bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Production and Acreage Growth and Seasonality in Rice in Bangladesh
Authors: Sikder Mohammad Kawserul Islam , Kim Seung Gyu , Alam Mohammad Jahangir , Hoque Md. Mazadul , Hassan Mohammad Maksudul
Published: April 2021

Bangladesh is facing noticeable risks to self-reliance in rice production, considering the population and its future demand, land scarcity, intensity of natural disaster, soil degradation, global warming. In Bangladesh, rice is cultivated in three seasons which are known as Aus, Aman, and Boro. Considering the year from 1971 to 2015, the area of cultivation growth rate of Aus, Aman, and Boro were -3.4 percent, -0.01 percent, and 4.29 percent, respectively. The yearly yield growth rate of Aus, Aman and Boro were 2.13 percent, 2.48 percent, and 1.8 percent, respectively and production growth rate of Aus, Aman, and Boro were -1.3 percent, 2.45 percent, and 6.9 percent, respectively. During the period, overall rice cultivation area increased at the rate of 1.23 percent, the yield capacity increased at 3.42 percent. The total production increased at the rate of 4.19 percent. The yearly cultivated area growth of rice was 0.31 percent, yield growth was 2.9 percent, and production growth was 3.27 percent. The study found that Boro season rice contributed 2.29 times higher production compared to Aus, and 2.24 times to Aman.
Coexistence of Giant Cell Arteritis with Aortitis and Sweet’s Syndrome: Is It a Coincidence?
Authors: Derbel Abir , Damak Chifa , Snoussi Mouna , Frikha Faten , Charfi Slim , Salah Raida Ben , Jallouli Moez , Boudawara Tahya , Marzouk Sameh , Bahloul Zouhir
Published: April 2021

Sweet’s syndrome (SS) is a rare disorder characterized by dermal infiltration by neutrophils. It has been reported in association with drugs, malignancies, infections, rheumatoid diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases. Its association with giant cell arteritis (GCA) hasn’t been reported to our knowledge. The diagnosis of GCA was based on inflammatory biological syndrome with aortitis with negative infectious investigations. Herein, we present an unusual case of SS associated with GCA treated with steroids with good outcomes.
Hypoglycemic Potential of Dietary Supplementation of Protein Isolate from Fermented Cucumeropsis manii in Streptozotocin Induced Hyperglycemic in Male Wistar Albino Rats
Authors: Abiola A. O. , Iyoribhe A. O. , Adeniyi S. A. , Adu O. B. , Ogunbowale A. S. , Adedigba P. A. , Awojobi D. B. , Johnson T. M. , Oyedola J. O. , Wahab T. O. , Ajose S. F. , Elemo B. O.
Published: April 2021

The effect of Protein isolate from fermented melon seeds (Ogiri Protei Isolates; OPI) of Cucumeropsis manii on blood glucose, lipid profile, and antioxidant enzyme activities in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats was investigated. Thirty Male Wistar rats were divided into five equal groups. GThe first control group with no exposure. The second group of rats with Streptozotocin-induced non-treated diabetes. The 3rd and 4th groups of rats with Streptozotocin-induced diabetes supplemented with Ogiri protein isolates (200, 600 mg/kg in diet). And the 5th group of rats with Streptozotocin-induced diabetes administered glibenclamide in a dose 500 ug/kg in diet [17]. The OPI was administered for 6 weeks. The administration of OPI reduced the blood glucose concentration of the STZ-induced diabetic rats. Sera and hepatic superoxide dismutase, activities of the STZ-induced diabetic rats were significantly (P< 0.05) increased in comparison with the diabetic control rats. Lipid peroxidation of the supplemented OPI diabetic rats was significantly (P< 0.05) decreased in comparison with the diabetic control rats as the administration of OPI to the STZ-induced diabetic rats significantly increased the enzymes’ activities. The concentration of low-density lipoproteins in the OPI supplemented rats was significantly elevated. These data demonstrate that OPI supplements might be beneficial for correcting hyperglycemia but the consumption of OPI can modulate some tissue lipids in a direction not beneficial for CVD risk in patients with diabetes.
Consumer Financial Knowledge and the Use of Mobile Banking: Evidence from the 2018 U. S. National Financial Capability Study
Authors: Chen Fuzhong , Xiang Jian
Published: April 2021

As a widely used technology in recent years, the use of mobile banking has been addressed by a great deal of extant research, and a large and growing body of literature has investigated its determinants as well. Utilizing data from the 2018 U.S. National Financial Capability Study, this study aims at examining the association between financial knowledge and mobile banking by using the approach of ordered probit regression. Besides, this study conducts a comprehensive robustness check by replacing estimation methods and removing outliers by income. The results indicate that the relationship between financial knowledge and mobile banking is negative. Besides, financial knowledge negatively contributes to the adoption of mobile payment as well as mobile transfer. Also, consumers with more financial knowledge are more likely to use traditional financial ways. Thus, financial institutions are encouraged to focus on the reduction of risks perceived by consumers to promote the penetration of financial services via mobile devices.
Impact of Stress on Students’ Academic Performance in Zanzibar’s Higher Learning Institutions
Authors: Vuai Abadhar Makame
Published: April 2021

In today’s highly competitive world, students face various academic problems including stress, which result in an increased prevalence of psychological and physical problems like anxiety, depression and nervousness which in turn affect their academic results and performance. The main aim of this study was to explain the impact of stress on the students’ academic performance in Zanzibar Higher Learning Institutions. A cross sectional survey research design was utilized and a quantitative approach used to analyze primary data from the respondents. Data was collected from 100 respondents using structural questionnaire and descriptive statistical technique was used for data analysis. The study was focused on three independent variables (Course work, Teaching methods and Course content). The key findings revealed that, long course work is the leading factor which gives academic stress to higher learning Institution students as majority 49 (49.0%) of respondents, on the other hand majority 30 (30%) of respondents said that, sometimes they are unable to study because of course content and the majority 52 (52%) of respondents also said that, they are getting high stress level because of academic performance. The findings also revealed that, the majority of the respondents 66 (66%) agreed that, teaching methods affect academic performance of the students in a very high way, 34 (34%) of the respondents said that teaching methods do not have any effect on academic performance.
Improved the Least Square Regression Line Method to Develop A Predict Method for Discriminate the Trend of Stock Price in Future
Authors: Lin Ming-Jong
Published: April 2021

The paper described the least square regression line method has been improved as a novel method for tendency discrimination on future stock price. A new method is established, which is obtained from one dataset of known strain variables. The result is been calculated from 10 strain variables consist of one dataset through a few unique managing approaches to calculate out four different tendencies, and encode them. Those codes are added into the least square regression line method by the application software of MATLAB to develop a diagnostic method, which can predict the tendency by the text and graphics. The new method predicts trends more clearly and easily than the least square regression line method. In this paper, firstly establish any of the four standard graphics that can be generated from known data. Finally, it is verified by historical data and the graphics are compared. The result is consistent with both text recognition and graphics trend. The new novel method of the least square regression line was as accurate and alike as we had expected. So that it is enough to prove that it is not only easy to understand but also easy to operate for discriminating the trend of stock price in future.
Antinutritional and Protein Based Profiling of Diverse Desi and Wild Chickpea Accessions
Authors: Gupta Neha , Tiwari Sushma , Tripathi M. K. , Bhagyawant Sameer S.
Published: April 2021

Background: To design future breeding programs, biochemical analysis is fundamental.  Chickpea is a major protein source in India and worldwide. More than 3000 chickpea seed accessions are being maintained by Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur which demand biochemical analysis.

Methods: Present study pertains multivariate analysis based on antinutritional content and their protein profile of 20 accessions of Cicer that included cultivated desi and wild.

Results: The spectrum of biochemical characteristics was documented; for lectin ranged 192.19 HU/mg to 12.26 HU/mg and total proteins varied from 2.66-0.59 mg/g. SDS-PAGE appraised various bands in a molecular weight range of 3.5 to 125 kDa acknowledging genetic diversity. On the basis of present study, accession selection for future breeding programs to develop nutritionally elite chickpea cultivar can be executed.
Farmer’s Knowledge Level towards Temperature, Storage and Packaging of Horticultural Produce
Authors: Rani Sonia , Shehrawat Pardeep S. , Malik Joginder S. , Kumar Vinod
Published: April 2021

India is one of the world’s largest producers of fruits and vegetables, but one-third of its produce rots because of poor storage technologies and infrastructure, packaging, transport and distribution system. Food is wasted throughout the supply chain, from initial agricultural production to final household consumption. Therefore, value-addition may raise the value of products or something can add that enables to increase the profit margin and demand for consumption. The present study was conducted in Haryana state and two districts Hisar from Southwest and Sonipat from Northeast were selected, purposively. From each district, three blocks were selected randomly because not all the farmer have experience of post-harvest management practices in fuits and vegetables crops. Further, three villages were selected from each block making a total of 18 villages. From each village, ten farmers were selected randomly, making a total sample of 180 farmers. Hence, one hundred eighty farmers were interviewed for the study. The study found that majority of the farmers (62.78 per cent) had partial level (26.11 per cent) had high and 11.11 per cent had no knowledge regarding ‘Room cooling: placing the crops in cold storage’. The results also shows that majority of the farmer (65.56 per cent) had high level 32.78 per cent had partial and 1.66 per cent had no knowledge regarding ‘Cleaning: chemical must be removed from produce before packing. e.g. Insecticides, pesticides etc’. It was found that majority of the farmers (66.11 per cent) had high level, 33.89 per cent had partial level of knowledge regarding ‘Flexible sacks: Made of plastic jute, such as bags (small sacks and nets made of open mesh)’, and none was found to have no knowledge of it. To reach the results aggregates total was calculated for each statement separately and on the basis of calculated scores, mean scores and mean score percentage were obtained which were ranked according to their maximum to minimum mean score percentage for assessing the knowledge level of the farmers.
Distribution and Carcinogenicity of PCBs in Soil Contaminated with Transformer Oil in Selected Locations in Jos, Plateau State Nigeria
Authors: Ibrahim E. G. , Salami S. J. , Gushit J. S. , Gube-Ibrahim M. A.
Published: April 2021

Soil from the vicinity of transformers installation in different locations in Jos, Plateau State was investigated for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). The assessment was carried out for both total PCBs and congeners using Agilent 6975 GC-MS in ten different locations. The soil samples were extracted with 1:1 hexane- acetone in an ultrasonic bath, concentrated and cleaned with column chromatography using silica gel and hexane as eluting solvent. The result shows five locations were polluted with PCBs that exceed the maximum limit of 2.0mg/kg as permitted by the United States Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) with the following values NGS 1 (14.25), NGS 3 (4.47), NGS 6 (9.48), NGS 9 (8.21) and NGS 10 (5.05) while the others have NGS 2 (0.64), NGS 4 (1.85), NGS 5 (0.83), NGS 7 (0.95) in mg/kg respectively, NGS 8 value was below the instrument detection limit (0.0012mg/kg). The order for the total PCBs concentration in these selected locations are NGS 1 > NGS 6 > NGS 9 > NGS 10 > NGS 3 > NGS 4 > NGS 7 > NGS 5 > NGS 2. The carcinogenicity of the dioxin-like PCBs calculated as total toxicity equivalence concentration (TTEC) in these selected locations corresponds to NGS 1 (0.00001), NGS 2 (0.0000051), NGS 3 (0.0000054), NGS 4 (0.0000051), NGS 6 (0.0000063), NGS 7 (0.0000078), NGS 9 (0.0000051) and NGS 10 (0.0000051) respectively. The total cancer risk computed by addition of cancer risk due to ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact revealed that all the locations have very low to low cancer risk compared with the value recommended by the United State.
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Control: An Overview
Authors: Olabiyi O. E. , Okiki P. A. , Daramola G. O. , Edogun H. A.
Published: April 2021

Tuberculosis is an age-long disease that has proved challenging to eradicate. In 2019 about 10 million people fell ill of TB and it has caused 1.2 million deaths among HIV negative people and 208,000 deaths among HIV positive individuals [1]. The reduction in incidence rate between 2015 and 2019 was 9% and global target for 2030 is 80% [1]. For the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and WHO’s End TB Strategy the following should be considered; (1) breaking the transmission cascade of tuberculosis infection (2) effective management of the risk factors of spreading TB infection (3) administering workable preventive policy for individual health sector, and (4) prompt and effective standard control method. Tuberculosis infection is a must to eradicate, hence all stakeholders should come together for the patients, health care workers and policy makers to achieve End TB by 2035.
Introduction of Laser Pi-Grooving as Breakthrough Solution to Enhance die Strength of 40 nm ulow-k CMOS Silicon Technology during Wafer Saw Process
Authors: Agudon Aiza Marie E. , Inguin Hynlie B. , Bacquian Bryan Christian S.
Published: April 2021

Nowadays, semiconductors and electronics are becoming part of our everyday activities. As the Integrated circuits become more useful to people, it also requires more function, which contain more complex and compact components. Aligned to this package requirement, the more challenging it become to package development as Silicon technology becomes more critical and complex from bare silicon to conventional MOS technology to Ultra Low-K, which requires a different strategy.  The new process development in the Semiconductor industry is a necessity to cope up with these new technologies. Low-k devices always pose a big challenge in achieving good dicing quality. This is because of the weak mechanical properties of the low-k dielectric material used.  Mechanical Sawing is the most popular cutting method for silicon, but with Ultra low-K technology, using mechanical sawing will lead to various sawing defects such as chippings and delamination [1,2]. These leads to the introduction of Laser Grooving to get rid of these dilemmas. Laser grooving uses heat to eradicate metals on this very thin metal wafer dicing saw streets in preparation for wafer saw process to prevent topside chippings and delamination/metal peel off [3]. These defects are not acceptable especially since the product application is a chip card. Since chip cards must be flexible and durable, they require higher die and package strength to serve its purpose. To achieve such package requirement, different method was evaluated such as standard mechanical dicing, standard Laser Grooving and the PI laser groove.  

The paper will discuss how we were able to achieve the quality requirement for Ultra Low-K and at the same time eliminating top reject contributor during startup of this device.
Improvement on QFN Leadframe Design of Extended Leads to Support the Mitigation of Mold Flash Occurrence
Authors: Gablan Alyssa Grace , Gomez Frederick Ray , Moreno Anthony
Published: April 2021

Parameter optimization is not only the key to find the most favorable and best solution as variable chances of failure modes may happen at extreme case conditions at unexpected period. Packaging design robustness is much resilient to establish a satisfactorily good quality product and sustain a long-term goal of a remarkable process capability. This paper presents leadframe            design solution of quad-flat no leads (QFN) to address mold flash defect caused by leadframe bouncing during wirebonding. An inverted pyramid configuration was conceptualized to              provide better stability than the standard configuration during wirebonding process and other concerned assembly processes due to the shift of the center of gravity moving closer to the full metal part.
Detection of Antimicrobial Activity of Cranberry Fruit Extract against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase Escherichia coli
Authors: Bijarani Ali Nawaz , Ismail Muhammad Owais , Memon Zahida , Afridi Faisal , Qabulio Shabana , Ali Akhtar
Published: April 2021

Objective: Antibacterial effects of Cranberry fruit extract on Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Extended Spectrum beta lactamase producing E. coli and its comparison with Linezolid and Meropenem.

Materials and Methods: It is a Pre Clinical (in-vitro) study conducted in Ziauddin University from January 2020 to October 2020. All samples were collected from Ziauddin University.  All clinical samples were collected inform of pus, urine, blood, tracheal aspirations, patients admitted in surgical and medical wards, intensive care units and outdoor patients who were attending clinics. All these samples were transported to Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Ziauddin hospital, North Nazimabad campus and then culture and sensitivity test were performed there. Sample showing double growth and contamination on agar plates were excluded from study.

Results: Out of 80 samples included in this study 46(57.5%) were female and 34(42.5%) samples were male; female to male samples ratio of 1.35:1.The mean age was 45.71±11.83 years. MRSA commonly found in pus swab 15(37.5%) and 21(52.5%) ESBL producing E. coli found in urine samples. 14(35%) samples were observed anti-bacterial activity of cranberry fruit extracts against Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase Producing Escherichia coli at 50 mg/ml concentration, followed by 10(25%) and 9(22.5%) samples at  60 mg/ml, 40 mg/ml were respectively. While resistance of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase Producing Escherichia coliwere observed high at different concentration level of cranberry fruit extracts. Good anti-bacterial activity of cranberry fruit extracts observed  against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus at different                      levels of concentration 20(50%), 23(57.5%), 21(52.5%), 26(65%), 29(72.5%) samples were 20 mg/ml,30mg/ml,40mg/ml, 50mg/ml, 60mg/ml respectively. Most superior and best dose of cranberry fruit extract against Staph Aureus in about 72.5% (29) at 60mg/ml and their Comparison with linezolid and meropenem against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and found best positive results as compared with Linezolid and found significant p value 0.005.

Conclusions: Cranberry extract has a lot of potential to prove itself to be a good antimicrobial agent. The cranberry fruit extract has high antimicrobial activity against methicillin resistant S.aureus and resistant strains of E. coli in comparison to linezolid and meropenem.
Review of the Appropriateness of Surgical Antimicrobial Prophylaxis
Authors: Ahmed Nehad J. , Almalki Ziyad S. , Haseeb Abdul , Hassali Azmi Ahmed , Khan Amer H.
Published: April 2021

Aim: This review aims to describe the appropriateness of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis during the last decade.

Methodology: The review included a searching web of science for articles focused on “the appropriateness of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis”. The searching process was conducted on 29 Nov 2020 and included original articles so the review articles were excluded.

Results: The review included 57 articles; 38 articles were published after 2015 and the rest before 2015. Most of the articles that were included in the review showed a high rate of inappropriate surgical prophylaxis and showed inappropriate duration and time of the antibiotics used.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the rate of surgical prophylaxis inappropriateness was high and the main cause for this result was inappropriate timing and duration. Numerous interventions including educational interventions such as one-time seminars and online e-learning modules are needed to improve the adherence to the guidelines.
Comparative Study of Compliance between Sofosbuvir and Interferon in the Management of Viral Hepatitis at Tertiary Care Hospital of Gambat, Sindh, Pakistan
Authors: Ali Sajid , Ahmed Zuheeb , Metlo Marvi , Ahmed Tahseen , Ali Shahzad , Ahmer Arslan , Qureshi Muhammad Murtaza , Shah Syed Adeel Ahmed
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Hepatitis can be defined as inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis may be acute or chronic. It is estimated that in 2017, approximately 15 million people suffered from Hepatitis in Pakistan suffering from hepatitis. 150–200 million people, or approximately ~3% of the world's population, are living with chronic Hepatitis C.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 patients selected by purposive sampling who were reported with Hepatitis-C and co infection of Hepatitis-C + Hepatitis-B, at a tertiary care hospital Gambat. A series of questions were asked from reported patients regarding symptoms and compliance.

Results: The results were analyzed by using SPSS-22. Among the 300 patients some were on sofosbuvir (n=150, 50%), which the others were on interferon (n=150, 50%). The findings showed that most of the patients on interferon were non-compliant (n=125,83.3%), and only (n=25, 16.7%) are compliant. Among non-compliant factors, fear from injection was reported in (n=42, 33.6), technique for injection (n=38, 30.4%), prolong duration of action (n=35, 28%), adverse drug reaction (n=26, 20.8%). Better compliance was observed with sofosbuvir (n=93, 62.8%) and non-compliant were (57, 38%).

Conclusion: This study concluded that better compliance was achieved with sofosbuvir as compared to interferon, rate of ADR’S were also less with sofosbuvir.
Effect of Mushroom against Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) Producing Microorganisms
Authors: Vijayan Hema Priyaa , Yasmin Farzana , Elengoe Asita
Published: April 2021

According to the WHO global report, ESBL (Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase)-producing microorganisms is the most common cause of urinary tract infection; hospital-acquired infection as well as a foodborne infection. These include Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella and Vibrio cholera. The carbapenems which include doripenem, ertapenem, imipenem and meropenem are the known choice of medication for life-threatening infections which is caused by ESBL-producing microorganisms. Recently there is the emergence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas which makes treatment an obstacle for the medical personnel for various infections. Natural products have been reported to be emerged as a potential possibility to be explored as antimicrobial drugs. The plant extracts could serve as an alternate source of resistance modifying agents owing to the wide variety of secondary metabolites (eg. flavonoids, phenols, tannins, alkaloids, etc). Mushroom are have been considered as a source that attracts the researchers to explore its properties as it has been established with various bioactive components that possess many health beneficial effects such as antimicrobial and antifungal compounds. In this paper, we summarizes the information available in the literature on the ESBL, mushroom and current treatment, with a special focus on the three different types of mushrooms (Fistulina hepatica, Leucopaxillus giganteus and Pleurotus Ostreatus) against spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing microorganisms. Electronic databases including SciFinder, Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar were screened using the following keywords: “antibacterial, antimicrobial, mushroom, ESBL, Enterobacter, Fistulina hepatica, Leucopaxillus giganteus and Pleurotus Ostreatus”. We intend to enhance understanding in the field and promote further work on the development of phytocomponent based antimicrobial compounds.
Study of the Bacteriological Profile and Their Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern in Patients with Skin Infections
Authors: Nandini M. , Madhusudhan S. B. Kiran
Published: April 2021

The study group consisted of 150 patients both male and female between 1 – 80 years, with primary and secondary skin infections who attended the out- patient department of Dermatology and surgery at Sree Balaji medical college and hospital a tertiary care hospital in Chennai, Tamilnadu, South India. Patients admitted as in patients in the above two department were also taken for this study. 28 out of 150 cases had primary bacterial and 122 had secondary bacterial skin infections. In this study the prevalence of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (40.8%) and Extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) (40.5%) producers among Enterobacteriaceae was higher. Estimation of MRSA and ESBL has to be done in tertiary care hospital to prevent and curtail further spread of these strains in hospital acquired infections. These isolates pose a serious threat for use of routine groups of antimicrobials.
Evaluating the Contamination Degree and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Around Active Dumpsite Environment: A Case Study of Ozoro Community, Delta State, Nigeria
Authors: Ogbaran A. N. , Uguru H.
Published: April 2021

The use of lowlands for refuse collection point (dumpsite) is a very common practice in Nigeria. However, people cultivated the areas within the vicinity of the dumpsites, without knowledge of the risk of these heavy metals. Therefore, this study was done to evaluate the risk of heavy metals pollution of soils within the vicinity of an active dumpsite. Four (4) soil samples (from 4 locations) at a depth of 0–20 cm were collected from the vicinity of the dumpsite. The heavy metals (e.g. iron lead, nickel and cadmium) concentration of the collected soil samples were analyzed according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International methods. Pollution indices (contamination factor, enrichment factor, pollution load index and geoaccumulation index) were used to ascertain the level of heavy metals contamination of the dumpsite area. Results obtained from the soil tests revealed that, the dumpsite area had high heavy metals concentrations. The heavy metals concentrations were of this ranged: iron 3420 mg kg-1 to 4323 mg kg-1, lead 28.92 mg kg-1 to 58.84 mg kg-1, nickel 2.89 mg kg-1 to 6.91 mg kg-1, and cadmium from 1.04 mg kg-1 to 2.05 mg kg-1. The heavy metals concentrations ranked as Fe > Pb > Ni > Cd. Pollution indices results showed that cadmium had the highest contamination factor, enrichment factor, pollution load index and geoaccumulation index values, which portrayed that the dumpsite soil was heavily contaminated with cadmium. Results of the correlation showed a strong correlation (r = 0.87) between iron and nickel, indicating that the two heavy metals got their pollution from the source(s). Results obtained from this study will further help the government and environmental regulators to plan and carried out suitable remediation strategies, to clean the environment.
Spontaneous Directional Self‐Cleaning on the Feathers of the Aquatic Bird Anser cygnoides domesticus Induced by a Transient Superhydrophilicity
Authors: Luan Kang , He Meijin , Xu Bojie , Wang Pengwei , Zhou Jiajia , Hu Binbin , Jiang Lei , Liu Huan
Published: April 2021

In nature, the feathers of the goose Anser cygnoides domesticus stay superhydrophobic over a long term, thought as the main reason for keeping the surface clean. However, contaminants, especially those that are oleophilic or trapped within textures, cannot be removed off the superhydrophobic feathers spontaneously. Here, a different self‐cleaning strategy based on superhydrophilic feathers is revealed that is imparted by self‐coating of the amphiphilic saliva, which enables removing away low‐surface‐tension and/or small‐size contaminants by forming directional water sheeting depending on their unique anisotropic microstructures. Particularly, the surface superhydrophilicity is switchable to superhydrophobicity upon exposure to air for maintaining a clean surface for a long time, which is further enhanced by coating with self‐secreted preening oil. By alternate switching between a transient superhydrophilicity and a long‐term stable superhydrophobicity, the goose feathers exhibit an integrated smart self‐cleaning strategy, which is also shared by other aquatic birds. An attractive point is the re‐entrant structure of the feathers, which facilitates not only liquid spreading on superhydrophilic feathers, but also long‐term stability of the cleaned surface by shedding water droplets off the superhydrophobicity feathers. Thus, artificial self‐cleaning microtextures are developed. The result renews the common knowledge on the self‐cleaning of aquatic bird feathers, offering inspiration for developing bioinspired self‐cleaning microtextures and coatings.
Battery‐Free and Wireless Smart Wound Dressing for Wound Infection Monitoring and Electrically Controlled On‐Demand Drug Delivery
Authors: Xu Gang , Lu Yanli , Cheng Chen , Li Xin , Xu Jie , Liu Zhaoyang , Liu Jinglong , Liu Guang , Shi Zhenghan , Chen Zetao , Zhang Fenni , Jia Yixuan , Xu Danfeng , Yuan Wei , Cui Zheng , Low Sze Shin , Liu Qingjun
Published: April 2021

Real‐time monitoring wound status and providing timely therapies with smart wound dressing is a promising way to treat wound infections and accelerate the healing process. Herein, to establish a closed‐loop monitoring and treatment system, a fully integrated, battery‐free, and wireless smart wound dressing for wound infection detection and on‐demand drug delivery is developed using flexible electronics. The smart wound dressing integrated with the near field communication module can realize wireless power harvest and data transmission, on‐site signal processing, and drug delivery control, through the miniaturized circuit and smartphone. The temperature, pH, and uric acid of the wound is detected simultaneously by the developed sensors to assess wound conditions. Meanwhile, the drug delivery electrode in the dressing is used to provide on‐demand infection treatment by the electrically controlled antibiotics delivery. Through in vitro antibacterial experiments and in situ animal studies, it is shown that the dressing can effectively inhibit bacterial growth and accelerate wound healing, which fully validates its effectiveness in the wound treatment. Utilizing the advantages of near‐field communication and flexible electronics, the battery‐free and integrated design of sensing and treatment provides a promising solution for the development of a closed‐loop biomedical system integrating monitoring, diagnosis, and therapy.
Metal‐Semiconductor Heterostructures for Photoredox Catalysis: Where Are We Now and Where Do We Go?
Authors: Yuan Lan , Geng Zhaoyi , Xu Jikun , Guo Fen , Han Chuang
Published: April 2021

The ability of metal nanocrystals (NCs) to maneuver light, trap charge carriers, and enrich reactive sites for photoredox reactions has received considerable attention for constructing metal‐semiconductor heterostructures (MSHs) toward solar‐to‐chemical production. In this review, the comprehensive and fundamental understanding of the structure‐property‐catalysis interplays of MSHs is mainly described. The fundamentals, including basic concepts, and critical insights of MSH‐mediated photoredox catalysis, are first demonstrated. Particular focus is placed on the state‐of‐the‐art technological advances in monitoring the key photophysical/photochemical processes associated with MSH‐mediated photoredox catalysis, followed by highlighting the design parameters for high‐performance MSHs. Then, the applications of MSHs for solar energy conversion, especially for some emerging reaction types are discussed. This review is concluded by casting a perspective on the challenges as well as the opportunities for further promoting this burgeoning field.
Engineering Silver‐Enriched Copper Core‐Shell Electrocatalysts to Enhance the Production of Ethylene and C2+ Chemicals from Carbon Dioxide at Low Cell Potentials
Authors: Kuhn Andrew N. , Zhao Haidong , Nwabara Uzoma O. , Lu Xiaofei , Liu Mingyan , Pan Yung‐Tin , Zhu Wenjin , Kenis Paul J. A. , Yang Hong
Published: April 2021

Copper catalysts are widely studied for the electroreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) to value‐added hydrocarbon products. Controlling the surface composition of copper nanomaterials may provide the electronic and structural properties necessary for carbon‐carbon coupling, thus increasing the Faradaic efficiency (FE) towards ethylene and other multi‐carbon (C2+) products. Synthesis and catalytic study of silver‐coated copper nanoparticles (Cu@Ag NPs) for the reduction of CO2 are presented. Bimetallic CuAg NPs are typically difficult to produce due to the bulk immiscibility between these two metals. Slow injection of the silver precursor, concentrations of organic capping agents, and gas environment proved critical to control the size and metal distribution of the Cu@Ag NPs. The optimized Cu@Ag electrocatalyst exhibited a very low onset cell potential of −2.25 V for ethylene formation, reaching a FE towards C2+ products (FEC2+) of 43% at −2.50 V, which is 1.0 V lower than a reference Cu catalyst to reach a similar FEC2+. The high ethylene formation at low potentials is attributed to enhanced CC coupling on the Ag enriched shell of the Cu@Ag electrocatalysts. This study offers a new catalyst design towards increasing the efficiency for the electroreduction of CO2 to value‐added chemicals.
A Green Metal–Organic Framework‐Cyclodextrin MOF: A Novel Multifunctional Material Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Highly Efficient Mechanical Energy Harvesting
Authors: Hajra Sugato , Sahu Manisha , Padhan Aneeta Manjari , Lee In Sang , Yi Dong Kee , Alagarsamy Perumal , Nanda Sitansu Sekhar , Kim Hoe Joon
Published: April 2021

The naturally available cyclodextrin has opened up a wide range of research avenues because of its superior characteristics such as being non‐toxic, biocompatible, and edible. The cyclodextrin is the green multifunctional material that can add to the triboelectric series and extend its self‐powered applications. The ultrasonic synthesized cyclodextrin metal–organic framework (CD‐MOF) designed using sodium as a metal ion and cyclodextrin as a ligand for the triboelectric nanogenerator is reported. The various detailed characterizations of the CD‐MOFs give an insight into the properties of the synthesized material. The Kelvin probe force microscopy suggests three types of CD‐MOFs, exhibiting a positive potential. As per the surface potential, the output of the various CD‐MOF based TENG is varied as alpha CD MOF/Teflon > gamma CD‐MOF/Teflon > beta CD‐MOF/Teflon. The alpha CD MOF/Teflon TENG produces an electrical output of 152 V, 1.2 μA, and 14.3 nC, respectively. The fabricated device output is utilized for powering numerous low‐power electronics through a capacitor and bridge rectifier circuit. The multiunit Z‐shaped TENG device is attached to various surfaces such as the shoe heel and the backside of the school bag, and the corresponding energy harvesting response is demonstrated.
Biomaterials‐Based Delivery of Therapeutic Antibodies for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Ye Qian‐Ni , Wang Yue , Shen Song , Xu Cong‐Fei , Wang Jun
Published: April 2021

Considerable breakthroughs in the treatment of malignant tumors using antibody drugs, especially immunomodulating monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), have been made in the past decade. Despite technological advancements in antibody design and manufacture, multiple challenges face antibody‐mediated cancer therapy, such as instability in vivo, poor tumor penetration, limited response rate, and undesirable off‐target cytotoxicity. In recent years, an increasing number of biomaterials‐based delivery systems have been reported to enhance the antitumor efficacy of antibody drugs. This review summarizes the advances and breakthroughs in integrating biomaterials with therapeutic antibodies for enhanced cancer therapy. A brief introduction to the principal mechanism of antibody‐based cancer therapy is first established, and then various antibody immobilization strategies are provided. Finally, the current state‐of‐the‐art in biomaterials‐based antibody delivery systems and their applications in cancer treatment are summarized, highlighting how the delivery systems augment the therapeutic efficacy of antibody drugs. The outlook and perspective on biomaterials‐based delivery of antitumor antibodies are also discussed.
Translational Nanotherapeutics Reprograms Immune Microenvironment in Malignant Pleural Effusion of Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Song Zhenhuan , Luo Weizhan , Zheng Haichong , Zeng Yunxiang , Wang Jinlin , Chen Tianfeng
Published: April 2021

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) remains a treatment bottleneck in advanced lung cancer, due to its complicated microenvironments and “cold” immunity. Therefore, the search for therapeutic drugs to transform MPE to functionally “hot” one could advance the development of effective immunotherapeutic strategy. Herein, translational selenium nanoparticles coated with immune‐modulating macromolecule lentinan (SeNPs@LNT) are designed to restore the dysfunctional immune cells in patient‐derived MPE microenvironment. Internalization of the SeNPs@LNT can effectively reduce the immunosuppressive status by enhancing the proliferation of CD4+ T cells and natural killer cells, and remodeling the tumor associated macrophages into tumoricidal M1 phenotype in MPE derived from patients presenting low Se levels in blood and pleural effusion. Th1, cytotoxic T cell, γδ T, and B cell functions are upregulated, and Th2, Th17, and Treg cells activity is downregulated. Furthermore, SeNPs@LNT can be gradually metabolized into SeCys2 to promote the production of metabolites associated with tumor growth inhibition and immune response activation in MPE microenvironment. In contrast, lung cancer markers and vitamin B6 metabolism are decreased. The translational SeNP‐based nanotherapeutic strategy restores functional “cold” MPE to “hot” MPE to activate the immune responses of various immune cells in MPE of lung cancer patients.
Rheological Aspects of Cellulose Nanomaterials: Governing Factors and Emerging Applications
Authors: Li Mei‐Chun , Wu Qinglin , Moon Robert J. , Hubbe Martin A. , Bortner Michael J.
Published: April 2021

Cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs), mainly including nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), have attained enormous interest due to their sustainability, biodegradability, biocompatibility, nanoscale dimensions, large surface area, facile modification of surface chemistry, as well as unique optical, mechanical, and rheological performance. One of the most fascinating properties of CNMs is their aqueous suspension rheology, i.e., CNMs helping create viscous suspensions with the formation of percolation networks and chemical interactions (e.g., van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attraction/repulsion, and hydrophobic attraction). Under continuous shearing, CNMs in an aqueous suspension can align along the flow direction, producing shear‐thinning behavior. At rest, CNM suspensions regain some of their initial structure immediately, allowing rapid recovery of rheological properties. These unique flow features enable CNMs to serve as rheological modifiers in a wide range of fluid‐based applications. Herein, the dependence of the rheology of CNM suspensions on test protocols, CNM inherent properties, suspension environments, and postprocessing is systematically described. A critical overview of the recent progress on fluid applications of CNMs as rheology modifiers in some emerging industrial sectors is presented as well. Future perspectives in the field are outlined to guide further research and development in using CNMs as the next generation rheological modifiers.
Identification of the Physicochemical Factors Involved in the Dye Separation via Methionine‐Functionalized Mesoporous Carbons
Authors: Goscianska Joanna , Galarda Aleksandra , Ejsmont Aleksander , Wuttke Stefan
Published: April 2021

Synthetic dyes in the wastewater from different industries have adverse effects on human and animal health and cause disturbance of the environmental equilibrium. Functional porous materials have provided significant progress in the removal of dyes from wastewater using adsorption methods. Yet, the correlation and deeper understanding of the physicochemical properties of the porous materials and the dye remains a great challenge. Although ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) have unique beneficial features for dye separation, such as high surface area, uniform pore size, good mechanical and thermal stability, so far no report explores OMCs for selective dye adsorption from mixtures. Herein, OMCs of different morphologies and structures are synthesized via nanocasting and modification with methionine amino acid as new adsorbents for rhodamine B and sunset yellow FCF dyes. The results confirm that the obtained carbon materials have a significantly better affinity to rhodamine B than to sunset yellow FCF, which is related to the presence of a high number of acidic functional groups on their surface. In addition, the morphology of materials plays also an important role in the adsorption process. Carbon spheres with wrinkled walls are more efficient in the removal of both dyes than carbon particles with worm‐like shapes.
Singlet Oxygen Generation in Dark‐Hypoxia by Catalytic Microenvironment‐Tailored Nanoreactors for NIR‐II Fluorescence‐Monitored Chemodynamic Therapy
Authors: Chen Tao , Hou Peidong , Zhang Yafei , Ao Rujiang , Su Lichao , Jiang Yifan , Zhang Yuanli , Cai Huilan , Wang Jun , Chen Qiushui , Song Jibin , Lin Lisen , Yang Huanghao , Chen Xiaoyuan
Published: April 2021

Singlet oxygen (1O2) has a potent anticancer effect, but photosensitized generation of1O2is inhibited by tumor hypoxia and limited light penetration depth. Despite the potential of chemodynamic therapy (CDT) to circumvent these issues by exploration of1O2‐producing catalysts, engineering efficient CDT agents is still a formidable challenge since most catalysts require specific pH to function and become inactivated upon chelation by glutathione (GSH). Herein, we present a catalytic microenvironment‐tailored nanoreactor (CMTN), constructed by encapsulating MoO42−catalyst and alkaline sodium carbonate within liposomes, which offers a favorable pH condition for MoO42−‐catalyzed generation of1O2from H2O2and protects MoO42−from GSH chelation owing to the impermeability of liposomal lipid membrane to ions and GSH. H2O2and1O2can freely cross the liposomal membrane, allowing CMTN with a built‐in NIR‐II ratiometric fluorescent1O2sensor to achieve monitored tumor CDT.
Designing of biodegradable polycaprolactone: Binary and ternary coatings to minimize the defects and cost of solvent(s)
Authors: Arya Raj Kumar , Kaur Jasmine , Chandra Avinash , Ahuja Sanjeev , Rawat Manju , Sharma Jyoti
Published: April 2021

Coatings of polycaprolactone (PCL) in methylene chloride and toluene were prepared using solution casting method. Coatings of two different polymer mass percentages (5% and 10%), and thicknesses (800 and 1600 μm) were prepared. A drying study on PCL‐methylene chloride‐toluene coatings was carried out. The binary coatings of PCL‐methylene chloride and PCL‐toluene served as control cases. The results showed that the drying behavior was external mass transfer controlled for the binary coatings but diffusion controlled for the ternary coatings for most of the drying period. The drying rate enhanced but residual solvent increased with the progressive increase in initial concentration of methylene chloride and decrease in initial concentration of toluene. This shows that the drying rate can be enhanced by partially replacing the costly solvent with cheaper one, that is, toluene with methylene chloride. The coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy to understand the surface morphology. The scanning electron microscopy results further indicate that replacing toluene with methylene chloride caused disappearance of cracks, wrinkles, and phase‐separation. The coatings with high initial content of methylene chloride were smooth and dense, and more residual solvent content does not manifest in coating defects. Hence, replacement of toluene with methylene chloride leads to savings on material and energy costs for drying along with better quality coatings.
Molecular characterization and RNA interference responses of the lethal giant larvae gene in Diabrotica virgifera virgifera adults
Authors: Cooper Anastasia M. W. , Song Huifang , Shi Xuekai , Yu Zhitao , Kim Young Ho , Silver Kristopher , Zhang Jianzhen , Zhu Kun Yan
Published: April 2021

High specificity for silencing target genes and single‐copy target genes that yield clear phenotypes are two important factors for the success of RNA interference (RNAi). The lethal giant larvae (Lgl) gene appears to be an ideal gene for RNAi because RNAi can effectively suppress its expression and results in molting defects and mortality in Tribolium castaneum. To investigate the suitability of this gene for RNAi in other insects, we identified and characterized DvLgl from the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, a species exhibiting high RNAi efficiency. DvLgl was expressed in all developmental stages and tissues investigated. The deduced DvLgl protein showed high amino‐acid sequence identities and similar domain architecture to Lgls from other insect species. Despite many similarities among insect Lgls, RNAi‐mediated suppression of DvLgl failed to produce a phenotype in D. v. virgifera adults. The difference in developing phenotypes could be attributed greatly to the level of gene suppression and the insect developmental stages for RNAi. These results highlight the variability in RNAi response among insects and showcase the importance of screening multiple target genes when conducting RNAi studies. Our findings are expected to help the design of future RNAi studies and future investigations of Lgl in insects.