bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulação econômica no mercado de capitais e na indústria do petróleo e gás natural: assimetrias de informação, cooperação institucional e proteção do investidor
Authors: Seixas Luiz Felipe Monteiro
Published: February 2022

A presente obra tem como propósito examinar determinados aspectos regulatórios inerentes ao mercado de capitais e à indústria do petróleo e gás brasileira, com especial ênfase na regulação da informação. A principal problemática diz respeito aos desequilíbrios ou assimetrias informacionais existentes entre ambos os mercados (o de capitais e o petrolífero) e como tais assimetrias afetam o desempenho dos órgãos reguladores dos referidos mercados. Para tanto, a obra examina, inicialmente, o regime jurídico do mercado de capitais brasileiro; na sequência, analisa os principais aspectos relacionados à regulação do mercado de capitais; logo após, investiga o regime de divulgação da informação no mercado de capitais, bem como suas consequências para a indústria do petróleo e gás natural; por fim, propõe um modelo de cooperação institucional entre os órgãos reguladores do mercado de capitais (a Comissão da Valores Mobiliários) e da indústria petrolífera (a Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis), com a finalidade de reduzir as assimetrias informacionais entre os entes reguladores e aperfeiçoar a regulação entre os referidos mercados.
‘It is like a hammer and toothbrush; you need it for the rest of your life’ – Five Norwegian teachers’ experiences of working at a ‘thinking school’
Authors: Ryen Erik , Jegstad Kirsti Marie
Published: February 2022

This article investigates how a group of Norwegian teachers experience working at a ‘thinking school’ (i.e. a school that cooperates with UK-based consultancy Thinking Matters). The context is curriculum development in Norway, where schools and teachers are given increasing freedom in terms of what methods to apply and what content to teach while being expected to reflect and develop collectively as professional communities. In this setting, it is interesting to see how teachers utilise the tools and models offered by an external actor and how they negotiate between these and their own pedagogical ideas as well as the demands put on them by the curriculum. We approached this study by firstly analysing two documents published by Thinking Matters, and secondly by asking how the teachers experience the effects of the thinking school approach on pupils’ learning and themselves as professional teachers. We interviewed five teachers who emphasised several positive aspects of working within the thinking school approach. However, in this article, we also identify some tensions resulting from the adoption of a whole-school approach that emphasises the methods that teachers should use and that pupils should master as a way of achieving the overarching aims of the curriculum.
Interleukin-6: A Versatile Biomarker in the Clinical Chemistry Laboratory in the COVID-19 Era
Authors: Basu Surupa
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory cytokine released during the cytokine storm of sepsis and Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). IL-6 has been extensively used as a biomarker in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and in the emerging novel paediatric disease called Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome-temporarily associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS) or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). Additionally, IL-6 measurement is necessary to decide for several cytokine-blocking and cytokine-removal therapies and to determine treatment adequacy. Aim: Evaluation of the performance of IL-6 in COVID-19, PIMS-TS/MIS-C and in CytoSorb cytokine removal therapy in sepsis as a versatile biomarker in clinical chemistry laboratory. Materials and Methods: The study was an exploratory descriptive study carried out between March 2019 and February 2021 for a period of 24 months. IL-6 (pg/mL) was measured on Roche e411 immunoassay platform using Electrochemiluminiscence Assays (ECLIA) in 15 adult patients. Biological reference interval of the parameter was <7 pg/mL. Results: The results showed that IL-6 was increased significantly in non survivors compared to survivors with COVID-19 (p-value=0.0043). IL-6 levels (normal <7 pg/mL) were highly elevated in children with PIMS-TS {median 75.9 pg/mL (IQR: 47.3-223.4)} reflecting the intense inflammatory state of the novel paediatric condition. All PIMS-TS cases (n=13) survived. IL-6 levels were increased post CytoSorb therapy in sepsis patients who did not survive and declined in survivors. IL-6 serially measured during treatment helped to monitor therapeutic adequacy in prolonged sepsis case. Conclusion: The various applications of automated IL-6 testing in the clinical chemistry laboratory reflects the versatility of the trending biomarker.
Anatomical Variants of the Sciatic Nerve Division in the Pelvis, the Gluteal Region and the Thigh: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Farag Azza I , Salama Rasha M
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Anatomical dissimilarities can be found in any part of the body and is pertinent to identify patients who are not treated successfully with standard medical care. Anatomical variants of the Sciatic Nerve (SN) were defined many years ago, and may have consequences in certain diseases, as sciatica. Specialised care may be required to these patients due to their unique anatomy. Aim: To study the cadaveric anatomical variants of the SN divisions in the pelvis, the gluteal region and the thigh and also to describe its linkage to the Piriformis Muscle (PM). Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted from June 2021 to September 2021 in the Department of Anatomy of Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. Total 30 lower limbs and gluteal regions of formalin fixed male cadavers were used to study the anatomical variants of the SN division into its terminal branches and its relation to the PM. Numbers and percentages of the specimens falling in the groups were calculated and tabulated. Results: Out of 30, 3 specimens (10%), showed division of the SN in the pelvis, where both Tibial Nerve (TN) and Common Fibular Nerve (CFN) course separately below the piriformis muscle. While, 8 specimens (26.66%) showed division of the SN in the pelvis, where CFN pierces the piriformis muscle, and tibial nerve lies below it. About 5 specimens (16.66%), showed division of the sciatic nerve into tibial nerve and CFN in the gluteal region at the level of the obturator internus muscle. Additionally, 9 specimens (30%) showed division of the sciatic nerve into tibial nerve and CFN occurred in the upper of the posterior aspect of the thigh. Lastly, 5 specimens (16.66%), revealed division of the sciatic nerve into tibial nerve and CFN in the middle of the posterior aspect of the thigh. Conclusion: The most prevalent level of bifurcation of the SN in the present study was the upper part of the posterior aspect of the thigh (30%), while the least common level of the SN bifurcation was in the pelvis, before its exits in the gluteal region, where TN and CFN course separately below PM (10%).
Association between Thyroid Stimulating Hormone with Components of Metabolic Syndrome in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Namitha D , Mathew Paul , Shilpashree YD
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Metabolic Syndrome (MS) identifies a group of metabolic disorders that includes glucose intolerance, central obesity, hypertension and dyslipidaemia that place the affected individual at exaggerated risk for developing disorder, in addition as exaggerated mortality from all causes. Aim: To evaluate serum Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels and to determine the correlation between serum concentrations of TSH with components of MS among postmenopausal women with MS. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted for the period of four months on 100 postmenopausal women between 45-65 years who attended Outpatient Department (OPD) of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Mandya, Karnataka, India. A fasting blood sample was collected from all the subjects, serum was used for estimating Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), Lipid profile, and Serum TSH. Results were presented on Mean±SD (Standard Deviation) (Min-Max) and in Number (%). For the comparison of means, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test was used. Correlation was examined by determining Pearson correlation coefficient (r-value). A p-value <0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: Among the study population, the dysfunction in thyroid gland was found in 35 (35%). The major thyroid dysfunction was found to be hypothyroidism (32%) and only three had hyperthyroidism (3%). Waist Circumference (WC), Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) were 98.2±12 cm, 128.84±13.65 mmHg and 79.2±9.2 mmHg, respectively. Fasting Blood Glucose (FBS), Triglyceride (TAG), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C) and TSH were 166.7±71 mg/dL, 125.94±90.67 mg/dL, 45.46±13.13 mg/dL and 3.35±2.01 mIU/L, respectively. Statistically significant positive correlation was observed between FPG (p=0.049) and both SBP (p=0.0008) and DBP (p=0.001) and negative correlation was observed between TAG, HDL and TSH but not statistically significant in women with hypothyroidism when compared to euthyroid. A statistically negative correlation was found with WC (p=0.001) and positive correlation was found with TAG (p=0.008) and TSH among women with euthyroid condition. Conclusion: Hypothyroidism alters lipid levels and increases blood pressure leading to increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Together hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome could increase the risk for CVD in postmenopausal women. Thus, assessing thyroid function in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome may aid in early detection of CVD risk and better clinical management among these patients and reduces the already existing high incidence of CVDs.
Analysis of Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Brain Tumour using Fuzzy Set Rules
Authors: Singh Manini , Nigam Vineeta Saxena
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Cancer becomes life threatening once the expansion of tissues in human brain turns into an uncontrolled growth. In detection of brain tumours, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) images give better results when compared to Computerised Tomography (CT) scan and X-ray. Malignant tumours can be detected with the help of image processing and machine learning techniques. These techniques detect even a small abnormality in the human brain following a four-stage process which includes preprocessing, segmentation, feature extraction and optimisation. Aim: To predict a brain tumour using Fuzzy minimum-maximum rule in MRI. Materials and Methods: The medical challenge is how can we rapidly and precisely diagnose brain lesions. It is difficult when using standard image analysis to differentiate the benign and malignant lesions. Hereby, authors have used a Fuzzy imaging algorithm in data set of 253 brain tumour images of high grade tumour colllected from kaggle.com.This paper proposes a fuzzy min-max image processing algorithm. Image processing includes four stages- preprocessing, segmentation, feature extraction and accuracy detection. Brain tumours are located using various algorithms at each of these stages. Results: There were more than 20 features which can be taken into consideration when using the Fuzzy image algorithm. The proposed method in its current form achieves an accuracy of about 95% by considering seven features. Conclusion: The study revealed that age, shape, contour, blood supply, capsule of tumour, oedema, post contrast enhancement, cyst generation signal intensity of T-1 weighted image etc. were the important investigation parameters. Location and size are important to the domain experts, but due to their complexity these parameters are not considered here.
The Role of Emotional Factors to Mediate Distributive Justice, Procedural Justice and International Justice on Consumer Satisfaction in JPS Gemilang NTB Program
Authors: . Zulkieflimansyah , Nurjihadi Muhammad , Maradita Fendy , . Hartini , Santoso Agus
Published: February 2022

In dealing with the economy in a society that is experiencing a decline the government raises social assistance to the community. The NTB government itself uses the JPS program that has been running for a long time by turning it into the NTB Gemilang JPS Program. This study aimed to examine the direct and indirect influence between distributive justice, procedural fairness, and Interactional justice on Consumer Satisfaction through Emotional Factors as an intervening medium. This study used 100 respondents in the form of people who had received the JPS Gemilang NTB program package. Sampling technique using cluster sampling taken in several provinces after the distribution of the JPS Gemilang NTB program. The results of this study distributive justice have a significant effect directly on consumer satisfaction and indirectly through emotional factors, procedural justice has a significant effect directly on consumer satisfaction and indirectly through emotional factors, interactional justice has a significant effect directly on consumer satisfaction and does not have a significant effect indirectly through emotional factors, Distributive Justice. significant effect on Emotional Factors, Procedural Justice has a significant effect on Emotional Factors, Interactional Justice has a significant effect on Emotional Factors, Consumer satisfaction has a significant effect on emotional factors.
Effect of Tillage and Weed Management Practices on Yield and Economics of Maize
Authors: Kumar Reddy K. Kiran , Vani K. P. , Sudhakar C. , Babu P. Surendra , Triveni S.
Published: February 2022

A two years study was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Tandur, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Telangana, India during two consecutive kharif seasons of 2018 and 2019 to investigate the effect of tillage and weed management practices on the yield and economics of maize. The experiment was carried out in strip-plot design with tillage methods assigned to vertical plots and weed management practices allotted to horizontal plots which were replicated thrice. It was observed that there is no significant difference between tillage methods, but weed management practices significantly influenced the yield of maize. The findings revealed that conventional tillage and hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 days recorded higher cost of cultivation, gross returns and net returns, while a higher B-C ratio was observed under reduced tillage and Atrazine 50% WP at 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 (PE) fb Tembotrione 42% SC @ 120 g a.i. ha-1. The interaction effect between tillage and weed management practices on grain yield was found to be non-significant.
Cytotoxic Activity of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized using F. benghalensis
Authors: Ranasinghe Abigail , Jeevitha M. , Rajeshkumar S. , Jayaraman Selvaraj
Published: February 2022

Aim: To determine the cytotoxic activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized using Ficus benghalensis.

Introduction: Synthesis of metal nanoparticles is widely used due to their potential applicability in various areas such as electronics, chemistry, energy and medicine development. To fulﬁll the growing need of environmentally friendly nanoparticles, researchers are using plant extract for the synthesis of nanoparticles.

Materials and Methods: In this report we used the extract F. benghalensis to synthesize silver nanoparticles and were characterized using UV- visible spectrometer and was also tested for cytotoxic activity.

Results: These biosynthesized silver nanoparticles showed reduced cytotoxic activity and can be developed as novel medicine against pathogenic oral diseases.

Conclusion: With increasing demand in advancements and diagnosis of treatment modalities, green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using F. benghalensis has reduced cytotoxic activity and has wider applications in dentistry.
Involvement of Nutritional Epidemiology in Public Health
Authors: Hadi Pary Ameer Arsalan
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this review is to demonstrate the significance and involvement of Nutritional Epidemiology in public health. The investigation of solving health issues that are linked to the Nutrition-related Diseases and food intake that are used by Physicians, Nutritionists, Dietitians as well as other Health Providers and Professionals of Public Health Community. Representing applied Researches that show the involvement of Nutritional Epidemiology in Public Health and the accomplishments of Nutritional epidemiology related to nutrient intake and healthy diet. Transformation of the diet-related diseases by Nutritional Epidemiologists into a Platform of Practice to Prevent these Diseases and Raise Individual or Public Awareness by nutritional recommendations. To show the influence and importance of Nutritional Epidemiology on Public Health, with a focus on the impact of the healthy food and lifestyle on diet-related diseases, decrease the risks of Morbidity and Mortality Diseases, identification of the Nutrient deficiencies between Childhood to Adulthood groups.
Impact of COVID-19 Online Education on Mental Health of College Students
Authors: Jeeva S. , Preetha S. , Sridevi G. , Prathap Lavanya
Published: February 2022

Background: COVID-19 is an infectious disease that is caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. This virus primarily spreads out through the droplets of saliva and SARS COV-2 virus was named after its unique shape, which has taken the form of a crown with the protrusions surrounding it. With the closure of all educational institutions, there is a need for a rapid transition from physical learning to digital learning. Online education has been observed as the best possible alternative to conventional learning. Lack of interaction and social isolation has really distressed the mental health of the students. The principal aim of this study is to study the impact of the COVID-19 online education on mental health of college students.

Materials & Methods: A questionnaire comprising 14 questions was created using an online Google forms website and was circulated among 131 dental students. This survey was conducted within a week in the months of Feb 2021. The results and observations were recorded in the form of pie charts and bar charts. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. Chi square test was used for correlation and p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Male (48.3%) and female (51.7%) both were equally affected by mental health issues like stress and anxiety. 57% of them answered yes and 42.7% of them answered no, when they were questioned whether students understood the concepts or not with online education.  71.76% of the students felt stressed and the rest of them were not stressful. Among female students, 41.22% of them preferred offline education and only 12.21% of them preferred online education and males, about 29% of them preferred offline mode of education and only 17.5% of them preferred online mode of education and it was statistically significant (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Around 40% to 60% of the students have shown that they have experienced moderate to severe anxiety and stress levels during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
Comparative Evaluation of Lung Functions between Ac and Non Ac users among Student Population
Authors: Gayathrie V. T. Indu , Sridevi G. , Preetha S.
Published: February 2022

Background: Usage of air conditioners (AC) has been highly increased in this modern era. In addition to the cooling of the environment, it has a major impact on human health. Rapid influx of cold dry air increases the risk of bronchoconstriction in asthma patients due to the dehydration of the air pathway. So, the present study planned to comparatively evaluate the lung functional status in air conditioner and non air conditioner users.

Materials and Methods: The pulmonary functional capacity was assessed using FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio, Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and FEF 25-75% in a Helios 702 spirometer.

Results: The lung functional capacities among the AC users showed a statistically significant decline in PEFR and FEF25-75% indicating the risk of airway obstruction.

Conclusion: The study concluded an innovative finding that AC users are developing ventilatory dysfunction and are at more risk of respiratory dysfunction. The coldness of the aerosol of the AC unit or other factors responsible may be allergens, infections and humidity level. Thus technical and hygienic features of air intake must be ensured to maintain a good indoor air quality.
Assessment of PAM (Pesticide Awareness Module) as Community Teaching Tool
Authors: Chalakh S. , Desai P.
Published: February 2022

Background: The ability of students to understand and support the needs of the community is at the heart of community-based education. Because India is a developing country with a large proportion of the population living in villages, the medical education system must guarantee that learners who serve as health care providers acquire the necessary skills and venture out into the community as needed. In today’s scenario pesticide poisoning in farmer's communities is an issue of high concern with this aim PAM (pesticide awareness module) is designed and is assessed as a community teaching tool. The pesticide Awareness module (PAM) was prepared as per the need of the community. The pretest of the student was conducted. Module was implemented by the student in the community with Flex, Charts, and Video. After implementation of the module post-test of students was conducted after one month. With the help of a Checklist, students were assessed for community teaching. Students’ perception of community teaching was obtained using a feedback questionnaire. The average Pre-test score was 23.35% and in Post-test it was increased to 86.85%. This indicates students gain desired level of knowledge for a longer period & Students also get benefitted by acquiring self-confidence, behavioral and attitudinal skill. The intervention of PAM as a community teaching tool was highly effective for the student in gaining knowledge & different skills.
Knowledge and Awareness on Premenstrual Symptoms – A Cross Sectional Survey
Authors: Sharen Aksha , Brundha M. P. , Sinduja Palati , Priyadharshini R.
Published: February 2022

Background: A majority of women from all cultures and socioeconomic levels experience myriad symptoms known as premenstrual syndrome during the days prior to menstruation. The present study investigated commonly reported symptoms in the premenstrual phase among college students. The authors further scrutinized potential factors, including subjective perceptions of health, which may be related to the premenstrual-symptom constellation. The aim of the study is to evaluate the awareness of premenstrual symptoms.

Materials and Methods: A questionnaire of 16 questions was created and entered in the online survey creator ‘Google Forms’ and shared individually among dental students and specialist and data were collected subject to statistical analysis using SPSS software. Statistical tests used were descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests.

Results: Regardless of severity, the 10 symptoms most often occurring among the participants included skin disorders, irritability, fatigue, mood swings, general aches, pains, lowered school or work performance, backache, painful breasts, weight gain, and swelling. Results of this study 90% of the participants aware about premenstrual symptoms 10% of the participants unaware of premenstrual symptoms and they need an effective education and awareness campaign to increase their knowledge and awareness on premenstrual symptoms. The obtained p-value was >0.05 was considered statistically insignificant.

Conclusions: The present study indicates the prevalence of premenstrual symptoms, regardless of severity, among college students and suggests that negative subjective perceptions of health and stress may be related to the intensity of premenstrual symptomatology.
Structural analysis of Atopobium parvulum SufS cysteine desulfurase linked to Crohn's disease
Authors: Karunakaran Gapisha , Yang Yidai , Tremblay Véronique , Ning Zhibin , Martin Jade , Belaouad Amine , Figeys Daniel , Brunzelle Joseph S. , Giguere Patrick M. , Stintzi Alain , Couture Jean‐François
Published: February 2022

Crohn’s disease (CD) is characterized by the chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. A dysbiotic microbiome and a defective immune system are linked to CD, where hydrogen sulfide (H2S) microbial producers positively correlate with the severity of the disease. Atopobium parvulum is a key H2S producer from the microbiome of CD patients. In this study, the biochemical characterization of two Atopobium parvulum cysteine desulfurases, ApSufS and ApCsdB, shows that the enzymes are allosterically regulated. Structural analyses reveal that ApSufS forms a dimer with conserved characteristics observed in type II cysteine desulfurases. Four residues surrounding the active site are essential to catalyse cysteine desulfurylation, and a segment of short‐chain residues grant access for substrate binding. A better understanding of ApSufS will help future avenues for CD treatment.
Diet‐derived ergothioneine induces necroptosis in colorectal cancer cells by activating the SIRT3/MLKL pathway
Authors: D'Onofrio Nunzia , Martino Elisa , Balestrieri Anna , Mele Luigi , Cautela Domenico , Castaldo Domenico , Balestrieri Maria Luisa
Published: February 2022

Ergothioneine (Egt) is a dietary amino acid which acts as an antioxidant to protect against ageing‐related diseases. We investigated the anti‐cancer properties of Egt in colorectal cancer cells (CRC). Egt treatment exerted cytotoxicity in a dose‐dependent manner, induced reactive oxygen species accumulation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and upregulation of the histone deacetylase SIRT3. Immunoblotting analysis indicated that the cell death occurred via necroptosis through activation of the RIP1/RIP3/MLKL pathway. An immunoprecipitation assay unveiled that the interaction between the terminal effector in necroptotic signalling MLKL and SIRT3 increased during the Egt treatment. SIRT3 gene silencing blocked the upregulation of MLKL and abolished the ability of Egt to induce necroptosis. The SIRT3–MLKL interaction may mediate the necroptotic effects of Egt in CRC, suggesting the potential of this dietary amino thione in the prevention of CRC.
National Academy of Medicine on stigma, calls for ‘people‐first’ approach
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: February 2022

Last June, the National Academy of Medicine, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin and Shatterproof co‐hosted the Stigma of Addiction Summit to discuss the negative impact of stigma on people with substance use disorders (SUDs). The goal was to develop strategies to address and eliminate the harms caused by stigma, and last week, the report was finally released.
A Skin‐Like Pressure‐ and Vibration‐Sensitive Tactile Sensor Based on Polyacrylamide/Silk Fibroin Elastomer
Authors: Li Shengyou , Liu Guoqing , Wen Hao , Liu Guoyi , Wang Hao , Ye Meidan , Yang Yun , Guo Wenxi , Liu Yufei
Published: February 2022

With bio‐integrated electronics booming, stretchable, elastic, compliance, and biocompatible elastomers attract immense research interest due to their potential to integrate with electronic devices and soft tissues. In this work, a double network skin‐like elastomer based on hydrophobic‐polyacrylamide/silk fibroin (HSF) is synthesized. The addition of the fibroin in polyacrylamide hydrogel significantly improves its stretchability, resilience, and tear resistance. Specifically, the HSF elastomer demonstrates a tensile strain as high as 1000% with the corresponding tensile stress of 0.27 MPa and great resilience (550 cycles). Based on such HSF, a hybrid mechanoreceptor sensor is fabricated, which can simultaneously implement slow adaptive and fast adaptive pulses like human skin. This device realizes the detection of a variety of human movements such as joint movement, vocalization, or pulse and high‐frequency vibration signal recognition, which demonstrates its potential applications in bio‐integrated electronics.
Integrated Water and Thermal Managements in Bioinspired Hierarchical MXene Aerogels for Highly Efficient Solar‐Powered Water Evaporation
Authors: Zhang Hongming , Shen Xi , Kim Eunyoung , Wang Mingyue , Lee Jeng‐Hun , Chen Haomin , Zhang Guangcheng , Kim Jang‐Kyo
Published: February 2022

Solar‐powered water evaporation is a straightforward, practical approach to use solar energy for water desalination. Solar absorbers made from photothermal materials capable of effectively confining heat and pumping water to the evaporation surface are essential for a high energy efficiency. However, separate designs of water transport routes and thermal insulating layers are required to simultaneously achieve desired water and thermal managements. This work reports an integrated design for efficient multifunctional capabilities through rational assembly of spectrally modified Ti3C2Tx (SM‐Ti3C2Tx) nanosheets and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) into a multiscale 3D aerogel with a feather‐like microstructure. The aerogel contains longitudinal struts with transversely parallel ligaments developed at an angle of ≈60° from the struts, resembling the microstructure of down feathers in penguins and thus leading to excellent thermal insulation. The hydrophilic porous ligaments serve as upward water transport channels, pumping the water to the evaporation surface while confining it within the ligaments to avoid oversaturation. These functional features endow the composite aerogel with a high energy efficiency of 88.52% and an evaporation rate of 0.92 kg m−2 h−1 at a weak solar irradiance of 0.5‐sun, indicating its great potential for practical solar‐powered water desalination under natural sunlight.
Symmetrical Acceptor–Donor–Acceptor Molecule as a Versatile Defect Passivation Agent toward Efficient FA0.85MA0.15PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhao Wenjing , Lin Hao , Li Yong , Wang Dapeng , Wang Jie , Liu Zhike , Yuan Ningyi , Ding Jianning , Wang Qiang , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: February 2022

Despite the swift development in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), suppressing the ion defects in the perovskite bulk and further extending the long‐lasting stability of the cells remain the concerned issues that are yet to be solved. Here, a symmetrical organic acceptor−donor−acceptor (A−D−A) molecule with the core architecture of indaceno[1,2‐b:5,6‐b']dithiophene (IDT) and bilateral arms of oxindole, named IDT‐OD, as a versatile defect passivation agent, is adopted to inactivate the nonradiative recombination sites in the perovskite absorber. The S element in the IDT unit and carbonyl group CO in the bilateral acceptor unit as the Lewis‐base contributes to the passivation sites that are the under‐coordinated Pb2+ cation defects and the N−H group in oxindole unit interacts with halide dangling bonds. The molecular structure with its symmetrical double arms assists the formation of a superior perovskite layer with enlarged grain size, smooth surface topography, hydrophobic property, and low density of defect state. Consequently, the corresponding PSCs with the proper IDT‐OD additive yield a remarkable increase in efficiency from 22.77% to 24.04%, along with excellent long‐term environmental and thermal stabilities. This study offers a propitious approach for ionic defect passivation engineering toward high‐performance PSCs.
Delocalization Enhances Conductivity at High Doping Concentrations
Authors: Derewjanko Dennis , Scheunemann Dorothea , Järsvall Emmy , Hofmann Anna I. , Müller Christian , Kemerink Martijn
Published: February 2022

Many applications of organic semiconductors require high electrical conductivities and hence high doping levels. Therefore, it is indispensable for effective material design to have an accurate understanding of the underlying transport mechanisms in this regime. In this study, own and literature experimental data that reveal a power‐law relation between the conductivity and charge density of strongly p‐doped conjugated polymers are combined. This behavior cannot consistently be described with conventional models for charge transport in energetically disordered materials. Here, it is shown that the observations can be explained in terms of a variable range hopping model with an energy‐dependent localization length. A tight‐binding model is used to quantitatively estimate of the energy‐dependent localization length, which is used in an analytical variable range hopping model. In the limit of low charge densities, the model reproduces the well‐known Mott variable range hopping behavior, while for high charge densities, the experimentally observed superlinear increase in conductivity with charge density is reproduced. The latter behavior occurs when the Fermi level reaches partially delocalized states. This insight can be anticipated to lead to new strategies to increase the conductivity of organic semiconductors.
Materials Engineering for Atmospheric Water Harvesting: Progress and Perspectives
Authors: Lu Hengyi , Shi Wen , Guo Youhong , Guan Weixin , Lei Chuxin , Yu Guihua
Published: February 2022

Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) is emerging as a promising strategy to produce fresh water from abundant airborne moisture to overcome the global clean water shortage. The ubiquitous moisture resources allow AWH to be free from geographical restrictions and potentially realize decentralized applications, making it a vital parallel or supplementary freshwater production approach to liquid water resource‐based technologies. Recent advances in regulating chemical properties and micro/nanostructures of moisture‐harvesting materials have demonstrated new possibilities to promote enhanced device performance and new understandings. This perspective aims to provide a timely overview on the state‐of‐the‐art materials design and how they serve as the active components in AWH. First, the key processes of AWH, including vapor condensation, droplet nucleation, growth, and departure are outlined, and the desired material properties based on the fundamental mechanisms are discussed. Then, how tailoring materials‐water interactions at the molecular level play a vital role in realizing high water uptake and low energy consumption is shown. Last, the challenges and outlook on further improving AWH from material designs and system engineering aspects are highlighted.
Antifreezing Hydrogel Electrolyte with Ternary Hydrogen Bonding for High‐Performance Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Huang Siwen , Hou Lei , Li Tianyu , Jiao Yucong , Wu Peiyi
Published: February 2022

The new‐generation flexible aqueous zinc‐ion batteries require enhanced mechanical properties and ionic conductivities at low temperature for practical applications. This fundamentally means that it is desired that the hydrogel electrolyte possesses antifreezing merits to resist flexibility loss and performance decrease at subzero temperatures. Herein, a highly flexible polysaccharide hydrogel is realized in situ and is regulated in zinc‐ion batteries through the Hofmeister effect with low‐concentration Zn(ClO4)2 salts to satisfy the abovementioned requirements. The chaotropic ClO4− anions, water, and polymer chains can form ternary and weak hydrogen bonding (HB), which enables the polymer chains to have improved mechanical properties, breaks the HB of water to remarkably decrease the electrolyte freezing point, and reduces the amounts of free water for effective side reactions and dendrite inhibition. Consequently, even at −30 °C, the Zn(ClO4)2 in situ optimized hydrogel electrolyte features a high ionic conductivity of 7.8 mS cm−1 and excellent flexibility, which enables a Zn/polyaniline (PANI) battery with a reversible capacity of 70 mA h g−1 under 5 A g−1 for 2500 cycles, and renderd the flexible full battery with excellent cycling performances under different bending angles. This work provides a new pathway for designing high‐performance antifreezing flexible batteries via the Hofmeister effect.
Structure Design and Performance Research of WO3 Hydrogen Gasochromic Film Prepared by Solvothermal Synthesis Assisted with Electrodeposition of Seed Layer
Authors: Gao Chenjing , Guo Xingwu , Nie Lewen , Wu Xuan , Peng Liming , Chen Juan , Ding Wenjiang
Published: February 2022

The time‐consuming and laborious heat treatment is indispensable for preparing seed layer in solvothermal synthesis of WO3 film. Herein, WO3 film is prepared composed of single crystal WO3 nanowires on indium tin oxide (ITO) glass assisted with simple and energy‐saving electrodeposited seed layer for the first time. The catalyst Pt is sputtered on it for 30 s after WO3 film is synthesized to form the hydrogen gasochromic film. The film structure is redesigned to improve its hydrogen gasochromic properties further. Before WO3 film is solvothermally synthesized, Pt is sputtered on seed layer for 15 s, then it is sputtered for 15 s again after WO3 film is prepared. The Pt sputtered on seed layer greatly changes the morphology of nanowires, making them sparse, slender, and cross‐linked like a bird's nest. Moderate 37% HCl is added during the solvothermal process to promote the growth of WO3 nanowires. The variation of transmittance (wavelength: 1000 nm), coloring rate (4% H2/Ar) and bleaching rate (air) of WO3 hydrogen gasochromic film with new structure at room temperature are 69.1%, 3.1%/s (increases 19.6%) and 0.85%/s (increases 193%), respectively. This study offers a new strategy for seed layer technology of WO3 film and structural design of WO3 hydrogen gasochromic film.
Highly Transparent, Flexible, and Hydrophobic Polytetrafluoroethylene Thin Film Passivation for ITO/AgPdCu/ITO Multilayer Electrodes
Authors: Kim Seong‐Won , Kang Chaeyoung , Kim Han‐Ki
Published: February 2022

Transparent and flexible polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) thin film passivation for ITO/AgPdCu (APC)/ITO (IAI) electrodes is developed to prevent severe degradation and maintain the reliable performance of the flexible IAI electrodes. Also, oxygen ion beam treatment (IBT) on the surface of the IAI electrode improves the adhesion between the top ITO and PTFE passivation layer, as well as the performance of the passivation layer. The IAI electrode with PTFE passivation exhibits constant sheet resistance, transmittance, and flexibility, even after the 85 °C and 85% RH test. However, the bare IAI electrode shows a significant increase in sheet resistance and a decrease in transmittance and flexibility, owing to the incorporation of moisture and impurities into the IAI layer, and agglomeration of the APC layer. To demonstrate the feasibility of PTFE passivation, the performance of flexible and transparent thin film heaters (TFHs) with the bare IAI and PTEF/IAI samples are compared. The better stability and reliability of the PTFE/IAI‐based TFHs than the bare IAI‐based TFHs indicate that the PTFE film effectively prevents the introduction of moisture and impurities. The performance of the TFH with PTFE/IAI electrode implies that sputtered PTFE film is a promising transparent and flexible thin film passivation for high‐quality oxide‐metal‐oxide multilayer electrodes.
Fullerphene Nanosheets: A Bottom‐Up 2D Material for Single‐Carbon‐Atom‐Level Molecular Discrimination
Authors: Song Jingwen , Murata Tomohiro , Tsai Kun‐Che , Jia Xiaofang , Sciortino Flavien , Ma Renzhi , Yamauchi Yusuke , Hill Jonathan P. , Shrestha Lok Kumar , Ariga Katsuhiko
Published: February 2022

Ultrathin 2D nanoporous materials offer enhanced sensitivity and high spatial resolution in sensing applications making them important for the selective discrimination of guest molecules. Here bottom‐up fabrication is reported of a novel molecularly‐thin nitrogen‐doped 2D fullerphene. Thermal annealing at 700 °C of a bottom‐up assembled fullerene C60‐ethylenediamine (EDA) thin film results in formation of a nitrogen‐doped ultrathin carbon film, fullerphene, which exhibits a hierarchically micro/mesoporous structure at its surfaces. N‐doping of fullerphene is dominated by pyrrolic and quaternary nitrogen atoms, which allow selective and repetitive adsorption and desorption of low‐molecular‐weight carboxylic acid vapors through noncovalent interactions. The large surface area (655.2 m2 g–1) and pore volume (0.659 cc g–1) offered by the hierarchical micro/mesoporous architecture leads to superior sensitivity of fullerphene to formic acid over acetic acid in the vapor phase demonstrating that novel 2D fullerphene provides an attractive platform for the discrimination of carboxylic acids at the single‐carbon‐atom level.
Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by Halloysite Nanotubes: From General Aspects to Technological Applications
Authors: Lisuzzo Lorenzo , Cavallaro Giuseppe , Milioto Stefana , Lazzara Giuseppe
Published: February 2022

Besides surfactants, which decrease the interfacial tension between two immiscible liquids, also interfacially active particles can successfully stabilize an emulsion system by attaching at the liquid–liquid interface. The preparation of the resulting Pickering emulsions has been so far investigated starting from the study of the interactions arising between the dispersed droplets and the stabilizers, till the application of these systems in a wide range of different fields. This work is intended to provide an overall overview about the development of Pickering emulsions by considering the most general aspects and scanning the diverse types of solid stabilizers. Among them, Halloysite nanotubes play a major role as naturally derived clay with emulsifying capability owing to their cheap, abundant, green and biocompatible properties. Therefore, the design of Halloysite stabilized Pickering emulsions is the main content of this review, which will survey the role of nanotubes in providing colloidal stability and will comprehensively sum up the use of these particles in technological and industrial purposes: from environmental to catalytic, from health to cultural heritage related applications.
An Engineered Multifunctional Composite for Passive Sensing, Power Harvesting, and In Situ Damage Identification with Enhanced Mechanical Performance
Authors: Gupta Sumit , Naskar Amit K. , Bowland Christopher C.
Published: February 2022

A multifunctional fiber‐reinforced composite with passive self‐sensing, energy‐harvesting, and damage detection capabilities is presented. Here, barium titanate piezoelectric microparticles are deposited on basalt fibers by a scalable, low‐cost, environmentally friendly continuous feed‐through process. The resulting composite derives a superior interlaminar shear strength from the microparticle‐modified fiber–matrix interfaces. The composite also demonstrates passive self‐sensing capabilities that produce electrical signals proportional to various dynamic loading events. Vibration and strain‐controlled experiments are performed on composite beams to quantify the sensitivity and power output as a function of input acceleration and strain. Furthermore, these composite‐generated electrical signals are used to identify in situ damage initiation for structural health monitoring to inform composite damage prior to structural failure. In brief, this truly multifunctional composite simultaneously displays a sensitivity of 0.5–2.6 mV g−1 at a resolution of 0.045–0.20g (g = gravitational acceleration), energy harvesting in the range of nW cc−1, and prediction of early damage by exhibiting 0.017–1.17 mV peaks in voltage–time history profiles while assuring ≈20% improved interlaminar shear strength.
3D‐Knit Dry Electrodes using Conductive Elastomeric Fibers for Long‐Term Continuous Electrophysiological Monitoring
Authors: Eskandarian Ladan , Toossi Amirali , Nassif Farah , Golmohammadi Rostami Sahar , Ni Siting , Mahnam Amin , Alizadeh Meghrazi Milad , Takarada Wataru , Kikutani Takeshi , Naguib Hani E.
Published: February 2022

Recent advances in telemedicine and personalized healthcare have motivated new developments in wearable technologies targeting continuous monitoring of biosignals. Common limitations of wearables for continuous monitoring include durability and breathability of their biopotential electrodes. This paper tackles this challenge by proposing flexible, breathable, and washable dry textile electrodes made of conductive elastomeric filaments (CEFs). First, candidate CEF fibers are characterized. Using an industrial knitting machine, CEF fibers are then directly knitted into textile electrodes. To assess their performance in more realistic circumstances, smart garments with textile electrodes are knitted. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are acquired using an underwear garment and electrooculograms (EOGs) are acquired using a headband. ECGs and EOGs with textile electrodes are found to have comparable fidelity to that of the gold standard gel electrodes. CEF electrodes are also resistant to repeated wash and dry cycles (30×) and continue to acquire high‐fidelity biosignals. Smart underwear garments are also used to perform continuous ECG measurements in five participants over 24 h of unrestricted daily activities. Results demonstrate the success of these garments in performing high fidelity continuous ECG monitoring. Collectively, these results present CEF electrodes as a promising scalable solution to the challenges of wearable technologies for long‐term continuous electrophysiological monitoring applications.
High Mobility and Photo‐Bias Stable Metal Oxide Thin‐Film Transistors Engineered by Gradient Doping
Authors: Liu Jia , Liu Suilin , Yu Yinyin , Chen Huixin , Wang Cuiru , Su Jingxia , Liu Chaoyang , Zhang Yuxuan , Han Jian , Shao Guosheng , Yao Zhiqiang
Published: February 2022

Doping of oxygen‐deficient binder is an efficient way to alleviate the photo‐bias instability issue of oxide thin‐film transistors (TFTs). However, almost all dopants are working as electron suppressors and degrading mobility. Here we report an effective three‐level O‐anti|O|O‐N (OI|OII|N) gradient doping solution to overcome the adverse mobility‐stability trade‐off in N‐doped InGaZnO (IGZO:N) TFTs. 100 nm‐thick IGZO:OI|IGZO:OII|IGZO:N (IGZO:OI|OII|N) junctionless channel layers are fabricated by varying the partial pressures of oxygen and nitrogen doping gases. Best balance between improved performance and negligible degraded stability is first engineered by reducing the back‐channel IGZO:N depth close to the theoretical diffusion length of photo‐excited holes and forming two‐level graded IGZO:OII|N (40 nm|60 nm) TFTs. Much improved performance and comparable stability are further induced by incorporating ~1.5 nm percolation conduct IGZO:OI at the front‐channel to enhance accumulation. The three‐level graded IGZO:OI|OII|N TFTs exhibit high mobility (34.25 cm2 V−1 s−1) and good photo‐bias stability (∆Vth = −0.85 V@10 000  cd m−2, 3.0 h), which are 2~5‐fold superior to those of the controlled two‐level graded IGZO:OI|N TFTs, IGZO:OII|N TFTs, and homogeneous IGZO:OII TFTs, IGZO:N TFTs. The fabrication of high mobility and photo‐bias stable IGZO TFTs paves the way to future high‐performance oxide electronics.