bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Fabrication of Vapour Compression Refrigeration Cycle Based On Storage Type Domestic Water Heater
Authors: Parmar N. B. , Kharadi G. S. , Sojaliya H. R.
Published: August 2023

In present scenario, generally VCR (Vapour Compression Refrigeration) cycle is used for heating and cooling. The adverse effect of release of refrigerant like global warming and ozone depletion in the atmosphere is known to all. Electric heaters use electricity which is obtained from thermal power plant run on fossil fuels. The aim of the project is to demonstrate the economic benefit of using heat rejected in the condenser of Vapour Compression Refrigeration (VCR) system and to check the feasibility of the apparatus for mass production. The main aim of the project is to develop economically viable VCR cycle based domestic water heater (Heat pump) which has a good payback period and low energy consumption compare to electric-resistance heater. To develop storage type water heater, helical coil shaped condenser brazed inside the water storage tank has been designed. Since the capacity of the VCR system is less, capillary tube has been used as an expansion device. The VCR cycle based DWH has been tested extensively and heating capacity of about 725 W has been obtained. This may be due to under sizing of evaporator or condenser or may be due to larger capillary length. The VCR cycle based DWH can save up to Rs. 4770 compared to electric resistance water heater. The simple payback period for DWH is 3 year and 1 month.
Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Growth, Yield and Quality of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
Authors: Katta Deepika , Deepanshu
Published: August 2023

An experiment entitled Effect of plant growth regulators on growth, yield and quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) was conducted at Horticulture Research Field, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj during July-October, 2022. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with thirteen treatments and replicated thrice. The growth regulators were sprayed at two true leaf stage and four true leaf stages. Data was collected from vine length, days to first appearance of male flowers, days to first appearance of female flowers, days to 50% pistillate flowers, days to first harvest, length of fruit, fruit weight, fruit diameter, number of fruits per plant, average yield per plant, yield per hectare, Total Soluble Solids, and vitamin C and analyzed using analysis of variance. Results showed that GA3 175 ppm sprayed at 2 and 4 true leaf stage of cucumber hybrid TMCU-1107 was superior in terms of vine length (119.56cm), days to first appearance of male flowers (32.16), days to first appearance of female flowers (38.2), days to 50% pistillate flowers (41.2),  days to first harvest (52.41), fruit weight (255.86g), length of the fruit (17.27cm), fruit diameter (4.82cm), number of fruits per plant (12.16), average yield per plant (3117.11g), yield per hectare (27.7t/ha), TSS (4.23 0Brix), Vitamin C (2.05mg/100g).
Problems Encountered by Coconut Growers by Adopting TNAU Coconut Tonic and their Perceived Benefits
Authors: Karthickraja M. , Premavathi R. , Vanetha K. P. , Senthil A. , Selvi R. Gangai
Published: August 2023

Aim: The study aims to analyse the problems encountered by Coconut growers by adopting the TNAU Coconut tonic and their perceived benefits.

Study Design: Ex post facto research design.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Coimbatore district which represents a major coconut-growing tract of the Western zone of Tamil Nadu.

Methodology: From the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, 120 Coconut growers from three different blocks namely Pollachi (North), Pollachi (South) and Anaimalai block were purposively selected for conducting the study. Data were collected from coconut growers who are all adopting TNAU Coconut tonic. The well-structured pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect data from farmers. Garrett ranking and weighted average method were computed to analyse the constraints and perceived benefits of coconut growers who are all adopting the TNAU Coconut tonic as their nutrient management practices.

Results: The major constraints were reported by the growers viz., availability of tonic at TNAU (8.75%), Unskilled labour (8.57%), difficulty to identify the root (8.04%), the absorption rate of tonic is low (7.92%), non-availability of labour (7.31%), high cost of labour (7.13%), High cost of crop boosters (6.81%), poor knowledge on the availability of tonic at TNAU Agri cart, Coconut Research Station, Aliyar & Courier services (6.45%) as major constraints. The obtained key benefits include increased chlorophyll content and greenness of leaves (16.93), improved photosynthetic efficiency of leaves (11.73), decreases button shedding (30.53), increased number and size of nut (22.27), increased nut yield up to 20 per cent (18.20), increased longevity and vigour of the palm (19.40) and resistance to pests, diseases and environmental stresses (24.20) shows that maximum number of coconut growers benefited by adopting TNAU Coconut tonic.

Conclusion: To overcome these constraints, concerted efforts from researchers with government and institutional support set forth the easy adoption of TNAU Coconut tonic. The adoption of TNAU Coconut tonic technology brings forth a multitude of perceived benefits to the coconut growers, along with their conventional, recommended nutrient management practices and the livelihood of coconut growers will be improved.
Assessment of Soil Fertility through GIS Techniques and Thematic Mapping in Rice Growing Areas of Jagtial District in Telangana State, India
Authors: Kurumaiah A. , Ravi P. , Shaker K. Chandra , Reddy G. Satyanarayana
Published: August 2023

Survey was conducted in Jagtial district of Telangana state to identify the soil fertility status of rice growing areas. Soil fertility is one of the major limiting factor for maintaining sustainability in crop yields. Totally 90 surface soil samples collected from the selected rice cultivated farmers’ field. Collected soil samples were tested for texture, pH, EC, organic carbon, available N, P, K and S in order to identify the nutrient status in soils and develop the corrective measures. The soil fertility maps generated through Global Positioning System (GPS) and Arc Geographic Information System (GIS) software to formulate balanced fertilizer recommendations and to understand the spatial variability of nutrients in soil. Survey results showed that the sand was ranged from 44 to 80% and that of silt was 3 to 20 % while the range of clay was 13 to 42% and varied three textural classes viz., sandy clay loam, sandy loam and loamy sand. Soil pH was neutral to slightly alkaline (6.8 to 8.2), electrical conductivity rated as non-saline (0.23 to 0.69 dS m-1), organic carbon was low-medium (0.3 to 0.6%), available-N was low (101 to 195 kg ha-1), available-P was high (26.8 to 61.5 kg ha-1), available-K was medium to high (120 to 449 kg ha-1) and available-S was medium to high (10.0 to 26.8 mg kg-1). Among these organic carbon (%) and available-N were important constraints in soil fertility in rice growing areas of Jagtial district of Telangana state.
Impact of Different Levels of NPK and Neem Cake on Soil Health under Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Var. Gomati
Authors: Dutta Soumen , Swaroop Narendra , Thomas Tarence , Mistri Taniya
Published: August 2023

A field experiment was conducted during March-June (Late Zaid) 2022 at the research farm of Department Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, NAI, SHUATS, laid out in Randomized Block Design. To achieve higher growth and yield of rainy cowpea variety Gomati, it was observed that application of  @ 100% NPK+ @ 100% Neem Cake has shown effective growth under Prayagraj climatic conditions but also improved significantly. physical and chemical properties of soil. This physico-chemical like Bulk density, Partical density, Pore space (%), Water Holding Capacity (%), pH, Electrical conductivity (dS m-1), Organic Carbon (%), Available Nitrogen (kg ha-1), Available Phosphorous (kg ha-1), Available Potassium (kg ha-1) were analysis. Result revealed that Soil Organic carbon content, Water holding capacity and available NPK significantly increased in after harvest of cowpea in T9, whereas Bulk density (Mg m-3), particle density (Mg m-3) and pH recorded minimum value. Therefore treatment T9 was best in terms of growth, yield and economic parameters with maximum plant height, number of branches plant-1, pods plant-1, seeds pod-1, pod yield and maximum cost benefit ratio.
The Treatment of Metastatic Prostate Cancer Using Hormonal Therapy: A Narrative Review
Authors: Babalola Isaac Olamide , Ikechukwu Edeh Fidelis , David Obiyenwa , Emmanuel Kimto Oche , Daniel Afolabi , Olamide Folaranmi Precious , Effiong Fortune
Published: August 2023

The incidence of prostate cancer in men has increased significantly, making it one of the most prevalent malignancies in the male population. Over the past two decades, there has been a substantial shift in the approach to managing metastatic prostate cancer, with the approval of novel medications resulting from multiple pivotal phase III trials. These medications offer a range of therapeutic alternatives to patients, with varying modes of action. Despite the progress made in prostate cancer treatment, early metastases and drug resistance continue to pose significant challenges. In this narrative review, we examined the evidence regarding the effectiveness of hormone therapy in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer, drawing on data from important clinical trials of hormonal therapy. In addition, we conducted a search of ClinicalTrials.gov to identify ongoing and upcoming trials related to metastatic and resistant prostate cancer. Finally, we present an overview of the pathophysiology of these residual effects and review relevant translational research and observational cohort studies.
The Economics of Entrepreneurship: Drivers, Impacts, and Policy Implications
Authors: Borah Amar Jyoti , Bhowal Amalesh
Published: August 2023

The study of entrepreneurship as an economic phenomenon has evolved over the years, with seminal works by scholars laying the foundation for understanding its multifaceted nature. The objective of the research paper "The Economics of Entrepreneurship: Drivers, Impacts, and Policy Implications" is to investigate and analyze the multifaceted aspects of entrepreneurship and its role in driving economic growth and development. Additionally, the research seeks to assess the effectiveness of existing policies and initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and propose evidence-based policy recommendations to foster a conducive environment for entrepreneurial ventures. The methodology employed in the research involves a comprehensive and systematic approach to gather and analyze data. Firstly, a literature review is conducted to gain insights into existing theories, studies, and empirical evidence related to entrepreneurship, economic growth, and policy implications. Secondly, data is collected from various sources, such as government reports, surveys, and databases, to assess the level of entrepreneurial activity, its impact on the economy, and the effectiveness of existing policies. The significance of the research paper lies in its potential to contribute valuable insights to the field of entrepreneurship and its implications for economic development. By comprehensively exploring the various drivers and impacts of entrepreneurial activities, this study aims to shed light on the crucial role of entrepreneurship in fostering innovation, job creation, and economic growth.

The findings from this study indicate that entrepreneurship plays a vital role in stimulating economic growth, job creation, and innovation. It is evident that entrepreneurial ventures contribute significantly to GDP growth and job opportunities, thereby enhancing overall economic development [1,2]. The research also highlights the significance of effective policy measures to promote and support entrepreneurship. Government initiatives, such as tax incentives, access to financing, and business development programs, are instrumental in creating a conducive environment for entrepreneurial activities [3,4]. In conclusion, this study underscores the pivotal role of entrepreneurship in driving economic growth and development. It emphasizes the need for policymakers to formulate strategies that facilitate entrepreneurial activities and mitigate the challenges faced by entrepreneurs. By adopting effective policy implications, countries can harness the potential of entrepreneurship to achieve sustainable economic prosperity [5,6].
Incorrect Electrocardiogram Lead Placement in ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Kopparam Rohini , Liu Bohao , Mallidi Jaya
Published: August 2023

This case report describes a patient in their 70s with acute onset waxing and waning chest pressure, which radiated to both arms and was accompanied by shortness of breath.
Comparison of Particulate Air Pollution From Different Emission Sources and Incident Dementia in the US
Authors: Zhang Boya , Weuve Jennifer , Langa Kenneth M. , D’Souza Jennifer , Szpiro Adam , Faul Jessica , Mendes de Leon Carlos , Gao Jiaqi , Kaufman Joel D. , Sheppard Lianne , Lee Jinkook , Kobayashi Lindsay C. , Hirth Richard , Adar Sara D.
Published: August 2023

Importance

Emerging evidence indicates that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution may increase dementia risk in older adults. Although this evidence suggests opportunities for intervention, little is known about the relative importance of PM2.5 from different emission sources.

Objective

To examine associations of long-term exposure of total and source-specific PM2.5 with incident dementia in older adults.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The Environmental Predictors of Cognitive Health and Aging study used biennial survey data from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2016, for participants in the Health and Retirement Study, which is a nationally representative, population-based cohort study in the US. The present cohort study included all participants older than 50 years who were without dementia at baseline and had available exposure, outcome, and demographic data between 1998 and 2016 (N = 27 857). Analyses were performed from January 31 to May 1, 2022.

Exposures

The 10-year mean total PM2.5 and PM2.5 from 9 emission sources at participant residences for each month during follow-up using spatiotemporal and chemical transport models.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was incident dementia as classified by a validated algorithm incorporating respondent-based cognitive testing and proxy respondent reports. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated for incident dementia per IQR of residential PM2.5 concentrations using time-varying, weighted Cox proportional hazards regression models with adjustment for the individual- and area-level risk factors.

Results

Among 27 857 participants (mean [SD] age, 61 [10] years; 15 747 [56.5%] female), 4105 (15%) developed dementia during a mean (SD) follow-up of 10.2 [5.6] years. Higher concentrations of total PM2.5 were associated with greater rates of incident dementia (HR, 1.08 per IQR; 95% CI, 1.01-1.17). In single pollutant models, PM2.5 from all sources, except dust, were associated with increased rates of dementia, with the strongest associations for agriculture, traffic, coal combustion, and wildfires. After control for PM2.5 from all other sources and copollutants, only PM2.5 from agriculture (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01-1.27) and wildfires (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.08) were robustly associated with greater rates of dementia.

Conclusion and Relevance

In this cohort study, higher residential PM2.5 levels, especially from agriculture and wildfires, were associated with higher rates of incident dementia, providing further evidence supporting PM2.5 reduction as a population-based approach to promote healthy cognitive aging. These findings also indicate that intervening on key emission sources might have value, although more research is needed to confirm these findings.
DrosophilaTNF/TNFRs: At the crossroad between metabolism, immunity, and tissue homeostasis
Authors: Colombani Julien , Andersen Ditte S.
Published: August 2023

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α is a highly conserved proinflammatory cytokine with important functions in immunity, tissue repair, and cellular homeostasis. Due to the simplicity of the Drosophila TNF‐TNF receptor (TNFR) system and a broad genetic toolbox, the fly has played a pivotal role in deciphering the mechanisms underlying TNF‐mediated physiological and pathological functions. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in our understanding of how local and systemic sources of Egr/TNF contribute to its antitumor and tumor‐promoting properties, and its emerging functions in adaptive growth responses, sleep regulation, and adult tissue homeostasis. The recent annotation of TNF as an adipokine and its indisputable contribution to obesity‐ and cancer‐associated metabolic diseases have provoked a new area of research focusing on its dual function in regulating immunity and energy homeostasis. Here, we discuss the role of TNFR signaling in coupling immune and metabolic processes and how this might be relevant in the adaption of host to environmental stresses, or, in the case of obesity, promote metabolic derangements and disease.
The role of the HORMA domain proteins ATG13 and ATG101 in initiating autophagosome biogenesis
Authors: Nguyen Anh , Faesen Alex C.
Published: August 2023

Autophagy is a process of regulated degradation. It eliminates damaged and unnecessary cellular components by engulfing them with a de novo‐generated organelle: the double‐membrane autophagosome. The past three decades have provided us with a detailed parts list of the autophagy initiation machinery, have developed important insights into how these processes function and have identified regulatory proteins. It is now clear that autophagosome biogenesis requires the timely assembly of a complex machinery. However, it is unclear how a putative stable machine is assembled and disassembled and how the different parts cooperate to perform its overall function. Although they have long been somewhat enigmatic in their precise role, HORMA domain proteins (first identified in Hop1p, Rev7p and MAD2 proteins) autophagy‐related protein 13 (ATG13) and ATG101 of the ULK‐kinase complex have emerged as important coordinators of the autophagy‐initiating subcomplexes. Here, we will particularly focus on ATG13 and ATG101 and the role of their unusual metamorphosis in initiating autophagosome biogenesis. We will also explore how this metamorphosis could potentially be purposefully rate‐limiting and speculate on how it could regulate the spontaneous self‐assembly of the autophagy‐initiating machinery.
Soluble galectin‐3 as a microenvironment‐relevant immunoregulator with prognostic and predictive value in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Torres‐Martínez Susana , Calabuig‐Fariñas Silvia , Moreno‐Manuel Andrea , Bertolini Giulia , Herreros‐Pomares Alejandro , Escorihuela Eva , Duréndez‐Saéz Elena , Guijarro Ricardo , Blasco Ana , Roz Luca , Camps Carlos , Jantus‐Lewintre Eloisa
Published: August 2023

Despite the success of therapies in lung cancer, more studies of new biomarkers for patient selection are urgently needed. The present study aims to analyze the role of galectin‐3 (GAL‐3) in the lung tumor microenvironment (TME) using tumorspheres as a model and explore its potential role as a predictive and prognostic biomarker in non‐small cell lung cancer patients. For in vitro studies, lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous carcinoma (LUSC) primary cultures from early‐stage patients and commercial cell lines were cultured, using tumorsphere‐forming assays and adherent conditions for the control counterparts. We analyzed the pattern of secretion and expression of GAL‐3 using reverse transcription–quantitative real‐time PCR (RTqPCR), immunoblot, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and immunoassay analysis. Our results using three‐dimensional (3D) models of lung tumor cells revealed that soluble GAL‐3 (sGAL‐3) is highly expressed and secreted. To more accurately mimic the TME, a co‐culture of tumorspheres and fibroblasts was used, revealing that GAL‐3 could be important as an immunomodulatory molecule expressed and secreted in the TME, modulating immunosuppression through regulatory T cells (TREGS). In the translational phase, we confirmed that patients with high expression levels of GAL‐3 had more TREGS, which suggests that tumors may be recruiting this population through GAL‐3. Next, we evaluated levels of sGAL‐3 before surgery in LUAD and LUSC patients, hypothesizing that sGAL‐3 could be used as an independent prognostic biomarker for overall survival and relapse‐free survival in early‐stage LUAD patients. Additionally, levels of sGAL‐3 at pretreatment and first response assessment from plasma to predict clinical outcomes in advanced LUAD and LUSC patients treated with first‐line pembrolizumab were evaluated, further supporting that sGAL‐3 has a high efficiency in predicting durable clinical response to pembrolizumab with an area under curve of 0.801 (P = 0.011). Moreover, high levels might predict decreased progression‐free survival and OS to anti‐PD‐1 therapy, with sGAL‐3 being a prognosis‐independent biomarker for advanced LUAD.
Determination of the optimal connector length to enhance stability of backbone‐circularized granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor
Authors: Yasuzawa Yosuke , Shibuya Risa , Senga Yukako , Miyafusa Takamitsu , Honda Shinya
Published: August 2023

Improving protein stability is important for industrial applications, and one promising method for achieving this is backbone circularization. As connector length affects stability, predicting and elucidating a more stable connector length is necessary for development of the backbone circularization method. However, the relationship between connector length and protein stability has not been completely elucidated. Here, we determined the most stable connector length for granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor by changing one residue at a time to produce connector length variants and then measuring their thermal stability. Analysis of the local structures obtained from the predicted structures of the circularized variants revealed that an approach using helix length, dihedral backbone angle, and number of unbonded hydrogen bond donors and acceptors is suitable for identifying connector lengths with higher stability.
Case studies: Formerly addicted doctor and nurse can't bill Medicare or Medicaid
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2023

The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has a policy, called the exclusion program, of banning health care providers from billing Medicare or Medicaid for five years, even if they are in recovery, cooperate with the courts, are abstinent, pass regular drug tests, have their medical licenses back, and have never harmed a patient. Last week, ADAW interviewed two such providers —a doctor and a nurse — who agreed to go public with their stories.
DEA doubles down on telehealth limits with “special registration”
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2023

The Ryan Haight Act, long a thorn in the side of buprenorphine prescribers, requires prescribers to conduct an in‐person examination before prescribing any controlled substance to a new patient. That rule was suspended temporarily during the COVID‐19 pandemic, but that public health emergency ended in May of this year.
Biomass‐Based Materials for Sustainably Sourced Solar‐Driven Interfacial Steam Generation
Authors: Liu Xiaojie , Tian Yanpei , Caratenuto Andrew , Chen Fangqi , Zheng Yi
Published: August 2023

Solar‐driven interfacial water evaporation powered by solar energy has gained significant interest as a sustainable and cost‐efficient desalination technology, owing to its zero reliance on fossil fuels. It aligns the relationship between freshwater demand and environmental‐friendly water yields and provides us with a feasible and effective way to mitigate the global water crisis. Biomass‐derived photothermal evaporators stemming from sustainable and renewable resources and performing high freshwater output have piqued researchers’ interest in achieving water evaporation effectively, economically, and greenly. In this review work, biomass‐based photothermal evaporators coming from hydrogels, carbides, and fibers are summarized and their optical design, wettability, thermal management, and salt‐rejection ability are analyzed, presenting an overview of the current status of biomass‐based materials in the solar‐driven water purification system.
Study of the Mechanism of Liquid‐Metal‐Assisted Thermal Interface Materials
Authors: Luo Pingjun , Tuersun Yisimayili , Huang Xu , Yang Haoran , Chu Sheng
Published: August 2023

With the increase in power consumption of integrated circuits, thermal interface materials (TIMs) attract significant attention. Liquid metal (LM) is an emerging high thermal conductive TIM, because of its excellent rheological properties which are helpful to fill micro gaps existing in a thermal interface. However, due to the apparent leakage hazard of pure LM, they are usually mixed with other materials for applications. In this work, the thermal resistance of silicone oil mixed with LM is about five times lower than that of it mixed with AlN powder of the same volume. This is a counterintuitive fact as the intrinsic thermal conductivity of LM is ≈20 Wm−1 K−1, which is more than ten times lower than AlN's thermal conductivity of 260–320 Wm−1 K−1. In this study, it is suggested that the reason can be attributed to deformed LM and their wetting process on the interface. Moreover, when introducing high load (83 vol%) LM or simultaneously introducing LM and AlN (sum‐load 83 vol%) in silicone oil, these composites achieve high thermal conductivity, low thermal resistance, and good compressibility. In practical application, the SO + LM + AlN composites also show much better heat‐dissipation ability than commercial thermal grease.
Inflammation‐Regulated Auto Aggregated Hydrogel Microspheres Via Anchoring Cartilage Deep Matrix for Genes Delivery
Authors: Chen Liang , Zhang Jun , Wang Juan , Lin Jiawei , Luo Xiaoji , Cui Wenguo
Published: August 2023

The high density structure of cartilage matrix negative charge seriously hinders the penetration and enrichment of drugs/genes into cartilage tissue. In this study, hexachlorocyclotriphosphonitrile is used as the core to prepare self‐polymerized phosphorus dendrimers with inflammatory reaction through substitution and condensation reaction. The vector can achieve efficient penetration of the damaged articular cartilage (slightly acidic condition) and effective anchoring of cartilage matrix (normal physiological condition) through the size effect under inflammatory response. Meanwhile, as a gene “delivery library,” G1‐NC5.HCl@siRNA is gradually released with microspheres degrading; the long‐term silencing of specific genes is realized. Further, G1‐NC5.HCl@siRNA is loaded into the hydrogel microspheres by ionic bond coordination and microfluidic techniques to improve the residency effect of G1‐NC5.HCl@siRNA in the joint cavity. The results of cartilage in vitro and in vivo experiments show that the gene complex has a better penetration effect at pH = 6.6, and the cartilage penetration effect decreases at pH = 7.6, which can effectively anchor in the cartilage matrix site for continuous drug delivery. Further, the composite hydrogel microspheres significantly improve the degeneration of osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage and promote cartilage regeneration. Therefore, the self‐polymerized hydrogel microsphere delivery system with inflammatory response is a promising penetrant/anchoring carrier system for OA treatment.
A Facile Strategy to Fabricate Tough and Adhesive Elastomers by In Situ Formation of Coordination Complexes as Physical Crosslinks
Authors: Hu Jia Yu , Jiao Dejin , Hao Xing Peng , Kong Xiangren , Zhang Xin Ning , Du Miao , Zheng Qiang , Wu Zi Liang
Published: August 2023

Coordination bonds with a dynamic nature and wide‐spectrum bond energy have gained great popularity in use for fabricating tough soft materials. However, most existing coordination‐based elastomers are prepared through complicated procedures, usually involving elaborate synthesis of ligand‐containing monomers or polymers, ion diffusion to form coordination complexes, and removal of organic solvent during the synthesis, which are neither easy operation nor environmentally friendly. Here, a facile and effective strategy is demonstrated to fabricate tough metallosupramolecular elastomers by one‐pot polymerization of aqueous precursor solutions containing commercial agents, 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid, 2‐[2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethyl acrylate, and Zr4+ ions. After solvent (i.e. water) evaporation, the obtained elastomers are transparent and extremely tough owing to the presence of sulfonate‐Zr4+ coordination complexes as physical crosslinks. Their mechanical properties are tunable over a wide spectrum by adjusting the composition of copolymers and the density of coordination bonds. This eco‐friendly strategy is further extended to various commercial monomers, manifesting good universality to toughen elastomers. Furthermore, the abundant functional groups of copolymers make the elastomers adhesive to various substrates including themselves, favoring applications such as interfacial adhesion and encapsulations. The easy fabrication, tunable mechanical properties, and adhesion ability endow the elastomers with great potential as the substrate of wearable soft electronics.
Bivalent Gadolinium Ions Forming Injectable Hydrogels for Simultaneous In Situ Vaccination Therapy and Imaging of Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Authors: Wang Chun , Jing Yuanhao , Yu Wenting , Gu Jie , Wei Zijian , Chen Anni , Yen Ying‐Tzu , He Xiaowen , Cen Lanqi , Chen Aoxing , Song Xueru , Wu Yirong , Yu Lixia , Tao Gaojian , Liu Baorui , Wang Shoufeng , Xue Bin , Li Rutian
Published: August 2023

Doxorubicin (DOX) is the classic soft tissue sarcomas (STS) first‐line treatment drug, while dose‐dependent myelosuppression and cardiotoxicity limit its application in clinic. This research intends to apply DOX, which is also an inducer of immunogenic cell death as a part for “in situ vaccination” and conjointly uses PD‐1 inhibitors to enhance antitumor efficacy. In order to achieve the sustained vaccination effect and real‐time monitoring of distribution in vivo, the in situ forming and injectable hydrogel platform with the function of visualization is established for local delivery. The hydrogel platform is synthesized by hyaluronic acid‐dopamine coordinated with gadolinium ions (Gd2+). Gd2+ provides the ability of magnetic resonance imaging, meanwhile further cross‐linking the hydrogel network. Experiments show excellent ability of sustained release and imaging tracking for the hydrogel platform. In mouse STS models, the “in situ vaccination” hydrogels show the best effect of inhibiting tumor growth. Further analysis of tumor tissues show that “in situ vaccination” group can increase T cell infiltration, promote M1‐type macrophage polarization and block elevated PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway caused by DOX. These results are expected to prove the potential for synthesized hydrogels to achieve a universal platform for “in situ vaccination” strategies on STS treatments.
Complexation‐Induced Resolution Enhancement Pleiotropic Small Diameter Vascular Constructs with Superior Antibacterial and Angiogenesis Properties
Authors: Xu Huilun , Liu Zhengjiang , Wei Yan , Hu Yinchun , Zhao Liqin , Wang Longfei , Liang Ziwei , Lian Xiaojie , Chen Weiyi , Wang Jiucun , Yu Zhaoyan , Ma Xudong , Huang Di
Published: August 2023

3D printing has been widely applied for preparing artificial blood vessels, which will bring innovation to cardiovascular disorder intervention. However, the printing resolution and anti‐infection properties of small‐diameter vessels (Φ < 6 mm) have been challenging in 3D printing. The primary objective of this research is to design a novel coaxial 3D‐printing postprocessing method for preparing small‐size blood vessels with improved antibacterial and angiogenesis properties. The coaxial printing resolution can be more conveniently improved. Negatively charged polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and alginate (Alg) interpenetrating networks artificial vessels are immersed in positively charged chitosan (CTS) solution. Rapid dimensional shrinkage takes place on its outer surface through electrostatic interactions. The maximum shrinkage size of wall thickness can reach 61.2%. The vessels demonstrate strong antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli (98.8 ± 0.5%) and Staphylococcus aureus (97.6 ± 1.4%). In rat dorsal skin grafting experiments, Cu2+ can promote angiogenesis by regulating hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 pathway. No artificial blood vessel blockage occurs after 5 days of blood circulation in vitro.
Microfibrous Scaffolds Guide Stem Cell Lumenogenesis and Brain Organoid Engineering
Authors: Ritzau‐Reid Kaja I. , Callens Sebastien J. P. , Xie Ruoxiao , Cihova Martina , Reumann Daniel , Grigsby Christopher L. , Prados‐Martin Lino , Wang Richard , Moore Axel C. , Armstrong James P. K. , Knoblich Juergen A. , Stevens Molly M.
Published: August 2023

3D organoids are widely used as tractable in vitro models capable of elucidating aspects of human development and disease. However, the manual and low‐throughput culture methods, coupled with a low reproducibility and geometric heterogeneity, restrict the scope and application of organoid research. Combining expertise from stem cell biology and bioengineering offers a promising approach to address some of these limitations. Here, melt electrospinning writing is used to generate tuneable grid scaffolds that can guide the self‐organization of pluripotent stem cells into patterned arrays of embryoid bodies. Grid geometry is shown to be a key determinant of stem cell self‐organization, guiding the position and size of emerging lumens via curvature‐controlled tissue growth. Two distinct methods for culturing scaffold‐grown embryoid bodies into either interconnected or spatially discrete cerebral organoids are reported. These scaffolds provide a high‐throughput method to generate, culture, and analyze large numbers of organoids, substantially reducing the time investment and manual labor involved in conventional methods of organoid culture. It is anticipated that this methodological development will open up new opportunities for guiding pluripotent stem cell culture, studying lumenogenesis, and generating large numbers of uniform organoids for high‐throughput screening.
All‐Optical Data Processing with Photon‐Avalanching Nanocrystalline Photonic Synapse
Authors: Bednarkiewicz Artur , Szalkowski Marcin , Majak Martyna , Korczak Zuzanna , Misiak Małgorzata , Maćkowski Sebastian
Published: August 2023

Data processing and storage in electronic devices are typically performed as a sequence of elementary binary operations. Alternative approaches, such as neuromorphic or reservoir computing, are rapidly gaining interest where data processing is relatively slow, but can be performed in a more comprehensive way or massively in parallel, like in neuronal circuits. Here, time‐domain all‐optical information processing capabilities of photon‐avalanching (PA) nanoparticles at room temperature are discovered. Demonstrated functionality resembles properties found in neuronal synapses, such as: paired‐pulse facilitation and short‐term internal memory, in situ plasticity, multiple inputs processing, and all‐or‐nothing threshold response. The PA‐memory‐like behavior shows capability of machine‐learning‐algorithm‐free feature extraction and further recognition of 2D patterns with simple 2 input artificial neural network. Additionally, high nonlinearity of luminescence intensity in response to photoexcitation mimics and enhances spike‐timing‐dependent plasticity that is coherent in nature with the way a sound source is localized in animal neuronal circuits. Not only are yet unexplored fundamental properties of photon‐avalanche luminescence kinetics studied, but this approach, combined with recent achievements in photonics, light confinement and guiding, promises all‐optical data processing, control, adaptive responsivity, and storage on photonic chips.
Extensible Integrated System for Real‐Time Monitoring of Cardiovascular Physiological Signals and Limb Health
Authors: Wu Weitong , Li Linlin , Li Zhexin , Sun Jinzi , Wang Lili
Published: August 2023

In recent decades, the rapid growth in flexible materials, new manufacturing technologies, and wearable electronics design techniques has helped establish the foundations for noninvasive photoelectric sensing systems with shape‐adaptability and “skin‐like” properties. Physiological sensing includes humidity, mechanical, thermal, photoelectric, and other aspects. Photoplethysmography (PPG), an important noninvasive method for measuring pulse rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen, uses the attenuated signal obtained by the light absorbed and reflected from living tissue to a light source to realize real‐time monitoring of human health status. This work illustrates a patch‐type optoelectronic system that integrates a flexible perovskite photodetector and all‐inorganic light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) to realize the real‐time monitoring of human PPG signals. The pulse rate of the human body and the swelling degree of finger joints can be extracted and analyzed using photodetectors, thus monitoring human health for the prevention and early diagnosis of certain diseases. Specifically, this work develops a 3D wrinkled‐serpentine interconnection wire that increases the shape adaptability of the device in practical applications. The PPG signal sensor reported in this study has considerable potential for future wearable intelligent medical applications.
High‐Performance n‐Type Polymeric Mixed Ionic‐Electronic Conductors: The Impacts of Halogen Functionalization
Authors: Yang Wanli , Feng Kui , Ma Suxiang , Liu Bin , Wang Yimei , Ding Riqing , Jeong Sang Young , Woo Han Young , Chan Paddy Kwok Leung , Guo Xugang
Published: August 2023

Developing high‐performance n‐type polymer mixed ionic‐electronic conductors (PMIECs) is a grand challenge, which largely determines their applications in vaious organic electronic devices, such as organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) and organic thermoelectrics (OTEs). Herein, two halogen‐functionalized PMIECs f‐BTI2g‐TVTF and f‐BTI2g‐TVTCl built from fused bithiophene imide dimer (f‐BTI2) as the acceptor unit and halogenated thienylene–vinylene–thienylene (TVT) as the donor co‐unit are reported. Compared to the control polymer f‐BTI2g‐TVT, the fluorinated f‐BTI2g‐TVTF shows lower‐positioned lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), improved charge transport property, and greater ion uptake capacity. Consequently, f‐BTI2g‐TVTF delivers a state‐of‐the‐art µC* of 90.2 F cm−1 V−1 s−1 with a remarkable electron mobility of 0.41 cm2 V−1 s−1 in OECTs and an excellent power factor of 64.2 µW m−1 K−2 in OTEs. An OECT‐based inverter amplifier is further demonstrated with voltage gain up to 148 V V−1, which is among the highest values for OECT inverters. Such results shed light on the impacts of halogen atoms on developing high‐performing n‐type PMIECs.
Power‐Efficient Multisensory Reservoir Computing Based on Zr‐Doped HfO2 Memcapacitive Synapse Arrays
Authors: Pei Mengjiao , Zhu Ying , Liu Siyao , Cui Hangyuan , Li Yating , Yan Yang , Li Yun , Wan Changjin , Wan Qing
Published: August 2023

Hardware implementation tailored to requirements in reservoir computing would facilitate lightweight and powerful temporal processing. Capacitive reservoirs would boost power efficiency due to their ultralow static power consumption but have not been experimentally exploited yet. Here, this work reports an oxide‐based memcapacitive synapse (OMC) based on Zr‐doped HfO2 (HZO) for a power‐efficient and multisensory processing reservoir computing system. The nonlinearity and state richness required for reservoir computing could originate from the capacitively coupled polarization switching and charge trapping of hafnium‐oxide‐based devices. The power consumption (≈113.4 fJ per spike) and temporal processing versatility outperform most resistive reservoirs. This system is verified by common benchmark tasks, and it exhibits high accuracy (>94%) in recognizing multisensory information, including acoustic, electrophysiological, and mechanic modalities. As a proof‐of‐concept, a touchless user interface for virtual shopping based on the OMC‐based reservoir computing system is demonstrated, benefiting from its interference‐robust acoustic and electrophysiological perception. These results shed light on the development of highly power‐efficient human–machine interfaces and machine‐learning platforms.
Geometric Control and Optical Properties of Intrinsically Chiral Plasmonic Nanomaterials
Authors: Sun Lichao , Tao Yunlong , Yang Guizeng , Liu Chuang , Sun Xuehao , Zhang Qingfeng
Published: August 2023

Intrinsically chiral plasmonic nanomaterials exhibit intriguing geometry‐dependent chiroptical properties, which is due to the combination of plasmonic features with geometric chirality. Thus, chiral plasmonic nanomaterials have become promising candidates for applications in biosensing, asymmetric catalysis, biomedicine, photonics, etc. Recent advances in geometric control and optical tuning of intrinsically chiral plasmonic nanomaterials have further opened up a unique opportunity for their widespread applications in many emerging technological areas. Here, the recent developments in the geometric control of chiral plasmonic nanomaterials are reviewed with special attention given to the quantitative understanding of the chiroptical structure‐property relationship. Several important optical spectroscopic tools for characterizing the optical chirality of plasmonic nanomaterials at both ensemble and single‐particle levels are also discussed. Three emerging applications of chiral plasmonic nanomaterials, including enantioselective sensing, enantioselective catalysis, and biomedicine, are further highlighted. It is envisioned that these advanced studies in chiral plasmonic nanomaterials will pave the way toward the rational design of chiral nanomaterials with desired optical properties for diverse emerging technological applications.
Obviating Ligand Exchange Preserves the Intact Surface of HgTe Colloidal Quantum Dots and Enhances Performance of Short Wavelength Infrared Photodetectors
Authors: Sergeeva Kseniia A. , Hu Sile , Sokolova Anastasiia V. , Portniagin Arsenii S. , Chen Desui , Kershaw Stephen V. , Rogach Andrey L.
Published: August 2023

A large volume, scalable synthesis procedure of HgTe quantum dots (QDs) capped initially with short‐chain conductive ligands ensures ligand exchange‐free and simple device fabrication. An effective n‐ or p‐type self‐doping of HgTe QDs is achieved by varying cation–anion ratio, as well as shifting the Fermi level position by introducing single‐ or double‐cyclic thiol ligands, that is, 2‐furanmethanethiol (FMT) or 2,5‐dimercapto‐3,4‐thiadiasole (DMTD) in the synthesis. This allows for preserving the intact surface of the HgTe QDs, thus ensuring a one order of magnitude reduced surface trap density compared with HgTe subjected to solid‐state ligand exchange. The charge carrier diffusion length can be extended from 50 to 90 nm when the device active area consists of a bi‐layer of cation‐rich HgTe QDs capped with DMTD and FMT, respectively. As a result, the responsivity under 1340 nm illumination is boosted to 1 AW−1 at zero bias and up to 40 AW−1 under −1 V bias at room temperature. Due to high noise current density, the specific detectivity of these photodetectors reaches up to 1010 Jones at room temperature and under an inert atmosphere. Meanwhile, high photoconductive gain ensures a rise in the external quantum efficiency of up to 1000% under reverse bias.
Solar‐Driven Redox Splitting of CO2 Using 3D‐Printed Hierarchically Channeled Ceria Structures
Authors: Sas Brunser Sebastian , Bargardi Fabio L. , Libanori Rafael , Kaufmann Noëmi , Braun Hugo , Steinfeld Aldo , Studart André R.
Published: August 2023

Fuel produced from CO2 and H2O using solar energy can contribute to making aviation more sustainable. Particularly attractive is the thermochemical production pathway via a ceria‐based redox cycle, which uses the entire solar spectrum as the source of high‐temperature process heat to directly produce a syngas mixture suitable for synthetizing kerosene. However, its solar‐to‐fuel energy efficiency is hindered by the inadequate isotropic topology of the ceria porous structure, which fails to absorb the incident concentrated solar radiation within its entire volume. This study presents the design and 3D‐print of hierarchically channeled structures of pure ceria by direct ink writing (DIW) to enable volumetric radiative absorption while maintaining high effective densities required for maximizing the fuel yield. The complex interplay between radiative heat transfer and thermochemical reaction is investigated in a solar thermogravimetric analyzer with samples exposed to high‐flux irradiation, mimicking realistic operation of solar reactors. Channeled structures with a stepwise optical thickness achieve a higher and more uniform temperature profile compared to that of state‐of‐art isotropic structures, doubling the volume‐specific fuel yield for the same solar flux input. Thermomechanical stability of the ceria graded structures, DIW‐printed using a novel ink formulation with optimal rheological behavior, is validated by performing 100 consecutive redox cycles.
High Efficiency Visible Achromatic Metalens Design via Deep Learning
Authors: Wang Feilou , Zhao Shiqiang , Wen Yongzheng , Sun Jingbo , Zhou Ji
Published: August 2023

Metalenses with both achromatic performance and high focusing efficiency are always challenging, especially in visible range. In this work, a deep learning model is developed to accelerate the design of achromatic metalenses based on the geometric phase theory. During the building process of the phase response library and selection of the nano‐structures, converted transmission coefficients including both phase and amplitude are considered in order to ensure the achromatic focusing, as well as a high focusing efficiency. To test the performance of the design developed from the deep learning model, numerical simulations are performed in the visible wavelengths from 428 to 652 nm, which show a focal length of 266 µm with the deviation under 5%, and the average focusing efficiency reaches 52%.
Synthesis of Bicyclo[2.1.1]hexan‐5‐ones via a Sequential Simmons‐Smith Cyclopropanation and an Acid‐Catalyzed Pinacol Rearrangement of α‐Hydroxy Silyl Enol Ethers
Authors: Hsu Chih‐Wei , Lu Yen‐Ting , Lin Chi‐Ping , Yoo Woo‐Jin
Published: August 2023

A synthetic strategy involving a Simmons‐Smith cyclopropanation, followed by an acid‐catalyzed pinacol rearrangement, was developed to transform α‐hydroxy silyl enol ethers into 1‐substituted bicyclo[2.1.1]hexan‐5‐ones. These bicyclic ketones underwent further synthetic manipulations to generate various 1,5‐disubstituted bicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes, which could serve as potential bioisosteres of ortho‐substituted arenes.
The short‐ and long‐term impacts of overinvestments on the profitability of agri‐food processing firms in China
Authors: Gan Lin , Yoshifumi Takahashi , Hisako Nomura , Mitsuyasu Yabe
Published: August 2023

This study examines the short‐ and long‐term impacts of overinvestments on the profitability of Chinese agri‐food processing firms. We construct an overinvestment age variable measured as the number of years since the most recent overinvestment and use a two‐way fixed effects model based on firm‐level data for the Chinese agri‐food‐processing industry from 1998 to 2013 to conduct the research. We find that the profitability of firms improves during the first and second years following the most recent overinvestment. However, from the third year onward, profitability declines, and the restraining effect increases year by year. In addition, we find that regional differences and differences in financing constraints can explain the heterogeneity of the overinvestment age affecting firm profitability. [EconLit Citations: D22, L25, L66].