bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emergence of Scrub Typhus in Urban Areas: a Report from South India
Authors: Madhumitha R. , Surendran R. , Gopalakrishnan Ram , Ramasubramanian V. , Nambi P. Senthur
Published: May 2022

Aims: To study the epidemiology and clinical presentation of Scrub typhus in Southern India.

Study design:  Observational study

Place and Duration of Study: Apollo Hospital, Chennai, India, between January 2010 and December 2011.

Methodology: This is an observational study of 182 patients from a tertiary care center between January 2010 and December 2011. Cases of scrub typhus were defined by a positive IgM scrub typhus ELISA, compatible clinical features and negative workup for other pathogens. Epidemiological data and clinical data were collected from the records for the study purpose.

Results: Fever (100%), headache (69.7%) and cough (47.8%) were the predominant presenting symptoms. The majority (85.7%) of cases were during the period from July to December in both the years, corresponding to the monsoon in South India. 62% of cases were from urban areas and 47.3 % of cases required admission to the critical care unit. An eschar was present in 46.7% of cases and 97.3% of the cases improved with therapy. All patients received either doxycycline or azithromycin or a combination of both as therapy. Defervescence was seen within 72 hours in 98.5% of patients. 

Conclusion: Scrub typhus is a re-emerging disease in South India. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute undifferentiated febrile illness even in urban areas in all age groups, especially during the monsoon season. Careful search for an eschar is important. Treatment with doxycycline or azithromycin is effective. The mortality rate is expected to be high if untreated, so we suggest that these antibiotics be part of initial empiric therapy whenever the disease is in the differential diagnosis in all severely ill patients awaiting diagnostic results.
Wear Resistant Nanostructured Coating for Cultivator Shovels
Authors: Rao N. R. N. V. Gowripathi , Dave V. , Tiwari G. S.
Published: May 2022

In Indian economy agriculture plays a principal source of income. Primary and secondary operations such as ploughing are the basic actions and extensive usage of cultivators for secondary tillage operation causes wear of the shovels because they are subjected to high tillage forces. An ample amount of material is lost due to wear and abrasion. Therefore, control and prevention of wear of cultivator shovels are vitally important for agro applications because wear of critical components has an economic significance. In this work CrN coating is deposited over cultivator reversible shovels using the DC magnetron sputtering technique and the structure, morphological, hydrophobic and wear characteristics are determined. It is observed that the working life of the agricultural tool is increased up to a significant level by depositing the desired coating on the substrate.
Likelihood of Adopting Briquette Technology in Abundance of Competitive Energy Sources: A Case Study of Morogoro Urban and Rural Districts, Tanzania
Authors: Yustas Y. M. , Tarimo W. M. , Mbacho S. A. , Kiobia D. O. , Makange N. R. , Kashaija A. T. , Silungwe F. R.
Published: May 2022

Firewood and charcoal are the primary energy resources in many developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the unstainable collection and use of these resources negatively impact the environment. Equally, using briquettes as green energy resources can address the energy shortage and conserves the environment. However, the information on people’s preference to use briquettes instead of other alternative energy sources is scarce. Furthermore, studies demonstrating the briquette technology preferences and adoption to prospective users, including youth and women in urban and rural areas, are limited. Therefore, this study was conducted in the Morogoro district to (1) characterise the respondents’ demographic issues useful for evaluation of people's preferences, (2) assess the preference for briquette fuels, particularly for youth and women, and (3) evaluate the extent of using the briquettes as sources of energy as compared to other alternative sources of energy. The household survey involved 330 respondents in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas of Morogoro. The areas were chosen to represent the Tanzania sceneries. Besides, supplementary key informants’ interviews involved village leaders, charcoal retailers and other people with knowledge of briquette technology. The results show that over 95% of respondents preferred to use briquette as an alternative energy source and expressed their willingness to engage in the briquette business. Additionally, the study shows low use of briquettes compared to other energy sources like charcoal and firewood in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between men and women in their willingness to join the briquette business (p-value =0.517). Therefore, a few people are aware of briquette technology. This study recommends increasing the awareness of briquette technology through training youths and women on briquette technology and insisting on the availability of briquette products and stoves. In addition, assessing the factors hindering the briquettes from being a hundred per cent preferred by people is a point of research interest.
Extraction, Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Potential of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Viola odorata Linn
Authors: Tiwari Kiran , Bhatt Sachin , Jain Namrata
Published: May 2022

Bioactive chemicals found in medicinal plants are used to treat a variety of human ailments and serve a vital part in healing. Alkaloids, flavonoids, phenol, saponin, steroids, and tannins are examples of secondary components. Anticancer, antibacterial, antidiabetic, anti-diuretic, and anti-inflammation properties are all found in medicinal plants. The growing interest in secondary metabolites' significant biological action has highlighted the need of assessing their presence in therapeutic plants. Viola odorata (Viola odorata, Violaceae) is a Viola species native to Europe and Asia that has recently been introduced to North America and Australasia. In India, the plant is known as Banafsa, Banafsha, or Banaksa, and it's often used to treat sore throats and tonsillitis. It was known to be used to treat cancer-related pain. It has traditionally been used to treat anxiety, sleeplessness, and high blood pressure. Alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, methyl slicylate, mucilage, and vitamin C are all found in it. Antioxidant, analgesic, antihypertensive, and diuretic properties have been documented for the plant. The goal of this research is to identify phytochemicals, assess phenolic and flavonoid content, and measure the antioxidant potential of V. odorata flowers. The well-known test methodology was used to determine qualitative analysis of various phytochemical elements as well as quantitative analysis of total phenol and flavonoids. The antioxidant activity of a hydroalcoholic extract of V. odorata flowers was tested in vitro using the 1,1-diphenyl, 2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) assay and the hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging technique. Phenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and other phytochemicals were discovered by phytochemical investigation. The total phenolic and flavonoids content of the hydroalcoholic extract of V. odorata flower was 0.521 and 0.637 mg/100 mg, respectively. In the investigated models, the extract showed dose-dependent free radical scavenging properties. For the DPPH technique, the IC50 value of V. odorata floral extract was 109.78g/ml, which was close to that of ascorbic acid (IC50=27.82g/ml). The IC50 value for hydrogen peroxide was discovered to be 85.85g/ml, which compares well to ascorbic acid (IC50=16.48g/ml). The present study describes the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of V. odorata flower which will further used for medicinal applications.
Relationship between alcohol consumption and telecommuting preference-practice mismatch during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors:   CORoNaWork project, Watanabe Chihiro , Konno Yusuke , Hino Ayako , Nagata Masako , Muramatsu Keiji , Tateishi Seiichiro , Tsuji Mayumi , Ogami Akira , Yoshimura Reiji , Fujino Yoshihisa
Published: May 2022

Objective

This study examined the association between increased alcohol consumption and telecommuting, comparing employees who expressed a preference for telecommuting and those who did not.

Methods

We conducted an internet monitor survey. Responses from 20 395 of the 33 302 participants were included in the final sample. Participants were asked about their desire for and frequency of telecommuting, and about changes in alcohol consumption under the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed by logistic regression analysis.

Results

The ratio of increased drinking in those who telecommuted at least once a week was significantly different (OR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.16–1.43, p < .001). The ratio of increased drinking in participants for whom telecommuting was not preferred was significantly different (OR = 1.08, 95%CI 1.02–1.14, p = .002). Since the interaction term was significant in preliminary analysis, stratification was performed. Participants who telecommuted despite preferring not to do so reported significantly increased alcohol consumption, as revealed by a multivariate analysis (OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.18–2.00, p < .001). Participants who expressed a preference for telecommuting showed no such increase (OR = 1.12, 95% CI 0.98–1.27, p = .074).

Conclusions

Under the COVID-19 pandemic, telecommuting that involves a mismatch with employee preference for way of working may be a new risk factor for problematic drinking.
Tollip‐deficient zebrafish display no abnormalities in development, organ morphology or gene expression in response to lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Wolińska‐Nizioł Lidia , Romaniuk Karolina , Wojciechowska Karolina , Surga Krzysztof , Kamaszewski Maciej , Szudrowicz Hubert , Miączyńska Marta
Published: May 2022

Tollip is a multifunctional adaptor protein implicated in innate immunity, lysosomal trafficking/autophagy of protein aggregates and various signaling processes in mammalian models. To verify evolutionary conservation of these functions, we used CRISPR/Cas9 editing to construct a zebrafish line bearing a stable tollip knockout. In contrast to previously reported tollip morphants, Tollip‐deficient fish display normal development until adulthood, are fertile, and have no apparent physiological defects. When challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), inflammatory gene expression is unaffected. Moreover, Tollip deficiency does not aggravate swimming deficiency resulting from lysosomal dysfunction and proteotoxicity in a fish model of Gaucher disease. Thus, individual functions of Tollip may be organism‐specific or manifest only upon certain conditions/challenges or disease backgrounds.
Strategies for Measuring Cytosolic Sugar Concentrations in Plant Cells
Authors: Li Jiazhou , Liesche Johannes
Published: May 2022

The primary products of plant photosynthesis are soluble sugars such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose. These form the basis of every cell's carbon and energy metabolism. One major limitation for the investigation of soluble sugar metabolism is the difficulty associated with measuring their concentrations in different subcellular compartments. This applies especially to the cytosol, the site of many important enzymatic reactions, as it typically only fills a thin area between the vacuole and plasma membrane. In this article, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of methods that have been used to probe cytosolic sugar concentrations, including microautoradiography, plasmolysis, non‐aqueous fractionation, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy, Raman microspectroscopy, mass spectrometry imaging, Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) nanosensors, direct sampling, and theoretical modelling. Perspectives regarding different use cases and future developments are provided.
Plant Genome Editing: Advances and Prospects of Market‐Ready Food Crops
Authors: Heynes Xanthea , Wang Duoduo , Lu Chungui
Published: May 2022

Genome‐editing biotechnologies, such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR‐associated proteins (Cas), are disrupting both the research and commercial genomics industries. Genome editing has become a major tool within both the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Green Revolution 2.0, making claim to revolutionise healthcare, environmental conservation, agriculture, and food security. With the technology rapidly advancing the fields of plant genomics and breeding, an increasing number of gene‐edited food crops are now launching to both industry and consumer markets. New market‐ready gene‐edited food crops and products include a healthier soya bean oil and the first consumer‐harvested CRISPR/Cas crop, the Sicilian Rouge High GABA tomato. However, as gene‐edited crops begin to arrive on the market, debates previously seen with GMOs surrounding social acceptance, bioethics, and changing regulatory environments for agriculture and food safety are being renewed. In this article, we provide an overview of plant genome‐editing technologies, including CRISPR/Cas, transcription activator‐like effector nucleases (TALENs), and zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs); market‐ready gene‐edited food crops; and regulatory environments across the world.
Genome‐Wide Association Studies of Important Agronomic Traits in
Brassica napus
: What We Have Learned and Where We Are Headed
Authors: Liu Haijiang , Wang Wei , Yang Meng , Yuan Pan , Hammond John P. , King Graham J. , Ding Guangda , White Philip J. , Wang Sheliang , Cai Hongmei , Wang Chuang , Lu Chungui , Xu Fangsen , Shi Lei
Published: May 2022

Oilseed rape (
Brassica napus
L.;
B. napus
) is one of the main oil crops in China as well as in the world. Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have revolutionised the field of complex agronomic traits. In
B. napus,
these include seed yield and yield‐related traits, seed oil content, and abiotic and biotic stress‐tolerance traits over the past decade in which hundreds of thousands to millions of genetic variants across the genomes of hundreds of individuals have been tested to identify genotype–phenotype associations. In this review, we assess the current status of GWAS in terms of genotypes, phenotypes, statistical models, and candidate genes for these agronomic traits in
B. napus
. Post‐GWAS, the combination of QTL mapping, transcriptomics, and new statistical methods, has allowed us to identify candidate genes associated with specific agronomic traits. In addition, we can use diverse populations, increase the population size, or look for rare variants and structural variations of
B. napus
by whole‐genome sequencing to minimise the ‘missing heritability’ effects. These approaches are essential for uncovering the genetic mechanisms defining or regulating complex agronomic traits and the delivery of molecular marker‐assisted breeding in
B. napus
to breed new varieties that are higher yielding but resilient to our changing climate.
Enhanced Mechanical, Thermal and Electrical Properties of High‐Entropy HfMoNbTaTiVWZr Thin Film Metallic Glass and its Nitrides
Authors: Alvi Sajid , Milczarek Michal , Jarzabek Dariusz M. , Hedman Daniel , Kohan Mojtaba Gilzad , Levintant-Zayonts Neonila , Vomiero Alberto , Akhtar Farid
Published: May 2022

The inception of high‐entropy alloy promises to push the boundaries for new alloy design with unprecedented properties. This work reports entropy stabilisation of an octonary refractory, HfMoNbTaTiVWZr, high‐entropy thin film metallic glass, and derived nitride films. The thin film metallic glass exhibited exceptional ductility of ≈60% strain without fracture and compression strength of 3 GPa in micro‐compression, due to the presence of high density and strength of bonds. The thin film metallic glass shows thermal stability up to 750 °C and resistance to Ar‐ion irradiation. Nitriding during film deposition of HfMoNbTaTiVWZr thin film of strong nitride forming refractory elements results in deposition of nanocrystalline nitride films with compressive strength, hardness, and thermal stability of up to 10 GPa, 18.7 GPa, and 950 °C, respectively. The high amount of lattice distortion in the nitride films leads to its insulating behaviour with electrical conductivity as low as 200 S cm−1 in the as‐deposited film. The design and exceptional properties of the thin film metallic glass and derived nitride films may open up new avenues of development of bulk metallic glasses and the application of refractory‐based high entropy thin films in structural and functional applications.
Hybrid Bulk‐Heterojunction of Colloidal Quantum Dots and Mixed‐Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals for High‐Performance Self‐Powered Broadband Photodetectors
Authors: Sulaman Muhammad , Yang Shengyi , Bukhtiar Arfan , Tang Peiyun , Zhang Zhenheng , Song Yong , Imran Ali , Jiang Yurong , Cui Yanyan , Tang Libin , Zou Bingsuo
Published: May 2022

Self‐powered broadband photodetectors exhibit excellent self‐powered and wide‐band photoresponse from visible to infrared region and attract enormous attention due to their promising applications in imaging, sensing, and optical communication. PbSe colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) and halide perovskites nanocrystals (NCs) are commonly used for photodetectors due to their strong absorption capability, tunable bandgap, and high aspect ratio. However, due to suffering from low charge carrier mobility and high trap density, the performance of individual PbSe CQDs and perovskites‐based photodetectors is not satisfactory. Integration of PbSe CQDs with inorganic mixed‐halide perovskite nanomaterials can provide an opportunity to overcome these drawbacks. In this work, a hybrid nanocomposite of PbSe CQDs blended with all‐inorganic mixed halide perovskite NCs is integrated to fabricate bulk‐heterojunction‐based high‐performance photodetectors. The transportation of photogenerated carriers is enhanced by employing electrons‐ and holes‐extracting layers. As a result, the photoresponsivity of 6.16 A W−1 and a specific detectivity of 5.96 × 1013 Jones with an ON/OFF current ratio of 105 is obtained for bulk‐heterojunction photodetector ITO/ZnO/PbSe:CsPbBr1.5I1.5/P3HT/Au in the self‐powered mode. Meanwhile, the device performance of the fabricated photodetector is numerically simulated by using Technology Computer‐Aided Design software, and the physical mechanisms for photogenerated carriers’ transportation are discussed in detail.
Tough and Ultrastretchable Liquid‐Free Ion Conductor Strengthened by Deep Eutectic Solvent Hydrolyzed Cellulose Microfibers
Authors: Sun Xia , Zhu Yeling , Zhu Jiaying , Le Katherine , Servati Peyman , Jiang Feng
Published: May 2022

Ion conductors (ICs) have gained extensive research interest in various advanced application scenarios including sensors, batteries, and supercapacitors. However, stretchable, tough, and long‐term stable ICs are still hard to achieve yet highly demanded. In this study, the authors propose a one‐pot green and sustainable fabrication of cellulose based ICs through polymerizable deep eutectic solvents treated cellulose followed by an in situ photo‐polymerization. The obtained ICs exhibit extremely high stretchability (3210 ± 302%), high toughness (13.17 ± 2.32 MJ m−3), high transparency, and self‐healing ability. Notably, the introduction of cellulose fibers greatly enhances the mechanical properties of ICs while eliminating the environmental concerns of traditional nanocellulose fabrication process. More importantly, the ICs possess good long‐term performance stability after 1 month storage. Due to these outstanding properties, the feasibility of applying ICs in human motion sensing and physiological signal detecting is demonstrated. This simple and green method will contribute to the development of tough, self‐healing, transparent, and long‐term stable ICs.
Rational Design of Coordination Bond Connected Metal Organic Frameworks/MXene Hybrids for Efficient Solar Water Splitting
Authors: Shi Litong , Wu Chongchong , Wang Yang , Dou Yuhai , Yuan Ding , Li Hui , Huang Hongwei , Zhang Yu , Gates Ian D. , Sun Xiaodong , Ma Tianyi
Published: May 2022

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted great interest in photocatalysis, but their activity is hampered by the issue of severe carrier recombination. Here, through a carboxyl group assisted coordination route, MXene decorated with carboxyl groups provides chelation sites enabling coordination with UiO‐66‐NH2(Zr/Ti) (UZT) to fabricate a tightly connected UiO‐66‐NH2(Zr/Ti)/carboxyl‐functionalized MXene (UZT/CFMX) heterostructure. This is the first instance of direct chemical bonding of MOFs‐involved heterostructure via a coordination bond. The critical role of decorated carboxyl groups can be determined so that 1) these can help to establish a strong coordination bond between two materials; 2) act as bridge to promote the electrons transfer from MOFs to MXene, thus relieving carrier recombination, and 3) most interestingly, the carbon atom on the carboxyl group forms a bond with the oxygen from water stimulating the water to dissociate into OH* and H*, thus adding additional reaction pathways for promoting photocatalytic water splitting. Accordingly, the resulting UZT/CFMX shows efficient solar‐driven photocatalytic performance for water splitting. The H2 evolution rate is as high as 2187 µmol g−1 h−1, 20 times higher than that of UZT and 4 times higher than that of UiO‐66‐NH2 (Zr/Ti)/MXene (UZT/MX), also surpassing the majority of reported MOF‐based photocatalysts.
Decreasing the Overpotential of Aprotic Li‐CO2 Batteries with the In‐Plane Alloy Structure in Ultrathin 2D Ru‐Based Nanosheets
Authors: Wang Yunhao , Zhou Jingwen , Lin Chao , Chen Bo , Guan Zhiqiang , Ebrahim Amani M. , Qian Guannan , Ye Chenliang , Chen Lin , Ge Yiyao , Yun Qinbai , Wang Xixi , Zhou Xichen , Wang Gang , Li Kedi , Lu Pengyi , Ma Yangbo , Xiong Yuecheng , Wang Tianshuai , Zheng Long , Chu Shengqi , Chen Ye , Wang Bin , Lee Chun‐Sing , Liu Yijin , Zhang Qianfan , Fan Zhanxi
Published: May 2022

The aprotic Li‐CO2 battery is emerging as a promising energy storage technology with the capability of CO2 fixation and conversion. However, its practical applications are still impeded by the large overpotential. Herein, the general synthesis of a series of ultrathin 2D Ru‐M (M = Co, Ni, and Cu) nanosheets by a facile one‐pot solvothermal method is reported. As a proof‐of‐concept application, the representative RuCo nanosheets are used as the cathode catalysts for Li‐CO2 batteries, which demonstrate a low charge voltage of 3.74 V, a small overpotential of 0.94 V, and hence a high energy efficiency of 75%. Ex/in situ studies and density functional theory calculations reveal that the excellent catalytic performance of RuCo nanosheets originates from the enhanced adsorption toward Li and CO2 during discharge as well as the elevated electron interaction with Li2CO3 during charge by the in‐plane RuCo alloy structure. This work indicates the feasibility of boosting the electrochemical performance of Li‐CO2 batteries by in‐plane metal alloy sites of ultrathin 2D alloy nanomaterials.
Graphite Nanosheets as Multifunctional Nanoinclusions to Boost the Thermoelectric Performance of the Shear‐Exfoliated Bi2O2Se
Authors: Pan Lin , Shi Xiao‐Lei , Song Chunchun , Liu Wei‐Di , Sun Qiang , Lu Chunhua , Liu Qingfeng , Wang Yifeng , Chen Zhi‐Gang
Published: May 2022

As an eco‐friendly oxide‐based thermoelectric material, Bi2O2Se exhibits considerable potential for practical device application, but its low electrical conductivity needs to be further improved to achieve higher thermoelectric performance. Here, a record‐high figure of merit, ZT of >0.7 at 773 K in the shear‐exfoliated nanostructured Bi2O2Se with graphite nanosheets as multifunctional secondary nanoinclusions, is achieved. The introduced graphite nanosheets regularize the arrangement of Bi2O2Se nanograins, strengthen the anisotropy, and act as the “expressway” to improve the electrical conductivity by simultaneously enhancing the electron carrier concentration and mobility of the hybrid materials, leading to a high power factor of ≈6.0 µW cm–1 K–2 at 773 K. Also, the liquid‐phase shear exfoliation refines both graphite and Bi2O2Se into nanosheets. Moreover, the as‐sintered hybrid bulk materials composed of these nanosheets possess dense grain and phase boundaries, as well as various lattice imperfections, such as lattice distortions and stacking faults formed by physical shearing, which can significantly scatter the phonons with different wavelengths and in turn contribute to a low thermal conductivity of only 0.63 W m–1 K–1 at 773 K, both contributing to a competitive ZT of ≈0.73 at this temperature, indicating the great potential for practical applications.
Portable Dual‐Modular Immunosensor Constructed from Bimetallic Metal–Organic Framework Heterostructure Grafted with Enzyme‐Mimicking Label for Rosiglitazone Detection
Authors: Qileng Aori , Liu Weipeng , Sun Ziqi , Zhou Weichi , Fang Yueping , Lei Hongtao , Liu Yingju , Zhang Shengsen
Published: May 2022

Immunosensor with photoelectrochemistry and fluorescence responsibility is widely used in biomedical detection, health monitoring, and food safety inspection. The cumbersome configuration and low integration of the current immunosensors, however, have brought challenges for their practical applications. To address these challenges, a portable and phone‐APP controlled dual‐modular immunosensor based on a bimetallic metal–organic framework (MOF) heterostructured photoelectrode, ZnO/NiZn‐MOF/CdS, grafted with an enzyme‐mimicking Au@CuO/Cu2O label is constructed to achieve simultaneous photoelectrochemistry and fluorescence signage. In the electrode design, the construction of a bimetallic NiZn metal–organic framework (NiZn‐MOF) into the common ZnO/CdS photoresponsive structure achieves significant and stable photocurrent output under a very low‐power LED light source for not only accelerating the transfer of photogenerated electrons from CdS to ZnO, but also stabilizing the holes of CdS to improve its photocorrosion resistance. After the graft of multifunctional enzyme‐mimicking Au@CuO/Cu2O label clusters, a portable dual‐modular immunosensor is built for the detection of rosiglitazone, a common antidiabetic drug and strictly restricted food residual, over a range from 10−3 to 1 µg L−1. This MOF‐based immunosensor offers insights into highly sensitive dual‐modular responsive material innovations and provides miniaturized biomedical detectors with promising commercialization potentials.
Visualizing Atomically Layered Magnetism in CrSBr
Authors: Rizzo Daniel J. , McLeod Alexander S. , Carnahan Caitlin , Telford Evan J. , Dismukes Avalon H. , Wiscons Ren A. , Dong Yinan , Nuckolls Colin , Dean Cory R. , Pasupathy Abhay N. , Roy Xavier , Xiao Di , Basov D. N.
Published: May 2022

2D materials can host long‐range magnetic order in the presence of underlying magnetic anisotropy. The ability to realize the full potential of 2D magnets necessitates systematic investigation of the role of individual atomic layers and nanoscale inhomogeneity (i.e., strain) on the emergence of stable magnetic phases. Here, spatially dependent magnetism in few‐layer CrSBr is revealed using magnetic force microscopy (MFM) and Monte Carlo‐based simulations. Nanoscale visualization of the magnetic sheet susceptibility is extracted from MFM data and force–distance curves, revealing a characteristic onset of both intra‐ and interlayer magnetic correlations as a function of temperature and layer‐thickness. These results demonstrate that the presence of a single uncompensated layer in odd‐layer terraces significantly reduces the stability of the low‐temperature antiferromagnetic (AFM) phase and gives rise to multiple coexisting magnetic ground states at temperatures close to the bulk Néel temperature (TN). Furthermore, the AFM phase can be reliably suppressed using modest fields (≈16 mT) from the MFM probe, behaving as a nanoscale magnetic switch. This prototypical study of few‐layer CrSBr demonstrates the critical role of layer parity on field‐tunable 2D magnetism and validates MFM for use in nanomagnetometry of 2D materials (despite the ubiquitous absence of bulk zero‐field magnetism in magnetized sheets).
Growth‐Related Formation Mechanism of I3‐Type Basal Stacking Fault in Epitaxially Grown Hexagonal Ge‐2H
Authors: Vincent Laetitia , Fadaly Elham M. T. , Renard Charles , Peeters Wouter H. J. , Vettori Marco , Panciera Federico , Bouchier Daniel , Bakkers Erik P. A. M , Verheijen Marcel A.
Published: May 2022

The hexagonal‐2H crystal phase of Ge has recently emerged as a promising direct bandgap semiconductor in the mid‐infrared range providing new prospects of additional opto‐electronic functionalities of group‐IV semiconductors (Ge and SiGe). The controlled synthesis of such hexagonal‐2H Ge phase is a challenge that can be overcome by using wurtzite GaAs nanowires as a template. However, depending on growth conditions, unusual basal stacking faults (BSFs) of I3‐type are formed in the metastable 2H structure. The growth of such core/shell heterostructures is observed in situ and in real time by means of environmental transmission electron microscopy using chemical vapor deposition. The observations provide the first direct evidence of a step‐flow growth of Ge‐2H epilayers and reveal the growth‐related formation of I3‐BSFs during unstable growth. Their formation conditions are dynamically investigated. Through these in situ observations, a scenario can be proposed for the nucleation of I3‐type BSFs that is likely valid for any metastable hexagonal 2H or wurtzite structures grown on m‐plane substrates. Conditions are identified to avoid their formation for perfect crystalline synthesis of SiGe‐2H.
Amorphous WP‐Modified Hierarchical ZnIn2S4 Nanoflowers with Boosting Interfacial Charge Separation for Photocatalytic H2 Evolution
Authors: Hao Xuqiang , Shao Yifan , Xiang Dingzhou , Jin Zhiliang
Published: May 2022

The morphology design and loading of cocatalyst are effective strategies to enhance the light absorption capacity and separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers. This work successfully fabricates amorphous tungsten phosphide (WP)/hierarchical ZnIn2S4 nanoflowers heterostructure (WP/ZnIn2S4) with boosting interfacial charge separation for photocatalytic H2 evolution. The maximum H2 production rate of 6178 µmol g–1 is achieved over 10% WP/ZnIn2S4 photocatalyst within 5 h, which is four times higher than that of pure ZnIn2S4. And a high photostability is also obtained. The enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity can be attributed to the synergistic effect of amorphous WP and hierarchical ZnIn2S4 nanoflowers. Amorphous WP as a cocatalyst can rapidly capture photogenerated electrons on the surface of ZnIn2S4, improving the separation of photogenerated electron‐hole pairs. And the ZnIn2S4 microflower with ultrathin nanosheets structure exposes more surface sites to anchor amorphous WP nanoparticles, which provides more active sites for hydrogen evolution. Additionally, amorphous WP greatly increases the light absorption range and prolongs the fluorescence lifetime of ZnIn2S4. This work provides a new idea for designing an effective cocatalyst‐modified semiconductor to improve photocatalytic activity.
High Content Nanocellulose 3D‐Printed and Esterified Structures with Strong Interfacial Adhesion, High Mechanical Properties, and Shape Fidelity
Authors: Latif Muhammad , Jiang Yangxiaozhe , Kumar Bijender , Song Jong Min , Cho Hyeon Cheol , Kim Jaehwan
Published: May 2022

Wood‐derived biopolymers such as nanocellulose are an attractive engineering material for 3D printing due to their abundance and environment‐friendliness, but their processing into complex structures remains challenging. The most challenging issues in 3D printing high cellulose content structures include printability, interfacial adhesion between layers, mechanical properties, and shape fidelity. Here, a simple and economical approach is presented to manufacture 3D structures by directly extruding high concentration nanocellulose (≈25.94 wt.%) paste cross‐linked with different citric acid (CA) contents. The CA, a green cross‐linker, is optimized in nanocellulose paste to cross‐link between cellulose layers substantially. Furthermore, esterification is achieved by heating the 3D‐printed structures at 140 °C for 20 min in a vacuum oven, as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The optimum CA content in nanocellulose paste (CNC:CA:CNF = 20:2:1) exhibits the flexural strength of 82.78 ± 2.79 MPa (128% improvement) and Young's modulus of 6.97 ± 0.38 GPa after 3D printing followed by esterification, which is the best achievement in nanocellulose 3D printing. In addition to the high mechanical strength, the shrinkage of the esterified 3D‐printed structures is below 9%, which demonstrates their high shape fidelity without any interfacial adhesion issues.
Interrogating the Effect of Assay Media on the Rate of Virus Inactivation of High‐Touch Copper Surfaces: A Materials Science Approach
Authors: Glover Carol F. , Miyake Tsuyoshi , Wallemacq Victor , Harris Jamie D. , Emery John , Engel Daniel A. , McDonnell Stephen J. , Scully John R.
Published: May 2022

Contamination of high‐touch surfaces with infected droplets of bodily secretions is a known route of virus transmission. Copper surfaces have been reported to inactivate human coronaviruses after several minutes, via the release of Cu cations. Utilization of copper alloys for high‐touch surfaces can be a pivotal preemptive strategy for preventing the next pandemic. Understanding the true efficacy by which copper, and copper alloys, inactivate the virus under realistic conditions is essential for tuning intrinsic alloy features such as composition, grain orientation, and surface attributes, to optimize for antiviral function. However, virus inactivation measurements depend on the presence of an assay media (AM) solution as a carrier for the virus, and its effects on the surface properties of pure copper that regulate oxidative copper release are previously unknown. Herein, these properties and the influence of AM on the efficacy of virus inactivation occurring on the surface of pure copper are investigated. The process is uncovered by which a five‐fold decrease in virus half‐life is observed in simulated real‐life conditions, relative to exposure to traditional AM. The investigation highlights the notion that virus inactivation on copper surfaces may be significantly more effective than previously thought.
Designing with Circular Arc Toolpaths to Increase the Complexity of Melt Electrowriting
Authors: Xu Huaizhong , Liashenko Ievgenii , Lucchetti Agnese , Du Lei , Dong Yubing , Zhao Defang , Meng Jie , Yamane Hideki , Dalton Paul D.
Published: May 2022

Melt electrowriting (MEW) is an additive manufacturing technology that fabricates high‐resolution objects. Printing curved and complex patterns, however, requires additional attention and planning to achieve accurate fiber placement. In this context, the jet speed, as measured by the critical translation speed (CTS), is found to be an essential factor for accurately direct‐writing complex nonlinear patterns. When the jet and the translation speed match, the vertical jet better approximates the tool path when the printing is nonlinear. As demonstrated here, the entire printed structure gradually deforms when the jet lag increases. For the first time with MEW, circular arc toolpaths are focused on to expand the design complexity, and there is evidence that the resolution is further improved by printing slightly under the CTS. When using such circular arc toolpaths, inwards tilting of the fiber walls can be observed and can be corrected with microscale layer shifting, shown with scaffolds based on knitting‐type designs. The combination of printing at the CTS with circular arcs increases the manufacturing complexity of curved patterns and has implications for the design and utility of MEW.
Air‐Stable Ultra‐Flexible Organic Photonic System for Cardiovascular Monitoring
Authors: Yokota Tomoyuki , Shirayama Iwao , Kuwada Kenji , Koizumi Mari , Yukita Wakako , Morii Katsuyuki , Fukagawa Hirohiko , Shimizu Takahisa , Fukuda Kenjiro , Someya Takao
Published: May 2022

Ultra‐flexible organic optical devices are increasingly attracting attention as devices for medical and healthcare applications because they can be directly attached to the skin and continuously monitor biological information in humans noninvasively. However, integrating different optical devices on the same ultra‐flexible substrate is difficult owing to the instability of the devices. In this study, the stability of ultra‐flexible organic light‐emitting diodes and photodiodes is successfully improved using an inverted structure that does not employ atmospherically unstable cathode materials. Furthermore, an ultra‐flexible organic pulse wave sensor is developed by integrating an organic light‐emitting diode and an organic photodiode on the same substrate.
H2S‐Responsive Small‐Molecule Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery to Colorectal Tumors
Authors: Long Kaiqi , Yang Yang , Du Zhanfeng , Kang Weirong , Lv Wen , Li Yafei , Xie Yusheng , Sun Hongyan , Zhan Changyou , Wang Weiping
Published: May 2022

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gaseous signaling molecule, is excessively produced in disease lesions like lung tumors and colorectal tumors. H2S is used as a trigger for stimuli‐responsive drug delivery in cancer therapies, which enables controlled release of chemotherapeutics and improves their biocompatibility and efficacy. Herein, a H2S‐responsive small‐molecule nanocarrier is developed based on the self‐assembly of a trigonal molecule, tris(azido benzyl)‐tri(2‐aminoethyl) amine (ATAEA). ATAEA with three H2S‐responsive azido benzyl groups can self‐assemble into nanocarriers (ATNPs) and encapsulate hydrophobic doxorubicin (DOX) to form drug‐loaded nanoparticles (DOX/ATNPs). H2S induces the reduction of azido benzyl group and 1,6‐elimination, which results in the dissociation of the ATAEA molecules and the nanoparticles. In HCT116 colon cancer cells, efficient H2S‐responsive DOX release from DOX/ATNPs is observed. In vivo administration of DOX/ATNPs in colon tumor‐bearing mice leads to higher drug accumulation in tumors and evident tumor growth inhibition, in comparison with non‐responsive nanoparticles. This work provides a new strategy to develop H2S‐responsive drug delivery systems for precise drug delivery to H2S‐enriched disease lesions.
In Situ Detection of Kidney Organoid Generation From Stem Cells Using a Simple Electrochemical Method
Authors: Suhito Intan Rosalina , Kim Jin Won , Koo Kyeong‐Mo , Nam Sun Ah , Kim Yong Kyun , Kim Tae‐Hyung
Published: May 2022

Organoids that mimic the structural and cellular characteristics of kidneys in vitro have recently emerged as a promising source for biomedical research. However, uncontrollable cellular heterogeneity after differentiation often results in the generation of off‐target cells, one of the most challenging issues in organoid research. This study proposes a new method that enables the real‐time assessment of kidney organoids derived from stem cells. When placed on a conductive surface, these organoids generate unique electrochemical signals at ≈0.3 V with intensities proportional to the amount of kidney‐specific cell types. Off‐target cells (i.e., non‐kidney cells) produce an electrical signature at 0 V that is distinguishable from other surrounding cell types, enabling non‐destructive assessment of both the differentiation, and maturation levels of kidney organoids. The developed platform can be applied to other types of organoids and is thus highly promising as a tool for organoid‐based drug screening, toxicity assessment, and therapeutics.
Thin Film Magnetoelectric Sensors Toward Biomagnetism: Materials, Devices, and Applications
Authors: Dong Cunzheng , Liang Xianfeng , Gao Jingya (Lilyn) , Chen Huaihao , He Yifan , Wei Yuyi , Zaeimbashi Mohsen , Matyushov Alexei , Sun Changxing , Sun Nian X.
Published: May 2022

Since the discovery of strong magnetoelectric (ME) coupling in two‐phase ME laminate composites, strain mediated ME heterostructures have found practical applications in magnetic sensors, tunable inductors, tunable filters, miniaturized antennas, magnetic memories, and nanoscale motors. Thin film ME sensors, in particular, have become promising candidates in biomagnetic sensing, due to their high sensitivity, CMOS compatibility, room temperature operation, and high spatial resolution. In this article, an overview is presented on different types of thin film ME sensors and their applications in biomagnetic measurement. First, the coupling structures, materials selection, and fabrication processes are introduced. Three different mechanisms of recently emerged ME sensors, including the magnetic modulation, electrical modulation, and delta‐E effect are presented. Their performance and noise analysis are also compared and discussed. Finally, real‐time applications of ME sensors in the detection of magnetic fields from different part of human body are presented and discussed. The review concludes with an outlook on future perspectives and challenges of thin film ME sensors for biomagnetic applications.
Non‐Equal Ratio Cocrystal Engineering to Improve Charge Transport Characteristics of Organic Semiconductors: A Case Study on Indolo[2,3‐a]carbazole
Authors: Guo Junfeng , Zeng Yan , Zhen Yonggang , Geng Hua , Wang Zongrui , Yi Yuanping , Dong Huanli , Hu Wenping
Published: May 2022

Rare studies of cocrystal engineering have focused on improving carrier mobility of organic semiconductors mainly because of the generation of ambipolarity, the alteration of the charge carrier polarity or the reduction of electronic couplings. Herein, we utilize indolo[2,3‐a]carbazole (IC) as the model compound and 2,6‐diphenylanthraquinone (DPAO) and 9‐fluorenone (FO) as the coformers to construct IC2‐DPAO and IC‐FO cocrystals with 2 : 1 or 1 : 1 ratios, respectively, through hydrogen bonds and donor–acceptor interactions. Interestingly, the more appropriate packing structure, possessing not only enhanced electronic couplings but also increased intermolecular distances, is achieved in IC2‐DPAO, which shows an improved carrier mobility of 0.11 cm2 V−1 s−1 by four orders of magnitude relative to the IC crystal. These results suggest that non‐equal ratio cocrystal engineering opens up the possibility to develop organic semiconductors with enhanced charge transport behaviors.
Delicate and Fast Photochemical Surface Modification of 2D Photoresponsive Organosilicon Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Yuan Baoling , Gou Gaozhang , Fan Tao , Liu Mingxian , Ma Yunsheng , Matsuda Ryotaro , Li Liangchun
Published: May 2022

Photoresponsive arylsilanes have been fascinating molecules for decades because of their unique photophysical characteristics and surface chemistry. Here we report the synthesis and fabrication of a crystalline two‐dimensional trisilyl metal–organic framework (TSiMOF) orderly installed with the classical photoresponsive hexamethyltrisilane groups on the surface. Irradiated by UV light under air in minutes the fluorescence of the TSiMOF is turned on simultaneously with an intriguing surface transformation from superhydrophobic to hydrophilic. Thus, multifarious luminescent and hydrophilic patterns including logos, characters and Quick Response codes, etc. with good resolution are readily generated on the facilely fabricated TSiMOF film. The mechanism of this transformation is revealed by control experiments that the superficial trimethylsilyl groups suffering photochemical oxidation have been converted to hydroxyl groups.
Confinement‐Induced Selectivities in Gold(I) Catalysis—The Benefit of Using Bulky Tri‐(ortho‐biaryl)phosphine Ligands
Authors: Muratov Karim , Gagosz Fabien
Published: May 2022

The confinement of a catalytic site is an efficient strategy to control a reaction and modulate its selectivity. In the present work, a new class of structurally simple and easily accessible bulky tri‐(ortho‐biaryl)phosphine ligands were accessed, and their gold(I) complexes synthesized. Their X‐ray diffraction analysis and the comparative evaluation of their VBur% and G steric parameters against a series of gold complexes commonly employed in catalysis demonstrated their confined nature. Despite their notable steric congestion, these complexes exhibited remarkable catalytic activities and unusual selectivities, both in nature and level, that make them unique in the field of synthetic homogeneous gold catalysis.
Tunable and improved antiproliferative activity of Pt (II)‐based organometallics bearing alkynyls and 1,2,3‐triazole moieties
Authors: Chakraborty Arnab , Jaiswal Chitra , Hassan Atikur , Kumar Saurabh , Singh Khushwant , Mandal Biman B. , Das Neeladri
Published: May 2022

Synthesis and characterization of a set of four Pt (II)‐based organometallic compounds (7–10) are being described. These molecules are unique since each of these contain three biologically active structural motifs, in the form of a pyrazine ring that connects a Pt‐alkynyl and a triazole ring. These organoplatinum molecules have been characterized using multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (1H, 13C{1H}, and 31P{1H}), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT–IR), and mass spectrometry (MS). Additionally, the antiproliferative activities of 7–10 were probed against human triple‐negative breast cancer cells (MDA‐MB‐231) and normal human dermal fibroblast cells (HDF).
Synthesis and characterization of waste polyethylene reinforced modified castor oil‐based polyester biocomposite
Authors: Aydoğmuş Ercan , Dağ Mustafa , Yalçın Zehra Gülten , Arslanoğlu Hasan
Published: May 2022

In this research, modified castor oil (MCO)‐based biocomposite has been synthesized and its structure is strengthened with waste polyethylene (PE) reinforcement. Both the petrochemical raw material used is reduced by 12 wt% and a new environmentally friendly biocomposite is produced using waste PE. Considering some thermophysical properties of the obtained biocomposite, experimental working conditions, and composition ratios have been optimized with response surface methodology (RSM). The chemical bond structure of the biocomposite has been investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, thermal decomposition behavior by thermogravimetric analysis, and surface morphology by scanning electron microscopy. According to the results obtained, the density and hardness of the biocomposite synthesized by the addition of MCO to unsaturated polyester (UP) decreases, and its thermal conductivity and thermal stability increase. The thermal decomposition kinetics of the biocomposite is also modeled with the newly improved hyperbolic function equation. The relationship between conversion rate and the temperature has been determined by the new model with a high correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.9985) and low‐error functions (SST = 0.0096, RMSE = 0.0285, χ2 = 0.0037). Effective and efficient use of MCO, UP, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, and cobalt octoate in the production process has provided an economical and steady the biocomposite. Evaluation of experimental data with both RSM and artificial neural networks raises the reliability of the model results.