bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pursuing Respect in the Cannibal Isles
Authors: Shoemaker Nancy
Published: June 2021

This book shows that the aspirations of individual Americans to be recognized as people worthy of others' respect was a driving force in the global extension of U.S. influence shortly after the nation's founding. The book contends that extraterritorial Americans constituted the vanguard of a vast, early U.S. global expansion. Using nineteenth-century Fiji, the “cannibal isles” of American popular culture, as a site of historical investigation, the book uncovers stories of Americans looking for opportunities to rise in social status and enhance their sense of self. Prior to British colonization in 1874, extraterritorial Americans had, the book argues, as much impact on Fiji as did the British. While the American economy invested in the extraction of sandalwood and sea slugs as resources to sell in China, individuals who went to Fiji had more complicated, personal objectives. The book considers these motivations through the lives of the three Americans who left the deepest imprint on Fiji: a runaway whaleman who settled in the islands, a sea captain's wife, and a merchant. It shows how ordinary Americans living or working overseas found unusual venues where they could show themselves worthy of others' respect—others' approval, admiration, or deference.
Divided Allies
Authors: Robb Thomas K , Gill David James
Published: June 2021

By directly challenging existing accounts of post-World War II relations among the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, this book is a significant contribution to transnational and diplomatic history. At its heart, the book examines why strategic cooperation among these closely allied Western powers in the Asia-Pacific region was limited during the early Cold War. The book probes the difficulties of security cooperation as the leadership of these four states balanced intramural competition with the need to develop a common strategy against the Soviet Union and the new communist power, the People's Republic of China. It exposes contention and disorganization among non-communist allies in the early phase of containment strategy in Asia-Pacific. In particular, it notes the significance of economic, racial, and cultural elements to planning for regional security and highlights how these domestic matters resulted in international disorganization. The book shows that, amidst these contentious relations, the antipodean powers Australia and New Zealand occupied an important role in the region and successfully utilized quadrilateral diplomacy to advance their own national interests, such as the crafting of the 1951 ANZUS collective security treaty. As fractious as were allied relations in the early days of NATO, the book demonstrates that the post-World War II Asia-Pacific was as contentious, and that Britain and the commonwealth nations were necessary partners in the development of early global Cold War strategy.
The Virtues of Economy
Authors: Palmer James A.
Published: June 2021

The humanist perception of fourteenth-century Rome as a slumbering ruin awaiting the Renaissance and the return of papal power has cast a long shadow on the historiography of the city. Challenging the view, this book argues that Roman political culture underwent dramatic changes in the late Middle Ages, with profound and lasting implications for the city's subsequent development. The book examines the transformation of Rome's governing elites as a result of changes in the city's economic, political, and spiritual landscape. It explores this shift through the history of Roman political society, its identity as an urban commune, and its once-and-future role as the spiritual capital of Latin Christendom. Tracing the contours of everyday Roman politics, the book reframes the reestablishment of papal sovereignty in Rome as the product of synergy between papal ambitions and local political culture. More broadly, it emphasizes Rome's distinct role in evolution of medieval Italy's city-communes.
Yellow Star, Red Star
Authors: Subotic Jelena
Published: June 2021

This book asks why Holocaust memory continues to be so deeply troubled—ignored, appropriated, and obfuscated—throughout Eastern Europe, even though it was in those lands that most of the extermination campaign occurred. As part of accession to the European Union, the book shows, East European states were required to adopt, participate in, and contribute to the established Western narrative of the Holocaust. This requirement created anxiety and resentment in post-communist states: Holocaust memory replaced communist terror as the dominant narrative in Eastern Europe, focusing instead on predominantly Jewish suffering in World War II. Influencing the European Union's own memory politics and legislation in the process, post-communist states have attempted to reconcile these two memories by pursuing new strategies of Holocaust remembrance. The memory, symbols, and imagery of the Holocaust have been appropriated to represent crimes of communism. This book presents in-depth accounts of Holocaust remembrance practices in Serbia, Croatia, and Lithuania, and extends the discussion to other East European states. It demonstrates how countries of the region used Holocaust remembrance as a political strategy to resolve their insecurities about their identities, about their international status, and about their relationships with other international actors. As the book concludes, Holocaust memory in Eastern Europe has never been about the Holocaust or about the desire to remember the past, whether during communism or in its aftermath. Rather, it has been about managing national identities in a precarious and uncertain world.
Thomas Mann's War
Authors: Boes Tobias
Published: June 2021

This book traces how the acclaimed and bestselling author Thomas Mann became one of America's most prominent anti-fascists and the spokesperson for a German cultural ideal that Nazism had perverted. Thomas Mann, winner of the 1929 Nobel Prize in literature and author of such world-renowned novels as Buddenbrooks and The Magic Mountain, began his self-imposed exile in the United States in 1938, having fled his native Germany in the wake of Nazi persecution and public burnings of his books. Mann embraced his role as a public intellectual, deftly using his literary reputation and his connections in an increasingly global publishing industry to refute Nazi propaganda. As the book shows, Mann undertook successful lecture tours of the country and penned widely read articles that alerted U.S. audiences and readers to the dangers of complacency in the face of Nazism's existential threat. Spanning four decades, from the eve of World War I, when Mann was first translated into English, to 1952, the year in which he left an America increasingly disfigured by McCarthyism, the book establishes Mann as a significant figure in the wartime global republic of letters.
Financial Stabilization in Meiji Japan
Authors: Ericson Steven J.
Published: June 2021

With a new look at the 1880s financial reforms in Japan, this book overturns widely held views of the program carried out by Finance Minister Matsukata Masayoshi. The book shows, rather than constituting an orthodox financial-stabilization program—a sort of precursor of the “neoliberal” reforms promoted by the IMF in the 1980s and 1990s—Matsukata's policies differed in significant ways from both classical economic liberalism and neoliberal orthodoxy. The Matsukata financial reform has become famous largely for the wrong reasons, and the book sets the record straight. It shows that Matsukata intended to pursue fiscal retrenchment and budget-balancing when he became finance minister in late 1881. Various exigencies, including foreign military crises and a worsening domestic depression, compelled him instead to increase spending by running deficits and floating public bonds. Though he drastically reduced the money supply, he combined the positive and contractionary policies of his immediate predecessors to pull off a program of “expansionary austerity” paralleling state responses to financial crisis elsewhere in the world both then and now. Through a new and much-needed recalibration of this pivotal financial reform, the book demonstrates that, in several ways, ranging from state-led export promotion to the creation of a government-controlled central bank, Matsukata advanced policies that were more in line with a nationalist, developmentalist approach than with a liberal economic one. It shows that Matsukata Masayoshi was far from a rigid adherent of classical economic liberalism.
The Kosher Capones
Authors: Kraus Joe
Published: June 2021

This book tells the fascinating story of Chicago’s Jewish gangsters from Prohibition into the 1980s. The book traces these gangsters through the lives, criminal careers, and conflicts of Benjamin “Zukie the Bookie” Zuckerman, last of the independent West Side Jewish bosses, and Lenny Patrick, eventual head of the Syndicate’s “Jewish wing.” These two men linked the early Jewish gangsters of the neighborhoods of Maxwell Street and Lawndale to the notorious Chicago Outfit that emerged from Al Capone’s criminal confederation. Focusing on the murder of Zuckerman by Patrick, the book introduces us to the different models of organized crime they represented, a raft of largely forgotten Jewish gangsters, and the changing nature of Chicago’s political corruption. Hard-to-believe anecdotes of corrupt politicians, seasoned killers, and in-over-their-heads criminal operators spotlight the magnitude and importance of Jewish gangsters to the story of Windy City mob rule. With an eye for the dramatic, the book takes us deep inside a hidden society and offers glimpses of the men who ran the Jewish criminal community in Chicago for more than sixty years.
Thucydides, Hobbes, and the Interpretations of Realism
Authors: Johnson Laurie M.
Published: June 2021

This book has been consistently cited by scholars of international relations who explore the roots of realism in Thucydides' history and the political philosophy of Thomas Hobbes. While acknowledging that neither thinker fits perfectly within the confines of international relations realism, the author proposes Hobbes's philosophy is more closely aligned with it than Thucydides'. The book concludes that Thucydides' approach to politics is more preferable than Hobbes's. Hobbes, despite his pessimistic assumptions about human nature, is not realistic. It also discusses how realism and neorealism, despite their differences, share the same philosophical roots. The book suggests that Thucydides has been misunderstood and that he actually provides an interesting alternative approach to realism in the study of international politics.
Characterization of the microbiome of the invasive Asian toad in Madagascar across the expansion range and comparison with a native co-occurring species
Authors: Santos Bárbara , Bletz Molly C. , Sabino-Pinto Joana , Cocca Walter , Fidy Jean Francois Solofoniaina , Freeman Karen LM , Kuenzel Sven , Ndriantsoa Serge , Noel Jean , Rakotonanahary Tsanta , Vences Miguel , Crottini Angelica
Published: June 2021

Biological invasions are on the rise, with each invader carrying a plethora of associated microbes. These microbes play important, yet poorly understood, ecological roles that can include assisting the hosts in colonization and adaptation processes or as possible pathogens. Understanding how these communities differ in an invasion scenario may help to understand the host’s resilience and adaptability. The Asian common toad, Duttaphrynus melanostictus is an invasive amphibian, which has recently established in Madagascar and is expected to pose numerous threats to the native ecosystems. We characterized the skin and gut bacterial communities of D. melanostictus in Toamasina (Eastern Madagascar), and compared them to those of a co-occurring native frog species, Ptychadena mascareniensis, at three sites where the toad arrived in different years. Microbial composition did not vary among sites, showing that D. melanostictus keeps a stable community across its expansion but significant differences were observed between these two amphibians. Moreover, D. melanostictus had richer and more diverse communities and also harboured a high percentage of total unique taxa (skin: 80%; gut: 52%). These differences may reflect the combination of multiple host-associated factors including microhabitat selection, skin features and dietary preferences.
Effect of Natural Fermentation Period on Nutritional, Anti Nutritional, I Total Phenols, Flavonoids and Antioxidant Contents of Finger Millet Flour
Authors: Abioye V. F. , Adejuyitan J. A. , Adeoye A. O. , Gbadegesin I. O.
Published: June 2021

Aims: This study determined the changes in the chemical and nutritional composition of naturally fermented finger millet studied at ambient temperature (28±2°C) for 72 h.

Study Designs: Finger millet seeds were cleaned and fermented (72 h; 28±2°C). Samples were taken at 24 h interval and dried at 50°C for 48 h.

Methodology: The fermented finger millet samples were analyzed for microbial, biochemical changes, chemical, proximate and mineral composition.

Results: Biochemical changes showed a drop in pH from 6.74 to 6.04 while titratable acidity (lactic acid equivalent) increased from 0.04 to 0.62% after 72 h. The moisture, protein, ash, fat, fibre and carbohydrate were in the ranges of 7.08-9.449%; 5.31-7.274%; 1.10-3.392%, 1.296-2.47%, 1.154-2.46% and 77.44-81.58%, respectively. Significant increase were observed in the mineral composition with phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sodium, and iron identified in the fermented finger millet flour in the ranges of 93.5-176 mg/100 g; 171-247.5 mg/100 g; 87.04-196.5 mg/100 g; 1.30-3.075 mg/100 g and 5.28-11.95 mg/100 g, respectively. Tannin, oxalate, phytate and trypsin were in the ranges of 1.537 to 3.23 mg/100 g; 0.875 to 1.59 mg/100 g; 0.195 to 0.85 mg/100 g. and 2.731 to 6.23 mg/100 g, respectively. The total phenols and total flavonoids ranged between 11.605-40.29 mg/ 100 g and 63.36 -172.872 mg/100g while the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) of the flour samples ranged between 28.109 and 68.238 mg/ml. Microorganisms identified were Bacillus cereus, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus brevis. This study shows that fermentation decreased the anti-nutrients, increased the proximate and minerals contents and also improved the anti-oxidative properties of finger millet flour.
A Review on Preparation and Characterization of Activated Bio-Char
Authors: Azad Deepshikha , Pateriya R. N. , Sharma Rajat Kumar
Published: June 2021

Activated charcoal (AC) is a carbonaceous material with high surface area due to high degree of micro-porosity which makes it a very versatile adsorbent for utilization in industrial, medicinal, environmental and other fields. Ligno-cellulosic biomass (eg. pine needles, paddy stubbles, other waste agricultural residue) can be a prominent raw material for activated bio-char due to its abundance, slow decomposition (which lead to fire/ air pollution). The main factors which affect the AC characteristics (surface area, micropore volume, mesopore volume) are biomass properties, impregnation ratio, impregnation time, activation temperature and activation time. The specific surface area, micropore, mesopore decreases after optimum value with continually increase in impregnation ratio and impregnation time. The activation temperature and impregnation ratio also affect the AC yield significantly. Sorption capacity get affected by adsorbent doses, contact time, agitation speed, adsorption temperature due to availability of active binding sites, adsorptive forces/ bonds.
The Place of Women in Places of Decision in the Public and Private Sector: Case of Senegal
Authors: Diouf Diène Kolly Ousseynou
Published: June 2021

The issue of greater representation of women in decision-making bodies is a recurrent issue in corporate governance in general and in the management of diversity in particular, which companies are now confronted with. On the other hand, in Senegal, there is little written on the question but a lot of debates and good political intentions.

The purpose of this article is to show from an empirical study that women still have failed to move beyond the "glass ceiling" that prevents them from reaching the highest positions. Through our study, based on a methodology of a qualitative and quantitative nature, we carried out semi-structured interviews (10), then administered questionnaires (60 and 39 selected) to some members of the decision-making bodies of companies in Senegal. .

The results show that preconceived ideas remain far from the reality on the ground. They especially underline that the presence of women in decision-making bodies can have a positive influence on the performance and governance of organizations.
The Role of the Church in Curbing Drug Addiction Problems: A Case Study of Nairobi Chapel
Authors: Kosgei Joseph K. , Mutua Henry , Pam Gyang David
Published: June 2021

Drug and substance abuse is considered a worldwide menace. Kenya being part of the globe experiences its effects. The Church, being a tool that helps society live godly lives, should take part in the fight against drug and substance abuse. This study sought to identify the role of the Church in curbing drug addiction problems. A descriptive case study and qualitative research approach were employed. 50 churches under the Nairobi Chapel umbrella of Churches were targeted. Questionnaires were employed to collect data from lead pastors in charge of drug addicts’ recovery programs within Nairobi Chapel. Data was analyzed and presented using tables and charts. From the study majority of the churches that took part in the research, only 40% had ministries to help in combating drug abuse, none of the churches had financial allocation for the same, on the human resource set aside; lead pastors comprised 85%, staff members 9%, while drug and substance rehabilitation pastors were 6%, on involvement in advocacy only 20% of the churches were participating, on the other hand, 61% of the churches took part in partnerships with drug addiction and rehabilitation and prevention programs.
Pharmaceutical Marketing Transformation due to COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Sawad Aseel Bin , Turkistani Fatema
Published: June 2021

Background: Since COVID-19 spreads from one person to others, it is necessary to stay away from others or reduce contact. This habit or practice is called social distancing. It encourages people to stay at their homes and to avoid crowded and/or public places.

Objective: To evaluate and discuss changes and shifts in the pharmaceutical marketing strategies due to COVID-19.

Methods: This is a narrative review articles and we use triangulation method to collect the related information from multiple electronic database. The results and findings of the selected articles were summarized and synthesized.

Results: As the number of COVID-19 infected people grows and the uncertainty of finding a cure continues, the people are becoming more apprehensive. Pharmaceutical companies made changes to their marketing strategies. From being too invested with in-person marketing, most companies are now exploring options that do not require as much physical interaction. Pharmaceutical companies have been reliant on telemarketing, digital marketing, and miscellaneous offers. This change is primarily driven by fear of being infected by the virus and self-preservation.

Conclusions: Based on the studies collected and reviewed in this paper, the changes appear to be successful especially with regard to digital marketing. This review provides an insight to marketing managers in the pharmaceutical industryto continue adjusting and modifying theirmarketing strategies due to COVID-19.Because this study focused on a specific sector (i.e., pharmaceutical)the results cannot be generalized and extended to other sectors.Future studies are needed to investigate the trends of changes and shifts of the pharmaceutical marketing strategies due to COVID-19.
Production Efficiency of Sorghum: The Case of Smallholder Farmers in Kafta-Humera District Tigray Ethiopia
Authors: Meleaku Tewoderos , Goshu Degye , Tegegne Bosena
Published: June 2021

Efficiency is an important factor for increasing productivity which leads to increase market output to achieve the goal of food security. In economics where resources are scarce and opportunities to use new technologies are limited, increasing efficiency remains the most reasonable means to raise productivity without necessarily developing new technologies or increasing the resource base. So, this study aimed to investigate level of production efficiency, factors affecting production inefficiency of sorghum small holder farmers in Kafta-humera district of Tigray Ethiopia. A two stage sampling technique was used to select 289 sample farmers who were interviewed using a semi- structured questionnaire to obtain data pertaining to sorghum production during the year 2016/2017.Stochastic production frontier model was used to identify production efficiency levels, where as Tobit models was used to estimate factors affecting production efficiency levels. Accordingly, the mean technical, allocative and economic efficiencies were 78.01%, 65.21% and 39.91% respectively. This implies that output can be increased by 21.99% or cost can be reduced by 34.79% with the existing level of technology and resources. Input variables such as land, labor, tractor plow power, chemicals, DAP and Urea fertilizers positively affects production of sorghum. The discrepancy ratio (γ) implied that about 91.91% of the variation in sorghum production was attributed to technical inefficiency effects. Tobit model revealed that age, education, non-farm income, credit, extension service and training positively and significantly affected technical efficiency while age square and total livestock holding had negatively and significantly affected. Additionally, age square, education and frequency of farm visit positively and significantly affected allocative efficiency, while age, non-farm income, credit and extension contact have a negative and significant affect. Economic efficiency was positively and significantly affected by age, education, non-farm income, credit, extension contact and frequencies of farm visit but negatively affected by age square. These indicate that there is a room to increase in production efficiency of sorghum in the study area. Therefore, government authorities and other concerned bodies should take into consideration the above mentioned demographic, socioeconomic and institutional factors to increase efficiency of sorghum.
Analysis of the Deformation Characteristics of Vertically Reinforced Subgrades to Address Land Shortage in Railroad Construction
Authors: Kim Dae Sang , Kim Ungjin
Published: June 2021

Vertically reinforced subgrade (VRS) the construction of which involves building backfills first and then facing walls was developed for the railroad construction in areas with land shortages, such as civil areas. VRS minimizes the land use during railroad construction and operation. It also reduces residual settlement during railway operation by virtue of its staged construction process. In this study, numerical analysis was performed to quantitatively evaluate the deformation characteristics of VRS, such as surface settlement and horizontal deformation, during the construction and operation of railroads. It was confirmed that VRS with 40 cm of vertical spacing and a reinforcement short length of 0.35H complies with the limit of residual settlement (30 mm) and horizontal deformation (less than 0.03H) for concrete slab tracks, even in the most unfavorable conditions.
Performance Analysis of Smoke Control Systems for Elevators based on Pressurization Method
Authors: Joung Suckhwan
Published: June 2021

The pressurization of emergency or evacuation elevator shafts or duct systems during installation is used for smoke control. In this study, the performance of smoke control systems applied to emergency and evacuation elevators were compared and analyzed using the airflow network analysis program CONTAM 3.2. Under the stack effect condition (temperature difference of 30 ℃), the differential pressure formed in the vestibule was analyzed by adjusting the air volume by changing the value of the loss coefficient factor of the automatic pressure smoke damper. In the case of the duct pressurization method, the air flow in the lower floor was introduced to the elevator shaft owing to the duct pressure and the airflow in the upper floors was from the elevator shaft out to the elevator lobby. In the case of the elevator shaft pressurization method, the pressurized air passing through vestibule from the elevator shaft created a differential pressure at the fire door of vestibule. To maintain the differential pressure in the lower floor, relatively more relief dampers should be installed in the upper floors as compared to those in the duct pressurization method.
Improvement Methods for Supply Performance in Emergency Interconnection Plans
Authors: Gim ARin , Kim Suri , Choi Seajoong , Jun Hwandon
Published: June 2021

When operating a water supply network (WSN), pipe failures and water service interruptions are inevitable. A large-scale water service interruption decreases the reliability of a WSN; therefore, an emergency interconnection plan (EIP) is adopted to prevent it. To establish an EIP involving emergency interconnection pipes, in most cases, only the operation plan is considered. However, it is required to evaluate possible interconnected supply areas (PISAs) from the EIP to achieve the purpose of the EIP. It is obvious that PISA is dependent on the structure of the WSN, elevation difference between the adjacent interconnected blocks, size and location of the emergency interconnection pipes, and inline pumping station. In this study, we categorized the reasons resulting in insufficient PISA from the EIP and suggested improvement methods such as increasing the pipe diameter, new pumping stations, adding emergency interconnection pipes, and adding pressure relief valves. To quantify the effect of the improvement methods on the performance of the EIP, we applied them to a real WSN and estimated the emergency supply rate for each improvement method by using Pressure Driven Analysis (PDA) was used as the hydraulic simulation tool. Consequently, each improvement method increased the PISA and the emergency supply rate on the network. Thus, the suggested method will be used in the design and operation of EIPs to improve their performance.
Structural Response Estimation Using Gated Recurrent Unit
Authors: Jeon Geonyeol , Park Jaehyung , Jung Jongwon , Yoon Hyungchul
Published: June 2021

Recent tragedies have demonstrated that natural disasters, such as earthquakes and typhoons, can wreak havoc on society. Numerical models and simulations are used for predicting the structural response and damage caused by disasters. However, some structures do not have any design drawings or numerical models, and thus, problems are encountered when conducting numerical simulations. Furthermore, even if the model exists, the response predicted through numerical simulation may be different from the response of the actual structure. Although effort has been made to resolve this issue using model-updating techniques, these methods are laborious for developing a new model that reflects the current state of the structure. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a new method that automatically predicts the time-series response of structures using a deep learning technique. The gated recurrent unit), based on the recurrent neural network, was used to predict the structural response. Simulation-based validation tests were conducted to verify the performance of the proposed method. The proposed method could estimate the response of the structure with a root-mean-square error of 13.59%.
Cell culture and genetic transfection methods for the Japanese scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis
Authors: Suzuki Minako , Okumura Tomomi , Uchida Koki , Ikeda Yukinori , Tomooka Yasuhiro , Nakajima Tadaaki
Published: June 2021

Cell cultures can simplify assays of biological phenomena; therefore, cell culture systems have been established for many species, even invertebrates. However, there are few primary culture systems from marine invertebrates that can be maintained long term. The Japanese scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis, is a marine bivalve. Cell culture systems for the scallop have only been established for a few organ‐derived cell types and for embryonic cells. We developed a primary culture system for cells from male and female scallop gonads, hepatopancreas, and adductor muscle by utilizing culture conditions closer to those in nature, with regard to temperature, osmolarity, and nutrition. Primary cultured female gonadal cells were maintained for more than 1 month and had potential for proliferation. Furthermore, a genetic transfection system was attempted using a scallop‐derived promoter and a lipofection reagent. GFP‐positive cells were detected in the attempt. These technical developments would promote our understanding of biochemical mechanisms in scallops as well as providing clues for establishment of immortalized molluscan cell lines.
Recent Progresses in Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction on Copper‐Based Catalysts toward Multicarbon Products
Authors: Yu Jinli , Wang Juan , Ma Yangbo , Zhou Jingwen , Wang Yunhao , Lu Pengyi , Yin Jinwen , Ye Ruquan , Zhu Zonglong , Fan Zhanxi
Published: June 2021

Electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) offers a promising way of effectively converting CO2 to value‐added chemicals and fuels by utilizing renewable electricity. To date, the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to single‐carbon products, especially carbon monoxide and formate, has been well achieved. However, the efficient conversion of CO2 to more valuable multicarbon products (e.g., ethylene, ethanol, n‐propanol, and n‐butanol) is difficult and still under intense investigation. Here, recent progresses in the electrochemical CO2 reduction to multicarbon products using copper‐based catalysts are reviewed. First, the mechanism of CO2RR is briefly described. Then, representative approaches of catalyst engineering are introduced toward the formation of multicarbon products in CO2RR, such as composition, morphology, crystal phase, facet, defect, strain, and surface and interface. Subsequently, key aspects of cell engineering for CO2RR, including electrode, electrolyte, and cell design, are also discussed. Finally, recent advances are summarized and some personal perspectives in this research direction are provided.
Diffusion‐Controlled Z‐Scheme‐Steered Charge Separation across PDI/BiOI Heterointerface for Ultraviolet, Visible, and Infrared Light‐Driven Photocatalysis
Authors: Ben Haijie , Liu Yong , Liu Xiao , Liu Xiufan , Ling Cancan , Liang Chuan , Zhang Lizhi
Published: June 2021

Constructing heterojunctions is an efficient approach for enhancing charge separation to optimize photoreactivity. Although the aligned built‐in electric fields across the heterointerface are generally considered as the main driving force for charge separation, diffusion‐controlled charge separation also happens, which is poorly investigated in photocatalytic heterojunctions. Here, a perylene‐3,4,9,10‐tetracarboxylic diimide (PDI)–bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) heterojunction is elaborately fabricated by in situ successive ion layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) methods. Utilizing Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM), the local separation of photogenerated charge carriers across the heterointerface is directly mapped, which obeys a Z‐scheme mechanism. Experimental results and theoretical simulations reveal that the differences of electron densities between PDI and BiOI enable a diffusion‐controlled charge separation process, which overwhelm that of built‐in electric fields across heterointerfaces. Benefiting from the effective charge separation driven by a diffusion‐controlled driving force, this PDI/BiOI heterojunction exhibits superior photocatalytic activities even under infrared (IR)‐light irradiation. These findings highlight the importance of diffusion‐controlled charge separation, and also offer useful roadmaps for the design of high‐performance heterojunction photocatalysts for down‐to‐earth applications.
Facile Fabrication of Luminescent Eu(III) Functionalized HOF Hydrogel Film with Multifunctionailities: Quinolones Fluorescent Sensor and Anticounterfeiting Platform
Authors: Xu Xin , Wang Jinmin , Yan Bing
Published: June 2021

The luminescent hydrogen‐bonded organic framework (HOF) based films have become one of the most remarkable materials for optical application, thus, developing facile synthesis methods and establishing multifunctional applications for HOF‐based luminescent materials are essential. Herein, a dual‐emitting Eu3+‐functionalized HOF hydrogel film (1) is fabricated successfully. 1 emits a blue‐green long afterglow when turning off the UV lamp, and the long afterglow lifetime gets to 1.99 s. 1 performs great selectivity, high sensitivity, and low detection limit toward ofloxacin and flumequine, and the sensing toward ofloxacin and flumequine is in accord with the chroma and ratio modes. The fluorescent response mechanisms of 1 toward ofloxacin and flumequine are investigated in depth, which are further utilized to build an anticounterfeiting platform with high‐level security. The film‐based anticounterfeiting platform can conduct information encryption on demand inline with different fluorescent responses and can also fetch specific information by controlling the long afterglow intensity and excited light. This study not only provides a representative case of the fabrication of dual‐emitting Eu3+‐functionalized HOF‐based hydrogel film but also opens the possibility of HOF‐based film as intelligent luminescent materials with multifunctionalities.
Stretchable Anti‐Fogging Tapes for Diverse Transparent Materials
Authors: Lin Shaoting , Yang Yueying , Ni Jiahua , Tsurimaki Yoichiro , Liu Xinyue , Lu Baoyang , Tu Yaodong , Zhou Jiawei , Zhao Xuanhe , Chen Gang
Published: June 2021

Surface wetting prevents surface fogging on transparent materials by facilitating filmwise condensation with specific chemistry, but suffers from material and geometry selectivity. Extreme environments associated with high humidity and mechanical loading further limit their anti‐fogging persistence. Here, a stretchable anti‐fogging tape (SAT) that can be applied to diverse transparent materials with varied curvatures for persistent fogging prevention is reported. The SAT consists of three synergistically combined transparent layers: i) a stretchable and tough layer with large elastic recovery, ii) an endurant anti‐fogging layer insensitive to ambient humidity, and iii) a robustly and reversibly adhesive layer. The SAT maintains high total transmittance (>90%) and low diffuse transmittance (<5%) in high‐humidity environments, under various modes of mechanical deformations, and over a prolonged lifetime (193 days tested so far). Two applications are demonstrated, including the SAT‐adhered eyeglasses and goggles for clear fog‐free vision, and the SAT‐adhered condensation cover for efficient solar‐powered freshwater production.
CoMo2S4 with Superior Conductivity for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution: Elucidating the Key Role of Co
Authors: Cheng Hui , Liu Qiong , Diao Yuwei , Wei Liling , Chen Jianghan , Wang Fuxian
Published: June 2021

CoMo2S4 2D nanosheets are constructed by a hard template‐limited domain strategy, meanwhile the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) properties and the function of Co in CoMo2S4 are systematically investigated. Electrochemical tests show that CoMo2S4 possesses high HER performance with an overpotential of 55 and 150 mV at 10 and 100 mA cm−2, respectively, outperforming Pt/C (20%) and the state of art Mo–S, Co–S, and Co–Mo–S‐based materials. An in‐depth mechanism study reveals that the main active site of CoMo2S4 is Mo rather than Co, whereas Co plays a key role in improving the electrical conductivity of the catalyst and thus improving the HER performance. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density of state tests demonstrate that the introduction of Co leads to electron delocalization in the catalyst, making the electrons transport easier and finally endowing the catalyst with better conductive performance. It is believed this is the first time that the effect of Co on improving the bulk conductivity of Co–Mo–S catalyst is proposed, which highlights the potency of Co in improving the electrocatalytic HER activity of Mo–S‐based materials.
Dual Role of Cu‐Chalcogenide as Hole‐Transporting Layer and Interface Passivator for p–i–n Architecture Perovskite Solar Cell
Authors: Sadhu Anupam , Rai Monika , Salim Teddy , Jin Xin , Tan Joel Ming Rui , Leow Shin Woei , Ahmed Mahmoud G. , Magdassi Shlomo , Mhaisalkar Subodh G. , Wong Lydia Helena
Published: June 2021

Inorganic hole‐transport layers (HTLs) are widely investigated in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) due to their superior stability compared to the organic HTLs. However, in p–i–n architecture when these inorganic HTLs are deposited before the perovskite, it forms a suboptimal interface quality for the crystallization of perovskite, which reduces device stability, causes recombination, and limits the power conversion efficiency of the device. The incorporation of an appropriate functional group such as sulfur‐terminated surface on the HTL can enhance the interface quality due to its interaction with perovskite during the crystallization process. In this work, a bifunctional Al‐doped CuS film is wet‐deposited as HTL in p–i–n architecture PSC, which besides acting as an HTL also improves the crystallization of perovskite at the interface. Urbach energy and light intensity versus open‐circuit voltage characterization suggest the formation of a better‐quality interface in the sulfide HTL–perovskite heterojunction. The degradation behavior of the sulfide‐HTL‐based perovskite devices is studied, where it can be observed that after 2 weeks of storage in a controlled environment, the devices retain close to 95% of their initial efficiency.
Anthracene‐Assisted Morphology Optimization in Photoactive Layer for High‐Efficiency Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Fan Hongyu , Yang Hang , Wu Yue , Yildiz Okan , Zhu Xianming , Marszalek Tomasz , Blom Paul W.M. , Cui Chaohua , Li Yongfang
Published: June 2021

Currently, morphology optimization methods for the fused‐ring nonfullerene acceptor‐based polymer solar cells (PSCs) empirically follow the treatments originally developed in fullerene‐based systems, being unable to meet the diverse molecular structures and strong crystallinity of the nonfullerene acceptors. Herein, a new and universal morphology controlling method is developed by applying volatilizable anthracene as solid additive. The strong crystallinity of anthracene offers the possibility to restrict the over aggregation of fused‐ring nonfullerene acceptor in the process of film formation. During the kinetic process of anthracene removal in the blend under thermal annealing, donor can imbed into the remaining space of anthracene in the acceptor matrix to form well‐developed nanoscale phase separation with bi‐continuous interpenetrating networks. Consequently, the treatment of anthracene additive enables the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PM6:Y6‐based devices to 17.02%, which is a significant improvement with regard to the PCE of 15.60% for the reference device using conventional treatments. Moreover, this morphology controlling method exhibits general application in various active layer systems to achieve better photovoltaic performance. Particularly, a remarkable PCE of 17.51% is achieved in the ternary PTQ10:Y6:PC71BM‐based PSCs processed by anthracene additive. The morphology optimization strategy established in this work can offer unprecedented opportunities to build state‐of‐the‐art PSCs.
Deep Insight into Steep‐Slope Threshold Switching with Record Selectivity (>4 × 1010) Controlled by Metal‐Ion Movement through Vacancy‐Induced‐Percolation Path: Quantum‐Level Control of Hybrid‐Filament
Authors: Banerjee Writam , Kim Seong Hun , Lee Seungwoo , Lee Sangmin , Lee Donghwa , Hwang Hyunsang
Published: June 2021

This study demonstrates a hyper‐level control of metal‐ion migration through vacancy‐induced‐percolation (VIP) path to maximize the steep‐slope performance of the threshold selector with excellent selectivity and endurance. Highly efficient control over metal‐ion migration through VIP is achieved with sophisticated stack engineering through the material evolution process and refined electrical operation. A thorough analysis of the energetics of metal‐ion‐ and vacancy‐based hybrid filament is performed using density functional theory calculations, which leads to a proper tuning of the biasing scheme. Command over bias‐induced ion migration to control the atomic‐scale filament is the key to maximize the threshold switching (TS) performance. The devices are designed with different diffusive materials and alloys. Precise atomic‐level control is realized with optimized device structure and alloy electrode, which indicates that the TS is safe within the vicinity of quantum contact. Owing to the synergistic impact of localized metal‐ion injection through VIP, alloy electrode material, and atomic‐level filament, the devices exhibit meticulous control of a highly stable TS with a high steep‐slope of <2 mV dec−1, extremely high selectivity of >4 × 1010 with an exceptional endurance >109 cycles, and device yield of 100%, which suggest the applicability of these devices in 1S1R and 1T1R platforms.
Structure/Property Control in Photocatalytic Organic Semiconductor Nanocrystals
Authors: Chen Yingzhi , Yan Chuxuan , Dong Jiaqi , Zhou Wenjie , Rosei Federico , Feng Yun , Wang Lu‐Ning
Published: June 2021

Photocatalysis offers a practical solution to the ever increasing energy and environmental issues by using a semiconductor to harvest freely available sunlight. Photoactive organic semiconductor nanocrystals (OSNs) are promising photocatalysts due to their structure and function which are easily tunable by molecular design. Extensive studies have yielded significant progress on OSNs in terms of photoresponse, charge carrier mobility, as well as photoconversion efficiency. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of the emerging crystal and interface engineering strategies used in optimizing structure/property of OSNs. The basic mechanisms involved in organic photocatalysis are discussed, for a better understanding of its dependence on the molecular and supramolecular structures. Then, the intermolecular interactions in molecular packing and the kinetic and thermodynamic control over the crystal growth process are summarized, with the aim of tuning the optical and electrical properties. Band energy alignment, charge carrier dynamics, and charge transfer are discussed in different heterostructures. In each case, structure/property relationships and how to tune them are emphasized. Finally, challenges and opportunities for the practical use of the organic photocatalysts are discussed.
Synovial Fluid pH Sensor for Early Detection of Prosthetic Hip Infections
Authors: Wijayaratna Uthpala N. , Kiridena Sachindra D. , Adams John D. , Behrend Caleb J. , Anker Jeffrey N.
Published: June 2021

An implantable sensor developed to measure synovial fluid pH for noninvasive early detection and monitoring of hip infections using standard‐of‐care plain radiography is described. The sensor is made of a pH responsive polyacrylic acid‐based hydrogel, which expands at high pH and contracts at low pH. A radiodense tantalum bead and a tungsten wire are embedded in the two ends of the hydrogel to monitor the change in length of the hydrogel sensor in response to pH via plain radiography. The effective acid dissociation constant (pKa) of the hydrogel‐based pH sensor is 5.6 with a sensitivity of 3 mm/pH unit between pH 4 and 8. The sensor shows a linear response and reversibility in the physiologically relevant pH range of pH 6.5 and 7.5 in both buffer and bovine synovial fluid solutions with a 30‐minute time constant. The sensor is attached to an explanted prosthetic hip, and the pH response is determined from the X‐ray images by measuring the length between the tantalum bead and the radiopaque wire. Therefore, the developed sensor will enable noninvasive detection and studying of implant hip infection using plain radiography.
Fabrication of Frog‐Skin‐Inspired Slippery Antibiofouling Coatings Through Degradable Block Copolymer Wrinkling
Authors: Chen Ting‐Lun , Lin Yen‐Po , Chien Chih‐Hsuan , Chen Yi‐Chen , Yang Yi‐Ju , Wang Wei‐Lung , Chien Lee‐Feng , Hsueh Han‐Yu
Published: June 2021

Marine biofouling is a severe problem with a wide‐reaching impact on ship maintenance, the economy, and ecosystem safety, among others. Inspired by complex multifunctional frogskins, wrinkled slippery coatings are created that exhibit remarkable antifouling, anti‐icing, and self‐cleaning properties through a combination of degradable di‐block copolymer self‐assembly [i.e., polystyrene‐b‐polylactide (PS‐b‐PLA)] and hydrolysis‐driven dynamic release‐induced surface wrinkling. Microwrinkled patterns can generate curved surfaces that are resistant to biofouling. Gyroid‐forming PS‐b‐PLA can be used to produce nanoporous templates with cocontinuous nanochannels, which generate strong capillary forces for trapping and storing infiltrated lubricants. In this study, block‐copolymer‐derived hierarchically wrinkled slippery liquid‐infused nanoporous surfaces (i.e., micro wrinkles with nanochannels infused with slippery fluids) are successfully fabricated after silicone oil infiltration. The antibiofouling performance of these surfaces is examined against different foulers under various conditions. The produced coatings exhibited flexible, stable, transparent, and easily tunable antibiofouling characteristics. In particular, the formation of an eco‐friendly silicon‐based lubricant layer without the use of fluorinated compounds and costly material precursors is an advantage in industrial practice that can be adopted in various applications, such as fuel transport, self‐cleaning windows, anticorrosion protection, nontoxic coatings for medical devices, and optical instruments.
A Review of MOFs and Their Composites‐Based Photocatalysts: Synthesis and Applications
Authors: Qian Yongteng , Zhang Fangfang , Pang Huan
Published: June 2021

Photocatalysis is considered to be a green and environment‐friendly technology since it can convert solar energy into other types of chemical energies. Over the past several years, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs)‐based photocatalysts have received remarkable research interest due to their unique morphology, high photocatalytic performance, good chemical stability, easy synthesis, and low cost. In this review, the synthetic strategies of developing MOFs‐based photocatalysts are first introduced. Second, the recent progress in the fabrication of various types of MOFs composites photocatalysts is summarized. Third, the different applications including hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, overall water splitting, nitrogen reduction reaction, carbon dioxide reduction reaction as well as photodegradation of organic pollutants of MOFs‐based photocatalysts are summed up. Finally, the challenges and some suggestions for the future development of MOFs‐ and their composites‐based photocatalysts are also highlighted. It is expected that this report will help researchers to systematically devise and develop highly efficient photocatalysts based on MOFs and their composites.