bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A paediatric pain assessment and management survey at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Mabaso L M N , Bhettay A , Bandini R , Demopoulos D
Published: August 2022

Background. Painful experiences are common in the paediatric inpatient population. Immaturity and cognitive impairment may preclude clear description of such experiences, and requests for analgesia when needed. Methods of pain assessment and guidelines for treatment in the paediatric population are well established, but are not widely used. Limited data suggest that the situation is similar in South Africa (SA).Objectives. To review the assessment and management of pain in SA medical paediatric inpatients. The primary objective was to determine the proportion of children who receive analgesia where indicated. The secondary objectives were to determine the prevalence of pain, at presentation and among admitted patients, whether pain evaluations were performed and pain treated, and the adequacy of such treatment.Methods. A prospective cross-sectional survey of medical paediatric inpatients at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital (RMMCH) in Johannesburg, SA, was conducted. The tool used for data collection was specifically designed for the study, with sections for demographic data, patient or caregiver interview, and chart review. Pain assessments were done using the revised Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability Scale and the Neonatal/Infant Pain Scale. The analysis consisted of descriptive statistics of epidemiological data and comparative statistics using grouped variables, with the level of significance set at p<0.05.Results. The sample consisted of 74 children, aged between 3 days and 4 years. Male patients accounted for 58% of the cohort. The prevalence of pain at admission was 73% (n=53). Eight percent (n=6) of the study sample had pain evaluation at admission, and only 1 child had been evaluated for pain within the preceding 24 hours. Of the 74 patients reviewed, 10% (n=7) received appropriate analgesia. Paracetamol was given to 31% of patients (n=23), either for pyrexia or for an undocumented indication. More than half of the study sample (59%; n=44) received no analgesia. The presence of pain, both by caregiver report (p=0.62) and by pain score (p=0.074), was not associated with the administration of analgesia.Conclusion. Pain in the paediatric population at RMMCH was found to be common, but it was seldom assessed, and validated pain scores were rarely used. The result was inadequate pain management in all the four domains of assessment, intervention, reassessment and ongoing management.
Phytotoxic effects of Acacia saligna dry leachates on germination, seedling growth, photosynthetic performance, and gene expression of economically important crops
Authors: Sakit ALHaithloul Haifa Abdulaziz , Khan Muhammad Ishfaq , Musa Arafa , Ghoneim Mohammed M. , Aysh ALrashidi Ayshah , Khan Imtiaz , Azab Ehab , Gobouri Adil A. , Sofy Mahmoud R. , El-Sherbiny Mohamed , Soliman Mona H.
Published: August 2022

The influence of dry leachates of Acasia saligna was tested on the seedling growth, photosynthesis, biochemical attributes, and gene expression of the economically important crops, including wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), radish (Raphanus sativus L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and arugula (Eruca sativa L.). Different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%) of stem extract (SE) and leaf extract (LE) of A. saligna were prepared, and seedlings were allowed to grow in Petri plates for 8 days. The results showed that all plant species exhibited reduced germination rate, plant height, and fresh and dry weight due to leachates extracts of A. saligna. Moreover, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), exhibited differential regulation due to the extract treatment. The SOD was increased with increasing the concentration of extracts, while CAT and APX activities were decreased with increasing the extract concentrations. In addition, leachate extract treatment decrease chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, PSII activity, and water use efficiency, with evident effects at their higher concentrations. Furthermore, the content of proline, sugars, protein, total phenols, and flavonoids were reduced considerably due to leachates extract treatments. Furthermore, seedlings treated with high concentrations of LE increased the expression of genes. The present results lead to the conclusion that A. saligna contains significant allelochemicals that interfere with the growth and development of the tested crop species and reduced the crops biomass and negatively affected other related parameters. However, further studies are suggested to determine the isolation and purification of the active compounds present in A. saligna extracts.
Hydrological and lock operation conditions associated with paddlefish and bigheaded carp dam passage on a large and small scale in the Upper Mississippi River (Pools 14–18)
Authors: Turney Dominique D. , Fritts Andrea K. , Knights Brent C. , Vallazza Jon M. , Appel Douglas S. , Lamer James T.
Published: August 2022

Movement and dispersal of migratory fish species is an important life-history characteristics that can be impeded by navigation dams. Although habitat fragmentation may be detrimental to native fish species, it might act as an effective and economical barrier for controlling the spread of invasive species in riverine systems. Various technologies have been proposed as potential fish deterrents at locks and dams to reduce bigheaded carp (i.e., silver carp and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.)) range expansion in the Upper Mississippi River (UMR). Lock and Dam (LD) 15 is infrequently at open-river condition (spillway gates completely open; hydraulic head across the dam <0.4 m) and has been identified as a potential location for fish deterrent implementation. We used acoustic telemetry to evaluate paddlefish passage at UMR dams and to evaluate seasonal and diel movement of paddlefish and bigheaded carp relative to environmental conditions and lock operations at LD 15. We observed successful paddlefish passage at all dams, with the highest number of passages occurring at LDs 17 and 16. Paddlefish residency events in the downstream lock approach of LD 15 occurred more frequently and for longer durations than residency events of bigheaded carp. We documented upstream passages completed by two individual paddlefish through the lock chamber at LD 15, and a single bighead carp completed upstream passage through the lock chamber during two separate years of this study. We identified four bigheaded carp and 19 paddlefish that made upstream passages through the spillway gates at LD 15 during this study. The majority of the upstream passages through the spillway gates for both species occurred during open river conditions. When hydraulic head was approximately 1-m or greater, we observed these taxa opt for upstream passage through the lock chamber more often than the dam gates. In years with infrequent open-river condition, a deterrent placed in the downstream lock approach may assist in meeting the management goal of reducing upstream passage of bigheaded carps but could also potentially affect paddlefish residency and passage. Continued study to understand the effects of deterrents on native fish could be beneficial for implementing an integrated bigheaded carp control strategy. Understanding fish behavior at UMR dams is a critical information need for river managers as they evaluate potential tools or technologies to control upstream expansion of bigheaded carp in the UMR.
Effect of Use of Tacit Knowledge Transfer Techniques on Organizational Performance of Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization Researchers
Authors: Nderema Henry Wanyama , Njeru Lucy Karega , Chimoita Evans Ligare
Published: August 2022

Tacit knowledge is key in managing the performance of agricultural research organizations. This study analyzed the adequacy of tacit knowledge transfer techniques, how tacit knowledge transfer enables achievement of performance indicators of Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), and the nature of association between tacit knowledge transfer and researchers' performance. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design, used cluster sampling and a semi-structured questionnaire to collect data from 191 respondents in KALRO research centers. Data were analyzed using the Likert scale and Chi-square in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Collaborative research, workshops and seminars are the most adequate techniques for transferring tacit knowledge among agricultural researchers and enhancing their performance. Cognitive Self-Motivation, collective and local tacit knowledge are the most useful types of tacit knowledge in enhancing agricultural researchers' performance. Management of agricultural research projects and writing of research fund-winning proposals were the performance indicators that researchers were most enabled to attain by tacit knowledge. Chi-square showed that there was significant association between the types of tacit knowledge and performance of researchers. In conclusion, use of tacit knowledge transfer techniques enables researchers to achieve their organization’s performance indicators and a significant positive association exists between tacit knowledge and researchers’ performance. KALRO needs to encourage more use of the most employed techniques in management of agricultural research projects and writing of research fund winning proposals through workshops, seminars and its knowledge management policy.
Analysis of Socio-Economic and Personal Characteristics of the Adopters and Non-Adopters of Climate Change Resilient Technologies in West Bengal, India
Authors: Vardhan P. N. H. , Pal P. K. , Roy D. , Mondal S.
Published: August 2022

The study relates to the socio–economic condition of the respondents who are adopting climate resilient technologies and also not adopting those technologies.The socio-economic characteristics pertaining to demography, means of production, investment, income and expenditure pattern of people living in a particular location strongly influence their responses to technological changes and participation in development schemes. Socio-economic study of villages is mainly for understanding the present condition of villages regarding the lifestyle, education status, and overall development of rural areas. It influences the accessibility to the resources, livelihood pattern, food and nutritional security etc. The present study was conducted in Cooch Behar and Malda districts of West Bengal to know the socio-economic status of the farmers in adopted and non-adopted villages of climate resilient technologies. A total of 120 respondents were randomly selected for the study from the total of 120 respondents 60respondents were selected from climate resilient technologies adopted villages and another 60 respondents were selected from non-adopted villages. It has been found that majority of the respondents from adopted and non- adopted villages were belonging to Below Poverty Line category and climate resilient technologies adopted village respondents were having better Socio- Economic status than the non-Adopted villages.
A Study on Astrometeorological Relationship between Planet Azimuth and Temperature
Authors: Panchulakshmi M. , Dheebakaran Ga. , Ramanathan S. P. , Kokilavani S.
Published: August 2022

Temperature is one of the key weather parameters, which is a necessity for all life on Earth. Any variation from the normal can impede the physical, chemical, and biological processes of life. Extremes would produce permanent changes that would halt the plant's growth and may cause complete withering. Advance information on temperature events will be helpful in protecting the plant and sustain the productivity under any temperature related disasters. Astrometeorology is one of the oldest organized knowledge systems that interplay between planetary movement and weather. In Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Astrometeorological weather forecast rules for rainfall, wind speed and cyclone events were already well defined. In continuation of this research, identification of Astrometeorological rules for the temperature events had been taken up during 2021-2022 at Agro climate Research Centre, TNAU, Coimbatore. Hourly temperature data from 2011-2016 was collected for 30 districts of Tamil Nadu. In each districts one particular location is selected and is correlated with ephemeris developed for a particular location using Alcyone ephemeris calculator. The findings clearly demonstrated the differential impact of individual planets and their azimuth on the temperature events. The study revealed that low temperature events were influenced when most planets are away (271- 300 degree azimuth) whereas the high temperature events were influenced by the planets that are directly above the location (91 to 120 degrees azimuth) and the in between temperature events were influenced by both 61-90 and 241-270 degrees. The specific azimuth of the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune had a makeable influence on a particular temperature event, however all the azimuths of the Moon and Mars had only a mild effect on any temperature event. Based on the results, Astrometeorological rules for the temperature events could be defined and used for the development of hybrid forecasting by overlapping the astromet forecast output on the numerical forecast output. This will produce more accuracy than individual forecast, reduce missing forecast, falls alarms, and improve the usability of forecast.
Effect of Weed Management Practices and Bio- fertilizers with and without FYM on Weed Flora, Growth and Yield of Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.)
Authors: Richardsan A. S. Kingsley , Bharathi C. , Janaki P. , Kalaiselvi T. , Arthanari P. Murali
Published: August 2022

A field experiment was conducted in farmer’s field at Narasipuram block, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu during summer season, 2021-22, to study the influence of weed management practices and bio-fertilizers with and without FYM on weed flora, growth and yield of blackgram. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Treatments consisted of four weed management practices as main plots, viz., M1- PE Pendimethalin 30% EC 1 kg ha-1 sprayed at 3 DAS, M2 - EPoE imazethapyr 10% SL 50 g ha-1, M3 – EPoE Quizalofop-p-ethyl 5% EC 50 g ha-1applied at 10 DAS and M4 - two hand weeding (15 and 30 DAS) and four different treatments of bio-fertilizers with and without FYM viz., S1 – Rhizobium + Phosphobacteria, S2 – Rhizobium + Phosphobacteria + AM fungi, S3 – S1 + FYM, S4 – S2 + FYM and S5 - control. The results revealed that interaction effect of pendimethalin 1 kg ha-1 (M4) and Rhizobium + Phosphobacteria + AM fungi with FYM (S4) recorded maximum growth and yield parameters viz., plant height, dry matter production, number of pods plant-1, seeds pods-1, pod length and 100 grain weight. Moreover, produce higher grain and haulm yield compared over rest of treatments.
Studies on Genetic Association and Path Coefficient Analysis for Yield and Yield Attributing Characters in Maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Babu Kaila Satish , M. Lal Gabriyal , Krishnan N. Mohana
Published: August 2022

During kharif-2021, the present trial was carried out at the field experimentation centre of the Genetics and Plant Breeding, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology And Sciences, Allahabad to assess genetic association and path coefficient analysis in forty-five maize genotypes, including one check variety SHAKTIMAN-5 for eighteen quantitative traits. Based on mean performance of 45 genotypes of maize, grain yield per plant was highest in case of MGC-240 [67.07] and SHAKTIMAN-5 [64.87] genotypes. On the basis of Analysis of variance, significant difference was recorded for all the grain yield and its components indicating presence of large amount of variability in the genotypes. The magnitude of GCV and PCV recorded highest for Grain yield per plant and Ear height. High heritability recorded in 100 grain weight, Ear height, plant height. High genetic advance was recorded in Plant height, biological yield per plant. High genetic advance as percent mean was recorded in Ear height, Grain yield per plant. Correlation studies revealed that Grain yield per plant at genotypic and phenotypic level was positively and significantly correlated with Cob weight, biological yield plant per plant and Cob girth. Path analysis revealed that Days to 75% maturity, biological yield per plant registered high and positive direct effect on Grain yield per plant in genotypic path analysis. In phenotypic path analysis revealed that Cob weight, Days to 50% silking registered high and positive direct effect on Grain yield per plant. It indicates true relationship between these traits and direct selection for these traits will be rewarding for yield improvement.
Response of Integrated Nutrient Management on Irrigated Wheat
Authors: Solanki S. K. , Patel H. K. , Raval C. H. , Patel H. K.
Published: August 2022

Wheat is one of the most staple foods of the Nepalese diet which is grown in the winter season in most of the area of the country. The study was carried out during winter of the year 2019-2020 at College Agronomy Farm, B.A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat) to study the response of Integrated Nutrient Management in irrigated wheat under sandy loam soil. Experimental soil is low in organic carbon (0.39 %) and medium in available phosphorus (37.22 kg/ha) and potassium (247 kg/ha) with slightly alkaline (pH 7.85) in reaction.  Application of 75% RDN + 25% N through neem cake + Jeevamrut (500 lit/ha) treatment reported significantly higher growth attributes and yield attributes like plant height at 30 (25.76 cm), 60 (71.84 cm) DAS and at harvest (119.64 cm), length of spike (10.35 cm), number of effective (305) and total tillers (351), no of grains per spike (49.62). Wheat grain (6389 kg/ha) and straw yield (8950 kg/ha) were significantly higher in 75% RDN + 25% N through neem cake + Jeevamrut (500 lit/ha). Crude protein content (13.75 %), soil organic carbon (0.48%) and available phosphorus (53.52 kg/ha) was higher by application of 75% RDN + 25% N through neem cake + Jeevamrut (500 lit/ha). Soil microbial population after second and third irrigation was found to be significant by application of 50% RDN + 25% N through neem cake + NP consortium + Jeevamrut (500 lit/ha), while after first irrigation response of treatment on soil microbial population, soil pH and EC were found non-significant (p=0.05).
Energy and Spectral Efficiency Optimization Methods in 5G Massive Mimo Systems
Authors: Djanan Attougbre , Diaby Moustapha , Coulibaly Adama
Published: August 2022

Radio technologies are driven by a never-ending quest for capacity and thus high throughput, associated with a constant need to improve the quality of the transmission. Thus, the massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology has been found to be a powerful system to optimize the trade-off between energy and spectral efficiency in fifth generation (5G) cellular networks. In this work, we analyse the trade-off  between energy efficiency and spectral efficiency for massive MIMO in wireless communication networks in relation to the power allocationproblem. Also authors normalize the energy and spectral efficiency to make them comparable and convert the MOO problem into a single object optimization (SOO) problem by the weighted product scalarization method. Finally, the objective function of this SOO problem, i.e. the energy and spectral efficiency trade-off metric which characterised, is quasi-concave with the emission power and we obtain a unique globally optimal solution. The numerical results attest to the performance of the proposed method.
Dreamwork and Spirituality
Authors: Bowater Margaret
Published: August 2022

Our dreams reveal many aspects of a spiritual process at work inside us, from simple metaphoric reflections of life-situations or inner roles, to dramatic confrontations with choices on our life-journeys; and from direct warnings of future events to vivid affirmations of a numinous reality beyond the material world we live in. Active dreamwork with the roles presented in our dreams can give the dreamer a deep sense of hearing spiritual truth from within.
I summarise my rationale, methods, and classifications. quoting (with permission) a few dream examples.
Turning Away or Towards
Authors: Brown Neal
Published: August 2022

A recent visit to the centre of San Francisco has left its mark on me. To be confronted continually by requests for money from the homeless and hungry on almost every street corner was disturbing. Locals tended to ignore the problem. They turned away from it; I could not.
Moses was unable to turn away from the Burning Bush. He turned towards it, took off his shoes, and realised where he stood was holy ground. The integration of spirituality and psychotherapy is holy ground.
Cancer Incidence Among Adults With HIV in a Population-Based Cohort in Korea
Authors: Park Boyoung , Ahn Kyoung Hwan , Choi Yunsu , Kim Jung Ho , Seong Hye , Kim Youn Jeong , Choi Jun Young , Song Joon Young , Lee Eunjung , Jun Yoon Hee , Yoon Young Kyung , Choi Won Suk , Lee Myungsun , Seong Jaehyun , Kim Shin-Woo
Published: August 2022

Importance

In combination with a decreased risk of AIDS-defining cancers and improved survival of people infected with HIV, the burden of non–AIDS-defining cancer has increased markedly. Although a substantial number of studies have measured the cancer risk among people with HIV in developed countries, little research has been conducted on the risk of cancer in HIV-infected people in Asia.

Objective

To examine the cancer incidence and the estimated risk of cancer among people in Korea infected with HIV compared with the general population.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients without cancer newly diagnosed with HIV from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2018, using a nationwide population-based claims database embedded in the National Health Insurance Service database. Data were analyzed between December 6, 2021, and February 28, 2022.

Exposures

Infection with HIV.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Cancer incidence and standardized incidence rate (SIR) through indirect standardization.

Results

A total of 11 552 individuals without cancer (10 444 male [90.4%]; mean [SD] age, 39.9 [11.2] years) diagnosed with HIV were identified. The SIR for all cancers was 1.68 (95% CI, 1.50-1.87) in men and 1.26 (95% CI, 0.89-1.64) in women. In men, the highest SIRs were for Kaposi sarcoma (SIR, 349.10; 95% CI, 196.10-502.20) and anal cancer (SIR, 104.20; 95% CI, 55.56-149.90). The incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (SIR, 15.62; 95% CI, 11.85-19.39), Hodgkin lymphoma (SIR, 16.67; 95% CI, 4.32-29.02), and oropharyngeal cancer (SIR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.36-4.58) in men infected with HIV was higher than in the general population. In women infected with HIV, an increased incidence of cervical cancer (SIR, 4.98; 95% CI, 1.29-8.66) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (SIR, 11.78; 95% CI, 2.35-21.21) compared with the general population was observed. The SIR of thyroid cancer in patients with HIV was lower than in the general population in both men (SIR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.27-0.99) and women (SIR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.06-0.90).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, cancer risks, especially AIDS-defining cancer and virus-related cancer, were elevated in people with HIV. Efforts for cancer prevention, screening, and better accessibility to medical care in HIV-infected people are warranted.
Prognostic value of baseline genetic features and newly identified TP53 mutations in advanced breast cancer
Authors: Zhang Lanxin , Sun Siwen , Zhao Xiaotian , Liu Jingwen , Xu Yang , Xu Lingzhi , Song Chen , Li Na , Yu Jing , Zhao Shanshan , Yu Peiyao , Fang Fengqi , Xie Jiping , Ji Xuening , Yu Ruoying , Ou Qiuxiang , Zhao Zuowei , Li Man
Published: July 2022

Approximately 30% of breast cancer (BC) patients suffer from disease relapse after definitive treatment. Monitoring BC at baseline and disease progression using comprehensive genomic profiling would facilitate the prediction of prognosis. We retrospectively studied 101 BC patients ultimately experiencing relapse and/or metastases. The baseline and circulating tumor DNA‐monitoring cohorts included patients with baseline tumor tissue and serial plasma samples, respectively. Samples were analyzed with targeted next‐generation sequencing of 425 cancer‐relevant genes. Of 35 patients in the baseline cohort, patients with TP53 mutations (P < 0.01), or CTCF/GNAS mutations (P < 0.01) displayed inferior disease‐free survival, and patients harboring TP53 (P = 0.06) or NOTCH1 (P = 0.06) mutations showed relatively poor overall survival (OS), compared to patients with wild‐type counterparts. Of the 59 patients with serial plasma samples, 11 patients who were newly detected with TP53 mutations had worse OS than patients whose TP53 mutational status remained negative (P < 0.01). These results indicate that an inferior prognosis of advanced breast cancer was potentially associated with baseline TP53, CTCF, and NOTCH1 alterations. Newly identified TP53 mutations after relapse and/or metastasis was another potential prognostic biomarker of poor prognosis.
Factors modulating 99mTc‐MAA planar lung dosimetry for 90Y radioembolization
Authors: Lopez Benjamin P. , Mahvash Armeen , Long James P. , Lam Marnix G. E. H. , Kappadath S. Cheenu
Published: July 2022

Purpose

To investigate the accuracy and biases of predicted lung shunt fraction (LSF) and lung dose (LD) calculations via 99mTc‐macro‐aggregated albumin (99mTc‐MAA) planar imaging for treatment planning of 90Y‐microsphere radioembolization.

Methods and materials

LSFs in 52 planning and LDs in 44 treatment procedures were retrospectively calculated, in consecutive radioembolization patients over a 2 year interval, using 99mTc‐MAA planar and SPECT/CT imaging. For each procedure, multiple planar LSFs and LDs were calculated using different: (1) contours, (2) views, (3) liver 99mTc‐MAA shine‐through compensations, and (4) lung mass estimations. The accuracy of each planar‐based LSF and LD methodology was determined by calculating the median (range) absolute difference from SPECT/CT‐based LSF and LD values, which have been demonstrated in phantom and patient studies to more accurately and reliably quantify the true LSF and LD values.

Results

Standard‐of‐care LSF using geometric mean of lung and liver contours had median (range) absolute over‐estimation of 4.4 percentage points (pp) (0.9 to 11.9 pp) from SPECT/CT LSF. Using anterior views only decreased LSF errors (2.4 pp median, −1.1 to +5.7 pp range). Planar LD over‐estimations decreased when using single‐view versus geometric‐mean LSF (1.3 vs. 2.6 Gy median and 7.2 vs. 18.5 Gy maximum using 1000 g lung mass) but increased when using patient‐specific versus standard‐man lung mass (2.4 vs. 1.3 Gy median and 11.8 vs. 7.2 Gy maximum using single‐view LSF).

Conclusions

Calculating planar LSF from lung and liver contours of a single view and planar LD using that same LSF and 1000 g lung mass was found to improve accuracy and minimize bias in planar lung dosimetry.
3D Networks of Silver Nanorod–Nanoparticle Hybrids via Aerosol Jetting Printing for Flexible Electrode
Authors: Zhao Danjiao , Wu Yu , Lin Aiping , Zhang Jidi , Lu Cheng , Bai Xiaojing , Wang Shufen , Fan Lanlan , Cao Lei , Liu Sida , Gu Feng
Published: August 2022

To satisfy the functional requirements for next‐generation electronic and optoelectronic devices, diverse protocols have thus been developed for preparing transparent flexible electrodes (TFEs) of metallic nanowires with high flexibility and conductivity, while flexible electrodes with 3D configuration have become a burgeoning frontier. Herein, an innovative 3D network of silver nanorod–nanoparticle hybrids (Ag NNH) is realized by a facile aerosol jet printing (AJP) technique. A dynamic assembly mechanism based on the AJP of silver nanowires (AgNWs) ink is proposed, suggesting a favorable evaporation‐induced migration and assembly process along with the coalescence of deposited droplets. The initially formed Ag NNH random network optimizes the wettability, spreading, and pinning of the droplets, shaping the consecutive deposition behavior of the aerosol droplets for constructing the 3D Ag NNH networks. Planar micro‐supercapacitor (MSC) devices are developed using the Ag NNH network as flexible microelectrode, and a competitive areal capacitance performance has been demonstrated in comparison with other Ag‐based devices. It is envisioned that the as‐developed approach will provide an optional approach for developing future electronic and optoelectronic devices with fascinating hierarchical features.
Step‐Climbing Epitaxy of Layered Materials with Giant Out‐of‐Plane Lattice Mismatch
Authors: Zhou Xuehan , Liang Yan , Fu Huixia , Zhu Ruixue , Wang Jingyue , Cong Xuzhong , Tan Congwei , Zhang Congcong , Zhang Yichi , Wang Yani , Xu Qijia , Gao Peng , Peng Hailin
Published: July 2022

Heteroepitaxy with large lattice mismatch remains a great challenge for high‐quality epifilm growth. Although great efforts have been devoted to epifilm growth with an in‐plane lattice mismatch, the epitaxy of 2D layered crystals on stepped substrates with a giant out‐of‐plane lattice mismatch is seldom reported. Here, taking the molecular‐beam epitaxy of 2D semiconducting Bi2O2Se on 3D SrTiO3 substrates as an example, a step‐climbing epitaxy growth strategy is proposed, in which the n‐th (n = 1, 2, 3…) epilayer climbs the step with height difference from out‐of‐plane lattice mismatch and continues to grow the n+1‐th epilayer. Step‐climbing epitaxy can spontaneously relax and release the strain from the out‐of‐plane lattice mismatch, which ensures the high quality of large‐area epitaxial films. Wafer‐scale uniform 2D Bi2O2Se single‐crystal films with controllable thickness can be obtained via step‐climbing epitaxy. Most notably, one‐unit‐cell Bi2O2Se films (1.2 nm thick) exhibit a high Hall mobility of 180 cm2 V−1 s−1 at room temperature, which exceeds that of silicon and other 2D semiconductors with comparable thickness. As an out‐of‐plane lattice mismatch is generally present in the epitaxy of layered materials, the step‐climbing epitaxy strategy expands the existing epitaxial growth theory and provides guidance toward the high‐quality synthesis of layered materials.
Strain‐Driven Mixed‐Phase Domain Architectures and Topological Transitions in Pb1−xSrxTiO3 Thin Films
Authors: Kavle Pravin , Zorn Jacob A. , Dasgupta Arvind , Wang Bo , Ramesh Maya , Chen Long‐Qing , Martin Lane W.
Published: August 2022

The potential for creating hierarchical domain structures, or mixtures of energetically degenerate phases with distinct patterns that can be modified continually, in ferroelectric thin films offers a pathway to control their mesoscale structure beyond lattice‐mismatch strain with a substrate. Here, it is demonstrated that varying the strontium content provides deterministic strain‐driven control of hierarchical domain structures in Pb1−xSrxTiO3 solid‐solution thin films wherein two types, c/a and a1/a2, of nanodomains can coexist. Combining phase‐field simulations, epitaxial thin‐film growth, detailed structural, domain, and physical‐property characterization, it is observed that the system undergoes a gradual transformation (with increasing strontium content) from droplet‐like a1/a2 domains in a c/a domain matrix, to a connected‐labyrinth geometry of c/a domains, to a disconnected labyrinth structure of the same, and, finally, to droplet‐like c/a domains in an a1/a2 domain matrix. A relationship between the different mixed‐phase modulation patterns and its topological nature is established. Annealing the connected‐labyrinth structure leads to domain coarsening forming distinctive regions of parallel c/a and a1/a2 domain stripes, offering additional design flexibility. Finally, it is found that the connected‐labyrinth domain patterns exhibit the highest dielectric permittivity.
Computational Biomaterials: Computational Simulations for Biomedicine
Authors: Dai Xinyue , Chen Yu
Published: August 2022

With the flourishing development of material simulation methods (quantum chemistry methods, molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo, phase field, etc.), extensive adoption of computing technologies (high‐throughput, artificial intelligence, machine learning, etc.), and the invention of high‐performance computing equipment, computational simulation tools have sparked the fundamental mechanism‐level explorations to predict the diverse physicochemical properties and biological effects of biomaterials and investigate their enormous application potential for disease prevention, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Herein, the term “computational biomaterials” is proposed and the computational methods currently used to explore the inherent properties of biomaterials, such as optical, magnetic, electronic, and acoustic properties, and the elucidation of corresponding biological behaviors/effects in the biomedical field are summarized/discussed. The theoretical calculation of the physiochemical properties/biological performance of biomaterials applied in disease diagnosis, drug delivery, disease therapeutics, and specific paradigms such as biomimetic biomaterials is discussed. Additionally, the biosafety evaluation applications of theoretical simulations of biomaterials are presented. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of such computational simulations for biomaterials development are clarified. It is anticipated that these simulations would offer various methodologies for facilitating the development and future clinical translations/utilization of versatile biomaterials.
Ultralow‐Noise Single‐Frequency Fiber Laser and Application in High‐Resolution Fiber‐Optic Dynamic Strain Sensing
Authors: Zhao Qilai , Sun Yuxin , Zeng Chun , Lin Wei , Yang Changsheng , Feng Zhouming , Zhou Kaijun , Wei Xiaoming , Gan Jiulin , Zhang Qinyuan , Yang Zhongmin , Xu Shanhui
Published: August 2022

A 1.5 μm ultralow‐noise single‐frequency fiber laser (SFFL) is realized based on a delay fiber phase‐locked method and the nonlinear amplification effect of a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). Via feedback locking of the phase jitter signal, the phase noise achieves the minimum value of −160 dB rad Hz−1/2 m−1 with a maximum reduction of 50 dB. Meanwhile, SOA reduces the intensity noise by a maximum of 65 dB, making it near the shot‐noise limit for frequencies above 40 kHz. To demonstrate this state‐of‐art SFFL with ultralow‐noise property, a high‐resolution fiber‐optic dynamic strain sensing based on a fiber‐based Michelson interferometer (FMI) is performed. As a result, the strain resolution reaches 26 fε Hz−1/2 in the 30–200 Hz band, which is improved by almost three orders of magnitude than that realized by a free‐running SFFL. To the best of the knowledge, this is the first time to achieve such a high‐resolution fiber‐optic dynamic strain sensor in the low‐frequency range utilizing the FMI system. This high‐resolution fiber‐optic strain sensing has promising applications in geophysics and biophotonics. Moreover, this ultralow‐noise SFFL is competitive for sophisticated applications, such as precise absolute distance measurement, quantum key distribution, and generating squeezed light.
Tuning Metasurface Dimensions by Soft Nanoimprint Lithography and Reactive Ion Etching
Authors: Cao Xinyi , Xiao Yibo , Dong Qiao , Zhang Shaobo , Wang Junzhuan , Wang Lianhui , Gao Li
Published: August 2022

Metasurfaces are ultrathin and flat layers of subwavelength nanostructures composed of metallic or high‐refractive‐index materials. They can alter lightwave properties effectively and show significant application potential in various nanophotonic technologies. The subwavelength meta‐atoms are generally carved by electron beam lithography or focused ion beam. It is challenging to produce large‐scale metasurface devices at low cost. Herein, the fabrication of low‐cost and large‐area plasmonic and dielectric metasurfaces through a combination of soft nanoimprint lithography and reactive ion etching is reported and the dimension of meta‐atoms by controlling the etching condition carefully and implementing an iterative imprint and etch process is tuned. Such an approach is effective to alter the metasurface resonances and reproduce new structures with minimum cost for wafer‐scale nanophotonics.
The Synthesis of 5,6‐dihydrobenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline Derivatives via Metal‐Free Radical Cascade Pathway
Authors: Pan Youlu , Xu Jinghao , Zhang Hongjie , Hao Rongrong , Shen Zhengrong , Huang Wenhai
Published: July 2022

A metal‐free radical relay addition/cyclization of activated alkenes with ethers, cycloalkanes, toluenes, and alcohols has been achieved, leading to a range of functionalization of 5,6‐dihydrobenzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1‐a]isoquinolines with the yield of 43% ‐ 84%. This protocol exhibits advantages of metal‐free, base‐free, and shorter reaction time.

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Cancer risk and gammopathies in 2123 adults with Gaucher disease type 1 in the International Gaucher Group Gaucher Registry
Authors: Rosenbloom Barry E. , Cappellini Maria Domenica , Weinreb Neal J. , Dragosky Marta , Revel‐Vilk Shoshana , Batista Julie L. , Sekulic Davorka , Mistry Pramod K.
Published: August 2022

There are numerous reports of cancers in Gaucher disease (GD) from mostly small single‐center studies; however, precise risk estimates and cancer types involved have not been delineated. We conducted a study involving 2123 patients with GD type 1 (GD1) to assess the incidence of hematological malignancies, gammopathies, and solid tumors in an international observational study, the International Cooperative Gaucher Group Gaucher Registry (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00358943). Risk for cancer overall and for each type of malignancy was compared to the United States (US) population using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Natural history of gammopathy was determined through assessing the progression from a diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) to multiple myeloma (MM). Risk for hematological malignancies was more than four times higher than expected compared to the general population: non‐Hodgkin lymphoma was approximately three times higher; MM was approximately nine times higher. Age‐specific incidence rates of MGUS were unexpectedly high among younger patients. The 10‐year cumulative incidence of MM after diagnosis of MGUS was 7.9%, comparable to the general population. Compared to the general US population, GD1 patients were at higher risk for solid malignancies of liver (2.9 times), kidney (2.8 times), melanoma (2.5 times), and breast (1.4 times). Colorectal, prostate, and lung cancer risks were lower than expected. These findings help advance care of patients with GD1 by supporting recommendations for individualized monitoring for malignancies and antecedents such as MGUS for MM and provoke important questions of the role of glucosylceramide and related sphingolipids in cancer biology.
Chemoselective Annulation of 2‐Benzothiazolimines Enabled by Bifunctional Phosphonium Salt: Highly Enantioselective Synthesis of Indole‐fused Cyclic Thiourea Scaffolds
Authors: Li Kehan , Lu Dongming , Tan Jian‐Ping , Ren Xiaoyu , Wang Tianli
Published: July 2022

A highly efficient chemoselective and stereoselective annulation utilizing 2‐benzothiazolimines as unusual C2‐synthons by thiourea‐based bifunctional phosphonium salt catalysis has been developed. This asymmetric protocol provides a rapid access to highly functionalized and indole‐fused cyclic thiourea scaffolds that bear benzothiazole cores in high yields with excellent both diastereo‐ and enatioselectivities. This transformation proceeds under mild reaction conditions and expands the catalytic potential of phosphonium salt catalysts.
Engineering a ceramic piston pump to minimize particle formation for a therapeutic immunoglobulin: A combined factorial and modeling approach
Authors: Roffi Kirk , Sebastião Israel B. , Morel Alexandre
Published: July 2022

During fill‐finish manufacturing, protein‐pump surface interactions can induce subvisible particle (SVP) formation which poses a risk to drug product quality and patient safety. Despite this risk, there have been no concerted efforts to understand the effects of piston pump design on SVP formation. We've systematically varied the design of the piston‐cylinder interface to minimize SVP formation for a therapeutic immunoglobulin. The clearance factor, surface roughness factor, and their combined interaction significantly affected particle concentrations, quantitated by light obscuration and microflow imaging. Optimized pump designs reduced particle levels by 1–2 orders of magnitude compared to the off‐the‐shelf equipment. At the piston surface, scanning electron microscopy revealed evidence of protein film abrasion, a process which ejects SVPs from the piston‐cylinder interface as wear debris. Computational fluid dynamics and quartz crystal microbalance were applied to simulate fluid flow and protein adsorption phenomena in the pump respectively. The risk of protein film abrasion was modeled along a hypothetical Stribeck curve, thereby interconnecting design parameters, lubrication conditions, and SVP formation. Our findings support implementation of a modular pump platform with interchangeable pistons; this approach would enable the pump design to be customized based on each protein's propensity to form SVPs. This flexible approach can benefit pharmaceutical manufacturers and patients alike by accelerating tech transfer and improving process control.
Electrocarboxylation of Aryl Epoxides with CO2for the Facile and Selective Synthesis of β‐Hydroxy Acids
Authors: Wang Yanwei , Tang Shunyao , Yang Guoqing , Wang Siyi , Ma Dengke , Qiu Youai
Published: July 2022

Herein, an efficient and facile approach to valuable β‐hydroxy acid derivatives from readily available aryl epoxides and CO2with high chemo‐ and regioselectivity under mild and sustainable electrochemical conditions is described. This approach showed broad substrate scope and good functional‐group compatibility. In addition to aryl epoxides, four‐ to six‐membered aryl cyclic ethers could all be tolerated in the reaction to provide synthetically useful hydroxy acids with high efficiency. Further late‐stage carboxylation of complex molecules and drug derivatives demonstrated its potential application in the pharmaceutical industry. Mechanistic studies disclosed possible reaction pathways.
Photoinduced Persistent Polarization Change in a Spin Transition Crystal
Authors: Su Sheng‐Qun , Wu Shu‐Qi , Huang Yu‐Bo , Xu Wen‐Huang , Gao Kai‐Ge , Okazawa Atsushi , Okajima Hajime , Sakamoto Akira , Kanegawa Shinji , Sato Osamu
Published: July 2022

Using light as a local heat source to induce a temporary pyroelectric current is widely recognized as an effective way to control the polarization of crystalline materials. In contrast, harnessing light directly to modulate the polarization of a crystal via excitation of the electronic bands remains less explored. In this study, we report an FeIIspin crossover crystal that exhibits photoinduced macroscopic polarization change upon excitation by green light. When the excited crystal relaxes to the ground state, the corresponding pyroelectric current can be detected. An analysis of the structures, magnetic properties and the Mössbauer and infrared spectra of the complex, supported by calculations, revealed that the polarization change is dictated by the directional relative movement of ions during the spin transition process. The spin transition and polarization change occur simultaneously in response to light stimulus, which demonstrates the enormous potential of polar spin crossover systems in the field of optoelectronic materials.
A Conjugated Covalent Template Strategy for All‐Benzene Catenane Synthesis
Authors: Bu An , Zhao Yongye , Xiao Hongyan , Tung Chen‐Ho , Wu Li‐Zhu , Cong Huan
Published: July 2022

Mechanically interlocked molecules based on oligoparaphenylene‐derived nanohoops, particularly those without heteroatoms, are synthetically challenging and topologically intriguing targets. Herein, a π‐conjugated covalent template strategy based on azo group has been developed, which features dual intramolecular macrocyclizations directed by a tetra‐substituted azobenzene core, followed by traceless removal of the azo linker. Employing this strategy, the efficient synthesis of a novel all‐benzene [2]catenane consisting of meta‐cycloparaphenylenes has been accomplished.
Unblocking Ion‐occluded Pore Channels in Poly(triazine imide) Framework for Proton Conduction
Authors: Chi Heng‐Yu , Chen Cailing , Zhao Kangning , Villalobos Luis Francisco , Schouwink Pascal Alexander , Piveteau Laura , Marshall Kenneth Paul , Liu Qi , Han Yu , Agrawal Kumar Varoon
Published: July 2022

Poly(triazine imide) or PTI is an ordered graphitic carbon nitride hosting Å‐scale pores attractive for selective molecular transport. AA’‐stacked PTI layers are synthesized by ionothermal route during which ions occupy the framework and occlude the pores. Synthesis of ion‐free PTI hosting AB‐stacked layers has been reported, however, pores in this configuration are blocked by the neighboring layer. The unavailability of open pore limits application of PTI in molecular transport. Herein, we demonstrate acid treatment for ion depletion which maintains AA’ stacking and results in open pore structure. We provide first direct evidence of ion‐depleted open pores by imaging with the atomic resolution using integrated differential phase‐contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy. Depending on the extent of ion‐exchange, AA’ stacking with open channels and AB stacking with closed channels are obtained and imaged for the first time. The accessibility of open channels is demonstrated by enhanced proton transport through ion depleted PTI.
In vivo Realization of Dual Photodynamic and Photothermal Therapy for Melanoma by Mitochondria Targeting Dinuclear Ruthenium Complexes under Civil Infrared Low‐power Laser
Authors: Wang Meng‐Fan , Yang Rong , Tang Shi‐Jie , Deng Yu‐Ang , Li Guo‐Kui , Zhang Dan , Chen Daomei , Ren Xiaoxia , Gao Feng
Published: July 2022

A series of dinuclear RuII complexes with extremely high TPA cross sections in the range of 800–900 nm have been designed. The amphiphilic complex Ru3 containing tert‐butyl groups has balanced performance in singlet oxygen generation and photothermal conversion and becomes the ideal drug candidate of the series. Ru3 targets mitochondria without penetrating the nucleus, which substantially increases its photodynamic therapy activity and reduces its dark cytotoxicity. Ru3 successfully suppresses melanoma tumor growth in vitro and in vivo with combined photodynamic and photothermal therapy under low light dose irradiation of an 808 nm low‐power laser, avoiding the known PDT resistance in melanoma. The excellent therapeutic effect of Ru3 facilitates its applications in further human trials for larger or deeper buried tumors, thereby becoming a prospective candidate for a new generation of low‐power IR‐driven dual PDT/PTT drugs.