bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Orientation Programmes on Fresh Students in the Colleges of Education in Ghana: A Case of St. Monica’s College of Education
Authors: Ndah Divine Selorm , Agyeman Emma Poku , Dawson-Ahmoah Joseph , Asare Bernard Ogyri , Adu Nelson
Published: April 2023

The focus of the paper was to find out how orientation programmes at Saint    Monica’s College impact on the fresh students in the College and find ways through which such programmes could be strengthen. The study adopted case study approach of the qualitative design and targeted Lecturers, Counselors and Students. The study used the mixed methods to solicit data. The respondents were however sampled using random and purposive sampling techniques. Data was analyzed using content thematic approach. It was revealed that, orientation programmes help students to socialize properly in the new environment. Besides, the programme helps to clear misconceptions that associate with courses of study in the College. It came out that, orientation programmes should be extended to cover a longer period and also, such programmes should be  added to the Student Representative Council’s activities so as to attract mass students’ participation.
An Error Analysis of Implicit Finite Difference Method with Mamadu-Njoseh Basis Functions for Time Fractional Telegraph Equation
Authors: Mamadu E. J. , Ojarikre H. I. , Njoseh I. N.
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we proposed and analyzed the error estimate of an implicit finite difference method with Mamadu-Njoseh as basis functions for time fractional telegraph equation. To enhance the efficacy of the method we first transform the Caputo type fractional derivative into Riemann-Liouville derivatives. The error analysis of the method is stated and proven. Also, the optimal results for scalars unknown in  norm were derived for the two-dimensional case. Numerical illustrations are presented to test the reliability of the analytical and computed results. The resulting numerical evidence shows that the proposed method convergences more rapidly than the standard finite difference method. MAPLE 18 is used for all mathematical procedures in this paper.
A Review on Remote Sensing as a Tool for Irrigation Monitoring and Management
Authors: Singh Megha , Karada Makhan Singh , Rai Ram Kumar , Pratap Dheerendra , Agnihotri Dheer , Singh Alok Kumar , Singh Bipin Kumar
Published: April 2023

Remote sensing has played a vital role in advancement of agriculture and is effective technical method for agriculture crop management. It is a technology which acquisite information regarding objects on earth surface as well as atmosphere from a distance without being in contact with the object. Researchers have proved its high potential with accuracy in the field of agriculture. After various experiments, the qualitative and quantitative assessment of soil, crop and atmosphere demonstrated the better understanding between the crop and its management practices. The collected spatial and temporal data via various passive and active sensors has been utilized not only for morphological study but also for monitoring the vegetation moisture content. The paper reviews about the potential studies carried out to investigate the water content in plant to make use in irrigation management. Diverse spectral reflectance indices have been mentioned from which special emphasis on NDWI has been given. It is an index which is used in remote sensing to assess the crop water status and can be utilized in efficient operation of irrigation to improve water use efficiency (WUE) in agriculture. In order to make irrigation practices more efficient by making the lab restricted irrigation scheduling methods like IW:CPE method applicable in regular practice by using remote sensing. This paper firstly identifies areas where researches and techniques have real-world application. Next, it identifies actual issues that remote sensing could address and solve with further research and its related development. All opportunities for managing agricultural water resources effectively to be explored and made successful through precision agriculture. Using the fast, impartial and reliable information offered by remote sensing is a significant difficulty in the field of water resource management.
Climate Change and Its Impact on Human Health in Mexico
Authors: Ulises Ramírez-Sánchez Hermes , Lucia Fajardo-Montiel Aida , Alejandro Castellanos-Tadeo Cesar , Torre-Villaseñor DE la
Published: April 2023

Climate change is affecting health in a variety of ways, including deaths and illness from extreme weather events, heat waves, storms and floods, the disruption of food systems, an increase in zoonoses and food, water and vector-borne diseases, mental health problems and environmental migration. It is also undermining social determinants of good health, such as livelihoods, equality and access to health care and social support structures. These risks disproportionately affect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people (women, children, ethnic workers, poor communities, migrants  and/or displaced persons, older adults and people with underlying health conditions). The objective of this study is to present a set of regional projections of temperature, rainfall, humidity and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Indices (SPEI) drought index for Mexico under the sixth evaluation cycle (AR6) climate change scenarios of the (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), improving the projections of the Ocean-Atmospheric General Circulation Models and estimating the possible impacts of climate change on the health sector of Mexico. Regional models for Mexico show temperature increases ranging from 0.5 to 5°C, while % precipitation anomaly will range from -20.3 to 13.5% depending on scenario and period of analysis. The low soil moisture, the negative changes of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and SPEI 12 show that the North, West and Bajío zones presented reductions in precipitation and temperature increase that caused soil moisture deficit, water stress, presence of scarce vegetation and semi-permanent meteorological drought. Under these scenarios, it is expected that the entire country will be subjected to moderate to extremely strong droughts that will last and worsen between now and the end of the century. The results of the scenario projections and forecasts made by the IPCC show that diseases associated with climate change have already been present for several decades in Mexico and are expected to worsen by the end of the century, with consequent increases in health expenditures. It is estimated an increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) investment in the health sector that would go from the current 6.25% to more than 18%, while per capita spending will increase from $ 1230 US dollars to more than $ 3800 dollars at the end of the century, which could perhaps be unfeasible for the national economy, since it is estimated that productivity in the three sectors would be substantially reduced by the end of the century by the same effects of climate change. Thus, the vulnerability of the health sector in Mexico is high to very high, which puts the population at high risk.
Genetic Variability and Character Association Analysis for Seed Yield and its Attributes in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Poonia Mukesh Kumar , Kumar Anil , Kumar Vishnu , Bhanu Akhouri Nishant , Kumar Shailendra
Published: April 2023

Introduction: The experiment was conducted in Research Farm, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, during Rabi season 2019-2020 using augmented block design in five blocks. The objective was to assess the genetic variability and character association analysis of eighty-two wheat genotypes.

Methodology: Eighty-two genotypes including three checks (HI1544, DBW110, and GW322) observed its various quantitative traits for genetic variation, heritability, genetic advance, and character association. The observations were recorded on fifteen agro-morphological and physiological characters viz; days to 50 percent heading, days to maturity, canopy temperature (oC), chlorophyll content, flag leaf width (cm), flag leaf length (cm), tillers per meter, peduncle length (cm), plant height (cm), spike length (cm), awn length (cm), 1000-grain weight (g), grain yield per plant (g), biological yield per plant (g) and harvest index (%). Statistical analysis was carried out by R Programming and SAS version 9.2 statistical software.

Results: The genotypes IC443619, IC6165734, and IC624496 were having earlier days to maturity than the best check DBW110. HD3086, K0307, PBW343, RAJ3, 765, and MACS6478 have been found promising for grain yield per plant. The highest Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and Genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were recorded for tillers per plant followed by awn length, peduncle length, flag leaf length, flag leaf width, plant height, and spike length. Heritability in broad sense wide ranged from 26.3 percent for canopy temperature to 95.63 percent for grain yield per plant. The grain yield per plant showed a positive and significant correlation with biological yield per plant, harvest index, and tillers per meter, whereas it showed a negative significant association with awn length.

Conclusion: The relationship between grain yield per plant and biological yield per plant, harvest index, and tillers per metre was positive and significant, indicating that an increase in these component characteristics will also boost economic grain yield per plant.
Yield and Economics of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) as Influence by Spacing and Nipping in Manipur
Authors: Baite Flora Veilalkim , Abonmai Tabuiliu , Devi Kshetrimayum Manishwari , Singh M. S.
Published: April 2023

Aims: To study the yield and economics of pea (Pisum Sativum L.) as influence by spacing and nipping in Manipur.

Study Design: Factorial randomized block design (FRBD).

Place and Duration of Study: Experimental field of College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur, rabi season of 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Methodology: The treatment combinations involving two factors were S1N1, S1N2, S2N1, S2N2, S3N1, S3N2, S4N1 and S4N2 (Spacing i.e., S1-20X15cm, S2-20X20cm, S3-30X10cm and S4-30X15cm and nipping i.e., N1-No nipping and N2-Nipping.

Results: The pooled results of two years of study revealed that the yield differed significantly at a 5% probability level with different treatment combinations. The number of branches at harvest was significantly affected by both spacing and nipping with maximum branches in treatment combination S4N2 resulting in highest number of pods observed in S4N2 with 11.02 (pooled) and the lowest in S1N1. Spacing and nipping treatment had no significant influence on the pod length. The maximum stover yield was recorded in S1N2 with 27.35 q/ha and minimum in S4N1 with 22.02 q/ha. The highest seed yield of 16.05 q/ha was recorded in S4N2 with highest net return (₹ 2,05392/ha) and cost-benefit ratio (1:4.69). The present study suggests that the spacing of 30x15cm with nipping was found to be the best amongst the treatment combinations in regards to yield and higher feasible net returns.
Survey in Iranian Malaria Blood Donation Deferral: Laboratory Evaluation in Malaria Blood Donation Deferral in the Iranian Blood Centers
Authors: Darestani Sakineh Yousefi , Aghaie Afsaneh , Gharavi Mohammad Javad , Heidari Ali Ehsan , Samiei Shahram
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Transfusion-transmitted malaria (TTM), from a malaria infected donor, is an accidental Plasmodium infection, which is one of the concerns of blood transfusion issue in the world. Countries have adopted different strategies for donor selection and improving criteria to overcome these concerns, In the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO), donors who refer to blood transfusion centers after registration are screened by the physicians based on interview and examination. This prevention due to the possibility of malaria infection is called malaria donor deferral strategy.

Methods: In this study 248 malaria blood donation deferral samples were selected and evaluated by microscopic, serological and molecular methods, after completing the questionnaire.

Results: The results of the survey of the questionnaires showed that 30 cases were deferred from donating blood due to having a history of malaria infection. In microscopic examination, Plasmodium ring was observed in 2 samples and 2 samples were also reported as suspicious. In serological examination, 23 cases (9.27%) were reported positive. All cases were reported negative for the presence of malaria parasite DNA.

Conclusions: The adoption of TTM prevention strategies depends on the malaria endemicity of the geographical area. According to the IBTO instructions, donors are examined and interviewed by a blood transfusion physician’s and owning to traveling or residency in endemic area or malaria infection, deferred temporary or permanently.

Recent study reveal that the strategy of donor selection and deferral in the IBTO, with little residual risk of malaria transmitting, is sufficient to prevent the occurrence of TTM in Iran.
Sequential APACHE II Scores for Prediction of Mortality in Patients with Severe Malaria and Admitted to Critical Care Facilities
Authors: Majmundar Aarjuv , Shah Prayans , Mayavanshi Jayant , Shah Chintan , Lakhani Sucheta , Lakhani Jitendra D. , Darda Shubham
Published: April 2023

Background/Aims: Both generic and disease specific prognostic scoring systems have been employed in areas of critical care. The score of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II is a generic point score which provides general assessment of illness and severity. In order to determine the mortality of critically ill malaria patients, this study aims to find the ideal time point for the APACHE II score.

Materials and Methods: This longitudinal study was carried out after getting necessary ethics committee approval. Score of APACHE II on days 0, 2nd and 7th were evaluated and appropriate statistical tests were applied.

Results: Out of 120 patients, 54 patients were of P. vivax, P. falciparum - 60 and six mixed infection patients. Mean APACHE II score was maximum on day 0 followed by day 2 and 7 in decreasing order. The APACHE II score was statistically greater on all days in patients who didn’t survive. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve when plotted showed score of APACHE II on day 2 - cut-off ≥14 to be the most valid in mortality prediction with a sensitivity of 64.28% and specificity of 87.80% as most of the results were on the left from the diagonal line and had greatest area under the curve.

Conclusion: The prognostic score APACHE II was discovered to be helpful in patients with severe falciparum/vivax malaria who required intensive care treatment since the second day's sequential score significantly differentiates between survivors and non-survivors. The optimum cut-off for identifying individuals at high risk of mortality is 14, and the Day-2 APACHE II score is an ideal biomarker for predicting the outcomes of ICU patients.

Recommendation: Malaria is a major cause of tropical sepsis in India leading to significant amount of mortality. Sequential APACHE II scoring instead of single time APACHE II score calculated on admission could have a role in evaluation of effectiveness of treatment, trend in recovery or dysfunction and prediction of mortality.
Self Esteem, Depression and Life Satisfaction among HIV out Patients Receiving Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital
Authors: Okwaraji Friday E. , Onyebueke Godwin C. , Okpara Titus C.
Published: April 2023

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate self esteem, depression and life satisfaction in a sample of HIV patients receiving highly active anti retroviral therapy (HAART) attending a Nigerian tertiary health institution.

Study Design: The descriptive cross sectional study design was used for the study.

Place and Duration of the Study: The study was carried out at the HIV/AIDS clinic of the university of Nigeria teaching hospital Enugu in south east Nigeria between the months of January and February 2023.

Methodology: A total of 480 HIV/AIDS positive patients on HAART aged between 23 to 61 years attending the HIV/AIDS clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching hospital Enugu who consented to participate in the study were assessed for self esteem, life satisfaction and depression with the Rosenberg self esteem scale, the life satisfaction scale by Diener and the Beck’s depression inventory version two.

Results: Results revealed that 53.7% of the HIV patients on HAART manifested no signs of depression; 63.8% had high self esteem and 73.1% were satisfied with their lives; however 25.2%; 15.8% and 5.5% showed signs of mild, moderate and severe depression respectively; 36.2% had low self esteem, whereas 26.9% indicated not being satisfied with their lives.

Conclusion: Following the benefits of HAARTS on the management of HIV/AIDS patients as noticed in the study, there is need for health workers to ensure strict adherence on HAART regimen for optimum suppression of HIV as recommended by The World Health Organization; furthermore, there is need to ensure continuous provision of psychological support to all HIV/AIDS patients as a way of reducing the psychosocial sequelae associated with HIV/AIDS.
A Universal Strategy Toward Low‐Cost Aqueous Sulfur–Iodine Batteries
Authors: Wei Chuanlong , Wang Yan , Ding Zhezheng , Fang Timing , Song Jianjun , Zhang You , Lv Shuyao , Liu Xiaomin , Tang Xiao
Published: April 2023

Rechargeable aqueous batteries with non‐toxic and non‐flammable features are promising candidates for large‐scale energy storage. However, their practical applications are impeded by the insufficient electrochemical stability windows of aqueous electrolytes and intrinsic drawbacks of current electrodes. Herein, an aqueous sulfur–iodine chemistry that can be deployed in aqueous battery systems by employing water‐in‐bisalt (WiBS) electrolyte, sulfur composite anode, and iodine composite cathode is demonstrated. The freestanding iodine/carbon cloth cathode and halide‐containing WiBS electrolyte can support the continuous I+/I0 reaction by forming interhalogen. Meanwhile, the highly‐concentrated electrolyte and inorganic‐based solid electrolyte interphase can effectively suppress the dissolution/diffusion of polysulfides, thus realizing S/Sx2− conversion reactions on the anode. Therefore, the as‐assembled aqueous sulfur–iodine batteries based on S/Sx2− and I+/I0 redox couples can deliver a high energy density of 158.7 Wh kg−1 with a considerable cycling performance and safety. Furthermore, this chemistry can be further extended to multivalent ion‐based battery systems. As demonstration models, Ca‐based and Al‐based aqueous sulfur–iodine batteries are also fabricated, which provide a new avenue towards the development of aqueous batteries for low‐cost and highly safe energy storage.
Imaging Solvent‐Triggered Gaseous Iodine Uptake on Single Covalent Organic Frameworks
Authors: Wang Qianxi , Yu Haili , Chen Xuecheng , He Yi
Published: April 2023

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are promising solid absorbents for the treatment of gaseous iodine. However, extensive efforts are still focused on empirical optimizations of specific binding sites and pore structures in COFs, and the chemical control of gaseous iodine uptake on COFs remains challenging. In this study, the chemically triggered sorption properties of COF‐300 for I2 vapors at the single‐particle level with the dark‐field microscope (DFM) are explored. The present operando single‐particle DFM imaging method enables the direct visualization of an adsorption activity transformation from inactive COF‐300 to active solvated COF‐300 toward gaseous I2 vapors. Exploiting the useful reaction information from time‐lapsed DFM images, the tunable adsorption performance of solvated COF‐300 is quantitatively compared by various solvents. The results illustrate that the isopropanol (IPA)‐solvated COF‐300 achieves the optimum adsorption capacity for I2 among the absorbents. The reaction mechanism is elucidated to be the channel size enlargement and modification of internal surface chemistry in the IPA‐solvated COF‐300, producing a stable I2/IPA‐solvated COF‐300 complex after the sorption reaction. The present chemical control of the sorption behavior of COF‐300 revealed by DFM opens up a new fundamental paradigm for rationally developing high‐performance COF‐based absorbents for removing I2 vapors.
Easily Available High‐Performance Organic Solar Cells by Regulating Phenylalkyl Side Groups of Non‐Fused Ring Electron Acceptors
Authors: Wang Junjie , Luan Qingrui , Wang Pengchao , Han Chenyu , Bi Fuzhen , Yang Chunming , Li Yonghai , Bao Xichang
Published: April 2023

Although non‐fused ring electron acceptors (NFREAs) have received increasing attention due to their relatively low synthetic costs, the achievement of high efficiencies strongly depends on tedious pre‐ or/and post‐treatments to refine the active layers, which in turn greatly increase fabrication complexity and expense of organic solar cells (OSCs). Nowadays most of the available as‐cast devices based on NFREAs are below 12% efficiencies. Herein, phenylalkyl category side groups (CnPh) are employed to construct new NFREAs named BOR‐CnPh (n = 3, 4, and 6), which exhibit inherently decent molecular aggregation and thus exclude additional treatments from device fabrication. The modified alkyl spacers of CnPh side groups not only trigger different aggregation of the acceptors, but also regulate the interaction conformations of donor (D) and acceptor (A), and thus D/A interactions. Encouragingly, the pristine PBDB‐T:BOR‐C4Ph blend delivers intrinsic fibrous networks with dominating face‐on orientation, which yields an optimal efficiency up to 13.12%, and ranks as the highest value among as‐cast OSCs based on NFREAs. This research provides a practical strategy to control molecular aggregations, interactions, and pristine heterojunction morphologies for easily available and high‐performance organic photovoltaics.
Hybrid Cell Membrane‐Functionalized Matrixes for Modulating Inflammatory Microenvironment and Improving Bone Defect Repair
Authors: Qiao Fangyu , Lv Yonggang
Published: April 2023

Cell membranes from different sources retain the integrity of the original membrane structure and special membrane protein functions. However, the diversity function of membrane surface proteins is underutilized in bone defect repair. The current study creatively prepared a hybrid membrane (HM) (diameter, 92.25 ± 16.47 nm) and coated it on a poly‐ε‐caprolactone (PCL) (diameter, 313.79 ± 4.69 nm) electrospinning membrane for cell membrane‐functionalized matrixes (MFMs) (diameter, 368.76 ± 5.90 nm) preparation. The effects of the HM and MFMs on inflammatory regulation and bone formation are further explored in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that MFMs can regulate macrophage into anti‐inflammatory phenotype and promote alkaline phosphatase secretion and mineralization deposition of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro. The foreign body response is alleviated and bone regeneration is facilitated in rat calvarial critical‐size defect in vivo. The study provides an innovative approach to applicate the cell membrane functions from different sources for immunomodulatory and osteogenic differentiation and provides a promising choice for designing bone repair materials.
Active Thermal Metasurfaces for Remote Heating/Cooling by Mimicking Negative Thermal Conductivity
Authors: Liu Yichao , Chao Kun , Sun Fei , Chen Shaojie , Dai Hongtao , Chen Hanchuan
Published: April 2023

Remote temperature control can be obtained by a long‐focus thermal lens that can focus heat fluxes into a spot far from the back surface of the lens and create a virtual thermal source/sink in the background material, around which the temperature field distribution can be remotely controlled by varying the parameters of the thermal lens. However, because of the lack of negative thermal conductivity, existing thermal lenses have extremely short focal lengths and cannot be used to remotely control the temperature field around the virtual thermal source/sink. In this study, a general approach is proposed to equivalently realize materials with negative thermal conductivity using elaborately distributed active thermal metasurfaces (ATMSs). Subsequently, the proposed ATMS is used to implement a novel thermal lens with a long focal length designed using transformation thermodynamics, and finally realize the ATMS with realistic materials and experimentally verify the performance of the designed long‐focus thermal lens (measured focal length of 19.8 mm) for remote heating/cooling. The proposed method expands the scope of the thermal conductivity and provides new pathways to realize unprecedented thermal effects with effective negative thermal conductivity, such as “thermal surface plasmon polaritons,” a thermal superlens, the thermal tunneling effect, and the thermal invisible gateway.
Investigating Charge Transport in Semiconducting Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Networks by Charge Modulation Microscopy
Authors: Jiang Mengting , Pecorario Stefano , Zorn Nicolas F. , Zaumseil Jana , Caironi Mario
Published: April 2023

Solution‐processed networks of semiconducting single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) hold promise as active layers for large‐scale digital circuits, thermoelectric devices, and healthcare applications. Yet, the combined effects of local network properties and (n,m) species composition need to be addressed to improve the performance and reproducibility of state‐of‐the‐art devices. Charge modulation microscopy (CMM) is used to investigate charge transport in field‐effect transistors (FETs) based on monochiral (6,5) SWCNT networks and multichiral networks containing five semiconducting SWCNT species with different band gaps. By mapping the charge‐modulated signal within the FET channel with sub‐micrometer resolution, the spatial distribution of free carriers and its evolution during the switching of the FET are revealed. The CMM maps provide direct evidence that holes and electrons are transported preferentially through the same percolation paths. A moderate positive correlation between the SWCNT density in the monochiral (6,5) network and the charge density in subthreshold regime is demonstrated. In multichiral networks, the charge transport paths are on average less fragmented when involving low band gap species. CMM emerges as a valuable technique to estimate the size of preferential percolation domains associated with the average distance traversed by charge carriers on SWCNTs of the same chirality before tunneling onto other species.
Enhanced Photoassisted Li‐O2 Battery with Ce‐UiO‐66 Metal‐Organic Framework Based Photocathodes
Authors: Hu Zhaozhao , Yang Yuting , Ye Bin , Hu Xu , Chen Letian , Yu Hanjun , Zhou Yufei , Xie Zhaojun , Zhou Zhen
Published: April 2023

Li‐O2 batteries have attracted extensive attention because of their theoretical specific energy equivalent to gasoline, but the poor electrical conductivity of Li2O2 leads to high overpotential, which limits their further development and application. Herein, this work introduces Ce‐UiO‐66, a metal‐organic framework material, as the photocatalyst to reduce the overpotential in the discharging and charging processes. With the simple in situ growth of Ce‐UiO‐66 on carbon cloth as an integrated photocathode, the photoassisted Li‐O2 batteries display decent discharge and charge voltages of 3.1 and 3.6 V, and a lifespan of 160 cycles. Moreover, theoretical calculations have been carried out to understand the band structure, spectroscopy, and photocatalytic property of Ce‐UiO‐66. The findings will encourage an enormous variety of novel MOFs‐based photocathodes for solar energy utilization systems.
ω‐Graphene: A Graphene Allotrope with Desirable Auxeticity and Dirac Cone
Authors: Gao Yan , Liu Yan , Li Da
Published: April 2023

A material generally contracts transversely when stretched along one direction. A few materials exhibit unusual auxeticity, which is rarely observed in planar two‐dimensional materials. Herein, a planar graphene allotrope ω‐graphene with a highly negative Poisson's ratio is proposed. ω‐Graphene possesses excellent mechanical properties and exhibits a unique highly negative Poisson's ratio of −0.17 along the crystallographic armchair direction, which is six times larger than that of graphene. Additionally, ω‐graphene exhibits intrinsic semimetallic characteristics with a Dirac cone located at 0.08 eV below the Fermi level. In particular, the Dirac cone of ω‐graphene persists throughout the entire strain range. A highly negative Poisson's ratio and semimetallic properties endow ω‐graphene with excellent potential for practical application to nanomechanical and nanoelectronic devices.
Deafness‐Associated ADGRV1 Mutation Impairs USH2A Stability through Improper Phosphorylation of WHRN and WDSUB1 Recruitment
Authors: Guan Ying , Du Hai‐Bo , Yang Zhao , Wang Yu‐Zhu , Ren Rui , Liu Wen‐Wen , Zhang Chao , Zhang Jia‐Hai , An Wen‐Tao , Li Na‐Na , Zeng Xiao‐Xue , Li Jie , Sun Yi‐Xiao , Wang Yan‐Fei , Yang Fan , Yang Jun , Xiong Wei , Yu Xiao , Chai Ren‐Jie , Tu Xiao‐Ming , Sun Jin‐Peng , Xu Zhi‐Gang
Published: April 2023

The ankle‐link complex (ALC) consists of USH2A, WHRN, PDZD7, and ADGRV1 and plays an important role in hair cell development. At present, its architectural organization and signaling role remain unclear. By establishing Adgrv1 Y6236fsX1 mutant mice as a model of the deafness‐associated human Y6244fsX1 mutation, the authors show here that the Y6236fsX1 mutation disrupts the interaction between adhesion G protein‐coupled receptor V subfamily member 1 (ADGRV1) and other ALC components, resulting in stereocilia disorganization and mechanoelectrical transduction (MET) deficits. Importantly, ADGRV1 inhibits WHRN phosphorylation through regional cAMP‐PKA signaling, which in turn regulates the ubiquitination and stability of USH2A via local signaling compartmentalization, whereas ADGRV1 Y6236fsX1 does not. Yeast two‐hybrid screening identified the E3 ligase WDSUB1 that binds to WHRN and regulates the ubiquitination of USH2A in a WHRN phosphorylation‐dependent manner. Further FlAsH‐BRET assay, NMR spectrometry, and mutagenesis analysis provided insights into the architectural organization of ALC and interaction motifs at single‐residue resolution. In conclusion, the present data suggest that ALC organization and accompanying local signal transduction play important roles in regulating the stability of the ALC.
Bioinspired Polyacrylic Acid‐Based Dressing: Wet Adhesive, Self‐Healing, and Multi‐Biofunctional Coacervate Hydrogel Accelerates Wound Healing
Authors: Wang Lingshuang , Duan Lian , Liu Ga , Sun Jianfeng , Shahbazi Mohammad‐Ali , Kundu Subhas C. , Reis Rui L. , Xiao Bo , Yang Xiao
Published: April 2023

Polyacrylic acid (PAA) and its derivatives are commonly used as essential matrices in wound dressings, but their weak wet adhesion restricts the clinical application. To address this issue, a PAA‐based coacervate hydrogel with strong wet adhesion capability is fabricated through a facile mixture of PAA copolymers with isoprenyl oxy poly(ethylene glycol) ether and tannic acid (TA). The poly(ethylene glycol) segments on PAA prevent the electrostatic repulsion among the ionized carboxyl groups and absorbed TA to form coacervates. The absorbed TA provides solid adhesion to dry and wet substrates via multifarious interactions, which endows the coacervate with an adhesive strength to skin of 23.4 kPa and 70% adhesion underwater. This coacervate achieves desirable self‐healing and extensible properties suitable for frequently moving joints. These investigations prove that the coacervate has strong antibacterial activity, facilitates fibroblast migration, and modulates M1/M2 polarization of macrophages. In vivo hemorrhage experiments further confirm that the coacervate dramatically shortens the hemostatic time from hundreds to tens of seconds. In addition, full‐thickness skin defect experiments demonstrate that the coacervate achieves the best therapeutic effect by significantly promoting collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and epithelialization. These results demonstrate that a PAA‐based coacervate hydrogel is a promising wound dressing for medical translation.
In Vivo Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Using Covalent Organic Nanosheets Without Labeling
Authors: Kang Seokmin , Ahn Heesu , Park Chanho , Yun Won Hyeok , Jeong Ju Gyeong , Lee Yong Jin , Kim Dong Wook
Published: April 2023

Organic nanomaterials, as nanocarrier platforms, have tremendous potential for biomedical applications. The authors successfully prepared novel two‐dimensional covalent organic nanosheets (CONs) that can be used as efficient in vivo bioimaging probes by condensing 1,3,5‐triformylglucinol (Tp) and 2,7‐diaminopyrene (Py) to produce TpPy covalent organic frameworks (COFs). TpPy COFs are then subjected to a liquid exfoliation process to obtain TpPy CONs (< 200 nm in size and < 1.7 nm in thickness). TpPy CONs disperse well in water to provide a stable, homogeneous colloidal suspension, which shows favorable photoluminescence properties. Cell viability tests using MDA‐MB‐231 and RAW 264.7 cells reveal that TpPy CONs are low in cytotoxicity. Confocal microscopy reveals clear fluorescent cell images after incubation with TpPy CONs for 24 h, without reduction in cell activity or cytosolic aggregation. To investigate the biological behavior of the TpPy CONs, the authors perform an in vivo fluorescence imaging study using MDA‐MB‐231 tumor‐bearing mice. After intravenous injection of TpPy CONs disperse in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS), persistent and strong fluorescence signals are observed in the tumor region, with low background signals from normal tissues at 1, 3, 12, and 24 h after injection. Furthermore, these in vivo imaging results concurred with ex vivo biodistribution and histological results.
Novel Dielectric Nanogranular Materials with an Electrically Tunable Frequency Response
Authors: Cao Yang , Kobayashi Nobukiyo , Wang Cheng , Takahashi Saburo , Maekawa Sadamichi , Masumoto Hiroshi
Published: April 2023

The electrical modulation of the functionality of matter is of significant interest in physics and multifunctional tunable electronic device applications. Here, new dielectric materials with nanogranular structures comprised of nano‐sized Co granular metals dispersed in a Mg‐fluoride‐based dielectric matrix are explored. The dielectric relaxation frequency (fr), which represents a sharp decrease in dielectric permittivity in dielectrics, can be tuned by a DC electric field (E). As E increases, the position of fr first shifts to the low‐frequency side and then to the high‐frequency side, achieving a tunable fr in a certain frequency range. The ability to electrically modulate the relaxation frequency may help construct novel tunable frequency filters. The dielectric properties are theoretically examined based on the asymmetric electron tunnelling model that considers the size difference of granular pairs, offering an insightful understanding of the structure‐property relationship in disordered granular solids.
Electrostatic Potential as Solvent Descriptor to Enable Rational Electrolyte Design for Lithium Batteries
Authors: Wu Yanzhou , Hu Qiao , Liang Hongmei , Wang Aiping , Xu Hong , Wang Li , He Xiangming
Published: April 2023

Artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) applied to battery research is considered to be a powerful tool for accelerating the research cycle. However, the development of appropriate materials descriptors is often the first hurdle toward implementing meaningful and accurate AI/ML. Currently, rational solvent selection remains a significant challenge in electrolyte development and is still based on experiments. The dielectric constant (ε) and donor number (DN) in electrolyte design are insufficient. Finding theoretically computable solvent descriptors for evaluating Li+ solvation is a significant step toward accelerating electrolyte development. Here, based on the electrostatic interaction between Li+ and solvent, the electrostatic potential (ESP) of electrolyte solvent is calculated by density functional theory calculations and reveals significant regularity. ESP as a direct and simple solvent descriptor for conveniently designing electrolytes is proposed. The lowest negative electrostatic potential (ESPmin) ensures the nucleophilic capacity of the solvating solvent and the weak ESPmin means decreased solvation energy. Weak ESPmin and strong highest positive electrostatic potential (ESPmax) are the main characteristics of non‐solvating antisolvents. Using the plot of ESPmin – ESPmax strong solvating solvent, weakly solvating solvent, or antisolvent are identified that have been used in electrolyte engineering. This solvent descriptor can boost AI/ML to develop high performance electrolytes.
Resonance‐induced acceleration of theRBNE‐BNEsegregation inversion
Authors: Shao Yufei , Li Anghao , Wang Zaizheng , Sun Min , Huang Decai
Published: April 2023

The experimental and simulation results indicate that the reverse Brazil nut effect (RBNE)‐Brazil nut effect (BNE) segregation inversion happens faster in the circular‐bottom container than that in the flat‐bottom container. The starting location of the sinkage of heavier grains at the top layer is triggered with certain randomness in the latter, whereas it first occurs at either of the lateral edges of the bottom in the former. The occurrence of standing‐wave resonant spots of higher and lower granular temperature accelerates the RBNE‐BNE transition. From the elastic collision model of single grain, the bottom with a larger angle leads to more energy transfer from the vertical direction. The simulation results of a monodisperse granular bed confirm that the circular‐bottom container possesses a higher granular temperature and a lower packing density at the lateral edges of the circular bottom, whereas the flat‐bottom container has a uniform distribution with a standing‐wave period.
Dual‐objective optimization for petroleum molecular reconstruction based on property and composition similarities
Authors: Guan Dong , Cai Guangqing , Zhang Linzhou
Published: April 2023

Petroleum molecular reconstruction method can be used to calculate molecular composition from limited analytical data, which is the basis of the molecular‐level process modeling of petroleum refining. However, due to the problem of multiple solutions, it is difficult to obtain accurate and stable molecular compositional models. Therefore, based on the traditional bulk property constraints, composition similarity was proposed and a new petroleum molecular reconstruction method was proposed. In this article, diesel is taken as the study object, and the method was applied to construct various diesel compositional models. The results showed that the models' bulk properties and molecular fraction distribution were consistent with the experimental data. Finally, the method was applied to construct diesel compositional models of an actual refinery. With the reference oil compositional model as the molecular reference data, the problem of accurate construction of compositional models in a long‐term production process without detailed characterization data was solved.
Modular and Scalable Fabrication of Insect‐Scale Aerial Robots toward Demonstrating Swarm Flights
Authors: Hsiao Yi-Hsuan , Kim Suhan , Ceron Steven , Ren Zhijian , Chen Yufeng
Published: April 2023

Insects can navigate in cluttered spaces and perform challenging functions such as pollination and collective object transport. By exploiting scaling laws and bioinspired designs, insect‐scale micro‐aerial‐vehicles (MAVs) have demonstrated impressive flight capabilities such as in‐flight collision resilience and acrobatic maneuvers. However, existing subgram MAVs are difficult to design, construct, and repair. Coupled with challenges in robot sensing and control, existing subgram MAVs have not achieved insect‐like swarm flight, which limits potential studies of swarm behaviors and future applications such as collective sensing. Herein, a new design and fabrication method is developed to substantially improve the fabrication scalability of subgram MAVs. Based on a small set of design parameters, an automated algorithm generates the laser cut files of microrobotic components. To reduce fabrication and assembly time, stereolithographic 3D printing is used for making static components such as the airframe and connectors. The modular design enables straightforward assembly and repair, which reduces the overall fabrication time by over 2 times. Owing to the ease of fabrication and good reliability, two subgram MAVs demonstrate controlled hovering flight and coordinated lifting of an object. This result lays the foundation for future robotic studies of collective insect flight.
Overview of systematic toxicological analysis strategies and their coverage of substances in forensic toxicology
Authors: Rygaard Karen , Pan Meiru , Nielsen Marie Katrine Klose , Dalsgaard Petur Weihe , Rasmussen Brian Schou , Linnet Kristian
Published: April 2023

Systematic toxicological analysis (STA) is the process of using an adequate analytical methodology to detect and identify as many potentially toxicologically relevant compounds as possible in biological samples. STA is an important part of everyday routine work within forensic toxicology, and several methods for STA have frequently been published and reviewed independently. However, the many drugs and other substances involved, as well as the constant emergence of new ones, may pose a major challenge in STA, which often demands a strategy involving multiple analytical methods in parallel. Such strategies have been published and evaluated less frequently despite their relevance in forensic toxicology. This mini‐review briefly summarizes commonly applied methods for STA in forensic toxicology, including gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and liquid chromatography–MS (LC–MS) methods, and highlights some of their potential pitfalls. Second, it provides an overview of previously reported strategies to conduct STA, including a presentation of the STA strategy applied in the authors’ laboratory. This involves broad drug screening by LC–high‐resolution MS, supported by targeted screening and quantification using LC–tandem MS, headspace (HS)‐GC–MS, HS‐GC–flame ionization detector and other complementary methods. The STA strategy aims to cover as many potentially relevant drugs as possible and seeks to reduce potential pitfalls arising in forensic casework. The review underlines that not every substance can be identified in all circumstances even with a comprehensive STA strategy.
Two heterometallic {CoII6LnIII2} (Ln = Dy, Ho) clusters with local symmetry exhibiting single‐molecule magnet behaviours
Authors: Zhao Xiaoqing , Zhao Tianhao , Wang Yiyan , Zhou Jing
Published: April 2023

Two novel 3d‐4fclusters with {CoII6LnIII2} (Ln = Dy (1), Ho (2)) cores are fabricated, with formulas of {[Co6Ln2(O)2(dhpb)6(NO3)2(DMF)2]·H2O} (H2dhpb = 6,6′‐dihydroxyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine, DMF = dimethyl formamide), which consist of two asymmetrical [Co3Ln] pyrimids bridged by aμ4‐O bridge. The {CoII6LnIII2} core exhibits a bicapped anti‐trigonal‐prism configuration, and is held together by six dhpb2−ligands. Interestingly, the LnIIIions are seven‐coordinate in pseudo‐D5hsymmetry. The magnetic studies indicate that both compounds1and2show significant single‐molecule magnet (SMM) behaviours.
Determination of doxepin hydrochloride in spiked human plasma and capsule after derivatization with eosin Y using resonance Rayleigh scattering, second‐order scattering and frequency doubling scattering methods
Authors: Geogin Jeeva , Patel Madhuri , Teraiya Nishith , Chauhan Ashlesha , Trivedi Priti , Patel Binit , Patel Samir , Patel Archita
Published: April 2023

Doxepin hydrochloride (DOX) is a tricyclic antidepressant drug. Three sensitive spectrofluorimetric methods, namely resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS), frequency doubling scattering (FDS) and second‐order scattering (SOS), were developed and validated for their estimation of doxepin in spiked human plasma and formulation using liquid–liquid extraction method through the formation of an ion pair complex with eosin Y at a pH of 4.5. Various factors affecting fluorescence intensity were optimized, and the reaction kinetics was determined using the Arrhenius equation method. Different scattering methods such as RRS, FDS and SOS were developed at maximum scattering wavelengths λex/λem = 567/567 nm for RRS, 720/360 nm for SOS and 260/520 nm for FDS, respectively. The methods exhibited high sensitivities, and the detection limits for DOX were found to be 0.82, 1.20 and 1.03 ng/ml for RRS, FDS and SOS methods, respectively. The FDS method exhibited the highest sensitivity. The methods were validated using the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use guidelines and applied to determine DOX in capsule and spiked human plasma samples.
Long term culture promotes changes to growth, gene expression, and metabolism in CHO cells that are independent of production stability
Authors: Torres Mauro , Betts Zeynep , Scholey Rachel , Elvin Mark , Place Svetlana , Hayes Andrew , Dickson Alan J.
Published: April 2023

Phenotypic stability of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells over long term culture (LTC) presents one of the most pressing challenges in the development of therapeutic protein manufacturing processess. However, our current understanding of the consequences of LTC on recombinant (r−) CHO cell lines is still limited, particularly as clonally‐derived cell lines present distinct production stability phenotypes. This study evaluated changes of culture performance, global gene expression, and cell metabolism of two clonally‐derived CHO cell lines with a stable or unstable phenotype during the LTC (early [EP] vs. late [LP] culture passages). Our findings indicated that LTC altered the behavior of CHO cells in culture, in terms of growth, overall gene expression, and cell metabolism. Regardless whether cells were categorized as stable or unstable in terms of r‐protein production, CHO cells at LP presented an earlier decline in cell viability and loss of any observable stationary phase. These changes were parallelled by the upregulation of genes involved in cell proliferation and survival pathways (i.e., MAPK/ERK, PI3K‐Akt). Stable and unstable CHO cell lines both showed increased consumption of glucose and amino acids at LP, with a parallel accumulation of greater amounts of lactate and TCA cycle intermediates. In terms of production stability, we found that decreased r‐protein production in the unstable cell line directly correlated to the loss in r‐gene copy number and r‐mRNA expression. Our data revealed that LTC produced ubiquitious effects on CHO cell phenotypes, changes that were rooted in alterations in cell transcriptome and metabolome. Overall, we found that CHO cells adapted their cellular function to proliferation and survival during the LTC, some of these changes may well have limited effects on overall yield or specific productivity of the desired r‐product, but they may be critical toward the capacity of cells to handle r‐proteins with specific molecular features.