bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study on the History of the Great Seljuk Empire (1037 CE – 1194 CE) in Light of the Cyclical Theory of Social Change of Ibn Khaldūn and Vilfredo Pareto
Authors:   International Islamic University Malaysia, Mushtaq Ahmed Y. A. , Subhani Z. H. ,   International Islamic University Malaysia
Published: April 2022

The history of human society is the history of change and there are many different theories which look at change and development. This paper intends to investigate the history of the Great Seljuk Empire (1037-1194 CE), the events that led to its rise and decline in light of the cyclical theory, especially those propounded by two sociologists: Ibn Khaldūn and Vilfredo Pareto. The former is a medieval thinker while the latter a contemporary. In doing so, the paper aims to make a comparison between Ibn Khaldūn and Vilfredo Pareto. The principles of thematic content analysis are followed on the translated works of the authors to achieve the objective. The rise of the Seljuks is understood with the concept of ‘aṣabīyah in the nomadic pastoral society (‘umrān badawī) and its disappearance in the sedentary society (‘umrān ḥaḍarī). Similarly, the struggle of power within the Seljuk Empire is deconstructed with the understanding of the concepts of ‘lions’ and ‘foxes’ as propounded by Vilfredo Pareto in his explanation on the circulation of elites.
Trends in Production of Vegetables and Fruits in Ensuring Food Security in Malaysia
Authors:   Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Melaka, Mohd Aris Noorfazreen , Ab Manan Siti Khadijah ,   Universiti Teknologi MARA
Published: April 2022

Malaysia is experiencing high inflation of world food prices and the growing number of food imports due to its inability to cater for food production within the country to meet consumer demand. Efforts to overcome it have been pursued through the special policy of the agricultural sector since 1984 under The First National Agricultural Policy (NAP1), followed by The Second National Agricultural Policy (NAP2), The Third National Agricultural Policy (NAP3), The National Food Security Policy and The National Agro-Food Policy. Vegetables and fruits are important food commodities that have been emphasized in the implementation of these policies. This study focuses on the production of vegetables and fruits during the policy period of 1984-2015. This qualitative study was carried out using a library study approach to collect data. Some library materials have been used as references including The Fifth to The Eleventh Malaysia Plan, NAP1-3 and The Economic Report. Content analysis methods have been used to analyze data. The findings show that the growth of vegetable and fruit production increases at a moderate and sometimes low rate and is still a dependence on imports as this sector is very risky with the weather causing its production to decline.
Isu-Isu Perundangan Dalam Kedudukan Dan Peranan Statutori Majlis Penasihat Syariah Bank Negara Malaysia
Authors: Mohd Arif Mohd Izzat Amsyar
Published: April 2022

Sistem perbankan Islam di Malaysia telah melalui pelbagai fasa perubahan perundangan sejak mula diperkenalkan dan dilaksanakan pada tahun 1983. Majlis Penasihat Syariah telah diiktiraf oleh Akta Bank Negara 2009 sebagai sebuah badan tunggal yang berautoriti bagi membuat pemastian hukum syarak dalam konteks perbankan Islam. Resolusi syariah Majlis Penasihat Syariah juga diberi mandat bagi mengikat semua pihak termasuk mahkamah sivil. Walaubagaimanapun, status kedudukan dan peranan Majlis Penasihat Syariah dalam undang-undang statutori masih samar yang mencetuskan lacuna perundangan. Objektif kajian artikel ini adalah untuk mengenal pasti isu-isu perundangan berhubung dengan kesahan peruntukan akta statutori yang menerima dan menjadikan: a) resolusi syariah sebagai mengikat; b) ahli Majlis Penasihat Syariah sebagai pakar; dan c) Majlis Penasihat Syariah sebagai tertinggi dan kebal. Kaedah pengumpulan data adalah melalui kaedah kepustakaan dan temubual tidak berstruktur. Peruntukan akta Parlimen serta keputusan kes mahkamah diteliti untuk memahami struktur perundangan yang menunjangi kedudukan Majlis Penasihat Syariah. Data yang diperolehi dinilai melalui pendekatan analisis secara kandungan. Dapatan kajian menunjukan bahawa walaupun Seksyen 57 Akta Bank Negara 2009 digunakan sebagai klausa penyingkiran (ouster clause) yang memperuntuk kuasa dan kekebalan kepada Majlis Penasihat Syariah sebagai autoriti tertinggi syariah dalam bidang perbankan Islam di Malaysia, namun kes Rayuan Sivil No. 01(f)-17-06-/2016 (A), Indiri Ghandi a/p Mutho lwn Pengarah Jabatan Agama Islam Perak dan lain-lain, sebagai contoh, membuktikan mahkamah masih berbidangkuasa untuk membuat semakan kehakiman terhadap isu pentadbiran; iaitu pematuhan prosedur dan tatacara bagi memastikan kesahan perundangan terhadap perlakuan dan tindakan kuasa eksekutif dalam menjalankan fungsinya. Kajian ini juga mencadangkan supaya dua tatacara dalaman diwujudkan sebagai penambahbaikan untuk membolehkan Majlis Penasihat Shariah menjalankan fungsinya dengan lebih berkesan.
Pesanan Untuk Wanita: Kemiripan Peribahasa Melayu Dengan Al-Qur’an
Authors: Mohammed Zabedah
Published: April 2022

Kertas kerja ini membicarakan tentang kemiripan nasihat untuk wanita yang terdapat dalam peribahasa Melayu dan Al-Qur’an. Nasihat untuk wanita dalam peribahasa dibawakan secara berkias manakala perkara tersebut difirmankan dengan gaya literal dan mudah difahami. Kajian ini berbentuk kualitatif dengan menggunakan kaedah analisis dokumen. Menerusi kajian ini tujuh peribahasa Melayu yang memerihalkan nasihat kepada wanita diteliti dan dipadankan dengan syariat Islam yang terkandung dalam Al-Qur’an. Peribahasa tersebut juga dikelaskan agar perbincangan lebih terarah. Analisis mendapati peribahasa yang dipilih diklasifikasikan kepada dua perspektif, iaitu sifat fizikal dan status wanita. Dari segi sifat fizikal, nasihat ditujukan kepada wanita berkaitan dengan mata dan suara. Perspektif status pula memerihalkan wanita yang bergelar anak dara tetapi tidak perawan, janda dan pelacur. Nasihat untuk wanita dalam peribahasa Melayu boleh diteliti dari pelbagai dimensi kerana wanita mempunyai keistimewaan tersendiri mengikut tanggapan masyarakat Melayu. Islam juga meletakkan wanita pada kedudukan yang istimewa dengan aturan dan syariat yang perlu dipatuhi.
SAYA UJAR / t /, /ت/, dan / ṭ / SECARA AKUSTIKNYA BERB
Authors: Paharal Radzi Majdan
Published: April 2022

Experimental phonetics is one of the branches of general phonetics and this discipline studies phonetics using experimental approach. Research in experimental phonetics is conducted to enhance the physical features of language sound and identifying any phonetical similarities or differences between two languages. Previous studies have shown that common issues in speech are related to language transfer and interference in second language pronunciation. This error can be referred to a theory by Lado (1957) that states that foreign sounding phonemes can create difficulties among speakers influenced by their mother tongues. Meanwhile, it was found that for phonemes sounding similar to those in Bahasa Melayu (Malay), speakers do not exhibit any difficulty in articulating the sounds. This study aims to analyze the acoustic features of plosive sounds for the Malay and Arabic languages, targeted to highlight any similar or different sound between Malay and Arabic via experimental phonetics approach. Speech analyses on subjects were completed entirely at the UKM phonetics lab of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. The part selected as token of the studies was analyzed using the PRAAT software. Spectrographic analysis specific for the first syllable is involved with measuring Voice Onset Time. This study has highlighted several important matters pertaining to the acoustics features of the Malay and Arabic languages. The findings of this study have highlighted the Long Lag and pharyngealization phenomena in the Arabic language speech, which was found to be different as compared to the Malay language that generally features Short Voicing Lag and Voicing lead. The findings have confirmed that there is an influence of L1 in L2 speeches.
CASE REPORT: NECROTISING SIALOMETAPLASIA
Authors: Simpson Sarah , Bestwick Harry , Cameron Malcolm
Published: April 2022

Necrotising sialometaplasia is a benign, self-limiting, inflammatory condition. This rare lesion has a range of clinical presentations but can resemble malignant lesions both clinically and histopathologically resulting in issues with correct diagnosis. We present the case of a 54 year old female patient who was referred from her dentist for a round white patch on her right soft palate that had been increasing in size. This was diagnosed as necrotising sialometaplasia following a biopsy and clinicopathological correlation. The lesion took four months from when first noticed by the patient to fully heal.
LEPVAX AS A PROMISING SPECIFIC VACCINE FOR LEPROSY: A NARRATIVE REVIEW
Authors: Adnan Muhammad Luthfi
Published: April 2022

Leprosy is a disease with a high rate of transmission around the world. Leprosy is hard to eradicate because treatment is difficult and there is no vaccine to prevent it. The response of the immune system plays a role in determining the form of the clinical manifestation of leprosy. LepVax is a vaccine made from the Mycobacterium leprae antigens ML2531, ML2380, ML2055 and ML2028 formulated with the Toll-like receptor 4 agonist Glucopyranosyl Lipid Adjuvant in Stable Emulsion. LepVax can prevent infection with M. leprae through stimulation of the immune system and resulting regulation of pathogenic bacteria. LepVax can prevent nerve cell damage which is a target of the M. leprae bacterium. Further research is needed on the safety of LepVax as a vaccine to eradicate leprosy in the future.
Geant4 simulation of neutron displacement damage effect in InP
Authors: Li Wei , Bai Yu-Rong , Guo Hao-Xuan , He Chao-Hui , Li Yong-Hong ,   Department of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Published: April 2022

As the second-generation compound semiconductor material, indium phosphide (InP) has strong irradiation resistance and high photoelectric conversion efficiency. It has advantages in the field of photonics and radio frequency. In atmospheric space, high-energy cosmic rays enter into the earth’s atmosphere and interact with nitrogen (N), oxygen (O) and other elements to produce secondary cosmic rays. The irradiation particles in the atmosphere are mainly neutrons because the penetration of charged particles is weak. The InP semiconductor devices are affected by atmospheric neutron irradiation of various energy from all directions, which results in the internal defects in InP crystals, the degradation of device performance and the reduction of device lifetime. In this paper, Monte Carlo simulation software Geant4 is used to simulate the neutron irradiation effect, and the initial state distribution of displacement damage caused by neutrons with different energy is obtained, including the distribution of non-ionized energy loss (NIEL) with depth, the relationship between NIEL and the energy of incident neutrons, and the type, number and energy of primary knock-on atoms (PKA). The results show that 1) the NIEL is uniformly distributed when material thickness is on the order of μm and for the material thickness on the order of cm and more, the NIEL decreases as the depth increases and can be reduced to zero when the target material is thick enough; 2) by analyzing the NIEL produced by 1–20 MeV neutrons incident on 3-μm InP and their distribution with depth, it is found that the NIEL first increases and then decreases with incident neutron energy increasing. This trend is caused mainly by PKA produced through the inelastic scattering reaction; 3) by analyzing the type and the energy of PKA produced by 1–20 MeV neutrons incident on 3 μm InP, it is found that the PKA of In/P accounts for a large proportion, which causes displacement damage mainly, and the higher the neutron energy, the richer the variety of PKA is and the greater the maximum kinetic energy of PKA, but the PKAs mainly distribute in the low energy part. The present research has theoretical and guiding value for the long-term application of InP-based 5G devices in atmospheric neutron irradiation environment.
Multidisciplinary Lupus Nephritis Clinic Reduces Time to Renal Biopsy and Improves Care Quality
Authors: Garg Shivani , Singh Tripti , Panzer Sarah E. , Astor Brad C. , Bartels Christie M.
Published: April 2022

Objective

Patients with lupus nephritis (LN) have a 26‐fold higher mortality rate compared with their peers. Kidney biopsy, the gold standard diagnostic method for LN, may have an average wait time of more than 50 days. Other gaps in quality process measures during LN visits have also been reported. A subspecialty multidisciplinary clinic (MDC) can provide better care and quality in LN; therefore, we aimed to examine how an LN MDC impacted time to biopsy, time to treatment, and other quality measures.

Methods

We included all validated patients with LN who underwent diagnostic kidney biopsies between the 2011 to 2017 pre‐MDC period and the 2018 to 2020 post‐MDC period. We compared time to biopsy and treatment and quality measures between the two periods and examined factors associated with timely LN diagnosis, defined as a biopsy within 21 days.

Results

During the pre‐ and post‐MDC periods, 53 and 21 patients with LN underwent a diagnostic biopsy, respectively. We found a decrease in the median time to biopsy from 26 days to 16 days after starting the LN clinic (P = 0.014). Beyond clinical factors, the presence of social factors, such as being of a non‐White race and having food insecurity, were associated with 54% lower odds of timely diagnosis (adjusted Hazards Ratio [aHR] = 0.46; 95% confidence interval: 0.22‐0.93; P = 0.031). We found higher odds of quality measure performance during the post‐ versus pre‐MDC period.

Conclusion

Wait times to diagnose LN decreased by 40% and higher quality measure performance was noted after establishing an LN MDC. Systemic and social barriers predicted delays in diagnosis that may be addressed by MDCs.
Highly Efficient and Long‐Range Charge‐Transfer Complex Emission Between Two Blue Phosphorescent Emitters for White Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Lim Junseop , Han Si Hyun , Lee Jun Yeob
Published: April 2022

Herein, the authors report on charge‐transfer (CT) complex emission‐based organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs), which emit light by electric field‐induced intermolecular CT complex formation in the light‐emitting layer. Two phosphorescent materials are chosen to have energy level offset for the CT complex formation. This process generates the CT complex, which efficiently emits only in the electroluminescent device by electric‐field‐induced complex formation. A phenylpyridine‐ligand‐based Ir compound and phenylimidazole‐based Ir compounds are selected as the CT complex‐forming materials, and the CT complex exhibits yellow emission under an electric field. Moreover, the doping of the two compounds in the host material produces white OLEDs, exhibiting both blue emission and yellow emission at a quantum efficiency of 13.7%. In particular, the color of the CT complex device can be tuned by the content of each material in the emitting layer. As an initial result, the quantum efficiency is acceptable, and further material development would enhance the quantum efficiency of the CT complex OLEDs. This light‐emitting device can be used in various applications, e.g., a mono‐color or a white‐color light‐emitting diode.
Polydopamine‐Mediated Interfacial Functionalization of Implants for Accelerating Infected Bone Repair through Light‐Activatable Antibiosis and Carbon Monoxide Gas Regulated Macrophage Polarization
Authors: Yuan Zhang , Wu Jianshuang , Fu Zhenxiang , Meng Siyu , Dai Liangliang , Cai Kaiyong
Published: April 2022

Current treatments for implant‐associated infection remain unsatisfactory due to secondary infection and excessive inflammation, which impairs osseointegration. Herein, an interfacial functionalization strategy is proposed by the integration of a carbon monoxide gas (CO) nanogenerator on titanium implants, followed by covalently grafting arginine‐glycine‐aspartic acid (RGD) polypeptide. Under near‐infrared light (NIR) irradiation, the designed surface displays great light‐activatable antibiosis through CO‐potentiated mild photothermal therapy. Interestingly, the functionalized surface exerts a CO‐mediated anti‐inflammatory effect by activating the expression of heme oxygenase (HO‐1), and inducing the down‐regulation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) (p50/p65). More importantly, the combination of CO delivery and RGD immobilization drives the polarization of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated M1‐phenotype macrophages towards anti‐inflammatory M2‐phenotype through a potential Janus kinase 1/signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (JAK1/STAT6) pathway, thereby remodeling the damaged microenvironment into a pro‐regenerative microenvironment. In a rat model of implant‐associated infection, the designed surface effectively eliminates the residual bacteria, alleviates the accompanying inflammation and mediates macrophage‐mediated immunomodulation, resulting in good osteogenesis. Together, these findings are a first report on the therapeutic potential of CO signal in the cascade of immunomodulation‐osteogenic differentiation. The functionalized implant may serve as a promising candidate in implant replacement surgeries.
Advances in Organic and Perovskite Photovoltaics Enabling a Greener Internet of Things
Authors: Panidi Julianna , Georgiadou Dimitra G. , Schoetz Theresa , Prodromakis Themis
Published: April 2022

Organic and perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have made significant strides in the last couple of years achieving high power conversion efficiencies (18% and 29%, respectively) and exceptional stability. Ultra‐flexible and environmentally stable organic and PSCs can effectively operate under various illumination settings. Herein, novel device concepts that comprise photovoltaic cells alone or in tandem with batteries or supercapacitors, acting as the main power supply to another microelectronic component, enabling self‐powered electronics for the Internet of Things (IoT) are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the specific requirements posed by such applications to pave the way to large scale commercialization. The importance of supporting a greener IoT ecosystem by eliminating toxic materials and solvents in the device fabrication process is highlighted.
Low Melting Point Alloys Enabled Stiffness Tunable Advanced Materials
Authors: Hao Yangtai , Gao Jianye , Lv Yonggang , Liu Jing
Published: April 2022

Stiffness tunable advanced materials have demonstrated their superiority and versatility in diverse areas, while the global pursuit of reversible, intelligent, and fast response for stiffness regulation is growing radically, leaving great challenges for traditional materials. As newly emerging functional metal material, the low melting point alloys (LMPAs) have shown encouraging potential in developing various stiffness regulation strategies owing to their excellent physicochemical and mechanical properties. This article is dedicated to presenting a comprehensive review of the LMPA‐enabled stiffness tunable materials from the aspects of material system, regulation principle and method, capability enabling mechanisms, and application scenarios. First, according to the structural differences, three kinds of LMPA‐enabled stiffness tunable material systems are evaluated. Then, the regulation strategies are elaborated from the fundamental LMPA modifications to dynamical external field controls, and the mainstream stiffness regulation modes are also combed out. Following that, the diversified applications of LMPA enabled stiffness tunable materials are systematically summarized and discussed. Finally, a perspective interpretation of the potentials and challenges of LMPA‐enabled stiffness tunable materials is provided. This article is expected to be important for guiding the future design of smart materials, functional entities, transformable robots, etc.
Hydrogel Bioadhesives with Extreme Acid‐Tolerance for Gastric Perforation Repairing
Authors: Chen Xingmei , Zhang Jun , Chen Guangda , Xue Yu , Zhang Jiajun , Liang Xiangyu , Lei Iek Man , Lin Jingsen , Xu Ben Bin , Liu Ji
Published: April 2022

Hydrogel bioadhesives have emerged as one of the most promising alternatives to sutures and staples for wound sealing and repairing, owing to their unique advantages in biocompatibility, mechanical compliance, and minimally invasive manipulation. However, only a few hydrogel bioadhesives have been successfully used for gastric perforation repair, due to their undesirable swelling when in direct contact with extremely acidic gastric fluids, and are thereby accompanied by a gradually deteriorating adhesion performance. Herein, an acid‐tolerant hydrogel (ATGel) bioadhesive is developed, which integrates two distinct components, an acid‐tolerant hydrogel substrate and an adhesive polymer brush layer. The ATGel bioadhesive can form instant, atraumatic, fluid‐tight, and sutureless sealing of gastric perforation, and enable robust biointerfaces in direct contact with gastric fluids, addressing the key limitations with sutures and commercially‐available tissue adhesives. Moreover, in vivo investigation on gastric perforation of rat model validates the proposed acid‐tolerant bioadhesion, and identifies the mechanisms for accelerated gastric perforation repair through alleviated inflammation, which suppresses fibrosis and enhances angiogenesis.
Resolving the Mutually Exclusive Immune Responses of Chitosan with Nanomechanics and Immunological Assays
Authors: Lee Suyoung , Byun Seohyun , Lee Changhon , Park Sun Hee , Rudra Dipayan , Iwakura Yoichiro , Lee You Jeong , Im Sin‐Hyeog , Hwang Dong Soo
Published: April 2022

Multifaceted functions displayed by both pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory properties of chitosan hinder its effective development as an immunomodulatory agent. Herein, the contributions of the bending stiffness of chitosan with regard to its immune regulatory properties toward inflammation are investigated. The anti‐inflammatory properties of chitosan molecular weight (MW) with a shorter (≈1 kDa) or longer (≈15 kDa) than the persistent length (LP) are compared using immunological assays and nanomechanics‐based experiments on the surface forces apparatus (SFA). Interestingly, 1 kDa chitosan significantly enhances the generation of anti‐inflammatory regulatory T cells (Tregs) through the Dectin‐1‐dependent pattern recognition receptor (PRR) on antigen‐presenting cells. SFA analyses also show a similar trend of interaction forces between chitosan and diverse PRRs depending on their MW. The results obtained in the immunological and nanomechanical experiments are consistent and imply that the binding features of PRRs vary depending on the MW of chitosan, which may alter immune activity. In accordance, in vivo administration of only 1 kDa represses inflammatory responses and suppresses the progression of experimental colitis. This study elucidates a previously unexplored bending stiffness‐dependent immune regulatory property of chitosan and suggests the applicability of low MW (rod‐like) chitosan as a pharmaceutical ingredient to treat diverse inflammatory disorders.
Nanocube Epitaxy for the Realization of Printable Monocrystalline Nanophotonic Surfaces
Authors: Capitaine Anna , Sciacca Beniamino
Published: April 2022

Plasmonic nanoparticles of the highest quality can be obtained via colloidal synthesis at low‐cost. Despite the strong potential for integration in nanophotonic devices, the geometry of colloidal plasmonic nanoparticles is mostly limited to that of platonic solids. This is in stark contrast to nanostructures obtained by top‐down methods that offer unlimited capability for plasmon resonance engineering, but present poor material quality and have doubtful perspectives for scalability. Here, an approach that combines the best of the two worlds by transforming assemblies of single‐crystal gold nanocube building blocks into continuous monocrystalline plasmonic nanostructures with an arbitrary shape, via epitaxy in solution at near ambient temperature, is introduced. Nanocube dimers are used as a nanoreactor model system to investigate the mechanism in operando, revealing competitive redox processes of oxidative etching at the nanocube corners and simultaneous heterogeneous nucleation at their surface, that ensure filling of the sub‐nanometer gap in a self‐limited manner. Applying this procedure to nanocube arrays assembled in a patterned poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) substrate, it is able to obtain printable monocrystalline nanoantenna arrays that can be swiftly integrated in devices. This may lead to the implementation of low‐cost nanophotonic surfaces of the highest quality in industrial products.
Stiffness Engineering of Ti3C2TX MXene‐Based Skin‐Inspired Pressure Sensor with Broad‐Range Ultrasensitivity, Low Detection Limit, and Gas Permeability
Authors: Hui Zengyu , Wang Pengfei , Yang Jia , Zhou Jinyuan , Huang Wei , Sun Gengzhi
Published: April 2022

High sensitivity and broad sensing range are considered as two crucial parameters toward flexible and wearable piezoresistive pressure sensors for human healthcare, human–machine interfaces, robots, and so on. Though various strategies are developed to improve the sensor performance, the trade‐off between sensitivity and sensing range remains a bottleneck for device design. Besides, conventional pressure sensors without gas permeability normally cause discomfort and inflammation to the human skin. Herein, enlightened by the functions and structure of the human skin, this article proposes a stiffness engineering strategy for constructing Ti3C2TX MXene‐based porous spinosum structure to boost sensitivity over a broad detection range. Consequently, the as‐fabricated pressure sensor exhibits superior performance, including ultrahigh sensitivity of 367 kPa−1 over a widened detection range, a low detection limit of 1 Pa, good gas permeability, and exceptional mechanical stability over 5000 compression cycles at high pressure. Benefiting from such excellent performances, a variety of fancy applications in detecting static pressure, including physiological signals, stealth transmission, the magnitude and spatial distribution of external tactile stimuli, as well as differentiating spatiotemporal tactile stimuli, are demonstrated. It is believed that stiffness engineering is a universal strategy for tailoring the performance of other types of stress/strain sensors.
Hierarchical MXene@ZIF‐67 Film Based High Performance Tactile Sensor with Large Sensing Range from Motion Monitoring to Sound Wave Detection
Authors: Fu Xiyao , Zhao Lianjia , Yuan Zeyu , Zheng Yiqiang , Shulga Valerii , Han Wei , Wang Lili
Published: April 2022

Conductive two‐dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) as active materials have demonstrated significant promise for applications in wearable electronic devices. However, the intrinsic high conductivity and poor structural stability of MXenes severely limits its application as a high‐performance flexible tactile sensor. To overcome these disadvantages, an interlayer hierarchical MXene/MOFs film was synthesized by intercalating poorly conductive ZIF‐67s octahedron crystals between highly conductive MXene nanosheets by vacuum‐assisted filtration. The alternating MXene and MOFs layers provided a 3D, interconnected conductive network that enhanced the variation range of the conductive path. The fabricated flexible sensing device featuring the MXene/MOFs hybrid active layers exhibited excellent sensing performance, with a sensitivity of 110.0 kPa−1, a fast response/recovery time of 15 ms/15 ms, and a broad pressure‐detection range of 0.0035–100 kPa. Owing to these merits, the fabricated sensor was capable of monitoring diverse stimuli over a large pressure range, such as recognizing finger movements, eyes blinking, pulses, and vibrations from musical instruments.
Multifunctional Touch Sensing and Antibacterial Polymer‐Based Core‐Shell Metallic Nanowire Composites for High Traffic Surfaces
Authors: Costa Pedro , Polícia Rita , Perinka Nikola , Alesanco Yolanda , Viñuales Ana , Carvalho Estela O. , Pereira Nelson , Fernandes Margarida M. , Lanceros‐Mendez Senentxu
Published: April 2022

The transmission of bacterial infections through contaminated surfaces is nowadays an increasing source of concern, also related to the current pandemic situation. Functional materials that prevent the adhesion of microorganisms and/or induce their eradication thus avoiding fomite transmission are highly needed. In this work, a highly antimicrobial hybrid with sensorial capability is developed to be further applied as interactive high traffic surface coatings. The nanocomposite is composed of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a highly stable fluorinated polymer, incorporating copper core‐shell nanowires (NWs). The NWs comprised of copper and shelled with silver is highly antimicrobial, inducing a full kill effect against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis strains but biocompatible towards mammalian cells at concentrations below 0.5 mg mL−1. Further NWs incorporation on PVDF matrix retains its antimicrobial activity reducing in 6.5 logs the E. coli and 4.5 logs the S. epidermidis. NW/PVDF composites demonstrate suitable mechanical and electrical characteristics for the development of capacitive sensing surfaces, allowing for the fabrication of an antimicrobial capacitive touch sensing matrix for interactive surfaces.
Far‐Field Parallel Direct Writing of Sub‐Diffraction‐Limit Metallic Nanowires by Spatially Modulated Femtosecond Vector Beam
Authors: Zhao Liang , Huang Lingyu , Huang Jiaxu , Xu Kang , Wang Min , Xu Shaolin , Wang Xinwei
Published: April 2022

Metallic nanowires have exhibited paramount importance in achieving functional electrical, electrochemical, and optical performances due to their unique physicochemical properties. Efficient fabrication of the nanowires with controllable geometry and line width is highly required in related applications. Here a new far‐field laser parallel direct writing approach for fabricating nanowire array far beyond the diffraction limit by a modulated vector beam with dual‐peak intensity distribution is reported. Such a modulated beam can perform selective laser ablation to fabricate nanowires, whose line width can be largely reduced by tuning the dual‐peak orientation relative to the laser scanning direction. As a demonstration, a 157 nm‐wide (less than λ/3) gold nanowire, reaching ≈1/20 of the diffraction limit, has been fabricated in far field by using a low numerical aperture microscope objective (NA = 0.1). The nanowire fabrication efficiency is also largely improved by applying multifocal modulated vector beams for parallel processing.
Wafer‐Scale 2H‐MoS2 Monolayer for High Surface‐enhanced Raman Scattering Performance: Charge‐Transfer Coupled with Molecule Resonance
Authors: An Keyu , Chen Mingpeng , He Bingchen , Ai Haoqiang , Wang Wei , Zhang Zhihong , Pan Zhongbin , Chen Shi , Ip Weng Fai , Lo Kin Ho , Chai Jianwei , Wang Shijie , Yang Ming , Wang Shuangpeng , Pan Hui
Published: April 2022

The surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) as a novel and efficient analytic technique to probe molecules has attracted tremendous attention. Semiconducting substrates have been widely investigated for their applications into SERS because of their easy integration with electronic devices. In this work, a wafer‐scale semiconducting MoS2 monolayer (2H‐MoS2‐ML) without additional treatment is used as the SERS substrate, which shows the naturally formed MoS2 ML has excellent chemical stability, high uniformity, and high sensitivity. It is found that the detection concentration limit can reach 1 × 10−8 m and the enhancement factor is about 4.5 × 106 for the rhodamine 6G (R6G) under a 532 nm excitation laser, which is the highest SERS performance observed on 2H‐MoS2‐ML up to now. The experimental and computational studies reveal that the photo‐enhanced charge transfer coupled with molecule resonance contribute to remarkable SERS. In addition to R6G, 2H‐MoS2‐ML shows good SERS signals on the detection of amaranth and crystal violet too. The findings not only provide an insightful understanding of the mechanism for the improved SERS performance of semiconducting transition‐metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) MLs, but are helpful for the design of novel SERS substrates. It is expected that the wafer‐scale TMDs may find practical applications in SERS.
Critical Optimization of Phosphorus Functionalized Carbon Nanomaterials for Metal‐Free Solar Hydrogen Production and Simultaneous Organic Transformation
Authors: Kar Subhajit , Bishwal Lopamudra , Kommula Bramhaiah , Bhattacharyya Santanu
Published: April 2022

Complete metal‐free P‐functionalized carbon nanomaterials are synthesized from a single molecular precursor, phytic acid, for photocatalytic solar H2 production and simultaneous organic transformation of 4‐methyl benzyl alcohol to 4‐methyl benzaldehyde by managing the complete redox cycle. It is observed that by increasing the carbonization time, P‐functionalized amorphous carbon dots convert to the highly defined 2D sheet‐like nanostructure with optimum P‐functionality, resulting in efficient light absorption, charge separation, and improved active sites for photocatalysis. Finally, the highly defined sheet‐like structure converts to a more defected aggregated form, resulting in the depletion of photocatalytic efficiency. The structural and elemental features are further correlated with the ongoing photophysics by means of steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Transient photocurrent responses and Mott‐Schottky plots directly support the optimization of P‐functionalized carbon nanostructure for efficient photocatalysis. Finally, the detailed computational studies are carried out to unveil the charge separation mechanism and the crucial role of P‐functionalities as active sites for better charge accumulation as well as H2O adsorption on the surface. Overall, the in‐depth structure–property correlation and critical optimization of the heteroatom functionalized carbon nanomaterials will open up new possibilities for further development of metal‐free photocatalysts for solar‐energy conversion devices.
Recent Advances in Luminescent Downconversion: New Materials, Techniques, and Applications in Solar Cells
Authors: Yu Dechao , Yu Ting , Lin Hui , Zhuang Songlin , Zhang Dawei
Published: April 2022

Numerous investigations have been done in pursuing phosphors with quantum yield (QY) greater than unity in terms of downconversion (DC) strategies, as well as applications in display, lighting, and particularly in novel solar cells with efficiency exceeding the Shockley–Queisser limit (≈30%). It is of significant interest that: i) DC of one high‐energy photon to two or more low‐energy photons is widely found in lanthanide and/or transition‐metal ions activated materials; ii) broadening of absorption spanning ultraviolet/blue range is achieved by introducing sensitizers with spin‐allowed transitions and especially by combining the advancing perovskite quantum dots, nanostructures, and organic dye molecules; iii) internal QY ≫ 1 and even measured QY > 1 are claimed in many near‐infrared (NIR) DC systems; iv) applications of downconverting layer atop commercial solar cells are performed to increase the photon conversion efficiency. In this review, the development of DC in theories, concepts, and experiments is first summarized, then the breakthrough in visible‐DC is briefly highlighted, NIR‐DC with latest progresses in models, materials, techniques as well as the corresponding optimizations and practices as effective downconverting layers is elaborated, and finally concluding remarks and perspectives in advancing NIR‐DC and applications in novel solar cells are given.
Nanoscale Optical Imaging of 2D Semiconductor Stacking Orders by Exciton‐Enhanced Second Harmonic Generation
Authors: Yao Kaiyuan , Zhang Shuai , Yanev Emanuil , McCreary Kathleen , Chuang Hsun‐Jen , Rosenberger Matthew R. , Darlington Thomas , Krayev Andrey , Jonker Berend T. , Hone James C. , Basov D.N. , Schuck P. James
Published: April 2022

Second harmonic generation (SHG) is a nonlinear optical response arising exclusively from broken inversion symmetry in the electric‐dipole limit. Recently, SHG has attracted widespread interest as a versatile and noninvasive tool for characterization of crystal symmetry and emerging ferroic or topological orders in quantum materials. However, conventional far‐field optics is unable to probe local symmetry at the deep subwavelength scale. Here, near‐field SHG imaging of 2D semiconductors and heterostructures with the spatial resolution down to 20 nm is demonstrated using a scattering‐type nano‐optical apparatus. It is shown that near‐field SHG efficiency is greatly enhanced by excitons in atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides. Furthermore, by correlating nonlinear and linear scattering‐type nano‐imaging, nanoscale variations of interlayer stacking order in bilayer WSe2are resolved, and the stacking‐tuned excitonic light–matter interactions are revealed. This work demonstrates nonlinear optical interrogation of crystal symmetry and structure–property relationships at the nanometer length scales relevant to emerging properties in quantum materials.
LINC01431 Promotes Histone H4R3 Methylation to Impede HBV Covalently Closed Circular DNA Transcription by Stabilizing PRMT1
Authors: Sun Yang , Teng Yan , Wang Liyuan , Zhang Zhaoying , Chen ChaoJia , Wang Yingchun , Zhang Xiaodong , Xiang Peng , Song Xiaojia , Lu Jinghui , Li Nailin , Gao Lifen , Liang Xiaohong , Xia Yuchen , Wu Zhuanchang , Ma Chunhong
Published: April 2022

Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is the transcriptional template of hepatitis B virus (HBV), which interacts with both host and viral proteins to form minichromosome in the nucleus and is resistant to antiviral agents. Identification of host factors involved in cccDNA transcriptional regulation is expected to prove a new venue for HBV therapy. Recent evidence suggests the involvement of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in mediating the interaction of host factors with various viruses, however, lncRNAs that HBV targets and represses cccDNA transcription have not been fully elucidated. Here, the authors identified LINC01431 as a novel host restriction factor for HBV transcription. Mechanically, LINC01431 competitively bound with type I protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT1) to block the HBx‐mediated PRMT1 ubiquitination and degradation. Consequently, LINC01431 increased the occupancy of PRMT1 on cccDNA, leading to enhanced H4R3me2a modification and reduced acetylation of cccDNA‐bound histones, thereby repressing cccDNA transcription. In turn, to facilitate viral replication, HBV transcriptionally repressed LINC01431 expression by HBx‐mediated repression of transcription factor Zinc fingers and homeoboxes 2 (ZHX2). Collectively, the study demonstrates LINC01431 as a novel epigenetic regulator of cccDNA minichromosome and highlights a feedback loop of HBx‐LINC01431‐PRMT1 in HBV replication, which provides potential therapeutic targets for HBV treatment.
Biomimetic Nanocarriers Guide Extracellular ATP Homeostasis to Remodel Energy Metabolism for Activating Innate and Adaptive Immunity System
Authors: Wu Long , Xie Wei , Li Yang , Ni Qiankun , Timashev Peter , Lyu Meng , Xia Ligang , Zhang Yuan , Liu Lingrong , Yuan Yufeng , Liang Xing‐Jie , Zhang Qiqing
Published: April 2022

Metabolic interventions via targeting intratumoral dysregulated metabolism pathways have shown promise in reinvigorating antitumor immunity. However, approved small molecule immunomodulators often suffer from ineffective response rates and severe off‐target toxicity. ATP occupies a crucial role in energy metabolism of components that form the tumor microenvironment (TME) and influences cancer immunosurveillance. Here, a nanocarrier‐assisted immunometabolic therapy strategy that targets the ATP‐adenosine axis for metabolic reprogramming of TME is reported. An ecto‐enzyme (CD39) antagonist POM1 and AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) agonist metformin are both encapsulated into cancer cell‐derived exosomes and used as nanocarriers for tumor targeting delivery. This method increases the level of pro‐inflammatory extracellular ATP (eATP) while preventing the accumulation of immunosuppressive adenosine and alleviating hypoxia. Elevated eATP triggers the activation of P2X7‐NLRP3‐inflammasome to drive macrophage pyroptosis, potentiates the maturation and antigen capacity of dendritic cells (DCs) to enhance the cytotoxic function of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. As a result, synergistic antitumor immune responses are initiated to suppress tumor progress, inhibit tumor distant metastases, provide long‐term immune memory that offers protection against tumor recurrence and overcome anti‐PD1 resistance. Overall, this study provides an innovative strategy to advance eATP‐driven antitumor immunity in cancer therapy.
Prediction of Energy Storage Performance in Polymer Composites Using High‐Throughput Stochastic Breakdown Simulation and Machine Learning
Authors: Yue Dong , Feng Yu , Liu Xiao‐Xu , Yin Jing‐Hua , Zhang Wen‐Chao , Guo Hai , Su Bo , Lei Qing‐Quan
Published: April 2022

Polymer dielectric capacitors are widely utilized in pulse power devices owing to their high power density. Because of the low dielectric constants of pure polymers, inorganic fillers are needed to improve their properties. The size and dielectric properties of fillers will affect the dielectric breakdown of polymer‐based composites. However, the effect of fillers on breakdown strength cannot be completely obtained through experiments alone. In this paper, three of the most important variables affecting the breakdown strength of polymer‐based composites are considered: the filler dielectric constants, filler sizes, and filler contents. High‐throughput stochastic breakdown simulation is performed on 504 groups of data, and the simulation results are used as the machine learning database to obtain the breakdown strength prediction of polymer‐based composites. Combined with the classical dielectric prediction formula, the energy storage density prediction of polymer‐based composites is obtained. The accuracy of the prediction is verified by the directional experiments, including dielectric constant and breakdown strength. This work provides insight into the design and fabrication of polymer‐based composites with high energy density for capacitive energy storage applications.
Polyglutamic Acid‐Based Elastic and Tough Adhesive Patch Promotes Tissue Regeneration through In Situ Macrophage Modulation
Authors: Zhu Qiuwen , Hong Yi , Huang Yuxuan , Zhang Yi , Xie Chang , Liang Renjie , Li Chenglin , Zhang Tao , Wu Hongwei , Ye Jinchun , Zhang Xianzhu , Zhang Shufang , Zou Xiaohui , Ouyang Hongwei
Published: April 2022

Adhesive patches are advanced but challenging alternatives to suture, especially in treating fragile internal organs. So far there is no suture‐free adhesive patch based on metabolizable poly(amino acid) materials with excellent mechanical strength as well as immunomodulation functionality. Here, a polyglutamic acid‐based elastic and tough adhesive patch modified by photosensitive groups on the surface to achieve robust light‐activated adhesion and sealing of flexible internal organs is explored. With the porous internal morphology and excellent biodegradability, the patches promote regeneration through a macrophage‐regulating microenvironment. Treated rabbits achieve rapid full‐thickness gastric regeneration with complete functional structure within 14 d, suggesting its robust tissue adhesion and repair‐promoting ability.
High‐Performance Dielectric Elastomer Nanogenerator for Efficient Energy Harvesting and Sensing via Alternative Current Method
Authors: Xu Zisheng , Bao Kunwei , Di Kui , Chen Haojie , Tan Jianbo , Xie Xinjun , Shao Yixin , Cai Jiancheng , Lin Shizhe , Cheng Tinghai , E Shiju , Liu Kang , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: April 2022

Soft, low‐cost, high‐performance generators are highly desirable for harvesting ambient low frequency mechanical energy. Here, a dielectric elastomer nanogenerator (DENG) is reported, which consists of a dielectric elastomer capacitor, an electret electrostatic voltage source, and a charge pump circuit. Under biaxial stretching, DENG can convert tensile mechanical energy into electrical power without any external power supply. Different from traditional DEG with the charge outward transfer in direct current (DC), the DENG works based on shuttle movement of internal charges in an alternating current (AC). Through alternating current (AC) method, the charge density of the DENG can reach 26 mC m−2per mechanical cycle, as well as energy density of up to 140 mJ g−1. Due to the all‐solid‐state structure without air gap, the DENG is capable of working stably under different ambient humidity (20 RH%–100 RH%). To demonstrate the applications, a water wave harvester based on the DENG is constructed. The integrated device powers a sensing communication module for self‐powered remote weather monitoring, showing the potential application in ocean wave energy harvesting.
Farmers employ diverse cover crop management strategies to meet soil health goals
Authors: Bowman Maria , Poley Kristin , McFarland Elyssa
Published: April 2022

Cover crops (CCs) were used on only ∼5% of harvested cropland in the United States in 2017. Lack of information about effective CC management and the costs and benefits of CCs may contribute to low adoption. We use CC management data from 112 farms in the Soil Health Partnership network (2015–2021) to characterize CC management practices and costs. Soil Health Partnership farmers spent a median of US$98.84 per hectare to plant CCs on trial fields in the 2021 crop year, and costs varied with management practices. Farmers also experimented with CC management practices; more than half of 100 farmers providing panel data used more than one seeding method, and the share “planting green” increased over time. This diversity of CC management practices, heterogeneity in costs (and benefits), and experimentation process—among other factors—may make it challenging for farmers to develop expectations about whether CCs will be profitable on their farm in the short, medium, or long‐run.
Elastomer–Alginate Interface for High‐Power and High‐Energy Zn Metal Anodes
Authors: Liu Qun , Wang Yu , Hong Xiaodan , Zhou Rui , Hou Zhen , Zhang Biao
Published: April 2022

Spontaneous corrosion and uncontrolled dendrite accumulation of Zn rapidly degrades zinc–metal battery performance. Artificial interfaces have been widely fabricated on Zn metal anodes, yet most interfaces are detrimental to ion transfer and adapt poorly to spatial changes during Zn plating/stripping. Herein, a hybrid interface, consisting of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) fiber matrix and Zn‐alginate (ZA) filler, is designed, which serves as a physical barrier between anode and electrolyte to inhibit side reactions. Encouragingly, ZA regulates Zn2+ transport and endows uniform Zn deposition by inducing plating/stripping underneath the hybrid interface. At the same time, the TPU frame acts as a super‐elastic constraint to further suppress rampant dendrite evolution and accommodate a large amount of deposited Zn. Consequently, the interface‐protected Zn anode delivers high cycling stability (1200 h at 5 mA cm–2/5 mA h cm–2; 500 h at 10 mA cm–2/10 mA h cm–2), realizing an exceptional cumulative capacity of over 6000 mA h cm–2. This enhancement is well maintained in the full cell when coupled with a vanadium‐based cathode. The unique matrix‐filler architecture and mechanistic insights unraveled in this study are expected to provide a general principle in designing functional interfaces for metal anodes.