bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chiller et autres faits ordinaires
Authors: Cossette Sarah-Maude , Moriceau Mélissa , Braa Amani , Couvy Chloé , Oder Noah , Boucher Nathalie , Amiraux Valérie
Published: February 2023

Six parcs, près de 500 heures d’observation, plus de 60 entrevues, une question: que font les jeunes de 16 à 25 ans, la nuit, à Montréal? Alors qu’elle se place en opposition à la vie civilisée et légitime du jour, la nuit se définit sous deux angles: d’une part comme un moment d’insécurité, de vulnérabilité accentuées pour certain-es, de l’autre comme un moment de liberté et d’explorations festives. Alors que Montréal entame une réflexion sur la gouvernance nocturne et au regard des exemples européens où la nuit est déjà bien investie par un encadrement misant sur la marchandisation de l’hyperactivité nocturne, nos données récoltées à l’été 2020 révèlent une troisième dimension de la nuit; celle où les jeunes vivent des activités nocturnes ordinaires, axées sur l’expérience sensorielle de l’accalmie, la recherche d’intimité (entre soi, en territoire connu) et de liberté (être soi-même, en-dehors des contraintes et exigences diurnes).
Singing the Night
Authors: Levesque Lauren
Published: February 2023

This paper explores singing lullabies as a practice that opens spaces to reflect on ‘night’ as a sonic and sensory experience with implications for research in music and peacebuilding. Using arts-based and autoethnographic approaches, I ask: Can singing lullabies (Juvancic 2010) open a space to examine how sounding at night shapes a researcher’s ‘peace’ imaginary? This question aims to expand understandings of the ‘self’ as a site of an “aesthetics of resistance” (Möller 2020), or the notion that individual reflection and action sustain social engagement in music and peacebuilding scholarship. These understandings can contribute to interdisciplinary conversations on self-reflexivity and performance as ethnographic access points to peace imaginaries in Night Studies.
Olympians of Riga Technical University in 110 Years 1912–2022
Authors: Gudro Ilze , Zigmunde Alīda
Published: February 2023

The scientific monograph presents materials on the students, graduates and academic personnel of Riga Polytechnicum established in 1862, later called Riga Polytechnic Institute, and its successor Riga Technical University, as well as the engineering faculties of the University of Latvia, who participated in the Olympic Games. The monograph discusses their sports activities and their relationships with the Latvian Olympic Committee. The study is dedicated to the athletes who participated in the Olympic Games from 1912 to 2022. The monograph is based on documents from the Latvian State Historical Archive of the National Archives of Latvia, the RPI / RTU Archive, the documents of the archive of the Latvian Olympic Committee, materials from the RTU Sports Centre (till 2017 – Sports Club), Latvian Sports Museum, RTU Research Centre for Engineering History, RTU History Museum and library collections, supplemented by materials from the Olympians’ private archives and interviews with them.
Symptoms, the GerdQ score and patients’ characteristics do not predict gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with proton-pump-inhibitor-refractory reflux symptoms—results from a large prospective database
Authors: Labenz Joachim , Menzel Merlissa , Hirsch Oliver , Müller Matthias , Labenz Christian , Adarkwah Charles Christian
Published: February 2023

Background

The number of patients with proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-refractory reflux symptoms is underestimated since many patients resign after an unsuccessful therapy attempt. Thus, it would be useful having a non-invasive tool that can help identify true gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients in order to manage them early and properly. The GerdQ is a validated tool developed for this purpose but its applicability in PPI-refractory patients has not yet been investigated. Our aim was to investigate if reflux symptoms per se, the GerdQ and patients characteristics are suitable for non-invasive diagnosis of GERD in patients with PPI refractory reflux symptoms.

Methods

A total of 500 patients from a prospectively recorded data base with PPI-refractory reflux symptoms were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received comprehensive diagnostic workup including EGD, pH-impedance measurement and manometry. GERD was diagnosed according to the recent Lyon consensus.

Results

Of all patients enrolled in the study, 280 (56%) finally fulfilled the criteria for objectively verified GERD according to the Lyon consensus. There were no significant differences in age and gender between the patients with and without GERD, whereas the body mass index was significantly higher in the group with verified GERD, but the discriminative value was low (Welch-Test, p < .001, Cohen’s d = 0.39). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the GerdQ values between the two groups. A GerdQ cutoff value ≥ 9 resulted in a sensitivity of 43% and specificity of 57% with a positive predictive value of 56% and a negative predictive value of 44%.

Conclusion

Based on our study, neither symptoms and the GerdQ score nor patients’ characteristics are appropriate tools to distinguish between GERD and other causes for reflux symptoms in patients with PPI-refractory reflux symptoms.
High nitrogen inhibits biomass and saponins accumulation in a medicinal plant Panax notoginseng
Authors: Cun Zhu , Wu Hong-Min , Zhang Jin-Yan , Shuang Sheng-Pu , Hong Jie , An Tong-Xin , Chen Jun-Wen
Published: February 2023

Nitrogen (N) is an important macronutrient and is comprehensively involved in the synthesis of secondary metabolites. However, the interaction between N supply and crop yield and the accumulation of effective constituents in an N-sensitive medicinal plant Panax notoginseng (Burkill) F. H. Chen is not completely known. Morphological traits, N use and allocation, photosynthetic capacity and saponins accumulation were evaluated in two- and three-year-old P. notoginseng grown under different N regimes. The number and length of fibrous root, total root length and root volume were reduced with the increase of N supply. The accumulation of leaf and stem biomass (above-ground) were enhanced with increasing N supply, and LN-grown plants had the lowest root biomass. Above-ground biomass was closely correlated with N content, and the relationship between root biomass and N content was negatives in P. notoginseng (r = −0.92). N use efficiency-related parameters, NUE (N use efficiency, etc.), NC (N content in carboxylation system component) and Pn (the net photosynthetic rate) were reduced in HN-grown P. notoginseng. SLN (specific leaf N), Chl (chlorophyll), NL (N content in light capture component) increased with an increase in N application. Interestingly, root biomass was positively correlated with NUE, yield and Pn. Above-ground biomass was close negatively correlated with photosynthetic N use efficiency (PNUE). Saponins content was positively correlated with NUE and Pn. Additionally, HN improved the root yield of per plant compared with LN, but reduced the accumulation of saponins, and the lowest yield of saponins per unit area (35.71 kg·hm−2) was recorded in HN-grown plants. HN-grown medicinal plants could inhibit the accumulation of root biomass by reducing N use and photosynthetic capacity, and HN-induced decrease in the accumulation of saponins (C-containing metabolites) might be closely related to the decline in N efficiency and photosynthetic capacity. Overall, N excess reduces the yield of root and C-containing secondary metabolites (active ingredient) in N-sensitive medicinal species such as P. notoginseng.
Exploring the Factors Influencing Home Delivery: A Cross Sectional Study among Rural Residents in Tamale Metropolis
Authors: Mohammed Abdul-Samed , Yakong Vida Nyagre , Twumasi Elizabeth , Apuswin Ayabah Ruth , Ameyaw Christiana , Atuga Albert Ajapoak , Cudjoe Francis Kronzu
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Maternal and child mortality continues as a disturbing public health problem facing Ghana and other low and middle-income countries. As such there are advocacy for skilled birth delivery. Despite the advocacy, in most rural communities, unskilled delivery still persists. It is against this background that this study aims to explore the factors influencing home delivery among women in rural areas of Tamale Metropolis.

Methods: The study employed the descriptive cross-sectional design with the mixed method approach. The study recruited 200 women within reproductive age of 18-49 who had delivered at least once in the selected rural communities in the Tamale Metropolis.  Questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect data for this study. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 26 and manual thematic content analysis for quantitative and qualitative data respectively.

Results:  The prevalence of home delivery was reported as (36.5%) among the respondents. More than quarter (35.5%) of the respondents rate their satisfaction of home delivery as good whereas more than half of the respondents rated TBAs’ attitude as good. Three (3) qualitative respondents indicated that most women chose to deliver at home in neglect of hospital because of better satisfaction gained from delivering at home. The qualitative data showed that the factors identified to influence home delivery were as followed:  negative attitude of health workers, lack of trust in health workers competence, unnecessary expenses from hospitals, distance, and poor quality of services.  Nearly 90.0% of the respondents were enrolled on the NHIS with a proof of active NHIS card. Majority of the respondents were aware of the free maternal health services and all respondents agreed that they had a CHPs compound in their communities, however, only 36.5% responded in the affirmative that these CHPs compound are resourced adequately.

Conclusion: The study showed a substantive percentage of the respondents to be practicing home delivery with the support of unskilled birth attendants. Poor attitudes from health workers, better previous experience in delivering at home, unreliable means of transport to the hospital and additional informal delivery expenses were some of the factors found to be significant determinants of home delivery. It is recommended for the government and other stakeholders to provide rural ambulance services to aid in the transport of pregnant women in labor to the nearest health facility.
Effect of Plant Spacing on the Growth and Yield of Local Aman Rice Cultivar
Authors: Foysal Md. Rafat Al , Tarek Md. Khalid Hasan , Biswas Mrityunjoy , Miah Mohammad Noor Hossain , Hoque Mozammel
Published: February 2023

Aims: Transplant (T) aman is occupying a major portion of rice based cropping system in Sylhet region, Bangladesh. Still majority of farmers are circled to cultivate local T. aman rice cultivars, but the overall yield is very low. Agronomic management can be a good option to boost up the yield potential of these local cultivars. This study was conducted to observe the influence of planting geometry on the yield of local aman cultivars.

Study Design: Randomized complete block design.

Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted to find out optimum plant density of local cultivars of T. aman rice during the period from August 2017 to December 2017 at farmer’s field located at Jointapur, Sylhet.

Methodology: The study were replicated thrice in randomized complete block design considering four rice cultivars viz. Beruin (V1), Moinasail (V2), Nagrasail (V3) and, BRRI dhan49 (Control, check variety) (V4) and four plant spacings viz. (15 × 15) cm (S1), (20 × 15) cm (S2), (20 × 20) cm (S3) and (20×25) cm (S4).

Results: The results indicated that the highest grain yield were recorded in (2.65 t ha-1) in the variety V4, which was statistically similar with V3 (2.60 t ha-1). The highest grain yield (2.87 t ha-1) was obtained (V4 × S4) while the lowest (1.58 t ha-1) from (V1 × S1). Among the local varieties highest grain yield (2.64 t ha-1) recorded in (V3 × S4) which was statistically similar (V4 × S4).

Conclusion: Outcomes of the study revealed that Nagrasail (V3) with (20 × 25) cm plant spacing is a promising option, and isthe best one for local T. aman cultivar cultivation in Sylhet region.
Ultrasound Guided Platelet Rich Plasma Injection in Post Traumatic Knee Meniscus Lesion
Authors: Omara Mona Helal , El-Badry Amr Mohamed , El-Barbary Amal Mohamed , El-Saadany Hanan Mohamed , Kassem Elham Mohamed
Published: February 2023

Background: Orthobiologics have gained a lot of attention as a potential meniscal injury therapy option in recent years. There are several techniques for biologically enhancing meniscal healing, such as the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), cytokines, growth factors, and fibrin clots. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PRP injection guided by ultrasound on functional and clinical improvement in patients with post traumatic knee meniscal injury grade 2.

Methods: This study was carried out on forty patients with evidence of post traumatic knee intramural meniscal lesion grade 2 on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients were treated with three injections, two weeks apart of 4 ml of autologous PRP injected at the site of knee meniscal lesion under continuous ultrasound guidance.

Results: There were significant improvement as regard pain assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), active range of motion (ROM), knee joint line tenderness grading 4 months after treatment compared to before treatment. There was significant improvement as regard symptoms, Activities of daily living (ADL), pain, sport and recreation function and knee related quality of life (QOL) subscales of KOOS  4 months after treatment compared to before treatment.

Conclusions: Peri-meniscal PRP injection under ultrasound guidance in patients with post traumatic knee meniscal lesions grade 2 with persistent pain appears to be an effective method for pain relief. Peri-meniscal PRP injection is able to achieve improvement in clinical and functional scores after 4 months follow up. Musculoskeletal ultrasonography is a fundamental tool for peri-meniscal areas injections to guarantee its accuracy and maximizes its benefits.
Bioactive Compounds from Mangosteen Fruit Peels (Garcinia mangostana L.) and Assessment of their Antioxidant Potential
Authors: Nseme Yves Didier Mboma , Mandeng Kevin Fabrice Paul , Mounpou Jafarou , Djuikoo Imelda Lucresse Nouteza , Nguedjo Maxwell Wandji , Baleba Roger Moïse Mbanga , Mouafo Hippolyte Tene , Medoua Gabriel Nama
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study was to quantify the bioactive compounds in mangosteen fruit peels and assess their antioxidant activity. Peels from washed mature fruits of Garcinia mangostana (L.) were dried, crushed, and sieved, and the bioactive compounds were extracted using distilled water and ethanol 70%, and quantified. The antioxidant potential of the different extracts was assessed through their DPPH scavenging activity, iron reducing power, and total antioxidant capacity. Results showed that ethanol at 70% extracted more bioactive compounds compared to water. Total polyphenols content of 57.19 mg GAE/g DM, flavonoids of 35.06 mg QE/g DM, alkaloids of 4.49 mg QuiE/g DM, and vitamin C of 1.42 mg/100g DM were obtained from hydroethanolic (ethanol 70%) extract. As expected, the highest percentage of scavenging DPPH radical (85.98%) was recorded with hydroethanolic extract compared to the aqueous one (44.66%). Similar behaviors were noticed with the hydroethanolic extract regarding the iron-reducing capacity and the total antioxidant capacity. Thus, justifying the positive correlations obtained between bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities although significant (p<0.05) between alkaloids and DPPH scavenging activity. Mangosteen peels is a good source of bioactive compounds that might be potentially used for food preservation and the management/prevention of cardio-metabolic diseases.
Seed Engineering toward Layer‐Regulated Growth of Magnetic Semiconductor VS2
Authors: Wang Xiangyi , Ma Liang , Wang Chuanlong , Wang Jiong , Guo Jun , Tang Rujun , Zhu Juntong , Zou Guifu
Published: February 2023

The discovery of layered magnetic semiconductor materials has stimulated a search for the magnetic order of atomically thin‐layered materials. However, layer‐controlled growth is difficult because of the high nucleation barrier of the material surface during the few‐layer formation of 2D materials. Herein, a seeding solution method is demonstrated that changes the nucleation mode of seed crystals on the substrate surface by precisely controlling the concentration of metal precursors and promoting the formation of cluster seed nuclei to ensure a sufficient source of metal for subsequent reactions. It is studied that the kinetic and thermodynamic synergy through temperature control is readily to grow VS2 with a tunable layer number. Monolayer VS2 exhibits strong ferromagnetic ordering with a saturation magnetization strength (Ms) of 37 emu per cc and a coercivity (Hc) of 135 Oe at 300 K. Notably, the ferromagnetism of VS2 has layer‐dependent performance of the saturation magnetization and coercivity decreases with increasing number of layers. Monolayer VS2 exhibits typical semiconductor properties in Hall devices. This study broadens the chemical pathway for the tunable synthesis of 2D layered magnetic materials and provides the possibility for the construction of novel spintronic and magnetoelectronic devices.
A S‐Scheme MOF‐on‐MOF Heterostructure
Authors: Yuan Ling , Zhang Chaoqi , Zou Yingying , Bao Tong , Wang Jing , Tang Cheng , Du Aijun , Yu Chengzhong , Liu Chao
Published: February 2023

Constructing MOF‐on‐MOF heterojunction with elaborate charge transfer mechanism and interface is a promising strategy for improving the photocatalytic properties of MOFs. Herein, a Step‐scheme (S‐scheme) MIL‐125‐NH2@CoFe Prussian blue analogue (PBA) heterojunction is reported for the first time. The MOF‐on‐MOF heterostructure exhibits a sandwich‐like morphology with hollow CoFe PBA nanocages selectively assembled on the top‐down surfaces of MIL‐125‐NH2 nanocakes. Experimental findings and theoretical simulation results reveal the formation of internal electric field via interfacial TiOCo bonds at the heterojunction, providing driving force and atomic transportation highway for accelerating the S‐scheme charge transfer and enhancing the redox performance. Contributed further by the hollow sandwich‐like structures with increased active site exposure, the designed MOF‐on‐MOF heterojunction exhibits significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for degradation of various organic pollutants. This study provides insights toward the rational design of semiconducting MOF‐based heterojunctions with improved properties.
Minimizing Energy Barrier in Intermediate Connection Layer for Monolithic Tandem WPeLEDs with Wide Color Gamut
Authors: Wang Run , Xiang Hengyang , Li Yan , Zhou Yihui , Shan Qingsong , Su Yuqin , Li Zhi , Wang Yongjin , Zeng Haibo
Published: February 2023

Perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) show promising prospects in the wide color gamut display owing to their ultra‐narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM). However, up to now, all perovskite white LEDs integrated by standard red, green, and blue perovskite emitters, namely, monolithic white PeLEDs (WPeLEDs), have been rarely reported, owing to facing some issues, e.g., solvent incompatibility in solution technique, ion exchange, and energy transfer between different emission centers. Herein, centered on these issues, an optimal intermediate connection layer (ICL) of Po‐T2T/LiF/Ag/HAT‐CN/MoO3 is adopted to successfully develop monolithic tandem multicolor PeLEDs and WPeLEDs for the first time. The multicolor PeLEDs can achieve the best external quantum efficiency of 1.8% and the highest luminance of 4844 cd m−2. Besides, the red/green/blue (R/G/B) monolithic tandem WPeLED shows a standard white International Commission on Illumination coordinate of (0.33, 0.33) and achieves an extremely wide color gamut reaching  National Television Standards Committee of 130%. This study is the first to realize the standard R/G/B co‐electroluminescence in a monolithic perovskite device and offers a feasible strategy for developing wide‐color gamut perovskite displays.
Engineering of an Osteoinductive and Growth Factor‐Free Injectable Bone‐Like Microgel for Bone Regeneration
Authors: Subbiah Ramesh , Lin Edith Y. , Athirasala Avathamsa , Romanowicz Genevieve E. , Lin Angela S. P. , Califano Joseph V. , Guldberg Robert E. , Bertassoni Luiz E.
Published: February 2023

Bone autografts remain the gold standard for bone grafting surgeries despite having increased donor site morbidity and limited availability. Bone morphogenetic protein‐loaded grafts represent another successful commercial alternative. However, the therapeutic use of recombinant growth factors has been associated with significant adverse clinical outcomes. This highlights the need to develop biomaterials that closely approximate the structure and composition of bone autografts, which are inherently osteoinductive and biologically active with embedded living cells, without the need for added supplements. Here, injectable growth factor‐free bone‐like tissue constructs are developed, that closely approximate the cellular, structural, and chemical composition of bone autografts. It is demonstrated that these micro‐constructs are inherently osteogenic, and demonstrate the ability to stimulate mineralized tissue formation and regenerate bone in critical‐sized defects in‐vivo. Furthermore, the mechanisms that allow human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to be highly osteogenic in these constructs, despite the lack of osteoinductive supplements, are assessed, whereby Yes activated protein (YAP) nuclear localization and adenosine signaling appear to regulate osteogenic cell differentiation. The findings represent a step toward a new class of minimally invasive, injectable, and inherently osteoinductive scaffolds, which are regenerative by virtue of their ability to mimic the tissue cellular and extracellular microenvironment, thus showing promise for clinical applications in regenerative engineering.
Catalytic Amounts of an Antibacterial Monomer Enable the Upcycling of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Waste
Authors: Zhang Hongjie , Fang Tianxiang , Yao Xuxia , Li Xiaodong , Zhu Weipu
Published: February 2023

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is an important polymer with an annual output second only to polyethylene. The development of PET recycling technologies is therefore necessary to not only eliminate the harm associated with white pollution and microplastics, but also to reduce carbon emissions. Antibacterial PET, one of the most high‐value advanced materials, has improved the ability to treat bacterial infections. However, current methods of manufacturing commercial antibacterial PET require blending with an excess of metal‐based antibacterial agents, which leads to biotoxicity and a nonpersistent antibacterial activity. In addition, high‐efficiency organic antibacterial agents have yet to be employed in antibacterial PET due to their poor thermal stabilities. Herein, a solid‐state reaction for the upcycling of PET waste using a novel hyperthermostable antibacterial monomer is described. This reaction is catalyzed by the residual catalyst present in the PET waste. It is found that a catalytic amount of the antibacterial monomer enabled the low‐cost upcycling of PET waste to produce high‐value recycled PET with a strong and persistent antibacterial activity, as well as similar thermal properties to the virgin PET. This work provides a feasible and economic strategy for the large‐scale upcycling of PET waste and exhibits potential for application in the polymer industry.
Improved Liquid Collection on a Dual‐Asymmetric Superhydrophilic Origami
Authors: Bai Haoyu , Wang Xinsheng , Li Zhe , Wen Huiyi , Yang Yifan , Li Muqian , Cao Moyuan
Published: February 2023

Manipulating fluid with an open channel provides a promising strategy to simplify the current systems. Nevertheless, spontaneous on‐surface fluid transport with large flux, high speed, and long distance remains challenging. Inspired by scallop shells, here a shell‐like superhydrophilic origami (S‐SLO) with multiple‐paratactic and dual‐asymmetric channels is presented to improve fluid collection. The origami channel can capture various types of liquids, including droplets, flow, and steam, and then transport collected liquid unidirectionally. The S‐SLO with 2 mm depth can reach maximum flux of 450 mL h−1, which is five times the capacity of a flat patterned surface with similar dimension. To diversify the function of such interface, the SLO is further integrated with a superhydrophobic zirconium carbide/silicone coating for enhanced condensation via the collaboration of directional fluid manipulation and a radiative cooling layer. Compared with the unmodified parallel origami, the shell‐like origami with a radiative cooling layer shows a 56% improvement in condensate efficiency as well as the directional liquid drainage. This work demonstrates a more accessible design for the optimization of on‐surface fluid control, and the improved performance of liquid transport should extend the applications of bioinspired fluid‐manipulating interfaces.
Chelated Ion‐Exchange Strategy toward BiOCl Mesoporous Single‐Crystalline Nanosheets for Boosting Photocatalytic Selective Aromatic Alcohols Oxidation
Authors: Li Wei , Mao Yumeng , Liu Zhilin , Zhang Jinshui , Luo Jiahuan , Zhang Ling , Qiao Zhen‐An
Published: February 2023

The photoresponse and photocatalytic efficiency of bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) are greatly limited by rapid recombination of photogenerated carriers. The construction of porous single‐crystal BiOCl photocatalyst can effectively alleviate this issue and provide accessible active sites. Herein, a facile chelated ion‐exchange strategy is developed to synthesize BiOCl mesoporous single‐crystalline nanosheets (BiOCl MSCN) using acetic acid and ammonia solution respectively as chelating agent and ionization promoter. The strong chelation between acetate ions and Bi3+ ions introduces acetate ions into the precipitated product to exchange with Cl‐ ions, resulting in large lattice mismatch, strain release, and formation of void‐like mesopores. The prepared BiOCl MSCN photocatalyst exhibits excellent catalytic performance with 99% conversion and 98% selectivity for oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde and superior general adaptability for various aromatic alcohols. The theoretical calculations and characterizations confirm that the superior performance is mainly attributed to the abundant oxygen vacancies, plenty of accessible adsorption/active sites and fast charge transport path without grain boundaries.
Durable and Adjustable Interfacial Engineering of Polymeric Electrolytes for Both Stable Ni‐Rich Cathodes and High‐Energy Metal Anodes
Authors: Chen Yong , Cui Yingyue , Wang Simeng , Xiao Ying , Niu Jin , Huang Jiajia , Wang Feng , Chen Shimou
Published: February 2023

Achieving stable cycling of high‐voltage solid‐state lithium metal batteries is crucial for next‐generation rechargeable batteries with high energy density and high safety. However, the complicated interface problems in both cathode/anode electrodes preclude their practical applications hitherto. Herein, to simultaneously solve such interfacial limitations and obtain sufficient Li+ conductivity in the electrolyte, an ultrathin and adjustable interface is developed at the cathode side through a convenient surface in situ polymerization (SIP), achieving a durable high‐voltage tolerance and Li‐dendrite inhibition. The integrated interfacial engineering fabricates a homogeneous solid electrolyte with optimized interfacial interactions that contributes to tame the interfacial compatibility between LiNixCoyMnzO2 and polymeric electrolyte accompanied by anticorrosion of aluminum current collector. Further, the SIP enables a uniform adjustment of solid electrolyte composition by dissolving additives such as Na+ and K+ salts, which presents prominent cyclability in symmetric Li cells (>300 cycles at 5 mA cm−2). The assembled LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (4.3 V)||Li batteries show excellent cycle life with high Coulombic efficiencies (>99%). This SIP strategy is also investigated and verified in sodium metal batteries. It opens a new frontier for solid electrolytes toward high‐voltage and high‐energy metal battery technologies.
Artificial‐Intelligence‐Powered Lower Limb Assistive Devices: Future of Home Care Technologies
Authors: Mehr Javad K. , Akbari Mojtaba , Faridi Pouria , Xing Hongjun , Mushahwar Vivian K. , Tavakoli Mahdi
Published: February 2023

Healthcare systems are burdened by mobility impairments resulting from aging and neurological conditions. One of the recent advances in robotics is lower limb assistive/rehabilitative devices that can make independent living possible. Nonetheless, some limitations need to be addressed before robotics can be used in home‐based applications. This paper describes the current state of the art in intelligent motion planning and control of lower limb assistive devices, which have addressed some of these challenges. Adaptable central pattern generators and the divergent component of motion are introduced as methods for personalized motion planning based on physical human–robot interaction (pHRI). Uncertainty analysis for neural networks is introduced to increase safety in motion planning based on pHRI. For the case that a user cannot apply physical interaction, a reinforcement‐learning‐based approach is introduced to switch between different modes of walking based on the user's input via a push button embedded in a walker. Moreover, a smart walker is introduced as a device that can be synchronized with the lower limb exoskeleton to assist users with their daily activities. Also, a roadmap for future steps that can make lower limb assistive/rehabilitative devices a good fit for home use is introduced.
Liquid Precursor‐Guided Phase Engineering of Single‐Crystal VO2 Beams
Authors: Shi Run , Wu Yonghuang , Xin Zeqin , Guo Jing , Li Zonglin , Zhao Bochen , Peng Ruixuan , Li Chenyu , Wang Enze , Wang Bolun , Zhang Xiaolong , Cheng Chun , Liu Kai
Published: February 2023

The study of VO2 flourishes due to its rich competing phases induced by slight stoichiometry variations. However, the vague mechanism of stoichiometry manipulation makes the precise phase engineering of VO2 still challenging. Here, stoichiometry manipulation of single‐crystal VO2 beams in liquid‐assisted growth is systematically studied. Contrary to previous experience, oxygen‐rich VO2 phases are abnormally synthesized under a reduced oxygen concentration, revealing the important function of liquid V2O5 precursor: It submerges VO2 crystals and stabilizes their stoichiometric phase (M1) by isolating them from the reactive atmosphere, while the uncovered crystals are oxidized by the growth atmosphere. By varying the thickness of liquid V2O5 precursor and thus the exposure time of VO2 to the atmosphere, various VO2 phases (M1, T, and M2) can be selectively stabilized. Furthermore, this liquid precursor‐guided growth can be used to spatially manages multiphase structures in single VO2 beams, enriching their deformation modes for actuation applications.
Lignin nanoparticles filled chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol polymer blend as a coating material of urea with a slow‐release property
Authors: Elhassani Chirâa Elidrissi , El Gharrak Abdelouahed , Essamlali Younes , Elamiri Salma , Dânoun Karim , Aboulhrouz Soumia , Zahouily Mohamed
Published: February 2023

The present study aims to develop a novel waterborne chitosan‐based coating formulation for slow‐release urea fertilizer. Coating formulations were elaborated by blending chitosan (Cs) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (50/50, wt/wt) followed by the addition of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) at various loadings (1, 2, 3, and 5 wt% LNPs) to yield viscous coating formulations. Formulations were cast to obtain coating films on which several structural, thermal, morphological, mechanical, and physicochemical characterizations were performed. Results showed that the Cs/PVA‐LNPs (3%) formulation exhibited suitable physicochemical characteristics in terms of the hydrophobic–hydrophilic balance, reduced water vapor permeability, and tolerated elasticity making it suitable to be used for fertilizer coating. Urea granules were coated by Cs/PVA and Cs/PVA‐LNPs formulations under controlled spraying and drying conditions until a good adhesion between the fertilizer and coating was obtained. Coated granules showed a good slow‐release N property over time and results indicated that the incorporation of LNPs was beneficial since its prolonged the longevity of the coated urea fertilizer up to 18 days compared to 5 days for the neat Cs/PVA. Hence, the proposed nanocomposite system showed great potential to be used as a coating material to produce a new slow‐release N fertilizer for sustainable crop production.
Ferroelectric [HfO2/ZrO2] Superlattices with Enhanced Polarization, Tailored Coercive Field, and Improved High Temperature Reliability
Authors: Lehninger David , Prabhu Aditya , Sünbül Ayse , Ali Tarek , Schöne Fred , Kämpfe Thomas , Biedermann Kati , Roy Lisa , Seidel Konrad , Lederer Maximilian , Eng Lukas M.
Published: February 2023

Modern microelectronic systems and applications demand an every increasing amount of non‐volatile memories that are fast, reliable, and consume little power. Memory concepts based on ferroelectric HfO2like the ferroelectric field effect transistor (FeFET) and the ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) are promising to satisfy these requirements. As a consequence, continuing high attention is given to improve the ferroelectric properties and the reliability characteristics of the ferroelectric HfO2films – for instance by using different dopant elements, dopant concentrations, and film thicknesses. Superlattices (i.e., a periodic structure of two materials stacked upon each other) are a promising alternative approach. Herein, [HfO2/ZrO2] superlattices of various sublayer thicknesses and a constant total thickness of 10 nm are embedded into metal‐ferroelectric‐metal (MFM) capacitors and then electrically as well as structurally characterized with special focus on remanent polarization, coercive field, endurance, and high temperature reliability. Compared to a 10 nm (Hf,Zr)O2 solid solution reference film, the use of superlattice stacks significantly improves the above mentioned parameters. In addition, most of these parameters depend on the sublayer thickness, which allows, for instance, tailoring the coercive field of the whole device.
Risk of Venous Thromboembolism With Gout Flares
Authors: Cipolletta Edoardo , Tata Laila J. , Nakafero Georgina , Avery Anthony J. , Mamas Mamas A. , Abhishek Abhishek
Published: February 2023

Objective

Previous studies demonstrated that the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is increased in patients with gout, but not whether there was a temporal association between gout flare and VTE. This study was undertaken to evaluate potential temporal associations between gout flare and VTE.

Methods

Data were obtained from electronic primary‐care records from the UK's Clinical Practice Research Datalink, which links data from hospitalization and mortality registers. Using self‐controlled case series analysis adjusted for season and age, we evaluated the temporal association between gout flare and VTE. The 90 days after primary‐care consultation or hospitalization for gout flare was designated the exposed period. This was divided into three 30‐day intervals. The baseline period was up to 2 years before the start of and up to 2 years after the end of the exposed period. The association between gout flare and VTE was measured using adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results

In total, 314 patients met the inclusion criteria (age ≥18 years, incident gout, no presence of VTE or use of a primary‐care anticoagulant prescription before the start of the pre‐exposure period). Among the 314 patients, VTE incidence was significantly higher in the exposed period than in the baseline period (adjusted IRR 1.83, 95% CI 1.30–2.59). The adjusted IRR of VTE during the first 30 days after gout flare was 2.31 (95% CI 1.39–3.82) relative to the baseline period. No increase in the adjusted IRRs was observed in days 31–60 (adjusted IRR 1.49, 95% CI 0.79–2.81) and days 61–90 (adjusted IRR 1.67, 95% CI 0.91–3.06) relative to baseline. Results were consistent across sensitivity analyses.

Conclusion

Among patients with gout, there was a transient increase in the rate of VTE within 30 days after primary‐care consultation or hospitalization for gout flare.
Efficacy of gemcitabine in combination with nanoparticle albumin‐bound paclitaxel in the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer: A retrospective single institution review
Authors: Kase Adam M. , Azzouqa Abdel‐Ghani , Kochuveettil Swapna , Colon‐Otero Gerardo
Published: February 2023

Background

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of gemcitabine plus nab‐paclitaxel in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.

Methods

We performed a single institution retrospective review of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer who were treated with gemcitabine plus nab‐paclitaxel from 2012 to 2018 at the Mayo Clinic in Florida.

Results

Twenty patients were identified and the median PFS for patients treated with gemcitabine plus nab‐paclitaxel was 9 months (95% CI, 5.7–20.7). Overall, 17 of the 20 patients (85%) achieved a clinical benefit (complete response 5%, partial response 55%, or stable disease at 3 months 25%). For platinum‐sensitive disease and platinum‐resistant disease, the median OS were 38.7 months (95% CI, 5.8–63.1) and 31.2 months (95% CI, 12.8–51.8), respectively (p = 0.4306).

Conclusion

This well‐tolerated regimen shows promising activity in recurrent ovarian cancer and is a viable option for patients who are intolerant to paclitaxel or carboplatin because of allergic reactions.
Effect of rice leaf stage on tolerance to benzobicyclon in a drill‐seeded production system
Authors: Patterson Jake A. , Norsworthy Jason K. , Butts Thomas R. , Gbur Edward E.
Published: February 2023

Benzobicyclon is a new postflood‐applied herbicide that was registered for use in U.S. rice (Oryza sativa L.) in 2021 by Gowan Company. Therefore, research was conducted to evaluate tolerance of commonly grown rice cultivars to benzobicyclon. In 2018 and 2019, field experiments were conducted near Stuttgart, AR to evaluate the influence of growth stage on rice tolerance to benzobicyclon, and to evaluate pure line and hybrid rice tolerance to benzobicyclon following repeated use of acetolactate synthase‐inhibiting herbicides. In one of two years, rice growth stage (leaf number) at application impacted tolerance to benzobicyclon. In 2018, the two‐leaf application of benzobicyclon was generally more injurious to the rice cultivars, ‘CL153’, ‘Diamond’, ‘PVL01’, and ‘CLXL745’ than when applied at four‐leaf or tillering growth stages. In the second year, all rice cultivars, except ‘Rondo’, were not injured by benzobicyclon applied at any growth stage. In both years, benzobicyclon applied to indica rice cultivar Rondo elicited ≥97% crop injury, regardless of application timing. Findings from these experiments suggest that rice cultivar tolerance can vary across environments and that smaller‐sized rice could be more prone to injury than when applications occur at a typical timing for a postflood‐applied herbicide. In general, four‐leaf and tillering rice will exhibit sufficient tolerance to benzobicyclon. It is especially not recommended to apply benzobicyclon on rice cultivars that have a predominant indica‐type genealogical background. Benzobicyclon following repeated applications of acetolactate synthase‐inhibiting herbicides to the pure line cultivar CL153 and the hybrid cultivar CLXL745 did not pose increased risk for injury to rice.
Revealing the Crystal Phase‐Activity Relationship on NiRu Alloy Nanoparticles Encapsulated in N‐Doped Carbon towards Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Yuan Ying , Zheng Lufan , Rong Junfeng , Zhao XiKang , Wu Genghuang , Zhuang Zhongbin
Published: February 2023

Adjusting the crystal phase of a metal alloy is an important method to optimize catalytic performance. However, detailed understanding about the phase‐property relationship for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is still limited. In this work, the crystal phase‐activity relationship of NiRu nanoparticles is studied employing N‐doped carbon shell coated NiRu nanoparticles with different phase contents. It is found that the NiRu@NC (mix) with both face‐centred cubic (fcc) and thermodynamically unstable hexagonal close‐packed (hcp) phase NiRu give the best HER performance. Further activity studies demonstrate that hcp NiRu has better HER performance, and NiRu@NC (mix) with rich (∼70 %) hcp phase presented outstanding performance with an overpotential of only 27 mV @ 10 mA ⋅ cm−2. The high HER activity of NiRu@NC (mix) is attributed to the formation of hcp phase. This finding indicates that the regulation of crystal structure can provide a new strategy for optimizing HER activity.
BODIPY‐Perylene Charge Transfer Compounds; Sensitizers for Triplet‐Triplet Annihilation Up‐conversion
Authors: Arellano‐Reyes Ruben Arturo , Prabhakaran Amrutha , Sia Rengel Cane E. , Guthmuller Julien , Jha Keshav Kumar , Yang Tingxiang , Dietzek‐Ivanšić Benjamin , McKee Vickie , Keyes Tia E.
Published: February 2023

BODIPY heterochromophores, asymmetrically substituted with perylene and/or iodine at the 2 and 6 positions were prepared and investigated as sensitizers for triplet‐triplet annihilation up conversion (TTA‐UC). Single‐crystal X‐ray crystallographic analyses show that the torsion angle between BODIPY and perylene units lie between 73.54 and 74.51, though they are not orthogonal. Both compounds show intense, charge transfer absorption and emission profiles, confirmed by resonance Raman spectroscopy and consistent with DFT calculations. The emission quantum yield was solvent dependent but the emission profile remained characteristic of CT transition across all solvents explored. Both BODIPY derivatives were found to be effective sensitizers of TTA‐UC with perylene annihilator in dioxane and DMSO. Intense anti‐Stokes emission was observed, and visible by eye from these solvents. Conversely, no TTA‐UC was observed from the other solvents explored, including from non‐polar solvents such as toluene and hexane that yielded brightest fluorescence from the BODIPY derivatives. In dioxane, the power density plots obtained were strongly consistent with TTA‐UC and the power density threshold, the Ith value (the photon flux at which 50 % of ΦTTAUC is achieved), for B2PI was observed to be 2.5x lower than of B2P under optimal conditions, an effect ascribed to the combined influence of spin‐orbit charge transfer intersystem crossing (SOCT‐ISC) and heavy metal on the triplet state formation for B2PI.
NHC‐Stabilised Parent Tripentelyltrielanes
Authors: Szlosek Robert , Weinhart Michael A. K. , Balázs Gábor , Seidl Michael , Zimmermann Lisa , Scheer Manfred
Published: February 2023

A missing family of the extremely air sensitive tripentelyltrielanes was discovered. Their stabilisation was achieved by using the bulky NHC IDipp (NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene, IDipp=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐imidazolin‐2‐ylidene). The tripentelylgallanes and tripentelylalanes IDipp ⋅ Ga(PH2)3 (1 a), IDipp ⋅ Ga(AsH2)3 (1 b), IDipp ⋅ Al(PH2)3 (2 a) and IDipp ⋅ Al(AsH2)3 (2 b) were synthesised by salt metathesis of IDipp ⋅ ECl3 (E=Al, Ga, In) with alkali metal pnictogenides such as NaPH2/LiPH2 ⋅ DME and KAsH2, respectively. Moreover, the detection of the first NHC‐stabilised tripentelylindiumane IDipp ⋅ In(PH2)3 (3) was possible by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. Initial investigations of the coordination ability of these compounds resulted in the successful isolation of the coordination compound [IDipp ⋅ Ga(PH2)2(μ3‐PH2{HgC6F4}3)] (4) by reaction of 1 a with (HgC6F4)3. The compounds were characterised by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy as well as single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. Supporting computational studies highlight the electronic features of the products.
Cover Image
Authors: Dabbiru Venkata A. S. , Manu Emmanuel , Biedenweg Doreen , Nestler Peter , Pires Ricardo H. , Otto Oliver
Published: February 2023

ON THE COVER: Effect of surface interactions on F‐Actin levels and cell morphology. Confocal microscopy images of tethered HEK293T cells labeled for F‐Actin and the nucleus. The cover image is based on the Research Article “Cell‐surface contacts determine volume and mechanical properties of human embryonic kidney 293 T cells” by Dabbiru, V. A. S., Manu, E., Biedenweg, D., Nestler, P., Pires, R. H., & Otto, O., https://doi.org/10.1002/cm.21735

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Pain catastrophizing and worry about health in generalized anxiety disorder
Authors: Dugas Michel J. , Giguère Marchal Katia , Cormier Stéphanie , Bouchard Stéphane , Gouin Jean‐Philippe , Shafran Roz
Published: February 2023

Because the diagnostic criteria of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are not tied to specific worry domains (worry is ‘generalized’), research on the content of worry in GAD is lacking. To our knowledge, no study has addressed vulnerability for specific worry topics in GAD. The goal of the current study, a secondary analysis of data from a clinical trial, is to explore the relationship between pain catastrophizing and worry about health in a sample of 60 adults with primary GAD. All data for this study were collected at pretest, prior to randomization to experimental condition in the larger trial. The hypotheses were that (1) pain catastrophizing would be positively related to the severity of GAD, (2) the relationship between pain catastrophizing and the severity of GAD would not be explained by intolerance of uncertainty and psychological rigidity, and (3) pain catastrophizing would be greater in participants reporting worry about health compared to those not reporting worry about health. All hypotheses were confirmed, suggesting that pain catastrophizing may be a threat‐specific vulnerability for health‐related worry in GAD. The implications of the current findings include a better understanding of the ideographic content of worry, which could help focus treatment interventions for individuals with GAD.
Generation of Mammalian Cells Devoid of Mitochondrial DNA (ρ0 cells)
Authors: Khozhukhar Natalya , Spadafora Domenico , Rodriguez Yelitza A. Rodriguez , Fayzulin Rafik , Alexeyev Mikhail
Published: February 2023

To cope with DNA damage, mitochondria have developed a pathway whereby severely damaged or unrepairable mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecules can be discarded and degraded, after which new molecules are synthesized using intact templates. In this unit, we describe a method that harnesses this pathway to eliminate mtDNA from mammalian cells by transiently overexpressing the Y147A mutant of human uracil‐N‐glycosylase (mUNG1) in mitochondria. We also provide alternate protocols for mtDNA elimination using either combined treatment with ethidium bromide (EtBr) and dideoxycytidine (ddC) or clustered regulatory interspersed short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)‐Cas9‐mediated knockout of TFAM or other genes essential for mtDNA replication. Support protocols detail approaches for several processes: (1) genotyping ρ0 cells of human, mouse, and rat origin by polymerase chain reaction (PCR); (2) quantification of mtDNA by quantitative PCR (qPCR); (3) preparation of calibrator plasmids for mtDNA quantification; and (4) quantification of mtDNA by direct droplet digital PCR (dddPCR). © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol: Inducing mtDNA loss with mUNG1

Alternate Protocol 1: Generation of ρ0 cells by mtDNA depletion with EtBr and ddC

Alternate Protocol 2: Generation of ρ0 cells by knocking out genes critical for mtDNA replication

Support Protocol 1: Genotyping ρ0 cells by DirectPCR

Support Protocol 2: Determination of mtDNA copy number by qPCR

Support Protocol 3: Preparation of calibrator plasmid for qPCR

Support Protocol 4: Determination of mtCN by direct droplet digital PCR (dddPCR)