bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Predominance of Giardia duodenalis AII sub-assemblage in young children from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Figueiredo Pacheco Flávia Thamiris , Novaes Rodrigues Silva Renata Kelly , Souza de Carvalho Silvia , Carvalho Rocha Felipe , Trindade das Chagas Gisele Maria , Chagas Gomes Daisy , da Costa-Ribeiro Junior Hugo , Medrado Ribeiro Tereza Cristina , Peixoto de Mattos Ângela , Kalabric Silva Luciano , Matos Soares Neci , Aquino Teixeira Márcia Cristina
Published: September 2020

Introduction. Giardia duodenalis is an intestinal protozoan with a high prevalence in children of developing countries. Molecular studies revealed a great genetic diversity of G. duodenalis, with assemblages A and B found mainly in humans. Despite its importance, the information on the molecular epidemiology of human giardiasis is still limited in Brazil.Objective. To characterize G. duodenalis molecular isolates in children from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.Materials and methods. Giardia duodenalis positive fecal samples were obtained from 71 children from two day care centers and 39 users of a clinical analysis laboratory. Samples were analyzed by PCR-RFLP of the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and beta-giardin genes and by the sequencing of beta-giardin.Results. Of the 110 G. duodenalis samples, 80 (72.7%) amplified one or both target genes. Of these, 62 (77.5 %) were identified as assemblage A and 18 (22.5%) as assemblage B. The subassemblage AII was identified in 58.8% (n=47) of isolates followed by the sub-assemblage AI (18.8%, n=15), BIV (11.2%, n=9), and BIII (5.0%, n=4). The AII sub-assemblage was the most frequent in children of both day care centers whereas AI was found only in the group attended at the clinical laboratory. Sub-assemblage AII predominated in children under two years.Conclusions. The higher frequency of AII sub-assemblage suggests that anthroponotic transmission is more common in Salvador, but that zoonotic transmission pathways are also present and a change in susceptibility to different molecular patterns of Giardia may occur during child growth.
Isolation and characterization of a motility-defective mutant ofEuglena gracilis
Authors: Muramatsu Shuki , Atsuji Kohei , Yamada Koji , Ozasa Kazunari , Suzuki Hideyuki , Takeuchi Takuto , Hashimoto-Marukawa Yuka , Kazama Yusuke , Abe Tomoko , Suzuki Kengo , Iwata Osamu
Published: September 2020

Euglena gracilisis a green photosynthetic microalga that swims using its flagellum. This species has been used as a model organism for over half a century to study its metabolism and the mechanisms of its behavior. The development of mass-cultivation technology has led toE. gracilisapplication as a feedstock in various products such as foods. Therefore, breeding ofE. gracilishas been attempted to improve the productivity of this feedstock for potential industrial applications. For this purpose, a characteristic that preserves the microalgal energy e.g., reduces motility, should be added to the cultivars. The objective of this study was to verify our hypothesis thatE. gracilislocomotion-defective mutants are suitable for industrial applications because they save the energy required for locomotion. To test this hypothesis, we screened forE. gracilismutants from Fe-ion-irradiated cell suspensions and established a mutant strain, ${\mathrm{M}}_{3}^{-}$ZFeL, which shows defects in flagellum formation and locomotion. The mutant strain exhibits a growth rate comparable to that of the wild type when cultured under autotrophic conditions, but had a slightly slower growth under heterotrophic conditions. It also stores 1.6 times the amount of paramylon, a crystal ofβ-1,3-glucan, under autotrophic culture conditions, and shows a faster sedimentation compared with that of the wild type, because of the deficiency in mobility and probably the high amount of paramylon accumulation. Such characteristics makeE. gracilismutant cells suitable for cost-effective mass cultivation and harvesting.
The role of m6A-related genes in the prognosis and immune microenvironment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Tang Rong , Zhang Yiyin , Liang Chen , Xu Jin , Meng Qingcai , Hua Jie , Liu Jiang , Zhang Bo , Yu Xianjun , Shi Si
Published: September 2020

Background

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is among the most lethal diseases and has a dismal prognosis; however, efficient treatment is currently limited. Several studies have observed epigenetic variation during tumorigenesis, suggesting the potential role of RNA methylation, especially N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, as a novel epigenetic modification mediating PAAD prognosis.

Methods

The expression levels of m6A-related genes were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas-Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) projects, and the findings were validated in four Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. A predictive model was constructed using a lasso regression and evaluated by a survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve. Consensus clustering identified two distinct subgroups with different immune activity signatures based on the expression pattern of m6A-related genes. The relationship between the mutation state of m6A-related genes and infiltration of immune cells was established and visualized using Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (https://cistrome.shinyapps.io/timer/).

Results

Fourteen of twenty-one m6A-related genes were differentially expressed between PAAD and normal tissues in TCGA-GTEx cohort. Among these genes, HNRNPC, IGF2BP2 and YTHDF1 were further validated in four GEO datasets. Moreover, an m6A-based model exhibited moderate accuracy in predicting overall survival in PAAD samples. Additionally, potential m6A modification targets were screened by selecting genes from a set of 23,391 genes that not only harbored the most m6A-modified sites but also showed a robust correlation with PAAD survival. Moreover, we correlated the expression level of m6A-related genes with the immune microenvironment of pancreatic cancer for the first time. Specifically, both arm-level gain and deletion of ALKBH5 decreased the infiltration of CD8+T cells (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion

Collectively, our findings suggest a novel anticancer strategy for restoring balanced RNA methylation in tumor cells and guide clinical physicians in developing a new practical approach for considering the impact of related genes on prognosis.
FTIR and UV-Visible Spectrophotometric Derivatization Studies of Artemether
Authors: Ugochukwu Jane I. , Ajaegbu Eze E. , Chukwunwejim Chidinma R. , Uzochukwu Ikemefuna C.
Published: September 2020

This study was aimed at confirmation of the purity and identity of the artemether and development of an ultraviolet spectrophotometric method for the assaying of artemether utilizing p-nitroaniline as a derivatizing agent. Melting point and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) methods were used to confirm the purity and identity of the artemether used in the study. The derivatization process was carried out between 100 µg/ml of the artemether and 500 µg/ml of p-nitroaniline in different molarities (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5M) of HCl at 60ºC for 45 mins. The melting point ranged between 86-89ºC and the FTIR determination revealed a band at 3169.978 cm-1 due to O-H stretching vibration and C-H stretching at 2996.039 cm-1. There was no observed difference in wavelength between the p-nitroaniline spectrum and the spectra of the derivatized products in different molarities of HCl. p-nitroaniline may not be a proper derivatization reagent for the assay of artemether in pure or dosage form.
A Comparative Study on the Use of Social Media, Reading Habits and Academic Performance of Secondary School Students
Authors: Nnaji P. T. , Okpuzor V. N. , Morka E.
Published: September 2020

Aim: A comparative study was conducted on how the use of social media affects the reading habit and academic performance of secondary school students.

Study Design: The study adopted the descriptive survey research design to help elicit data from the target population through questionnaire, observations and interview instruments.

Methodology: The questionnaires were randomly administered to both male and female students.

Results: Social media is a great digital platform for learning and obtaining current information. There are consequences attached to the proper use and misuse among adolescent students. More than 50% of social media operators in secondary schools are users of Facebook. 58 out of 75 students who scored “A” grade in their favourite subject operated social media. 67.23% of the total respondents who use the social media didn’t score an “A” grade in their favourite subject. Students who operated more than one social media network scarcely scored an “A” grade. Only 3.5% of students spent up to 4 hours of reading every day. 46.5% read for 2-3 hours and 36.5% read for an hour. 11.5% read for 30munites while 2% read for less than 30 minutes.

Conclusion: Students should be properly guided and given an adequate orientation before providing them with electronic devices like smart phones. Teachers should be encouraged to join large student groups. Off-topics and non-academic discussions should be curtailed.
Diversity Analysis in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Genotypes under Temperate Conditions
Authors: Dar Mohd Aslam , Khuroo Noor-Ul-Saleem , Mir Reyaz-Ul-Rouf , Dar Zahoor Ahmad , Sofi Parvaze Ahmad , Dar Sher A. , Lone Bilal Ahmad , Sheikh Farooq A. , Bhat Umer Rashid
Published: September 2020

Genetic diversity study was conducted in 38 chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes using Mahalanobis D2 Statistics. The current research performed at FoA, Wadura Sopore, SKUAST-Kashmir in the rabi 2017-18. In the present study, total seven clusters have been formed and range of D2 values is from 301.78 to 8477.71, cluster II includes maximum 12 genotypes after that cluster I having 9 genotypes, cluster IV having 6 genotypes, cluster Ⅲ and Ⅴ having 4 genotypes, cluster Ⅵ having 2 genotypes and cluster Ⅶ with 1 genotype. 959.33 to 8477.71 is the range of inter cluster distance. Highest inter cluster distance (8477.71) was found between the clusters, Ⅵ and Ⅶ followed by the clusters, Ⅳ and Ⅶ (5814.62), Ⅳ and Ⅴ (5807.441), Ⅴ and Ⅵ (4659.34). The minimum inter-cluster distance (959.33) possessed by clusters, Ⅱ and Ⅲ. After comprehending the intra cluster divergence it has been found that cluster Ⅳ has highest intra cluster distance (637.07) then cluster I (459.16). Since cluster Ⅶ includes only one genotype which indicates that there is no intra cluster divergence. Total nine traits have been evaluated, plant height registered higher divergence (49.25%) then pods plant-1 (36.12%), days to 50% flowering (4.13%) and days to maturity (2.7%), secondary branches plant-1 (3.24%), seed yield plant-1 (1.28%) and primary branches plant-1 (1.14%). The 100-seed weight (1.12%) and seeds pod-1 (1.02%) possesses less divergence. By considering above results the nine genotypes viz., IR-1, IR-3, IR-30, IR-20, IR-21, IR-10, IR-2, IR-7 and IR-31 have been recognized as desired genotypes for use in future breeding programme.
Garden Cress Seeds a Promising Alternative for the Development of Nutrient Dense Muffins
Authors: John Josephine , Rani Varsha , Sangwan Veenu , Sonia . , Reena .
Published: September 2020

Aims: Garden cress seeds are highly nutritious super grain, that possess galactogogue, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hypocholesterolemic, hepatoprotective activities and also suitable for celiac patients as they do not contain gluten. This study was conducted to develop and evaluate nutrient rich muffins supplemented with GCS, so as to utilize their full potential.

Study Design: Control muffins were developed using refined flour as a basic ingredients which was replaced with 10, 20 and 30% of GCS in experimental muffins.

Methodology: GCS were roasted at 150°c for five minutes to remove the peppery after taste. Roasted GCS were used to develop muffins. Control and experimental muffins were evaluated for sensory characteristics and nutritional parameters (proximate composition, dietary fiber, total and in vitro bio-accessible minerals, phytic acid and antioxidants).

Results: Muffins supplemented with 10 and 20% of GCS scored higher than the control muffins for sensory parameters i.e. colour, texture, aroma, taste and overall acceptability however muffins supplemented with 30 GCS scored slightly lower than the control muffins. Both the experimental and control muffins adjudged between ‘liked moderately’ to ‘liked very much’ by the judges. The contents of protein (13.23-15.59%), fat (20.57-20.99), ash (1.77-2.64%), total dietary fiber (7.98-12.37%), total calcium (91.32-155.99 mg/100 g) and iron (4.83-8.06 mg/100 g) and antioxidants were increased significantly in all the three levels (type-I, type-II and type-III) of GCS supplemented muffins.

Conclusion: Nutrient dense muffins with superior nutritional quality can be developed using GCS up to 20 % without compromising sensory acceptability. Consumption of nutrient dense muffins may be beneficial in combating PEM and iron deficiency anaemia in growing children and pregnant and lactating women in India.
The Allure of Abdominal Scarification (`UDE`) among the Esan Tribe in South-South Nigeria – A Prospective Analysis
Authors: Salami T. A. T. , Irekpita E. , Emorinken A. , Oseni T. I. A. , Akinkugbe A. A. , Oziegbe O. E. , Agbebaku F. O.
Published: September 2020

Background: The practice of inflicting cuts (incisions) on the anterior abdominal wall to treat splenomegaly of various causes is a very common one in some parts of Edo State, Nigeria. Such incisions may result in several complications including sepsis (especially in children who are the major targets); massive blood loss leading to symptomatic anemia that may require blood transfusions or lead to death and massive keloidal growth as sequelae in some of the patients. This practice is a long-term practice of the Esan people of the central part of Edo State Nigeria. This study aims to identify the factors that continue to make this practice attractive to members of the community, the common complications encountered, and how to develop an advocacy tool for health education and promote the health-seeking behavior of the populace.

Methods: This was a prospective community based cross-sectional descriptive study that was conducted in all the 5 Esan speaking local government areas of Edo State where this practice is very common. The study was done between January 2017 and June 2018. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire by previously trained researchers, after pretesting and validation. The questionnaire was administered on 700 adults, however, 500 were returned. The data obtained were summarized as frequencies and percentages.

Results: The majority of the participants were middle-aged. Ninty-five percent (95%) of respondents were aware of the practice of abdominal scarification and 80% of them think it is effective. It was mainly carried out by herbalists in 95% of the respondents. Half of the respondents were unaware of any complications associated with the procedure.

Conclusion: Abdominal scarification is a common practice among the Esan people of south-south Nigeria. They believe it's effective, affordable, and risk-free. This is despite the availability of effective alternatives in orthodox medicine. There is, therefore, a need for advocacy and health education considering the dangers and complications associated with the practice.
Ameliorative Effect of Administering Avocado (Persea americana) Leaf Extract on Lead Acetate Toxicity in the Brain-cerebellum of Albino Rats
Authors: Isaac Ubi Essien
Published: September 2020

Aim: To investigate whether the aqueous extract of avocado leaves can be used in alternative medicine for the remediation or treatment of lead poisoning in the brain.

Study Design: Pure Experiment, using animal models.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria; between January 2019 and June 2019.

Methodology: Twenty albino Wistar rats including both male and female, and weighing around 155 g were randomly assigned to four groups (designated as A,B,C and D), with each group consisting of five animals. While group A served as the control, group B was administered a daily dose of 500 mg/kg body weight of avocado leaf extract, group C received 150 mg/kg body weight per day of lead acetate, and group D was given 150 mg/kg body weight per day of lead acetate and immediately followed with 500 mg/kg body weight/day of the avocado leaf extract. Treatments were given once daily through the oral route using a syringe with attached micropipette tube for 15 days, while the animals had access to water and chow ad libitum. The rats were euthanized on the 16th day by cervical dislocation and the cranial cavity was carefully exposed in order to dissect the brain and to obtain tissue samples from the cerebellum, which were then prepared for microscopic examination using routine histological techniques, with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains.

Results: The findings showed the extract to be ameliorative by reducing histomorphological distortions of lead acetate toxicity in the brain, and thus caused moderate regeneration of the cerebellar tissue.

Conclusion: The outcome of this research therefore indicates that the avocado leaf extract has medicinal potentials and could serve as an herbal remedy in the alternative treatment of lead poisoning.
Effect of Methanolic Extract of Caryota no Seed on Geotactic Behaviour and Fecundity in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Maduagwuna Chinonye A. , Omale Simeon , Etuh Monday A. , Gyang Steven S.
Published: September 2020

Aims: To investigate the effect of the methanolic extracts of Caryota no (CN) seeds negative geotaxis, fecundity and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) using Drosophila melanogaster (DM).                                                                                                      Study Design: Experimental design.

Place and Duration: Sample: African Centre of Excellence for Phytomedicine Research and Development, University of Jos, Jos Plateau State Nigeria between June 2018 and February 2019                                                                                                  Methodology: 50 flies were exposed in each vial to the following concentrations: 300 mg, 350 mg, 400 mg, 500 mg and 600 mg of methanolic extracts in 5 replicates for 7 days with daily recording of mortality. Total protein assays were carried out by Randox method from the supernatant from homogenized whole flies. In vivo antioxidant activity study was conducted by measuring level of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme activity from supernatants of whole fly homogenates using a spectrophotometer at specific wavelengths over a 2 minute duration. The values were derived as part of the total protein value. Negative geotaxis was done by the climbing assay and fecundity was examined by rate of emergence of larva after exposure of the flies to treatment. The statistical difference among test groups was presumed at P < .05.

Results: The methanolic extract of CN caused nonsignificant (P = .33) decrease in total protein levels compared to the control. There were also nonsignificant decreases in AChE (P = .30) activity, negative geotactic (P = .80) behaviour and nonsignificant increase in fecundity (P = .17) in the methanolic extract-treated flies compared to the controls.

Conclusion: It can therefore be concluded that the methanolic extract of Caryota no nonsignificantly improved fertitity and reduced negative geotaxis and AChE activity in DM.
Case Fatality in COVID-19; a District Perspective
Authors: Khan Hamzullah , Shah Faridullah , Khan Khalid , Abuzar .
Published: September 2020

Objectives: To determine the case fatality rate of COVID-19 by evaluating the data of Patients died due to COVID-19.

Materials and Methods: A total of 243 patients with PCR done from the government designated Public health research laboratory of Khyber Medical University were included in a cross sectional comparative study. Chi-square test, risk analysis, probability testing and survival analysis using Kaplan Meir test was done on data sheet prepared in SPPS version 25 in accordance with the objectives of the study.

Results: Out of total 243 patients, 165 (67.90%) were negative by PCR testing and 78 (32.09%) were COVID-19 positive. The Mean age with SD was 36+17 years. Out of total 178 (73.3%) were males and 65 (26.7%) were females. 34 (13.99%) had age more than 55 years, where 4/5 (80%) of the deaths were recorded. The relationship of an increase in age with rate of mortality was statistically significant (p=0.001). The over all probability of death in our population in age more than 55 years is 24 times higher (OR=24,95CI: 2.6-221.24) with relative risk of 1.1 (rr=1.11, 95CI:1-1.24). Mortality rate was 6.41%. A significant correlation of mortality with case positivity (p=0.003) with relative risk of 1.06 (rr=1.06, 95CI: 1.008-1.13). Three out of 5 of the COVID-19 positive deceased had cardiac diseases and 2/5 had respiratory disease/viral pneumonia. Using Kaplan Meir test, the survival graphs of COVID positive vs COVID negative cases had similar pattern that shows the mortality rate in the positive cases was not solely due to COVID-19, but has aggravated the pre-existing illness to cause death.

Conclusion: The mortality rate was 6.41%, more in age>55 years (80%) and almost all the deceased had chronic co-morbid conditions like CAD, CCF and COPD at time of presentation. COVID-19 is not the sole killer, it contributes killing in immune-deficient patients.
Metal‐Catalyzed Hydroboration Reactions of Alkyne and Subsequent Asymmetric Transformation
Authors: Guo Jun , Lu Zhan
Published: September 2020

Hydroboration of alkynes provides a most straightforward, atom‐economical, and convenient methodology to access alkenylboronic esters which have a wide range of applications in organic synthesis. Several efficient successful metal‐catalyzed methods have been developed for selective hydroboration of alkynes through steric and electronic effects, as well as through efficient design of the nature of the ligand coordinating the metal. This chapter mainly covers the metal‐catalyzed hydroboration reactions of alkynes and subsequent asymmetric transformations (such as hydrogenation, hydroboration, hydrosilylation, and hydroallylation).
The Chemistry of Boron Enolate: Synthesis and Reactivity
Authors: Abiko Atsushi
Published: September 2020

Fifty years have passed since the first boron enolate appeared in the literature. Important paradigm shifting achievements were frequent in this subject. In the 1970s, Mukaiyama demonstrated the applicability of boron enolates in directed aldol reactions. In the 1980s, Masamune and Evans independently developed highly efficient and practical asymmetric aldol reactions to provide powerful tools in organic synthesis. Significance of these achievements includes the establishment of the new concept of double asymmetric synthesis as a reliable tool for controlling stereochemistry. Since the 1990s, transition metals are introduced to organoboron chemistry, and the scope of the boron enolate chemistry has been expanded. The feasibility of using boron compounds in transition metal chemistry has been widely demonstrated, including in the isolation of
C
‐bound boron enolates. The
C
‐bound boron enolates, which used to be considered as transient species, are now recognized as important players in the boron enolate chemistry.

Advances of the preparation of boron enolates and their applications to organic synthesis are reviewed.
Physical Activity Patterns in People With Inflammatory Arthritis Indicate They Have not Received Recommendation‐Based Guidance From Health Care Providers
Authors: Freid Lauren M. , Ogdie Alexis , Baker Joshua F.
Published: September 2020

Objective

Objectives of this study were to describe exercise patterns among patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) in four recommended domains (Aerobic, Resistance, Flexibility, Balance), identify exercise barriers and facilitators, and explore patients’ perceptions of interactions with rheumatology providers about exercise.

Methods

Patients with IA at a single academic medical center were invited to complete a survey about exercise. Patients were recruited for a paper‐based survey prior to appointments or a web‐based study through the electronic health record if they had been seen in the practice within the past year. Respondents reporting minimum aerobic exercise plus at least one other domain were categorized as “Active,” and the remaining as “Inactive.” Survey responses were compared between groups.

Results

Of 1113 invited, 108 completed the survey. Among these, 60 (56%) reported aerobic exercise, 44 (41%) flexibility, 42 (39%) resistance, and 18 (17%) balance. Forty‐three (40%) were categorized as active, 65 (60%) inactive. The active group had lower body mass index, lower reported disease activity, and fewer comorbidities. Active patients reported more self‐efficacy, prioritized exercise, improved energy, exercising for weight control, and exercise before arthritis diagnosis (all P < .05). The inactive group cited finances, pain, fatigue, and potentially worsening arthritis as barriers (all P < .05). Most understood the benefits of exercise. Few perceived that exercise recommendations were addressed by their providers.

Conclusion

Approximately half of patients reported regular aerobic exercise; fewer regularly engaged in other types of physical activity. Patients do not perceive they have received exercise guidance from providers, which suggests an opportunity for more prescriptive exercise discussions.
Building Functional Memories and Logic Circuits with 2D Boron Nitride
Authors: Liu Xiao‐Tong , Chen Jin‐Rui , Wang Yan , Han Su‐Ting , Zhou Ye
Published: September 2020

The fast development of synthesis routes and preparation technology of 2D materials has motivated a rapid growth in the micro‐ and nanoelectronic memory devices, which gives rise to the breakthroughs in the semiconductor research area. Hexagon boron nitride (h‐BN) with excellent chemical, mechanical, and optical properties has been proven to have potential in overcoming the scaling limit to nanometer, and even sub‐nanometer lengths to replace the use of thick and stiff blocking dielectrics in two‐terminal or three‐terminal devices. The use of atomically thin h‐BN or h‐BN van der Waals heterostructures (vdWhs) can improve the reliability, capability, and functionality of memory devices. This is an encouraging strategy toward high‐density on‐chip integrated circuits, which has recently earned considerable interest. While the research in h‐BN material properties and characterization is comprehensively verified, specified mechanisms of resistive switching have not been analyzed in‐depth. Moreover, recent concern about novel structure design and expanding applications in electronics, optoelectronics, and spintronics has arisen. In this review, recent progress in h‐BN memories with volatile or nonvolatile properties is presented, expanding the memories to functional applications, and further challenges of the development of h‐BN‐based memories and logic circuits are discussed.
End‐Group Functionalization of Non‐Fullerene Acceptors for High External Quantum Efficiency over 150 000% in Photomultiplication Type Organic Photodetectors
Authors: Yoon Seongwon , Lee Gyeong Seok , Sim Kyu Min , Kim Myeong‐Jong , Kim Yun‐Hi , Chung Dae Sung
Published: September 2020

Photomultiplication‐type organic photodetectors (PM‐OPDs) with high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of over 100% are attracting increasing attention due to their potential importance in detecting weak incident light. Considering that the gain of PM‐OPD is determined by the ratio of carrier lifetime over carrier transit time, a systematic study on the effect of the end‐functionalization of a new extended aromatic fused‐ring non‐fullerene acceptor (NFA) on the carrier trap/transit time of the PM‐OPD. Photophysical analyses by means of ultraviolet‐visible absorption, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and photoluminescence combined with structural analyses through grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering show that fluorination of the NFA with the deepest lowest unoccupied molecular orbital level and non‐isotropic molecular ordering can yield the longest carrier lifetime. Furthermore, surface energy study show that fluorination of the NFA can also yield the most hydrophobic nature, which can allow the most efficient injection barrier thinning/lowering of the active layer/cathode interface under illumination due to the localized acceptor distribution toward cathode, maximizing the hole injection efficiency from cathode. As a result, an unprecedentedly high EQE of 156 000% is obtained from the optimized PM‐OPD. This work shows the importance of the molecular design of acceptor molecules in fabricating high‐performance PM‐OPDs.
Designing Hypoxia‐Responsive Nanotheranostic Agents for Tumor Imaging and Therapy
Authors: Zhou Huige , Qin Fenglan , Chen Chunying
Published: September 2020

Hypoxia, a common feature of most solid tumors, plays an important role in tumor proliferation, metastasis, and invasion, leading to drug, radiation, and photodynamic therapy resistance, and resulting in a sharp reduction in the disease‐free survival rate of tumor patients. The lack of sufficient blood supply to the interior regions of tumors hinders the delivery of traditional drugs and contrast agents, interfering with their accumulation in the hypoxic region, and preventing efficient theranostics. Thus, there is a need for the fabrication of novel tumor theranostic agents that overcome these obstacles. Reports, in recent years, of hypoxia‐responsive nanomaterials may provide with such means. In this review, a comprehensive description of the physicochemical and biological characteristics of hypoxic tumor tissues is provided, the principles of designing the hypoxia‐responsive tumor theranostic agents are discussed, and the recent research into hypoxia‐triggered nanomaterials is examined. Additionally, other hypoxia‐associated responsive strategies, the current limitations, and future prospects for hypoxia‐responsive nanotheranostic agents in tumor treatment are discussed.
Biodegradable Inorganic Nanostructured Biomaterials for Drug Delivery
Authors: Cai An‐Yong , Zhu Ying‐Jie , Qi Chao
Published: September 2020

Biodegradable inorganic drug nanocarriers are widely investigated for efficient drug delivery with enhanced bioavailability and reduced side effects. An ideal drug nanocarrier should have high biocompatibility and good biodegradability to ensure high biosafety for applications in vivo. Many inorganic drug carriers including silica, metals, metal oxides, carbon‐based materials are difficult to degrade, which may cause toxicity and restrict their clinical applications. Fortunately, biomineral‐based drug nanocarriers including calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium silicate, etc. exhibit high biocompatibility and good biodegradability because they are the main inorganic constituents of biological hard tissues, and they can participate in the normal metabolism of the living body by dissolving into nontoxic ions. Thus, biomineral‐based nanostructured materials are ideal biodegradable nanocarriers with high biocompatibility for drug delivery, and they are promising for clinical applications. In this review article, the recent advances of synthetic biomineral‐based drug nanocarriers are discussed, and their characteristics, preparation, drug loading, and drug release, as well as their drug‐delivery applications are highlighted. Finally, an outlook for the main future research directions and potential clinical applications of the synthetic biomineral‐based drug nanocarriers is given.
Sessile Microdroplet‐Based Writing Board for Patterning of Structural Colored Hydrogels
Authors: Zhang Jing , Qin Yipeng , Shen Yu , Jiang Chao , Tao You‐Tian , Chen Su , Xu Ben Bin , Yu Ziyi
Published: September 2020

The patterning of structural colored materials has a significant impact on various applications such as flexible displays, anti‐counterfeiting patches, colorimetric sensors, etc. Herein, a sessile microdroplet‐based writing board is presented to pattern magnetochromatic hydrogels with abundant structural colors and improved optical performance. It is demonstrated that predesigned hydrophilic patterns on a hydrophobic writing board can capture a mixture of polymer and Fe3O4@SiO2 magnetic nanoparticles inks with a spatial resolution of ≈100 pin per 1 cm2 while retaining magnetic field responsibility to the lower limit of 84 Gs. The inks are self‐partitioned into microdroplet arrays, which would in situ transform into structural colored hydrogels within a short time via thiol‐Michael addition. In contrast to conventional evaporation induced assembly of colloidal photonic crystals in sessile droplets, the resulting structural colored hydrogel microarrays show not only good stability and optical adjustability but tunable morphologies. In addition, the introduction of the microfluidic mixing and ink dispensing system greatly shortens the time interval from the polymer mixing to sessile droplet generation, circumvents the challenge of short operation time for the self‐crosslinking ink components, and enables the direct handwriting of high quality structural colored patterns.
Impact of Na Doping on the Carrier Transport Path in Polycrystalline Flexible Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 Solar Cells
Authors: Jeong Woo‐Lim , Kim Kyung‐Pil , Kim Juran , Park Ha Kyung , Min Jung‐Hong , Lee Je‐Sung , Mun Seung‐Hyun , Kim Sung‐Tae , Jang Jae‐Hyung , Jo William , Lee Dong‐Seon
Published: September 2020

It is well‐known that the alkali doping of polycrystalline Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) and Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 has a beneficial influence on the device performance and there are various hypotheses about the principles of performance improvement. This work clearly explains the effect of Na doping on the fill factor (FF) rather than on all of the solar cell parameters (open‐circuit voltage, FF, and sometimes short circuit current) for overall performance improvement. When doping is optimized, the fabricated device shows sufficient built‐in potential and selects a better carrier transport path by the high potential difference between the intragrains and the grain boundaries. On the other hand, when doping is excessive, the device shows low contact potential difference and FF and selects a worse carrier transport path even though the built‐in potential becomes stronger. The fabricated CZTSSe solar cell on a flexible metal foil optimized with a 25 nm thick NaF doping layer achieves an FF of 62.63%, thereby clearly showing the enhancing effect of Na doping.
Hierarchically Designed Light Trapping Films for All‐Day Operating Semitransparent Photovoltaics
Authors: Lee Junghwa , Moon Yoon‐Jong , Cho Junhee , Park Sangpil , Baek Seunghun , Nam Minwoo , Kim Sun‐Kyung , Ko Doo‐Hyun
Published: September 2020

Highly efficient light‐trapping polymer films are designed to enhance the photocurrent of semitransparent organic photovoltaics (ST‐OPVs) in indoor and outdoor conditions. An asymmetric‐reflection film fabricated through the novel combination of randomly arranged nanostructures with periodically assembled microstructures exhibits selectivity for the direction of incident light. The film effectively traps light within the device by selectively reflecting light that escapes from the inside out. Moreover, this light‐trapping effect is maximized by attaching the films to both sides of the bifacial ST‐OPVs operating under solar and indoor sources, simultaneously. Accordingly, the light‐trapping polymer film platform presents short‐circuit current density (  JSC) enhancement of ST‐OPVs by 13.49% and 46.19% under air mass 1.5G and light‐emitting diodes (1000 lux) illumination, respectively, and provides new opportunities for ST‐OPVs in a variety of practical applications.
Interwoven Nanowire Based On‐Chip Asymmetric Microsupercapacitor with High Integrability, Areal Energy, and Power Density
Authors: Yang Wei , Zhu Yuxuan , Jia Zhuofei , He Liang , Xu Lin , Meng Jiashen , Tahir Muhammad , Zhou Zixin , Wang Xuewen , Mai Liqiang
Published: September 2020

On‐chip microsupercapacitors (MSC) with facile fabrication procedures, high integration design, and superior performance are desired as an energy storage device for microelectronics. Hence, a novel procedure is proposed to fabricate an asymmetric microsupercapacitor (AMSC), employing interwoven nanowire (NW) network electrodes of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) coated titanium oxynitride (P‐TiON) and vanadium nitride (VN) NW as a cathode and an anode, respectively. The interwoven NWs with a high mass loading offer a sufficient electrochemical reaction area and rapid electron/ion transport pathway, delivering superior energy and power densities. With the LiCl/polyvinyl alcohol electrolyte, the assembled P‐TiON//VN AMSC can achieve a wide voltage window from 0 to 1.8 V with an excellent areal capacitance of 72 mF cm−2, a high areal energy density of 32.4 μWh cm−2 (at 0.9 mW cm−2), an outstanding power density of 45 mW cm−2 (at 21.9 μWh cm−2), and a good cycling performance. Furthermore, the substrate‐free electrodes exhibit outstanding integrability, and the system on one printed circuit board including two AMSCs in series and a LED demonstrates excellent practicability.
Engineering the Conductive Network of Metal Oxide‐Based Sulfur Cathode toward Efficient and Longevous Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Wang Jiayi , Li Gaoran , Luo Dan , Zhang Yongguang , Zhao Yan , Zhou Guofu , Shui Lingling , Wang Xin , Chen Zhongwei
Published: September 2020

The rational design of sulfur cathode structure to suppress shuttling behaviors and expedite the conversion kinetics of polysulfides plays an essential role for the practical implementation of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. In this work, a unique consecutive and oxygen‐deficient niobium oxide (Nb2O5−x) framework featured with 3D ordered macroporous (3DOM) architecture and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) embedding is developed, which serves as a high‐performance sulfur immobilizer and catalytic promoter for polysulfide conversion. The 3DOM architecture affords a robust porous and open framework that favors electrolyte infiltration for fast ion/mass transfer, as well as interface exposure for massive host–guest interactions. More importantly, CNTs are designed as “antennae” embedded within the Nb2O5−x skeleton, which not only contributes to a highly conductive framework but also intensifies the oxygen deficiency with enhanced sulfur immobilization and reaction catalyzation. Benefiting from these advanced features, Li–S cells based on S‐Nb2O5−x/CNTs cathode achieve excellent cyclability with a high capacity retention of 847 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles and remarkable rate capability with 741 mAh g−1 at 5 C. Moreover, a high areal capacity of 6.07 mAh cm−2 can also be achieved under a high sulfur loading of 6 mg cm−2, illustrating great potential in the development of practical Li–S batteries.
Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution of Ultrathin Co‐Mo5N6 Heterojunction with Interfacial Electron Redistribution
Authors: Lin Fei , Dong Zihao , Yao Yihang , Yang Lei , Fang Fang , Jiao Lifang
Published: September 2020

Modulating nitrogen‐rich nitrides with favorable electron structure to enhance hydrogen production activity is challenging due to thermodynamically unfavorable characteristics. Herein, an ultrathin heterojunction of metallic Co and nitrogen‐rich nitride (Co‐Mo5N6) is prepared through the ammonia annealing process as a robust electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Density functional theory simulations and experiments reveal that the obtained Co‐Mo5N6 enables electron redistribution between the nitrogen‐rich phase and Co for more negative H2O adsorption energy, decreasing the subsequent energetic barrier of dissociation (0.05 eV) and optimizing H* absorption (ΔGH* = 0.1 eV). The structure is connected by nanosheet (≈1.2 nm) building blocks with abundant interstitial spaces, open and connective channels, and strong capillary forces, which accelerate mass transfer and electrical conductivity. The Co‐Mo5N6 exhibits excellent HER activity with an extremely low overpotential of 19 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and Tafel slope of 29.0 mV dec−1. Notably, the required overpotential is only 280 mV to achieve a high current density of 1000 mA cm−2 which is better than commercial Pt/C. This work not only improves the understanding of the catalytic activity and the electron redistribution of nitrogen‐rich nitrides, but also presents a new strategy to design other nitrogen‐rich metal nitrides (such as W2N3, Ta5N6).
Sustainable Nanoplasmon‐Enhanced Photoredox Reactions: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications
Authors: Bhattacharya Chirasmita , Saji Sandra Elizabeth , Mohan Akhil , Madav Vasudeva , Jia Guohua , Yin Zongyou
Published: September 2020

Plasmonic materials with their unique properties, such as light‐excitable resonant oscillation of conduction electrons, strong local electric field, and energetic hot charges (electrons/holes) etc., have overcome the limitations of traditional photoredox catalysts. They are especially important due to their superior light focusing ability, from free‐space wavelengths to the sub‐wavelength range. Although noble metal plasmonic enhancement has been recognized as one of the most important strategies in photocatalysis, the high cost and limited spectral range absorption of noble metals remain the biggest challenges for their practical application, which has led to a gradual shift in the focus on the abundant and less expensive non‐noble metal plasmonics. Recently, various non‐noble plasmonic materials such as non‐noble metals (Cu, Al, Ni and Bi), metal oxides and chalcogenides (WO3‐x, MoO3‐x, NiO, MNbO3, where M = Ca, Sr or Ba; Fe2O3, SrTiO3, In2O3, Cu2‐xS and Bi2Se3), nitrides (TiN, ZrN, HfN and WN) have emerged as efficient photocatalysts. Herein, the door to the relatively new and exciting world of noble metal‐free plasmonic materials and their promising applicability in solar‐energy driven photo‐redox catalysis such as water splitting, CO2 reduction, nitrogen reduction, organic transformations and environment remediation is opened. Their synthesis methods and a plethora of characterization techniques are also systematically exhibited.
Reflections on a Career as an Industrial Organization and International Economist
Authors: Sheldon Ian M.
Published: September 2020

In this article, I reflect on my career in the agricultural economics profession as a researcher who has focused predominantly on the synthesis of two fields in economics: industrial organization and international trade. In that context, I consider my main contribution to have been in analyzing the impact of public policy where imperfect competition matters in the food and agricultural marketing system, be it in either the horizontal or vertical market dimensions. In addition, I have also paid considerable attention to incorporating market structure into empirical analysis of food and agricultural trade.
The Multifaceted Impact of COVID‐19 on the Female Academic Emergency Physician: A National Conversation
Authors: Das Devjani , Lall Michelle D. , Walker Laura , Dobiesz Valerie , Lema Penelope , Agrawal Pooja
Published: September 2020

COVID‐19 has impacted all health care professionals in every aspect of life. Female academic emergency physicians have been uniquely affected and continue to face challenges related to clinical workloads, work–life integration, academic productivity, leadership and visibility within departments, and mental health. This white paper, prepared on behalf of the Academy for Women in Academic Emergency Medicine (AWAEM), describes the differential impact of COVID‐19 on female academic emergency physicians explored during a virtual panel discussion at the 2020 Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Annual Meeting. AWAEM convened a virtual panel of women to begin a discussion to share experiences and challenges and formulate consensus guidelines regarding best practices and mitigation strategies. The authors describe the unique ways in which female academic physicians have been affected, identify ongoing and intensified gender gaps, and delineate strategies to address the identified problems. Specific recommendations include individual, as well as, institutional and systems‐level approaches to combat the inequities.
A computational approach to characterize formation of a passivation layer in lithium metal anodes
Authors: Sitapure Niranjan , Lee Hyeonggeon , Ospina‐Acevedo Francisco , Balbuena Perla B. , Hwang Sungwon , Kwon Joseph Sang‐II
Published: September 2020

Li metal anode is the “Holy Grail” material of advanced Lithium‐ion‐batteries (LIBs). However, it is plagued by uncontrollable dendrite growth resulting in poor cycling efficiency and short‐circuiting of batteries. This has spurred a plethora of research to understand the underlying mechanism of dendrite formation. While experimental studies suggest that there are complex physical and chemical interactions between heterogeneous solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) and dendrite growth, most of the studies do not reveal the mechanisms triggering these interactions. To deal with this knowledge gap, we propose a multiscale modeling framework which couples kinetic Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics simulations. Specifically, the model has been developed to account for (a) heterogeneous SEI, (b) dendrite‐SEI interactions, and (c) effect of electrolyte on Li electrodeposition and potential dendrite formation. This allows the proposed computational model to be extended to various electrolytes and SEI species and generate results consistent with previous experimental studies.
Implementing and Sustaining SHARE: An Exposure‐Based Psychotherapy Group for Incarcerated Women Survivors of Sexual Violence
Authors: Zielinski Melissa J. , Allison M. Kathryn , Roberts Lindsey T. , Karlsson Marie E. , Bridges Ana J. , Kirchner JoAnn E.
Published: September 2020

Although incarcerated women are a highly victimized population, therapy for sexual violence victimization (SVV) sequela is not routinely offered in prison. SHARE is a group therapy for SVV survivors that was successfully implemented and sustained in a women’s correction center. Here, we aimed to identify implementation factors and strategies that led to SHARE’s success and describe incarcerated women’s perspectives on the program. We conducted a retrospective process evaluation using interviews structured according to EPIS, a well‐established implementation science framework. Participants (N = 22) were incarcerated women, members of the SHARE treatment team, and members of the correction center’s leadership, therapeutic team, and volunteer program. Factors that facilitated SHARE implementation varied by EPIS phase and organization. Positive inter‐organizational and interpersonal relationships were key across phases, as were the synergies between both the strengths and needs of each organization involved in implementation. Incarcerated women reported a strong need for SHARE and did not report any concerns about receiving trauma therapy in a carceral setting. Therapy for SVV sequelae, including exposure‐based therapy, is possible to implement and sustain in carceral settings. Community–academic partnerships may be a particularly feasible way to expand access to SVV therapy for incarcerated women.