bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
¿Cuánto aporta la religión a la sociedad civil? Una mirada institucional
Authors: Imbarack Patricia , Celis Ana María , Neckelmann Maureen
Published: September 2022

El presente artículo se orienta a avanzar en la comprensión del fenómeno religioso y su contribución a la sociedad chilena. Considerando los procesos de secularización y cambio religioso en Chile, y especialmente en el contexto de la discusión constitucional, resulta fundamental identificar y valorar el aporte de las instituciones religiosas a la sociedad chilena, para así colaborar en la reflexión sobre el lugar de la religión en una sociedad en transformación. Este artículo presenta un panorama del tema, analizando empíricamente el aporte de organizaciones de distintas denominaciones religiosas a distintos ámbitos de la sociedad civil. Los hallazgos de este estudio permiten ilustrar que las instituciones religiosas y organizaciones basadas en la fe participan de distintos ámbitos de los denominados servicios sociales y educacionales.
Effect of Apical Cutting on Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Production in Niger
Authors: Kellou Kaka Kiari Boukar , Boukar Mamadou Chetima Maina , Abdourazak Alio Moussa , Kamal Abdou Habou Maman , Sanoussi Atta , Ali Mahamane , Yacoubou Bakasso
Published: September 2022

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) plays a critical socioeconomic role in Sahelian populations (Niger, Burkina, Mali, Senegal...). During the 2017 rainy season, a field experiment was carried out in Tara/Gaya and Tarna/Maradi to study the effect of apex cutting on Roselle production. The experiment used a split-plot in randomized blocks of four (4) replications with ecotypes as the main plot factor and apex cuts as subplots. Three (3) levels of apex cut were used viz. C1 (20 days after sowing), C2 (30 days after sowing), and C3 (40 days after sowing). The results revealed that apex cutting increased leaf, calyx, and seed yields significantly (P<0.001) in both study sites. This increase in yield (leaf, calyx, and seed) was roughly 15% and 10% in Tarna and Tara, respectively. The most beneficial cutting stage was between 20 and 30 days after sowing (DAS). This study, however, should be expanded to more agroclimatic zones to further assess the effect of apex cutting on Roselle productivity in Niger.
Measuring Readability of Segment Reports of Indian Companies
Authors: Singh Vijay , Pooja .
Published: September 2022

Investors and regulators have expressed concern about the increasingly complex financial reports that are difficult for novice investors to understand. In the same context, the present study examines the easiness of reading the segment reports of Indian listed companies. It employed Flesch reading ease and Flesch Kincaid grade level for measuring the readability statistics of such reports. It is found that the reading score is not in desirable range and have extreme difficulty in reading and understandability i.e. these reports can only be used and interpreted by professionals. As a result, it is urged that Indian companies need to improve the sentences, language, and vocabulary of the segment reports. More passive sentences are also proven to make reports less meaningful, making it more challenging to read and comprehend what the report is trying to say. Thus, to enhance the readability score of segment reports, qualitative characteristics need to be increased with less use of passive sentences.
On the Estimation of Stress Strength Reliability Parameter of Weibull-Rayleigh Distribution
Authors: Akarawak Eno E. E. , Ekum Matthew Iwada , Oyeyemi Sheriffdeen Taiwo
Published: September 2022

The reliability of a component depends on the stress conditions of the operating environment, which are uncertainty and should be modeled as random. This article deals with the estimation of the stress-strength reliability parameter of Weibull-Rayleigh distribution. Let X and Y be two independent random variables, where X and Y follow Weibull-Rayleigh distribution. The maximum likelihood estimator and the approximate maximum likelihood estimator of the stress-strength reliability are obtained. Other properties of the Weibull-Rayleigh distributions are derived. Two real data applications are given for showing the flexibility of the Weibull-Rayleigh stress-strength reliability.
Relevance of Food Labels among Selected Students at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Authors: Abudu Jacinta , Ampofo-Asiama Jerry , Kizzie-Hayford Nazir , Essuman Edward Ken , Seidu-Larry Salifu , Dadzie Rosemond Godbless
Published: September 2022

Food labels are important public health tool that provides consumers with nutritional information to make informed and healthier food choices. This study aimed at determining the level of knowledge and understanding of nutritional information on food labels and its impact on food choices among students at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. A cross-sectional study employing random sampling was used to recruit 200 study participants. A pre-tested structured questionnaires were used to obtain data on socio demographic characteristics, frequency of food label use and nutritional knowledge of the students. Pertaining to the frequency of food label use, 27.5% of students always use food labels, while 11% never use food labels. While most of the students were aware that packaged foods have labels, most of them do not refer to information on the labels when making purchases. Expiry date was considered the most important information on food labels, while the students may refer to labels mostly for health reasons. The students considered time wasting to be the major reason they might not refer to Food labels. However, majority of the students know what constitutes a balanced diet and how it can be achieved. There was no effect of gender, and level of study on the use of food labels, while no association was observed between nutritional knowledge of the students and the use of food labels.
Design and Development of Ground Collection System for Neem Fruit
Authors: Tripathi Anant Venktesh , Suthakar B. , Surendrakumar A. , Kavitha R. , Raja K.
Published: September 2022

India is one of the leading producers of neem in the world. But still, there is no mechanical system available for either harvesting the neem fruits from the tree or collecting the neem fruits from the ground. Also, the manual ground collection of neem fruit is a very laborious and time-consuming operation. The cost of ground collection of neem fruit is higher than its selling price which makes neem plantation uneconomical. The introduction of a collection system for collecting the neem fruit from the ground may represent the technological change that is the key factor for improved competitiveness. The main purpose of this work was to develop ground collection system based on the principle of suction. The design of the machinery was based on a determination of fruit geometry and its physical and engineering properties. The proposed innovation enabled a fully mechanical solution for collecting the fallen neem fruit from the ground, achieving a collection capacity of approximately 10 kg.h-1 with a collection efficiency of over 90%.
Assessing the Effects of Gas Flaring on the Growth Physiology of Tea Crop
Authors: Borah Anubrat , Gogoi Manuranjan , Dutta Pompi , Hazarika Bidisha , Konwar Joyshree , Sahewalla I. P.
Published: September 2022

Assam is known worldwide for its production of tea; the state contributes around 52 percent to the India’s tea production.Similar to tea, crude oil operations date back to the 19th century and accounts for about 15 percent of India’s crude output, thus making these sectors important economically. However apart from the positive effects, crude oil operations result in gas flaring, which is already recognized as an environmental problem. Taking into context the harmful effects of gas flaring the present investigation aims to study the impact of gas flaring on physiological parameters of tea plant with respect to growth adjacent to oil field in Merbil Majuli OCS 6(WEST) in Dibrugarh district of Assam during 2019-2020. The study was designed with Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) accommodating five levels under distance and two levels under seasons. Plant samples were collected at random intervals and estimated for plant physiological parameters such as water saturation deficit(WSD),relative turgidity, stomatal count, polyphenol content, specific leaf weight, caffeine content, chlorophyll content, plucking point density. The present study found that gas flaring had a significant effect on the physiology of the tea crop in terms of growth. The study found a gradual decrease in relative turgidity, specific leaf weight, plucking point density, stomatal count, leaf area measurement, polyphenol content, chlorophyll content, caffeine content, but an increase in water saturation deficit of green tea leaves on plants growing closer to the flare pit.
Water Quality Status of Jatigede Reservoir Sumedang Regency, West Java
Authors: Yustiati Ayi , Saputri Maria Sintiyani Woro , Herawati Titin , Hamdani Herman
Published: September 2022

With the captured fisheries sector as a livelihood for residents around Jatigede, it is feared that water quality will decline. Another function of the Jatigede Reservoir is to irrigate irrigation canals, control floods, source PLTA power, and raw water to serve the people of Sumedang, Indramayu, and Cirebon city. The intended purpose is to determine the quality of water in the Jatigede Reservoir. This research was carried out in Jatigede Reservoir from November 2020 to August 2021, using the survey method. The method of determining the location used a purposive sampling method, carried out at five stations representing Jatigede Reservoir. The water quality parameters used are temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and brightness. The results of observations of water quality in Jatigede Reservoir with temperatures ranging from 28°C-29°C, pH ranging from 6.67–8.35, dissolved oxygen ranging from 6.8–7.83 mg/l and brightness ranging from 70-93.8 cm indicate that the water quality of the Jatigede Reservoir is still categorized into good water quality and is ideal for capture fisheries sector activities in the Jatigede Reservoir. The results of the status of water quality in the waters of the Jatigede Reservoir are included in the category of Fulfill Quality Standards to Lightly Polluted, and the average Pollution Index value ranges from 1.75 to 3.01 in class II water quality standards and 0.86-1.94 in class III water quality standards. Water quality in Jatigede Reservoir during the research was influenced by the input of river flow in the form of organic and inorganic waste. Water pollution control strategies can be carried out by increasing the inventory and identification of pollutant sources, improving waste management, determining the capacity of the pollution load, increasing knowledge and community participation in waste management, increasing supervision of wastewater development, and improving water quality monitoring.
Effect of the Number of Splined Blades of a Locally-Fabricated Turbine on the Performance of a Simplified Pico Hydropower System
Authors: Edeoja Alex Okibe , Lawal Samuel , Aboje Gertrude Enekole , Ode Kenneth Ede , Ibrahim Jacob S.
Published: September 2022

The basic operational parameters of a simplified Pico hydropower system were investigated using five locally fabricated turbines with 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 splined blades in conjunction with a vertical penstock of diameter 0.0762 m and nozzle of diameters 0.0158, 0.0212, 0.0266, 0.0343 and 0.042 m. Water from an overhead reservoir 6.95 m high was discharged through the penstock to the turbines one after the other and recycled to the overhead reservoir using a 1.11 kW pump. For the on-load tests, a 3.9 kVA generator was linked to the system by a 6:1 pulley ratio belt drive. The mean rotational speeds of the shafts of each turbine and generator, volume of water displaced in the reservoirs and electrical quantities were measured for each nozzle diameter, while the shaft power, flow rate and efficiency were then computed. Dimensionless flow, head and power coefficients, and specific speed were computed and a functional characteristic relating them developed. The turbine with 11 blades developed a maximum voltage of 238 V with the largest nozzle diameter and a minimum voltage of 2.3 V with the smallest. The corresponding estimated power output computed using the manufacturer’s specification on the generator were 1765.96 W and 7.613 mW respectively. The mean maximum and minimum efficiencies based on the estimated power output were 0.8797 and 0.0007 respectively. This basically indicates that the larger nozzle diameters combined with the higher number spline blades favour good operation of the system. These show that the system has the potential of being a simple, environmentally friendly and decentralized small power generation system that could potentially contribute to the improvement of the Nigerian energy crisis.
Tennis throwing Machine Voice Control via Bluetooth of an Arduino-based and Using PI Controller
Authors: Felkat Mouaadh , Karaarslan Ahmet
Published: September 2022

In this article, the throwing machine will be programmed to aid in repetitive training. All tennis training methods agree that repetitive training on specific points and distances of the ball improves the player's skills and allows him to learn new blocking techniques. There have been previous studies on this machine, but ours is a little different. In contrast to random throwing, we have added voice control and training on specific points and locations, where the player can control the machine by sending a voice message via the smartphone. with the presence of Bluetooth and Arduino. The basic devices in our project are High-efficiency electric drives required for emerging technologies. PI controllers are used to control the motors' speed.

Proteus 8 professional was used for simulation, Arduino code was written using the programming language Arduino IDE, MATLAB simulation for the PI controller, and the Android applications were created using the MIT app inventor

The electrical circuit of the machine will be tested to demonstrate the entire project and to check the control result.
Real-Time Offshore Supply Vessel Routing Problem with Random Service Requests
Authors: Kovalski Sidney Augusto , Qassim Raad Yahya
Published: September 2022

The routing of supply vessels to offshore platforms is one of the major tasks in upstream logistics planning in the oil and gas industry. This task involves the formulation and solution of a real-time variant of the stochastic dynamic vehicle routing problem, which reflects the operational environment of offshore platforms in practice. In this paper, a novel mixed integer linear programming-based heuristic is presented with a view to determining the optimal route of a single supply vessel allocated to provide service to a group of offshore platforms through the supply of spare parts, liquid bulk liquids, and other materials, allowing for random service requests by the offshore platform group. The proposed heuristic is applied to a real-world case study of vessel routing to offshore platforms in the South Atlantic Ocean Shelf. The computational performance of the heuristic, as assessed by the degree of dynamism, is found to be very good.
Discriminating Benign and Malignant Brain Tumors By Spectral Analysis of Cerebrospinal Fluid
Authors: Masilamani V. , Shree R. Vidhya , Prasad Ajay T. , Ramamurthy Kannan , Selvaraju Chellappan , Alsaleh Wafa Mohammed , Alrebdi Tahani A. , Vijmasi Trinka , Thiruvalluvan A. , Chandramouleeswaran V.
Published: September 2022

The preliminary study is concerned with an innovative technique for the discrimination of malignant brain tumor from benign with reasonable sensitivity and specificity. The entire study is based on the relative fluorescence intensity and life-time of bio-fluorophores like tryptophan and tyrosine which are then validated as a set of ratio parameters. Resultantly, it was seen that malignancy was characterized by three-fold enhancement of tyrosine. The picosecond-time resolved decay time measurement was done, which exhibited two-fold decrease in decay time for malignant sample. The improved accessibility, with minimal invasiveness to the patient, and lower cost are encouraging aspects of this technique.
Tackling the Unmet Therapeutic Needs in Nonsurgical Treatments for Epilepsy
Authors: Steriade Claude , French Jacqueline
Published: September 2022

This Viewpoint discusses unmet therapeutic needs among patients with epilepsy and evaluates the trajectory of treatment development.
Association of Daily Step Count and Intensity With Incident Dementia in 78 430 Adults Living in the UK
Authors: del Pozo Cruz Borja , Ahmadi Matthew , Naismith Sharon L. , Stamatakis Emmanuel
Published: September 2022

Importance

Step-based recommendations may be appropriate for dementia-prevention guidelines. However, the association of step count and intensity with dementia incidence is unknown.

Objective

To examine the dose-response association between daily step count and intensity and incidence of all-cause dementia among adults in the UK.

Design, Setting, and Participants

UK Biobank prospective population-based cohort study (February 2013 to December 2015) with 6.9 years of follow-up (data analysis conducted May 2022). A total of 78 430 of 103 684 eligible adults aged 40 to 79 years with valid wrist accelerometer data were included. Registry-based dementia was ascertained through October 2021.

Exposures

Accelerometer-derived daily step count, incidental steps (less than 40 steps per minute), purposeful steps (40 steps per minute or more), and peak 30-minute cadence (ie, mean steps per minute recorded for the 30 highest, not necessarily consecutive, minutes in a day).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Incident dementia (fatal and nonfatal), obtained through linkage with inpatient hospitalization or primary care records or recorded as the underlying or contributory cause of death in death registers. Spline Cox regressions were used to assess dose-response associations.

Results

The study monitored 78 430 adults (mean [SD] age, 61.1 [7.9] years; 35 040 [44.7%] male and 43 390 [55.3%] female; 881 [1.1%] were Asian, 641 [0.8%] were Black, 427 [0.5%] were of mixed race, 75 852 [96.7%] were White, and 629 [0.8%] were of another, unspecified race) over a median (IQR) follow-up of 6.9 (6.4-7.5) years, 866 of whom developed dementia (mean [SD] age, 68.3 [5.6] years; 480 [55.4%] male and 386 [54.6%] female; 5 [0.6%] Asian, 6 [0.7%] Black, 4 [0.4%] mixed race, 821 [97.6%] White, and 6 [0.7%] other). Analyses revealed nonlinear associations between daily steps. The optimal dose (ie, exposure value at which the maximum risk reduction was observed) was 9826 steps (hazard ratio [HR], 0.49; 95% CI, 0.39-0.62) and the minimal dose (ie, exposure value at which the risk reduction was 50% of the observed maximum risk reduction) was 3826 steps (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.67-0.83). The incidental cadence optimal dose was 3677 steps (HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.44-0.72); purposeful cadence optimal dose was 6315 steps (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.32-0.58); and peak 30-minute cadence optimal dose was 112 steps per minute (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.24-0.60).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, a higher number of steps was associated with lower risk of all-cause dementia. The findings suggest that a dose of just under 10 000 steps per day may be optimally associated with a lower risk of dementia. Steps performed at higher intensity resulted in stronger associations.
Association Between Traumatic Brain Injury and Subsequent Cardiovascular Disease Among Post-9/11–Era Veterans
Authors: Stewart Ian J. , Amuan Megan E. , Wang Chen-Pin , Kennedy Eamonn , Kenney Kimbra , Werner J. Kent , Carlson Kathleen F. , Tate David F. , Pogoda Terri K. , Dismuke-Greer Clara E. , Wright W. Shea , Wilde Elisabeth A. , Pugh Mary Jo
Published: September 2022

Importance

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) was common among US service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Although there is some evidence to suggest that TBI increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), prior reports were predominantly limited to cerebrovascular outcomes. The potential association of TBI with CVD has not been comprehensively examined in post-9/11–era veterans.

Objective

To determine the association between TBI and subsequent CVD in post-9/11–era veterans.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a retrospective cohort study conducted from October 1, 1999, to September 30, 2016. Participants were followed up until December 31, 2018. Included in the study were administrative data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense from the Long-term Impact of Military-Relevant Brain Injury Consortium–Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium. Participants were excluded if dates did not overlap with the study period. Data analysis was conducted between November 22, 2021, and June 28, 2022.

Exposures

History of TBI as measured by diagnosis in health care records.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Composite end point of CVD: coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, and cardiovascular death.

Results

Of the 2 530 875 veterans from the consortium, after exclusions, a total of 1 559 928 veterans were included in the analysis. A total of 301 169 veterans (19.3%; median [IQR] age, 27 [23-34] years; 265 217 male participants [88.1]) with a TBI history and 1 258 759 veterans (80.7%; median [IQR] age, 29 [24-39] years; 1 012 159 male participants [80.4%]) without a TBI history were included for analysis. Participants were predominately young (1 058 054 [67.8%] <35 years at index date) and male (1 277 376 [81.9%]). Compared with participants without a history of TBI, diagnoses of mild TBI (hazard ratio [HR], 1.62; 95% CI, 1.58-1.66; P < .001), moderate to severe TBI (HR, 2.63; 95% CI, 2.51-2.76; P < .001), and penetrating TBI (HR, 4.60; 95% CI, 4.26-4.96; P < .001) were associated with CVD in adjusted models. In analyses of secondary outcomes, all severities of TBI were associated with the individual components of the composite outcome except penetrating TBI and CVD death.

Conclusions and Relevance

Results of this cohort study suggest that US veterans with a TBI history were more likely to develop CVD compared with veterans without a TBI history. Given the relatively young age of the cohort, these results suggest that there may be an increased burden of CVD as these veterans age and develop other CVD risk factors. Future studies are needed to determine if the increased risk associated with TBI is modifiable.
Orphanhood and Caregiver Loss Among Children Based on New Global Excess COVID-19 Death Estimates
Authors: Hillis Susan , N’konzi Joel-Pascal Ntwali , Msemburi William , Cluver Lucie , Villaveces Andrés , Flaxman Seth , Unwin H. Juliette T.
Published: September 2022

This study assesses estimates of new orphanhood based on excess deaths to provide a comprehensive measure of the COVID-19 pandemic’s long-term impact on orphanhood and caregiver loss.
Targeting senescence as an anticancer therapy
Authors: Bousset Laura , Gil Jesús
Published: September 2022

Cellular senescence is a stress response elicited by different molecular insults. Senescence results in cell cycle exit and is characterised by multiple phenotypic changes such as the production of a bioactive secretome. Senescent cells accumulate during ageing and are present in cancerous and fibrotic lesions. Drugs that selectively kill senescent cells (senolytics) have shown great promise for the treatment of age‐related diseases. Senescence plays paradoxical roles in cancer. Induction of senescence limits cancer progression and contributes to therapy success, but lingering senescent cells fuel progression, recurrence, and metastasis. In this review, we describe the intricate relation between senescence and cancer. Moreover, we enumerate how current anticancer therapies induce senescence in tumour cells and how senolytic agents could be deployed to complement anticancer therapies. “One‐two punch” therapies aim to first induce senescence in the tumour followed by senolytic treatment to target newly exposed vulnerabilities in senescent tumour cells. “One‐two punch” represents an emerging and promising new strategy in cancer treatment. Future challenges of “one‐two punch” approaches include how to best monitor senescence in cancer patients to effectively survey their efficacy.
Seeing Things Differently: Painting, the Object and the Art of Conversation
Authors: Hamman Clare
Published: September 2022

Clare Hamman gives us a peek into the impressive collection of Alsop paintings held by the Marco Goldschmeid Foundation, and ruminates on the applications for which Alsop used his painterly instincts. Firstly, this was to clear his own mind of preconceived ideas, then, as a catalyst for creativity in his office and with collaborators, as well as a prompt for open‐minded discussion with clients. Hamman positions the role of painting in Alsop's design practice as both a life‐giving force and powerful means of popular communication.
Synthesis and Characterization of Block Copolymers for Nanolithography Based on Thiol‐Ene “Click” Functionalized Polystyrene‐Block‐Polybutadiene
Authors: Feng Hongbo , Dolejsi Moshe , Zhu Ning , Griffin Philip J. , Craig Gordon S. W. , Chen Wen , Rowan Stuart J. , Nealey Paul F.
Published: September 2022

In developing block copolymers (BCPs) for nanolithography, the preferred materials and processes are BCPs that can be thermally annealed with a free surface to yield perpendicularly orientated nanodomains with specific feature sizes and morphologies. Thiol‐ene “click” chemistry is used to modify a single parent polystyrene‐block‐poly(1,2‐butadiene) (PS‐b‐PB) to create both cylinder‐ and lamellae‐forming A‐block‐(B‐random‐C) BCPs with different Flory–Huggins parameters (χs) while maintaining an equal surface energy (γ, Δγ = 0) between the blocks, necessary to form perpendicular nanodomains by thermal annealing with a free surface. The use of BCPs with an A‐block‐(B‐random‐C) architecture effectively decouples the covarying properties of χ and Δγ. The effects of the size of the thiol and degree of thiol functionalization (φ) on χ, morphology, and Δγ of the blocks are investigated for four different thiols. Modification of PS‐b‐PB with methyl thioglycolate or 2‐(Boc‐amino)ethanethiol creates BCPs that form cylinders, whereas modification with smaller thiols, mercaptoethanol or 1‐thioglycerol, retains the lamellar morphology of the parent PS‐b‐PB. Cross‐linking of the double bonds in PB at annealing temperatures prevents directed self‐assembly (DSA) of these BCPs, but by adding a radical scavenger, butylated hydroxytoluene, the cross‐linking can be suppressed, enabling DSA.
A pH/H2O2/MMP9 Time‐Response Gel System with Sparchigh Tregs Derived Extracellular Vesicles Promote Recovery After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Cheng Panke , Cheng Lianying , Han Hukui , Li Junlin , Ma Cui , Huang Hui , Zhou Jie , Feng Jiayue , Huang Yu , Lv Yipin , Huang Huihui , Wang Yiren , Hou Lingmi , Chen Yang , Li Gang
Published: September 2022

Regulatory T cells overexpressing SPARC (secreted protein acidic and cysteine rich) (Sparchigh Tregs) can help repair infarct tissues after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This research demonstrates that Sparchigh Treg‐derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) effectively improved cardiac function through proinflammatory factors IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α inhibition and collagen synthesis related gene Col3a1 promotion in AMI; moreover, a composite hydrogel‐EVs system (DHPM(4APPC)_EVs) is designed based on Sparchigh Treg‐derived EVs with CXCR2 overexpressing and pH/H2O2/MMP9 temporally responsive gel microspheres. In AMI, due to the levels of chemokine, pH, H2O2, and MMP9 enzymes in the infarct area, DHPM(4APPC)_EVs can effectively target the infarct area, release the loaded EVs, form the gel to capture the released EVs, and slowly release the captured EVs, contribute to promote EVs to stay in the infarct area for a long time to play the repair function, so as to reduce myocardial injury and promote the improvement of cardiac function. The proposed system in this research provides a potential approach for the treatment of AMI in the future.
Digital Keying Enabled by Reconfigurable 2D Modulators
Authors: Das Sarbashis , Das Saptarshi
Published: September 2022

Energy, area, and bandwidth efficient communication primitives are essential to sustain the rapid increase in connectivity among internet‐of‐things (IoT) edge devices. While IoT edge‐sensing, edge‐computing, and edge‐storage have witnessed innovation in materials and devices, IoT edge communication is yet to experience such transformation. The aging silicon (Si)‐based complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) technology continues to remain the mainstay of communication devices where they are used to implement amplitude, frequency, and phase shift keying (amplitude‐shift keying [ASK]/frequency‐shift keying [FSK]/phase‐shift keying [PSK]). Keying allows digital information to be communicated over a radio channel. While CMOS‐based keying devices have evolved over the years, their hardware footprint and energy consumption are major concerns for resource constrained IoT communication. Furthermore, separate circuit designs and hardware elements are needed for each keying scheme and achieving multibit modulation to improve bandwidth efficiency remains a challenge. Here, a reconfigurable modulator is introduced that exploits unique ambipolar transport and programmable Dirac voltage in ultrathin MoTe2 field‐effect transistors to achieve ASK, FSK, and PSK modulation. Furthermore, by integrating two programmed MoTe2 field‐effect transistors, multibit data modulation is demonstrated, which improves the bandwidth efficiency by 200%. Finally, a frequency quadrupler is also realized exploiting the unique “double‐well” transfer characteristic.
Puffball‐Inspired Microrobotic Systems with Robust Payload, Strong Protection, and Targeted Locomotion for On‐Demand Drug Delivery
Authors: Song Xin , Sun Rujie , Wang Richard , Zhou Kun , Xie Ruoxiao , Lin Junliang , Georgiev Dimitar , Paraschiv Andrei‐Alexandru , Zhao Ruibo , Stevens Molly M.
Published: September 2022

Microrobots are recognized as transformative solutions for drug delivery systems (DDSs) because they can navigate through the body to specific locations and enable targeted drug release. However, their realization is substantially limited by insufficient payload capacity, unavoidable drug leakage/deactivation, and strict modification/stability criteria for drugs. Natural puffballs possess fascinating features that are highly desirable for DDSs, including a large fruitbody for storing spores, a flexible protective cap, and environmentally triggered release mechanisms. This report presents a puffball‐inspired microrobotic system which incorporates an internal chamber for loading large drug quantities and spatial drug separation, and a near‐infrared‐responsive top‐sealing layer offering strong drug protection and on‐demand release. These puffball‐inspired microrobots (PIMs) display tunable loading capacities up to high concentrations and enhanced drug protection with minimal drug leakage. Upon near‐infrared laser irradiation, on‐demand drug delivery with rapid release efficiency is achieved. The PIMs also demonstrate translational motion velocities, switchable motion modes, and precise locomotion under a rotating magnetic field. This work provides strong proof‐of‐concept for a DDS that combines the superior locomotion capability of microrobots with the unique characteristics of puffballs, thereby illustrating a versatile avenue for development of a new generation of microrobots for targeted drug delivery.
MXenes as Emerging 2D Materials for Anticorrosive Application: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Verma Chandrabhan , Zehra Saman , Aslam Ruby , Aslam Jeenat , Quraishi Mumtaz A. , Mobin Mohammad
Published: September 2022

MXenes (MXs) (singular; “MXene” (MX); pronounced “Maxenes”) are a relatively new class of 2D inorganic materials that possess numerous potential biological and industrial applications. After the discovery of the first MXene, Ti3C2Tx, in 2011 plenty of reports on the synthesis and application of MXenes and their derivatives are published in the literature. Generally, MXenes contain heteroatoms at their surface; therefore, they can act as strong ligands and can form coordination bonding with the metal atoms and their ions. Because of this property, recently MXenes are used as nanofillers in polymer‐based coatings. The MXenes possess excellent filler properties. They are extensively used as fillers in epoxy resins and polyurethane‐based coatings but their application as fillers in other polymers is highly limited, which opens an area to explore in the future. The anticorrosive application of MXenes‐filled polymers coatings is extensively reported. The contemporary review designates the assemblies of various reports on the anticorrosive and filler property of the MXenes and their composites. Previous studies suggest that MXenes and their composites not only affect the performance of polymer coatings but also enhance their durability. The present report also describes the synthesis, characterization, chemical structures, and properties of the MXenes and their composites.
Investigation of Optimum Deposition Conditions of Radio Frequency Reactive Magnetron Sputtering of Al0.7Sc0.3N Film with Thickness down to 20 nm
Authors: Ryoo Seung Kyu , Kim Kyung Do , Park Hyeon Woo , Lee Yong Bin , Lee Suk Hyun , Lee In Soo , Byun Seungyong , Shim Doosup , Lee Jae Hoon , Kim Hani , Jang Yoon Ho , Park Min Hyuk , Hwang Cheol Seong
Published: September 2022

Ferroelectric aluminum scandium nitride (Al0.7Sc0.3N) has attracted increasing interest due to its high remanent polarization (Pr, >100 µC cm−2) and coercive field (Ec, >5 MV cm−1). The four radio frequency reactive magnetron sputtering conditions (sputtering power, N2 flow ratio, pressure, and temperature) influence the ferroelectric and material properties of 45 nm‐thick Al0.7Sc0.3N deposited on the TiN/SiO2/Si substrate. Crystallinity is enhanced under the deposition conditions with higher adatom energy but deteriorates when the growth condition increases over the optimum. The well‐crystallized films have (002)‐preferred orientation with the in‐plane compressive stress imposed by the peening effect and thermal stress. The imposed compressive stress increases the c0/a0 value, where c0 and a0 mean the c‐ and a–axis lattice parameters, which eventually increases the Ec of the film. Pr increases with the c0/a0 value, but other factors also influence the change. The films with high oxygen concentration show the wake‐up properties due to the large percentage of domain walls and their depinning. Finally, ferroelectricity is confirmed with films down to a thickness of 20 nm. However, the thinnest film shows a higher Ec and lower Pr. These findings imply the presence of non‐ferroelectric interfacial layers, which induce the depolarization effect.
Highly Thermally Resilient Dual‐Mode (Digital/Analog) Amorphous Yttrium Fluoride Memristors Exhibiting Excellent Symmetric Linearity
Authors: Shi Zhe‐Min , Hou Yu‐Che , Chen Cheng‐Yueh , Tan Guang‐Hsun , Lin Hao‐Cheng , Lai Po‐Ting , Hou Cheng‐Hung , Shyue Jing‐Jong , Cheng Wei‐Kai , Su Tsung‐Kai , Lin Hao‐Wu
Published: September 2022

This paper describes the first use of vacuum‐deposited YF3 films as active materials in memristors. These YF3 memristors function with extraordinary dual digital/analog operation modes. In both modes, the memorization states are all non‐volatile, with long retention times (up to 106 s). In the analog mode, the memristors achieve a stable series of consecutive cycles of 64‐level potentiation and depression, with large ON/OFF resistance ratios (up to 7.2), and extraordinarily balanced linearity. With these YF3 memristors, an excellent recognition accuracy of 97% in the classification of handwritten digits is achieved. Time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and valance change memory modeling to examine the switching mechanism of YF3 are used, discovering that fluorine vacancy species are responsible for the memristor behavior. Excellent high‐temperature stability during both operation and state preservation suggests that these YF3 memristors might find applicability in neuromorphic computing under relatively harsh conditions.
Late topdressing can sustain wheat grain yield under straw mulching in the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Fu Xin , Wang Jun , Peng Zhengping , Yang Xiaonan , Zhang Shaohong
Published: September 2022

Straw mulching has been widely used to conserve soil water and enhance soil fertility in dryland cropping systems. However, the lack of soil nutrient availability due to the immobilization with straw mulch decomposition would result in a decrease in crop yield and harvest index. Based on a 9‐yr straw mulching field experiment, we evaluated the effect of late topdressing in 2 yr on crop yield under a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) monoculture system in the Loess Plateau of China. Three treatments were included as straw mulching at rates of 9,000 (HSM) and 4,500 kg ha–1 (LSM) during growing season and control without mulching (CK) from 2008 to 2019. Topdressing as urea was added to each plot at wheat tillering from 2017 to 2019. Across 2 yr, straw mulching significantly increased soil water storage at most growing stages. Compared with CK, straw mulching promoted wheat growth (tiller density and plant density) but decreased grain yield and harvest index significantly. Soil mineral N contents in later wheat‐growing stages and net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate of wheat flag leaf and leaf water use efficiency during filling stage decreased with HSM and LSM when compared with CK. However, late topdressing significantly increased wheat grain yield in both years. Generally, additional application of N fertilizer in the late growing stage could alleviate the yield decrease by straw mulching and should be considered for sustainable crop production in the Loess Plateau of China.
Generic AI models for mass transfer coefficient prediction in amine‐based CO2 absorber, Part II: RBFNN and RF model
Authors: Quan Hong , Dong Shoulong , Zhao Dongfang , Li Hansheng , Geng Junming , Liu Helei
Published: September 2022

In this work, the radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) and random forest (RF) algorithms were employed to develop generic AI models predicting mass transfer coefficient in amine‐based CO2 absorber. The models with operating parameters as input gave quite different prediction performance in different CO2 absorption systems. To secure better applicability, extra parameters related to amine type and packing characteristics were introduced to reasonably describe mass transfer behaviors, respectively. Moreover, the generic models were proposed by considering all influencing factors of mass transfer in CO2 absorber column. Furthermore, the performance of BPNN, RBFNN, and RF models was completely compared and fully discussed in terms of AARE. All three generic models could predict mass transfer coefficient of CO2 absorber very well. It was found that the BPNN models provide the best predication with AAREs of below 5%. The developed generic model could serve as a fast and efficient tool for preliminary selection and evaluation of potential amines for CO2 absorption. The framework of generic ML model development was also clearly presented, which could provide theoretical basis and practical guidance for the implementation and application of ML models in the carbon capture field.
Photoexcitation‐Based Supramolecular Access to Full‐Scale Phase‐Diagram Structures through in situ Phase‐Volume Ratio Phototuning
Authors: Yue Bingbing , Jia Xiaoyong , Baryshnikov Glib V. , Jin Xin , Feng Xicheng , Lu Yunle , Luo Mengkai , Zhang Man , Shen Shen , Ågren Hans , Zhu Liangliang
Published: September 2022

Controlling phase separation and transition plays a core role in establishing and maintaining the function of diverse self‐assembled systems. However, it remains challenging to achieve wide‐range continuous phase transition for dynamically producing a variety of assembled structures. Here, we developed a far‐from‐equilibrium system, upon the integration of photoexcitation‐induced aggregation molecules and block copolymers, to establish an in situ phase‐volume ratio photocontrol strategy. Thus, full‐scale phase‐diagram structures, from lamellar structure to gyroidal, cylindrical, and finally to a spherical one, can be accessed under different irradiation periods. Moreover, the phase transition was accompanied by considerable aggregation‐induced phosphorescence and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity change for building a functional surface. This strategy allows for a conceptual advance of accessing a wide range of distinct self‐assembled structures and functions in real time.
Nanoscale Chemical Imaging of Human Cell Membranes Using Tip‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Mrđenović Dušan , Ge Wenjie , Kumar Naresh , Zenobi Renato
Published: September 2022

Lack of appropriate tools for visualizing cell membrane molecules at the nanoscale in a non‐invasive and label‐free fashion limits our understanding of many vital cellular processes. Here, we use tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) to visualize the molecular distribution in pancreatic cancer cell (BxPC‐3) membranes in ambient conditions without labelling, with a spatial resolution down to ca. 2.5 nm. TERS imaging reveals segregation of phenylalanine‐, histidine‐, phosphatidylcholine‐, protein‐, and cholesterol‐rich BxPC‐3 cell membrane domains at the nm length‐scale. TERS imaging also showed a cell membrane region where cholesterol is mixed with protein. Interestingly, the higher resolution TERS imaging revealed that the molecular domains observed on the BxPC‐3 cell membrane are not chemically “pure” but also contain other biomolecules. These results demonstrate the potential of TERS for non‐destructive and label‐free imaging of cell membranes with nanoscale resolution.
Chloride Ion Adsorption Enables Ampere‐Level CO2 Electroreduction over Silver Hollow Fiber
Authors: Li Shoujie , Dong Xiao , Zhao Yonghui , Mao Jianing , Chen Wei , Chen Aohui , Song Yanfang , Li Guihua , Jiang Zheng , Wei Wei , Sun Yuhan
Published: September 2022

Electrochemical conversion of CO2 into valuable feedstocks is a promising strategy for carbon neutrality. However, it remains a challenge to possess a large current density, a high faradaic efficiency and excellent stability for practical applications of CO2 utilization. Herein, we report a facile tactic that enables exceedingly efficient CO2 electroreduction to CO by virtue of low‐coordination chloride ion (Cl−) adsorption on a silver hollow fiber (Ag HF) electrode. A CO faradaic efficiency of 92.3 % at a current density of one ampere per square centimeter (1 A cm−2) in 3.0 M KCl with a sustained performance observed during a 150‐hour test was achieved, which is better than state‐of‐the‐art electrocatalysts. The electrochemical results and density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested a low‐coordination Cl− adsorption on surface of Ag HF, which not only suppressed the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), but also facilitated the CO2 reduction kinetics.
Boosting Cathode Activity and Anode Stability of Zn‐S Batteries in Aqueous Media Through Cosolvent‐Catalyst Synergy
Authors: Yang Min , Yan Zichao , Xiao Jin , Xin Wenli , Zhang Lei , Peng Huiling , Geng Yaheng , Li Junwei , Wang Yunxiao , Liu Li , Zhu Zhiqiang
Published: September 2022

Aqueous Zn−S battery with high energy density represents a promising large‐scale energy storage technology, but its application is severely hindered by the poor reversibility of both S cathode and Zn anode. Herein, we develop a “cocktail optimized” electrolyte containing tetraglyme (G4) and water as co‐solvents and I2 as additive. The G4‐I2 synergy could activate efficient polar I3−/I− catalyst couple and shield the cathode from water, thus facilitating the conversion kinetics of S and suppressing the interfacial side reactions. Simultaneously, it could stabilize Zn anode by forming an organic–inorganic interphase upon cycling. With boosted electrodes reversibility, the Zn−S cell delivers a high capacity of 775 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1, and retains over 70 % capacity after 600 cycles at 4 A g−1. The advances can also be readily generalized to other ethers/water hybrid electrolytes, showing the universality of the “cocktail optimized” electrolyte design strategy.
A multidisciplinary study for investigating the interaction of an iron complex with bovine liver catalase
Authors: Hashemizadeh Mojtaba , Shiri Fereshteh , Shahraki Somaye , Razmara Zohreh
Published: September 2022

Catalase (CAT) is an essential protein protecting the cell from oxidative damage by reactive oxygen species. CAT is a heme enzyme in which iron metal plays a crucial role in catalytic activity. In this research, an iron (II, III) complex ([Fe (bpy)3] [Fe (dipic)2]2.7H2O; dipic−2 = pyridine‐2,6‐ dicarboxylato and bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine) was used to evaluate its binding interactions with bovine liver catalase (BLC) using spectroscopic and molecular docking methods. The experimental results demonstrated that the catalytic activity of BLC increased slightly and reached 106% of the initial activity. The interactions between Fe complex and BLC led to the quenching of the catalase fluorescence emission via the static quenching mechanism. Thermodynamic parameters demonstrated that the predominant interactions between catalase and Fe complex are hydrogen bond and van der Waals and the process is exothermic and enthalpy driven. The circular dichroism (CD) and synchronous fluorescence results showed that the Fe complex altered the structure and conformation of BLC. It changed the secondary structure of BLC by decreasing α‐helix and β‐sheet content. Also, the experimental data were analyzed using Multivariate Curve Resolution–Alternating Least Square (MCR‐ALS) to the resolution of measured complex spectra and estimate the number of independent chemical species. The docking results in agreement with experimental data showed that the cationic part of the complex with catalase is mainly hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions, and for the anionic part are hydrophobic, van der Waals, and hydrogen bonding.