bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytomorphological Spectrum of Thyroid Lesions Based on Bethesda Reporting System: Diagnostic Utility and Pitfalls
Authors: Bajaj Naval Kishore , Mulukutla Akarsh Partha
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is the frontline diagnostic tool in assessing Thyroid enlargement. FNAC is simple, easy to perform, cost effective procedure with rapid diagnosis. Other diagnostic tests like Ultrasound, radionucleotide scanning, Thyroid profile are adjuvant to FNAC which is more reliable. Aim: To categorise the spectrum of Thyroid lesions on FNAC according to the Bethesda system for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) and study its utility and pitfalls. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study carried out in the Department of Pathology at Government Medical College/Government General Hospital, Mahabubnagar, Telangana, India, from January 2019 to December 2021. The analysis of the data was done from January 2022 to June 2022. FNAC and fine needling was performed in cases of enlarged Thyroid gland, the smears were prepared and fixed in 95% ethyl alcohol, stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin and Papanicolaou stain. Cytohistopathological concordance was done wherever was possible. Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive Predictive value, Negative Predictive value were calculated. Results: Out of 155 cytology cases, 8 cases (5.16%) were unsatisfactory/nondiagnostic, 133 cases (85.80%) were Benign lesions, 8 cases (5.16%) were follicular neoplasm/ suspicious for follicular neoplasm, No cases were reported as Atypia of undetermined significance, 3 cases (1.93%) were suspicious for malignancy and 3 cases (1.93%) were malignant. Cytohistopathological concordance was studied in 19 cases. One of the case reported on cytology as Anaplastic carcinoma was referred to higher center for further management. Conclusions: FNAC plays a pivotal role in diagnosis of Thyroid Swellings. The Bethesda system for reporting Thyroid Cytopathology effectively categorises the Thyroid lesions into various sub groups which facilitates better communication between the pathologist and clinician resulting in proper management of the patient. In this study, the number of Benign cases predominated and occurred in females. Cases presenting with nodular lesions, suspicious for malignancy and malignant lesions are advised surgical resection for further evaluation. The Bethesda system was found useful in categorisation of lesions and in advising medical or surgical management, urgency of treatment and the extent of surgery.
PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF BABOOL (ACACIA ARABICA WILLD.): A REVIEW
Authors: Mehra Neha , Pradhan Shailendra , Singh Mithilesh
Published: May 2023

The Ayurvedic drug Babool, botanically identified as Acacia arabica Willd., is a synonym of Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile and Mimosa arabica Lam. Babool (Acacia arabica Willd.) belongs to the family Mimosaceae. Its Habitat is in dry and sandy localities. In Ayurveda, it contains sthambana (refrigeration), shoshana and sangrahi properties and it is applied in sweta Pradara (leucorrhoea), Atisara (diarrhoea), Prameha (diabetes) and many other diseases. It shows astringent, cooling, styptic, ex­pectorant, demulcent, antimicrobial, antibacterial, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetics, and a wide range of useful properties for the welfare of mankind. The current study attempts to provide an up-to-date snapshot with full exploitation of all plant parts along with the literature survey of ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacological uses of Babool (Acacia arabica Willd.).
Nutritive and Antioxidant Properties of Cocoa Placenta Obtained from Cocoa Varieties Grown in Lodjiboua (Côte d’Ivoire)
Authors: Fabrice Zoro Armel , Fulbert Oussou Kouamé , Abdoulaye Touré
Published: May 2023

Cocoa placenta obtained after the removal of beans is a huge cocoa farm by-product usually regarded as waste by farmers. In order to contribute to their wider valorization, placenta of three varieties cocoa to know forastero, criollo and national (hybrid variety) have focused our attention. After fermentation of the placentas for 6 days, they were dried in an oven at 50° C. for 72 hours. The nutritive properties of cocoa placenta studied has give the follow results:   ash (6.00 - 9.40%), proteins (7.50 - 11.40%), lipids (2.80 - 6.60%), fibers (26.20 - 36.70%) and total sugar (9.60 - 16.10%). The mineral elements contents were high with remarkable amount of K (1063.50 - 1645.12 mg/100g), Mg (196.70 - 246.89 mg/100g), Ca (96.20 - 128.41 mg/100g) and Fe (1.45 - 8.40 mg/100g). Regarding antioxidant properties, these cocoa placenta also contained appreciable levels of polyphenols (176.90 - 301.40 mgGAE/Kg), flavonoids (24.60 - 79.60 mgECE/Kg) and tannins (5.90 - 21.80 mg/Kg). The studied cocoa placenta antioxidant activity varying from 9.50 - 24.40 mmolTEq/Kg for DPPH (2.2- Diphenyl 1- picrylhydrazyl) and 22.90 - 64.30 mmolTEq/Kg for ABTS (Acide 2.2-azino-bis (3-éthylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonique).  The results of the present study clearly demonstrate that cocoa placenta is a potential by-product that need could be used in animal feed or human food formulation.
The Effect of Fundamental Factors in Pandemic Context on Earnings Response Coefficient
Authors: Indrawati Selvi , Septiyanti Ratna , Dharma Fitra
Published: May 2023

Fundamental factors are important factors for investors in viewing the condition of the company. Especially the Earnings Response Coefficient is the interesting indicator for investors to watch. This study aims to analyze empirical evidence of firm size, Debt Equity Ratio, and Price Book Value from the company's fundamental factors on the Earnings Response Coefficient. The population in this study are Food, Beverage & Hotel Companies on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the 2018-2021 period. Sampling in this study used a purposive sampling method which resulted in as many as 116 research samples. The analysis technique uses multiple linear regression analysis. The results of the Firm Size test had a significant effect on the Earnings Response Coefficient (ERC). The results of the Debt Equity Ratio (DER) test had a significant effect on the Earnings Response Coefficient (ERC). The results of the Price Book Value (PBV) test had a significant effect on the Earnings Response Coefficient (ERC). Meanwhile, when the Pandemic Covid-19 the test results had not a significant effect on Earnings Response Coefficient (ERC).
Performance Evaluation of Wheat Crop under Sprinkler Irrigation System in Southern Haryana
Authors: Walia Indu , Kumar Sanjay , S. Manasa M. , Bajwan Aarti
Published: May 2023

The paper examines the performance of wheat crop under sprinkler irrigation system in Southern Haryana. For the selection of sample farmers, multistage random sampling technique was used. At the first stage, two districts namely Bhiwani and Rewari were selected purposively due to high rate of adoption of sprinkler irrigation system. At the second stage, again two blocks from each district were selected purposively and at the third stage two village from each block and fifteen farmers from each village were then selected randomly. Primary data was taken from a total of 120 wheat farmers from various villages. The profitability of adopter farmers was analyzed using Benefit cost ratio concept. Information regarding cost and returns of wheat crop were gathered from sampled farmers for the year 2021-22 and the net return was worked out accordingly. The total variable cost incurred for cultivation of wheat accounted for ₹45958.36 and ₹45655.04 in Rewari and Bhiwani districts respectively. Total cost incurred was ₹86136.85 and ₹85178.89 in Rewari and Bhiwani district respectively. Farmers got higher net returns in Rewari district (₹18665.70) as compared to Bhiwani district (₹18547.61). The B:C ratio over total cost in Rewari, Bhiwani and overall were 1.21, 1.22 and 1.21 respectively.
Economical Communication and Finance for Evolving Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): The Hope & Inevitability for a Prosperous Rural Odisha
Authors: Acharya Saumyesh , Acharya S. K. , Mandal T. K. , Mohanty B. K. , Das Shaktiranjan
Published: May 2023

Farmer producer organizations (FPOs) help reduce risk, improve new corridors for entrepreneurship, and a new institutional expanse for redefining the value of agriculture for the 21st century. This organization has got the ability to usher a perennial impact on the farm community essential for their evolutionary growth. Economical communication of FPO members has been the driving force for further institutional growth and expansion both by time and space. This study aimed to estimate the inter and intra-level of interaction between sets of predicted variable, economical communication, and predictor variables (x1-x24) and to generate policy at the micro-level. The research design selected for the study was ex post facto design. One hundred (100) respondents were selected from two FPOs, fifty (50) from each FPO of Ranpur block of Nayagarh district of Odisha to conduct the study following the snowball sampling method. The correlation coefficients found that mean family education has been showcasing higher economical communication. Regression results implied that 24 causal variables together have contributed 66.70 percent of the variance in the consequent variable, economical communication (y). The results of path analysis revealed that the variable size of holding has got the highest indirect effect on economical communication. This empirical study has got tremendous policy implications for Odisha and anywhere in India as well.
Effect of Micronutrients on Growth and Yield of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)
Authors: Ch. Lakshmi Sowmya , Mehera Biswarup , Devalla Dakshyani , Kobagappu Maniratnam , Kavuri Pradeep Kumar
Published: May 2023

The field experiment was conducted during Zaid season 2022 at experimental field of Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Prayagraj and Uttar Pradesh, India. The soil of experimental plot was sandy loam in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH7.3), low in organic carbon (0.48%), available nitrogen (230 kg/ha), available phosphorus (13.60 kg/ha) and available potassium (215.4 kg/ha). The treatments consist of Zinc soil application (2.5,5 kg/ha) and Zinc foliar application (0.3, 0.6%) along Boron (0.3%) and Iron (0.3%) along with control. The experiment was layout in Randomized Block Design with ten treatments each replicated thrice. Higher plant height (185.19cm), maximum plant dry weight (92.86 g) and the yield attributes namely test weight (15.50g), grains/earhead (1297.67), grain yield (3.03t/ha), stover yield (4.16t/ha) was with treatment 9 [Zinc 2.5ka/ha + Zinc 0.3% + B 0.3% + Fe 0.3%].
Nondisordered Cannabis Use Among US Adolescents
Authors: Sultan Ryan S. , Zhang Alexander W. , Olfson Mark , Kwizera Muhire H. , Levin Frances R.
Published: May 2023

Importance

Cannabis use is increasingly viewed by adolescents as not harmful. Youths with cannabis use disorder (CUD) are recognized by clinicians as being at risk for adverse outcomes, yet little is known about the associations between subclinical cannabis use (ie, nondisordered cannabis use [NDCU]) and adverse psychosocial events.

Objective

To describe the prevalence and demographics of NDCU and to compare associations of cannabis use with adverse psychosocial events among adolescents with no cannabis use, NDCU, and CUD.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study used a nationally representative sample derived from the 2015 to 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Participants were adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, separated into 3 distinct groups: nonuse (no recent cannabis use), NDCU (recent cannabis use below diagnostic threshold), and CUD. Analysis was conducted from January to May 2022.

Exposures

CUD, NDCU, or cannabis nonuse. NDCU was defined as endorsing recent cannabis use but not meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) (DSM-5) CUD criteria. CUD was defined using DSM-5 criteria.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcomes were prevalence of adolescents meeting criteria for NDCU and associations between adverse psychosocial events and NDCU, adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

The 68 263 respondents (mean [SD] age, 14.5 [1.7] years; 34 773 [50.9%] males) included in the analysis represented an estimated yearly mean of 25 million US adolescents during 2015 to 2019. Among respondents, 1675 adolescents (2.5%) had CUD, 6971 adolescents (10.2%) had NDCU, and 59 617 adolescents (87.3%) reported nonuse. Compared with nonusers, individuals with NDCU had approximately 2 to 4 times greater odds of all adverse psychosocial events examined, including major depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.86; 95% CI, 1.67-2.08), suicidal ideation (aOR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.88-2.29), slower thoughts (aOR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.58-1.96), difficulty concentrating (aOR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.65-2.00), truancy (aOR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.67-2.16), low grade point average (aOR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.62-2.00), arrest (aOR, 4.15; 95% CI, 3.17-5.43), fighting (aOR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.80-2.31), and aggression (aOR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.79-2.62). Prevalence of adverse psychosocial events was greatest for adolescents with CUD (range, 12.6% to 41.9%), followed by NDCU (range, 5.2% to 30.4%), then nonuse (range, 0.8% to 17.3%).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study of US adolescents, past-year NDCU was approximately 4 times as prevalent as past-year CUD. A stepwise gradient association was observed for odds of adverse psychosocial events between adolescent NDCU and CUD. In the context of US normalization of cannabis use, prospective research into NDCU is necessary.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Unenhanced Computed Tomography for Evaluation of Acute Abdominal Pain in the Emergency Department
Authors: Shaish Hiram , Ream Justin , Huang Chenchan , Troost Jonathan , Gaur Sonia , Chung Ryan , Kim Sooah , Patel Hanisha , Newhouse Jeffrey H. , Khalatbari Shokoufeh , Davenport Matthew S.
Published: May 2023

Importance

Intravenous (IV) contrast medium is sometimes withheld due to risk of complication or lack of availability in patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) for abdominal pain. The risk from withholding contrast medium is understudied.

Objective

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of unenhanced abdominopelvic CT using contemporaneous contrast-enhanced CT as the reference standard in emergency department (ED) patients with acute abdominal pain.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was an institutional review board–approved, multicenter retrospective diagnostic accuracy study of 201 consecutive adult ED patients who underwent dual-energy contrast-enhanced CT for the evaluation of acute abdominal pain from April 1, 2017, through April 22, 2017. Three blinded radiologists interpreted these scans to establish the reference standard by majority rule. IV and oral contrast media were then digitally subtracted using dual-energy techniques. Six different blinded radiologists from 3 institutions (3 specialist faculty and 3 residents) interpreted the resulting unenhanced CT examinations. Participants included a consecutive sample of ED patients with abdominal pain who underwent dual-energy CT.

Exposure

Contrast-enhanced and virtual unenhanced CT derived from dual-energy CT.

Main outcome

Diagnostic accuracy of unenhanced CT for primary (ie, principal cause[s] of pain) and actionable secondary (ie, incidental findings requiring management) diagnoses. The Gwet interrater agreement coefficient was calculated.

Results

There were 201 included patients (female, 108; male, 93) with a mean age of 50.1 (SD, 20.9) years and mean BMI of 25.5 (SD, 5.4). Overall accuracy of unenhanced CT was 70% (faculty, 68% to 74%; residents, 69% to 70%). Faculty had higher accuracy than residents for primary diagnoses (82% vs 76%; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.83; 95% CI, 1.26-2.67; P = .002) but lower accuracy for actionable secondary diagnoses (87% vs 90%; OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.35-0.93; P < .001). This was because faculty made fewer false-negative primary diagnoses (38% vs 62%; OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.13-0.41; P < .001) but more false-positive actionable secondary diagnoses (63% vs 37%; OR, 2.11, 95% CI, 1.26-3.54; P = .01). False-negative (19%) and false-positive (14%) results were common. Interrater agreement for overall accuracy was moderate (Gwet agreement coefficient, 0.58).

Conclusion

Unenhanced CT was approximately 30% less accurate than contrast-enhanced CT for evaluating abdominal pain in the ED. This should be balanced with the risk of administering contrast material to patients with risk factors for kidney injury or hypersensitivity reaction.
Dendritic Cells as a Nexus for the Development of Multiple Sclerosis and Models of Disease
Authors: Alakhras Nada S. , Kaplan Mark H.
Published: May 2023

Multiple sclerosis (MS) results from an autoimmune attack on the central nervous system (CNS). Dysregulated immune cells invade the CNS, causing demyelination, neuronal and axonal damage, and subsequent neurological disorders. Although antigen‐specific T cells mediate the immunopathology of MS, innate myeloid cells have essential contributions to CNS tissue damage. Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) that promote inflammation and modulate adaptive immune responses. This review focuses on DCs as critical components of CNS inflammation. Here, evidence from studies is summarized with animal models of MS and MS patients that support the critical role of DCs in orchestrating CNS inflammation.
Porous 2D Catalyst Covers Improve Photoelectrochemical Water‐Oxidation Performance
Authors: Xie Guancai , Liu Xiaolong , Guo Beidou , Tan Ting , Gong Jian Ru
Published: April 2023

Confined catalysis under the cover of 2D materials has emerged as a promising approach for achieving highly effective catalysts in various essential reactions. In this work, a porous cover structure is designed to boost the interfacial charge and mass transfer kinetics of 2D‐covered catalysts. The improvement in catalytic performance is confirmed by the photoelectrochemical oxidation evolution reaction (OER) on a photoanode based on an n‐Si substrate modified with a NiOx thin‐film model electrocatalyst covered with a porous graphene (pGr) monolayer. Experimental results demonstrate that the pGr cover enhances the OER kinetics by balancing the charge and mass transfer at the photoanode and electrolyte interface compared to the intrinsic graphene cover and cover‐free control samples. Theoretical investigations further corroborate that the pore edges of the pGr cover boost the intrinsic catalytic activity of active sites on NiOx by reducing the reaction overpotential. Furthermore, the optimized pores, which can be easily controlled by plasma bombardment, allow oxygen molecules produced in the OER to pass through without peeling off the pGr cover, thus ensuring the structural stability of the catalyst. This study highlights the significant role of the porous cover structure in 2D‐covered catalysts and provides new insight into the design of high‐performance catalysts.
Toward High‐Performance Metal–Organic‐Framework‐Based Quasi‐Solid‐State Electrolytes: Tunable Structures and Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Dong Panpan , Zhang Xiahui , Hiscox William , Liu Juejing , Zamora Julio , Li Xiaoyu , Su Muqiao , Zhang Qiang , Guo Xiaofeng , McCloy John , Song Min‐Kyu
Published: May 2023

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been reported as promising materials for electrochemical applications owing to their tunable porous structures and ion‐sieving capability. However, it remains challenging to rationally design MOF‐based electrolytes for high‐energy lithium batteries. In this work, by combining advanced characterization and modeling tools, a series of nanocrystalline MOFs is designed, and the effects of pore apertures and open metal sites on ion‐transport properties and electrochemical stability of MOF quasi‐solid‐state electrolytes are systematically studied. It isdemonstrated that MOFs with non‐redox‐active metal centers can lead to a much wider electrochemical stability window than those with redox‐active centers. Furthermore, the pore aperture of MOFs is found to be a dominating factor that determines the uptake of lithium salt and thus ionic conductivity. The ab initio molecular dynamics simulations further demonstrate that open metal sites of MOFs can facilitate the dissociation of lithium salt and immobilize anions via Lewis acid–base interaction, leading to good lithium‐ion mobility and high transference number. The MOF quasi‐solid‐state electrolyte demonstrates great battery performance with commercial LiFePO4 and LiCoO2 cathodes at 30 °C. This work provides new insights into structure–property relationships between tunable structure and electrochemical properties of MOFs that can lead to the development of advanced quasi‐solid‐state electrolytes for high‐energy lithium batteries.
Energy Storage Mechanism in Supercapacitors with Porous Graphdiynes: Effects of Pore Topology and Electrode Metallicity
Authors: Mo Tangming , Wang Zhenxiang , Zeng Liang , Chen Ming , Kornyshev Alexei A. , Zhang Mingcai , Zhao Yongqing , Feng Guang
Published: April 2023

Porous graphdiynes are a new class of porous 2D materials with tunable electronic structures and various pore structures. They have potential applications as well‐defined nanostructured electrodes and can provide platforms for understanding energy storage mechanisms underlying supercapacitors. Herein, the effect of stacking structure and metallicity on energy storage with such electrodes is investigated. Simulations reveal that supercapacitors based on porous graphdiynes of AB stacking structure can achieve both higher double‐layer capacitance and ionic conductivity than AA stacking. This phenomenon is ascribed to more intense image forces in AB stacking, leading to a breakdown of ionic ordering and the formation of effective “free ions”. Macroscale analysis shows that doped porous graphdiynes can deliver outstanding gravimetric and volumetric energy and power densities due to their enhanced quantum capacitance. These findings pave the way for designing high‐performance supercapacitors by regulating pore topology and metallicity of electrode materials.
An Ultrastable Self‐Assembled Antibacterial Nanospears Made of Protein
Authors: Dzuvor Christian K. O. , Shanbhag Bhuvana K. , Shen Hsin‐Hui , Haritos Victoria S. , He Lizhong
Published: April 2023

Protein‐based nanomaterials have broad applications in the biomedical and bionanotechnological sectors owing to their outstanding properties such as high biocompatibility and biodegradability, structural stability, sophisticated functional versatility, and being environmentally benign. They have gained considerable attention in drug delivery, cancer therapeutics, vaccines, immunotherapies, biosensing, and biocatalysis. However, so far, in the battle against the increasing reports of antibiotic resistance and emerging drug‐resistant bacteria, unique nanostructures of this kind are lacking, hindering their potential next‐generation antibacterial agents. Here, the discovery of a class of supramolecular nanostructures with well‐defined shapes, geometries, or architectures (termed “protein nanospears”) based on engineered proteins, exhibiting exceptional broad‐spectrum antibacterial activities, is reported. The protein nanospears are engineered via spontaneous cleavage‐dependent or precisely tunable self‐assembly routes using mild metal salt‐ions (Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+) as a molecular trigger. The nanospears’ dimensions collectively range from entire nano‐ to micrometer scale. The protein nanospears display exceptional thermal and chemical stability yet rapidly disassemble upon exposure to high concentrations of chaotropes (>1 mm sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)). Using a combination of biological assays and electron microscopy imaging, it is revealed that the nanospears spontaneously induce rapid and irreparable damage to bacterial morphology via a unique action mechanism provided by their nanostructure and enzymatic action, a feat inaccessible to traditional antibiotics. These protein‐based nanospears show promise as a potent tool to combat the growing threats of resistant bacteria, inspiring a new way to engineer other antibacterial protein nanomaterials with diverse structural and dimensional architectures and functional properties.
Microfluidics‐Enabled Nanovesicle Delivers CD47/PD‐L1 Antibodies to Enhance Antitumor Immunity and Reduce Immunotoxicity in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Su Zhenwei , Dong Shaowei , Chen Yao , Huang Tuxiong , Qin Bo , Yang Qinhe , Jiang Xingyu , Zou Chang
Published: May 2023

The CD47/PD‐L1 antibodies combination exhibits durable antitumor immunity but also elicits excessive immune‐related adverse events (IRAEs) caused by the on‐target off‐tumor immunotoxicity, hindering their clinical benefits greatly. Here, a microfluidics‐enabled nanovesicle using ultra‐pH‐sensitive polymer mannose‐poly(carboxybetaine methacrylate)‐poly(hydroxyethyl piperidine methacrylate) (Man‐PCB‐PHEP) is developed to deliver CD47/PD‐L1 antibodies (NCPA) for tumor‐acidity‐activated immunotherapy. The NCPA can specifically release antibodies in acidic environment, thereby stimulating the phagocytosis of bone marrow‐derived macrophages. In mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma, NCPA shows significantly improved intratumoral CD47/PD‐L1 antibodies accumulation, promoted tumor‐associated macrophages remodeling to antitumoral status, and increased infiltration of dendritic cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, resulting in more favorable treatment effect compared to those of free antibodies. Additionally, NCPA also shows less IRAEs, including anemia, pneumonia, hepatitis, and small intestinal inflammation in vivo. Altogether, a potent dual checkpoint blockade immunotherapy utilizing NCPA with enhanced antitumor immunity and reduced IRAEs is demonstrated.
Ferroptosis‐Enhanced Immunotherapy with an Injectable Dextran‐Chitosan Hydrogel for the Treatment of Malignant Ascites in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Meng Jingshu , Yang Xiao , Huang Jing , Tuo Zhan , Hu Yan , Liao Zhiyun , Tian Yu , Deng Suke , Deng Yue , Zhou Zhiyuan , Lovell Jonathan F. , Jin Honglin , Liu Yang , Yang Kunyu
Published: May 2023

Malignant ascites in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex clinical problem that lacks effective treatments. Due to the insensitivity of advanced HCC cells to traditional chemotherapies, low drug accumulation, and limited drug residence time in the peritoneal cavity, the therapeutic effects of malignant ascites in HCC are not satisfactory. In this study, an injectable hydrogel drug delivery system based on chitosan hydrochloride and oxidized dextran (CH‐OD) is designed to load sulfasalazine (SSZ), an FDA‐approved drug with ferroptosis‐inducing ability, for effective tumor‐killing and activation of anti‐tumor immunity. Compared to free SSZ, SSZ‐loaded CH‐OD (CH‐OD‐SSZ) hydrogel exhibits greater cytotoxicity and induces higher levels of immunogenic ferroptosis. In the preclinical model of hepatoma ascites, intraperitoneal administration of CH‐OD‐SSZ hydrogel can significantly suppress tumor progression and improve the immune landscape. Both in vitro and in vivo, CH‐OD‐SSZ hydrogel induces the repolarization of macrophages to an M1‐like phenotype and promotes the maturation and activation of dendritic cells. Combination treatment with CH‐OD‐SSZ hydrogel and anti‐programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) immunotherapy achieves more than 50% ascites regression and generates long‐term immune memory. Collectively, CH‐OD‐SSZ hydrogel exhibits promising therapeutic potential in the treatment of peritoneal dissemination and malignant ascites in advanced HCC, especially when combined with anti‐PD‐1 immunotherapy.
Tough and Robust Mechanically Interlocked Gel–Elastomer Hybrid Electrode for Soft Strain Gauge
Authors: Huang Jianren , Chen Anbang , Han Songjiu , Wu Qirui , Zhu Jundong , Zhang Jiayu , Chen Yujia , Liu Jiantao , Guan Lunhui
Published: May 2023

Soft strain gauges provide a flexible and versatile alternative to traditional rigid and inextensible gauges, overcoming issues such as impedance mismatch, the limited sensing range, and fatigue/fracture. Although several materials and structural designs are used to fabricate soft strain gauges, achieving multi‐functionality for applications remains a significant challenge. Herein, a mechanically interlocked gel–elastomer hybrid material is exploited for soft strain gauge. Such a material design provides exceptional fracture energy of 59.6 kJ m−2 and a fatigue threshold of 3300 J m−2, along with impressive strength and stretchability. The hybrid material electrode possesses excellent sensing performances under both static and dynamic loading conditions. It boasts a tiny detection limit of 0.05% strain, ultrafast time resolution of 0.495 ms, and high linearity. This hybrid material electrode can accurately detect full‐range human‐related frequency vibrations ranging from 0.5 to 1000 Hz, enabling the measurement of physiological parameters. Additionally, the patterned soft strain gauge, created through lithography, demonstrates superior signal–noise rate and electromechanical robustness against deformation. By integrating a multiple‐channel device, an intelligent motion detection system is developed, which can classify six typical human body movements with the assistance of machine learning. This innovation is expected to drive advancements in wearable device technology.
A Novel Time‐Saving Synthesis Approach for Li‐Argyrodite Superionic Conductor
Authors: Hwang Suk‐Ho , Seo Seung‐Deok , Kim Dong‐Wan
Published: May 2023

The wet‐chemical synthetic approach for Li‐argyrodite superionic conductors for all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs) is promising as it saves time, energy, and cost, while achieving scalable production. However, it faces certain commercialization issues such as byproduct generation, nucleophilic attack of the solvent, and long processing times. In this study, a facile and time‐saving microwave‐assisted wet synthesis (MW‐process) approach is proposed for Li6PS5Cl (LPSC), which is completed in 3 h at the precursor‐synthesis stage. The LPSC crystal obtained from the MW‐process presents various advantages such as fast‐PS43− generation, high solubility of LiCl, and low adverse effects from solvent molecules. These features help in achieving a high Li‐ion conductivity (2.79 mS cm−1) and low electric conductivity (1.85×10−6 mS cm−1). Furthermore, the LPSC crystal is stable when reacting with Li metal (2000 h at 0.1 mA cm−2) and exhibits superior cyclability with LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2 (NCM622) (145.5 mA h g−1 at 0.5 C, 200 cycles with 0.12% of capacity loss per cycle). The proposed synthetic approach presents new insights into wet‐chemical engineering for sulfide‐based solid‐electrolytes (SEs), which is crucial for developing ASSBs from a commercial‐scale perspective.
Ordered Electronic Reconstruction of the (112¯0$11\bar{2}0$) ZnO Single Crystal
Authors: Parmar Narendra S. , Yim Haena , Boatner Lynn A. , Sriboriboon Panithan , Kim Yunseok , Song Kyung , Choi Jung‐Hae , Yeu In Won , Choi Ji‐Won
Published: May 2023

Three‐dimensional (3D) charge‐written periodic peak and valley nanoarray surfaces are fabricated on a () ZnO single crystal grown via chemical vapor transport. Because the grown ZnO crystals exhibit uniform n‐type conduction, 3D periodic nanoarray patterns are formed via oxygen annealing. These periodically decorated structures show that the peak arrays are conducting at the nanoampere level, whereas the valley arrays are less conductive. Energy dispersive spectroscopy indicates that the valley arrays are deficient in zinc by ≈4–6 at%, and that the peak arrays are deficient in oxygen, respectively. Kelvin probe force microscopy reveals the presence of periodic wiggles featuring variations of ≈70–140‐meV between the peak and valley arrays. A significant decrease in the Fermi level of the valley region is observed (≈190 meV), which corresponds to a high zinc vacancy doping density of 2 × 1018 cm−3. This result indicates the periodic generation of an extremely large electric field (≈11 000 V cm−1) in the vicinity of the peak–valley arrays. Computational analysis corroborates the experimentally observed generation of
VZn and the preferential formation of surface protrusions on ZnO () rather than on (0001), based on surface effects, along with the generation of peak and valley features.
A Zinc Oxide Nanobeam Resonator for Ultrasensitivity Mass Detection
Authors: Wang Dazhi , Xu Pengfei , Cui Yichang , Zhang Yu , He Jianqiao , Lu Liangkun , Li Yikang , Chen Xiangji , Liu Chang , Li Peiran , Cui Yan , Suo Liujia
Published: May 2023

Nanomechanical resonators are expected to be exceptional sensors for high‐performance mass detection, mechanical sensing, and signal processing. In this paper, zinc oxide nanobeam resonators are produced based on single‐crystal ZnO nanowire, which has a typical diameter down to a few nanometers and the length of hundreds of micrometers. This resonator has the characteristics of high aspect ratio nanobeam structure and reliable material. It is observed that the resonance frequency of ZnO nanobeam resonator is up to 1.47 MHz with a high quality factor of 2300 at room temperature, which will play a key role in high‐sensitivity mass detection. The mass detection of ZnO nanobeam resonator is demonstrated by depositing platinum atoms on the middle of the beam, which shows a sensitivity of 11.13 Hz fg−1 indicating its ultrasensitive mass detection capability. In addition, according to the experiment, the molecular dynamics simulations for the resonator is established, which shows that the detection resolution down to 0.2 yg at room temperature can be realized based on this resonator. The results show that the ZnO nanobeam resonator has enormous potential in ultrasensitive detection for biosensing and gas sensing.
Terrace Engineering of the Buffer Layer: Laying the Foundation of Thick GaN Drift Layer on Si Substrates
Authors: Chen Zhenghao , Yang Xuelin , Liu Xuan , Shen Jianfei , Cai Zidong , Yang Hongcai , Fu Xingyu , Wang Maojun , Tang Ning , Xu Fujun , Wang Xinqiang , Ge Weikun , Shen Bo
Published: May 2023

Vertical GaN‐on‐Si devices are promising for the next‐generation high‐voltage power electronics with low cost and high efficiency. However, their applications are impeded by the limited thickness of crack‐free GaN layers and high threading dislocation density (TDD) in the layer. Buffer layers are crucial for stress control while they usually behave with poor surface morphology, which causes early stress relaxation in GaN and limited thickness. Hereby, a terrace engineering approach for the buffer layers is proposed. Through tuning the supersaturation ratio, the terrace width can be manipulated and an atomically smooth AlGaN buffer layer can be realized, which effectively reduces the compressive stress relaxation and provides a firm foundation for thick GaN growth. As a result, a 7.5 µm thick GaN drift layer with TDD as low as 8.6 × 107 cm−2is achieved on Si substrates. The room temperature electron mobility of the GaN drift layer can be raised up to 1210 cm2 V−1 s−1. The fabricated PiN diode shows a high breakdown voltage of 1058 V as well as a high on/off ratio of 1012. This work thus truly demonstrates the potential of high‐performance and low‐cost GaN‐based electronic as well as optoelectronic devices on Si platforms.
Biologically Assisted Construction of Advanced Electrode Materials for Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion
Authors: Guo Xingmei , Zhang Junhao , Yuan Lei , Xi Baojuan , Gao Fei , Zheng Xiangjun , Pan Ruiyu , Guo Liuyang , An Xuguang , Fan Tongxiang , Xiong Shenglin
Published: May 2023

Bio‐organisms with various architectures and versatile physiological functions provide a substantial bibliography for electrode design. To elucidate how bio‐organisms and bio‐schemes take effect in advanced electrode materials, this review sorts bio‐assisted construction into two categories, namely, biotemplating synthesis and biomimetic artificial fabrication. The former section summarizes unique characteristics of different biotemplates for electrode preparation, including “bottom‐up” structural designability of biomolecules, metabolism involving, and genetic alterable properties of biological cells, as well as, the structural regularity and integrity of bio‐tissues, with the aim to provide guidelines for manipulating bioarchitectures and endow biotemplating synthesis of electrodes with more designability. The later describes recent efforts in using bio‐prototypes to enhance the essential properties associated with advanced electrodes, including mechanical properties, wettability, mass transport, electron/charge transfer, and catalytic activity, with intensive concerns on the function principles of biomimetic designs in electrochemical systems. Then, advances in applications of bioderived and biomimetic electrode materials are summarized emphasizing how bio‐structures/components and bionic designs help to enhance the charging/discharging and electrocatalytic performance in specific electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems. Finally, future trends with prospects and challenges for developing new bioderived/biomimetic electrode materials, as well as, related conceptual innovation on bionics, are discussed in the last section.
Ion Flux Regulation through PTFE Nanospheres Impregnated in Glass Fiber Separators for Long‐Lived Lithium and Sodium Metal Batteries
Authors: Liu Yajie , Tai Zhixin , Rozen Ido , Yu Zhipeng , Lu Ziyu , LaGrow Alec P. , Bondarchuk Oleksandr , Chen Qingqing , Goobes Gil , Li Yi , Liu Lifeng
Published: May 2023

Practical implementation of alkali metal batteries currently still faces formidable challenges because of the dendrite growth upon continuous charge/discharge processes and the associated unstable solid–electrolyte interphase. Herein, it is reported that dendrites can be fundamentally mitigated in lithium and sodium metal batteries by regulating the Li+ and Na+ flux using a glass fiber (GF) separator impregnated with polytetrafluoroethylene nanospheres (PTFE‐NSs), which results in homogeneous deposition of Li and Na during charging. The COMSOL Multiphysics simulations reveal that the introduction of negatively charged PTFE‐NSs into the GF separator enhances the local electric field near the anode, thereby boosting the transfer of cations. It is demonstrated that Li//Li and Na//Na symmetric cells utilising a PTFE‐GF separator show outstanding cycle stability of 1245 and 2750 h, respectively, at 0.5 mA cm−2. Moreover, the Li//LiFePO4 and Na//Na3V2(PO4)2F3 full cells exhibit remarkably improved capacity retention when cycled at 1 C, in the presence of a PTFE‐GF separator. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies suggest that the impregnation of PTFE‐NSs into GF helps “liberate” more Li+ and Na+ and changes the coordination interaction between ions and solvents, contributing to the enhanced electrochemical performance.
Ultralong excimer phosphorescence by the self‐assembly and confinement of terpyridine derivatives in polymeric matrices
Authors: Yin Guangqiang , Lu Wei , Huang Jianxiang , Li Rui , Liu Depeng , Li Longqiang , Zhou Ruhong , Huo Guifei , Chen Tao
Published: April 2023

Ultralong organic room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) is attracting increasing attention due to its fascinating optical phenomena and wide applications. Among various RTP, excimer phosphorescence is of fundamental significance, but it remains a considerable challenge to achieve flexible, multicolor and large‐area excimer RTP materials, which should greatly advance the understanding and development of organic light‐emitting devices. Herein, we present ultralong excimer RTP films by the self‐assembly and confinement of terpyridine (Tpy) derivatives in polymeric matrices. Strikingly, the self‐assembly of Tpy derivatives induces the formation of excimer complexes, thus immensely minimizing singlet‐triplet splitting energy (ΔEST) to promote the intersystem crossing process. Furthermore, the confinement by multiple hydrogen bonding interactions as well as the compact aggregation of phosphors jointly suppresses the nonradiative transitions, leading to long‐lived excimer RTP (τ = 543.9 ms, 19,000‐fold improvements over the powder). On account of the outstanding afterglow performance and color‐tunability of RTP materials, flexible and large‐area films were fabricated for intelligent display, anticounterfeiting, and time‐resolved information encryption.
Energy expenditure and intensity of ritual jumping–dancing in male Maasai
Authors: Christensen Dirk L. , Westgate Kate , Griffiths Lewis , Sironga Joseph , Maro Venance P. , Helge Jørn W. , Larsen Steen , Bygbjerg Ib C. , Ramaiya Kaushik L. , Jensen Jorgen , Brage Soren
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Traditional jumping–dance rituals performed by Maasai men involve prolonged physical exertion that may contribute significantly to overall physical activity level. We aimed to objectively quantify the metabolic intensity of jumping–dance activity and assess associations with habitual physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF).

Methods

Twenty Maasai men (18–37 years) from rural Tanzania volunteered to participate in the study. Habitual physical activity was monitored using combined heart rate (HR) and movement sensing over 3 days, and jumping–dance engagement was self‐reported. A 1‐h jumping–dance session resembling a traditional ritual was organized, during which participants' vertical acceleration and HR were monitored. An incremental, submaximal 8‐min step test was performed to calibrate HR to physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and assess CRF.

Results

Mean (range) habitual PAEE was 60 (37–116) kJ day−1 kg−1, and CRF was 43 (32–54) mL O2 min−1 kg−1. The jumping–dance activity was performed at an absolute HR of 122 (83–169) beats·min−1, and PAEE of 283 (84–484) J min−1 kg−1 or 42 (18–75)% when expressed relative to CRF. The total PAEE for the session was 17 (range 5–29) kJ kg−1, ~28% of the daily total. Self‐reported engagement in habitual jumping–dance frequency was 3.8 (1–7) sessions/week, with a total duration of 2.1 (0.5–6.0) h/session.

Conclusions

Intensity during traditional jumping–dance activity was moderate, but on average sevenfold higher than habitual physical activity. These rituals are common, and can make a substantial contribution to overall physical activity in Maasai men, and thus be promoted as a culture‐specific activity to increase energy expenditure and maintain good health in this population.
Supporting survivors of institutional child sexual abuse during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A qualitative study of not‐for‐profit community and legal organisations in Greater Western Sydney
Authors: Butler Laura J. , Lawton Amy , Kalali Parisa
Published: May 2023

Before, during and since the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (2013–2017), not‐for‐profit community and legal services have been critical in supporting survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perspectives of community and legal service practitioners operating in Greater Western Sydney regarding the ongoing impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the service system for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 21 practitioners at 15 community and legal services. Through thematic analysis, the study identified five areas of concern regarding service provision and COVID‐19, including difficulties in navigating shifts to remote service delivery; changes in service accessibility; complications in accessing the National Redress Scheme; safety challenges for clients; and safety challenges for practitioners. The research identified a need for services to finesse frameworks that ensure remote services can be delivered safely for clients and practitioners alike. Priorities include adequate funding for technology and infrastructure, supporting survivors of abuse perpetrated online and encouraging effective coping strategies for practitioners who undertake trauma support work from home. Future research should consider how shifts to remote service delivery have impacted survivors of different demographic groups and the survivor support workforce.
Tobacco taxes as a community protective factor against cognitive decline in later life
Authors: Kalousova Lucie
Published: May 2023

INTRODUCTION

Prior work has suggested that encouraging smoking cessation could be an important tool for curbing later‐life cognitive decline and cognitive disparities. This study investigates whether higher cigarette taxes were associated with lower odds of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and lesser cognitive disparities.

METHODS

Using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data collected between 2019 and 2021, this study estimates logistic regression models predicting SCD by average state cigarette taxes in the last 5, 10, and 20 years, with gradual adjustment for sociodemographic and state characteristics.

RESULTS

The results show that higher cigarette taxes were associated with decreased odds of SCD only in models without adjustment. Among Hispanics only, higher taxes were associated with lower odds of SCD.

DISCUSSION

The lower rates of SCD in states with higher cigarette taxes could be explained by their different sociodemographic characteristics. Future research should explore the mechanisms that underlie the observed association among Hispanic Americans.
Remark on stability margin of Lur'e systems
Authors: Kim Yoonsoo
Published: May 2023

In a recent work, a definition of stability margin (gain and phase margins) for a class of nonlinear systems (Lur'e systems consisting of a linear time‐invariant (LTI) plant and a sector‐constrained nonlinearity) is proposed based on the famous circle criterion. This definition is indeed interesting because the concept of gain and phase margins has been largely limited to linear systems with a single input and a single output (SISO), but it was further established for Lur'e systems with a particular type of sector constraints (
, e.g., saturation). In this paper, the previously established concept is extended to cover Lur'e systems with a general type of sector constraints (
). It is, however, pointed out that in case of
, the definitions of phase margin based on the circle criterion can be misleading and need to be modified or replaced perhaps by a time‐delay margin for Lur'e systems including an integrator, for which the phase margin can be trivially zero.
Exploring the nature and prevalence of targeted violence perpetrated by persons found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder
Authors: F. E. Almond Madison , L. Nicholls Tonia , L. Petersen Karen , C. Seto Michael , G. Crocker Anne
Published: May 2023

Although mental illness has a demonstrated link with violence, the prevalence of targeted (planned and goal‐directed) violence perpetrated by individuals with mental illness and its association with psychiatric symptoms is relatively unexplored. File information was compared for all 293 individuals found not criminally responsible due to mental illness in British Columbia between 2001 and 2005, of whom 19% had committed targeted violence. Most individuals with targeted offenses displayed at least one warning behavior before their offense (93%); all displayed delusions and approximately one third exhibited hallucinations. Compared to individuals who perpetrated non‐targeted offenses, the individuals with targeted offenses displayed greater proportions of threats/criminal harassment, had female victims, displayed a psychotic disorder and/or personality disorder, and displayed delusions during the offense. This implies that severe psychiatric disorders do not preclude the perpetration of planned violence and suggests that exploring symptoms of mental illness that may be proximally indicative of targeted violence is important in preventing future acts.