bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping Malaria Prevalence Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Egbom S. E. , Nduka F. O. , Nzeako S. O.
Published: May 2022

Background: Nigeria aspires to eradicate malaria, and the significance of mapping in this endeavour has grown. The prevalence and spatial distribution of malaria in Rivers State were studied using data from Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).

Methodology: PHCs in Rivers State were geo-referenced using the global positioning system (GPS) and 74 were selected across 21 local government areas using Systematic GridPoint Sampling Technique. Blood samples were obtained from 2340 consented individuals whose demographic data were obtained with structured questionnaires. Blood films were examined for Plasmodium spp. using standard parasitological techniques. An overall prevalence of 56.3% was recorded identifying only P.falciparum. Coordinates of PHCs sampled and the prevalence data for malaria were inputted into a spread sheet and imported into ArcGIS 10.7. This was used to generate prevalence maps of malaria infection in the State.

Results:  Ogu-Bolo, Omumma, Abua-Odual LGAs recorded very high LGA prevalence whereas Ikwerre, Abua-Odual, Ahoada West, Oyigbo and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs recorded very high state-level prevalence. Eleme and Port Harcourt City LGAs had the least prevalence.

Conclusion: The observed spatial variation could be attributed to land use land cover (LULC) patterns and further research to evaluate the impact of LULC patterns on the spatial distribution of malaria is recommended. This study provides malaria maps which will serve as a valuable resource to policy makers for targeted interventions in the State.
Impacts of Rural Land Use and Insect Ecological Sensitivity in Burundi
Authors: Kwizera Vital , Gençer Nimet Sema , Gündoğdu Kemal Sulhi , Ndagijimana Jean Bosco
Published: May 2022

Insects are found in almost all ecosystems and are responsible for several essential functions. They aerate the soil, pollinate blossoms, and control plant diseases. The ecological importance of insects cannot be underestimated: they form the basement of the food pyramid and affect agricultural ecosystems and human health. All organisms are co-evolved and are dependent each other. Human activities cause adverse effects in the insect´s environments. Opening forests and other natural areas for agricultural activities affect the insect ecosystems. Land, which is the foundation of human activities, is also the home of insects. Insects have been competing with humans for the products of our labor ever since the soil cultivation began.

In this research, we evaluated the impact of rural land use on insect ecology. Firstly, we conducted survey (interviews) in order to discover the area and its main economic. As a complement field analysis and GIS mapping were conducted. Different land uses, types and composition of vegetation cover, and insect composition were analyzed.

The most important land occupation is agriculture,  followed by settlement, and artificial forestry. We evaluated the effects of elevation, cropland, settlement, road, and nighttime light on insect ecology. We named the analysis “insect ecological sensibility” and considered it in our study area. The presence or not of protected and/or ecological corridors was also analyzed.

Cropland, settlement, and artificial forestry and pastures, especially the absence of protected areas and ecological corridors, are the main points that negatively affect insect ecology in the study area. Elevation, road and nighttime light are not affecting significantly insect ecology.
Screening for Biodegradation Potential of Endophytic Bacteria Isolated from the Roots and Leaves of Mangrove Plants (Avicennia germinans) (Black Mangrove), Acrostichum aureum (Golden Leather Fern) and Rhizophora mangle (Red Mangrove)
Authors: Abiye Somiari, Adaobi Assumpta , Ibietela Douglas, Salome , Renner Nrior, Renner
Published: May 2022

Aim: The aim of this study is to screen and determine the biodegradation potential of the endophytic bacteria isolated from roots and leaves of mangrove plants.

Methodology: In this work were isolated, identified and screened endophytic bacteria from roots of Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans and Acrostichum aureum; the three major species of mangrove plants found in the Niger Delta. The roots were transported in a sterile bag to the Microbiology Laboratory and treated using standard Microbiological techniques. The organisms isolated include: Pseudomonas sp, Bacillus sp, Staphylococcus sp, Micrococcus sp, Klebsiella sp, Azotobacter sp, Nitrobacter sp. and Nitrosomonas sp. These organisms were screened for their ability to degrade crude oil by analyzing them using an ultra-violet spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 600nm and through a colorimetric test that involves the use of 2,6, Dichlorophenol-indophenol (DCPIP) as the metabolic activity indicator for a 14 days period.

Results: According to the colorimetric test, isolates that were positive hydrocarbon degraders were observed by a colour change from blue to colourless, which include: Pseudomonas sp, Staphylococcus sp, Bacillus sp, Klebsiella sp and Nitrobacter sp, while those that changed from blue to pink(an indication of a negative reaction) were: Nitrosomonas sp, Bacillus sp, Micrococcus sp, Staphylococcus sp, Azotobacter sp and Klebsiella sp. Amount degraded and percentage biodegradation ranged from Micrococcus sp 278.6 (6.2%) ˂ Azotobacter sp. 1242.8 (17.8%) ˂ Nitrosomonas sp 1392.9 (19.9%) ˂ Staphylococcus sp1543.0 (22.1%) ˂ Bacillus sp 17927.8 (25.6%) ˂ Nitrobacter sp 1935.7 (28%) ˂ Klebsiella sp 3392.9 (48.5%) ˂ Bacillus sp 3671.4 (52.5%) ˂ Pseudomonas sp 4942.8 (70%).

Conclusion: Pseudomonas and Bacillus species demonstrated the highest potential to degrade crude oil and can therefore be used in bioremediation of water ecosystem impacted by crude oil. Hence, the scientific contribution of this research is related to identifying several culturable groups of bacteria that might be directed to these further biotechnological approaches.
Fluoroquinolone Resistant Salmonella Species
Authors: Angulu Caleb Ndako , Maryam Sadiq Umar , Mamman Godiya Peter , Jesse Innocent Apameio , Kin Agholor , Mahmud Yakubu
Published: May 2022

Fluoroquinolones are widely used most effective medication, systemic antibacterial that have long been used against respiratory and Urinary Tract Infections. Fluoroquinolones are effective against both aerobic and anaerobic gram positive and negative bacteria, most especially Salmonella species.  Resistance comes as a curse with antibiotics that occurs when bacteria change in some way that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of drugs, chemicals or other agents designed to cure or prevent infections. The main problem connected with the therapeutic use of fluoroquinolones is the establishment of more virulent and resistant Salmonella species due to the development of either altered DNA-binding proteins or efflux pump mechanisms for antibiotics. It is currently a serious public health threat that affects people all around the world. When a Salmonella species develops resistance to fluoroquinolones, the fluoroquinolones are no longer effective in treating Salmonella infections. This review provides an overview of Salmonella infection, and discusses the fluoroquinolones, Mechanisms of antibiotics resistance in Salmonella, Pathogenesis of Salmonella species and clinical manifestations.
Nonlinear Schrodinger Equations with Variable Coefficients: Numerical Integration
Authors: Nchejane J. N. , Gbenro S. O.
Published: May 2022

The nonlinear Schrödinger equation in one-dimensional coordinate is investigated numerically by employing explicit and implicit finite difference methods. It is shown that the explicit method is conditionally stable, and the condition for stability, which is a function of the time step and spatial step size, or several grid points are obtained. It is also shown that the implicit scheme is unconditionally stable and results in a tridiagonal matrix at each time level as a function of the nonlinear term. The effects of dispersion and nonlinearity concerning the time and space steps are also investigated. The validity of our scheme is established by reproducing some existing results on the constant-coefficient nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The schemes are then extended to study the variable coefficient equation, which has a growing interest and applications in many areas of nonlinear science.
Relationships between Risky Driving and Psychopathy Traits
Authors: Sinkevicius Liudas Vincentas , Serapinas Danielius
Published: May 2022

Background: Despite all efforts to ensure road safety, road deaths rank eighth in the world. More than 3,500 people die on the world's roads every day, almost 1.3 million. avoided deaths and around 50 million injuries annually.

Aim  of  the  Study: The aim of the study was to investigate the links between risky driving and psychopathic traits.

Materials  and  Methods: 257 drivers participated, ranged from 18 to 66 years. A multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to determine if psychopathy predicts risky driving. Methods used in the study: the Driving Behavior Questionnaire to measure risky driving and the Triarchial Psychopathic Measures Questionnaire to measure psychopathic traits.

Results: Drivers with a higher degree of psychopathic disinhibition trait commit more driving errors, slips and lapses, aggressive and ordinary driving violations; Drivers with a higher degree of psychopathic meanness trait commit more aggressive and ordinary driving violations; Drivers with a higher degree of psychopathic boldness trait make fewer driving mistakes and have a lower overall risk of driving; Psychopathy traits can predict risky driving and the disinhibition trait of psychopathy has the highest prognostic value in predicting risky driving.

Conclusion: Psychopathy traits shows relationship with risky driving and psychopathy trait disinhibition can prognose risky driving.
Multivariate Analysis of Genetic Diversity in the Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunel) Genotype
Authors: Nagar Kapil Kumar , Meena Mukut Bihari , Dubey R. B.
Published: May 2022

The current study was conducted to decipher principal component analysis (PCA) among 60 ashwagandha germplasmas and 3-check was evaluated to study the diversity pattern among the collected accessions. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used to perform the experiment. The experiment was posted late kharif-2017 at Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur. Data from fifteen morphological traits were recorded and analyzed to find out main components to reveal the diversity among the genotype. The main component analysis (PCA) showed that the first six main components revealed exhibited more than intrinsic values ​​and accounted for 64.57 percent of the total variation, which consisted of 16.32 (PC 1), 11.63 (PC 2), 11, 04 (PC 3), 9.23 (PC 4), 8.65 (PC5) and 7.66 (PC 6). The genotype MPAS-57 along the PCA 1 axis and MPAS along the PCA 2, respectively, indicates that both are negatively linked. PC 1 contributes maximum to the overall variability (16.32). The grades, namely days to 75% maturity, root length, dry plant weight, fresh plant weight, harvest index and 100 seed weights explained the maximum variance in PC 1.
Forced Degradation Behaviour with a Developed and Validated RP-UPLC Method for Estimation Lamivudine and Dolutegravir in Combined Pharmaceutical Dosage Form
Authors: Thangadurai Subramaniam Ananda , Kamalakannan Dhanabalan
Published: May 2022

A simple, fast, precise, specific, and accurate reversed phase Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatographic (UPLC) method was developed and validated for the forced degradation studies of the Lamivudine and Dolutegravir in tablet dosage form. Chromatogram was run HSS C18 (2.6 x 50mm, 1.6µm). Mobile phases containing 70% 0.01N disodium hydrogen phosphate: 30% Methanol). The elution of analytes was achieved with a flow rate at 0.3 mL/min. Potassium dihydrogen phosphate was used as a buffer in this experiment. Temperature was maintained at 30°C. Optimized wavelength selected at 260nm. The detector response was linear in the concentration range of 25-150μg/mL respectively. Retention time of Lamivudine and Dolutegravir were found to be 1.408min and 1.739min. %RSD of the Lamivudine and Dolutegravir were and found to be 0.8 and 0.8. The % recovery was obtained as 100.39% and 100.37% for Lamivudine and Dolutegravir. LOD, LOQ values obtained from regression equations of Lamivudine and Dolutegravir were 0.41, 1.25 and 0.09, 0.26. Regression equation of Lamivudine was y = 24270x + 12218 and for Dolutegravir was y = 34783x + 1060. Since retention times and run times were reduced, the method established was easy and premium and it could be used in periodic quality control tests in industries.
Second-Line Drug Susceptibility Testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates from Patients in Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Authors: Silas Goodluck
Published: May 2022

Aim: To determine the second-line drug susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from patients in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Study Design:  A cross sectional study was carried out in this research.

Place and Duration of Study: Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) Centers across Bayelsa State, between March 2020 and November 2021.

Methodology: Ethical approval was obtained from Bayelsa State Ministry of Health, Yenagoa, Nigeria. Informations such as age, sex and residential address was obtained with the help of a questionnaire. A total of 100 sputum sample was collected from 100 patients across all the Local Government Areas. Sputum sample decontamination and homogenization was done using the Sodium Hydroxide/N- Acetyl -L- Cysteine Citrate Solution. Sputum samples were cultured on solid Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) Media. All growths on LJ media were confirmed with Ziehl Neelsen staining and Standard Bioline antigen test. Drug susceptibility test was carried out after bacterial DNA was extracted and amplified using Line Probe Assay (MTBDRplus assay ver 2).

Results: Out of 100 patients, 15 had confirmed growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. All isolate had no form of mutation on gyr gene, meaning 100% of isolates were susceptibility to flouroquinolones. There were also no mutation detected on rrs gene therefore all strains are also susceptible to Kanamycin, Amikasin and capreomycin. Out of the 15 isolates 14 had no mutation on the eis gene while 1% had mutation of WT2 and MUT1.

Conclusion: A good percentage of the isolates are susceptible to second line drugs, therefore cases of extensive drug resistance is not common in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
The Defence Strategy of Inbound Tour Operator Member of ASITA Bali in the Online Business Era Competition
Authors: Tallo Paul Edmundus , Budiarsa I. Made , Bendesa I. Komang Gde , Wiranatha A. A. P. Agung Suryawan
Published: May 2022

This research is to answer the concerns of the members of Association of Indonesia Tour Operators and Travel Agencies (ASITA) Bali about the presence of online travel agents that disrupt their business, which operates in the form of a platform and as well as a marketplace, such as: Agoda.com, Booking.com, and others. Concerns that eventually developed into discussions about how the inbound tour operator can stay alive continuously to emerge among ASITA members when they witnessed the phenomenon of cooperative relations between inbound tour operators and hotels which were indicated to provide far cheaper prices to online travel agents than the prices given to the inbound tour operators. This research was designed as deep interview period April – September 2019, which took place in Denpasar, Badung, Tanah Lot and Ubud-Bali.

The data collection technique carried out was purposive  sampling by conducting in-depth interviews with 34 (thirty four) well experienced owner of inbound tour operators, the government officials (Bali Provincial Tourism Office, Denpasar Municipal Tourism Office and Badung Regency Tourism Office) and Bali tourism organizations, they are: PHRI (Indonesia Hotel & Restaurant Association), PAWIBA (Bali Tourism Transportation Association), PUTRI (Indonesia Tourism Attraction Organization), HPI (Indonesia Guide Association) and online travel agents. The analysis procedure uses the MICMAC analysis method, MACTOR analysis, and PROMETHEE analysis.

This study concludes that the most influential factors that cause many inbound    tour operators to be inactive are: motivation, innovation, regulation, access and ICT. While the role of the government to maintain the inbound tour operator member of Asita Bali has little influence on the sustainability of the inbound tour operator member of ASITA Bali. In the context of the strategy for maintaining inbound tour operator in the online business era, are formulated through a Hybrid, Business as usual and Collaboration model. The new findings of this study is the Hybrid Model, which is a combination of business as usual and ICT (information, communication, technology).
Analysis of the Relationship between Fiscal Policy Shocks and Monetary Stability in Iraq's Economy for the Period 1990-2018
Authors: Ubid Basim Khamees
Published: May 2022

The research aims to measure the impact of positive and negative fiscal policy shocks on monetary stability in Iraq, which represents monetary stability as an indicator of real and price stability. Fiscal policy shocks are quantitative changes in public spending and public revenue affecting the output and price cycle, and fiscal policy despite the accompanying time gaps, but it remains a policy Influential and has a significant degree of impact on economic growth and development in developing countries. The fiscal policy represents a numerical translation of the economic and social objectives planned in the state's general budget tool consistent with the GDP cycle. The economic and social goals stem from the core of the functions and the main objectives of the fiscal policy, namely the allocation of resources, stability and restoration Distribution and these functions, as we know, free market techniques may fail to achieve them, which interferes with the financial policy to address the failure of the market to reach the set goals, and that coordination between fiscal and monetary policies does not mean a loss of independence as much as it means correcting fiscal and monetary policies without causing undesirable adverse effects upon the necessary correction. For local courses Opposing this coordination, and we have touched on the monetary stability index adopted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to discuss the impact of financial shocks on the monetary stability index in Iraq, where the Iraqi economy witnessed positive fiscal and revenue policy shocks with limited negative financial shocks in spending. Public and public revenue and the impact was studied through the existence of long-term relationships that link fiscal policy shocks, i.e. quantitative changes in public spending and public revenue on monetary stability. The boundary test within the Autoregression techniques of distributed Lag demonstrated the existence of a long-term relationship between fiscal policy shocks and monetary stability in Iraq.
Age‐Specific differences in Asian elephant defecation, dung decay, detection and their implication for dung count
Authors: Mohanarangan Ashokkumar , Chinnaiyan Sakthivel , Kaliyaperumal Sudhakar , Shanmugavelu Swaminathan , Desai Ajay A
Published: May 2022

In vertebrate population estimation, converting faecal density into animal density requires information on the faecal production rate, decay rate and faecal density. Differences in the above factors for long‐lived species across age classes were not evaluated. We have evaluated these factors associated with the dung count of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in the tropical forest of southern India.

The defecation rate of elephants was determined in semi‐wild elephants at the Mudumalai elephant camp. The relationship between dung bolus diameter and age was determined to estimate the age of the elephant. The total and age‐specific elephant density based on dung bolus diameter was estimated. A total of 24 transect lines of 2–4 km (125 km) were sampled in the study area. An experiment was conducted to assess the detection probability across the age classes of dung piles. The dung decay rates across age classes and seasons were determined by marking fresh dung piles (n = 1551). The dung‐based age structure assessment and its limitations were evaluated.

The mean defecation rate was 13.51 ± 0.51 per day. The defecation rate was significantly lower for the younger age class and increased with the age of elephants. Defecation rates were significantly lower in the wet season than in the dry. The dung bolus diameter positively increased with the age of elephants, and the growth curve can be used to predict the age and age structure of elephant populations.

The disparity in the dung production rate results in the lower availability of younger age class (juvenile and calf) dung in the transect for counting, which results in lower dung abundance. The detection probability of dung piles of younger age classes was low (0.58). The survival rates of dung piles of younger age classes were lower and increased with the age of elephants in the wet season. Hence, the demographic assessment of the population based on dung needs to consider age‐specific differences in dung production, decay and detection probability. Although the demographic assessment using dung provides insight into population age structure, it has limitations in predicting age structure for young elephants.
Characterization of imaging performance of a novel helical kVCT for use in image‐guided and adaptive radiotherapy
Authors: Tegtmeier Riley C. , Ferris William S. , Bayouth John E. , Miller Jessica R. , Culberson Wesley S.
Published: May 2022

ClearRT helical kVCT imaging for the Radixact helical tomotherapy system recently received FDA approval and is available for clinical use. The system is intended to enhance image fidelity in radiation therapy treatment planning and delivery compared to the prior MV‐based onboard imaging approach. The purpose of this work was to characterize the imaging performance of this system and compare this performance with that of clinical systems used in image‐guided and/or adaptive radiotherapy (ART) or computed tomography (CT) simulation, including Radixact MVCT, TomoTherapy MVCT, Varian TrueBeam kV OBI CBCT, and the Siemens SOMATOM Definition Edge kVCT. A CT image quality phantom was scanned across clinically relevant acquisition modes for each system to evaluate image quality metrics, including noise, uniformity, contrast, spatial resolution, and CT number linearity. Similar noise levels were observed for ClearRT and Siemens Edge, whereas noise for the other systems was ∼1.5–5 times higher. Uniformity was best for Siemens Edge, whereas most scans for ClearRT exhibited a slight “cupping” or “capping” artifact. The ClearRT and Siemens Edge performed best for contrast metrics, which included low‐contrast visibility and contrast‐to‐noise ratio evaluations. Spatial resolution was best for TrueBeam and Siemens Edge, whereas the three kVCT systems exhibited similar CT number linearity. Overall, these results provide an initial indication that ClearRT image quality is adequate for image guidance in radiotherapy and sufficient for delineating anatomic structures, thus enabling its use for ART. ClearRT also showed significant improvement over MVCT, which was previously the only onboard imaging modality available on Radixact. Although the acquisition of these scans does come at the cost of additional patient dose, reported CTDI values indicate a similar or generally reduced machine output for ClearRT compared to the other systems while maintaining comparable or improved image quality overall.
Facile Surface Modification of Ultrathin Gold Nanowires Film with Hydrogen Sulfide for Improvement of Stability
Authors: Jiang Jianchun , Zhang Yongqing , Zhou Jiahang , Jiang Yizhou , Li Yunbo
Published: May 2022

Ultrathin gold nanowires (AuNWs) have an important role and promising applications in areas of wearable sensors, matter detection, and flexible transparent electronic materials. But oleylamine (OAm) ligand on the ultrathin AuNWs surface leads to high junction resistance and the inherent Rayleigh instability leads to decomposition into gold spheres within a few days. To eliminate these two disadvantages, herein, the implementation of one facile H2S gas treatment method to improve the conductivity and stability of ultrathin AuNWs is tried. The conductivity of AuNWs on the interdigital electrode can be improved by 4 × 107 times because the AuNWs became bent and cross‐linked, due to the H2S exchange of the ligand OAm. In addition, the conductivity of the three‐layer ultrathin AuNW film on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be improved by at least 2000 times. The ultrafine structure of AuNWs can be maintained for more than 1 week at room temperature, which attributes to H2S that can protect the surface structure of AuNWs. The findings highlight a new method of the ultrathin AuNWs for exceeding improvement in electronic conduction and stability.
Performance Improvement of Perovskite Solar Cells by Interactions between Nano‐Sized Quantum Dots and Perovskite
Authors: Chi Weiguang , Banerjee Sanjay K.
Published: May 2022

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have undergone rapid progress and attracted considerable attention as a promising alternative to conventional photovoltaics but currently still face the challenges of Shockley‐Queisser (SQ) limit and stability. Herein, the use of quantum dots (QDs) for the advancement of PSCs is focused on. The interactions between QDs and perovskite are discussed in terms of energy and charge transfer. The effective strategies for performance improvement of devices treated with QDs are interpreted from the point of view of surface modification (passivation and mixing), and microstructure (buffer function) and nanostructure (core/shell structure). In particular, possible routes to success in surpassing the SQ limit are summarized in association with the corresponding mechanisms. Also, the mechanisms for the enhancement of stability by QD treatment are analyzed, including quantum confinement effect, crystallization, ion migration inhibition, hydrophobicity improvement, passivation, and decomposition suppression. In addition, application of QDs to charge transporting layers is introduced and the resultant changes in device performance and stability are pointed out. The insights gained from this review are very crucial for the further advancement of PSCs treated with QDs.
Unravelling the Role of Electron Acceptors for the Universal Enhancement of Charge Transport in Quinoid‐Donor‐Acceptor Polymers for High‐Performance Transistors
Authors: Liang Huanhuan , Liu Cheng , Zhang Zesheng , Liu Xuncheng , Zhou Quanfeng , Zheng Guohui , Gong Xiu , Xie Lan , Yang Chen , Zhang Lianjie , He Bo , Chen Junwu , Liu Yi
Published: May 2022

The quinoid‐donor‐acceptor (Q‐D‐A) strategy has recently emerged as a promising approach for constructing high mobility semiconducting polymers. In order to fully explore the potential of this strategy in improving the charge transport and elucidating the structure‐property‐performance relationships in Q‐D‐A polymers, a series of new polymers with different electron acceptor units and backbone coplanarity have been synthesized and characterized. All of the resulting Q‐D‐A polymers exhibit much more planar backbone conformations in comparison to their donor‐acceptor (D‐A) counterparts. Moreover, organic field‐effect transistors based on Q‐D‐A polymers exhibit excellent effective hole mobilities in a range of 0.44 to 3.35 cm2 V−1 s−1, most of which are orders of magnitude higher than those of their corresponding D‐A polymers. Notably, the hole mobility of 3.35 cm2 V−1 s−1 is among the highest for the quinoidal‐aromatic polymers characterized by conventional spin‐coating methods. Furthermore, the role of electron acceptors in Q‐D‐A polymers has been comprehensively investigated. Polymers with stronger acceptor units are more inclined to deliver edge‐on lamellas, high film crystallinity, small effective hole masses, and decent operational stability. The detailed structure‐property‐device performance relationship will pave the way toward high performance semiconducting polymers using the potent Q‐D‐A strategy.
Self‐Delivering Nanodrugs Developed via Small‐Molecule‐Directed Assembly and Macrophage Cloaking for Sonodynamic‐Augmented Immunotherapy
Authors: Xie Fang , Liu Zongjunlin , Wang Peiyuan , Cai Meimei , Li Yang , Yan Jianghua , Lin Qin , Luo Fanghong
Published: May 2022

The self‐delivery of sonosensitizers and immunomodulators to tumor areas, which is highly recommended for enhancing sonodynamic immunotherapy, remains a challenge. Herein, a self‐delivering nanodrug (HB‐NLG8189, drug loading: ≈100 wt%) is developed by the small‐molecule self‐assembly of "HB" (a new clinical photosensitizer) and NLG8189 (indoleamine‐(2,3)‐dioxygenase (IDO) pathway inhibitor) for sonodynamic‐augmented immunotherapy; this preparation method ensures the absence of excipient‐related toxicity and immunogenicity. To evade immune recognition and prolong the circulation time, the HB‐NLG8189 nanodrugs are camouflaged using macrophage cell membranes (MPCMs). The constructed HB‐NLG8189@MPCM nanodrugs show an ability to preferentially accumulate within tumors. Upon ultrasound triggering, the HB‐NLG8189@MPCM is able to generate reactive oxygen species efficiently for robust sonodynamic therapy; it induces immunogenic cell death, initiates an antitumor immune response to activate tumor‐specific effector T cells, and promotes the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. The concomitant delivery of NLG8189 reverses the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment by restraining IDO‐1 activation and the intratumoral infiltration of regulatory T cells. Sonodynamic‐augmented immunotherapy with HB‐NLG8189@MPCM significantly inhibits the growth of both primary and distant tumors with little systemic toxicity. The biomimetic self‐delivery nanodrug provides a promising paradigm for improving sonodynamic immunotherapy.
Ultralow‐k Amorphous Boron Nitride Based on Hexagonal Ring Stacking Framework for 300 mm Silicon Technology Platform
Authors: Lin Cheng‐Ming , Hsu Chuang‐Han , Huang Wei‐Yu , Astié Vincent , Cheng Po‐Hsien , Lin Yue‐Min , Hu Wei‐Shan , Chen Szu‐Hua , Lin Han‐Yu , Li Ming‐Yang , Magyari‐Kope Blanka , Yang Chi‐Ming , Decams Jean‐Manuel , Lee Tzu‐Lih , Gui Dong , Wang Han , Woon Wei‐Yen , Lin Pinyen , Wu Jeff , Lee Jang‐Jung , Liao Szuya Sandy , Cao Min
Published: May 2022

The implementation of ultralow dielectric constant (k value ≈ 2) materials to reduce signal propagation delay in advanced electronic devices represents a critical challenge in next generations of microelectronics technologies. The introduction of well‐stacked and low polarity molecules that do not compromise film density may lead to improvements and desirable material engineering, as conventional porous SiOx derivatives exhibit detrimental degradation of thermo‐mechanical properties when their k values are further scaled down. This work presents a systematic engineering approach for controlling ultralow‐k amorphous boron nitride (aBN) deposition on 300 mm Si platforms. The results indicate that aBN grown from borazine precursor exhibits ultralow dielectric constant ≈2, high density, excellent mechanical strength, and extended thermodynamic stability. Unintentional boron ion doping during plasma dissociation that may induce artificial reductions of k value on n‐type substrates is alleviated by employing a remote microwave plasma process. Moreover, the adoption of low growth rate processes for ultralow‐k aBN deposition is found to be critical to provide for the superior mechanical strength and high density, and is attributed to the formation of hexagonal ring stacking frameworks. These results pave the way and offer engineering solutions for new ultralow‐k material introduction into future semiconductor manufacturing applications.
Fabric‐Based Wearable Self‐Powered Asymmetric Supercapacitor Comprising Lead‐Free Perovskite Piezoelectrodes
Authors: Padha Bhavya , Verma Sonali , Arya Sandeep
Published: May 2022

The demand for flexible supercapacitor sustaining green energy can go a long way in mitigating the issue of no power source in wearable electronics. Herein, a novel strategy is used to develop a self‐charging supercapacitor using lead‐free perovskites as piezoelectrodes and polyvinyl alcohol‐potassium hydroxide (PVA‐KOH) film as ionogelled electrolyte. This approach is unique as the existing conventional self‐powered devices are based only on piezoelectric electrolytes. The all‐solid‐state supercapacitor is asymmetric, with nickel stannate (NiSnO3) acting as the positrode and ferrous stannate (FeSnO3) as the negatrode. These materials are non‐toxic, environment‐friendly, and bio‐compatible, making them suitable for wearable electronics. The value of specific capacitance of FeSnO3 is 2853 F g–1, the highest among the perovskite‐based electrodes. The self‐charging characteristics of the fabricated supercapacitor are analyzed by bending, twisting, and subjecting it to compressive forces of varying magnitude. A maximum voltage of 266 mV is recorded through the self‐charging phenomenon. All these tests approve that the fabricated perovskite‐based supercapacitor is highly flexible, robust, stable, and has considerable electrochemical and self‐charging potential. The present study focuses on understanding the piezoelectric effect in self‐charging supercapacitors and offering a viable power option for self‐powered wearable devices in the future.
High‐Efficiency Metasurface Emitters for Generating Arbitrarily Polarized Spatial Propagating Waves
Authors: Zhang Tai Yi , Ma Hui Feng , Wang Hai Lin , Zhang Yan Kai , You Zi Hua , Cui Tie Jun
Published: May 2022

Polarization plays an important role in practical applications, and hence it is an essential task to generate the desired polarization of a spatial propagating wave (SPW). Here, the authors propose a method to design radiation metasurface, or metasurface emitter, which can produce arbitrarily polarized SPW. Different from the conventional transmission and reflection metasurfaces that can only manipulate the incoming spatial wave, the proposed radiation metasurface can be regarded as an electromagnetic (EM) wave emitter that can generate SPW by itself. More importantly, the polarization of the generated SPW can be flexibly customized by designing the phase distribution on metasurface. The metasurface is fed by a monopole antenna, and the energy is first coupled into the metasurface to form a surface wave. Modulated by the metasurface, the surface wave is then converted into SPW. As a proof of concept, they design and fabricate the radiation metasurfaces that are capable of generating radially, azimuthally, linearly, and circularly polarized SPWs, as well as dual‐beam radiations with different polarizations, respectively. The measured results have a good match to the theoretical predictions and full‐wave simulations. The proposed method provides an efficient way to generate SPWs with any desired polarizations for easy integration.
Statistic Copolymers Working as Growth Factor‐Binding Mimics of Fibronectin
Authors: Zhang Wenjing , Wu Yueming , Chen Qi , Zhang Haodong , Zhou Min , Chen Kang , Cao Chuntao , Guo Han , Xu Jianrong , Liu Honglai , Lin Haodong , Liu Changsheng , Liu Runhui
Published: May 2022

Growth factors (GFs) play important roles in biological system and are widely used in tissue regeneration. However, their application is greatly hindered by short in vivo lifetime of GFs. GFs are bound to fibronectin dynamically in the extracellular matrix, which inspired the authors to mimic the GF binding domain of fibronectin and design GF‐binding amphiphilic copolymers bearing positive charges. The optimal amino acid polymer can bind to a variety of representative GFs, such as bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) and TGF‐β1 from the transforming growth factor‐β superfamily, PDGF‐AA and PDGF‐BB from the platelet‐derived growth factor family, FGF‐10 and FGF‐21 from the fibroblast growth factor family, epidermal growth factor from the EGF family and hepatocyte growth factor from the plasminogen‐related growth factor family, with binding affinities up to the nanomolar level. 3D scaffolds immobilized with the optimal copolymer enable sustained release of loaded BMP‐2 without burst release and significantly enhances the in vivo function of BMP‐2 for bone formation. This strategy opens new avenues in designing GF‐binding copolymers as synthetic mimics of fibronectin for diverse applications.
Changes in drug poisoning mortality before and after the COVID‐19 pandemic by occupation in Massachusetts
Authors: Hawkins Devan , Phan Anh Tuan
Published: May 2022

Background

Incidence of drug poisoning deaths has increased during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Previous research has established that risks differ for drug poisoning death according to occupation, and that workers also have a different risk for exposure to and death from COVID‐19. This study sought to determine whether workers in certain occupations had drug poisoning mortality rates that increased in 2020 (the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic) compared to the average mortality rate for workers in those occupations during the previous 3 years.

Methods

Death certificates of Massachusetts residents who died from drug poisonings in 2017–2020 were obtained. Average mortality rates of drug poisoning according to occupation during the 2017–2019 period were compared to mortality rates in 2020.

Results

Between the 2017–2019 period and 2020, mortality rates of drug poisoning increased significantly for workers in three occupational groups: food preparation and serving; healthcare support; and transportation and material moving. In these occupations, most of the increases in 2020 compared to 2017–2019 occurred in months after COVID‐19 pandemic cases and deaths increased in Massachusetts.

Conclusion

Mortality rates from drug poisonings increased substantially in several occupations in 2020 compared to previous years. Further research should examine the role of occupational factors in this increase in drug poisoning mortality rates during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Particular attention should be given to determine the role that exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, work stress, and financial stress due to job insecurity played in these increases.
Fluorinating the Solid Electrolyte Interphase by Rational Molecular Design for Practical Lithium‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Xie Jin , Sun Shu‐Yu , Chen Xiang , Hou Li‐Peng , Li Bo‐Quan , Peng Hong‐Jie , Huang Jia‐Qi , Zhang Xue‐Qiang , Zhang Qiang
Published: May 2022

The lifespan of practical lithium (Li)‐metal batteries is severely hindered by the instability of Li‐metal anodes. Fluorinated solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) emerges as a promising strategy to improve the stability of Li‐metal anodes. The rational design of fluorinated molecules is pivotal to construct fluorinated SEI. Herein, design principles of fluorinated molecules are proposed. Fluoroalkyl (−CF2CF2−) is selected as an enriched F reservoir and the defluorination of the C−F bond is driven by leaving groups on β‐sites. An activated fluoroalkyl molecule (AFA), 2,2,3,3‐tetrafluorobutane‐1,4‐diol dinitrate is unprecedentedly proposed to render fast and complete defluorination and generate uniform fluorinated SEI on Li‐metal anodes. In Li–sulfur (Li−S) batteries under practical conditions, the fluorinated SEI constructed by AFA undergoes 183 cycles, which is three times the SEI formed by LiNO3. Furthermore, a Li−S pouch cell of 360 Wh kg−1 delivers 25 cycles with AFA. This work demonstrates rational molecular design principles of fluorinated molecules to construct fluorinated SEI for practical Li‐metal batteries.
Reversible Multilevel Stimuli‐Responsiveness and Multicolor Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence Emission Based on a Single‐Component System
Authors: Song Jinming , Ma Liangwei , Sun Siyu , Tian He , Ma Xiang
Published: May 2022

There are limited reports about the transformation of pure organic room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials with multilevel stimuli‐responsiveness at different RTP emission wavelengths under external stimuli. It is difficult to ensure efficient intersystem crossing (ISC) in different states of a single‐component system. This research reports the conversion of the organic single‐component small molecule 1,2‐bis(4‐alkoxyphenyl)ethane‐1,2‐dione (N‐BOX) with multilevel stimuli‐responsiveness between high‐efficiency blue and yellow RTP by grinding or thermal annealingN‐BOXcrystals. The RTP emission ofN‐BOXin the crystalline state was easy to adjust by external stimuli (grinding or thermal annealing) due to its non‐compact packing, which led to a phase transition and generated unique multilevel stimuli‐responsiveness. In particular, the RTP quantum yield of7‐BOXwith multilevel stimuli‐responsiveness reached 68.4 %, which provides an opportunity for regulation of smart optical materials based on pure organic RTP.
Chemical Approaches to Synthetic Drug Delivery Systems for Systemic Applications
Authors: Braatz Daniel , Cherri Mariam , Tully Michael , Dimde Mathias , Ma Guoxin , Mohammadifar Ehsan , Reisbeck Felix , Ahmadi Vahid , Schirner Michael , Haag Rainer
Published: May 2022

Poor water solubility and low bioavailability of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are major causes of friction in the pharmaceutical industry and represent a formidable hurdle for pharmaceutical drug development. Drug delivery remains the major challenge for the application of new small‐molecule drugs as well as biopharmaceuticals. The three challenges for synthetic delivery systems are: (i) controlling drug distribution and clearance in the blood; (ii) solubilizing poorly water‐soluble agents, and (iii) selectively targeting specific tissues. Although several polymer‐based systems have addressed the first two demands and have been translated into clinical practice, no targeted synthetic drug delivery system has reached the market. This Review is designed to provide a background on the challenges and requirements for the design and translation of new polymer‐based delivery systems. This report will focus on chemical approaches to drug delivery for systemic applications.
Structure Elucidation of In Situ Generated Chiral Hypervalent Iodine Complexes via Vibrational Circular Dichroism (VCD)
Authors: Golub Tino P. , Abazid Ayham H. , Nachtsheim Boris J. , Merten Christian
Published: May 2022

The structure of in situ generated chiral aryl‐λ3‐iodanes obtained under oxidative reaction conditions was not yet observable with experimental techniques and their proposed structures are purely based on DFT calculations. Herein, we establish vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy as an experimental technique to verify DFT‐calculated chiral iodane structures. Based on a chiral triazole‐substituted iodoarene catalyst, we were able to elucidate a yet undescribed cationic chiral iodane as the most populated intermediate under oxidative conditions with a significant intramolecular N−I‐interaction and no significant interactions with tosylate or m‐chlorobenzoic acid as potential anionic ligands. Instead, aggregation of these substrates was found, which resulted in the formation of a non‐coordinating anionic hydrogen bonded complex. The importance of VCD as a crucial experimental observable is further highlighted by the fact that our initial structural proposal, that was purely based on DFT calculations, could be falsified.
The infantile and the need for narratives as essential myths
Authors: Poppensieker Klaus
Published: May 2022

Narratives and essential myths carry a fundamental holding function. Human beings need their beliefs to experience a sense of coherence and security. In this essay, I argue that individuals and collectives also need to reflect upon the arbitrariness of their own cultural matrixes. This process is anxiety‐provoking and elicits strong individual and social resistance. Analytic institutions, as well as individual analysts, need to develop tools to look at their own cultural surroundings and their embeddedness in these necessary but arbitrary collective narratives. As analyst‐citizens, we can expand our tools and skills beyond the individual to the large‐group level, to perceive and make conscious our own sociocultural determinants—national and professional ones, historical, and contemporary ones. Intercultural experiences and perspectives can be used to facilitate an insight into the ways cultural narratives shape our identities and bind us to larger collectives. The social unconscious can be brought to light. We can analyze what kind of air was, and is, breathed into us. The author, as a German–American psychoanalyst, uses personal experience to illustrate the necessary working‐through process of analyzing unconscious aspects of the intrapsychic, the interpersonal, and the cultural determinants of our respective individual and collective backgrounds.
Organocatalyzed Modular Synthesis of Polycyclic Dihydropyridines and Pyridines through Sulfamate Linchpin
Authors: Bhajammanavar Vinod , Sureshbabu Popuri , Kesava Reddy Mallu , Baidya Mahiuddin
Published: May 2022

The cascade annulation between alkylidene malononitriles and cyclic sulfamidate imines has been controlled by leveraging the sulfamate functionality under organocatalysis, which allows selective access to polycyclic and densely functionalized dihydropyridines and pyridines in high yields. The protocol is scalable and shows broad substrate scope. The products were also engaged in the preparation of tetracyclic pyridopyrimidines, showcasing the synthetic versatility.
Determining paths of innovation: The role of culture on the adoption on organic farming management
Authors: Manta Francesco , Morrone Domenico , Toma Pierluigi , Campobasso Francesco
Published: May 2022

The aim of this paper is to understand whether national culture is linked with operative performance of organic agriculture. The ultimate goal is, indeed, to measure the impact of social change on technical innovation and sustainability issues. We built an econometric model where the impact of some of the six dimensions of national culture by Geert Hofstede is tested on inputs and outputs of organic production, on a country‐based scale. We collected data about the evolution of organic agriculture through the last two decades, extracting data about 27 countries of the European Union from 2000 to 2017. We tested the dataset into two passages: we first employed a DEA model to assess efficiency of organic farming, and then we correlated results to Hofstede 6‐D model of national culture. We observed the existence of a relationship between culture and innovation, explaining the importance of determined values in people's management within the firm. The operative performance of organic agriculture is linked to determined culturally influenced business values. We used efficiency results as variables for measuring innovation approach based on cultural models. It has been enhanced the relevance to the nexus innovation‐culture approaching to one of the most innovation‐resistant industrial sectors.