bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Hypoglycaemic, Antihyperglycaemic and Anti-lipid Peroxidative Activity of Persea americana Peel in Wistar Rats
Authors: Ilochi O. N. , Kolawole T. A. , Chuemere A. N.
Published: April 2022

This study evaluated the hypoglycaemic, antihyperglycaemic and anti-lipid peroxidative  activity of Persea americana peel in experimental rats. 60 male wistar rats were used for this study which lasted for 42 days. The animals were randomly grouped as: A-Normal control (feed + distilled water), B- Glibenclamide 0.6mg/kg/day, C- Avocado peel extract 50mg/kg, D- Diabetic, E- Diabetic + glibenclamide 0.6mg/kg/day, F- Diabetic + avocado peel extract 50mg/kg.  Fasting blood glucose and blood level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) were assayed for. With standard protocols, the heart and kidney of each animal was collected for tissue homogenization. Biochemical analysis of tissue homogenates includes Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and isoprostanes (F2isoP). This study revealed a possible link between oxidative stress and hyperglycaemia in diabetic conditions. Avocado peel, dose and time-dependently reduced blood glucose level below normal as well as products of lipid peroxidation. Determination of the possible mechanisms by which avocado peel affects these biomarkers may be indispensible to medicinal research. This study revealed further therapeutic potential of avocado peel.
COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and its Determinants among Adult Population in Somali Region of Ethiopia
Authors: Oladeji Olusola , Aden Mowlid Aklil , Farah Alinoor Mohamed , Ameda Ida Marie , Omer Mohamed Diaaeldin , Aden Bukhari Shikh , Aden Asli Hassan , Farah Abdifatah Elmi , Warsame Adawe
Published: April 2022

Aims: To ensure effectiveness of COVID 19 vaccine in controlling the pandemic, high vaccination coverage rates are necessary to achieve herd immunity which will help reduce the transmission of the virus and ensure reduction in the risk of transmission of infection. The study assessed COVID-19 vaccine uptake and its determinants among the adult population in Somali region of Ethiopia.

Study Design: This was a cross-sectional analytical study

Place and Duration of Study: Somali Region of Ethiopia in October 2021

Methodology: A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation vaccine hesitancy survey question, administered to 433 adult population in eight selected sites. Bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were used to test association between vaccine uptake and some selected determinants. The level of significance was set at a p-value<5%.

Results: Only 29% of the respondents had received at least one dose of COVID 19 vaccine, 219(50.6%) reported no concern at all in getting infected and the perception of low risk of infection was significantly higher among those not vaccinated (χ2 =12.62, p<0.05). Only 101(23.3%) of the respondents reported that the vaccine was very important in the prevention of the disease and perceived no benefit was significantly higher among those not vaccinated (χ2 =32.30, p<0.05). Only 79(18.2%) of the respondents believed the vaccine was very safe and perceived lack of safety of the vaccine was significantly higher among those not vaccinated (χ2 =22.24, p<0.05). There was positive association between level of education and vaccine uptake (AOR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.02–2.52; p<0.05 ) while 126(47.5%) of those who had desired to be vaccinated actually got vaccinated. Other factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination uptake were friends getting vaccinated and support by community and religious leaders.

Conclusion: The perceived low risk among the population to COVID19 infection which significantly affected the poor vaccine uptake is a major concern. With only half of the population who intended to be vaccinated and ended up being vaccinated shows the need for targeted socio behavioural change communication strategies with focus on benefit of the vaccine not only to individual but to the other members of their community.
Innovative Logistics Practices: Performance Assessment of Third-party Logistics Services Providers in Malaysia
Authors: Omotayo Adebare , Melan Mustakim
Published: April 2022

In the contemporary business global sphere, it is so problematic, if not impossible, for an organization to be competitively deprived of working in alliance, closely with external associates. The idea of Supply Chain Management, (SCM), arose in this track and strives to optimally manage the physical goods and/or services. Logistics is the key competitive factor in the manufacturing sector because of the innovative models’ variants and options. For instance, in Malaysia, the manufacturing sector is a major contributor to the annual GDP, hence, there is a need for sustainable technology that can project significant business operations and supply chain management impacts. But this is far from being the case in the contemporary. Based on the increasing logistics benefits, the importance of the assessment of logistics efficiency and impact is attracting increased consideration. Green Logistics (GL) involves not only the delivery of green products or services to customers but also the inclusive logistics flow of items from cradle to grave in addition to reverse logistics. Numerous green events and operations have been instigated, such as manufacture scheduling and network construction. This article aimed at investigating the innovative logistics practices relationship with the operations of third-party logistics service providers in Malaysia. To achieve this, the study engages a structured questionnaire survey. 256 questionnaire was retrieved out of 333 questionnaires distributed electronically and 27 questionnaires were rejected based on some parallel errors and 229 questionnaires was eventually analyzed This is 69% of the questionnaire. In the analysis, SPSS version 20 was utilized. The outcome showed that selection of vehicle type and procurement on quality, cost, and environmental impacts as the main feature of innovation in sustainability. Innovative green logistics serve as a moderating factor in the relationship between 3PLs service provider’s key performance factors and green logistics in the Manufacturing industry of Malaysia. Hence, it fulfills one of the key economic growth activities or operations under strategic thrust 2 of SPV2030.
Electronic Structure and IR Spectra Analysis of Tetrathiafulvelene (TTF) Using RHF and DFT Quantum Mechanical Methods
Authors: Taura L. S. , Muhammad Rabiu Nuhu , Lawal Abdullahi , Gidado A. S.
Published: April 2022

Tetrathiafulvalene (C6H4S4) is an organosulfur compound used in the manufacture of organic optoelectronic materials. Restricted Hartree-Fock (RHF) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) were employed for the study of the optimized molecular structure of TTF using different basis sets. All computations were performed using Gaussian 03 package. Parameters such as minimum energy, bond lengths and bond angles, HOMO-LUMO energy gap, chemical reactivity descriptors, Non-linear optical properties (such as isotropic polarizability (α), anisotropy of polarizability (∆∝), and total first hyper-polarizability (βtot)), density of states, vibrational frequencies, and intensities were computed and reported in order to determine the relative stability as well as chemical reactivity of the molecule. The results obtained show that RHF has the lowest average value of bond length of 1.0729Å while that obtained using DFT has the lowest average value of 1.0812Å using the same basis set 6-311++G (d, p). This shows that the value is a bit higher using DFT than RHF which implies that the bonds of TTF molecule will be slightly stronger when optimized using RHF than DFT. The bond angles were found to be slightly higher by using DFT than RHF. The calculated HOMO-LUMO energy gap shows that the molecule will be slightly more stable in chemical reaction using RHF than DFT. The DFT values, 3.59 eV and  3.60 eV obtained for the energy gap are closer to the reported value of 3.63eV compared to those obtained by RHF. From the results obtained for vibrational frequencies using both methods, TTF is stable due to the absence of imaginary frequencies. This confirms the stability of the molecule as stated in the results of HOMO-LUMO energy gap. The calculated vibrational frequencies show that the most intense frequency was obtained to be 752.6293 cm-1  at corresponding intensity of 145.9063KM/mole by RHF/6-31++G (d, p) while at B3LYP/6-31+G(d), the most intense frequency is about 635.0243 cm-1 with corresponding intensity of 138.5738MK/mole. By and large, the studyunveil the potential of Tetrathiafulvalene for optoelectronic applications.
An Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Glut 2 in Islets of Langerhans Treated with Gymnema Sylvestre and Metformin in Streptozotocin-induced Animals
Authors: Rajalakshmi Arumugam , Prithiviraj Elumalai , Sumathy Govindarajan
Published: April 2022

Diabetes mellitus is a generally known metabolic disorder affecting individuals, not only the elderly population, but all age groups. Among the etiologies of diabetes, reduction of glucose transporter GLUT-2 is accompanied by a loss in glucose-mediated insulin secretion, causing diabetes. To treat diabetes, the present scenario is the demand for time to use herbal drugs with minimal detrimental effects. Considering the benefits of Gymnema sylvestre, an anti-diabetic herbal drug, our current study is designed to expose the plausible relationship between the anti-diabetic activity and GLUT-2 expression, and the efficacy is evaluated in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic model.

Materials and Methods: Wistar albino adult rats (n=36) weighing about 140–160 g. Each group consisted of 6 animals and was divided into six groups based on the high fat diet (42 days), the streptozotocin-induced diabetic model (5 days) and treated for 22 days using ethanolic extract of Gymnema sylvestre at low (200mg) and high dosage (400mg) and metformin (25mg). During the experimental period, blood glucose levels and the animal weight were carefully monitored. 

Results: Decreased body weight, pancreatic weight, and increased blood glucose were observed in Group III along with a reduced level of GLUT-2 expression, indicating the manifestation of diabetes. In diabetic rats, however, these abnormalities are significantly restored after treatment with Gymnema sylvestre, albeit at a higher dosage.The Gymnema sylvestre displays the antidiabetic activity through the regeneration of pancreatic β-cells, maintaining GLUT-2 expression in diabetic induced animal model and Our histological study of pancreatic tissue also confirms the regeneration of beta cells.
Prevalence of Leukoplakia among Patients Visiting a Private Dental Hospital- An Institutional Study
Authors: Ashwini K. , Krishnan Reshma Poothakulath
Published: April 2022

Background: The oral ‌mucous‌ ‌membrane‌ ‌is‌ ‌an‌ ‌integral‌ ‌part‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌oral‌ ‌cavity‌ and oral‌ ‌premalignancy‌ plays an ‌intermediate‌ ‌stage. Oral‌ ‌leukoplakia‌ ‌otherwise‌ ‌called‌ ‌smoker’s‌ ‌keratosis‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌potential‌ ‌premalignant‌ ‌disorder‌ and if not diagnosed early has a risk of causing oral morbidity and cancer. It ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌non-scrapable‌ ‌white‌ ‌patch‌ ‌or‌ ‌plaque‌ ‌which‌ ‌might‌ ‌be‌ ‌homogeneous‌ ‌or‌ ‌nonhomogeneous‌ ‌and‌ ‌is‌ ‌strongly‌ ‌associated‌ ‌with‌ ‌smoking, tobacco, alcohol‌ ‌consumption,‌‌ chronic‌ ‌irritation,‌‌ infections‌, and‌ ‌ultraviolet‌ ‌exposure‌. The etiology is idiopathic. The main aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of leukoplakia in patients reporting to a university dental hospital.

Methodology: The present study was a retrospective observational study wherein 239 leukoplakia cases were reported to a private dental hospital located in Chennai from June 2020 to April 2021. Data was collected from DIAS and was tabulated in Excel. Data analysis was done in SPSS software Version 20.0. Descriptive statistics and the relation between variables were determined using the chi-square test where done. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The results of this study reveal that oral premalignant leukoplakia has a strong male predilection (95.4%) and the age group of 50-60 years (29.71%) was the most commonly affected when compared to the other age groups. This study further results that homogenous type (75.5%) of oral leukoplakia was commonly prevalent in the right buccal mucosa (29.29%) followed by the left buccal mucosa (23.43%) of the oral cavity associated with the history of excess smoking (38.08%). Pearson chi-square test shows p-value is 0.00, (p-value < 0.05).Hence, it is statistically significant. When association was done between the site of the lesion in the oral cavity by the number of participants, 28.03% of the male participants were presented with the lesion on the right buccal mucosa. Pearson chi-square test shows p-value is 0.99, (p-value > 0.05). Hence, it is statistically not significant.

Conclusion: The results of this study reveal that oral premalignant leukoplakia has a strong male predilection and the age group of 50-60 years was most commonly affected when compared to the other age groups.This study further results that homogenous type of oral leukoplakia was commonly prevalent in the right buccal mucosa followed by the left buccal mucosa of the oral cavity associated with the history of excess smoking.
Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology: A Reliabe Diagnostic Approach in Supraclavicular Lymph Node Swelling: A Study at Pumhs-W, Nawabshah, Sind, Pakistan
Authors: Yousfani Sikandar-e-Azam , Brohi Saifullah , Bano Shazia , Yousfani Nazia Azam , Kumar Ashok , Shah Moin Ul Islam
Published: April 2022

Objective: This study was conducted with the aim to approach the diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology in supraclavicular lymph node swelling at outpatient department.

Methods: The study is cross-sectional, descriptive conducted at General Surgery department Unit-III, of PUMHSW, Nawabshah, Sind, from 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2020. After the written permission from ethical Review Committee of PUMHS-W, all the patients attending Surgical/Medical outpatient department with supraclavicular lymph node swelling and sent for cytological examination from 1st January 2019-31st December 2020 were entered in SPSS-20, after filling of specially designed proforma. All the variables/demographic details were entered and analyzed by SPSS version 20.

Results: Total of 153 cases diagnosed at the Department of Pathology, PUMHS-W, and Nawabshah during the two-year period. The most commonly lesion was TB Lymphadenitis 58(38%),and 43(28%) were cases of Reactive Hyperplasia, while the malignant metastatic lesions were 38(25%) and Lymphoma and NHL were positive in 5(3%) cases.

The metastatic lesion were most commonly involve the left side 23(60.5%) and less commonly the bilateral 3(8%) involvement. The common metastatic malignancy found was squamous cell carcinoma 14(37%) followed by adenocarcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, papillary thyroid carcinoma, ductal carcinoma breast, hepatocellular carcinoma and seminoma, 10(%), 5(% ),2(%), 2(%), 1(%), 1(%), 1(%) respectively.

The most commonly involved age group by mixed lesions were 41-50 years of age, and less common group involved was above 70 years of age. The metastatic malignant lesion were commonly found in 61-70 years of age group and lymphoma and Non Hodgkin Lymphoma were seen up to 60 years of all age groups.

Conclusion: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology is a reliable diagnostic tool as it is cheap, less invasive, and timed modality for diagnosing the supraclavicular lymph node inflammation/metastatic and nodular malignancies.
Nickel–Platinum Alloy Nanocrystallites with High‐Index Facets as Highly Effective Core Catalyst for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Wang Zhen‐Yu , Zhang Bohai , Liu Sheng , Li Guo‐Ran , Yan Tianying , Gao Xue‐Ping
Published: April 2022

Elemental sulfur possesses an ultra‐high theoretical specific capacity, while the practical application of sulfur in lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries is seriously hindered by the sluggish redox kinetics and serious shuttle effect. Enhancing the catalytic activity of the sulfur host by a rational structural design is the key to address these issues. Herein, for the first time, concave‐nanocubic (CNC) nickel–platinum (Ni–Pt) alloys bounded by high‐index facets (HIFs) are introduced as the core catalyst of sulfur for Li–S batteries. It is demonstrated that the CNC Ni–Pt alloy crystallites dispersed uniformly on graphene exhibit a high electrochemical activity to drive the conversion from intermediate lithium polysulfides to solid discharged products. Benefiting from the accelerated redox kinetics by HIFs, the cathode delivers a low capacity damping of 0.025% per cycle for 1000 cycles at 1 C rate. In particular, a high reversible capacity of 664.9 mAh g−1‐cathode with cathode as active material can be achieved with high sulfur loading (8.8 mg cm−2) and low electrolyte usage (5 µL mgs−1). This study focuses on improving the catalytic activity of sulfur hosts by modulating the exposed facets of core catalyst and provides a new path for the structure optimizing of host materials in Li–S batteries.
High‐Performance Organic Electrochemical Transistors and Neuromorphic Devices Comprising Naphthalenediimide‐Dialkoxybithiazole Copolymers Bearing Glycol Ether Pendant Groups
Authors: Zhang Yanxi , Ye Gang , van der Pol Tom P. A. , Dong Jingjin , van Doremaele Eveline R. W. , Krauhausen Imke , Liu Yuru , Gkoupidenis Paschalis , Portale Giuseppe , Song Jun , Chiechi Ryan C. , van de Burgt Yoeri
Published: April 2022

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) have emerged as building blocks for low power circuits, biosensors, and neuromorphic computing. While p‐type polymer materials for OECTs are well developed, the choice of high‐performance n‐type polymers is limited, despite being essential for cation and metabolite biosensors, and crucial for constructing complementary circuits. N‐type conjugated polymers that have efficient ion‐to‐electron transduction are highly desired for electrochemical applications. In this contribution, three non‐fused, planar naphthalenediimide (NDI)‐dialkoxybithiazole (2Tz) copolymers, which systematically increase the amount of polar tri(ethylene glycol) (TEG) side chains: PNDI2OD‐2Tz (0 TEG), PNDIODTEG‐2Tz (1 TEG), PNDI2TEG‐2Tz (2 TEG), are reported. It is demonstrated that the OECT performance increases with the number of TEG side chains resulting from the progressively higher hydrophilicity and larger electron affinities. Benefiting from the high electron mobility, excellent ion conduction capability, efficient ion‐to‐electron transduction, and low‐lying lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy level, the 2 TEG polymer achieves close to 105 on‐off ratio, fast switching, 1000 stable operation cycles in aqueous electrolyte, and has a long shelf life. Moreover, the higher number TEG chain substituted polymer exhibits good conductance state retention over two orders of magnitudes in electrochemical resistive random‐access memory devices, highlighting its potential for neuromorphic computing.
Chemical Potential Switching of the Anomalous Hall Effect in an Ultrathin Noncollinear Antiferromagnetic Metal
Authors: Qin Peixin , Yan Han , Fan Benshu , Feng Zexin , Zhou Xiaorong , Wang Xiaoning , Chen Hongyu , Meng Ziang , Duan Wenhui , Tang Peizhe , Liu Zhiqi
Published: April 2022

The discovery of the anomalous Hall effect in noncollinear antiferromagnetic metals represents one of the most important breakthroughs for the emergent antiferromagnetic spintronics. The tuning of chemical potential has been an important theoretical approach to varying the anomalous Hall conductivity, but the direct experimental demonstration has been challenging owing to the large carrier density of metals. In this work, an ultrathin noncollinear antiferromagnetic Mn3Ge film is fabricated and its carrier density is modulated by ionic liquid gating. Via a small voltage of ≈3 V, its carrier density is altered by ≈90% and, accordingly, the anomalous Hall effect is completely switched off. This work thus creates an attractive new way to steering the anomalous Hall effect in noncollinear antiferromagnets.
A Simple Strategy to Realize Super Stable Ferroelectric Capacitor via Interface Engineering
Authors: Kim Hyo‐Bae , Dae Kyun Seong , Oh Youkyoung , Lee Seung‐Won , Lee Yoseop , Ahn Seung‐Eon , Jang Jae Hyuck , Ahn Ji‐Hoon
Published: April 2022

Fluorite‐structure ferroelectric thin films have been extensively studied as promising candidates for next‐generation non‐volatile memory. However, these ferroelectric thin films have fatal issues such as the irregular formation of the ferroelectric phase, low cycling endurance, and wake‐up and fatigue during endurance cycling tests. These problems are reportedly caused by oxygen vacancies, which form due to the interface reaction between the thin films and bottom electrodes during deposition and the post‐annealing process. Therefore, in this work, the enhanced ferroelectric characteristics of Hf1‐xZrxO2 thin films that control the oxygen vacancies in thin films through interfacial pretreatment are investigated. Interfacial treatment using an oxygen source can reduce oxygen vacancies and improve crystallinity through intentional oxidation of the bottom electrode. As a result, the remanent polarization value is increased by ≈1.6 times by applying the optimized pretreatment condition, and the measured 2Pr is a very high value of 73 µC cm−2. Furthermore, it exhibits very stable ferroelectric properties without a wake‐up effect or significant fatigue, up to 108 cycles even under a severe electric field of 3.5 MV cm−1. This simple strategy provides a new avenue to effectively improve the performance and cycling endurance of devices with ferroelectric thin films.
AC‐Driven Ultraviolet‐C Electroluminescence from an All‐Solution‐Processed CaSiO3:Pr3+ Thin Film Based on a Metal‐Oxide‐Semiconductor Structure
Authors: Afandi Mohammad M. , Kang Hyeonwoo , Kang Taewook , Park Jehong , Kim Jongsu
Published: April 2022

An ultraviolet (UV) light source is continuously required for applications of sterilization as well as industrial value. In particular, research on materials and devices emitting UV‐C radiation in the range from 210 to 280 nm is very meaningful and challenging work. Herein, UV‐C electroluminescence (EL) from an all‐solution processed CaSiO3:Pr3+ (CSO) thin film is reported for the first time. The CSO thin film is formed on a Si substrate (size of 13 × 13 mm2), and structurally, the UV‐C EL device has a metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (MOS) shape consisting of CSO and interlayered SiOx of 100 and 150 nm thickness, respectively, on Si. The emission and electrical properties of the UV‐C EL device are investigated under an alternating current system. The results reveal UV‐C emission peaking at 276 nm attributed to the 4f5d‐3H(F)j transition of Pr3+ ions within CSO, with a maximum output optical power of 8.37 µW cm−2 (power efficiency of 0.15%) at an operating voltage of 40 Vop (50 Hz). The work can provide a feasible method for realizing large‐area UV‐C‐emitting devices based on the MOS structure.
Robotic Hair with Rich Sensation and Piloerection Functionalities Biomimicked by Stimuli‐Responsive Materials
Authors: Wu Runni , Kwan Kin Wa , Lin He , Li Pu , Long Xia , Yang Shihe , Ngan Alfonso Hing Wan
Published: April 2022

Living organisms are imparted with compact intelligence in which a myriad of functionalities are delivered by highly integrated and demodularized subunits, as in the case of the mammalian skin in which different embedding stimuli‐receptors and follicles work together to provide rich sensation for temperature and tactility, as well as the visible and regulatory response of hair erection via the arrector pili muscle. A breakthrough in robotics is to create similar intelligence using emerging stimuli‐responsive materials. Here, a thin film composite comprising a transition metal oxide/hydroxide layer for sensation and high‐performing actuation under environmental stimuli including visible light, humidity, and temperature, and a graphene‐based layer for feedback strain sensing, is developed to demonstrate such an approach of robotics. The system is used to construct robotic hair that mimics well mammalian hair in functionality, and devices for sensing objects for their effective manipulation. This research opens a “material intelligence” approach for robotics.
Rhodium‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative Hydroacylation of Vinylethylene Carbonates for Regioselective Ester Synthesis
Authors: Gong Fei‐Yuan , Guo Gui‐Li , Chang Zhi‐Xin , Lu Xue‐Ming , Wang Fu‐Gang , Wang Lei , Li Hong‐Shuang
Published: April 2022

A rhodium(I)‐catalyzed decarboxylative hydroacylation of readily available vinylethylene carbonates with salicylaldehydes for regioselective preparation of esters was developed. Reaction optimization revealed that methacrylamide might promote the hydroacylation by bidentate chelation assistance to the cationic rhodium. Mechanistic findings suggested that this one‐pot coupling reaction proceeds via Markovnikov hydrorhodation‐initiated site‐selective β‐C−O bond cleavage with concurrent release of CO2.

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Wirelessly Activated Nanotherapeutics for In Vivo Programmable Photodynamic‐Chemotherapy of Orthotopic Bladder Cancer
Authors: Sun Bowen , Bte Rahmat Juwita Norasmara , Kim Han Joon , Mahendran Ratha , Esuvaranathan Kesavan , Chiong Edmund , Ho John S. , Neoh Koon Gee , Zhang Yong
Published: April 2022

Photochemical internalization (PCI) is a promising intervention using photodynamic therapy (PDT) to enhance the activity of chemotherapeutic drugs. However, current bladder cancer treatments involve high‐dose chemotherapy and high‐irradiance PDT which cause debilitating side effects. Moreover, low penetration of light and drugs in target tissues and cumbersome light delivery procedures hinder the clinical utility of PDT and chemotherapy combination for PCI. To circumvent these challenges, a photodynamic‐chemotherapy approach is developed comprising tumor‐targeting glycosylated nanocarriers, coloaded with chlorin e6 (Ce6) and gemcitabine elaidate (GemE), and a miniaturized implantable wirelessly powered light‐emitting diode (LED) as a light source. The device successfully delivers four weekly light doses to the bladder while the nanocarrier promoted the specific accumulation of drugs in tumors. This approach facilitates the combination of low‐irradiance PDT (1 mW cm−2) and low‐dose chemotherapy (≈1500× lower than clinical dose) which significantly cures and controls orthotopic disease burden (90% treated vs control, 35%) in mice, demonstrating a potential new bladder cancer treatment option.
Ultra‐Wideband Integrated Graphene‐Based Absorbers for Terahertz Waveguide Systems
Authors: Campion James , Xenidis Nikolaos , Smirnov Serguei , Ivanov Roman , Oberhammer Joachim , Hussainova Irina , Lioubtchenko Dmitri
Published: April 2022

This article presents novel graphene‐based absorber materials which can be directly integrated in terahertz waveguide systems. A simple, low‐cost integration method is developed, allowing graphene augmented inorganic nanofibers to be embedded inside a metallic waveguide. In contrast to existing absorbers, the ability to embed such materials in a metallic waveguide allows them to be integrated into complete terahertz systems for large‐scale applications. The electromagnetic properties of such materials are then examined using standard network analysis techniques. A wideband measurement setup is developed to enable measurement of a single sample from 67 to 500 GHz, eliminating the need to fabricate multiple samples. The porosity of the integrated material leads to excellent electromagnetic performance across a wide range of frequencies. The samples are found to have a reflection coefficient less than−10 dB for frequencies above 200 GHz, while their attenuation per unit length exceeds 35 dB mm−1. The low reflectivity of the material allows it to be used in systems applications where undesired reflections must be avoided. The electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of the material is assessed, with a total effectiveness of 20–45 dB observed for 0.84 mm thick samples.
Flue gas cleaning by periodic absorption
Authors: Rimvall Mikael Patrik , Abildskov Jens
Published: April 2022

Simulations and designs are presented of conventional and periodic SO2 absorption from exhaust gases using salt water as absorption solvent. Operating conditions resemble those of a maritime operation, involving relatively small amounts of SO2, so the separation is in the linear region. The advantages of periodic operation, as already demonstrated for conventional distillation remain valid for absorption processes: Less tall towers, than staged towers are possible, or substantially less salt water is required for the process employing periodic cycling.
Kinetics of low‐temperature catalytic combustion of ethylene at wet conditions for postharvest storage applications
Authors: Semagina Natalia , Tam Rosanne , Sawada James
Published: April 2022

The study addresses the reduction of ethylene levels in postharvest storage applications using a selected Pd‐Zn‐Sn/TiO2 catalyst (US Patent 11065579) capable of reacting trace concentrations of ethylene at temperatures as low as 278 K and relative humidity as high as 90%. The rate law is derived from data collected using a constant volume batch reactor, and a model for a storage room with an associated isothermal packed bed reactor is developed. The amount of catalyst required to maintain an ethylene concentration of 0.1 ppmv in a room containing 20 tons of fruit having an ethylene metabolism of 0.1 μl/kg h was calculated as a function of air temperature and water content. While the catalyst can continuously remove ethylene from saturated, refrigerated air, the amount of catalyst required can be reduced significantly by incorporating conventional air conditioning solutions upstream of the catalyst bed. Such combined systems and their functions are discussed.
Predicting structure‐dependent properties directly from the three dimensional molecular images via convolutional neural networks
Authors: Xu Yunhao , Huang Xun , Li Cunpu , Wei Zidong , Wang Meng
Published: April 2022

Machine learning (ML) provides an efficient method to predict the unknown properties during the exploration of new materials, but how to efficiently represent the molecules as input is still not fully solved. Inspired by image processing, one of the classical ML tasks, this work developed a method to predict the structure‐dependent properties by converting the atom position into a three‐dimensional (3D) molecular image and learning the structure features from the image via a classical convolutional neural networks. After trained with datasets larger than 12,000 species, a very high accuracy is obtained in predicting both theoretical molecular energy and experimental properties including melting points, boiling points, and flash points. Since stereoscopic information is explicitly and accurately represented by the molecular images, our model successfully distinguish the melting points and boiling points of molecules with similar structure, including those of trans–cis isomers.
Heritable connective tissue disorders in childhood: Decreased health‐related quality of life and mental health
Authors: Warnink‐Kavelaars Jessica , de Koning Lisanne E. , Rombaut Lies , Menke Leonie A. , Alsem Mattijs W. , van Oers Hedy A. , Buizer Annemieke I. , Engelbert Raoul H. H. , Oosterlaan Jaap ,   Pediatric Heritable Connective Tissue Disorder study group
Published: April 2022

The psychosocial consequences of growing up with Heritable Connective Tissue Disorders (HCTD) are largely unknown. We aimed to assess Health‐Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and mental health of children and adolescents with HCTD. This observational multicenter study included 126 children, aged 4–18 years, with Marfan syndrome (MFS, n = 74), Loeys–Dietz syndrome (n = 8), molecular confirmed Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (n = 15), and hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (hEDS, n = 29). HRQoL and mental health were assessed through the parent and child‐reported Child Health Questionnaires (CHQ‐PF50 and CHQ‐CF45, respectively) and the parent‐reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Compared with a representative general population sample, parent‐reported HRQoL of the HCTD‐group showed significantly decreased Physical sum scores (p < 0.001, d = 0.9) and Psychosocial sum scores (p = 0.024, d = 0.2), indicating decreased HRQoL. Similar findings were obtained for child‐reported HRQoL. The parent‐reported mental health of the HCTD‐group showed significantly increased Total difficulties sum scores (p = 0.01, d = 0.3), indicating decreased mental health. While the male and female MFS‐ and hEDS‐subgroups both reported decreased HRQoL, only the hEDS‐subgroup reported decreased mental health. In conclusion, children and adolescents with HCTD report decreased HRQoL and mental health, with most adverse outcomes reported in children with hEDS and least in those with MFS. These findings call for systematic monitoring and tailored interventions.
Anion‐Directed Regulation of Structures and Luminescence of Heterometallic Clusters
Authors: Li Jiao‐Jiao , Liu Chun‐Yu , Guan Zong‐Jie , Lei Zhen , Wang Quan‐Ming
Published: April 2022

Anions have been used to regulate the structures and luminescence of heterometallic clusters. Introducing ClO4−into orange‐emissive, butterfly‐like [(C)(Au‐PPhpy2)6Ag4](BF4)6(1, PPhpy2=bis(2‐pyridyl)phenylphosphine) leads to the formation of red‐emissive [(C)(Au‐PPhpy2)6Ag5(ClO4)3](ClO4)4(2) with a novel trigonal bipyramidal structure; employing PhCO2−gives yellow‐emissive, hexagram‐like [(C)(Au‐PPhpy2)6Ag6(PhCO2)3](BF4)5(3). Notably,1exhibits weak luminescence in CH2Cl2/CH3OH=1 : 1 (v : v) with a quantum yield (QY) of 0.05, whereas it was dramatically increased to 0.49 and 0.83 for2and3, respectively. Theoretical calculation confirms that the involvement of anions in the electronic structures is responsible for the shifts of emission. The high QYs of2and3are attributed to the protection provided by ligands and anions. This work demonstrates that anions may serve as an extra designable factor beyond just counterions for functional metal clusters.
Selection of stable reference genes for quantitative real‐time PCR in the Varroa mite, Varroa destructor
Authors: Lee Joonhee , Kim Young Ho , Kim Kyungmun , Kim Dongwon , Lee Si Hyeock , Kim Sanghyeon
Published: April 2022

To investigate the acaricide toxicity and resistance mechanisms in the Varroa mite, it is essential to understand the genetic responses of Varroa mites to acaricides, which are usually evaluated by transcriptional profiling based on quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In this study, to select reference genes showing consistent expression patterns regardless of the acaricide treatment or the type of tissue, Varroa mites treated with each of the three representative acaricides (coumaphos, fluvalinate, and amitraz) were processed for transcriptomic analysis, from which eight genes (NADH dehydrogenase [NADHD], glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase [GAPDH], eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 α 1 [eEF1A1], eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2 [eEF2], ribosomal protein L5 [RpL5], Actin, tubulin α‐1D chain [α‐tubulin], and Rab1) were selected as candidates. The transcription profiles of these genes, depending on the treatment of the three acaricides or across different tissues (cuticle, legs, gut/fat bodies, and synganglion), were analyzed using qPCR with four validation programs, BestKeeper, geNorm, NormFinder, and RefFinder. Following acaricide treatment, eEF1A1 and NADHD showed the least variation in their expression levels, whereas the expression levels of α‐tubulin and RpL5 were the most stable across different tissue groups. Rab1/GAPDH and Actin/eEF2 showed the least stable expression patterns following acaricide treatments and across different tissues, respectively, requiring precautions for use. When vitellogenin gene expression was analyzed by different reference genes, its expression profiles varied significantly depending on the reference genes, highlighting the importance of proper reference gene use. Thus, it is recommended using eEF1A1 and NADHD as reference genes for the comparison of the effects of acaricide on the whole body, whereas α‐tubulin and RpL5 are recommended for investigating the tissue‐specific expression profiles of target genes.
Improved Capacity Retention for a Disordered Rocksalt Cathode via Solvate Ionic Liquid Electrolytes
Authors: Wichmann Lennart , Brinkmann Jan‐Paul , Luo Mingzeng , Yang Yong , Winter Martin , Schmuch Richard , Placke Tobias , Gomez‐Martin Aurora
Published: April 2022

Lithium‐rich disordered rocksalts (DRX) are a promising class of cathode materials for high‐energy lithium ion batteries (LIBs) and lithium metal batteries (LMBs) due to the high initial specific capacities (>200 mAh g−1) as well as flexible chemical composition. However, challenges concerning severe capacity fade and voltage decay upon cycling at high cut‐off voltages are still to be overcome. Moreover, state‐of‐the‐art carbonate‐based electrolytes can be decomposed by reactive oxygen species released by DRX materials during cycling. In this work, the electrochemical performance of Li1.25Fe0.5Nb0.25O2 (LFNO) || Li LMB and LFNO || graphite LIB cells is compared for a conventional, carbonate‐based electrolyte and the solvate ionic liquid (SIL) [Li(G3)][TFSI] (G3: triethyleneglycoldimethylether). Cycle life is notably improved by the chemically more stable ionic liquid electrolyte, as the anionic redox activity of LFNO is prolonged compared to the carbonate‐based cells. This work represents an important step toward an improved cycle life of DRX cathodes.
Hydrotreated vegetable oil production from palm oil mill effluents: Status, opportunities and challenges
Authors: Yeoh Min Li , Goh Chun Sheng
Published: April 2022

The production of hydro‐treated vegetable oil (HVO) from palm oil mill effluents (POME) can be particularly interesting for Malaysia and Indonesia, the two major palm oil producers. Potentially, about 0.4 and 0.9 billion liters of HVO may be produced from POME in Malaysia and Indonesia, respectively. Large amounts of POME oil were exported to China for biofuel production in recent years, but the supply–demand dynamics remain under‐studied. The current policy trends in the EU are not in favor of POME‐based HVO. Exports to the EU are shadowed by uncertainty regarding its eligibility for double counting owing to its links with the oil palm industry, despite it being claimed to be a waste‐based biofuel. Domestically, Malaysia is still lagging behind in the policy for advanced biofuels. However, the country has shown its ambition in becoming a bio‐jet fuel producer in the recently announced 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK‐12). Converting POME oil into sustainable aviation fuel with HVO technology may be a promising option given the global commitment including Malaysia to reducing emissions in the aviation sector. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
The solid tumor microenvironment—Breaking the barrier for T cells
Authors: Simsek Hasan , Klotzsch Enrico
Published: April 2022

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a pivotal role in the behavior and development of solid tumors as well as shaping the immune response against them. As the tumor cells proliferate, the space they occupy and their physical interactions with the surrounding tissue increases. The growing tumor tissue becomes a complex dynamic structure, containing connective tissue, vascular structures, and extracellular matrix (ECM) that facilitates stimulation, oxygenation, and nutrition, necessary for its fast growth. Mechanical cues such as stiffness, solid stress, interstitial fluid pressure (IFP), matrix density, and microarchitecture influence cellular functions and ultimately tumor progression and metastasis. In this fight, our body is equipped with T cells as its spearhead against tumors. However, the altered biochemical and mechanical environment of the tumor niche affects T cell efficacy and leads to their exhaustion. Understanding the mechanobiological properties of the TME and their effects on T cells is key for developing novel adoptive tumor immunotherapies.
Temporal trends in transcatheter aortic valve replacement use and outcomes by race, ethnicity, and sex
Authors: Yong Celina M. , Jaluba Karolina , Batchelor Wayne , Gummipundi Santosh , Asch Steven M. , Heidenreich Paul
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To identify trends in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) use and outcomes by race (non‐Hispanic White, Black), ethnicity (Hispanic), and sex over time.

Background

Despite rapid growth in TAVR use over time, our understanding of its use and outcomes among males and females of underrepresented racial/ethnic groups remains limited.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of hospitalizations from 2013 to 2017 from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project database was performed.

Results

White patients comprised 65% (n = 2.16 × 107) of all hospitalizations, yet they comprised 83% (n = 176,887) of the admissions for aortic stenosis (p < 0.0001). Among 91,693 hospitalizations for aortic valve replacement, 64,069 were surgical (34.0% female, 7.0% Hispanic, and 5.9% Black) and 27,624 were transcatheter (46.6% female, 4.5% Hispanic, and 4.4% Black). Growth in TAVR volumes was the slowest among minorities and females. Hispanic males, Hispanic females, and White females had the highest in‐hospital mortality (2.7%–3.3%; compared to White males, adjusted odds ratio: Hispanic males 1.9 [1.2–3.0], Hispanic females 1.9 [1.2–3.1], and White females 1.4 [1.2–1.7]). Despite less baseline vascular disease, females of all races/ethnicities had more vascular complications than men (female 5% vs. male 3.5%, p ≤ 0.001). Further adjustment for vascular complications only partially attenuated mortality differences. Black and Hispanic patients had a longer mean length of hospital stay than White patients, which was most pronounced among females. Pacemaker requirements were consistently low among all groups.

Conclusion

Differences in TAVR growth and outcomes by race, ethnicity, and sex over time highlight areas for focused efforts to close gaps in minimally invasive structural heart disease care.
Rare case of norethisterone‐induced hepatitis: A case report
Authors: Arafa Eiman A. , Dhayabaran Vasumathi , Omar Nabil E. , Awaisu Ahmed
Published: April 2022

We report a case of probable norethisterone‐related liver injury, manifesting as a significant rise in liver transaminases in a 62‐year‐old woman. Upon discontinuation of norethisterone, liver transaminases decreased to normal level within two weeks. Knowledge of rare adverse effects of drugs such as norethisterone is necessary for rapid identification and management, especially in patients with risk factors such as non‐alcoholic liver disease and obesity.
Degradation of Tartrazine Using Hydrodynamic Cavitation‐Based Hybrid Techniques and Fenton Chemistry
Authors: Gawande Gayatri D. , Pinjari Deepak V. , Chavan Prakash V.
Published: April 2022

Degradation of the tartrazine was investigated systematically using the Fenton oxidation process and hydrodynamic cavitation (HC)‐based hybrid techniques. The operating parameters, such as the inlet pressure, the initial pH, the initial concentration of tartrazine, and the molar ratio of the Fenton reagents, were optimized. A maximum degradation of 12.50 % was observed using HC alone at 5 bar pressure and a solution pH of 2, while Fenton chemistry showed 92.40 % degradation at a Fe2+/H2O2 molar ratio of 1:36. HC in conjugation with H2O2 or Fenton reagents showed maximum degradation values of 92 and 96.40 %, respectively. The degradation follows a pseudo‐first‐order kinetics with respect to the concentration of tartrazine, for Fenton chemistry and the HC‐based hybrid techniques.
π‐Conjugated Copper Phthalocyanine Nanoparticles as Highly Sensitive Sensor for Colorimetric Detection of Biomarkers
Authors: Chen Fan , Zhu Huang , Lv Ning , Li Qian , Ma Tian , Wang Liyun , Zhou Mi , Cao Sujiao , Luo Xianglin , Cheng Chong
Published: April 2022

Though numerous nanomaterials with enzyme‐like activities have been utilized as probes and sensors for detecting biological molecules, it is still challenging to construct highly sensitive detectors for biomarkers using polymeric materials. Benefiting from the π‐d delocalization eﬀect of electrons, excellent metal‐chelating property, high electron transferability, and good chemical stability of π‐conjugated phthalocyanine, the design of the copper phthalocyanine‐based conjugated polymer nanoparticles (Cu‐PcCP NPs) as a colorimetric sensor for a variety of biomarkers is reported. The Cu‐PcCP NPs are synthesized through a simple microwave‐assisted polymerization, and their chemical structures are thoroughly characterized. The colorimetric results of Cu‐PcCP NPs demonstrate excellent peroxidase‐like detecting activity and also great substrate selectivity than most of the reported Cu‐based nanomaterials. The Cu‐PcCP NPs can achieve a detection limit of 4.88 μM for the H2O2, 4.27 μM for the L‐cysteine, and 21.10 μM for the glucose via a cascade catalytic system, which shows comparable detecting sensitivity as that of many earlier reported enzyme‐like nanomaterials. Moreover, Cu‐PcCP NPs present remarkable resistance to harsh conditions, including high temperature, low pH, and excessive salts. These highly specific π‐conjugated copper‐phthalocyanine nanoparticles not only overcome the current limitation of polymeric material‐based sensors but also provide a new direction for designing next‐generation enzyme‐like nanomaterial‐based colorimetric biosensors.
Pharmacokinetics and Bioequivalence of 2 Azithromycin Tablet Formulations: A Randomized, Open‐Label, 2‐Stage Crossover Study in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Leong Chuei Wuei , Yee Kar Ming , Nalaiya Jeyashanthini , Kassim Zawahil , Rahim Sharifah Radziah Syed Abd , Ahmad Shahnun , Amran Atiqah , Krishnamurthy Lakshman
Published: April 2022

The current study aimed to assess the bioequivalence of a new branded azithromycin with the reference formulation. An open‐label, randomized, 2‐stage, crossover study design was implemented involving 77 healthy volunteers under fasting conditions. Each volunteer received a single dose of 250‐mg azithromycin tablets test and reference formulations separated by a 21‐day washout period. Twenty‐two samples were collected at pre‐dose and until 72 hours post‐dose. Azithromycin concentrations were analyzed using a high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry validated method following a solid‐phase plasma extraction. Noncompartmental analysis was carried out to estimate the pharmacokinetic parameters, which were compared between the test and reference products using a multivariate analysis of variance. The difference between Cmax and AUC0‐72 of the test and reference formulation was not significant. The 94.1% confidence intervals of ln‐transformed Cmax and AUC0‐72 of azithromycin were within the bioequivalence acceptance limits of 80%–125%, therefore it can be concluded that the tested formulation is bioequivalent to the reference formulation.