bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Young Children on Women’s Labour Supply
Authors: Uunk Wilfred , Kalmijn Matthijs , Muffels Ruud
Published: February 2005

The proportion of women who withdraw from paid employment when they have children differs considerably among the countries of the European Union (EU), and the variation has mostly been attributed to institutional factors. In this study, we reassess the institutional explanation, because earlier supportive evidence is threatened by two alternative macro-level explanations: the influence of the economic necessity to work and the influence of gender role values in society. Our main research question is whether and to what extent these alternative explanations alter the effect of public childcare arrangements on mothers’ labour supply. Using panel data from 13 countries of the EU, we find evidence in favour of the institutional and economic explanations. In countries with more generous provision of public childcare and in countries with a lower level of economic welfare, the impact of childbirth on female labour supply is less negative than in other countries. Economic welfare appears to suppress rather than rival the institutional effect. More egalitarian gender role values in a country increase mothers’ labour supply, yet these values do not alter the institutional effect. Our results underpin the importance of publicly supported arrangements for enhancing female labour supply.
Identifying with Arabic Journalists
Authors: Auter Philip J. , Arafa Mohamed , Al-Jaber Khalid
Published: February 2005

Al-Jazeera typifies the West’s perception of the new Arab satellite news channel. Seemingly rising from out of nowhere, the fledgling Al-Jazeera satellite news channel took a western-style cable news format and adapted it to the cultural perspectives of a Middle Eastern audience. As a result, it has become one of the most popular news channels with people in the Middle East and Arab expatriates around the world. One reason for this popularity may be the result of audiences identifying with their favorite news personalities on the network - possibly even developing a mock-interpersonal relationship with them. This ‘parasocial interaction’ may be linked to viewing levels, perceptions of the network as credible and a number of motives for watching the channel. To test these possibilities, the authors surveyed over 5300 Al-Jazeera users during a two-week period in 2002. They found strong evidence that parasocial interaction is related to amount of time spent with the channel and belief in the network’s credibility.
Diabetes Foot Self-care Practices in a Rural, Triethnic Population
Authors: Bell Ronny A. , Arcury Thomas A. , Snively Beverly M. , Smith Shannon L. , Stafford Jeanette M. , Dohanish Ron , Quandt Sara A.
Published: February 2005

Purpose

The purposes of this study were to assess the level of foot self-care performed in a rural, multiethnic population of older adults and to identify factors associated with foot self-care.

Methods

The Evaluating Long-term Diabetes Self-management Among Elder Rural Adults study included a random sample of 701 African American, Native American, and white adults from 2 rural North Carolina counties. Participants completed in-home interviews, 5 foot selfcare practices from the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA), functional status measures, and measures of education and support for foot care.

Results

Foot care practices/behaviors reported at least 6 days/week ranged from 35.6% for inspecting shoes to 79.2% for not soaking feet. Four independent predictors of the SDSCA summary foot care index score were observed: having been shown how to care for feet (P< .0001), female gender (P= .03), having had a doctor check nerves in feet in past year (P= .02), and not receiving support caring for feet (P = .0425).

Conclusions

These findings indicate that educating patients about foot self-care may encourage routine foot care but that those dependent on either formal or informal support to perform foot care do so less frequently than those who perform it independently.
The Rhetoric of Disjointed Proverbs
Authors: Fox Michael V.
Published: February 2005

This article examines proverbs in which the fit between the lines (cola) is awkward. This may sometimes be a flaw, but in quite a few of cases it seems intended for a particular rhetorical effect. Imperfect parallelism leaves a gap between the lines. When the missing component–a premise or a conclusion–is mentally supplied, the couplet gains cohesiveness and a tighter linkage. Such ‘disjointed' proverbs are a type of enthymeme which involves the audience in its own persuasion.
Parents’ and children’s involvement in decision-making during hospitalisation
Authors: Hallström Inger
Published: February 2005

Different reasons are given as to why children and their parents should be involved in discussions and decisions regarding the child’s care. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child formulates the needs of children and young people in terms of human rights. Ethical duties of health professionals include the obligation to enhance their patients’ competence and ability to participate. The concepts of autonomy, integrity, competence, assent and consent are complex and sometimes difficult to relate to practice. However, they are essential in paediatric care. In earlier studies we observed 24 children and 35 parents during the child’s hospitalisation, and situations including a decision-making process were identified.

Analysis included assessing and grading both children’s and parents’ involvement in decisions according to a five-level scale of different degrees of respect. The results emphasised that both children and parents had varying abilities to become involved in the decision-making process. Promoting children’s rights is one of the most important roles for the children’s nurse. Having a voice in decision-making helps the child to develop a sense of him-herself as a person and gives the parents a feeling that they are part of a team giving their child optimal care during hospitalisation.
Renal nursing research, evidence-based practice and education — A European perspective
Authors: Thomas Nicola
Published: February 2005

This paper describes the main challenges faced by professionals working in nephrology, dialysis and transplantation across Europe and evaluates how far the work of the European Dialysis and Transplant Nurses' Association/ European Renal Care Association (EDTNA/ERCA) supports its members by promoting the advancement of renal care through research and continuous professional development. Research studies include collaborative projects on vascular access, renal nutrition, pre-dialysis counselling, the treatment of water for dialysis, peritoneal dialysis catheter care, and the management of hepatitis C virus. The newly formed European Practice Database is also described. Educational projects include the development of a professional portfolio framework, European basic and post-basic curricula for nephrology nursing and the EDTNA/ERCA accreditation of post-basic nephrology nursing courses.
Making claims on nursing work
Authors: Spilsbury Karen , Meyer Julienne
Published: February 2005

Throughout the NHS, the traditional boundaries between professional groups are breaking down to promote more flexible ways of working to deliver patient-centred care. Registered nurses (RNs) have responded to changing care demands through the development of innovative roles and extended roles and responsibilities. However, there are increasing numbers of healthcare assistants (HCAs) being employed by the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK to support RNs in providing nursing care. To date, little is known about the make-up of the health care assistant workforce and the changing nature of their role. This paper reports the findings of a single case study using mixed methods (survey, interviews, participant observations, focus groups and documentary analysis) to generate an in-depth account of HCAs' work in one UK hospital setting. The study is built upon what HCAs say they do, compared with what they actually do in practice and RNs’ perceptions of the HCA role. It explores how and whether the work of HCAs is adequately supervised, tensions between the work of HCAs and RNs and the subsequent effects on teamwork and patient care. There are policy expectations associated with the work of HCAs. However, this study reveals significant deviations from these goals. The workplace arena, and the informal negotiations between HCAs and RNs that take place within it, actively shape the HCAs’ work. The changing roles of RNs have direct implications for the roles of HCAs: as RNs take on extra duties and responsibilities they are conceding some of their roles to HCAs. An important element of the RNs’ role must now be to consider how HCAs can best be deployed, to assess their competence for carrying out nursing work, and to monitor and supervise their work so as to maximise, and further develop, the HCAs’ contribution to patient care and to ensure quality standards.
Strategies employed to rebuild nursing following restructuring
Authors: Hall Linda McGillis
Published: February 2005

This study explores the strategies employed by nurse executives to rebuild the nursing workforce in a sample of 140 Canadian hospitals following a period of restructuring, as well as identifying the mechanisms being used to monitor ongoing nursing expenditures in an era of fiscal accountability. The most common restructuring strategy employed was to change the nursing staff mix. Nurses' responses to these efforts was concerning. Focused initiatives developed by nurse executives to rebuild nurse staffing levels included increasing the employment of full-time nurses, as well as enhancing support roles utilised in the hospital healthcare system (e.g. professional practice leaders, case managers, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, nurse educators). Future efforts to monitor nursing expenditures should be balanced examining potentially positive as well as negative nursing cost utilisation.
Why are there no lesbian advertisements?
Authors: Vänskä Annamari
Published: February 2005

This article addresses the issue of femme gaze and desire in relation to a range of heterosexual fashion advertisements from the British edition of the mainstream fashion magazine Vogue. It considers the lasting legacy of heterosexual feminist and lesbian feminist constructions of the gazing subject, particularly in terms of masculinity, trans-sex identification and masquerading. Both of these fields of knowledge have failed to recognize feminine and femme-inine viewing subjects and to include them in the field of visibility independently, without recourse to masculinity. The article considers possibilities for resistant femme visibility, identification, and desire. It argues through the analysis of fashion images that the concepts of femme-nity and femme-nine are useful in criticizing prevailing regulatory norms of perception and normative expectations on gender, as well as in denaturalizing the assumed relationship between the gaze, gender, sexuality, and desire.
Ontogeny of CD4+CD25+ regulatory/suppressor T cells in human fetuses
Authors: Darrasse-Jèze Guillaume , Marodon Gilles , Salomon Benoît L. , Catala Martin , Klatzmann David
Published: February 2005

Little is known about the ontogeny of naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ regulatory/suppressor T cells that play a major role in maintaining self-tolerance in mice and humans. In rodents, thymectomy on day 3 of life leads to multiple organ-specific autoimmune diseases that can be prevented by adoptive transfer of regulatory T cells, suggesting their neonatal development. We investigated regulatory T-cell ontogeny in 11 human fetuses. Together with the first mature T cells, thymic CD4+CD25+ cells were detected as early as 13 weeks of gestation. Thymic CD25+ cells appeared to be positively selected at the CD4+CD8+CD3hi differentiation stage, as assessed by CD1a and CD69 expression. The proportion of thymic CD4+CD25+ cells appeared quite stable with age, around 6% to 7%, similar to the proportion observed in infant thymi. Extrathymic CD4+CD25+ T cells could hardly be detected at 13 weeks of gestation but were present from week 14 onwards. As adult regulatory T cells, purified CD4+CD25+ fetal cells were anergic and suppressed T-cell proliferative responses; they expressed intracellular cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and Foxp3 mRNA. Altogether, our results indicate that the generation of regulatory/suppressor T cells is consubstantial to the generation of a functional and self-tolerant immune system. (Blood. 2005;105:4715-4721)
A murine antibacterial ortholog to human bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) is expressed in testis, epididymis, and bone marrow
Authors: Lennartsson Andreas , Pieters Katrien , Vidovic Karina , Gullberg Urban
Published: February 2005

The bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), stored in human neutrophil granulocytes, is cytotoxic against Gram-negative bacteria. Several genes related to BPI cluster on human chromosome 20 and on mouse chromosome 2, but expression and characterization of a BPI ortholog in the mouse have not been reported. We asked whether BPI is structurally and functionally conserved between humans and mice and whether murine BPI might be synthesized in neutrophils as well as in other tissues. We report the isolation of a murine full-length cDNA encoding a 54-kDa protein, showing 53% amino acid identity and 71% similarity, to human BPI. The murine BPI and human BPI genes show a similar exon-intron organization. Murine BPI mRNA was detected in testis, epididymis, and bone marrow, as well as in Sertoli and promyelocytic cell lines. Although levels of BPI mRNA in human and murine testis were comparable, expression in murine bone marrow cells was low as compared with that in human bone marrow. BPI protein showed a cytoplasmic, granular localization in mature neutrophils. BPI gene expression in Sertoli and promyelocytic cells was enhanced several-fold by all-trans retinoic acid. Overexpression of murine BPI in human embryonic kidney 293 cells resulted in antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, comparable with that obtained with human BPI. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that mouse neutrophils store BPI with antibacterial activity and that murine BPI is also expressed in testis and epididymis.
The Captive- and Short-Column Effects
Authors: Guevara L. Teresa , García Luis E.
Published: February 2005

Captive-column and short-column conditions are a significant source of serious earthquake damage. These conditions originate in the architectural design of the building. For this reason, this paper first presents the architectural reasons why these conditions occur and explains in nontechnical language their detrimental effect on building response. The effects are presented from a multidisciplinary perspective—engineering, architecture, and construction—because their solution can only be achieved by an integrated approach to building design that recognizes the interaction of these three disciplines. The accidental modification to the original structural configuration leading to a captive column by restricting its freedom to deform laterally due to the presence of nonstructural elements that partially confine it is presented. The case of short columns subjected to earthquake effects is also discussed. Examples of damage due to these effects in numerous earthquakes are presented, and the architectural decisions leading to captive and short columns are reviewed. The structural explanation of the behavior is discussed. Experimental research related to short and captive columns is presented. Recommendations to handle this type of problem are given.
Homeostatic Responses in the Adrenal Cortex to the Absence of Aldosterone in Mice
Authors: Lee Gene , Makhanova Natalia , Caron Kathleen , Lopez Maria L. Sequeira , Gomez R. Ariel , Smithies Oliver , Kim Hyung-Suk
Published: February 2005

To study the effects of decreased amounts or absence of aldosterone on development and endocrine function, we have disrupted the mouse gene, Cyp11b2, coding for aldosterone synthase (AS) by replacing its first two exons with sequences coding for enhanced green fluorescent protein. The null pups fail to thrive postnatally, and about 30% die between d 7 and 28. Aldosterone in plasma and AS mRNA in adrenal glands are undetectable in the null mice. Adult AS-null mice are small, weigh 75% of wild type, are hypotensive, have increased concentrations of plasma K+ and corticosterone, and a decreased concentration of plasma Cl−. Their plasma renin and angiotensin II concentrations are 45× and 4× wild type. The adrenal cortex is disorganized and has cells that contain marked accumulations of lipid. The zona glomerulosa is widened and includes easily detectable renin-containing cells, not seen in the wild-type adrenal gland. In the AS−/− adrenals, the level of mRNA for Cyp11b1, coding for 11β-hydroxylase, is 150% wild type. The adrenal glands of the null mice consequently show evidence of a greatly activated renin-angiotensin system and up-regulation of glucocorticoid production. In the AS-null mice enhanced green fluorescent protein fluorescence is mainly at the boundary between the cortex and medulla, where apoptotic cells are numerous. These data are consistent with the absence of aldosterone in the AS-null mice inducing an increased cell-turnover of cells in the adrenals that normally become AS expressing and their migration to the medullary boundary where they apoptose.
Reconstructing mountain goat history in the Olympic Mountains, USA
Authors: Oscarson Melissa M. , Landguth Erin L. , Wallin David O.
Published: February 2024

Between 1925 and 1930, 11 or 12 non‐native mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) were translocated from Alaska and British Columbia to the foothills of the Olympic Range. By 1970, descendants of these goats had colonized the entire range and concerns about the management of this introduced species developed as damage to alpine soil and vegetation occurred. A series of removals reduced the population from 1175 in 1983 to 389 by 1990, eventually growing to 584 in 2016. We used demographic and genetic data to parameterize a population genetics individual‐based simulation model of the Olympic Range mountain goats. We calibrated the model to replicate the population trajectory for Olympic mountain goats from establishment in the 1920s through the 1983 first census. As expected, modeled population dynamics from 1928 to 1983 mimicked parameter initialization from expanding populations. However, simulated heterozygosity did not align with observations, suggesting a process not accounted for within the simulation model, such as a bottleneck or founder effect. Sensitivity analyses showed changes in annual reproductive rate, juvenile mortality, and adult female mortality influencing population trajectories, but variation in male mortality revealed no changes. Evaluating the population dynamics of the model after removals showed that approximately 80% of the total animals removed during the 1980s needed to be female in order for the observed population estimates to occur. This model has the potential to be used more widely with established or introduced mountain goat populations, as well as to provide an approach for studying other introduced species and their population dynamics.
Electrically Stimulated Dental Implants Triggers Soft‐Tissue Integration and Bactericidal Functions
Authors: Jayasree Anjana , Cartmell Sarah , Ivanovski Sašo , Gulati Karan
Published: February 2024

Modulating cellular functions at the dental implant‐tissue interface to augment integration and prevent bacterial ingress is crucial for achieving early stability and long‐term implant success. Nano‐engineering strategies, such as anodized titanium implants with titania (TiO2) nanotubes/nanopores, are emerging as a promising dental implant surface modification approach to enhance integration and prevent infection. Achieving on‐demand therapy through electrical stimulation therapy (EST, supply of voltage/current to local tissue) may be advantageous but has not been explored for dental implants. Further, anodized implants with TiO2 nanotubes/nanopores represent a semi‐conducting modification that can impede EST effectiveness. In this pioneering study, TiO2 nanopores are converted into conducting Ti nanopores to perform EST to achieve superior soft‐tissue integration and antibacterial efficacy. In‐depth surface characterizations are followed by assays investigating the effect of EST on cultured human salivary biofilm and gingival fibroblasts. Significant bactericidal efficacy is demonstrated for EST (1.5 V for 5 min per day) using Ti nanopores. Further, EST enhanced fibroblast proliferation and collagen secretion. In summary, EST applied to Ti nanoporous implants promotes soft‐tissue healing and antibacterial functions and is proposed as a next‐generation approach in implant dentistry to achieve on‐demand therapy.
Robust Ferroelasticity and Carrier Dynamics Across the Domain Wall in Perovskite‐Like van der Waals WO2I2
Authors: Fu Jierui , Deng Zunyi , Tan Ruoxi , Fang Yuqiang , Peng Yanting , Liang Yuexing , Sun Zhaoyuan , Tang Gang , Li Xingji , Xu Chengyan , Huang Fuqiang , Zhen Liang , Gao Bo , Hong Jiawang , Li Yang
Published: February 2024

As a new group of van der Waals (vdWs) ferroic materials, transition metal dioxydihalides MO2X2 (M: Mo, W; X: halogen) with a perovskite‐like structure are theoretically predicted to exhibit intriguing physics and versatile ferroic characteristics, which is not achieved experimentally as far as it is known. In this work, the robust ferroelasticity in vdWs WO2I2 with the switching strain as low as ≈0.3%, accompanied with the striped optical contrast between adjacent domains, spot splitting of selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns at domain wall, and 90° domain wall is demonstrated. With the aid of ab‐initio calculations, the origin of ferroelasticity in WO2I2 is unveiled, where the imaginary phonon mode in the high‐symmetry paraelastic phase leads to the spontaneous displacement of W atom away from the center of the [WO4I2] octahedron, resulting in the switchable spontaneous strain under an external strain field. Moreover, transient absorption microscopy (TAM) measurements demonstrate that the diffusion of photogenerated carriers is significantly hindered by the ferroelastic domain walls. This study provides deep insights into the ferroic order and domain wall in perovskite‐like vdWs MO2X2 for new physics and functionalities.
A Reversible Light‐Driven Biomimetic K+/Na+‐Exchanger Controls Cancer Cell Apoptosis
Authors: Wu Yaqi , Li Cong , Wu Yanliang , Xu Jiayun , Ni Zhigang , Reany Ofer , Yan Tengfei , Zhu Dingcheng , Liu Junqiu
Published: February 2024

Although natural dual‐ion exchangers are indispensable for bio‐organic functions, developing their artificial counterparts remains nearly unexplored. Herein, this work proposes a novel light‐controlled K+/Na+‐transport‐exchanger TE12, realizing an unprecedented reversible switch between K+‐ and Na+‐transmembrane transport by changing its transport mechanism (channel and carrier). The conformational transformation of the azobenzene moiety in TE12 essentially induces this. The K+/Na+ selectivity of K+‐channel Trans‐TE12 is as high as 20.3, making it one of the most selective artificial K+‐transporters. Moreover, considering the scarcity of artificial Na+‐transporters, the Na+‐carrier Cis‐TE12 with high Na+/K+ selectivity (9.25) represents a breakthrough. Cis‐TE12 significantly triggers cell apoptosis by igniting fascinating “Na+ sparks” first observed on cancer cells treated with synthetic channels, while K+‐channel Trans‐TE12 exhibits low toxicity. Importantly, TE12 can function as a spatiotemporally controllable ion interference therapy, enabling in situ 365 nm light‐triggered and 450 nm light‐inhibited cell death. This work realizes sophisticated functions in a simplified structure by the “Less is More” design concept. It opens a shortcut toward the future iterative updating of artificial ion transporters to make them better biological analogs and therapeutic agents.
Cation‐Conduction Dominated Hydrogels for Durable Zinc–Iodine Batteries
Authors: Yang Jin‐Lin , Xiao Tuo , Xiao Tao , Li Jia , Yu Zehua , Liu Kang , Yang Peihua , Fan Hong Jin
Published: February 2024

Zinc–iodine batteries have the potential to offer high energy‐density aqueous energy storage, but their lifetime is limited by the rampant dendrite growth and the concurrent parasite side reactions on the Zn anode, as well as the shuttling of polyiodides. Herein, a cation‐conduction dominated hydrogel electrolyte is designed to holistically enhance the stability of both zinc anode and iodine cathode. In this hydrogel electrolyte, anions are covalently anchored on hydrogel chains, and the major mobile ions in the electrolyte are restricted to be Zn2+. Specifically, such a cation‐conductive electrolyte results in a high zinc ion transference number (0.81) within the hydrogel and guides epitaxial Zn nucleation. Furthermore, the optimized Zn2+ solvation structure and the reconstructed hydrogen bond networks on hydrogel chains contribute to the reduced desolvation barrier and suppressed corrosion side reactions. On the iodine cathode side, the electrostatic repulsion between negative sulfonate groups and polyiodides hinders the loss of the iodine active material. This all‐round electrolyte design renders zinc–iodine batteries with high reversibility, low self‐discharge, and long lifespan.
Enhancing the Water‐Stability of 1D Hybrid Manganese Halides by a Cationic Engineering Strategy
Authors: Kong Xiang‐Wen , Wu Ling‐Xiao , Yang Xue , Wang Dan‐Yang , Wang Shan‐Xiao , Li Shu‐Yao , Yue Cheng‐Yang , Yu Fang , Lei Xiao‐Wu
Published: February 2024

Although the luminescent performance of organic–inorganic metal halides (OIMHs) have obtained significant advances, achieving intrinsic water‐stable OIMHs remain a substantial challenge due to the fragile ionic nature of hybrid the halide structure. To overcome these challenges, a structural design strategy is proposed that involves the use of highly hydrophobic cations as a protective layer to improve the water stability of OIMH. Herein, an aprotic trimethylsulfoxonium [TMSO]+ is selected as a hydrophobic cation and successfully assemble two new manganese based OIMHs of (TMSO)MnCl3 and (TMSO)MnBr3 through facile solid and liquid phase reaction methods. Remarkably, these halides exhibit strong red light emissions with high quantum yields recorded at 86.1% and 53.4%, respectively, originating from the octahedral [MnX6]4− based one‐dimensional (1D) [MnX3]− chain. Most significantly, these halides present extraordinary structural and luminescent stabilities toward continuous corrosion by humid air, water, and acid‐aqueous solution for more than one month, suggesting promising application prospects in extreme chemical environments. In‐depth Hirshfeld surface calculations demonstrate that the ultrahigh water‐stability benefits from the abundant hydrogen bonds and strong electrostatic interactions between [TMSO]+ and [MnX3]− ions, which provides an underlying insight into the stability mechanism. This water‐stability enhancement strategy represents a breakthrough structural engineering to rationally design more water‐stable OIMH.
Enhancing Emission Efficiencies Through Side‐Chain Engineering of Luminogens to Control Molecular Motion
Authors: Zhang Chuchen , Zhang Tianshu , Qiu Zhaozhong , Wang Zhe , Huang Tianzi , Luo Congcong , Zhang Cheng , Li Yang , Wang Qi , Hang Xiao‐Chun , Sun Hua , Zhang Qichun
Published: February 2024

Controlling the efficient emission of organic luminogens in both monomeric and various aggregated states remains a challenging task. In this work, the motion of an organic luminophores is synergistically regulated by introducing side alkyl chains with appropriate length and the aromatic rotor triphenylamine. This study finds that the incorporation of alkyl chains not only increased the rotational barriers in the molecule, but also influenced the packing modes. The as‐prepared organic luminogen, FIMPA‐C6, exhibited bright emissions in solution, polymorph, and amorphous states. Furthermore, the emission of FIMPA‐C6 can be widely tuned from yellow to deep red in different aggregated states. The exceptional luminescent properties of FIMPA‐C6 make it a promising functional dye for cellular imaging applications.
Recent Advances in Stretchable and Permeable Electrodes for Epidermal Electronics
Authors: Li Yanyan , Sun Yuping , Lu Qianying , Lu Yanqing , Kong Desheng
Published: February 2024

Epidermal electronics is an emerging wearable platform that involves attaching deformable forms of devices to the skin. Epidermal electrodes represent a vital component of this technology, as they provide a direct electronic interface with the skin for sensing and stimulation. However, most of the current electrodes are built on non‐permeable elastomer substrates, which can limit their long‐term, continuous operations in a non‐invasive manner. Fortunately, recent advancements in conductive materials and fabrication techniques have enabled high‐performance epidermal electrodes that are comfortable to wear. In order to track the latest progress, this review article first introduces the designs of permeable structures and the preparation of conductive electrodes. The subsequent discussion elaborates on effective strategies to achieve desirable properties, such as high conductivity, stretchability, skin adhesion, and biocompatibility. The emerging applications of permeable epidermal electrodes are also summarized. Finally, this review concludes with the current challenges and future directions of breathable epidermal electrodes.
Combinatorial Microgels for 3D ECM Screening and Heterogeneous Microenvironmental Culture of Primary Human Hepatic Stellate Cells
Authors: Ryoo Hyeon , Giovanni Regina , Kimmel Hannah , Jain Ishita , Underhill Gregory H.
Published: February 2024

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease affects 30% of the United States population and its progression can lead to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and increased risks for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. NASH is characterized by a highly heterogeneous liver microenvironment created by the fibrotic activity of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). While HSCs have been widely studied in 2D, further advancements in physiologically relevant 3D culture platforms for the in vitro modeling of these heterogeneous environments are needed. In this study, the use of stiffness‐variable, extracellular matrix (ECM) protein‐conjugated polyethylene glycol microgels as 3D cell culture scaffolds to modulate HSC activation is demonstrated. These microgels as a high throughput ECM screening system to identify HSC matrix remodeling and metabolic activities in distinct heterogeneous microenvironmental conditions are further employed. The 6 kPa fibronectin microgels are shown to significantly increase HSC matrix remodeling and metabolic activities in single or multiple‐component microenvironments. Overall, heterogeneous microenvironments consisting of multiple distinct ECM microgels promoted a decrease in HSC matrix remodeling and metabolic activities compared to homogeneous microenvironments. The study envisions this ECM screening platform being adapted to a broad number of cell types to aid the identification of ECM microenvironments that best recapitulate the desired phenotype, differentiation, or drug efficacy.
Closely Packed Stretchable Ultrasound Array Fabricated with Surface Charge Engineering for Contactless Gesture and Materials Detection
Authors: Dutta Ankan , Niu Zhenyuan , Abdullah Abu Musa , Tiwari Naveen , Biswas Md Abu Sayeed , Li Bowen , Lorestani Farnaz , Jing Yun , Cheng Huanyu
Published: February 2024

Communication with hand gestures plays a significant role in human‐computer interaction by providing an intuitive and natural way for humans to communicate with machines. Ultrasound‐based devices have shown promising results in contactless hand gesture recognition without requiring physical contact. However, it is challenging to fabricate a densely packed wearable ultrasound array. Here, a stretchable ultrasound array is demonstrated with closely packed transducer elements fabricated using surface charge engineering between pre‐charged 1–3 Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) composite and thin polyimide film without using a microscope. The array exhibits excellent ultrasound properties with a wide bandwidth (≈57.1%) and high electromechanical coefficient (≈0.75). The ultrasound array can decipher gestures up to 10 cm in distance by using a contactless triboelectric module and identify materials from the time constant of the exponentially decaying impedance based on their triboelectric properties by utilizing the electrostatic induction phase. The newly proposed metric of the areal‐time constant is material‐specific and decreases monotonically from a highly positive human body (1.13 m2 s) to negatively charged polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) (0.02 m2 s) in the triboelectric series. The capability of the closely packed ultrasound array to detect material along with hand gesture interpretation provides an additional dimension in the next‐generation human‐robot interaction.
Fast Label‐Free Metabolic Profile Recognition Identifies Phenylketonuria and Subtypes
Authors: Su Haiyang , Zhang Huiwen , Wu Jiao , Huang Lin , Zhang Mengji , Xu Wei , Cao Jing , Liu Wanshan , Liu Ning , Jiang Hongwei , Gu Xuefan , Qian Kun
Published: February 2024

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is the most common inherited metabolic disease in humans. Clinical screening of newborn heel blood samples for PKU is costly and time‐consuming because it requires multiple procedures, like isotope labeling and derivatization, and PKU subtype identification requires an additional urine sample. Delayed diagnosis of PKU, or subtype identification can result in mental disability. Here, plasmonic silver nanoshells are used for laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MS) detection of PKU with label‐free assay by recognizing metabolic profile in dried blood spot (DBS) samples. A total of 1100 subjects are recruited and each DBS sample can be processed in seconds. This platform achieves PKU screening with a sensitivity of 0.985 and specificity of 0.995, which is comparable to existing clinical liquid chromatography MS (LC‐MS) methods. This method can process 360 samples per hour, compared with the LC‐MS method which processes only 30 samples per hour. Moreover, this assay enables precise identification of PKU subtypes without the need for a urine sample. It is demonstrated that this platform enables high‐performance and fast, low‐cost PKU screening and subtype identification. This approach might be suitable for the detection of other clinically relevant biomarkers in blood or other clinical samples.
A New Approach to Fuel Cell Electrodes: Lanthanum Aluminate Yielding Fine Pt Nanoparticle Exsolution for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Ozkan Selda , Kim Seo Jin , Miller David N. , Irvine John T. S.
Published: February 2024

Designing an electrocatalyst with low Pt content is an immediate need for essential reactions in low temperature fuel cell systems. In the present work, La0.9925Ba0.0075Al0.995Pt0.005O3 is aimed at using with low (only 0.5%) Pt doping as an electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The low doping level renders exsolution of 1–2 nm nanoparticles with uniform dispersion upon reduction in H2/N2 at low temperatures. Pt exsolved perovskite oxides deliver significantly enhanced catalytic activity for ORR and improved stability in alkaline media. This study demonstrates that LaAlO3 with low noble metal content holds immense potential as an electrocatalyst in real fuel cell systems.
Female biased adult sex ratio in the Bronze Age cemetery of Shahr‐i Sokhta (Iran) as an indicator of long distance trade and matrilocality
Authors: Vincenti Giorgia , Molinaro Ludovica , Sajjadi Seyed Mansur Seyed , Moradi Hossein , Pagani Luca , Fabbri Pier Francesco
Published: February 2024

Objectives

This paper starts from the unusual observation of the overrepresentation of females among adults in the cemetery of Bronze Age Shahr‐i Sokhta (Seistan, Iran) and explores the post marital residence pattern. By integrating taphonomical (skeletal preservation), anthropological (sex ratio [SR], sexual dimorphism, stress indicators, age at death), archeological (long distance trade indicators, habitation floor area, social role of women), and ancient DNA (heterozygosity levels in X chromosomes) data we test the hypothesis of post marital matrilocality in the site.

Methods

We computed the SR (pelvis‐based sex determination) in a random unpublished adult sample from the cemetery of Shahr‐i Sokhta and in two samples previously published by other authors. We used comparative data on SR from: a large Supra Regional multi‐chronological sample of sites,n = 47, with 8808 adult sexed individuals, from Southern Europe, Egypt, Middle East, Southern Russia; a Regional Bronze Age sample of sites (n = 10) from Bactria Margiana and Indus Valley with 1324 adult sexed individuals. We estimated the heterozygosity levels in X chromosomes compared with the rest of the autosomes on the assumption that in a matrilocal society females should show lower variability than men.

Results

Adult SR in a sample (n = 549) from Shahr‐i Sokhta is 70.5, the overrepresentation of females is shared with Regional Bronze Age sites from Bactria Margiana (SR = 72.09) and Indus Valley (SR = 67.54). On the contrary, in a larger Supra Regional multi‐chronological sample of sites, mean SR ranges between 112.7 (Bronze Age) and 163.1 (Middle Ages). Taphonomical and anthropological indicators do not explain the overrepresentation of female skeletons. Archeological indicators suggest a high social status of women and that the society was devoted to long range trade activities. heterozygosity levels in X chromosomes are in agreement with a matrilocal society.

Conclusions

Indicators suggest that Bronze Age Shahr‐ì Sokhta was a matrilocal society and that long distance trade was an important economic factor producing an overrepresentation of adult female skeletons in the cemetery.
Collective Effect in a Multicomponent Ensemble Combining Single Atoms and Nanoparticles for Efficient and Durable Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Xu Xiaochun , Li Xinyi , Lu Wenting , Sun Xiaoyuan , Huang Hong , Cui Xiaoqiang , Li Lu , Zou Xiaoxin , Zheng Weitao , Zhao Xiao
Published: February 2024

Metal single‐atom catalysts represent one of the most promising non‐noble metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, they still suffer from insufficient activity and, particularly, durability for practical applications. Leveraging density functional theory (DFT) and machine learning (ML), we unravel an unexpected collective effect between FeN4OH sites, CeN4OH motifs, Fe nanoparticles (NPs), and Fe−CeO2 NPs. The collective effect comprises differently‐weighted electronic and geometric interactions, whitch results in significantly enhanced ORR activity for FeN4OH active sites with a half‐wave potential (E1/2) of 0.948 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (VRHE) in alkaline, relative to a commercial Pt/C (E1/2, 0.851 VRHE). Meanwhile, this collective effect endows the shortened Fe−N bonds and the remarkable durability with negligible activity loss after 50,000 potential cycles. The ML was used to understand the intricate geometric and electronic interactions in collective effect and reveal the intrinsic descriptors to account for the enhanced ORR performance. The universality of collective effect was demonstrated effective for the Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, and Mn‐based multicomponent ensembles. These results confirm the importance of collective effect to simultaneously improve catalytic activity and durability.
Electrochemical Doping and Structural Modulation of Conductive Metal‐Organic Frameworks
Authors: Zhou Shengyang , Liu Tianqi , Strømme Maria , Xu Chao
Published: February 2024

In this study, we introduce an electrochemical doping strategy aimed at manipulating the structure and composition of electrically conductive metal‐organic frameworks (c‐MOFs). Our methodology is exemplified through a representative c‐MOF, Ni3(HITP)2 (HITP=2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11‐hexaiminotriphenylene), synthesized into porous thin films supported by nanocellulose. While the c‐MOF exhibits characteristic capacitive behavior in neutral electrolyte; it manifests redox behaviors in both acidic and alkaline electrolytes. Evidence indicates that the organic ligands within c‐MOF undergo oxidation (p‐doping) and reduction (n‐doping) when exposed to specific electrochemical potentials in acidic and alkaline electrolyte, respectively. Interestingly, the p‐doping process proves reversible, with the c‐MOF structure remaining stable across cyclic p‐doping/de‐doping. In contrast, the n‐doping is irreversible, leading to the gradual decomposition of the framework into inorganic species over a few cycles. Drawing on these findings, we showcase the versatile electrochemical applications of c‐MOFs and their derived composites, encompassing electrochemical energy storage, electrocatalysis, and ultrafast actuation. This study provides profound insights into the doping of c‐MOFs, offering a new avenue for modulating their chemical and electronic structure, thereby broadening their potential for diverse electrochemical applications.
Positional Thiophene Isomerization: A Geometric Strategy for Precisely Regulating the Electronic State of Covalent Organic Frameworks to Boost Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Wang Qian , Wang Chao , Zheng Kunpeng , Wang Binbin , Wang Zhong , Zhang Chuanhui , Long Xiaojing
Published: February 2024

With the oxygen conversion efficiency of metal‐free carbon‐based fuel cells dramatically improved, the building blocks of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) raised principal concerns on the catalytic active sites with indistinct electronic states. Herein, to address this issue, we demonstrate COFs for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) by regulating the edge‐hanging thiophene units, and the molecular geometries are further modulated via positional thiophene isomerization strategy, affording isomericCOF‐αwith 2‐substitution andCOF‐βwith 3‐substitution on the frameworks. The electronic states and intermediate adsorption ability are well‐regulated through geometric modification, resulting in controllable chemical activity and local density of π‐electrons. Notably, the introduction of thiophene units with different substitution positions into a pristine pure carbon‐based COF modelCOF‐Phachieves excellent activity with a half‐wave potential of 0.76 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode, which is higher than most of those metal‐free or metal‐based electrocatalysts. Utilizing the combination of theoretical prediction and in situ Raman spectra, we show that the isomeric thiophene skeleton (COF‐αandCOF‐β) can induce the dangling unit activation, accurately identifying the pentacyclic‐carbon (thiophene α‐position) adjacent to sulfur atom as active sites. The results suggest that the isomeric dangling groups in COFs are suitable for the ORR with promising geometry construction.
Utilizing fungal biodegradation for valorisation of lignocellulosic waste biomass and its diverse applications
Authors: Mehta Prerna , Chelike Dinesh K.
Published: February 2024

Myco degradation is an effective technique for breaking down waste plant substances made of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, which are collectively known as lignocellulose. This abundant organic material is found throughout the world. Due to its recalcitrant nature, lignocellulose poses a challenge for efficient conversion into biofuels, biochemicals, and other valuable products. Myco degradation, which involves the use of fungi to degrade lignocellulosic materials, offers a sustainable and cost‐efficient resolution to this challenge. This review provides an overview of the mechanisms and applications of myco degradation for lignocellulosic biomass degradation. The review discusses the various types of fungi involved in lignocellulose degradation, their enzymatic systems, and the factors that influences their performance. Furthermore, the potential applications of myco degradation products, such as biofuels, enzymes, and bioplastics, are reviewed. It also highlights the implications of myco degradation for waste management and sustainable development. Overall, myco degradation represents a promising technology for the efficient deprivation of lignocellulosic waste biomass, and further research in this field holds great potential for the sustainable creation of bio‐based products.
Electronic and Magnetic Properties of a Monolayer of VOTPP Molecules Sublimated on Ag(100)
Authors: Poggini Lorenzo , Sorrentino Andrea Luigi , Ranieri Davide , Calloni Alberto , Santanni Fabio , Giaconi Niccolò , Cucinotta Giuseppe , Otero Edwige , Longo Danilo , Cortigiani Brunetto , Caneschi Andrea , Bussetti Gianlorenzo , Sessoli Roberta , Mannini Matteo , Serrano Giulia
Published: February 2024

Vanadyl(IV) 5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphyrin (VOTPP) is an S = 1/2 molecular system with remarkable spin qubit properties. Its structure offers a higher chemical tunability with respect to archetypal molecular qubits, such as vanadyl(IV)Phthalocyanines (VOPc), and a less rigid organic scaffold where peripheral phenyl rings can promote electron decoupling from the substrate. The properties of a VOTPP monolayer on the Ag(100) surface by photoemission spectroscopies and synchrotron radiation are studied. The results indicate that the electronic and spin features of the massive phase are retained in the monolayer. Moreover, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the existence of two distinct species characterized by varying strengths of molecule‐surface interactions. Like VOPc, these species can be assigned to molecules with the vanadyl group oriented upward or toward the surface. However, in contrast to VOPc, only subtle screening effects are observed in the oxygen‐down configuration, suggesting a more pronounced decoupling effect inherent in the VOTPP structure. This opens broader perspectives for investigations focusing on spin characteristics at the single‐molecule level.