancies, with cisplatin-based nano-formulations currently in clinical studies. Cisplatin has several drawbacks, including low aqueous solubility, drug resistance, and toxicity, all of which can be addressed by encapsulating the drug in Nemours nanocarriers. The various nano-delivery technologies developed for Cisplatin are covered in vast literature from different electronic databases. This review focuses on comparative findings over the recent advancements, developments, innovations, and updated literature for various CDDP nano-carrier systems.
Association of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Cholelithiasis: Cohort from Southeast Asian Patients
Authors: Soomro Abdul Hafeez , Iqbal Jawaid , Bhatti Rehmatullah , Naz Falak , Arsalan Muhammad , Memon Muhammad Sadik
Published: February 2022

Introduction: With increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome, sedentary lifestyle, and diabetes mellitus the burden of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is also increasing along with its complications including gallstone disease. That is why, this study aims to determine the association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with the prevalence of gallstone disease and also, risk factors associated with symptomatic and asymptomatic cholelithiasis.

Methods: A prospective study design was performed and during the data collection phase we have enrolled a total of 218 patients who were diagnosed as a case of NAFLD from Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad between the periods of 19 months from March 2019 to October 2020. Diagnosis of NAFLD was made using liver biopsy and cholelithiasis with ultrasound abdomen. Both males and females with a primary diagnosis of NAFLD were included in this study. Patients were divided into symptomatic and asymptomatic gallstone disease and were further assessed for underlying risk factor associated with symptomatic and asymptomatic gallstone disease. Statistical package for the social sciences version 21 (SPSS) used for the entry of data and final analysis and a p value of <0.05 were considered as statistically significant.

Results: The overall prevalence of gallstone disease in patients with NAFLD was 12.84% (n = 28) among them 19 (67.85%) patients were having symptomatic gallstone disease while 9 patients had asymptomatic gallstones disease (32.14%). Patients having mean age 49.01 years, uncontrolled blood sugar level (209.24 mg/dl), mean alkaline phosphatase 106.22 IU/L, female gender, and having diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with symptomatic gallstones disease (p value <0.05).

Conclusion: In our study, the cohorts have shown bidirectional association between gallstone disease and NAFLD. Also prevalence of symptomatic gallstone disease is quite high and it was strongly associated with increasing age, female gender, raised blood glucose levels, and diabetes mellitus.
A Radiographic Study on Prevalence and Distribution of Accessory Ossicles and Sesamoids of the Foot in Indian population
Authors: Sharma Praveen , Rajendran Govindarajan , Kumar G. Naveen , Vettrivizhi S. A. , Meyyappan M. , Muthiah P. , Paarthipan N. , Seena C. R.
Published: February 2022

Background: The prevalence of accessory ossicles and sesamoid bones are variable in distribution. The accessory ossicles and sesamoids are usually asymptomatic, normal variants, and misdiagnosed or overlooked.

Objective: The primary objective is to estimate the prevalence and distribution of accessory ossicles and sesamoid of the foot by radiographic study in the Indian population.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 1034 radiographs of the foot (anteroposterior and oblique view) performed—the prevalence of accessory ossicles and sesamoids—descriptive statistics used for data analysis.

Results: One thousand thirty-four radiographs did, in which 68% of male and 32% of female patients. In our study, the prevalence of sesamoid bone hallux sesamoid, another sesamoid, and accessory ossicles are 100%, 9.2%, and 25.9%, respectively. The hallux sesamoid visualized in all individuals, (a) medial bipartite, (b) lateral bipartite, and (c) absent medial hallux are (3.38%), (0.58%), (1.16%) respectively. Our study group has three accessory ossicles location: forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot. The prevalence of accessory ossicles found to be forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot are (2.03%), (20.5%), (3.3%) respectively.

Conclusion: Diagnosis of accessory ossicles and common sesamoids of the foot helps avoid the common pitfall in clinical practice. Accessory ossicles often misdiagnosed as fractures; further imaging is required to confirm the clinical suspicion and decision-making for different management.
Legitimacy Theory and Environmental Accounting Reporting and Practice: A Review
Authors: Ogunode Olubunmi Adewole
Published: February 2022

In meeting the regulatory and ethical requirements of environmental accounting, reporting and practice among corporate organizations seem quite complex and challenging. Globally, management exerts much energy complying with environmental issues that affect salient societal requirements of pragmatic legitimacy and environmental accounting reporting and practice, yet the extent of this alignment remains uncertain. This study examined legitimacy theory and environmental accounting reporting and practices, adopting an exploratory research approach. The study resorted to using relevant materials from the field of accounting and finance. The study consulted and used journals, periodicals, and other documented material found to be appropriate and relevant to the study. Legitimacy theory was appropriately reviewed while other subsidiary theories of stakeholder theory and environmental information disclosure theory form part of the theoretical consideration. The study recommended that management of pollution sensitive companies should make environmental protection a priority and show good and quality character of adequate environmental disclosure and proper environmental accounting reporting and practice as expected by the stakeholders.
Incorporating diapause to predict the interannual dynamics of an important agricultural pest
Authors: Pak Damie , Carran Spencer , Biddinger David , Nelson Bill , Bjørnstad Ottar N.
Published: February 2022

We develop a new population‐scale model incorporating diapause induction and termination that allows multi‐year predictions of pest dynamics. In addition to predicting phenology and voltinism, the model also allows us to study the degree of overlapping among the life‐stages across time; a quantity not generally predicted by previous models yet a key determinant of how frequently management must be done to maintain control. The model is a physiological, stage‐structured population model that includes temperature‐dependent vital rates, diapause processes, and plasticity in development. The model is statistically fitted with a 33‐year long weekly term time series of Cydia pomonella adults captured in pheromone‐baited traps from a research orchard in southern Pennsylvania. The multiannual model allows investigation of both within season control strategies, as well as the likely consequences of climate change for this important agricultural pest. The model predicts that warming temperatures will cause earlier spring emergence, additional generations, and increased overall abundance. Most importantly, by calculating the circular variance, we find that warmer temperatures are associated with an increase in overlap among life‐stages especially at the beginning of the growing season. Our findings highlight the importance of modeling diapause to fully understand C. pomonella lifecycle and to better inform management for effectively controlling this pest in a warmer future.
Mayer Rod‐Coated Organic Light‐Emitting Devices: Binary Solvent Inks, Film Topography Optimization, and Large‐Area Fabrication
Authors: Zhou Lu , Yu Mengjie , Yao Lanqian , Lai Wen-Yong
Published: February 2022

Homogeneous pinhole‐free functional films are essential in the manufacturing of large‐area high‐performance flexible electronics. Mayer rod coating is used to create high‐quality organic electroluminescent (EL) films herein. Various factors that affect the film quality of Mayer rod coating, including Mayer rod coating processing, solvent engineering, emitting material concentrations, and the ionic conductor proportions, are systematically investigated and optimized. Accordingly, uniform large‐area EL polymer films are achieved using Mayer rod coating. Meanwhile, large‐area polymer‐based light‐emitting electrochemical cells (PLECs) manufactured by printing methodology are successfully constructed. The resulting printed large‐area PLECs manifest enhanced performance by a factor of 2.37 compared with the corresponding spin‐cast counterparts.
Polaronic Conductivity in Cr2Ge2Te6 Single Crystals
Authors: Liu Yu , Han Myung‐Geun , Lee Yongbin , Ogunbunmi Michael O. , Du Qianheng , Nelson Christie , Hu Zhixiang , Stavitski Eli , Graf David , Attenkofer Klaus , Bobev Svilen , Ke Liqin , Zhu Yimei , Petrovic Cedomir
Published: February 2022

Intrinsic 2D ferromagnetic semiconductors are an important class of materials for spin‐charge conversion applications. Cr2Ge2Te6 retains long‐range magnetic order in the bilayer at cryogenic temperatures and shows complex magnetic interactions with considerable magnetic anisotropy. Here, a series of structural, magnetic, X‐ray scattering, electronic, thermal transport and first‐principles calculation studies are performed, which reveal that localized electronic charge carriers in Cr2Ge2Te6 are dressed by the surrounding lattice and are involved in polaronic transport via hopping that is observed via magnetocrystalline anisotropy. This opens the possibility for manipulation of charge transport in Cr2Ge2Te6—based devices by electron–phonon‐ and spin–orbit coupling‐based tailoring of polaron properties.
Tailoring Disordered/Ordered Phases to Revisit the Degradation Mechanism of High‐Voltage LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Spinel Cathode Materials
Authors: Sun Huabin , Hu Anyang , Spence Stephanie , Kuai Chunguang , Hou Dong , Mu Linqin , Liu Jue , Li Luxi , Sun Chengjun , Sainio Sami , Nordlund Dennis , Luo Wei , Huang Yunhui , Lin Feng
Published: February 2022

In the spinel oxide cathode family, LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) shows a high operating voltage (≈4.7 V vs Li/Li+) and excellent Li‐ion mobility with stable 3D conducting channels. Ni/Mn cation disordered and ordered phases usually coexist in LNMO materials, and they have distinct structural and electrochemical properties, resulting in different battery performances for LNMO materials with different phase compositions. Identifying the correlation between phase compositions and electrochemical properties is of significance to the improvement of battery performance and understanding of degradation mechanisms. Herein, the disordered/ordered phase compositions in LNMO materials are tailored by post‐annealing strategies and their impacts on electrochemical performance and degradation mechanisms from the surface to the bulk are systematically investigated. The ordered phase increases rapidly as Mn3+ is oxidized to Mn4+ through a post‐annealing process. LNMO with an intermediate fraction of disordered and ordered phases gives rise to improved cycling stability. This article further reports that a high ordered phase fraction can preferentially protect Ni from dissolution during cycling. However, these results suggest that the transition metal dissolution and surface structural change of LNMO do not exhibit a direct correlation with cycling stability. These results indicate the capacity fading mainly correlates with the bulk structural distortion, leading to decreased Li‐ion kinetics.
Amorphous Carbon Interconnected Ultrafine CoMnP with Enhanced Co Electron Delocalization Yields Pt‐Like Activity for Alkaline Water Electrolysis
Authors: Xu Yanchao , Wei Shuting , Gan Linfeng , Zhang Lei , Wang Feng , Wu Qiong , Cui Xiaoqiang , Zheng Weitao
Published: February 2022

Constructing earth‐abundant water splitting electrocatalysts performing platinum‐like activity is promising for the hydrogen economy but still a challenging task. Herein, the ultrafine CoMnP nanocrystals confined in amorphous carbon nanosheets are designed and implemented by a topological transformation strategy from layer double hydroxide/carbon interconnected structures in one single nanosheet. The unique interconnected structure favors the exposure of active sites and enables stronger electronic coupling effect between the two phases. Experimental results and density functional theory simulations reveal that the surrounding amorphous carbon and Mn dopants synergistically enable better electron delocalization capacity of Co sites, potentially providing enhanced conductivity and optimal reaction energetics during hydrogen evolution. The as‐prepared catalyst exhibits hydrogen evolution reaction performances superior to that of Pt/C under alkaline media with an overpotential of 114 mV at 100 mA cm–2. This work highlights the rational fabrication of transition metal‐based electrocatalysts via spatially confined growth for efficient water electrolysis.
The Molecular Ordering and Double‐Channel Carrier Generation of Nonfullerene Photovoltaics within Multi‐Length‐Scale Morphology
Authors: Xu Jinqiu , Jo Sae Byeok , Chen Xiankai , Zhou Guanqing , Zhang Ming , Shi Xueliang , Lin Francis , Zhu Lei , Hao Tianyu , Gao Ke , Zou Yecheng , Su Xuan , Feng Wei , Jen Alex K.‐Y. , Zhang Yongming , Liu Feng
Published: February 2022

The success of nonfullerene acceptor (NFA) solar cells lies in their unique physical properties beyond the extended absorption and suitable energy levels. The current study investigates the morphology and photophysical behavior of PBDB‐T donor blending with ITIC, 4TIC, and 6TIC acceptors. Single‐crystal study shows that the π–π stacking and side‐chain interaction dictate molecular assembly, which can be carried to blended films, forming a multi‐length‐scale morphology. Spontaneous carrier generation is seen in ITIC, 4TIC, and 6TIC neat films and their blended thin films using the PBDB‐T donor, providing a new avenue of zero‐energy‐loss carrier formation. The molecular packing associated with specific contacts and geometry is key in influencing the photophysics, as demonstrated by the charge transfer and carrier lifetime results. The 2D layer of 6TIC facilitates the exciton‐to‐polaron conversion, and the largest photogenerated polaron yield is obtained. The new mechanism, together with the highly efficient blending region carrier generation, has the prospect of the fundamental advantage for NFA solar cells, from molecular assembly to thin‐film morphology.
A Van der Waals Interface Hosting Two Groups of Magnetic Skyrmions
Authors: Wu Yingying , Francisco Brian , Chen Zhijie , Wang Wei , Zhang Yu , Wan Caihua , Han Xiufeng , Chi Hang , Hou Yasen , Lodesani Alessandro , Yin Gen , Liu Kai , Cui Yong‐tao , Wang Kang L. , Moodera Jagadeesh S.
Published: February 2022

Multiple magnetic skyrmion phases add an additional degree of freedom for skyrmion‐based ultrahigh‐density spin memory devices. Extending the field to 2D van der Waals magnets is a rewarding challenge, where the realizable degree of freedoms (e.g., thickness, twist angle, and electrical gating) and high skyrmion density result in intriguing new properties and enhanced functionality. In this work, a van der Waals interface, formed by two 2D ferromagnets Cr2Ge2Te6 and Fe3GeTe2 with a Curie temperature of ≈65 and ≈205 K, respectively, hosting two groups of magnetic skyrmions, is reported. Two sets of topological Hall effect signals are observed below 6s0 K when Cr2Ge2Te6 is magnetically ordered. These two groups of skyrmions are directly imaged using magnetic force microscopy, and supported by micromagnetic simulations. Interestingly, the magnetic skyrmions persist in the heterostructure with zero applied magnetic field. The results are promising for the realization of skyrmionic devices based on van der Waals heterostructures hosting multiple skyrmion phases.
Terahertz Chiral Metamaterials Enabled by Textile Manufacturing
Authors: Wang Peng , Hu Rui , Huang Xiaotian , Wang Teng , Hu Shulin , Hu Min , Xu Huanhuan , Li Xiaoyu , Liu Keshuai , Wang Shengxiang , Kang Lei , Werner Douglas H.
Published: February 2022

Easy‐to‐fabricate, large‐area, and inexpensive microstructures that realize control of the polarization of terahertz (THz) radiation are of fundamental importance to the development of the field of THz wave photonics. However, due to the lack of natural materials that can facilitate strong THz radiation–matter interactions, THz polarization components remain an undeveloped technology. Strong resonance‐based responses offered by THz metamaterials have led to the recent development of THz metadevices, whereas, for polarization control devices, micrometer‐scale fabrication techniques including aligned photolithography are generally required to create multilayer microstructures. In this work, leveraging a two‐step textile manufacturing approach, a chiral metamaterial capable of exhibiting strong chiroptical responses at THz frequencies is demonstrated. Chiral‐selective transmission and pronounced optical activity are experimentally observed. In sharp contrast to smart‐clothing‐related devices (e.g., textile antennas), the investigated chiral metamaterials gain their THz properties directly from the yarn‐twisting enabled microhelical strings. It is envisioned that the interplay between meta‐atom designs and textile manufacturing technology will lead to a new family of metadevices for complete control over the phase, amplitude, and polarization of THz radiation.
Self‐Driven High Performance Broadband Photodetector Based on SnSe/InSe van der Waals Heterojunction
Authors: Yan Yufa , Abbas Ghulam , Li Feng , Li Yu , Zheng Bofang , Wang Huide , Liu Fusheng
Published: February 2022

SnSe as a van der Waals (vdW) layered material has an extremely low light‐dark current ratio and renders its application in high‐performance optoelectronics. Herein, a SnSe/InSe vertical‐vdW heterojunction with built‐in electrical field favorable for suppressing the dark current is achieved. The SnSe/InSe heterojunction behaves as a self‐driven photodetector with a typical rectification behavior, photovoltaic effect, and broadband detection ranging from visible to near infrared light (405–808 nm). Moreover, the SnSe/InSe photodetector at near infrared 808 nm still exhibits excellent and balanced photoresponse performance with R of 350 mA W−1, external quantum efficiency of 48% and detectivity of 5.8 × 1010 Jones, respectively. The results pave the way for the applications of the novel SnSe/InSe vdW heterostructures in broadband photodetectors and photovoltaic devices.
Recombination Pathways in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Odunmbaku George Omololu , Chen Shanshan , Guo Bing , Zhou Yongli , Ouedraogo Nabonswendé Aïda Nadège , Zheng Yujie , Li Jing , Li Meng , Sun Kuan
Published: February 2022

The outstanding optoelectronic properties of metal halide perovskites make them an attractive photovoltaic absorber material and has rapidly culminated in the development of highly efficient perovskite solar cells outperforming many conventional alternatives. However, the device stack still suffers from non‐negligible losses induced by various nonradiative recombination processes, which are not fully understood till date. This paper highlights recent findings attempting to understand the nature and origin of nonradiative recombination induced losses within the device stack, as well as the quantification of the magnitude and rates associated with key loss pathways mostly via steady state and transient contactless optical techniques. These studies show that nonradiative recombination processes occurring at interfaces are more dominant than those within the bulk of the perovskite absorber. However, recent findings also show that there remains room for improvement for the suppression of bulk nonradiative recombination. General routes for suppressing recombination processes within the bulk and at interfaces are discussed. Finally, current challenges are presented, which need to be overcome in order to obtain a deeper insight into the nature of defects at surfaces and within the bulk of perovskites, and ultimately enhance the power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells toward their thermodynamic efficiency limit.
Passive Oxide Film Growth Observed On the Atomic Scale
Authors: Chen Xiaobo , Liu Zhenyu , Wu Dongxiang , Cai Na , Sun Xianhu , Zakharov Dmitri N. , Hwang Sooyeon , Su Dong , Wang Guofeng , Zhou Guangwen
Published: February 2022

Despite the ubiquitous presence of passivation on most metal surfaces, the microscopic‐level picture of how surface passivation occurs has been hitherto unclear. Using the canonical example of the surface passivation of aluminum, here in situ atomistic transmission electron microscopy observations and computational modeling are employed to disentangle entangled microscopic processes and identify the atomic processes leading to the surface passivation. Based on atomic‐scale observations of the layer‐by‐layer expansion of the metal lattice and its subsequent transformation into the amorphous oxide, it is shown that the surface passivation occurs via a two‐stage oxidation process, in which the first stage is dominated by intralayer atomic shuffling whereas the second stage is governed by interlayer atomic disordering upon the progressive oxygen uptake. The first stage can be bypassed by increasing surface defects to promote the interlayer atomic migration that results in direct amorphization of multiple atomic layers of the metal lattice. The identified two‐stage reaction mechanism and the effect of surface defects in promoting interlayer atomic shuffling can find broader applicability in utilizing surface defects to tune the mass transport and passivation kinetics, as well as the composition, structure, and transport properties of the passivation films.
Graphene‐Enabled Electrophoretic Ion Pump Delivery Devices
Authors: Seitanidou Maria , Sygletou Maria , Savva Kyriaki , Berggren Magnus , Stratakis Emmanuel , Simon Daniel T.
Published: February 2022

Organic electronic ion pumps (OEIPs) have been investigated as a promising solution for precise local delivery of biological signaling compounds. OEIP miniaturization provides several advantages, ranging from better spatiotemporal control of delivery to reduced invasiveness for implanted devices. One miniaturization route is to develop OEIPs based on polyelectrolyte‐filled capillary fibers. These devices can be easily brought into proximity of targeted cells and tissues and could be considered as a starting point for other “iontronic” implants. To date, OEIPs and other such iontronics exhibit a limited electrode capacity as they generally rely on poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) electrodes. While this material is well studied and viable in mixed ion‐electron systems, its bulk capacitance is limited by eventual redox reactions. Graphene is an excellent alternative for high‐performance electrodes and low‐cost solution‐processed graphene derivatives are particularly promising, exhibiting high charge mobility and ideal structural properties (lightness, flexibility). Here, the application of solution‐processed reduced graphene oxide (RGO) as high‐performance driving electrodes for OEIPS is presented. RGO electrodes are characterized and compared with standard PEDOT:PSS (and Ag/AgCl) electrodes. The RGO exhibits greater charge storage capacity and thus increased operational lifetime. The graphene‐enabled OEIPs exhibit improved neurotransmitter transport, without imposing limitations to the applied current level.
Silicon Nanosphere with Accessible Magnetic Hotspot
Authors: Matsumori Akira , Sugimoto Hiroshi , Fujii Minoru
Published: February 2022

High refractive index dielectric nanoparticles supporting the magnetic dipole (MD) Mie resonance are capable of inducing strongly enhanced magnetic field at an optical frequency, and have great potential for enhancing light–matter interactions such as magnetic dipole transitions of ions and molecules. However, the magnetic hotspot is usually located inside a nanoparticle and thus the development of technology to access the hotspot remains an urgent issue. Here, a silicon (Si) nanosphere having an access hole to the magnetic hotspot is proposed. Numerical simulations for a Si nanosphere with a hole of different diameters and depths are performed. Then, a solution‐based process to dig an access hole to a Si nanosphere is developed. A spectroscopic method to analyze nanohole‐induced anisotropy of a spherical nanoantenna is also developed. Finally, in combination with numerical simulations and angle‐resolved scattering measurements of a Si nanosphere with a nanohole, it is shown that the magnetic field intensity is 100‐fold enhanced at the nanohole.
Controllable Polarization and Diffraction Modulated Multi‐Functionality Based on Metasurface
Authors: Zhao Ruizhe , Geng Guangzhou , Wei Qunshuo , Liu Yue , Zhou Hongqiang , Zhang Xue , He Cong , Li Xin , Li Xiaowei , Wang Yongtian , Li Junjie , Huang Lingling
Published: February 2022

Diffraction gratings are crucial optical elements in various optical systems, which can realize tailored diffraction energy distributions as well as phase modulations based on Fourier series. Meanwhile, the polarization gratings can produce arbitrarily specified polarization states on a set of desired diffraction orders for realizing polarimeter. However, simultaneously and independently tailoring the encoded phase profiles and polarization states in different diffraction orders has not been investigated previously. Here, a dielectric metasurface with the capability of generating different holographic images (generalized phase profiles) in different diffraction orders with controllable polarization states is proposed. Such functionality is achieved by applying the double‐phase method into the metasurface design process for manipulating the complex amplitude distributions of two orthogonal polarization bases. Furthermore, in order to prove that the proposed design strategy is suitable to achieve complicated wavefront modulation in a straightforward and convenient manner, a vectorial holographic image with spatially continuous polarization distribution is also obtained without any iteration process. The proposed method may pave the way to achieve a variety of applications such as beam shaping, polarization imaging as well as multifunctional optical systems.
Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling Reactions between Phenols and Hetarenes: Modern Trends in Cross‐Coupling Chemistry of Phenols
Authors: Fatykhov Ramil , Khalymbadzha Igor , Chupakhin Oleg
Published: February 2022

Phenol derivatives are widespread as important building blocks in various pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and materials. Modern economy requires development of “green” methodologies that improve the efficiency of their use and reduction of waste. One such method is the C−H/C−H cross‐coupling, also known as the cross‐dehydrogenative coupling reaction. In this review article, we have summarised the C−H/C−H cross‐coupling reactions of phenols with five‐ and six‐membered heterocyclic compounds, systemised methods of activation of phenol or coupling partner. We discuss these advances with the goal of motivating increased interest to develop novel methodologies in this field of organic chemistry.

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In‐Depth Identification of Phenolics Fractionated from Eucalyptus Kraft Lignin
Authors: Wang Jiangli , Zhao Chengke , Zhang Tanhao , Yang Linjie , Chen Honglei , Yue Fengxia
Published: February 2022

Kraft lignin, the principal by‐product of the pulping industry, is an abundant yet highly underutilized aromatic resource. It is useful due to the vast scales involved as a source of fuels, chemicals, and functional materials when suitable postprocessing is applied. It is deemed to be a renewable alternative to fossil sources. Because of the extreme complexity of kraft lignin, in‐depth composition analysis and chemical structural identification are crucial for the development of effective valorization strategies. This work embarks on the characterization and identification of lignin‐derived phenolic compounds in representative hardwood (Eucalyptus) kraft lignin after selective fractionation using a single solvent. Advanced 2D heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 31P NMR, and mass spectrometry in combination with synthetic authentic compounds are used for the structural identification of the low‐molecular‐weight fraction of kraft lignin. A total of 20 phenolic compounds, including several novel monomers (catechols), dimers (diarylethanes, diarylethenes, etc.), and trimers with triphenyl structures are systematically identified in the Eucalyptus kraft lignin. In addition, polysulfide is detected in the low‐molecular‐weight fraction, indicating that the oxidative polymerization of S2−/HS− occurrs during the kraft pulping process. An improved understanding of kraft lignin, especially the low‐Mw fraction, is expected to provide essential information for the selective fractionation and valorization of lignin.
Neuroendocrine Regulation of Stress‐Induced T Cell Dysfunction during Lung Cancer Immunosurveillance via the Kisspeptin/GPR54 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Su , Yu Fangfei , Che Anran , Tan Binghe , Huang Chenshen , Chen Yuxue , Liu Xiaohong , Huang Qi , Zhang Wenying , Ma Chengbin , Qian Min , Liu Mingyao , Qin Juliang , Du Bing
Published: February 2022

Emerging evidence suggests that physiological distress is highly correlated with cancer incidence and mortality. However, the mechanisms underlying psychological challenges‐mediated tumor immune evasion are not systematically explored. Here, it is demonstrated that acute restraint (AR) increases the level of the plasma neuropeptide hormones, kisspeptin, and the expression levels of its receptor, Gpr54, in the hypothalamus, splenic and tumor‐infiltrating T cells, suggesting a correlation between the neuroendocrine system and tumor microenvironment. Accordingly, administration of kisspeptin‐10 significantly impairs T cell function, whereas knockout of Gpr54 in T cells inhibits lung tumor progression by suppressing T cell dysfunction and exhaustion with or without AR. In addition, Gpr54 defective OT‐1 T cells show superior antitumor activity against OVA peptide‐positive tumors. Mechanistically, ERK5‐mediated NR4A1 activation is found to be essential for kisspeptin/GPR54‐facilitated T cell dysfunction. Meanwhile, pharmacological inhibition of ERK5 signaling by XMD8‐92 significantly reduces the tumor growth by enhancing CD8+ T cell antitumor function. Furthermore, depletion of GPR54 or ERK5 by CRISPR/Cas9 in CAR T cells intensifies the antitumor responses to both PSMA+ and CD19+ tumor cells, while eliminating T cell exhaustion. Taken together, these results indicate that kisspeptin/GPR54 signaling plays a nonredundant role in the stress‐induced tumor immune evasion.
Roles of Metal Ions in MXene Synthesis, Processing and Applications: A Perspective
Authors: Long Yu , Tao Ying , Shang Tongxin , Yang Haotian , Sun Zejun , Chen Wei , Yang Quan‐Hong
Published: February 2022

With a decade of effort, significant progress has been achieved in the synthesis, processing, and applications of MXenes. Metal ions play many crucial roles, such as in MXene delamination, structure regulation, surface modification, MXene composite construction, and even some unique applications. The different roles of metal ions are attributed to their many interactions with MXenes and the unique nature of MXenes, including their layered structure, surface chemistry, and the existence of multi‐valent transition metals. Interactions with metal ions are crucial for the energy storage of MXene electrodes, especially in metal ion batteries and supercapacitors with neutral electrolytes. This review aims to provide a good understanding of the interactions between metal ions and MXenes, including the classification and fundamental chemistry of their interactions, in order to achieve their more effective utilization and rational design. It also provides new perspectives on MXene evolution and exfoliation, which may suggest optimized synthesis strategies. In this respect, the different effects of metal ions on MXene synthesis and processing are clarified, and the corresponding mechanisms are elaborated. Research progress on the roles metal ions have in MXene applications is also introduced.
Rational Design and Spontaneous Sulfurization of NiCo‐(oxy)Hydroxysulfides Nanosheets with Modulated Local Electronic Configuration for Enhancing Oxygen Electrocatalysis
Authors: Zheng Xuerong , Cao Yanhui , Wu Zhong , Ding Wenlong , Xue Tao , Wang Jiajun , Chen Zelin , Han Xiaopeng , Deng Yida , Hu Wenbin
Published: February 2022

Transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) have been identified as pre‐electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the high valent TMs in the in situ generated oxyhydroxides are considered to be the real OER catalytic center. However, the role of chalcogens for OER process has been ignored and not fully elucidated. Herein, it is discovered that about 2.8–3.5% of chalcogens remain in as oxidized derivatives at a steady state, which plays a vital role for enhancing the catalytic activity. A facile and spontaneous sulfurizing method is developed to synthesize sulfur‐doped NiCo‐(oxy)hydroxysulfides (NCOSH) nanosheets, in which the sulfur can directly bond with high‐valence TMs and keep them stable for OER catalysis. Theoretical and experimental results suggest that the S‐coordination in NCOSH can cause bond length strengthening and electronic modulation between TM‐S and TM‐O, thus enhancing the oxidation activity and stability of high‐valence TMs in NCOSH. Consequently, the as‐obtained NCOSH exhibits superior bifunctional activities and durability for oxygen electrocatalytic reactions, and also serves as a superb air cathode in rechargeable solid state Zn‐air batteries. This work sheds light on the rational design of (oxy)hydroxysulfides as efficient electrocatalysts and gains deeper fundamental insights on the enhancing mechanism of S in oxyhydroxysulfides for diverse electrochemical applications.
Insights into the Crossover Effects in Cells with High‐Nickel Layered Oxide Cathodes and Silicon/Graphite Composite Anodes
Authors: Zhang Xianhui , Cui Zehao , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: February 2022

Silicon anodes are regarded as one of the most promising alternatives to graphite (Gr) anodes due to their ultrahigh capacity, abundance, and low cost. Coupling Si‐based anodes with high‐nickel layered oxide cathodes LiNixMnyCo1−x−yO2 (NMC, x ≥ 0.8) can enhance the driving range for electric vehicles. Transition‐metal (TM) ion dissolution and deposition has been a long‐known failure mode for Gr‐based lithium‐ion batteries. However, the mechanistic insight associated with TM ion deposition on Si‐based anodes has rarely been reported. Herein, the impact of in situ deposited TM ions on SiOx/Gr composite anodes and the individual influences of Ni, Mn, and Co on the structural and electrochemical stability along with the underlying degradation mechanisms are presented. TM ion dissolution causes a greater deleterious impact on Si than on Gr, with different TM ions exhibiting different influences on anode‐electrolyte interphase formation. Specifically, Ni deposit induces more aggressive salt decomposition; Co deposit has negligible effect on salt decomposition, but significantly accelerates solvent decomposition; and Mn deposit aggravates both salt and solvent decompositions, resulting in worse full cell performance. The extent of degradation decreases in the order Mn2+ > Ni2+ > Co2+. The systematic comparisons presented can guide further development of high energy systems.
Microstructure of Methylammonium Lead iodide Perovskite Thin Films: A Comprehensive Study of the Strain and Texture
Authors: Medjahed Asma A. , Zhou Tao , Alvarez Quiceno Juan Camilo , Dally Pia , Pochet Pascal , Schülli Tobias U. , Djurado David , Reiss Peter , Pouget Stéphanie
Published: February 2022

Controlling the microstructure of hybrid halide perovskite thin films is essential for optimizing their performance in optoelectronic devices. It is well established that the strain state of the perovskite layer affects its stability. Likewise, the orientation of the perovskite lattice is a determining parameter as these materials have shown pronounced anisotropies in their physical and mechanical properties. In this work, the authors focus on the understanding of the mechanisms that govern the strain and texture observed in MAPbI3 thin films deposited on various oxide substrates. A thorough study of the evolution of the strain of the perovskite layer upon cooling down to room temperature from the crystallization temperature (100 °C) shows an essentially relaxed behavior of the perovskite layers. This result contradicts the commonly accepted hypothesis according to which MAPbI3 layers synthesized above ambient temperature are strained due to the large mismatch in the thermal expansion coefficients of the perovskite and its substrate. The texture in MAPbI3 layers is investigated by means of synchrotron full‐field diffraction X‐ray microscopy. This technique allows the direct observation of the [hh0] and [00l]‐oriented domains at the origin of the observed textures, demonstrating both their twin and ferroelastic nature. The stability of the different domain orientations is investigated by DFT calculations, illustrating the determining role of the chemical environment at the film‐substrate interface. PbI2‐ terminated surfaces are found to favor the [hh0] orientations while for MAI‐terminated ones, both [hh0] and [00l] domains are equally stabilized. The different results constitute an important step of clarification and understanding from the perspective of controlling the microstructure of perovskite layers.
Uncovering the Mechanism of Poly(ionic‐liquid)s Multiple Inhibition of Ion Migration for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Yang Jia , Sheng Wangping , Li Ruiming , Gong Lingyun , Li Yanyan , Tan Licheng , Lin Qianqian , Chen Yiwang
Published: February 2022

Longevity is a key constraint for hybrid perovskite based photovoltaics. Here it is demonstrated that ion migration‐induced degradation can be eliminated by incorporation of multifunctional poly(ionic‐liquid)s (PILs) additives, resulting in ultrastable perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). The presence of PILs suffices to construct an “ionic polymer network,” providing the functionalities of defect passivation and ion immobilization by concurrently forming a physical barrier and chemical bonding. Compared with the defect passivation effect for the imidazolium‐based PIL (PIL‐Im) case, the quaternary ammonium‐based PIL (PIL‐Am) shows a higher interaction energy with the perovskite due to the stronger electronic coupling ascribed to the additional complexation, which endows the corresponding perovskite with higher migration energy for iodide ions. As a result, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of anion‐cation‐mixed hybrid n‐i‐p PVSCs with PIL‐Am is remarkably improved from 20.26% to 22.22%. Specifically, the PILs‐modified device perfectly retains its dark current characteristics upon a cooling (−40 °C)–heating (85 °C) process. The unencapsulated PIL‐Am stabilized PVSC maintains 80% of the initial PCE under AM 1.5G light soaking for nearly 1500 h. The corresponding device also displays pronounced stability under thermal stress or realistic operation conditions.
Down‐conversion materials for organic solar cells: Progress, challenges, and perspectives
Authors: Datt Ram , Bishnoi Swati , Lee Harrison Ka Hin , Arya Sandeep , Gupta Sonal , Gupta Vinay , Tsoi Wing Chung
Published: February 2022

Organic solar cells (OSCs) in terms of power conversion efficiency (PCE) and operational lifetime have made remarkable progress during the last decade by improving the active layer materials and introducing new interlayers. The newly developed wide bandgap organic donor and low bandgap acceptor molecules covered the absorption from the visible to the near‐infrared region. Whereas the incident high energy region (UV) is not in favor of OSCs. Its absorption causes thermalization losses and photoinduced degradation, which hinders the PCE and lifetime of OSCs. Recently, lanthanide and non‐lanthanide‐based down‐conversion (DC) materials have been introduced, which can effectively convert the high‐energy photons (UV) to low‐energy photons (visible) and resolve the spectral mismatch losses that limit the absorption of OSCs in high energy incident spectrum. Furthermore, the DC materials also protect the OSCs from UV‐induced degradation. The DC materials were also proposed to cross the Shockley‐Queisser efficiency limit of the solar cell. In this review, the need for DC materials and their processing method for OSCs have been thoroughly discussed. However, the main emphasis has been given to developing lanthanides and non‐lanthanides‐based DC materials for OSCs, their applications, and their impact on photovoltaic device performance, stability, and future perspectives.
Water‐dispersible and soluble porous organic polymers for biomedical applications
Authors: Tian Jia , Lin Furong , Yu Shang‐Bo , Yu Junlai , Tang Qingxuan , Li Zhan‐Ting
Published: February 2022

Porous organic polymers (POPs) have become an emerging class of advanced porous organic materials owing to their structural diversity and tailored functions in solid state and organic media. Creating water‐soluble and related water‐dispersible POPs is still very challenging in the research area of porous organic materials. Their porosity‐based functions with diverse topological architectures in aqueous media offer promising platforms in bio‐related fields. This review highlights recent progress on water soluble or dispersible POPs for biomedical applications including bioimaging and biosensing, nanocarriers for drug delivery and tumor targeting, phototherapeutics, protein and gene delivery, biomacromolecule encapsulation and discrimination, and anti‐microbial activity.