bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Debunking as a Method of Uncovering Disinformation and Fake News
Authors: Kvetanová Zuzana , Kačincová Predmerská Anna , Švecová Magdaléna
Published: October 2020

Journalism is about much more than just seeking and processing information. Multi-skilled journalists of the twenty-first century have to fulfil the given basic tasks and invest much of their time in verifying the affairs that are presented, and uncovering half-truths or false information. That is why all truly professional editorial offices pay attention to demasking, denying, or explaining disinformation in order to monitor and properly check the publishing activities of other media subjects. The chapter is focused on so-called debunking, a method of identifying disinformation, or rather a media genre that is associated with investigative journalism. The present study therefore aims to further explain why nowadays more and more media recipients express their trust in disinformation or various conspiracy theories. The outlined theoretical frameworks are followed by a discourse analysis in which the authors reflect on the current strategies of debunking applied by selected online news media. The text’s contribution to the contemporary scholarly discussions on journalism thus lies in defining various journalistic strategies associated with debunking, i.e., publicly uncovering false information that is disseminated in order to influence or rather manipulate the whole of society or at least its major parts.
A Comparative Study of MSW to Emery in Oman
Authors: Umar Tariq
Published: October 2020

The adverse impact of the energy production from fossil fuels is now well recognized globally; therefore, the move toward renewable and sustainable energy has become an integral part to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This chapter presents a comparative study considering a waste-to-energy plant to produce electricity in Oman. A research strategy that includes both qualitative and quantitate research methods were adopted to evaluate the MSW generation and emissions, electricity consumption and emissions, public participation in waste segregation, and to estimate the reduction in emission by considering a 5000 tons/day waste-to-energy plant in Oman. The results show that the current emission from fossil fuels to meet the electricity requirement of 70,633.37 Million kWh/year is 161.781 Million tonnes (CO2/year). Similarly, the emissions from MSW which currently stood at 2.159 million tons/year are 3,424,247 tons CO2/year. A 5000 ton per day waste-to-energy plant will not only produce 29.30 million kWh daily but will also enable an annual reduction of 24,527 million kg CO2. Such an initiative will help Oman to improve its sustainability performance in energy, climate change, waste reduction, and economic growth and will pave the road to achieve the relevant SDGs by 2030.
Marketing Cultural Resources as a Tourism Product
Authors: Yaekob Chiriko Amare
Published: October 2020

This chapter presents the marketing aspect of cultural tourism resources by taking evidence from Sidama, Southern Ethiopia. It identifies the major cultural tourism resources of Sidama, and assesses their market readiness state through the lenses of tourists. It also presents the profile of cultural tourists visiting endowments in Sidama using descriptive research approach. Brief introduction of marketing approaches to cultural tourism and a review of literature on cultural tourism products and cultural tourists is also provided. As to its significance, the chapter offers analysis of cultural tourism assets and their marketability as a tourism product in a developing destination context. Practical implications for sound cultural tourism marketing are also discussed in the chapter.
Challenges Related to Epilepsy Management in Sudan, an Example of Low-Middle Income Country
Authors: Babiker Ismat , Saad Awab , Ibrahim Basil , Abdelsadig Mohamed
Published: October 2020

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases that require long-term healthcare, although it has no racial, gender, or geographical boundaries, certain populations and demographics face different challenges regarding management of epilepsy. These challenges include patients’ and communities’ misconceptions of epilepsy nature, treatment and outcome, various use of traditional and spiritual therapy in management of epilepsy, stigma of epilepsy, shortage of neurology facilities and specialists and their aggregation in the capital, and collapse of the healthcare system in Sudan. This chapter aims to highlight some of the difficulties facing people with epilepsy in Sudan, an example of a low middle-income country.
La aproximación a los restos arqueológicos de la batería de Varadero mediante el análisis de la cartografía = The Approach to the Archaeological Remains of the Varadero Battery Through the Analysis of the Cartography
Authors: Sánchez Holgado José Ramón
Published: October 2020

La necesidad de custodia de la costa de Granada, especialmente a partir del siglo XVI, motivó la construcción de fortalezas sucesivas que formaban parte de un complejo programa defensivo que duró siglos. A medida que pasó el tiempo y aunque aumentaron los peligros, algunas de estas construcciones cayeron en desuso y fueron tristemente abandonadas, e incluso desaparecieron. El objetivo de esta investigación es recopilar y analizar la información disponible, principalmente en la cartografía de la época, permitiendo la localización, identificación y protección de los restos arqueológicos de la batería de Varadero.AbstractThe need for protection of the coast of Granada, especially from 16th century, motivated the construction of successive fortresses that were part of a complex defensive program that lasted for centuries. As times went by and new dangers appeared, some of these war constructions fell into disuse and were sadly abandoned, and even disappeared. This research aims at collecting and analyzing the available information, mainly in the cartography of the time, allowing the localization, identication and protection of the archaeological remains of the Varadero battery.
La planificación como impulsora de la evolución socioeconómica y el desarrollo local de Torre Pacheco (Murcia) = Planning as a Driver of Socio-Economic Evolution and Local Development of Torre Pacheco (Murcia)
Authors: Millán Escriche Mercedes
Published: October 2020

El municipio de Torre Pacheco ha conocido una significativa evolución en las últimas décadas, tanto desde el punto de vista territorial como socioeconómico. El principal objetivo de esta aportación es comprobar qué tipo de actuaciones han contribuido a modificar la tendencia de declive que compartía con otros espacios rurales. Junto al estudio de caso, se ha recurrido a una metodología no experimental, exploratoria y descriptiva de tipo cualitativo, sin renunciar al soporte de las estadísticas necesarias que cuantifiquen y apoyen determinados aspectos. Los resultados obtenidos ponen de relieve los beneficios alcanzados en Torre Pacheco mediante el incremento de su disponibilidad hídrica, a partir de la aplicación de estrategias de planificación llevadas a cabo con un horizonte temporal de largo plazo.Abstract The municipality of Torre Pacheco has undergone a significant evolution in recent decades, both from the territorial and socioeconomic point of view. The main objective of this contribution is to verify what type of actions has contributed to modifying the trend of decline that it shared with other rural areas.Along with the case study, a non-experimental, exploratory and descriptive methodology of a qualitative type has been used, without renouncing the support of the necessary statistics that quantify and support certain aspects. The results obtained highlight the benefits achieved in Torre Pacheco by increasing its water availability, through the application of planning strategies carried out with a long-term time horizon.
Reseña de: Murphy, Alexander B. (2020). Geografía. ¿Por qué importa?
Authors: Morales Yago Francisco José
Published: October 2020

Reseña de: Murphy, Alexander B.  (2020). Geografía. ¿Por qué importa? Madrid: Alianza Editorial.  162 págs. ISBN- 978-84-9080-762-8.
La cartografía digital generada por la COVID-19: Análisis y tipologías = The digital cartography generated by COVID-19: Analysis and typologies
Authors: Guallart Moreno Carlos
Published: October 2020

El estudio de la pandemia COVID-19, con origen en la ciudad de Wuham (Hubei, China) ha sido objeto de numerosa cartografía elaborada y publicada por medios de comunicación, redes sociales, organismos gubernamentales, universidades y centros de investigación. El objetivo de este artículo ha sido la recopilación y análisis de aquella que ha sido publicada a través de internet y resulta accesible a todo el mundo. La metodología seguida ha consistido en llevar a cabo una recopilación de la cartografía que se publicaba en las redes sociales y medios de comunicación, clasificarla de acuerdo con su formato final y analizar sus aspectos formales y objetivos comunicativos. Esta cartografía permite rastrear los hechos, compararlos con los de otras unidades geográficas equivalentes, analizar las relaciones que pueden darse con otros acontecimientos en el mismo lugar y tomar en cada momento las decisiones más oportunas relativas al territorio. Es posible que el desarrollo de las tecnologías de la información, la facilidad de su utilización y el acceso a datos abiertos por cualquiera pueda contribuir a un nuevo concepto de mapa, pero lo que queda fuera de toda duda es que la geografía y su herramienta por excelencia, la cartografía, se han convertido en imprescindibles para cualquier problema relacionado con el territorio, en este caso la pandemia COVID-19.AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic studies, originated in Wuham (Hubei, China), has been the matter of numerous cartographies elaborated and published by social media, social networks, public organisms, universities and research centers. The main objective of this article has been the data collection and analysis of the mentioned info which has been published through internet and accessible to everyone. The methodology followed has consisted in compiling the cartography data which is published on social networks and mass media, being classified according to its final dimension and analyzing its formal aspects and communicative objectives. The cartography related, makes possible to trace the facts, being compared with other equivalent geographical sites, analyze the relations which may be produced with other different situations on the same place and make the right and appropriate timely decisions referred to the territory at all time. The development of information technologies, the ease of use and the access to open data by anyone might contribute to a new concept of map, but there is no doubt that geography and its own tool by excellence, cartography, have become essential for any type of problem related to the territory, in this case, the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dança, deficiência, educação acessível e formação de professores: experiências e teorizações em percurso
Authors: Costas Ana Maria Rodriguez
Published: October 2020

O presente texto apresenta experiências e reflexões de uma docente atuante em disciplinas dedicadas à teorizações e práticas em uma perspectiva inclusiva, em cursos de graduação em dança. Em um percurso de duas décadas destacam-se as percepções da autora quanto às mudanças no cenário político-educacional, nos contextos educacionais e artísticos, motivando a constante reflexão sobre conceitos, temáticas de estudo, metodologias e proposições a serem desenvolvidas com alunas e alunos que irão atuar na docência. As experiências evidenciam alguns fundamentos éticos, políticos, estéticos, poéticos, artísticos e pedagógicos norteadores para a composição de currículos, o potencial da prática como componente curricular guiando os processos de ensino-aprendizagem, a importância das colaborações entre o espaço acadêmico e outros segmentos sociais e, a sala de aula como espaço de composições e encontros na diversidade. Conclui-se que apesar de avanços significativos, os estudos sobre dança, deficiência e educação acessível, seguem sendo necessários, apontando para a relevância de espaços-tempos de experiências e reflexão crítica nos cursos de formação de professores de dança.
Spatial diversity of tourist facilities in the Silesian Beskid mountains in Poland
Authors: Żemła-Siesicka Anna , Andreychouk Viacheslav , Myga-Piątek Urszula
Published: October 2020

This article proposes a method of the assessment of distribution of tourist facilities. The main aim of presented study is to assess a spatial density of tourist elements. The evaluation of the distribution of tourist facilities in the landscape allows to indicate overloaded areas. The second purpose is the proposition of an indicator measuring the landscape saturation of tourist facilities, i.e. density index developed by the authors. The index, referred to river basin, is based on the ratio of the area of the tourist facilities to the total area of the unit. For the purposes of calculation, the authors developed a framework for the classification of tourist facilities based on its spatial character. The method was examined in the Silesian Beskid mountain range and can be applied in similar mountain areas.
Differentially expressed genes related to oxidoreductase activity and glutathione metabolism underlying the adaptation of Phragmites australis from the salt marsh in the Yellow River Delta, China
Authors: Zhang Liwen , Chen Lin , Lu Feng , Liu Ziting , Lan Siqun , Han Guangxuan
Published: October 2020

The common reed (Phragmites australis) is a dominant species in the coastal wetlands of the Chinese Yellow River Delta, where it tolerates a wide range of salinity. Recent environmental changes have led to the increase of soil salinity in this region, which has degraded much of the local vegetation. Clones of common reeds from the tidal marsh may have adapted to local high salinity habitat through selection on genes and metabolic pathways conferring salt tolerance. This study aims to reveal molecular mechanisms underlying salt tolerance in the tidal reed by comparing them to the salt-sensitive freshwater reed under salt stress. We employed comparative transcriptomics to reveal the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between these two types of common reeds under different salinity conditions. The results showed that only three co-expressed genes were up-regulated and one co-expressed gene was down-regulated between the two reed types. On the other hand, 1,371 DEGs were exclusively up-regulated and 285 DEGs were exclusively down-regulated in the tidal reed compared to the control, while 115 DEGs were exclusively up-regulated and 118 DEGs were exclusively down-regulated in the freshwater reed compared to the control. From the pattern of enrichment of transcripts involved in salinity response, the tidal reed was more active and efficient in scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) than the freshwater reed, with the tidal reed showing significantly higher gene expression in oxidoreductase activity. Furthermore, when the reeds were exposed to salt stress, transcripts encoding glutathione metabolism were up-regulated in the tidal reed but not in the freshwater reed. DEGs related to encoding glutathione reductase (GR), glucose-6-phosphate 1-dehydrogenase (G6PDH), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PD), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and L-ascorbate peroxidase (LAP) were revealed as especially highly differentially regulated and therefore represented candidate genes that could be cloned into plants to improve salt tolerance. Overall, more genes were up-regulated in the tidal reed than in the freshwater reed from the Yellow River Delta when under salt stress. The tidal reed efficiently resisted salt stress by up-regulating genes encoding for oxidoreductase activity and glutathione metabolism. We suggest that this type of common reed could be extremely useful in the ecological restoration of degraded, high salinity coastal wetlands in priority.
Effects of early life stage exposure of largemouth bass to atrazine or a model estrogen (17α-ethinylestradiol)
Authors: Leet Jessica K. , Richter Catherine A. , Cornman Robert S. , Berninger Jason P. , Bhandari Ramji K. , Nicks Diane K. , Zajicek James L. , Blazer Vicki S. , Tillitt Donald E.
Published: October 2020

Endocrine disrupting contaminants are of continuing concern for potentially contributing to reproductive dysfunction in largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (CBW) and elsewhere. Exposures to atrazine (ATR) have been hypothesized to have estrogenic effects on vertebrate endocrine systems. The incidence of intersex in male smallmouth bass from some regions of CBW has been correlated with ATR concentrations in water. Fish early life stages may be particularly vulnerable to ATR exposure in agricultural areas, as a spring influx of pesticides coincides with spawning and early development. Our objectives were to investigate the effects of early life stage exposure to ATR or the model estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) on sexual differentiation and gene expression in gonad tissue. We exposed newly hatched largemouth bass (LMB, Micropterus salmoides) from 7 to 80 days post-spawn to nominal concentrations of 1, 10, or 100 µg ATR/L or 1 or 10 ng EE2/L and monitored histological development and transcriptomic changes in gonad tissue. We observed a nearly 100% female sex ratio in LMB exposed to EE2 at 10 ng/L, presumably due to sex reversal of males. Many gonad genes were differentially expressed between sexes. Multidimensional scaling revealed clustering by gene expression of the 1 ng EE2/L and 100 µg ATR/L-treated male fish. Some pathways responsive to EE2 exposure were not sex-specific. We observed differential expression in male gonad in LMB exposed to EE2 at 1 ng/L of several genes involved in reproductive development and function, including star, cyp11a2, ddx4 (previously vasa), wnt5b, cyp1a and samhd1. Expression of star, cyp11a2 and cyp1a in males was also responsive to ATR exposure. Overall, our results confirm that early development is a sensitive window for estrogenic endocrine disruption in LMB and are consistent with the hypothesis that ATR exposure induces some estrogenic responses in the developing gonad. However, ATR-specific and EE2-specific responses were also observed.
CONTROLE QUÍMICO DE PLANTAS VOLUNTÁRIAS DE SOJA E ALGODÃO TOLERANTES A DICAMBA
Authors: Carvalho Saul Jorge Pinto de , Picoli Júnior Gilmar José , López Ovejero Ramiro Fernando
Published: October 2020

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar alternativas para controle químico de plantas voluntárias de soja e algodão, comparando-se cultivares comerciais tolerantes ao glyphosate com novos cultivares transgênicos tolerantes ao herbicida dicamba, em dois estádios fenológicos de aplicação. Quatro experimentos independentes foram desenvolvidos em casa-de-vegetação, repetidos por dois anos sucessivos. Em vasos, simulou-se a infestação de plantas voluntárias de algodão e soja, com dois materiais genéticos distintos. Para a cultura do algodão, adotou-se um cultivar tolerante ao glyphosate (Roundup Ready Flex®) e outro cultivar tolerante a dicamba e a glufosinato de amônio (DGT). O mesmo experimento foi repetido em plantas com duas ou quatro folhas definitivas. Para a soja, adotou-se um cultivar tolerante ao glyphosate (Intacta®) e outro tolerante ao glyphosate e ao dicamba (Xtend®). O mesmo experimento foi repetido em plantas com dois ou quatro trifólios completamente expandidos. O momento de aplicação e a dose dos herbicidas são fatores mais importantes a serem observados para atingir o controle consistente das plantas para cada tecnologia, principalmente para os herbicidas de contato. Quando os tratamentos foram aplicados no estádio e na dose recomendada, não foram observadas diferenças significativas de controle entre tecnologias presentes nos cultivares. Desta forma, independente das tecnologias contidas nos cultivares, as plantas voluntárias de algodão poderão ser controladas com 2,4-D, paraquat e flumiclorac, enquanto que as de soja com 2,4-D, paraquat e atrazina.
EFEITO DO SELÊNIO COMO PROTETOR QUÍMICO NA SELETIVIDADE INICIAL DE HERBICIDAS APLICADOS EM PÓS EMERGÊNCIA DE Urochloa decumbens
Authors: Dias Roque De Carvalho , Tropaldi Leandro , Bianchi Leandro , Anunciato Vitor Muller , Gomes Diego Munhoz , Carbonari Caio Antonio , Velini Edivaldo Domingues
Published: October 2020

Algumas substâncias podem ser utilizadas como protetores químicos para aumentar a tolerância de culturas a herbicidas, incluindo alguns micronutrientes como é o caso do selênio. O uso de herbicidas em pastagem vem sendo cada vez mais comum no manejo das plantas daninhas, esse trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o selênio como protetor químico na seletividade de herbicidas aplicados em pós emergência em U. decumbens. Foram conduzidos três experimentos em casa de vegetação, em esquema fatorial 5x2, cinco doses de herbicidas e na presença ou não de selênio (Se) (25 g ha-1) aplicado via solo, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco repetições. Sendo os tratamentos compostos com a utilização dos herbicidas ametryn (0, 500, 1000, 1500 e 3000 g i.a. ha-1), amônio-glufosinate (0, 75, 150, 300 e 600 g i.a. ha-1) e carfentrazone-ethyl (0, 5, 10, 20 e 40 g i.a. ha-1) e um tratamento sem aplicação de herbicida. Avaliou-se aos 3, 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias após a aplicação dos tratamentos (DAA), fitointoxicação e fluxo de transporte de elétrons (ETR) e aos 28 DAA altura das plantas e biomassa seca da parte aérea. De maneira geral, houve aumento da fitointoxicação das plantas em função das doses de todos herbicidas estudados. A aplicação de Se por sua vez, proporcionou menores níveis de fitointoxicação, e consequentemente menores reduções de ETR, altura e biomassa seca quando comparadas as plantas não tratadas com Se. Assim, conclui-se que o Se apresenta potencial de uso como protetor para esses herbicidas em pós-emergência em U. decumbens.
Development of Estimation Procedure of Population Variance in Stratified Randomized Response Technique
Authors: Mushtaq Nadia , Saleem Iram
Published: October 2020

Singh et al. (2016) presented a ratio and regression estimators of population variance of a sensitive variable using auxiliary information based on randomized response technique (RRT). In this article, the RRT is considered in stratified random sampling for the estimation of variance. A generalized class of estimators of variance in stratified RRT is proposed and derive the procedure of variance estimation in stratified RRT. The expression of the bias and mean square error are expressed. The empirical findings support the soundness of proposed scheme of variance estimation.
Monetary Factors and Inflation in Kenya: Comparative Aggregated and Disaggregated Econometric Analysis
Authors: Kiganda Evans Ovamba , Omondi Margaret Atieno
Published: October 2020

Aim: This study aimed to analyze the influence of monetary factors on inflation in Kenya.

Study Design: Correlational research design was employed to analyze the relationship between inflation and monetary factors in Kenya.

Methodology: Monthly time series data from Central Bank of Kenya spanning from 2005 to 2018 was used for analysis using Variance decomposition, impulse response and Granger causality techniques.

Results: Results indicated that total money supply had a positive influence on inflation that was highly influenced by extended broad money.

Conclusion: The study concluded that imports influence inflation in Kenya but commercial imports highly determined total imports influence on inflation in Kenya.
Home Sample Self‐Collection for COVID‐19 Patients
Authors: Liao Wan‐Ting , Hsu Min‐Yen , Shen Ching‐Fen , Hung Kai‐Feng , Cheng Chao‐Min
Published: October 2020

Real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) using specimens collected from nasopharyngeal and/or oropharyngeal swabs is the standard screening approach for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). While PCR is rapid and highly accurate, it requires costly laboratory equipment and healthcare professionals that limit its use for large‐scale screening of mild or asymptomatic patients. Self‐collection kits for use in the home could remedy this and have consequently received great attention. In April, 2020, a self‐collection kit from LapCorp was the first such kit to be approved by the FDA. In the following month, May 2020, another kit developed by Everlywell received FDA approval, and more kits are evidently on their way to the market in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. Because these home‐based, self‐collection kits are easy to use and may be more acceptable for patients, they provide a superior screening option for mild or asymptomatic patients under self‐quarantine. These kits conserve personal protective equipment and healthcare manpower already in short supply. The primary issues affecting the efficacy of this approach are the potential for inappropriate sampling and insufficient clinical examination. A detailed review of the commercially available kits currently available is provided and their prospective impact is noted during the current pandemic.
Suppressing Ion Migration across Perovskite Grain Boundaries by Polymer Additives
Authors: Ma Yuhui , Cheng Yuanhang , Xu Xiuwen , Li Menglin , Zhang Chujun , Cheung Sin Hang , Zeng Zixin , Shen Dong , Xie Yue‐Min , Chiu Ka Lok , Lin Fen , So Shu Kong , Lee Chun‐Sing , Tsang Sai‐Wing
Published: October 2020

Passivation of organometal halide perovskites with polar molecules has been recently demonstrated to improve the photovoltaic device efficiency and stability. However, the mechanism is still elusive. Here, it is found that both polymers with large and small dipole moment of 3.7 D and 0.6 D have negligible defect passivation effect on the MAPbI3 perovskite films as evidenced by photothermal deflection spectroscopy. The photovoltaic devices with and without the polymer additives also have comparable power conversion efficiencies around 19%. However, devices with the additives have noticeable improvement in stability under continuous light irradiation. It is found that although the initial mobile ion concentrations are comparable in both devices with and without the additives, the additives can strongly suppress the ion migration during the device operation. This contributes to the significantly enhanced electrical‐field stress tolerance of the perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). The PVSCs with polymer additives can operate up to −2 V reverse voltage bias which is much larger than the breakdown voltage of −0.5 V that has been commonly observed. This study provides insight into the role of additives in perovskites and the corresponding device degradation mechanism.
Chitosan/Diatom‐Biosilica Aerogel with Controlled Porous Structure for Rapid Hemostasis
Authors: Li Jing , Sun Xiaojie , Zhang Kaichao , Yang Guoning , Mu Yuzhi , Su Chang , Pang Jianhui , Chen Tongtong , Chen Xiguang , Feng Chao
Published: October 2020

Uncontrolled hemorrhage is the main reason of possible preventable death after accidental injury. It is necessary to develop a hemostatic agent with rapid hemostatic performance and good biocompatibility. In this study, a chitosan/diatom‐biosilica‐based aerogel is developed using dopamine as cross‐linker by simple alkaline precipitation and tert‐butyl alcohol replacement. The chitosan/diatom‐biosilica aerogel exhibits favorable biocompatibility and multiscale hierarchical porous structure (from nanometer to micrometer), which can be controlled by the concentration of tert‐butyl alcohol. The displacement of tert‐butyl alcohol can keep the porosity of diatom‐biosilica in aerogel and give it large surface with efficient water absorption ratio. 30% tert‐butyl alcohol replacement of aerogel possesses the largest surface area (74.441 m2 g−1), water absorption capacity (316.83 ± 2.04%), and excellent hemostatic performance in vitro blood coagulation (≈70 s). Furthermore, this aerogel exhibits the shortest clotting time and lowest blood loss in rat hemorrhage model. The strong interface effect between aerogel and blood is able to promote erythrocytes aggregation, platelets adhesion, and activation, as well as, activate the intrinsic coagulation pathway to accelerate blood coagulation. All the above results demonstrate that chitosan/diatom‐biosilica aerogel has great potential to be a safe and rapid hemostatic material.
Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Design Principles for Materials and Structures: Material Figure‐of‐Merit and Self‐Resonance Tuning
Authors: Song Hyun‐Cheol , Kim Sun‐Woo , Kim Hyun Soo , Lee Dong‐Gyu , Kang Chong‐Yun , Nahm Sahn
Published: October 2020

Piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEHs) aim to generate sufficient power to operate targeting device from the limited ambient energy. PEH includes mechanical‐to‐mechanical, mechanical‐to‐electrical, and electrical‐to‐electrical energy conversions, which are related to PEH structures, materials, and circuits, respectively; these should be efficient for increasing the total power. This critical review focuses on PEH structures and materials associated with the two major energy conversions to improve PEH performance. First, the resonance tuning mechanisms for PEH structures maintaining continuous resonance, regardless of a change in the vibration frequency, are presented. Based on the manual tuning technique, the electrically‐ and mechanically‐driven self‐resonance tuning (SRT) techniques are introduced in detail. The representative SRT harvesters are summarized in terms of tunability, power consumption, and net power. Second, the figure‐of‐merits of the piezoelectric materials for output power are summarized based on the operating conditions, and optimal piezoelectric materials are suggested. Piezoelectric materials with large kij, dij, and gij values are suitable for most PEHs, whereas those with large kij and Qm values should be used for on‐resonance conditions, wherein the mechanical energy is directly supplied to the piezoelectric material. This comprehensive review provides insights for designing efficient structures and selection of proper piezoelectric materials for PEHs.
Portable Food‐Freshness Prediction Platform Based on Colorimetric Barcode Combinatorics and Deep Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Guo Lingling , Wang Ting , Wu Zhonghua , Wang Jianwu , Wang Ming , Cui Zequn , Ji Shaobo , Cai Jianfei , Xu Chuanlai , Chen Xiaodong
Published: October 2020

Artificial scent screening systems (known as electronic noses, E‐noses) have been researched extensively. A portable, automatic, and accurate, real‐time E‐nose requires both robust cross‐reactive sensing and fingerprint pattern recognition. Few E‐noses have been commercialized because they suffer from either sensing or pattern‐recognition issues. Here, cross‐reactive colorimetric barcode combinatorics and deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) are combined to form a system for monitoring meat freshness that concurrently provides scent fingerprint and fingerprint recognition. The barcodes—comprising 20 different types of porous nanocomposites of chitosan, dye, and cellulose acetate—form scent fingerprints that are identifiable by DCNN. A fully supervised DCNN trained using 3475 labeled barcode images predicts meat freshness with an overall accuracy of 98.5%. Incorporating DCNN into a smartphone application forms a simple platform for rapid barcode scanning and identification of food freshness in real time. The system is fast, accurate, and non‐destructive, enabling consumers and all stakeholders in the food supply chain to monitor food freshness.
Carbon‐Nanogold Hierarchical Micro/Nano Topographies for Cell Guidance
Authors: Chauhan Gaurav , Lujambio Ángeles Alejandro , Gonzalez‐González Everardo , Kulkarni Manish M , Trujillo‐de Santiago Grissel , Alvarez Mario M. , Madou Marc , Martinez‐Chapa Sergio O.
Published: October 2020

Here it is reported on the fabrication of a carbon‐gold micro/nano hierarchical platform using a stimuli‐responsive wrinkling technology. The approach exploits the generation of depth wise photo‐crosslinking gradient in SU8 thin films doped with a UV light absorbing gold precursor. Wrinkled films are then pyrolyzed at 900 °C, resulting in well preserved carbonized wrinkle patterns along with the growth of GNPs. The wrinkling phenomenon is explained using a theoretical model that includes the influence of the film thickness, the gold precursor concentration, and the exposure gradient that sets the theoretical intermolecular distance of free monomers along the film's depth direction. The predicted evolution of the wrinkle patterns is supported by experimental results. Surface roughness and wetting properties of the resulting topographies are studied in detail. GNPs act as potential anchor points for cell adhesion whereas mechanical topographies controls the cellular alignment as a result of contact guidance. Fibronectin functionalization significantly improves cell attachment, biocompatibility, and provides highly aligned cell cultures. This whole strategy of fabricating non‐planar carbon/gold‐based cell culture platform has great potential for their use in lab on a chip and tissue engineering based applications.
Divergent Halogenation Pathways of 2,2‐Dichlorobut‐3‐yn‐1‐ols to 3‐Chloro‐4‐Iodofurans and α‐Chloro‐γ‐Iodoallenes: Electrophilic versus Pd(II)‐Catalyzed Halogenation Strategies
Authors: Abozeid Mohamed Ahmed , Kim Hun Young , Oh Kyungsoo
Published: October 2020

Divergent halogenation pathways of 2,2‐dichlorobut‐3‐yn‐1‐ols have been developed to give 3,4‐dihalofurans and 1,3‐dihaloallenyl ketones in good to excellent yields. Thus, the readily accessible 2,2‐dichlorobut‐3‐yn‐1‐ols were treated with the electrophilic halogen source to provide the 1,3‐dihalogen‐substituted allenyl ketones, whereas the use of Pd(II) catalyst promoted the oxypalladation followed by the electrophilic halogenation to give 3,4‐dihalogen‐substituted furan derivatives. The synthetic utility of 3,4‐dihalofurans and 1,3‐dihaloallenyl ketones is demonstrated in the sequential Suzuki cross coupling strategies.

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Material Strategies to Accelerate OPV Technology Toward a GW Technology
Authors: Brabec Christoph J. , Distler Andreas , Du Xiaoyan , Egelhaaf Hans‐Joachim , Hauch Jens , Heumueller Thomas , Li Ning
Published: October 2020

With the rise of the solar power century, photovoltaic applications and installations will go beyond the traditional green field power plants and enter any aspect of daily life. Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) demonstrate certified cell efficiencies of over 17% and are expected to contribute to versatile applications powered by solar energy, for instance, applications rely on flexibility, transparency, color management, or integrability. In this work, the progress of OPV technology is briefly reviewed and the material strategies to accelerate OPV technology toward a GW era are analyzed. In addition to the exciting efficiency values achieved for small area devices, there are many important criteria deciding the success of OPV technology. By taking into consideration the synthetic complexity of OPV materials and the operational stability of OPV devices, the industrial figure of merit (i‐FoM) is proposed as a fast and reliable method to verify the true potential of a novel material. Furthermore, “soft” key performance indicators are introduced, such as toxicity, flexibility, transparency, processing, which require different development strategies to reflect the potential of OPV technology for specific applications.
Fabrication Strategy for Efficient 2D/3D Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by Diffusion Passivation and Strain Compensation
Authors: Zhang Cuiling , Wu Shaohang , Tao Leiming , Arumugam Gowri Manohari , Liu Chong , Wang Zhen , Zhu Shusheng , Yang Yuzhao , Lin Jie , Liu Xingyuan , Schropp Ruud E. I. , Mai Yaohua
Published: October 2020

Lattice matching and passivation are generally seen as the main beneficial effects in 2D/3D perovskite heterostructured solar cells, but the understanding of the mechanisms involved is still incomplete. In this work, it is shown that 2D/3D heterostructure are unstable under common thermal processing conditions, caused by the lattice expansion of strained 2D perovskite. Therefore an innovative fabrication technology involving a compressively strained PEA2PbI4 layer is proposed to compensate the internal tensile strain and stabilize the 2D/3D heterostructure. Moreover, a small amount of PEA+ diffusing into the grain boundaries of 3D perovskite forms 2D perovskite and passivates the defects there. Combining the effects of strain compensation and diffusion passivation, the stabilized 2D/3D perovskite solar cells deliver a reproducible and robust laboratory power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.31% for the p‐i‐n type devices, along with a high VOC of 1.18 V. A certified PCE of 20.22% is confirmed by an independent national metrology institute.
Amorphous/Crystalline Heterostructured Cobalt‐Vanadium‐Iron (Oxy)hydroxides for Highly Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Kuang Min , Zhang Junming , Liu Daobin , Tan Huiteng , Dinh Khang Ngoc , Yang Lan , Ren Hao , Huang Wenjing , Fang Wei , Yao Jiandong , Hao Xiaodong , Xu Jianwei , Liu Chuntai , Song Li , Liu Bin , Yan Qingyu
Published: October 2020

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a key process involved in energy and environment‐related technologies. An ideal OER electrocatalyst should show high exposure of active sites and optimal adsorption energies of oxygenated species. However, earth‐abundant transition‐metal‐based OER electrocatalysts still operate with sluggish OER kinetics. Here, a cation‐exchange route is reported to fabricate cobalt‐vanadium‐iron (oxy)hydroxide (CoV‐Fe0.28) nanosheets with tunable binding energies for the oxygenated intermediates. The formation of an amorphous/crystalline heterostructure in the CoV‐Fe0.28 catalyst boosts the exposure of active sites compared to their crystalline and amorphous counterparts. Furthermore, the synergetic interaction of Co, V, and Fe cations in the CoV‐Fe0.28 catalyst subtly regulates the local coordination environment and electronic structure, resulting in the optimal thermodynamic barrier for this elementary reaction step. As a result, the CoV‐Fe0.28 catalyst exhibits superior electrocatalytic activity toward the OER. A low overpotential of 215 mV is required to afford a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with a small Tafel slope of 39.1 mV dec−1, which outperforms commercial RuO2 (321 mV and 86.2 mV dec−1, respectively).
Crystallization Kinetics in 2D Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Xu Youkui , Wang Meng , Lei Yutian , Ci Zhipeng , Jin Zhiwen
Published: October 2020

2D perovskites demonstrate higher moisture stability, oxygen content, thermal stability, and a significantly lower ion migration/phase transition occurrence in comparison to 3D perovskite. These advantages imply huge potential for 2D perovskite in commercial applications in the photovoltaic field. However, the horizontal arrangement of the organic layer severely hinders the transport of carriers, and thus, the power conversion efficiency of 2D perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is significantly lower than that of 3D. Controlling the crystallization orientation to achieve rapid carrier transport can effectively avoid or reduce such adverse effects. Hence, an in‐depth understanding of the formation mechanism and crystallization kinetics of 2D perovskite films is crucial to the development of high‐performing 2D PSCs. This review explores the studies conducted on crystallization kinetics, which is the key issue for 2D perovskite, and discusses their effects on the performance of various types of 2D PSCs to date. The crystal/natural quantum well structures and origin of the stability for 2D perovskite are also summarized. Finally, the remaining challenges in terms of development bottlenecks for 2D PSCs are discussed, alongside the proposal of possible solutions.
Development of a Hybrid Training Simulator for Structural Heart Disease Interventions
Authors: Jang Sun-Joo , Torabinia Matin , Dhrif Hassen , Caprio Alexandre , Liu Jun , Wong Shing Chiu , Mosadegh Bobak
Published: October 2020

To address the expanding needs to acquire the necessary skill sets for managing a wide array of transcatheter interventions, a 3D visualization system that integrates into the training platform would significantly enhance the trainee's capacity to comprehend the spatial relationships of various cardiac structures and facilitate the learning process. In addition to procedural training, the same technology may potentially help formulate treatment strategies in preprocedural planning especially in complex anatomy. Herein, a hybrid simulator for structural heart disease interventions is demonstrated by using the combination of a mixed reality (MR) display and 3D printing. The system consists of a 3D printed phantom heart model, a catheter with real‐time tracking using electromagnetic sensors, and the stand‐alone MR display for rendering 3D positions of the catheter within the heart model, along with quantitative feedback. The phantom heart model is generated by 3D printing technology using a segmented geometry from a human cardiac computed tomography (CT) scan. The catheter is coupled with electromagnetic sensors that allow real‐time tracking of their 3D positions and orientations. Custom software and algorithms to coregister and display the catheter's position relative to the phantom heart model are developed to interface with commercial software provided with the tracking sensors and MR display such that updates occur seamlessly in real time. Prespecified target crossings in the fossa ovalis during a transcatheter septal puncture procedure are demonstrated in the training scene. This hybrid training system will be used for training and educating transcatheter septal puncture procedure and other structural heart interventions.
Engineering Micrometer‐Sized DNA Tracks for High‐Speed DNA Synthesis and Biosensing
Authors: Wang Liying , Song Kaiyun , Qu Yuanyuan , Chang Yangyang , Li Zhongping , Dong Chuan , Liu Meng , Brennan John D. , Li Yingfu
Published: October 2020

φ29 DNA polymerase (Polφ29) is capable of synthesizing long‐chain single‐stranded (ss) DNA molecules by copying the sequence of a small ss circular DNA template (ssCDT) in a process known as rolling circle amplification (RCA). The use of a ssCDT in RCA, however, comes with a key drawback: the rate of DNA synthesis is significantly reduced. We hypothesize that this issue can be overcome using a very long linear ssDNA template with a repeating sequence. To test this idea, we engineered a DNA assembly, which we denote “micrometer‐sized DNA track” (μDT). This μDT, with an average length of ≈13.5 μm, is made of a long chain DNA with a primer‐binding domain at its 3′ end and ≈1000 repeating sequence units at its 5′ end, each carrying a DNA anchor. We find that Polφ29 copies μDT at a speed ≈5‐time faster than it does a related ssCDT. We use this to design a simple all‐in‐one printed paper device for rapid and sensitive detection of microRNA let‐7. This paper sensor is capable of detecting 1 pM let‐7a in 10 minutes.
In situ Nanoscale Infrared Spectroscopy of Water Adsorption on Nanoislands of Surface‐Anchored Metal‐Organic Frameworks
Authors: Delen Guusje , Monai Matteo , Meirer Florian , Weckhuysen Bert M.
Published: October 2020

Despite technological advancements, probing gas‐solid interfaces at the nanoscale is still a formidable challenge. New nano‐spectroscopic methods are needed to understand the guest–host interactions of functional materials during gas sorption, separation, and conversion. Herein, we introduce in situ Photoinduced Force Microscopy (PiFM) to evidence site‐specific interaction between Metal‐Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and water. To this end, we developed amphiphilic Surface‐anchored MOF (SURMOF) model systems using self‐assembly for the side‐by‐side hetero‐growth of nanodomains of hydrophilic HKUST‐1 and hydrophobic ZIF‐8. PiFM was used to probe local uptake kinetics and to show D2O sorption isotherms on (defective) HKUST‐1 paddlewheels. By monitoring defect vibrations, we visualized in real‐time the saturation of existing defects and the creation of D2O‐induced defects. This work shows the potential of in situ PiFM to unravel gas sorption mechanisms and map active sites on functional (MOF) materials.
The yellowing mechanism of polyesteramide based on poly(ethylene terephthalate) and polyamide 6
Authors: Qi Mengyan , Zheng Liuchun , Li Chuncheng , Xiao Yaonan , Liu Jiajian , Wu Shaohua , Zhang Bo
Published: October 2020

The yellowing mechanism in polyesteramide based on poly(ethylene terephthalate) and polyamide 6 (PET‐PA6) has been studied. Amine model compounds were employed to react with acetaldehyde (AA), and 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (1H‐NMR), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) were used to characterize the structure of the yellowing products. 13C‐NMR, laser confocal micro‐Raman spectrum, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the yellowing products of the reaction of PA6 oligomers and AA. The structures of yellowing substances in the two systems are consistent. The color generation is mainly caused by the reaction of the terminal primary amine group of PA6 with AA, which is the thermal degradation product of PET, to form Schiff bases. These Schiff bases condense further to form a conjugated imine structure, which may be the main chromophore of polyesteramide. Due to the degradation of PA6 segments of the copolymer, it may further degrade to form new primary amino groups and increase yellowness during use.
A new route of cross‐linking of carboxylated acrylonitrile‐butadiene rubber via zinc oxide‐amino acid network formation
Authors: Das Mithun , Pal Sanjay , Naskar Kinsuk
Published: October 2020

Herein, we present a strategy that leads to the formation of a high‐performance elastomeric material based on the carboxylated acrylonitrile‐butadiene rubber (XNBR). A unique cross‐linking route for XNBR has been designed, which does not involve typical cross‐linking agents such as sulfur. In this study, the show cause‐effect of zwitterionic compounds as the secondary cross‐linking agent for ionic elastomer has been investigated. Naturally occurring lysine (Ly) and tryptophan (Trp) amino acid are the zwitterionic compounds, which have been explored here. This approach results in the formation of a cross‐linked ionic elastomer that houses a dual ionic network structure formed by zinc oxide (ZnO) and amino acid. XNBR cross‐linked by ZnO and different amino acid compounds exhibit superior physical properties as compared to the conventional cross‐linking system. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope, and swelling study analyzes confirm the existence of zinc‐carboxylate and zwitterionic network in XNBR after the cross‐linking process. The dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and oscillating disk rheometer analyzes show various thermal relaxations and transitions present in the dual cross‐linked XNBR. The ZnO and amino acid cross‐linked XNBR rubber with 2.5 phr of Ly and 5 phr of Trp show the highest tensile strength of 42.4 and 39.7 MPa, respectively, which is mostly higher than the previously reported values for ionic cross‐linked elastomers.