bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Pilot Study Evaluating Medication Adherence in Geriatric Patients with Chronic Conditions
Authors: K.M Vivekanandan. , R Siva , Raju Smilelin , G Saranya
Published: January 2025

Introduction: More established grown-ups are more inclined to ongoing circumstances and intermittent ailment like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, respiratory messes and so on which might require persistent prescription with different medications. Unfortunate consistency in this age bunch represents medicine wastage with the inflated cost of medical care and significant deterioration of the sickness with disability of death. A large portion of the human and financial expenses related to non-adherence can be tried not by further developing prescription adherence. Typically, geriatric patients have different co-morbidities, which can antagonistically influence drug consistence. Our review recognizes different reasons liable for low adherence.
Aim: To assess the level of medication compliance in the geriatric patients with chronic conditions and also analyze the reason behind the non-adherence.
Materials and methods: The study subjects were assessed by using 8 structured questionnaires as per modified morisky medication adherence scale(MMAS).
Results: A total of 88 subjects of geriatric patients with chronic conditions were assessed for the level of compliance for long term medications. The compliance level was assessed by interviewing patients with 8 item structured questionnaires as per Modified Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS). The level of compliance was high in 34  and moderate in 39 and low in 15 of the study subjects.
Conclusion: To further develop drug adherence it is fundamental to recognize the purposes for the non-adherence like confounded systems, obliviousness about the sickness and inconveniences, physical and financial problems, forgetfulness, accessibility issues and absence of section of land providers and so on. Geriatric patients particularly tend to quit taking drugs by their own this can make it hard to anticipate improvement in the adherence. So, medication consistency is a vital element which increments helpful result.
Epidemiological, Clinical and Paraclinical Aspects of the Association of Diabetes and COVID-19 in a Lome Regional Hospital, Togo
Authors: Djagadou Kodjo Agbeko , Kotosso Awèréou , Djalogue Lihanimpo , Klouvi Koffi , Amadou Nouridine , Djibril Mohaman Awalou
Published: January 2025

Diabetes is one of the most frequently reported comorbidities in patients with COVID-19 in non-critical forms of the infection. The aim of the study is to describe the Epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical aspects of diabetic patients hospitalized for COVID-19. This was a retrospective descriptive study conducted over 19 months from March 21, 2020 to October 31, 2021, covering the medical records of patients with COVID-19 hospitalized at Lomé Commune Regional Hospital, Togo. In this study, 321 diabetic patients were included. Data were collected from patients’; hospitalization records using an established survey form. The median age of the patients was 59 years. Mortality was 27% and factors associated with death were age equal to or greater than 60, parenchymal involvement equal to or greater than 50%, and hospital stay of less than 7 days. The association of diabetes and COVID-19 must be taken seriously, as it is a deleterious combination for elderly patients with a severe form of the disease.
Floral Biology and Pollination Behaviour in Bottle Gourd under Hilly Condition of Uttarakhand
Authors: Varsha  , Bisht S. S. , Pant S. C. , Bahuguna Pankaj , Qazizadah Nasir Ahmad , Khaiper Mamta
Published: January 2025

An experiment was conducted at College of Horticulture, Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry Bharsar Pauri Gharwal to observe the floral biology and Pollination behaviour in ten genotypes (G1 to G10) of bottle gourd March 2022 - August 2022. The flower has five petals. The different parameters for floral biology and pollination behavior were recorded on the basis of time period. The experiment was laid out in field conditions is RCBD with three replications for ten genotypes and lab experiment was laid out in CRD with nine treatments. The genotype Pusa Summer Prolific Long (PSPL) took a minimum of 38.333days for first male flowering, and for female flowering, it took 40.667 days. The genotype L. C. Meerut has given better in terms of a maximum 7.100cm male flower length; for female flower length, it was 7.500cm. The genotype Pusa Summer Prolific Long (PSPL) had maximum (81.000mm) diameter of male flower. Arka Bahar had maximum (86.000mm) diameter of female flower. The best result for sex ratio was seen in L. C. Tehri (105.000). Anthesis in different genotypes of bottle gourd started from 5.00 am, and flower continued to open till 11.00 am. The peak period for anthesis in all the genotypes was recorded in between 6.00 am to 8.00 am. Anther dehiscence is increased gradually from 6.00 am to 11.00 am. The peak period of anther dehiscence was recorded between 6.00 am to 8.00 am. The maximum percentage of stigma receptivity was observed during full bloom stage followed by bud and withering stages in all genotypes. The fruit set by hand pollination was maximum (80.000%) in PSPL and by open pollination maximum (86.000%) fruit set was recorded in genotype Arka Bahar.
Comparative Pest Resistance of Hot Pepper Hybrids in Organic Farming Systems
Authors: Salkić Besim , Salihović Emina , Imširović Emir , Salkić Ensar , Životić Aleksandar
Published: January 2025

The genetic basis of the hybrid and growing conditions can significantly affect the resistance to certain types of pests in environmental protection. Some hybrids have a thicker fruit skin, higher concentrations of capsaicin (the active ingredient in hot peppers) or that the fruit contains secondary metabolites that repel pests. This is very important in ecological agriculture and environmental protection, where conventional preparations are not used. The degree of resistance of hybrids can also differ according to which types of pests are dominant in the environment. This research examines pest resistance between two different hot pepper hybrids in organic production with identical agro-ecological conditions, nutrition and plant protection. The experiment was planted in the lowland part of Bosnia and Herzegovina at an altitude of 192 m in greenhouse. During a four-month study were monitored two type of hot peppers:  hybrids Fortessa and Hungarian. The attack of the five most important pests of pepper were monitored: Frankliniella occidentalis, Ostrinia nubilalis, Aphididae, Panonychus ulmi and Trialeurodes vaporarium. The resistance of the Fortessa hybrid was higher against all of the mentioned pests. Considering that the temperature was very high all trought the vegetation period and without a long period of rainfall, the attack of the mite - Panonychus ulmi was increased. The resistance of Fortesse to Panonychus ulmi is 31% higher compared to Hungarian pepper. The yield of the Fortessa hybrid is 0.52 kg higher per plant compared to Hungarian pepper. The use of genetically more resistant varieties and hybrids in organic production is the main preventive protection in the already limited possibilities of using plant protective products. Cultivation of hybrids in real conditions is the most reliable way to obtain data of plant resistance two different pepper hybrids.
A Duality Principle and Concerning Convex Dual Formulation for a Model in Micro-Magnetism
Authors: Botelho Fabio Silva
Published: January 2025

This article develops a duality principle applicable to originally non-convex primal variational formulations. More specifically, we establish a convex (in fact concave) dual variational formulation for a model in micro-magnetism. The results are obtained through basic tools of functional analysis, calculus of variations, duality and optimization theory in infinite dimensional spaces. It is worth highlighting the dual functional obtained is concave in its concerning main variables, which correspond to the Lagrange multipliers for the respective related constraints. Finally, we emphasize such a convex dual formulation obtained may be applied to a large class of similar models in the calculus of variations, including models in elasticity and phase transition.
Factors Influencing the Adoption of Climate Resilient Technologies in Semi-Arid Regions: Insights from NICRA in Samba District, Jammu and Kashmir in the Shivalik Hills, India
Authors: Sharma Sugam , Singh S.P. , Bhat Anil , Singh A.P. , Manhas J.S. , Sharma Manish Kumar
Published: January 2025

Climate-induced temperature increases and reduced rainfall have severely threatened the agricultural productivity and food security of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. National Innovations Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) interventions like crop rotation, soil management and help farmers adapt the technology to reduce climate change risk. Therefore, this paper examines the impact of NICRA interventions on crop yield and income of farmers in a vulnerable and semi-arid region of the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. The study surveyed 120 farmers in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. The ordinary least square method has been used to analyze the data. The results show that attendance at the training, having a Kissan credit card, and farmers' experience have significantly influenced the adaptation of NICRA interventions. The study sheds light on the positive relation with farm income due to the adaptation of NICRA interventions. Our study proposed policy-related recommendations to encourage farmers to adopt climate-smart agriculture through NICRA interventions. This includes raising awareness among farmers through high-quality information and training and developing climate action for the small and marginal farmers of the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. This study provides a foundation for understanding the role of NICRA interventions in increasing farm productivity and income in semi-arid regions.
3.4% Solar‐to‐Ammonia Efficiency from Nitrate Using Fe Single Atomic Catalyst Supported on MoS2 Nanosheets
Authors: Li Ji , Zhang Yuan , Liu Chao , Zheng Lirong , Petit Eddy , Qi Kun , Zhang Yang , Wu Huali , Wang Wensen , Tiberj Antoine , Wang Xuechuan , Chhowalla Manish , Lajaunie Luc , Yu Ruohan , Voiry Damien
Published: December 2021

Electrochemical synthesis of NH3 is a carbon‐free alternative to the traditional Haber–Bosch process. Obtaining NH3 from environmental pollutants, such as nitrates or nitrites, is a more practical route than from the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) due to the difficult cleavage of the inert triple bond of nitrogen gas. Here, a novel heterogeneous catalyst is reported based on iron (Fe) single‐atoms supported on 2D MoS2 (Fe‐MoS2) for the nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR). Fe‐MoS2 exhibits remarkable performance with a maximum Faradaic efficiency of 98% for NO3RR to NH3 at an onset potential of −0.48 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) as confirmed by the isotopic nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the enhanced selectivity for the production of NH3 from single Fe atoms supported on MoS2 is attributed to a reduced energy barrier of 0.38 eV associated with de‐oxidation of *NO to *N. The catalysts are coupled to an InGaP/GaAs/Ge triple‐junction solar cell to demonstrate a solar‐to‐ammonia (STA) conversion efficiency of 3.4% and a yield rate of 510 µg h−1 cm−2. The results open new avenues for the design of single‐atom catalysts (SAC) for the realization of solar‐driven ammonia production.
Regulating Zinc Deposition Behaviors by the Conditioner of PAN Separator for Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Fang Yun , Xie Xuesong , Zhang Bingyao , Chai Yizhao , Lu Bingan , Liu Mengke , Zhou Jiang , Liang Shuquan
Published: December 2021

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) are promising candidates for large‐scale energy storage due to the high safety and cost effectiveness. Yet it is suffered from the obscurely uncontrolled Zn2+ deposition that accumulates together and easily penetrates the separator. Here, a 3D long‐range ordered polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber separator is designed to overcome this barrier. The N atoms on the surface of separator uniformly distribute the ion flux and guide the cation transport through available N–Zn bonds. Hence, the electric field on the anode is evenly distributed, which helps to guide the nucleation, growth, and deposition of zinc ions. Benefit from this functional group, a Zn symmetric cell with PAN separator shows a long‐term stability and dendrite‐free deposition layer with a preferred (101) crystallographic orientation. Meanwhile, the Zn/NH4V4O10 cells display high specific capacity and excellent long‐term durability of 89.2% capacity retention after 1500 cycles at 10 A g−1. This work demonstrates the design of functional separator provides an effective way to modify Zn2+ deposition behavior and achieve a dendrite‐free Zn metal anode.
Architecting Hybrid Donor–Acceptor Dendritic Nanosheets Based on Polyoxometalate and Porphyrin for High‐Yield Solar Water Purification
Authors: Zhou Yue , Lu Qichen , Liu Qingda , Yang Haozhou , Liu Junli , Zhuang Jing , Shi Wenxiong , Wang Xun
Published: December 2021

Harvesting solar energy for saline and polluted water purification is a sustainable and affordable solution to alleviate the stress on water shortages. However, the water evaporation rate relies on high optical intensity and suffers from inadequate energy conversion. Herein, a novel hybrid donor–acceptor dendritic nanosheets (denoted as DNS) composed of phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) clusters and porphyrin ligands is reported. Experimental results and molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the PMA and porphyrin are oriented attachment and assembled into a stable nanostructure. Benefiting from the advantages of the unique structure and photosensitive components, the DNS exhibits high evaporation rate of 2.23 kg m‐2 h‐1 with 90.9% energy efficiency under 1 sun irradiation. It is noteworthy that the evaporation performance is upgraded by innovative technology, and even under 0.5 sun that is close to the natural sunlight intensity, the evaporation rate reaches up to 1.31 kg m‐2 h‐1, which exceeds that of the vast majority of the reported evaporators. Furthermore, this evaporator also displays excellent seawater desalination and wastewater decontamination based on photo‐thermal distillation, highlighting its potential application toward water purification.
Engineered Tissue Models to Replicate Dynamic Interactions within the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche
Authors: Gilchrist Aidan E. , Harley Brendan A. C.
Published: December 2021

Hematopoietic stem cells are the progenitors of the blood and immune system and represent the most widely used regenerative therapy. However, their rarity and limited donor base necessitate the design of ex vivo systems that support HSC expansion without the loss of long‐term stem cell activity. This review describes recent advances in biomaterials systems to replicate features of the hematopoietic niche. Inspired by the native bone marrow, these instructive biomaterials provide stimuli and cues from cocultured niche‐associated cells to support HSC encapsulation and expansion. Engineered systems increasingly enable study of the dynamic nature of the matrix and biomolecular environment as well as the role of cell–cell signaling (e.g., autocrine feedback vs paracrine signaling between dissimilar cells). The inherent coupling of material properties, biotransport of cell‐secreted factors, and cell‐mediated remodeling motivate dynamic biomaterial systems as well as characterization and modeling tools capable of evaluating a temporally evolving tissue microenvironment. Recent advances in HSC identification and tracking, model‐based experimental design, and single‐cell culture platforms facilitate the study of the effect of constellations of matrix, cell, and soluble factor signals on HSC fate. While inspired by the HSC niche, these tools are amenable to the broader stem cell engineering community.
3D Printing of a Flexible Inclined‐Tip Cone Array‐Based Pressure Sensor
Authors: Li Tong , Pan Peng , Yang Zhengchun , Wei Jun , Yang Xiaoping , Liu Jun , Zhou Jie , Zhang Xiaodong , Liu Guanying
Published: December 2021

The high sensitivity and portability of flexible pressure sensors have attracted widespread attention from researchers owing to their potential use in health monitoring and exercise detection applications. However, to improve the performance of pressure sensors, a special microstructure‐shaped design is necessary, which usually requires a complicated manufacturing process. In this study, the use of 3D printing technology is proposed to develop a polydimethylsiloxane‐based material along with several conductive materials—carbon black, multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and copper mixed conductive ink—to develop a multilevel inclined‐tip cone array structure to obtain a flexible pressure sensor with a wide detection range and high sensitivity. The final pressure sensor demonstrates a wide range of 0–396 kPa, achieving a high sensitivity of 212 kPa−1, a response time of 32 ms, a low detection limit of 7.69 Pa, along with high stability and consistency under a 5000 cycles compression test. 3D printing technology is used directly in the manufacturing process to achieve low‐cost production. The pressure sensor can accurately identify finger, arm (bending), and leg (jumping) movements, along with the detection of pulse waves. It has opened up new test methods for pulse diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine and has far‐reaching research significance.
Dry Spun, Bulk‐Functionalized rGO Fibers for Textile Integrated Potentiometric Sensors
Authors: Napier Bradley S. , Matzeu Giusy , Presti Marco Lo , Omenetto Fiorenzo G.
Published: December 2021

Thread or fiber‐based sensors can be integrated into wearable textiles paving the way for re‐engineered electrochemical sensing units for exercise or training analytics in real‐time. Textile‐based sensors currently have limitations such as large diameters, low conductivity, poor electrochemical performance and sensing stability, or expensive manufacturing processes—preventing many commercial applications in sweat sensing. Pure reduced graphene oxide (rGO) fibers show much promise as low‐cost electrode material for the development of high‐performance textile‐based sweat sensing units with strong electrical, mechanical, and material properties, owing to the solid core structure, rather than a coated textile. Potentiometric sensing units based on H+ Ion Selective Electrodes fabricated on dry‐spun rGO and redox modified rGO fibers combined with a rGO fiber‐based reference electrode are reported here. The potentiometric fiber‐based interface is then integrated into a T‐shirt with Bluetooth recording unit for continuous monitoring during exercise. The small diameter and facile functionalization of rGO fibers will enable applications such as multi‐sensor threads and distributed fibers that can be seamlessly integrated into sensing empowered textiles.
Nematic Liquid Crystal Disclination Lines Driven by A Photoaligned Defect Grid
Authors: Nys Inge , Berteloot Brecht , Beeckman Jeroen , Neyts Kristiaan
Published: December 2021

Photoalignment for nematic liquid crystals makes it possible to design complex alignment patterns with point defects, that can act as anchoring points for disclination lines. This feature may be used to realize novel electro‐optical devices with bistability or enhanced scattering and is promising for material applications such as stimuli‐responsive actuators, active matter, and assembly of colloidal particles. However, the applicability is hampered by the limited understanding of the interaction between the defects in the photoalignment pattern and the disclination lines in the nematic liquid crystal. In this work disclination lines are studied that connect surface defects of strength 1/2 arranged in a periodic grid. The elastic tension is estimated in the disclination line and it is shown how the director configuration close to a +1/2 surface defect is influenced by the fact that the three elastic constants are different. A tilt is induced close to the surface that can be amplified and visualized by applying a voltage.
Wafer‐Scale Growth of Vertical‐Structured SnSe2 Nanosheets for Highly Sensitive, Fast‐Response UV–Vis–NIR Broadband Photodetectors
Authors: Chen Zhiyong , Xiong Lei , Li Guangyuan , Wei Lei , Yang Chunlei , Chen Ming
Published: December 2021

Owing to the strong light–matter interactions, 2D semiconducting thin films have shown their great potential in the development of high‐performance ultraviolet–visible–near infrared (UV–Vis–NIR) broadband photodetectors (PDs). However, the planar 2D semiconducting thin films via conventional growth method are often in the form of isolated flakes and/or suffering from low absorption efficiency of light, which hinders the UV–Vis–NIR optoelectronics from widespread applications. Herein are reported high‐performance nonplanar UV–Vis–NIR broadband PD arrays, based on wafer‐scale, vertical‐structured SnSe2 nanosheet arrays (NSAs) via low‐temperature molecular beam epitaxy method. The vertical‐structured SnSe2 NSAs possess light absorption efficiency of >90% covering the wave range from 340 to 650 nm. Benefiting from the excellent light trapping ability and uniformity of waferscaled SnSe2 NSAs as well as relatively short channel, the broadband PD arrays exhibit superior comprehensive performance. They achieve a high responsivity of 31.94 A W‐1, fast speed (≈63 μs), and high uniformity. In addition, the responsivity of the broadband PD arrays is further improved via Zn‐doping technique.
Photon Recycling Effect and Lossless Fluorescence Propagation in β‐Sheet Peptide Fibers
Authors: Apter Boris , Lapsker Igor , Inberg Alexandra , Rosenman Gil
Published: December 2021

Light‐delivering optical fibers are widely used for biomedical imaging, theranostics and surgery, and optogenetics. In this work, a new generation of bioinspired optical fibers is proposed. Developed amyloidogenic peptide fibrillary structures with tailored β‐sheet conformation exhibit unique optical properties of full overlapping of broadband visible fluorescence (FL) and optical absorption spectra. This study reports on unexpected lossless propagation of the FL light along 100 µm length β‐sheet microfibers. It is shown that the found FL long‐distance lossless radiative energy transport occurs due to highly effective FL photon recycling phenomenon supported by FL zero Stokes shift and high quantum yield. This new non‐Beer–Lambert FL lossless propagation mechanism is observed in very thin ≈1 µm diameter fibers, providing a single/few‐mode waveguiding regime. The developed model and computer simulations, based on the finite difference time domain method, are consistent with the experimental results. Fabricated peptide FL fiber probes permit delivering intensity‐modulated FL signal with selected wavelength over the whole visible spectrum in wide modulation frequencies range.
High‐Efficiency Miniaturized Spoof Plasmonic Waveguide Filter from Direct Current to Millimeter‐Wave Frequency
Authors: Chen Zhao-Min , Wang Jun , Liang Xin-Hua , Li Huan-Bo , Ma Jian-Yu , Shen Xiaopeng , Zhao Lei , Cui Tie Jun
Published: December 2021

Spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) are highly confined electromagnetic (EM) surface waves in microwave and millimeter‐wave frequencies, mimicking the surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in the optical frequency, which have many potential applications in plasmonic integrated circuits and systems. Herein, a miniaturized ultrathin SSPP structure is proposed by etching specially designed periodic elements on the coplanar waveguide (CPW), which has been successfully used to realize SSPP waveguide filters with high‐efficiency transmissions from the direct current to millimeter‐wave frequency region. By changing the dimensions of the SSPP structure, the cutoff frequency of the proposed plasmonic waveguide filter can be tuned from microwave to millimeter‐wave frequencies, maintaining the high transmission efficiency in the operating bandwidth. The physical mechanism is explained by the dispersion curves and field distributions. Experimental verification is conducted, which has good agreement with numerical simulations, indicating that the proposed plasmonic waveguide filter can help miniaturize the SSPP components and improve their integration with other devices in ultrawide frequency bands.
Vertical Thin Film Transistor Based on Conductivity Modulation of Graphene Electrode by Micro‐Hole Patterning
Authors: Pyo Goeun , Lee Gwang Jun , Lee Seungchul , Yang Jae Hoon , Heo Su Jin , Choi Gyeong Hyeon , Cha SeungNam , Jang Jae Eun
Published: December 2021

The vertical thin film transistor (VTFT) has several advantages over the planar thin film transistor, such as a high current density and low operating voltage, because of the structural specificity. However, it is difficult to realize transistor operation in a VTFT because of the structural limitation that the gate field is blocked. As a solution, the conductivity modulation of a graphene electrode is studied with a micro‐hole structure as a gate field transfer electrode. The micro‐hole array pattern in the graphene allows better penetration of the gate field to junction and the work function to be modulated. Moreover, the patterning induces a doping effect on the graphene which results in a high barrier at the p–n junction and improves the conductivity in the device operation. The optimum performance is shown at 5 µm hole size and 30% hole ratio by analyzing the hole size and the area ratio. The proposed structure shows about 20 times higher on‐current than a planar transistor with a same active area. Compared to a VTFT using simple graphene working function modulation, the proposed structure has an on‐state current that is ten times higher and off‐state current that is reduced 50%, and therefore has an improved on–off ratio.
Self‐Activation Enables Cationic and Anionic Co‐Storage in Organic Frameworks
Authors: Cheng Zhangyuan , Le Jiabo , Wang Jun , Sun Wenlu , Zheng Lei , Cai Lifeng , Lu Derong , Shen Yanbin , Wu Jihuai , Fu Fang , Chen Hongwei
Published: December 2021

The low capacity of current anion‐hosting electrodes makes it challenging to meet future energy requirements. Maintaining the high capacity of ions per unit volume and/or weight is always the ultimate goal for an optimal electrode design. Here, an organic framework is reported that can efficiently co‐store anions and cations in a single discharge/charge process, accompanied with a special cation‐assisted electrode activation process. The inserted cations not only facilitate anion diffusion kinetics, but also make a considerable contribution to the total capacity of the electrodes. This anion–cation co‐storage cathode thus can deliver a high capacity of 530 mAh g−1 at 3.4–1.0 V and a high energy density of 901 Wh kg−1 after 800 cycles (at 0.15 A g−1). The understanding of the self‐activation process is expected to inspire electrode design that utilizes anionic–cationic hybrid electrode chemistries beyond current Li‐ion batteries.
Strain Engineering in Electrocatalysts: Fundamentals, Progress, and Perspectives
Authors: Yang Xiaobo , Wang Yingyong , Tong Xili , Yang Nianjun
Published: December 2021

Strain engineering of nanomaterials, namely, designing, tuning, or controlling surface strains of nanomaterials is an effective strategy to achieve outstanding performance in different nanomaterials for their various applications. This article summarizes recent progress and achievements in the development of strain‐rich electrocatalysts (SREs) and their applications in the field of electrochemical energy conversion technologies. It starts from the definition of lattice strains, followed by the classification of lattice strains where the mechanisms of strain formation and the reported methods to regulate related strains are elaborated. The SRE characterization techniques are overviewed, focusing deeply on the clarification of the strain‐property relationship of these SREs. Their applications for different electrocatalytic reactions are further highlighted, including the hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, alcohol oxidation reaction, electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction, and nitrogen reduction reaction. Related reaction mechanisms of the SREs are interpreted after taking catalytic performance, as well as the relationship between the SRE properties and their strains into account. The challenges and future opportunities to regulate SREs are finally outlined and discussed together with their potential applications in different fields.
Technical and financial feasibility for intensification of the extensive shrimp farming area in Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Authors: Schuur Anthonie M. , McNevin Aaron A. , Davis Robert P. , Boyd Claude E. , Brian Susanna , Tinh Huynh Quoc , Duy Nguyen Phuong
Published: December 2021

Engineering design studies and financial feasibility assessments were made for construction, maintenance, equipment, operations, loan requirement, shrimp sales and predicted cash flows for simulated transformations of extensive shrimp farms to intensive shrimp farms in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Farms with less than 2.8 ha of feed‐based, aerated production ponds would not be profitable at shrimp yields less than 5 t/ha/year. Profit projections increased in response to greater production area on farms and larger annual pond yields. Farms with 6 ha or more of production ponds and yields of 10 t/ha/year or more had the best profit potential. Greater profitability at higher production intensity resulted from a reduction in the labour cost/product weight ratio as yield per unit area increased. Transformation from extensive to intensive farms would allow greater shrimp production, increase worker income and lessen land and water use. Environmental benefits would include a reduction in sediment starvation of the Mekong Delta, and the option to restore some of the several hundred thousand hectares of mangrove area severely degraded by extensive shrimp farming. These two improvements would be of benefit in retarding erosion along the Mekong Delta coastline. The possibility of intensification and consolidation of the shrimp farming area in the Mekong Delta deserves further consideration.
Acknowledging bereavement, strengthening communities: Introducing an online compassionate community initiative for the recognition of pandemic grief
Authors: Ummel Deborah , Vachon Mélanie , Guité‐Verret Alexandra
Published: December 2021

Despite public health measures and collective efforts, millions of individuals have unfortunately died from COVID‐19 complications worldwide, leaving several million family members at risk of developing bereavement complications. In the Canadian province of Quebec, where substantial deaths were associated with COVID‐19, we established an online support community for bereaved caregivers who lost a loved one during the pandemic. We explain how we created a community that recognized pandemic grief and advocated for its wider acknowledgment. We discuss “compassionate communities,” the theoretical underpinning of our initiative, as a means to foster solidarity, normalize finitude, create and maintain a safe social space through group sharing, and challenging capitalist principles. We then describe the eight areas of activities inspired by the Charter of Pallium Canada: education and training, hospices and nursing homes, media and social media, commemoration, celebrations, artistic practices and storytelling, marginalized populations, and review and evaluate. We propose that online communities constitute a powerful space for community members to gather and advocate for greater awareness of the inequities found in end‐of‐life care and bereavement services, to denounce abusive situations experienced by many individuals who died from COVID‐19 complications, and to fight against the lack of recognition experienced by numerous caregivers.
Total Synthesis of (±)‐Taiwaniaquinol B through a Sequence of Fries Rearrangement and Photo‐Nazarov Cyclization
Authors: Chang Chieh‐Yu , Chen Chun‐Jen , Huang Sheng‐Hao , Kao Shih‐Chieh , Wu Yen‐Ku
Published: December 2021

Described is a concise route to (±)‐taiwaniaquinol B. The 6‐5‐6‐fused ring system was constructed by sequencing a Fries rearrangement and a photo‐Nazarov cyclization. The application of photoirradiation conditions was found to be crucial for promoting the key electrocyclization and mitigating the competing oxo‐Michael pathway.
Hydrophobic Polysaccharides: Partially 2‐Deoxygenated Amyloses
Authors: Abe Shogo , Yamamoto Kazuya , Kadokawa Jun‐ichi
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we report that polysaccharide substrates bearing 2‐deoxygenated amylose chains are hydrophobic. A pure partially 2‐deoxygenated amylose was synthesized by the thermostable glucan phosphorylase‐catalyzed enzymatic copolymerization of d‐glucal, a non‐native monomer, with α‐d‐glucose 1‐phosphate, a native monomer from maltotriose, as a primer. A water contact angle on a cast film of the resulting polysaccharide confirms that it is hydrophobic. Enzymatic copolymerization using glycogen as a polymeric primer was used to investigate the possibility of engendering hydrophilic substrates with hydrophobicity by incorporating such polysaccharide chains; the resulting glycogen‐derived films with elongated partially 2‐deoxygenated amylose chains are strongly hydrophobic.
Are nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs effective enough for postoperative pain control after functional endoscopic sinus surgery and septoplasty? A randomized, controlled study
Authors: Saini Alok T. , Jiang Zi Y. , Starr Nicole C. , Talmadge Jason , Schmale Isaac , Radabaugh Paul , Yao William C. , Luong Amber U. , Citardi Martin J.
Published: December 2021

Background

Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and septoplasty are commonly performed procedures without standardized postoperative pain regimens. There is reluctance to prescribe opioids for postoperative pain given their potential for abuse. Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been demonstrated to reduce or even obviate the need for opioid pain medications after otolaryngologic surgeries, but prospective validation is lacking.

Methods

A randomized, controlled study comparing the efficacy of diclofenac sodium to hydrocodone/acetaminophen (APAP) after ESS with or without septoplasty was performed. Participants were given a 100‐mm visual analog pain scale (VAS) at postoperative days (PODs) 1, 2, 3, and 5 after ESS. Two‐sample t tests were used to compare pain scores between groups.

Results

One hundred patients enrolled, and 74 patients provided pain scores to the survey. Pain was greatest for both groups on POD 1. Treatment with diclofenac sodium vs hydrocodone/APAP did not statistically impact pain scores at PODs 1, 2, 3, or 5. No cases of epistaxis requiring an emergency room visit or return to the operating room were noted during the study period.

Conclusion

Diclofenac sodium may be non‐inferior to hydrocodone/APAP in treating pain after ESS with or without septoplasty in opioid naive patients without pre‐existing pain conditions. Further studies with larger samples are warranted to investigate the potential superiority of diclofenac to hydrocodone/APAP in certain patients after ESS and septoplasty.
A Fluorescent Sensor for Quantitative Super‐Resolution Imaging of Amyloid Fibril Assembly**
Authors: Kaur Amandeep , Adair Liam D. , Ball Sarah R. , New Elizabeth J. , Sunde Margaret
Published: December 2021

Many soluble proteins can self‐assemble into macromolecular structures called amyloids, a subset of which are implicated in a range of neurodegenerative disorders. The nanoscale size and structural heterogeneity of prefibrillar and early aggregates, as well as mature amyloid fibrils, pose significant challenges for the quantification of amyloid morphologies. We report a fluorescent amyloid sensor AmyBlink‐1 and its application in super‐resolution imaging of amyloid structures. AmyBlink‐1 exhibits a 5‐fold increase in ratio of the green (thioflavin T) to red (Alexa Fluor 647) emission intensities upon interaction with amyloid fibrils. Using AmyBlink‐1, we performed nanoscale imaging of four different types of amyloid fibrils, achieving a resolution of ≈30 nm. AmyBlink‐1 enables nanoscale visualization and subsequent quantification of morphological features, such as the length and skew of individual amyloid aggregates formed at different times along the amyloid assembly pathway.
Sustainable Superhydrophobic Surface with Tunable Nanoscale Hydrophilicity for Water Harvesting Applications
Authors: Wang Yi , Zhao Weinan , Han Mei , Guan Lu , Han Lian , Hemraj Afraz , Tam Kam Chiu
Published: December 2021

Superwettable surfaces show great potential in water harvesting applications, however, a scalable water harvesting surface remains elusive due to the trade‐off between water deposition and transport. Herein, we report a unique superhydrophobic surface with tunable nanoscale hydrophilicity constructed by structured Pickering emulsions. Preferential exposure of the cellulose nanocrystal's outer surface and wax microspheres accelerates droplet deposition allowing for the manipulation of droplet mobility. Appropriate tuning of the wetting characteristics of the surfaces, optimizing the hydrophobicity and density of the water affinity nanodomains enhance the water deposition rate without the sacrifice of water transport rate, achieving an optimal water harvesting flux of 3.402 L m−2 h−1 for a plate and 5.02 L m−2 h−1 for a mesh. This hydrophilic/superhydrophobic surface allows the controllable manipulation of droplet nucleation and removal to enhance the water harvesting efficiency.
Triplet Dynamic Nuclear Polarization of Guest Molecules through Induced Fit in a Flexible Metal–Organic Framework**
Authors: Fujiwara Saiya , Matsumoto Naoto , Nishimura Koki , Kimizuka Nobuo , Tateishi Kenichiro , Uesaka Tomohiro , Yanai Nobuhiro
Published: December 2021

Dynamic nuclear polarization utilizing photoexcited triplet electrons (triplet‐DNP) has great potential for room‐temperature hyperpolarization of nuclear spins. However, the polarization transfer to molecules of interest remains a challenge due to the fast spin relaxation and weak interaction with target molecules at room temperature in conventional host materials. Here, we demonstrate the first example of DNP of guest molecules in a porous material at around room temperature by utilizing the induced‐fit‐type structural transformation of a crystalline yet flexible metal–organic framework (MOF). In contrast to the usual hosts, 1H spin‐lattice relaxation time becomes longer by accommodating a pharmaceutical model target 5‐fluorouracil as the flexible MOF changes its structure upon guest accommodation to maximize the host–guest interactions. Combined with triplet‐DNP and cross‐polarization (CP), this system realizes an enhanced 19F NMR signal of guest target molecules.
Thermal‐Triggered Dynamic Disulfide Bond Self‐Heals Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Qiaoyu , Duan Jialong , Guo Qiyao , Zhang Junshuai , Zheng Dengduan , Yi Fangxuan , Yang Xiya , Duan Yanyan , Tang Qunwei
Published: December 2021

One great challenge for perovskite solar cells (PSCs) lies in their poor operational stability under harsh stimuli by humidity, heat, light, etc. Herein, a thermal‐triggered self‐healing polyurethane (PU) is tailored to simultaneously improve the efficiency and stability of inorganic CsPbIBr2PSCs. The dynamic covalent disulfide bonds between adjacent molecule chains in PU at high temperatures self‐heal the in‐service formed defects within the CsPbIBr2perovskite film. Finally, the best device free of encapsulation achieves a champion efficiency up to 10.61 % and an excellent long‐term stability in an air atmosphere over 80 days and persistent heat attack (85 °C) over 35 days. Moreover, the photovoltaic performances are recovered by a simple heat treatment.
Interfacial Atom‐Substitution Engineered Transition‐Metal Hydroxide Nanofibers with High‐Valence Fe for Efficient Electrochemical Water Oxidation
Authors: Zhang Ben , Wu Zihe , Shao Wenjie , Gao Yun , Wang Weiwen , Ma Tian , Ma Lang , Li Shuang , Cheng Chong , Zhao Changsheng
Published: December 2021

Developing low‐cost electrocatalysts for efficient and robust oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the key for scalable water electrolysis, for instance, NiFe‐based materials. Decorating NiFe catalysts with other transition metals offers a new path to boost their catalytic activities but often suffers from the low controllability of the electronic structures of the NiFe catalytic centers. Here, we report an interfacial atom‐substitution strategy to synthesize an electrocatalytic oxygen‐evolving NiFeV nanofiber to boost the activity of NiFe centers. The electronic structure analyses suggest that the NiFeV nanofiber exhibits abundant high‐valence Fe via a charge transfer from Fe to V. The NiFeV nanofiber supported on a carbon cloth shows a low overpotential of 181 mV at 10 mA cm−2, along with long‐term stability (>20 h) at 100 mA cm−2. The reported substitutional growth strategy offers an effective and new pathway for the design of efficient and durable non‐noble metal‐based OER catalysts.
Thermal‐Triggered Dynamic Disulfide Bond Self‐Heals Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Qiaoyu , Duan Jialong , Guo Qiyao , Zhang Junshuai , Zheng Dengduan , Yi Fangxuan , Yang Xiya , Duan Yanyan , Tang Qunwei
Published: December 2021

One great challenge for perovskite solar cells (PSCs) lies in their poor operational stability under harsh stimuli by humidity, heat, light, etc. Herein, a thermal‐triggered self‐healing polyurethane (PU) is tailored to simultaneously improve the efficiency and stability of inorganic CsPbIBr2 PSCs. The dynamic covalent disulfide bonds between adjacent molecule chains in PU at high temperatures self‐heal the in‐service formed defects within the CsPbIBr2 perovskite film. Finally, the best device free of encapsulation achieves a champion efficiency up to 10.61 % and an excellent long‐term stability in an air atmosphere over 80 days and persistent heat attack (85 °C) over 35 days. Moreover, the photovoltaic performances are recovered by a simple heat treatment.
Fractional‐order system identification based on an improved differential evolution algorithm
Authors: Yu Wei , Liang HengHui , Chen Rui , Wen Chenglin , Luo Ying
Published: December 2021

With the continuous increasing of system modeling accuracy and control performance requirements, the fractional‐order models are applied to describe the dynamic characteristics of the real systems more accurately over traditional integer‐order models. Traditional identification algorithms for fractional‐order system require stringent information on the derivatives of the objective function and initial values of the parameters, which is difficult in practical applications. The differential evolution (DE) algorithm has the advantage of simple implementation and superior performance for solving multi‐dimensional complex optimization problems which is suitable for the identification of fractional‐order systems. Aiming at improving the solution accuracy and convergence speed, an improved DE (IDE) algorithm for fractional‐order system identification is proposed. The movement strategy of the marine predator algorithm (MPA) and the mutation strategy of randomly selecting one from the optimal individual population as the basis vector are both adopted in this proposed IDE algorithm. The parameter information of the successfully mutated individual is archived during the iteration process. The scaling factor and crossover probability factor are adaptively adjusted according to the archived information to enhance the best solution accuracy obtained in the search process. By testing 13 sets of unimodal and multimodal functions with high‐performance optimization algorithms, the accuracy performance of the proposed IDE solution is verified. The IDE algorithm is applied to identify the parameters of the fractional‐order system of permanent magnet synchronous motor with simulation and experiment. The identification results clearly show the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
Structural analysis of random transgene integration in CHO manufacturing cell lines by targeted sequencing
Authors: Stadermann Anna , Gamer Martin , Fieder Jürgen , Lindner Benjamin , Fehrmann Steffen , Schmidt Moritz , Schulz Patrick , Gorr Ingo H.
Published: December 2021

Genetically modified CHO cell lines are traditionally used for the production of biopharmaceuticals. However, an in‐depth molecular understanding of the mechanism and exact position of transgene integration into the genome of pharmaceutical manufacturing cell lines is still scarce. Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) holds great promise for strongly facilitating the understanding of CHO cell factories, as it has matured to a powerful and affordable technology for cellular genotype analysis. Targeted Locus Amplification (TLA) combined with NGS allows for robust detection of genomic positions of transgene integration and structural genomic changes occurring upon stable integration of expression vectors. TLA was applied to generate comparative genomic fingerprints of several CHO production cell lines expressing different monoclonal antibodies. Moreover, high producers resulting from an additional round of transfection of an existing cell line (supertransfection) were analyzed to investigate the integrity and the number of integration sites. Our analyses enabled detailed genetic characterization of the integration regions with respect to the number of integrates and structural changes of the host cell's genome. Single integration sites per clone with concatenated transgene copies could be detected and were in some cases found to be associated with genomic rearrangements, deletions or translocations. Supertransfection resulted in an increase in titer associated with an additional integration site per clone. Based on the TLA fingerprints, CHO cell lines originating from the same mother clone could clearly be distinguished. Interestingly, two CHO cell lines originating from the same mother clone were shown to differ genetically and phenotypically despite their identical TLA fingerprints. Taken together, TLA provides an accurate genetic characterization with respect to transgene integration sites compared with conventional methods and represents a valuable tool for a comprehensive evaluation of CHO production clones early in cell line development.
Enhancing tryptophan production by balancing precursors in Escherichia coli
Authors: Guo Liang , Ding Shuang , Liu Yadi , Gao Cong , Hu Guipeng , Song Wei , Liu Jia , Chen Xiulai , Liu Liming
Published: December 2021

Tryptophan, an essential aromatic amino acid, is widely used in animal feed, food additives, and pharmaceuticals. Although sustainable and environmentally friendly, microbial tryptophan production from renewable feedstocks is limited by low biosynthesis and transport rates. Here, an Escherichia coli strain capable of efficient tryptophan production was generated by improving and balancing the supply of precursors and by engineering membrane transporters. Tryptophan biosynthesis was increased by eliminating negative regulatory factors, blocking competing pathways, and preventing tryptophan degradation. Promoter engineering balanced the supply of the precursors erythrose‐4‐phosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate, as well as the availability of serine. Finally, the engineering of tryptophan transporters prevented feedback inhibition and growth toxicity. Fed‐batch fermentation of the final strain (TRP12) in a 5 L bioreactor produced 52.1 g·L−1 of tryptophan, with a yield of 0.171 g·g−1 glucose and productivity of 1.45 g·L−1·h−1. The metabolic engineering strategy described here paves the way for high‐performance microbial cell factories aimed at the production of tryptophan as well as other valuable chemicals.