bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Participation of Women in the Workforce: A Comparative Study between Central and Western Plains of West Bengal
Authors: Paul Rituparna , Goswami Arunasis
Published: December 2022

The population of women contributes nearly half of the total count but it counts for only a quarter of total workforce participation in India. The participation of women in different workforces is not only limited to the financial need of the family but is also related to the social system, the education level of the women, and the availability of work opportunities for them. The present study aims to compare the sector-specific women's work participation level and associated social factors of the women workforce. Two regions out of five regions in West Bengal specified by NSSO were considered to be study regions. Incorporating the necessary variables, a structured interview schedule was prepared and data were collected from randomly selected 160 working women from two districts from two regions under study. The collected data has been finalized for analysis after a validity check. Necessary frequency analysis and non-parametric tests have been performed to get the results.

Most of the respondents of central regions were service holders. Education has a signification effect on income level in both the regions under study. Service holders were at significantly higher income levels than other occupational groups. The respondents from the central regions were more educated and empowered than the women of the western region. A large scale of variety in occupational involvement has been found in both regions in the present study. The income level is directly related to occupation and education. The educated women of both regions preferred service as their occupation and earn more than other categories. Specific policies or programs that enhance institutional involvement of all occupational categories may cater to our developmental goal.
Assessing the Acceptance and Business Models Development Strategy of Go-Pay Indonesia Using TAM and BMC Approach
Authors: Sari Anindita Musthika , Oktovani Theresia , Kharismatyawati Widhi
Published: December 2022

In pandemic situation, customers' preference for digital solutions will continue to increase to do a transaction with the platform. Push factor in the pandemic situation makes bank strives to provide a transaction banking ecosystem that can cater to the needs of customers in transitioning period to the new normal and maintain high levels of trust in a transaction using the digital platform. The impact on people’s behavior around the world, especially towards their consumption behavior has rapidly increase the adaptation of digital technology throughout sectors of industry. Banking consumers are radically changing their lives in response to the pandemic. Gopay is a leading electronic money service in Indonesia that was founded in 2016. This research focuses on identifying factors for acceptance of the Gopay application using the TAM model and mapping marketing strategies using BMC analysis. The method in this study is divided into two parts, starting with conducting an analysis using SEM-PLS followed by a SWOT analysis mapping that can identify strategies that Gojek Indonesia can implement as the developer of the Gopay payment system. The results of this study indicate that perceived security, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness can increase interest in using Gopay. In addition, the results of the SWOT mapping analysis show that based on internal strengths and weaknesses, external opportunities and threats, there are four sets of strategic alternatives that can be taken by company managers in facing increasingly fierce competition.
Optimal Estimation of the Peak Wave Period using Smoothing Method
Authors: Lee Uk-Jae , Lee Byeong Wook , Ko Dong-Hui , Cho Hong-Yeon
Published: December 2022

In this study, a smoothing method was applied to improve the accuracy of peak wave period estimation using the water surface elevation observed from the Oceanographic and Meteorological Observation Tower located on the west coast of the Korean Peninsula. Validation of the application of the smoothing method was performed using variance of the surface elevation and total amount wave energy, and then the effect on the application of smoothing was analyzed. As a result of the analysis, the correlation coefficient between variance of the surface elevation and total amount wave energy was 0.9994, confirming that there was no problem in applying the method. Thereafter, as a result of reviewing the effect of smoothing, it was found to be reduced by about 4 times compared to the confidence interval of the existing estimated spectrum, confirming that the accuracy of the estimated peak wave period was improved. It was found that there was a statistically significant difference in probability density between 4 and 6 seconds due to the smoothing application. In addition, for optimal smoothing, the appropriate number of smoothings according to the significant wave height range was calculated using a statistical technique, and the number of smoothings was found to increase due to the unstable spectral shape as the significant wave height decreased.
Effects of respiratory and cardiac motion on estimating radiation dose to the left ventricle during radiotherapy for lung cancer
Authors: Omidi Alireza , Weiss Elisabeth , Wilson John S. , Rosu‐Bubulac Mihaela
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Establish a workflow to evaluate radiotherapy (RT) dose variation induced by respiratory and cardiac motion on the left ventricle (LV) and left ventricular myocardium (LVM).

Methods

Eight lung cancer patients underwent 4D‐CT, expiratory T1‐volumetric‐interpolated‐breath‐hold‐examination (VIBE), and cine MRI scans in expiration. Treatment plans were designed on the average intensity projection (AIP) datasets from 4D‐CTs. RT dose from AIP was transferred onto 4D‐CT respiratory phases. About 50% 4D‐CT dose was mapped onto T1‐VIBE (following registration) and from there onto average cine MRI datasets. Dose from average cine MRI was transferred onto all cardiac phases. Cumulative cardiac dose was estimated by transferring dose from each cardiac phase onto a reference cine phase following deformable image registration. The LV was contoured on each 4D‐CT breathing phase and was called clinical LV (cLV); this structure is blurred by cardiac motion. Additionally, LV, LVM, and an American Heart Association (AHA) model were contoured on all cardiac phases. Relative maximum/mean doses for contoured regions were calculated with respect to each patient's maximum/mean AIP dose.

Results

During respiration, relative maximum and mean doses on the cLV ranged from −4.5% to 5.6% and −14.2% to 16.5%, respectively, with significant differences in relative mean doses between inspiration and expiration (P < 0.0145). During cardiac motion at expiration, relative maximum and mean doses on the LV ranged from 1.6% to 59.3%, 0.5% to 27.4%, respectively. Relative mean doses were significantly different between diastole and systole (P = 0.0157). No significant differences were noted between systolic, diastolic, or cumulative cardiac doses compared to the expiratory 4D‐CT (P > 0.14). Significant differences were observed in AHA segmental doses depending on tumour proximity compared to global LV doses on expiratory 4D‐CT (P < 0.0117).

Conclusion

In this study, the LV dose was highest during expiration and diastole. Segmental evaluation suggested that future cardiotoxicity evaluations may benefit from regional assessments of dose that account for cardiopulmonary motion.
Reduction of radiation dose using real‐time visual feedback dosimetry during angiographic interventions
Authors: Koch Vitali , Conrades Lena Marie , Gruenewald Leon D. , Eichler Katrin , Martin Simon S. , Booz Christian , D'Angelo Tommaso , Yel Ibrahim , Bernatz Simon , Mahmoudi Scherwin , Albrecht Moritz H. , Scholtz Jan‐Erik , Thalhammer Axel , Zangos Stephan , Vogl Thomas J. , Gruber‐Rouh Tatjana
Published: December 2022

This prospective study sought to evaluate potential savings of radiation dose to medical staff using real‐time dosimetry coupled with visual radiation dose feedback during angiographic interventions. For this purpose, we analyzed a total of 214 angiographic examinations that consisted of chemoembolizations and several other types of therapeutic interventions. The Unfors RaySafe i2 dosimeter was worn by the interventionalist at chest height over the lead protection. A total of 110 interventions were performed with real‐time radiation dosimetry allowing the interventionalist to react upon higher x‐ray exposure and 104 examinations served as the comparative group without real‐time radiation monitoring. By using the real‐time display during interventions, the overall mean operator radiation dose decreased from 3.67 (IQR, 0.95–23.01) to 2.36 μSv (IQR, 0.52–12.66) (−36%; p = 0.032) at simultaneously reduced operator exposure time by 4.5 min (p = 0.071). Dividing interventions into chemoembolizations and other types of therapeutic interventions, radiation dose decreased from 1.31 (IQR, 0.46‐3.62) to 0.95 μSv (IQR, 0.53‐3.11) and from 24.39 (IQR, 12.14‐63.0) to 10.37 μSv (IQR, 0.85‐36.84), respectively, using live‐screen dosimetry (p ≤ 0.005). Radiation dose reductions were also observed for the participating assistants, indicating that they could also benefit from real‐time visual feedback dosimetry during interventions (−30%; p = 0.039). Integration of real‐time dosimetry into clinical processes might be useful in reducing occupational radiation exposure time during angiographic interventions. The real‐time visual feedback raised the awareness of interventionalists and their assistants to the potential danger of prolonged radiation exposure leading to the adoption of radiation‐sparing practices. Therefore, it might create a safer environment for the medical staff by keeping the applied radiation exposure as low as possible.
Piezo‐Augmented and Photocatalytic Nanozyme Integrated Microneedles for Antibacterial and Anti‐Inflammatory Combination Therapy
Authors: Shi Shugao , Jiang Yujie , Yu Yixin , Liang Manman , Bai Qiang , Wang Lina , Yang Dongqin , Sui Ning , Zhu Zhiling
Published: December 2022

Wound infection is arguably the most common, and potentially the most devastating, complication of the wound healing process. The ideal treatment strategy has to eliminate bacteria, alleviate inflammation, and promote wound healing and skin formation. Herein, a multifunctional heterostructure is designed consisting of ultrasmall platinum–ruthenium nanoalloys and porous graphitic carbon nitride C3N5 nanosheets (denoted as PtRu/C3N5), which concurrently possesses piezoelectric enhanced oxidase ‐mimic nanozyme activity and photocatalytic hydrogen gas production capacity. Moreover, these hybrid nanotherapeutics are integrated in natural hyaluronic acid microneedles, which exhibit almost 100% broad‐spectrum antibacterial efficacy against multiple bacterial strains in vitro and in vivo within 10 min ultrasound treatment, and effectively inhibit inflammation reactions after 1 h visible light irradiation, promising for accelerating the cutaneous wound healing in the bacterial infected mice. This study highlights a competitive strategy for development of all‐in‐one antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory therapies.
Single‐Layer Platinum Cluster Catalyst for Efficient Hydrogen Electro‐Production
Authors: Liu Wenbo , Xiang Zhipeng , Tan Aidong , Wan Kai , Fu Zhiyong , Liang Zhenxing
Published: December 2022

The resource scarcity and high cost seriously hamper the large‐scale application of platinum to catalyze the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). An extraordinarily efficient single‐layer Pt (SL‐Pt) cluster catalyst is synthesized by a facile photolysis‐electroreduction method. Electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy images demonstrate the single‐layer structure with a thickness of ≈0.3 nm. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the charge is redistributed in the SL‐Pt cluster, which yields a downshift in d‐band center of Pt 5d orbital. The above two features of the SL‐Pt cluster yield a high atomic utilization and superior intrinsic activity when used as the electrocatalyst. As a result, the electrochemical test reveals its mass activity of the HER is two orders of magnitude higher than the commerical Johnson–Matthey 20 wt.% Pt/C. As demonstration, the SL‐Pt cluster exhibits a low electrolysis voltage of ≈1.74 V at 1.0 A cm−2 with superior stability up to 48 h in a single‐cell proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer. This study does not only provide a facile method to prepare single‐layer metal cluster, but also provides a stable HER's catalyst for efficient water splitting.
Surfactant Semiconductors as Trojan Horses in Cell‐Membranes for On‐Demand and Spatial Regulation of Oxidative Stress
Authors: Jaschke Marian , Plenge Masina , Kunkel Marius , Lehrich Tina , Schmidt Julia , Stöckemann Kilian , Heinemann Dag , Siroky Stephan , Ngezahayo Anaclet , Polarz Sebastian
Published: December 2022

Oxidative stress is a cause for numerous diseases and aging processes. Thus, researchers are keen to tune the level of intracellular stress and to learn from that. An unusual approach is presented here. The methodology involves multifunctional surfactants. Although their molecular design is nonbiological—a fullerenol head group attached covalently to pi‐conjugated dyes—the surfactants possess superior biocompatibility. Using an intrinsic fluorescence signal as a probe, it is shown that the amphiphiles become incorporated into the Caco‐2 cells. There, they are able to exhibit additional functions. The compound reduces cellular stress in dark reaction pathways. The antagonistic property is activated under irradiation, the photocatalytic production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in cell damage. The feature is activated even by near‐infrared light (NIR‐light) via a two‐photon process. The properties as molecular semiconductors lead to a trojan horse situation and allows the programming of the spatial distribution of cytotoxicity.
Design of Recombinant Spider Silk Proteins for Cell Type Specific Binding
Authors: Trossmann Vanessa Tanja , Scheibel Thomas
Published: December 2022

Cytophilic (cell‐adhesive) materials are very important for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. However, for engineering hierarchically organized tissue structures comprising different cell types, cell‐specific attachment and guidance are decisive. In this context, materials made of recombinant spider silk proteins are promising scaffolds, since they exhibit high biocompatibility, biodegradability, and the underlying proteins can be genetically functionalized. Here, previously established spider silk variants based on the engineeredAraneus diadematusfibroin 4 (eADF4(C16)) are genetically modified with cell adhesive peptide sequences from extracellular matrix proteins, including IKVAV, YIGSR, QHREDGS, and KGD. Interestingly, eADF4(C16)‐KGD as one of 18 tested variants is cell‐selective for C2C12 mouse myoblasts, one out of 11 tested cell lines. Co‐culturing with B50 rat neuronal cells confirms the cell‐specificity of eADF4(C16)‐KGD material surfaces for C2C12 mouse myoblast adhesion.
Conformal Volumetric Grayscale Metamaterials
Authors: Huang Qinglan , Gan Lucia T. , Fan Jonathan A.
Published: December 2022

Conformal artificial electromagnetic media that feature tailorable responses as a function of incidence wavelength and angle represent universal components for optical engineering. Conformal grayscale metamaterials are introduced as a new class of volumetric electromagnetic media capable of supporting highly multiplexed responses and arbitrary, curvilinear form factors. Subwavelength‐scale voxels based on irregular shapes are designed to accommodate a continuum of dielectric values, enabling the freeform design process to reliably converge to exceptionally high figures of merit (FOMs) for a given multi‐objective design problem. Through additive manufacturing of ceramic–polymer composites, microwave metamaterials, designed for the radio‐frequency range of 8–12 GHz, are experimentally fabricated and devices with extreme dispersion profiles, an airfoil‐shaped beam‐steering device, and a broadband, broad‐angle conformal carpet cloak, are demonstrated. It is anticipated that conformal volumetric metamaterials will lead to new classes of compact and multifunctional imaging, sensing, and communications systems.
Hardware and Information Security Primitives Based on 2D Materials and Devices
Authors: Wali Akshay , Das Saptarshi
Published: December 2022

Hardware security is a major concern for the entire semiconductor ecosystem that accounts for billions of dollars in annual losses. Similarly, information security is a critical need for the rapidly proliferating edge devices that continuously collect and communicate a massive volume of data. While silicon‐based complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor technology offers security solutions, these are largely inadequate, inefficient, and often inconclusive, as well as resource intensive in time, energy, and cost, leading to tremendous room for innovation in this field. Furthermore, silicon‐based security primitives have shown vulnerability to machine learning (ML) attacks. In recent years, 2D materials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides have been intensely explored to mitigate these security challenges. In this review, 2D‐materials‐based hardware security solutions such as camouflaging, true random number generation, watermarking, anticounterfeiting, physically unclonable functions, and logic locking of integrated circuits (ICs) are summarized with accompanying discussion on their reliability and resilience to ML attacks. In addition, the role of native defects in 2D materials in developing high entropy hardware security primitives is also examined. Finally, the existing challenges for 2D materials, which must be overcome for large‐scale deployment of 2D ICs to meet the security needs of the semiconductor industry, are discussed.
A Pseudocapacitor Diode Based on Ion‐Selective Surface Redox Effect
Authors: Tang Pei , Tan Wuyang , Li Fangzhou , Xue Shan , Ma Yihui , Jing Pengwei , Liu Yanghui , Zhu Jian , Yan Xingbin
Published: December 2022

Supercapacitor diode (CAPode) is a novel device that integrates ion diode functionality into a conventional electrical double‐layer capacitor and is expected to have great applications in emerging fields such as signal propagation, microcircuit rectification, logic operations, and neuromorphology. Here, a brand new pseudocapacitor diode is reported that has both high charge storage (50.2 C g−1 at 20 mV s−1) and high rectification (the rectification ratio of 0.79 at 200 mV s−1) properties, which is realized by the ion‐selective surface redox reaction of spinel ZnCo2O4 in aqueous alkaline electrolyte. Furthermore, an application of the integrated device is demonstrated in the logic gate of circuit system to realize the logic operations of “AND” and “OR”. This work not only expands the types of CAPodes, but also provides a train of thought for constructing high‐performance capacitive ionic diodes.
P3ht‐Graphene Device for the Restoration of Visual Properties in a Rat Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa
Authors: Francia Simona , Di Marco Stefano , DiFrancesco Mattia L. , Ferrari Davide V. , Shmal Dmytro , Cavalli Alessio , Pertile Grazia , Attanasio Marcella , Maya‐Vetencourt José Fernando , Manfredi Giovanni , Lanzani Guglielmo , Benfenati Fabio , Colombo Elisabetta
Published: December 2022

Retinal degeneration is one of the prevalent causes of blindness worldwide, for which no effective treatment has yet been identified. Inorganic photovoltaic devices have been investigated for visual restoration in advanced stage Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), although lack of implant flexibility and foreign‐object reactions have limited their application. Organic photoactive retinal prostheses may overcome these limitations, being biomimetic and tissue friendly. Inspired by organic photovoltaic strategies involving graphene, a hybrid retinal prosthesis is recently engineered consisting of a dual poly‐3‐hexylthiophene (P3HT) and graphene layer onto a flexible substrate. Here, this hybrid prosthesis is subretinally implanted in vivo in 5‐month‐old Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats, a rodent model of RP. Implanted dystrophic rats restored visual performances at both subcortical and cortical levels in response to light stimuli, in the absence of marked inflammatory responses. Moreover, the analysis of the physical‐mechanical properties after prolonged permanence in the eye showed excellent biocompatibility and robustness of the device. Overall, the results demonstrate that graphene‐enhanced organic photovoltaic devices can be suitably employed for the rescue of retinal dystrophies and supports the translation of the organic strategy into medical practice.
Programmable Control of Multiscale Droplets using V‐Valves
Authors: Xue Tian , Jain Ankit , Cao Xiaobao , Hess David , Stavrakis Stavros , de Mello Andrew
Published: December 2022

Contemporary droplet‐based microfluidic platforms generate large numbers of sub‐nanoliter (<10−9 L) volume droplets on short timescales. The controllable generation of femtoliter (10−15 L) volume droplets is however a far more challenging task. Herein, the design, fabrication, and testing of a valve‐based droplet‐on‐demand generator that enables the robust and controllable production of femtoliter‐volume water‐in‐oil droplets is described, where droplet size is determined by on‐chip pressure. This generator enables the sequential supply of femtoliter droplets to much larger “mother” droplets stored on‐chip, which in turn allows for high‐precision droplet dilution and programmable droplet pairing/merging operations. Such an approach can generate in excess of 700 fL‐volume droplets of variable content and with dilution factors of almost three orders of magnitude. Using the same principle, the microfluidic platform can also perform rapid, low‐volume consumption titrations. Accordingly, the valve‐based droplet‐on‐demand generator allows for a range of automated and multi‐step droplet‐based manipulations.
Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes Based on Silandiol‐Bay‐Bridged Perylene Bisimides
Authors: Brust Felix , Nagler Oliver , Shoyama Kazutaka , Stolte Matthias , Würthner Frank
Published: December 2022

Perylene bisimides (PBIs) are among the best fluorophores but have to be enwrapped for optoelectronic applications by large and heavy substituents to prevent their ππ‐stacking, which is known to accelerate non‐radiative decay processes in the solid state. Here, light‐weight di‐tert‐butylsilyl groups are introduced to bridge 1,12‐dihydroxy and 1,6,7,12‐tetrahydroxy PBIs to afford sublimable dyes for vacuum‐processed optoelectronic devices. For both new compounds, this substitution provides a twisted and shielded perylene π‐core whose, via OSiObridges, rigid structure affords well‐resolved absorption and emission spectra with strong fluorescence in solution, as well as in the solid state. The usefulness of these dyes for vacuum‐processed optoelectronic devices is demonstrated in organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) that show monomer‐like emission spectra and high maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) values of up to 3.1% for the doubly silicon‐bridged PBI.
Comparison of Quantum Yield of Upconversion Nanocrystals Determined by Absolute and Relative Methods
Authors: Madirov Eduard , Busko Dmitry , Cardona Fernando Arteaga , Hudry Damien , Kuznetsov Sergey V. , Konyushkin Vasilii A. , Nakladov Andrey N. , Alexandrov Alexander A. , Howard Ian A. , Richards Bryce S. , Turshatov Andrey
Published: December 2022

Photoluminescence quantum yield (ϕ) is a key parameter of any luminescent material. There are two main ways to determine this value: 1) absolute, which requires calculation of the number of emitted and absorbed photons; and 2) relative, which utilizes the emission of a reference sample with known ϕ. Both methods become more complicated in case of upconversion (UC) photoluminescence, due to its nonlinear nature. The main obstacle to employing the relative method is the lack of a suitable reference with known UC quantum yield (UCQY, ϕ
UC). Herein, a new UCQY reference material is presented, based on SrF2:1%Yb3+,1%Er3+ single crystal, for the relative measurement of ϕ
UC for near‐infrared (976 nm)‐to‐visible UC. When utilizing this reference material, the ϕ
UC is determined to be 2.5% (at 100 W cm−2) for α‐NaYF4:18%Yb3+,2%Er3+@CaF2 nanocrystals (NCs). This result coincides very well with the value for the same NCs determined using the absolute method of ϕ
UC = 2.4% (at 100 W cm−2). The intensity dependence of UCQY yield for the NCs determined using the SrF2:1%Yb3+,1%Er3+ reference exhibits good agreement with the results acquired with the absolute method. In addition, various effects that can have an impact on the measured UCQY using absolute and relative methods are discussed.
Regioselective Ortho‐Arylation of Polyhalo‐Substituted (Hetero)Aryl Tosylates Using an Integrated Continuous Flow/Batch Protocol
Authors: Kwon Yong‐Ju , Lee Seungmi , Shin Inji , Kim Won‐Suk
Published: December 2022

The regioselective ortho arylation of polyhalo‐substituted (hetero)aryl tosylates has been investigated employing an integrated continuous flow/batch protocol. The regioselective ortho metalation of (hetero)aryl tosylates using n‐BuLi and ZnCl2 was effectively achieved using continuous flow chemistry in a short residence time of 10.92 s, without removal of the tosyloxy group. The Pd‐catalyzed Negishi coupling reactions of various (hetero)aryl iodides with the resulting arylzinc species proceeded readily at room temperature in 31% to 98% yields. Finally, the method was applied to the synthesis of perampanel in four linear steps, with an overall yield of 43%.

magnified image
Plasmon‐Assisted Operando Self‐Healing of Cu2O Photocathodes
Authors: Ross Aaron Michael , Ruiz‐Martinez Debora , Rizzi Gian Andrea , Cianciaruso Francesco , Patelli Alessandro , Salerno Marco , Schmitz Fabian , Napolitani Enrico , Marras Sergio , Prato Mirko , Gross Silvia , Meneghesso Gaudenzio , Marcilla Rebeca , Scotognella Francesco , Gatti Teresa , Lamberti Francesco
Published: December 2022

The ongoing problems in western countries connected to the global energy supply urgently force the research community to strive in finding new methodologies for boosting the functional properties of earth‐abundant raw materials, for example, the largely available cupreous oxide. In this work, the authors focus on the surface sensitization of this metal oxide semiconductor with an argon plasma treatment, that promotes, during photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution, the formation of metallic copper nanostructures. Interestingly, these copper‐based hierarchical nano‐branches, having inherent plasmonic properties, are at the origin of the improved shelf‐life of the modified Cu2O photocathode, as is demonstrated by advanced structural and photophysical analyses. This proposed photophysical mechanism for an operando electrode stabilization suggests that a self‐healing process can occur within the Cu2O/plasmonic Cu heterostructure. These findings pave the way to the implementation of new, easy‐to‐make strategies to improve the properties of low‐cost, low‐toxicity energy materials.
Bimetallic FeNi Alloy Nanoparticles Grown on Graphene for Efficient Removal of Congo Red From Aqueous Solution
Authors: Zou Qiang , Zhu Zhenghou , Yuan Zhifen
Published: December 2022

Nano zero‐valent iron (nZVI) is an effective material for dye wastewater treatment, but excessive agglomeration and oxidation greatly limit its application. Herein, graphene (GR) supported FeNi bimetallic nanoparticles (FeNi@GR) are prepared by alloying and carrier supported dispersion for efficient removal of azo dyes from water. Not only can it effectively solve the problem of excessive agglomeration and oxidation of nZVI, but also the synergistic effect of bimetallic coordination formation and the excellent electron transfer ability of graphene are beneficial to enhance the reactivity of FeNi@GR. The optimal FeNi@GR is prepared by adjusting the content of GR and the removal of Congo red (CR) by FeNi@GR‐10% reached 625 mg g−1 within 150 min at pH = 7.0. Higher temperature and lower pH favor the removal of CR azo dye. The action mechanisms of FeNi@GR presumably involve the transfer of active hydrogen atoms and the transfer of electrons generated by Fe0 and Ni0. Besides, the saturation magnetization (Ms) of FeNi@GR is 68.15 emu g−1, which has excellent magnetic response performance. This work not only provides a simple and efficient method to stabilize nZVI, but also reveals that using FeNi@GR is a promising approach for the remediation of water pollution.
Development of In Situ Formed Metal Pyrophosphates (MP2O7, Where M = Sn, Ti, and Zr)/PA/PBI Based Composite Membranes for Fuel Cells
Authors: Wang Zehua , Zhang Jin , Lu Shanfu , Xiang Yan , Shao Zongping , Jiang San Ping
Published: December 2022

Development of high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (HT‐PEMFCs) at elevated temperatures is important for the enhancement of tolerance toward CO impurities and for the development of non‐precious metal catalysts. The key challenge in such HT‐PEMFCs is the high temperature polymer electrolyte membranes. Herein, the development of in situ formed metal pyrophosphates (MP2O7, where M = Sn, Ti, and Zr) in phosphoric acid doped polybenzimidazole (PA/PBI) composite membranes for HT‐PEMFCs is reported. The formation mechanism of MP2O7, and characteristics of MP2O7/PA/PBI composite membranes are studied in detail. In contrast to the rapid decay in performance of pristine PA/PBI membrane cells, the in situ formed MP2O7/PA/PBI composite membranes show significantly higher proton conductivity, improved performance, and stability at elevated temperatures of 200–250 °C. The best results are obtained on the in situ formed SnP2O7/PA/PBI composite membrane cells, exhibiting a high peak power density of 476 mW cm−2 and proton conductivity of 51.3 mS cm−1 at 250 °C. The excellent durability of SnP2O7/PA/PBI composite membrane is due to the uniform distribution of in situ formed SnP2O7 nanoparticles in PBI membranes and the formation of a gel‐like region, thin and irregular amorphous layer on the SnP2O7 with the high acid retention ability. This effectively alleviates the PA leaching at elevated temperatures of the new HT‐PEMFCs.
Scalable Direct Recycling of Cathode Black Mass from Spent Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Gupta Varun , Yu Xiaolu , Gao Hongpeng , Brooks Christopher , Li Weikang , Chen Zheng
Published: December 2022

End of life (EoL) lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) are piling up at an intimidating rate, which is alarming for environmental health. With further expected rapid growth of LIB use, the magnitude of spent battery accumulation is also expected to grow. LiNixCoyMnzO2 (NCM) cathode materials are a dominant chemistry in high energy LIBs, and make up a huge portion of this waste accumulation. Direct recycling is one of the most promising ways to turn this waste to wealth, but has been limited to lab‐scale, due to lack of robustness, namely the tedious pretreatment required that involves toxic organic solvents. Herein, a process that integrates the pretreatment and relithiation of the cathode black mass is demonstrated. Cathode material from EoL electric vehicle (EV) batteries is treated in a 100 g per batch operation and the regenerated cathode active material demonstrates 100% electrochemical performance recovery, with 91% yield rate, and shows promise for further scale up. This process has the advantages of integration, scalability, and universality, which clears the barricade for direct recycling to move from lab to industry scale with considerable profitability.
Unexpectedly High Cycling Stability Induced by a High Charge Cut‐Off Voltage of Layered Sodium Oxide Cathodes
Authors: Shen Qiuyu , Liu Yongchang , Zhao Xudong , Jin Junteng , Song Xiaobai , Wang Yao , Qu Xuanhui , Jiao Lifang
Published: December 2022

Initiating anionic redox chemistry in layered sodium oxide cathodes is a prevalent method to break the capacity limit set by traditional transition metal redox. However, realizing the “win‐win” scenario of high capacity and high cycling stability is still challenging due to the high‐voltage structural distortion and irreversible oxygen loss. Herein, a Mn activation mechanism is unveiled in a novel P2‐Na0.80Li0.08Ni0.22Mn0.67O2 cathode. By elevating the charge cut‐off voltage to 4.3 V, anionic redox is successfully triggered and partial oxygen loss enables the reduction of Mn upon discharge, thus activating more Mn3+/Mn4+ redox reactions in the following cycles and maintaining the total capacity almost unchanged. In situ X‐ray diffraction reveals a complete solid‐solution reaction with an ultralow volume change of 1.04% upon cycling. Consequently, the P2‐Na0.80Li0.08Ni0.22Mn0.67O2 cathode simultaneously accomplishes a high discharge capacity (134.8 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C) and an unexpectedly long cycling life (capacity retention of 91.5% and 85.2% after 500 and 1000 cycles at 10 C, respectively). Via systematic ex situ characterizations and theoretical computations, the charge compensation mechanism upon Na+ insertion/extraction is elucidated. This work broadens the horizons of current oxygen redox chemistry and provides a new path to design high‐performance layered oxide cathode materials for sodium‐ion batteries.
A Smart Polymeric Sol‐Binder for Building Healthy Active‐Material Microenvironment in High‐Energy‐Density Electrodes
Authors: He Yan , Jing Lei , Feng Lanxiang , Yang Sifan , Yang Jiarui , Fu Xuewei , Yang Wei , Wang Yu
Published: December 2022

Similar to the cell microenvironment in biology, the active material microenvironment (ME@AM) in battery electrodes determines the charge flux into/out the individual AM particles, and the overall device performance thereby. However, it is very challenging to understand and regulate the ME@AM structures due to the lack of advanced binders and their links to electrode microstructures. Here, to address this challenge, a high‐performance sol‐binder based on propylene carbonate (PC) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) is designed and the ME@AM structural evolution during its electrode fabrication is investigated. First, a pen‐ink‐like uniform slurry is successfully prepared in minutes with the PC solvent. Second, the sol‐to‐gel transition of the sol‐binder during high‐temperature drying suppresses the uncontrollable component aggregation/separation as generally found in conventional solution‐based slurries. Third, it helps to build robust and healthy ME@AM with a high mechanical state‐of‐health (97%) and 800% improvement in peeling strength, because of an optimized enriched binder distribution. Finally, thick lean‐binder electrodes are demonstrated with much improved overall electrochemical performance. This study not only uncovers the potential of polymer sols or colloids as advanced binders, but also reshapes the understanding of electrode microstructures and their links to binder systems through the concept of ME@AM.
Visualizing the Chemical Incompatibility of Halide and Sulfide‐Based Electrolytes in Solid‐State Batteries
Authors: Rosenbach Carolin , Walther Felix , Ruhl Justine , Hartmann Matthias , Hendriks Theodoor Anton , Ohno Saneyuki , Janek Jürgen , Zeier Wolfgang G.
Published: December 2022

Halide‐based solid electrolytes are currently growing in interest in solid‐state batteries due to their high electrochemical stability window compared to sulfide electrolytes. However, often a bilayer separator of a sulfide and a halide is used and it is unclear why such setup is necessary, besides the instability of the halides against lithium metal. It is shown that an electrolyte bilayer improves the capacity retention as it suppresses interfacial resistance growth monitored by impedance spectroscopy. By using in‐depth analytical characterization of buried interphases by time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy analyses, an indium‐sulfide rich region is detected at the halide and sulfide contact area, visualizing the chemical incompatibility of these two electrolytes. The results highlight the need to consider more than just the electrochemical stability of electrolyte materials, showing that chemical compatibility of all components may be paramount when using halide‐based solid electrolytes in solid‐state batteries.
Spatially Distributed Lithiophilic Gradient in Low‐Tortuosity 3D Hosts via Capillary Action for High‐Performance Li Metal Anodes
Authors: Zhu Zixuan , Liu Bo , Qian Yong , Fang Yanyan , Lei Xin , Liu Xinmiao , Zhou Jianbin , Qian Yitai , Wang Gongming
Published: December 2022

Regulating lithium deposition/stripping behavior in 3D hosts is critical for the development of stable lithium metal batteries. Herein, a low‐tortuosity wood derived carbon (WDC) with gradient‐distributed lithiophilic sites is rationally constructed via biomimetic capillary action, as an efficient scaffold for lithium deposition/stripping. Due to the merits of excellent spatial controllability, the gradient Ag particles modified WDC (WDC‐GDAg) displays favorable bottom‐up Li plating behavior with high columbic efficiency and long cycling stability. Finite element simulation reveals that gradient‐distributed Ag sites enable high lithium flux distribution at the bottom and homogeneous electric field distribution on the top of the WDC electrode. Moreover, the full cells with a WDC‐GDAg anode and a LiFePO4 cathode demonstrate high capacity retention of ≈78.9% after 2000 cycles at 10 C and remarkable rate performance even at 40 C, presenting great potential for practical applications.
Boosting the Performance on Scale‐Level of Triboelectric Nanogenerators by Controllable Self‐Triggering
Authors: Wang Qianwang , Yu Xin , Wang Jianlong , Yu Yang , Wang Zhenjie , Wang Zhong Lin , Cheng Tinghai
Published: December 2022

The characteristics of low current and high output impedance of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) constrain their development and application. Recently, corresponding energy management methods have been proposed to solve the problems. Among them, the switch plays an important role in energy management to improve output performance and reduce output impedance. Therefore, a self‐triggering switch controlled by TENGs is proposed for power management to achieve high‐performance output. It is comprised of an electronic logic switch and the triggering TENG to release the energy stored by the energy‐TENG. The experimental results demonstrate that the self‐triggering switch can adjust the duty cycle with the assistance of the inherent load characteristics of the TENG. In addition, the coupling output of the two TENGs increases the single‐cycle peak current by 137 times (from 32 µA to 4.32 mA) in the vertical contact‐separation mode and 5284 times (from 1.3 µA to 6.87 mA) in the horizontal contact mode. In application, the commercial sensor can be powered, and six 100 W lamps in parallel can be lit. The coupling output method of switch‐TENGs and energy‐TENGs provides important guidance for the development of power management and a new approach toward practical applications.
Modeling Neuroendocrine Autonomic Responses in Embodied Autonomous Robots
Authors: Maroto-Gómez Marcos , Castro‐González Álvaro , Malfaz María , Fernández-Rodicio Enrique , Salichs Miguel Ángel
Published: December 2022

The nervous system is controlled by a collection of neurons that transmit electric signals through the organism. These signals respond to internal and external stimuli and regulate many involuntary physiological functions. The autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary behaviors, such as heart rate, breathing, or pupil size through the action of neuroendocrine substances that modulate the biological processes. These physiological processes allow to express the internal state while interacting with others. This manuscript presents an artificial neuroendocrine model for regulating and expressing the involuntary physiological functions emulated in the Mini social robot. This model employs the robot's perception and simulated biological clock to generate neuroendocrine responses using simulated neuroendocrine substances to control the robot's autonomic processes of heart rate, pupil size, breathing rate, blinking rate, and locomotor activity. The primary contribution of this work is to provide biological modeling to replicate the evolution and effects of neuroendocrine substances on the regulation of autonomic processes and demonstrate how to express them in social robots using their actuators to improve their responsiveness and naturalness. These experiments show that the robot's autonomic processes can maintain proper evolution during long periods, while exhibiting circadian rhythms and responding to unexpected environmental changes.
Research Acceleration in Self‐Driving Labs: Technological Roadmap toward Accelerated Materials and Molecular Discovery
Authors: Delgado-Licona Fernando , Abolhasani Milad
Published: December 2022

The urgency of finding solutions to global energy, sustainability, and healthcare challenges has motivated rethinking of the conventional chemistry and material science workflows. Self‐driving labs, emerged through integration of disruptive physical and digital technologies, including robotics, additive manufacturing, reaction miniaturization, and artificial intelligence, have the potential to accelerate the pace of materials and molecular discovery by 10–100X. Using autonomous robotic experimentation workflows, self‐driving labs enable access to a larger part of the chemical universe and reduce the time‐to‐solution through an iterative hypothesis formulation, intelligent experiment selection, and automated testing. By providing a data‐centric abstraction to the accelerated discovery cycle, in this perspective article, the required hardware and software technological infrastructure to unlock the true potential of self‐driving labs is discussed. In particular, process intensification as an accelerator mechanism for reaction modules of self‐driving labs and digitalization strategies to further accelerate the discovery cycle in chemical and materials sciences are discussed.
A novel CHD3 variant in a patient with central precocious puberty: Expanded phenotype of Snijders Blok‐Campeau syndrome?
Authors: LeBreton Laure , Allain Eric P. , Parscan Radu Christian , Crapoulet Nicolas , Almaghraby Abdullah , Ben Amor Mouna
Published: December 2022

Snijders Blok‐Campeau syndrome is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder first described in 2018, mostly associated with de novo variants in the CHD3 gene that affects chromatin remodeling. This syndrome is characterized by developmental delay, speech delay, and intellectual disability, but only about 60 affected individuals have been reported to date. We report a de novo likely pathogenic CHD3 variant (c.5609G > A; p. (Arg1870Gln)) in a young female presenting with features of Snijders Blok‐Campeau syndrome including speech delay, autism spectrum disorder, learning difficulties, characteristic facial dysmorphisms, and a feature not previously described in this syndrome, idiopathic central precocious puberty. Her puberty was controlled with monthly injections of a GnRH analogue. Targeted exome sequencing was negative for genes known to be responsible for central precocious puberty. Our case raises the possibility that variants in CHD3 gene may also result in central precocious puberty. Strengthening this association could expand the phenotypic spectrum of the Snijders Blok‐Campeau syndrome and should be included in multigene panels for precocious puberty.
Ultrastructural Axon–Myelin Unit Alterations in Multiple Sclerosis Correlate with Inflammation
Authors: van den Bosch Aletta M. R. , Hümmert Sophie , Steyer Anna , Ruhwedel Torben , Hamann Jörg , Smolders Joost , Nave Klaus‐Armin , Stadelmann Christine , Kole Maarten H. P. , Möbius Wiebke , Huitinga Inge
Published: December 2022

Objective

Changes in the normal‐appearing white matter (NAWM) in multiple sclerosis (MS) may contribute to disease progression. Here, we systematically quantified ultrastructural and subcellular characteristics of the axon–myelin unit in MS NAWM and determined how this correlates with low‐grade inflammation.

Methods

Human brain tissue obtained with short postmortem delay and fixation at autopsy enables systematic quantification of ultrastructural characteristics. In this study, we performed high‐resolution immunohis tochemistry and quantitative transmission electron microscopy to study inflammation and ultrastructural characteristics of the axon–myelin unit in MS NAWM (n = 8) and control white matter (WM) in the optic nerve.

Results

In the MS NAWM, there were more activated and phagocytic microglia cells (HLA+P2RY12− and Iba1+CD68+) and more T cells (CD3+) compared to control WM, mainly located in the perivascular space. In MS NAWM compared to control WM, there were, as expected, longer paranodes and juxtaparanodes and larger overlap between paranodes and juxtaparanodes. There was less compact myelin wrapping, a lower g‐ratio, and a higher frequency of axonal mitochondria. Changes in myelin and axonal mitochondrial frequency correlated positively with the number of active and phagocytic microglia and lymphocytes in the optic nerve.

Interpretation

These data suggest that in MS NAWM myelin detachment and uncompact myelin wrapping occurs, potassium channels are unmasked at the nodes of Ranvier, and axonal energy demand is increased, or mitochondrial transport is stagnated, accompanied by increased presence of activated and phagocytic microglia and T cells. These subclinical alterations to the axon–myelin unit in MS NAWM may contribute to disease progression. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:856–870
A Substituted‐Rhodamine‐Based Reversible Fluorescent Probe for In Vivo Quantification of Glutathione
Authors: Li Ni , Wang Ting , Wang Ning , Fan Mengting , Cui Xiaoyan
Published: December 2022

Quantifying glutathione (GSH) in cells and organisms is of great significance for understanding the mechanism of oxidative stress in various physiological and pathological processes. However, the quantification by fluorescence bioimaging in living tissues has much stricter requirements than the “Petri dish”‐cultured cells in flat plates. Based on the evaluation of the electronic structure and steric hindrance‐tuned reactivity of phospha‐substituted rhodamine with GSH, a reversible Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) probe ZpSiP with a distinct performance (Kd=4.9 mM, t1/2=0.57 s, k=81 M−1 s−1) is developed for real time quantifying GSH in living cells. Furthermore, the near‐infrared (NIR) probe succeeded in sensitively tracking the dynamics of GSH in the real organisms bearing tumors, chronic renal failure, and liver fibrosis for unveiling the related pathological processes. We believe that the advance in chemistry with quantitative analysis methods will initiate more promising progress and broad applications.
A protocol for setting‐up robust hydrophobic interaction chromatography targeting the analysis of intact proteins and monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Ewonde Raphael Ewonde , Lingg Nico , Eßer Daniel , Eeltink Sebastiaan
Published: December 2022

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) is a chromatographic technique that mainly targets the separation of biomolecules (intact proteins, monoclonal antibodies, etc.) based on the difference in surface hydrophobicity while applying non‐denaturing conditions. This protocol paper provides guidelines for setting‐up robust HIC analysis and considers the instrument configuration, mobile‐phase and sample preparation, as well as chromatographic conditions and settings. The separation of a mixture of intact proteins and monoclonal antibodies is demonstrated by applying conventional HIC conditions, that is, using a mildly hydrophobic (C4) stationary phase in combination with an inverse ammonium sulphate gradient dissolved in aqueous phosphate buffer. The effect of sample‐preparation conditions on sample breakthroughs is presented. Finally, good run‐to‐run repeatability (relative standard deviation < 2%) is demonstrated for five different columns obtained from three different column lots, considering chromatographic retention, peak width, peak area and column pressure.