bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining Investor Expectations Concerning Tax Savings on the Repatriations of Foreign Earnings under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004
Authors: Oler Mitchell , Shevlin Terry , Wilson Ryan
Published: October 2007

The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 was signed into law on October 22, 2004. One of the most significant aspects of this legislation is a temporary tax holiday for dividend repatriations from foreign subsidiaries. U.S. multinational corporations may elect during a one-year window to deduct 85 percent of extraordinary cash dividends received from foreign subsidiaries. In this study, we model the impact that this legislation has on a firm's decision to either repatriate or reinvest foreign earnings from abroad. We then examine investors' assessment of how U.S. multinational corporations will respond to the temporary tax holiday. Our results indicate that investors repriced the tax liability consistent with investors anticipating that U.S. multinational corporations will repatriate a significant portion of their permanently reinvested foreign earnings during the tax holiday.
The Semantics of Change as Revealed Through an Examination of Financial Accounting Standards Amendments
Authors: Fisher Ingrid E. , Garnsey Margaret R.
Published: October 2007

Financial accounting standards (FASs) are frequently changed by formal amendment. Frequent amendment imposes costs upon the users of these standards. Research into amendments and the amendment process is strikingly absent. A better understanding of what is amended and how often such amendments occur may facilitate a reduction in the frequency of such amendments enabling a corresponding reduction in the associated costs. This study examines a sample of 567 amendments to FASs. Classical information retrieval techniques are applied to establish whether meaningfully related clusters of amendments can be identified. Identified clusters are compared to a descriptive taxonomy of change (FAS amendments) proposed by Fisher (2004) to determine whether the clusters fit within the framework of the taxonomy, thereby lending it support. The results demonstrate the ability of classical information retrieval techniques to identify significant clusters of amendments and extend the applicability of the techniques into the FAS domain. In addition, the identified clusters provide preliminary support for the proposed taxonomy of change. We propose future research using amendments inserted into the original pronouncements in order to provide the context for the amendments. The additional context should enhance the ability of latent semantic indexing to identify meaningful clusters and may provide stronger support for the taxonomy.
XBRL: An Impacts Framework and Research Challenge
Authors: Baldwin Amelia A. , Brown Carol E. , Trinkle Brad S.
Published: October 2007

This article discusses XBRL, its impacts on users and on the characteristics of financial information, and provides an impacts framework for XBRL. XBRL will both simplify disclosure and ease the communication of financial information to users, analysts, and regulators via the Internet. The potential impacts that XBRL is expected to have on users, accountants, regulators, and the financial communication process are addressed. Research on XBRL is examined and future research directions and priorities are identified. A more rigorous look at the myriad range of potential impacts of XBRL is needed.
Information Technology Capability: Firm Valuation, Earnings Uncertainty, and Forecast Accuracy
Authors: Wang Li , Alam Pervaiz
Published: October 2007

Prior literature argues that information technology (IT) capability, an organization's ability to effectively use IT-based resources in combination with other organizational resources, can create unique and sustainable competitive advantages and thus intangible assets for a company. However, current accounting rules do not allow the capitalization of IT-enabled intangible assets. We hypothesize that IT-enabled intangible assets are value-relevant and provide incremental explanatory power for firm valuation beyond traditional accounting information. IT capability is inherently risky as it is subject to implementation challenges, technological complexity, and innovative integration of IT investments with other organizational resources. Thus, we argue that IT capability is positively associated with future earnings uncertainty and decreased analyst forecast accuracy. Using InformationWeek 500 ranking index as a proxy for IT capability, we find evidence supporting these hypotheses. This study contributes to the growing literature on IT capability.
Management Accounting Research in German-Speaking Countries
Authors: Wagenhofer Alfred
Published: October 2007

This paper reviews current research and practice in management accounting in Germany, Austria, and (part of) Switzerland based on 240 management accounting articles by authors affiliated to a German institution, published in the leading German-language journals and in international management accounting journals from 1998 to 2004. I provide insights into the topics, settings, research methods, and underlying theories used in that literature. Economics-based analytical research is the predominant research method and also had the greatest impact in the international journals. Using examples from theory and practice, I discuss potential reasons for these observations, accomplishments, trends, and potential future developments.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis with Multiorgan Involvement in a Teenage Male after Lymphoma, Ewing's Sarcoma, End-Stage Renal Disease, and Hemodialysis
Authors: Krous Henry F. , Breisch Eric , Chadwick Amy E. , Pinckney Lee , Malicki Denise M. , Benador Nadine
Published: October 2007

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a rare condition that always occurs after acute or chronic renal failure with or without dialysis. The vast majority of cases in the literature are adults, and postmortem findings have been reported in only 5 cases. We report a 15-year-old male who developed NSF with multiorgan involvement after successful treatment of renal lymphoma and a subsequent sacral Ewing's sarcoma, and end-stage renal disease treated with hemodialysis. At autopsy, he was found to have diffuse dural osseous metaplasia, transmural bronchiolar fibrosis, diaphragmatic central tendon fibrosis, and fibrous plaques of the mitral valve. These previously unreported findings expand the spectrum of multiorgan involvement in NSF providing additional evidence that it is an emerging systemic disorder.
Histological Study of Osteoid Osteoma's Blood Supply
Authors: de Chadarévian Jean-Pierre , Katsetos Christos D. , Pascasio Judy M. , Geller Evan , Herman Martin J.
Published: October 2007

The osteoid osteoma is a painful lesion with a special predilection for the femur and tibia of young patients. Although the lesion has been described as richly innervated, its vascular supply has not been critically appraised to date in the pathology literature. To this end, we have undertaken a morphological study of 16 archival cases of osteoid osteoma, focusing primarily on the patterns of vascularization, utilizing traditional histological and immunohistochemical approaches. The study demonstrated that a prominent arterial and arteriolar blood supply was a constant finding within the various zones of soft tissues, skeletal muscle, and bone surrounding the nidus. It also showed that the caliber of the vessels underwent gradual attenuation throughout their centripetal course toward the nidus, where the vessels lost their muscularis as they merged into the capillary network of the nidus. Immunostaining with antibodies to neurofilament and S100 proteins revealed a pattern of innervation that was overall less exuberant than that described in some reports and that was virtually absent from the nidus. Taken together with data reported in the radiological literature, our findings lead us to wonder whether the osteoid osteoma may represent a response to the local stimulation of bony tissue by a primarily aberrant vasculature, a hypothesis that warrants further elucidation using state-of-the-art imaging approaches.
Lack of Evidence for a Causal Relationship between Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy and Subdural Hemorrhage in Fetal Life, Infancy, and Early Childhood
Authors: Byard Roger W. , Blumbergs Peter , Rutty Guy , Sperhake Jan , Banner Jytte , Krous Henry F.
Published: October 2007

It has been asserted that hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) with cerebral swelling in the absence of marked trauma may be responsible for subural hemorrhage in the young. As this may have considerable implications in determining both the mechanism of death and the degree of force required to cause injury in certain cases of inflicted head injury in infancy, clarification is required. A retrospective study of 82 fetuses, infants, and toddlers with proven HIE and no trauma was undertaken from forensic institutes in Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, and the United States. The age range was 35 weeks gestation to 3 years, with a male to female ratio of 2:1. All cases had histologically confirmed HIE. Causes of the hypoxic episodes were temporarily resuscitated sudden infant death syndrome with delayed death (N = 30), drowning (N = 12), accidental asphyxia (N = 10), intrauterine/delivery asphyxia (N = 8), congenital disease (N = 6), aspiration of food/gastric contents (N = 4), inflicted asphyxia (N = 3), epilepsy (N = 1), dehydration (N = 1), drug toxicity (N = 1), complications of prematurity (N = 1), and complications of anesthesia (N = 1). The initiating event was not determined in 4 instances. In no case was there macroscopic evidence of subdural hemorrhage. In this study no support could be given to the hypothesis that HIE in the young in the absence of trauma causes subdural hemorrhage.
Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor Mimicking Hepatoblastoma: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Wagner Lars M. , Garrett Jennifer K. , Ballard Edgar T. , Hill D. Ashley , Perry Arie , Biegel Jaclyn A. , Collins Margaret H.
Published: October 2007

Hepatoblastoma accounts for the vast majority of malignant primary liver tumors in infancy. In contrast, rhabdoid tumors arising in the liver are extremely rare, but they can share clinical and histologic features with hepatoblastoma and can create diagnostic confusion, especially when one is dealing with small biopsies. In this case report we demonstrate that immunohistochemical and molecular techniques can identify the characteristic loss of INI1 and facilitate making the correct diagnosis of primary hepatic malignant rhabdoid tumor. Important similarities and differences between hepatoblastoma and rhabdoid tumors are reviewed, and suggestions are offered to help distinguish these 2 tumor types.
The Intermediate Filament Nestin is Highly Expressed in Normal Human Podocytes and Podocytes in Glomerular Disease
Authors: Perry Julie , Ho Michael , Viero Sandra , Zheng Keqin , Jacobs Robert , Thorner Paul S.
Published: October 2007

The intermediate protein nestin is expressed in proliferating embryonic tissues and adult tissues undergoing repair. Recently this protein been identified in rodent podocytes. Its role in this cell is unknown, since podocytes are believed to be terminally differentiated and nondividing. We report the first study of nestin in human kidney. Nestin expression in normal mature human glomeruli was confined to podocytes. In developing kidney, nestin was detected in metanephric blastema and in podocytic cells at all stages of glomerular development. Nestin co-localized with vimentin but not with actin or heavy chain myosin IIA, using a mouse podocyte cell line. Knockdown of nestin in a murine podocyte cell line failed to produce any obvious phenotypic change or alteration in vimentin distribution but was associated with increased cell cycling. A survey of glomerular diseases failed to identify any condition lacking nestin, indicating that the protein is critical for some aspect of podocyte function. Perhaps through an association with vimentin, nestin serves to bolster the mechanical strength of these cells that experience high tensile stress during glomerular filtration. Nestin was also expressed in podocytes that are reported to be ‘dysregulated’ (lacking podocyte markers). Thus, nestin has a potential as a reliable podocyte marker, even for podocytes that are not completely differentiated (for example, during development) or ‘dedifferentiated’ in glomerular disease.
Risk Assessment and Prevention of Falls in Older Community-Dwelling Adults
Authors: Colón-Emeric Cathleen S. , McDermott Cara L. , Lee Deborah S. , Berry Sarah D.
Published: March 2024

Importance

Falls are reported by more than 14 million US adults aged 65 years or older annually and can result in substantial morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditures.

Observations

Falls result from age-related physiologic changes compounded by multiple intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors. Major modifiable risk factors among community-dwelling older adults include gait and balance disorders, orthostatic hypotension, sensory impairment, medications, and environmental hazards. Guidelines recommend that individuals who report a fall in the prior year, have concerns about falling, or have gait speed less than 0.8 to 1 m/s should receive fall prevention interventions. In a meta-analysis of 59 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in average-risk to high-risk populations, exercise interventions to reduce falls were associated with 655 falls per 1000 patient-years in intervention groups vs 850 falls per 1000 patient-years in nonexercise control groups (rate ratio [RR] for falls, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.71-0.83; risk ratio for number of people who fall, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.81-0.89; risk difference, 7.2%; 95% CI, 5.2%-9.1%), with most trials assessing balance and functional exercises. In a meta-analysis of 43 RCTs of interventions that systematically assessed and addressed multiple risk factors among individuals at high risk, multifactorial interventions were associated with 1784 falls per 1000 patient-years in intervention groups vs 2317 falls per 1000 patient-years in control groups (RR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.67-0.87) without a significant difference in the number of individuals who fell. Other interventions associated with decreased falls in meta-analysis of RCTs and quasi-randomized trials include surgery to remove cataracts (8 studies with 1834 patients; risk ratio [RR], 0.68; 95% CI, 0.48-0.96), multicomponent podiatry interventions (3 studies with 1358 patients; RR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.61-0.99), and environmental modifications for individuals at high risk (12 studies with 5293 patients; RR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.61-0.91). Meta-analysis of RCTs of programs to stop medications associated with falls have not found a significant reduction, although deprescribing is a component of many successful multifactorial interventions.

Conclusions and Relevance

More than 25% of older adults fall each year, and falls are the leading cause of injury-related death in persons aged 65 years or older. Functional exercises to improve leg strength and balance are recommended for fall prevention in average-risk to high-risk populations. Multifactorial risk reduction based on a systematic clinical assessment for modifiable risk factors may reduce fall rates among those at high risk.
Signature reversion of three disease‐associated gene signatures prioritizes cancer drug repurposing candidates
Authors: Fisher Jennifer L. , Wilk Elizabeth J. , Oza Vishal H. , Gary Sam E. , Howton Timothy C. , Flanary Victoria L. , Clark Amanda D. , Hjelmeland Anita B. , Lasseigne Brittany N.
Published: March 2024

Drug repurposing is promising because approving a drug for a new indication requires fewer resources than approving a new drug. Signature reversion detects drug perturbations most inversely related to the disease‐associated gene signature to identify drugs that may reverse that signature. We assessed the performance and biological relevance of three approaches for constructing disease‐associated gene signatures (i.e., limma, DESeq2, and MultiPLIER) and prioritized the resulting drug repurposing candidates for four low‐survival human cancers. Our results were enriched for candidates that had been used in clinical trials or performed well in the PRISM drug screen. Additionally, we found that pamidronate and nimodipine, drugs predicted to be efficacious against the brain tumor glioblastoma (GBM), inhibited the growth of a GBM cell line and cells isolated from a patient‐derived xenograft (PDX). Our results demonstrate that by applying multiple disease‐associated gene signature methods, we prioritized several drug repurposing candidates for low‐survival cancers.
Temperature control of beer fermentation based on variable domain fuzzy PID and neural network technology and its application analysis
Authors: Li Hongqiang
Published: March 2024

Temperature control in the beer manufacturing process is crucial for product quality. Given the gap between China's automation in beer production and the international level, improving the technology in this area has gradually become a core issue in optimizing domestic beer production. This study combines a proportional integral derivative controller with a fuzzy modeling strategy and incorporates a variable‐domain structure to propose a variable‐domain fuzzy proportional integral derivative controller control method. To cope with the challenges of production interaction, the study also introduces neural network technology. The experimental data indicated that the variable‐domain fuzzy proportional integral derivative controller outperforms the conventional proportional integral derivative controller and the fuzzy proportional integral differential controller in terms of overshooting, with a maximum overshoot of only 1.0, compared with 0.50 and 0.70, respectively. The variable‐domain fuzzy proportional integral differential controller exhibited a minimal overshoot of only 0.01 when the model parameter is increased by 20%. In comparison, the other methods reach overshoot values of 0.92 and 1.0. The proposed method maintained superior stability even under the influence of impulse disturbance, step disturbance, and modeling variations. These results demonstrated that the research method is significantly more stable than both the proportion integration differentiation (PID) controller and fuzzy PID controller in complex dynamic parameter environments. The proposed method involved 60 rounds of neural network control, which was successfully implemented. The temperature readings T1 and T2 remained stable within the range of 1.0%–1.02% throughout the experiments. The study demonstrates that the proposed methods have higher accuracy and less fluctuation in actual application, making them more available. Taken together, the above results show that the combination of variable‐domain fuzzy PID controller and neural network technology in beer production has achieved excellent control results. This study not only provides a strong technical support for the progress of beer production technology in China, but also has important industrial application value and wide promotion prospects.
Fabricating Boron‐Functionalized Covalent Organic Framework with Remarkable Potential in Handling Cationic, Anionic, and Gaseous Nuclear Wastes
Authors: Zhang Qingyun , Luo Feng
Published: March 2024

Fabricating efficient adsorbent for the removal of nuclear waste is of vital importance from the viewpoint of both environmental protection and resource reclamation. Published research has yielded several adsorbents; however, these reported materials do not possess a high removal performance for different types of nuclear waste. In this work, it is shown for the first time the synthesis of a boron‐functionalized covalent organic framework (COF) and its ionic borate counterpart. These boron‐functionalized COFs are found to show large potential for handling various nuclear wastes, including alkaline nuclear wastewater, uranium‐containing nuclear wastewater, and I2 nuclear off‐gas. The developed COF has a record NaOH uptake of 2 g g−1, an ultrahigh uranium extraction ability of 1.77 g g−1, and an ultrahigh I2 capture capacity of 9.4 g g−1. Moreover, the materials have low cost and are reusable, and thus have significant potential for handling nuclear wastes.
Conductive Peptide‐Based MXene Hydrogel as a Piezoresistive Sensor
Authors: Cohen‐Gerassi Dana , Messer Or , Finkelstein‐Zuta Gal , Aviv Moran , Favelukis Bar , Shacham‐Diamand Yosi , Sokol Maxim , Adler‐Abramovich Lihi
Published: March 2024

Wearable pressure sensors have become increasingly popular for personal healthcare and motion detection applications due to recent advances in materials science and functional nanomaterials. In this study, a novel composite hydrogel is presented as a sensitive piezoresistive sensor that can be utilized for various biomedical applications, such as wearable skin patches and integrated artificial skin that can measure pulse and blood pressure, as well as monitor sound as a self‐powered microphone. The hydrogel is composed of self‐assembled short peptides containing aromatic, positively‐ or negatively charged amino acids combined with 2D Ti3C2Tz MXene nanosheets. This material is low‐cost, facile, reliable, and scalable for large areas while maintaining high sensitivity, a wide detection range, durability, oxidation stability, and biocompatibility. The bioinspired nanostructure, strong mechanical stability, and ease of functionalization make the assembled peptide‐based composite MXene‐hydrogel a promising and widely applicable material for use in bio‐related wearable electronics.
Cephalopod‐Inspired Chemical‐Gated Hydrogel Actuation Systems for Information 3D‐Encoding Display
Authors: Wu Baoyi , Si Muqing , Hua Luqin , Zhang Dong , Li Wanning , Zhao Chuanzhuang , Lu Wei , Chen Tao
Published: March 2024

Cephalopods evolve the acetylcholine‐gated actuation control function of their skin muscles, which enables their dynamic/static multimode display capacities for achieving perfectly spatial control over the colors/patterns on every inch of skin. Reproduction of artificial analogs that exhibit similar multimodal display is essential to reach advanced information three‐dimensional (3D) encoding with higher security than the classic 2D‐encoding strategy, but remains underdeveloped. The core difficulty is how to replicate such chemical‐gated actuation control function into artificial soft actuating systems. Herein, this work proposes to develop azobenzene‐functionalized poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) hydrogel systems, whose upper critical solution temperature (UCST) type actuation responsiveness can be intelligently programmed or even gated by the addition of hydrophilic α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) molecules for reversible association with pendant azobenzene moieties via supramolecular host–guest interactions. By employing such α‐CD‐gated hydrogel actuator as an analogue of cephalopods’ skin muscle, biomimetic mechanically modulated multicolor fluorescent display systems are designed, which demonstrate a conceptually new α‐CD‐gated “thermal stimulation‐hydrogel actuation‐fluorescence output” display mechanism. Consequently, high‐security 3D‐encoding information carriers with an unprecedented combination of single‐input multiple‐output, dynamic/static dual‐mode and spatially controlled display capacities are achieved. This bioinspired strategy brings functional‐integrated features for artificial display systems and opens previously unidentified avenues for information security.
Enhancing Microfluidic Chip Functionality via Thermal Gradient‐Driven Optofluidic Manipulation
Authors: Dai Weitao , Xia Xu , Ding Xiaochuan , Wei Xinlei , Zhu Xiaowei , xue Wei , Hou Zhishan , Cao Yu
Published: March 2024

Thermal gradient‐driven fluid motion, also known as thermal convection, is a common and significant phenomenon in nature. The utilization of localized thermal gradients to induce convection has emerged as a competitive approach in microfluidic chips. This technique enables the long‐distance transportation of substances under the influence of low‐power lasers. In this paper, an innovative optofluidic micro‐platform is presented that possesses a simple structure, easy operation, and excellent expandability. A UV nanosecond laser is utilized to create a high photothermal conversion region (HPCR) within the carbon nanotube‐doped PDMS substrate. Subsequently, the HPCR is subjected to irradiation for generating localized thermal gradients in the microfluidic chip. This resulted in Rayleigh–Bernard convection formation and facilitated long‐range transport and control of fluids and particles. Under low‐power laser irradiation, particles can be transported at speeds up to 0.18 mm s−1. In addition, the optofluidic platform shows significant potential for a range of functionalities, including fluid mixing and material sorting. The methodology described here allows for the rapid integration of new functionalities into existing chips while maintaining cost effectiveness and efficiency. This technique holds great promise for expanding the use of microfluidic devices in diverse fields, including chemistry, health sciences, materials science, and biomedicine.
Mixed‐Sized Graphene Oxides Induce Highly Densified MXene‐Based Films with High Conductivity and Exceptional Stability
Authors: Xing Zijian , Si Yunfa , Jin Huihui , Zhang Bohan , Chen Zibo , Fang Jiaxing , Zhang Jingwei , Chen Cheng , He Daping
Published: March 2024

MXene‐based films are prevalent in a variety of applications owing to their advantages such as high metallic conductivity and unique mechanical properties. However, the stability issue is the primary drawback that greatly constrains their practical applications. In this study, an MXene‐based film featuring excellent stability, high conductivity, and remarkable flexibility is designed and fabricated. It is worth noting that this film, denoted as MX‐GO(l/s), is afforded via the rational combination of mixed‐sized graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets with MXene layers. Comprehensive explorations reveal that compact and highly dense structures are formed in MX‐GO(l/s), which is ascribed to the synergistic effect of both electrostatic repulsion and intercalation. Furthermore, the exceptional stability of MX‐GO(l/s) is demonstrated by the high retention rates in conductivity under a 90‐day exposure in air and a 12‐h immersion in seawater, which are determined as 98% and 92%, respectively. The radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna based on MX‐GO(l/s) is fabricated and evaluated, showing great potential in practical applications. This study paves the way for the further development of MXene‐based films via controlled addition of the second phase, which is beneficial for their broad application prospects.
Organic Thermoelectric Devices for Energy Harvesting and Sensing Applications
Authors: Ji Zhen , Li Zhiyi , Liu Liyao , Zou Ye , Di Chong‐an , Zhu Daoben
Published: March 2024

The rise of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things have spurred an increasing demand for wearable, sustainable, and maintenance‐free power sources. Organic thermoelectric (OTE) devices are emerged as promising candidates because they are capable of converting heat energy into electricity directly without the need of moving parts, capable of flexible and seamless integration with multifunctional miniaturized electronics. In addition, OTE devices can perform straightforward as various self‐powered sensors, boosting their applications in the field of intelligent interactions. This review focuses on recent advances in OTE materials and devices for applications in energy harvesting and sensing. The basic knowledge and key parameters of OTE materials and devices are presented, followed by detailed introduction of recent progress of OTE generators, sensors, and other OTE‐integrated devices. Next, several aspects of optimizing OTE devices toward multifunctional applications are highlighted. Finally, an overview of the current challenges and future research directions of OTE‐based devices is addressed. It is hoped that this review can pave the way for speeding up a bright future for the development and practical applications of OTE devices.
Stimuli‐Responsive Color/Fluorescence Dual‐Switching Behaviors of 1,10‐Phenanthroline‐Based Viologen Derivatives with Halogen Anions
Authors: Zhu Mingye , Zhuang Yanling , Zhang Qidong , Ma Shaoyu , Wang Chao , Yu Aoxi , Chen Congke , Wang Shiyan , Liu Shujuan , Zhao Qiang
Published: March 2024

Recently, stimuli‐responsive color/fluorescence dual‐switchable materials have attracted great attention, whereas most of them respond to monostimulus. Therefore, it is essential to design two or multi‐stimuli‐responsive color/fluorescence dual‐switchable materials and develop their applications. Viologens, which respond to the electric potential, light irradiation, pH, and heat, are suitable for the construction of two‐ or multi‐stimuli‐responsive materials. Moreover, their easily modified chemical structure, tunable electronic properties, and excellent electrochemical characteristics can endow viologens with the desired color/fluorescence dual‐switching behaviors. Herein, novel electro‐ and photo‐stimuli responsive color/emission dual‐switchable viologen derivatives phen‐Vio[Cl− I−], phen‐Vio[2Cl−] and phen‐Vio[2I−] employing fluorophore 1,10‐phenanthroline as an N‐aryl substituent and halogen ions as anions are designed and synthesized. The introduction of 1,10‐phenanthroline groups onto the viologen skeleton can endow viologen derivatives with the color/fluorescence dual‐switching properties under electrical or light stimulus. While the introduction of halogen ions allows viologen derivatives to respond to both electrical and light stimuli simultaneously. Multifunctional devices fabricated with phen‐Vio[Cl− I−], phen‐Vio[2Cl−] or phen‐Vio[2I−] as active materials exhibit excellent electrochromic/electrofluorochromic and photochromic/photofluorochromic performance. Additionally, anti‐counterfeiting applications are successfully demonstrated by employing a commercial printer with self‐made ink and papers. It is believed that this work has important guiding significance for the design and development of multifunctional materials and devices.
Rapidly Grown Hexagonal Organic Microtubes Using Ionic Liquids for an Enhanced Optical Waveguide Effect
Authors: Kim Do Wan , Kim Jongchan , Baek Yongmin , Choi Kyusung , Kim Jiyoun , Yoo Sung Ho , Song Jinwoo , Choi Jihoon , Noh Heesoh , Lee Kyusang , Jang Jae‐Won , Park Dong Hyuk
Published: March 2024

An optical waveguide that transmits the electromagnetic waves is a critical component for various optoelectrical applications including integrated optical circuits and optical communications. Among many, the 1D tubular optical waveguide structure enables efficient distant energy transfer via mode selection within the optical microcavity. However, its application is limited due to the complicated fabrication process. Herein, hexagonal tris(8‐hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq3) microtubes with an average longitudinal length of ≈15 µm are self‐assembled within few minutes by utilizing 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF4) ionic liquids. The swift fabrication is enabled by the high electron affinity of BMIMBF4 that forms hexagonal microrods. Also, BMIMBF4 ionic liquid etches the central region of micorods during its growth, forming microtubes with a wall thickness of ≈650 nm. The fabricated Alq3 microtubes show significantly improved waveguide characteristics with reduced optical loss coefficient (0.054 µm−1) compared to that of microrods (0.271 µm−1). The demonstrated method to fabricate Alq3 microtubes with ionic liquid is an efficient approach to utilize organic microstructures as an optoelectrical components for advanced optical communications.
In‐Plane Selective Area Epitaxy of InAsSb Nanowire Networks for High‐Performance Scalable Infrared Photodetectors
Authors: Wen Lianjun , Liu Lei , He Fengyue , Zhuo Ran , Hou Xiyu , Pan Dong , Zhao Jianhua
Published: March 2024

CMOS‐compatible III–V semiconductor nanowire infrared photodetectors have attracted extensive research interest in various fields such as Si photonics and gas sensors. However, the traditional vertical configuration of nanowires limits their applications at the circuit level. Here, an in‐plane selective area epitaxy route is developed to grow large‐scale InAsSb nanowire networks on patterned Si substrates. By precisely tuning the growth parameters, the well‐aligned InAsSb nanowire networks with good selectivity are successfully achieved. Detailed structural studies confirm that there is a sharp interface between the InAsSb nanowire and the substrate. On the basis of optoelectronic measurements, it is confirmed that the fabricated InAsSb nanowire network photodetectors exhibit a low dark current density (≤2 mA cm−2) and a wide spectral response (1200–1650 nm) at room temperature, covering the important telecommunication bands. Moreover, these devices present a high on‐off ratio, large responsivity, high detectivity, and rapid response speed at zero bias voltage. At the illumination wavelength of 1200 nm, the on‐off ratio, responsivity, detectivity, and response time of a double nanowire networks photodetector can reach 2680, 286.9 mA W−1, 1.4 × 1010 Jones and 75.3 µs, respectively. This work offers a straightforward approach to in situ fabricating high‐performance scalable nanowire photodetectors.
iso‐BAI Guided Surface Recrystallization for Over 14% Tin Halide Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Chan Pok Fung , Qin Minchao , Su Chun‐Jen , Ye Liping , Wang Xuezhou , Wang Yunfan , Guan Xin , Lu Zhen , Li Gang , Ngai To , Tsang Sai Wing , Zhao Ni , Lu Xinhui
Published: March 2024

Tin‐based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are promising environmentally friendly alternatives to their lead‐based counterparts, yet they currently suffer from much lower device performance. Due to variations in the chemical properties of lead (II) and tin (II) ions, similar treatments may yield distinct effects resulting from differences in underlying mechanisms. In this work, a surface treatment on tin‐based perovskite is conducted with a commonly employed ligand, iso‐butylammonium iodide (iso‐BAI). Unlike the passivation effects previously observed in lead‐based perovskites, such treatment leads to the recrystallization of the surface, driven by the higher solubility of tin‐based perovskite in common solvents. By carefully designing the solvent composition, the perovskite surface is effectively modified while preserving the integrity of the bulk. The treatment led to enhanced surface crystallinity, reduced surface strain and defects, and improved charge transport. Consequently, the best‐performing power conversion efficiency of FASnI3 PSCs increases from 11.8% to 14.2%. This work not only distinguishes the mechanism of surface treatments in tin‐based perovskites from that of lead‐based counterparts, but also underscores the critical role in designing tailor‐made strategies for fabricating efficient tin‐based PSCs.
Compatible Soft‐Templated Deposition and Surface Molecular Bridge Construction of SnO2 Enable Air‐Fabricated Perovskite Solar Cells with Efficiency Exceeding 25.7%
Authors: Yang Yingying , Huang Hao , Yan Luyao , Cui Peng , Lan Zhineng , Sun Changxu , Du Shuxian , Wang Xinxin , Yao Chuanmin , Qu Shujie , Zhang Qiang , Wang Min , Zhao Xing , Li Meicheng
Published: March 2024

Metal‐halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as a promising photovoltaic technology. Fabricating PSCs in ambient air can accelerate their low‐cost commercialization, since it can remove the reliance on atmosphere‐controlled equipment. However, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of air‐fabricated PSCs still lags behind those fabricated in glovebox. Here, based on a technology to fabricate high‐quality perovskite film in ambient air, a compatible optimization is performed on electron transport layer (ETL) to further enhance the photovoltaic performance of PSCs. A soft‐templated deposition strategy is proposed that utilizes tetrasodium glutamate diacetate (GLDA) to finely regulate the chemical bath deposition process, leading to an ideal SnO2 ETL with no additive residual. Adopting this feature of no residual, a molecular bridge using β‐guanidinopropionic acid (βA) is constructed at the buried interface (SnO2/perovskite), which effectively enhances the electron extraction and decreases electron losses. The resulting PSCs (0.08 cm2) achieve an impressive PCE of 25.74% (certificated 25.43%), which is the highest among the air‐fabricated PSCs reported to date. A PCE of 24.61% in 1 cm2‐PSCs is also obtained, exhibiting the scalable potential of the technology. In addition, the excellent operational stability of these PSCs is also demonstrated.
A Stoichiometric Haloform Coupling for Ester Synthesis with Secondary Alcohols
Authors: Rowett Albert C. , Sweeting Stephen G. , Heard David M. , Lennox Alastair J. J.
Published: March 2024

The haloform reaction from methyl ketones to carboxylic acids is one of the oldest known synthetic organic reactions, which has been used in myriad applications over the decades. The corresponding reaction to produce esters is, however, less developed, as the reaction is generally limited to simple, primary alcohols that are used in solvent‐level quantities, thereby restricting the complexity of esters that can be directly formed. Herein, we detail the development of a general ester‐forming haloform coupling reaction using one equivalent of alcohol. Mechanistic and kinetic modelling studies demonstrated that the key intermediates are formed under equilibrium, which facilitated the development of conditions that are amenable to secondary alcohols.
Layer‐by‐Layer Organic Solar Cells Enabled by 1,3,4‐Selenadiazole‐Containing Crystalline Small Molecule with Double‐Fibril Network Morphology
Authors: Chen Xuyang , Li Yinfeng , Jing Wenwen , Zhou Tao , Xu Xiaopeng , Duan Yuwei , Yu Liyang , Li Ruipeng , Peng Qiang
Published: March 2024

A double‐fibril network of the photoactive layer morphology is recognized as an ideal structure facilitating exciton diffusion and charge carrier transport for high‐performance organic solar cells (OSCs). However, in the layer‐by‐layer processed OSCs (LbL‐OSCs), polymer donors and small molecule acceptors (SMAs) are separately deposited, and it is challenging to realize a fibril network of pure SMAs with the absence of tight interchain entanglement as polymers. In this work, crystalline small molecule donors (SMDs), named TDZ‐3TR and SeDZ‐3TR, were designed and introduced into the L8‐BO acceptor solution, forcing the phase separation and molecular fibrilization. SeDZ‐3TR showed higher crystallinity and lower miscibility with L8‐BO acceptor than TDZ‐3TR, enabling more driving force to favor the phase separation and better molecular fibrilization of L8‐BO. On the other hand, two donor polymers of PM6 and D18 with different fibril widths and lengths were put together to optimize the fibril network of the donor layer. The simultaneously optimization of the acceptor and donor layers resulted in a more ideal double‐fibril network of the photoactive layer and an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.38 % in LbL‐OSCs.
Laminar flame speed measurement and combustion mechanism optimization for ethylene–air mixtures
Authors: Wang Lei , Hou Ruida , Zhang Zixing , Song Yindong
Published: March 2024

Ethylene plays a crucial role as an intermediate component in the cracking and combustion processes of large molecular alkane and olefins. In this article, the laminar flame speed of ethylene–air mixtures was measured using the heat flux method. The mechanism of ethylene was simplified by utilizing the error propagation directed relationship graph (DRGEP) and sensitivity analysis (SA), and the Arrhenius pre‐exponential factors for 20 selected reactions in the skeletal mechanism were optimized using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Finally, an ethylene optimization mechanism including 39 species and 85 reactions was obtained. The prediction results for flame speed, ignition delay time, and species concentration were compared with experimental data and other mechanisms, covering a wide range of temperatures (298–1725 K), pressures (1–22.8 atm), and equivalence ratios (0.5–2.0). The findings demonstrate that the optimization mechanism not only improves the prediction results of laminar flame speed in the rich combustion zone and low oxygen environment but also enhances the prediction accuracy of the ignition delay time at high pressure and in the lean combustion zone, as well as the prediction accuracy of C2H4 and H2O radicals. In conclusion, the optimized mechanism exhibits higher accuracy and broader applicability.
Should research administrators be regulated as carefully as researchers?
Authors: Robert Jason Scott
Published: March 2024

This essay assesses the rationale for regulating research administrators as carefully as they regulate researchers. The reasons for such regulation are identical: protecting scientific integrity, ensuring responsible use of public funds, addressing the lack of effective recourse for victims, creating negative consequences for misbehaving actors, and addressing high incentives for misconduct. Whereas the reasons compelling us to regulate research administrators are obvious, counterarguments to administrative oversight are based on suggestions that the incidence and prevalence of cases of administrative misconduct are too low to warrant formal regulation. I briefly describe examples of the phenomenon drawn from publicly available records. My analysis suggests that the misconduct of research administrators is both serious and worthy of better oversight. Improved oversight of research administration will help steward tax dollars appropriately and enhance the overall integrity of the scientific record and of the free pursuit of knowledge more generally.
Green spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric determination of biperiden hydrochloride using erythrosine B sensing probe
Authors: Abo Elkheir Shrouk M. , Nasr Jenny Jeehan M. , Walash Mohamed I. , Zeid Abdallah M.
Published: March 2024

Erythrosine B (EB) is a food colorant antiviral xanthene dye that has many applications as a color additive in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Its use as a sensor for spectrofluorimetric and spectrophotometric analysis of amine‐based pharmaceuticals renders many advantages because of its availability, low cost, rapid labeling, and high sensitivity. Herein, two fast and sensitive spectrofluorimetric and spectrophotometric methods were established for the estimation of the anti‐Parkinson drug, biperiden (BIP) hydrochloride (HCl), in its raw material and tablet forms. The proposed methods depended on the interaction between the phenolic group of EB and the tertiary amino group of the studied analyte to form an ion‐pair complex at pH 4 using the Britton Robinson buffer. The spectrofluorimetric method is based on the measurement of the quenching power of BIP HCl on the fluorescence intensity of EB at λex/em = 527.0/550.9 nm. This method was rectilinear over the concentration range of 0.1–1.0 μg/mL with a limit of detection (LOD) = 0.017 μg/mL and a limit of quantification (LOQ) = 0.05 μg/mL. Meanwhile, the colorimetric method involved monitoring the absorbance of the formed ion‐pair complex at 555 nm, showing a linearity range of 0.4–5.0 μg/mL with LOD = 0.106 μg/mL and LOQ = 0.322 μg/mL. The proposed methods were assessed for the greenness, indicating the greenness of the developed methods.
Malignance‐restriction activity exhibited by bioactive compounds of selected actinobacteria as silver nanoparticles against A549 lung cancer cell lines
Authors: Bano Naushin , Gupta Anamika , Amir Mohammad , Zaheer Mohd. Rehan , Roohi Roohi
Published: March 2024

This article deals with the antibacterial and anticancer potential of secondary metabolites produced by actinomycetes also reported as actinobacteria, Microbacterium proteolyticum (MN560041), and Streptomycetes rochei, where preliminary studies were done with the well diffusion method. These actinobacteria's silver nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV‐Visible spectroscopy. Anticancer was measured using the MTT test, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation measured with DCFDA, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) measurement, and DAPI fluorescence intensity activity was measured in treated and non‐treated cancerous cells. The IC50 value for 5‐FU (a), LA2(O) (b), LA2(R) (c), LA2(ON) (d), and LA2(RN) (e) was obtained at 3.91 μg/mL (52.73% cell viability), 56.12 μg/mL (52.35% cell viability), 44.90 μg/mL (52.3% cell viability), 3.45 μg/mL (50.25% cell viability), and 8.05 μg/mL (48.72% cell viability), respectively. TEM micrographs revealed discrete, well‐separated AgNPs particles of size 7.88 ± 2 to 12.86 ± 0.24 nm. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry was also performed to detect the compounds in bioactive metabolites where n‐hexadecanoic acid was obtained as the most significant one. MTT test showed a substantial decline in A549 cell viability (up to 48.72%), 2.75‐fold increase in ROS generation was noticed in comparison to untreated A549 lung cancer cells when measured with DCFDA. A total of 0.31‐fold decrease in MMP and 1.74‐fold increase in DAPI fluorescence intensity compared to untreated A549 lung cancer cells suggests that the synthesized nanoparticles promote apoptosis in cancerous cells. Our findings suggests that the secondary metabolites of M. proteolyticum and S. rochei in nanoparticle form can be used as a significant compound against lung cancers.
Transcatheter valve‐in‐valve interventions after aortic root replacement: A systematic review
Authors: Baudo Massimo , Cuko Besart , Ternacle Julien , Sicouri Serge , Torregrossa Gianluca , Pernot Mathieu , Busuttil Olivier , Beurton Antoine , Alaux Anouk , Ouattara Alexandre , Lafitte Stephane , Bonnet Guillaume , Leroux Lionel , De Vincentiis Carlo , Labrousse Louis , Ramlawi Basel , Modine Thomas
Published: March 2024

Structural valve deterioration after aortic root replacement (ARR) surgery may be treated by transcatheter valve‐in‐valve (ViV‐TAVI) intervention. However, several technical challenges and outcomes are not well described. The aim of the present review was to analyze the outcomes of ViV‐TAVI in deteriorated ARR. This review included studies reporting any form of transcatheter valvular intervention in patients with a previous ARR. All forms of ARR were considered, as long as the entire root was replaced. Pubmed, ScienceDirect, SciELO, DOAJ, and Cochrane library databases were searched until September 2023. Overall, 86 patients were included from 31 articles that met our inclusion criteria out of 741 potentially eligible studies. In the entire population, the mean time from ARR to reintervention was 11.0 years (range: 0.33–22). The most frequently performed techniques/grafts for ARR was homograft (67.4%) and the main indication for intervention was aortic regurgitation (69.7%). Twenty‐three articles reported no postoperative complications. Six (7.0%) patients required permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) after the ViV‐TAVI procedure, and 4 (4.7%) patients had a second ViV‐TAVI implant. There were three device migrations (3.5%) and 1 stroke (1.2%). Patients with previous ARR present a high surgical risk. ViV‐TAVI can be considered in selected patients, despite unique technical challenges that need to be carefully addressed according to the characteristics of the previous surgery and on computed tomography analysis.