bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Azadirachta indica and Datura stramonium Extract with Ethanol against Different Life Stages of Tribolium castinium
Authors: Naeem Hafsa , Sanaullah  , Ali Farhan , Sarfaraz Sana , Sharif Umer , Hussain Samina Ghulam , Ameer Fareesa , Abbas Sana , Arshad Muhammad Talha , Kanwal Mamoona , Liaqat Muqdas , Kanwal Hira
Published: August 2023

Tribolium castinium is a devastating stored grain pests of many cereals. Both the larval and adult stages of insect are considered as voracious feeder of cereals. The adult of T. castinium secrete certain type of excretion that give foul smell from grains and make it unfit for consumption. The recent study was conducted in Department of Entomology College of Agriculture Bahauddin Zakariya University, Bahadur sub campus Layyah. Neem (Azadirachta indica)L. and Datura (Datura stramonium)L. ethanol extracts were tested for their repellant and toxicological effects against the larval and adult stages of T. castinium at varying concentrations of 10, 15, and 30ml. The results showed that D. stramonium plant extract recorded highest repellency (86.66%) and the lowest repellency (4.50%) against T. castinium. Minimum mortality was reported at 65% in plant extract of A. indica after an interval of 24 hours at 10ml concentration, and maximum mortality was recorded (90.69%) in plant extract of D. stramonium at 30ml concentration after an interval of 72 hours. The results showed that neem and Datura plant extracts were more effective at repelling and toxicologically acting against T. castinium. The larval stage of T. castinium was also particularly vulnerable to D. stramonium and A. indica ethanol extract.
Effect of Treasury Single Account (TSA) on Tax Revenue Collected in Nigeria
Authors: Anastasia U. Mbah, , Ugwuanyi Uche Boniface , Chukwuebuka Oshim Judethadeus
Published: August 2023

The study examined the effect of Treasury Single Account (TSA) on tax revenue collected in Nigeria. Company income tax, value added tax, and petroleum profit tax formed the dependent variables of the study. The study adopted an ex-post-facto research design, covering the period between 2011 and 2019. Secondary data were extracted from the Federal Inland Revenue Service website. Paired Sample T-test technique was used for the data analysis. In line with the specific objectives of the study which was to ascertain the effect treasury single account implementation on company income tax, value added tax, and petroleum profit tax revenue collected in Nigeria, it was revealed that TSA has a positive and significant effect on company income tax and value added tax revenue collected in Nigeria. TSA has a negative and insignificant effect on petroleum profit tax in Nigeria. This implies that TSA implementation has increased company income tax and value added tax collected in Nigeria. It is recommended therefore that the continuous use of TSA should be guaranteed by the government. This is because it led to an increase in company income tax collection in Nigeria. Every factor that works against its continued existence should be subdued. They should ensure that tax authorities continue to comply with TSA rules in remittance of value added tax collected to the consolidated revenue fund. They should ensure that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other oil and gas regulating authorities comply fully to the dictates of TSA.
Physicochemical Analysis of Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) Accessions
Authors: Fufa Tilahun Wondimu , Oselebe Happiness Ogba , Abtew Wosene Gebresilasie , Amadi Charles Okechuku
Published: August 2023

Taro is an important staple meal for rural people in resource-poor nations in sub-Saharan Africa countries. This study looked at the proximate, mineral, and anti-nutrient content of whole taro corm. Understanding the extent and distribution of genetic diversity in taro is critical for creating conservation and enhancement initiatives. The aim of the study was to assess nutritional diversity and construct a taro pre-breeding population for high dry matter and low oxalate levels. One hundred and eighty eight taro accessions were procured and planted in alpha lattice design in 2019 at Ebonyi State University's teaching and experimental fields. The corms were picked from each accession, washed, and shipped to Nigeria's National Root Crop Research Institute Biochemistry Laboratory. The corms were freeze-dried, crushed, and analyzed for physiochemical parameters using the standard techniques of analysis provided by the Association of standard Analytical Chemists. Significant differences were observed among the taro populations in dry matter content at 22.53 %, ash at 2.46 %, crude lipid at 0.60 %, fibre at 1.74 %, crude protein at 7.79 %, carbohydrates at 9.97 %, and energy at 76.48 Kcal. Potassium content was at 638.91 mg/100 g, sodium at 28.39 mg/100g, calcium at 35.18 mg/100g, phosphorus at 117.61 mg/100g, iron at 7.78 mg/100g, zinc at 2.84 mg/100g, and manganese at 2.03 mg/100g. The soluble, insoluble, and total oxalate concentration was at 74.18 mg/100g, 218.76 mg/100 g, and 291.63 mg/100 g, respectively. A hierarchical cluster analysis of taro accessions revealed three distinct groupings, with cluster three distinguished by high dry matter content and an intermediate oxalate level. The findings revealed the existence of a considerable differential in nutritional content among the taro populations analyzed. Taro is divers in its dry matter and anti-nutrient content. Clustering the accessions according to their merit would aid breeders in sorting genotypes for eating quality metrics like high dry matter and low oxalate levels. These results, needs further work for reliability.
Effect of Home-Made Formula on Growth Performance of Malnourished Pre-School Children (24-36 Months of Age) in Yobe State Nigeria
Authors: Zangina A. M. , Adekoyeni O. O. , Fadipe E. O.
Published: August 2023

Aim: The insurgency in the north-east zone of Nigeria has aggravated rate of malnourished children and many are roaming the streets unattended. This study determined the effect of home-made formula on growth performance of malnourished pre-school children in Yobe State, Nigeria.

Study Design: A factorial experiment.

Place and Duration of Study: Yobe state, Nigeria, 6 weeks.

Methodology: Three local Government Areas (LGA) of Yobe state, Nigeria (Bade, Bursari and Potiskum) used. A formulated home-made formula (HMF) was compared with therapeutic milk powders (TMPs). Twenty malnourished pre-school children were purposefully selected in each LGA and were grouped into two. Each group was randomly allotted to a dietary treatment, a child stood as replicate. At commencement children with complications were treated in the hospital. They were fed at 16.88 ml/kg body weight at 3 hours interval daily throughout a 6th week study using plastic cups. Parameters studied included weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and W/HZ-score. A SPSS statistical package was used to analyze the results.

Results: All the parameters were (p>0.05) affected with dietary treatments among districts. However, children fed HMF had higher final MUAC (127.50±2.04mm), higher height gain (3.45±0.18cm) and higher MUAC gain (13.76±0.22mm) among districts while those fed TMPs had higher final weight (10.74±0.25kg), higher final height (83.77±0.16cm) and higher weight gain (2.11±0.01kg). Based on average, the children fed HMF had higher final MUAC (127.50±2.04mm), height gain (3.45±0.18cm) and MUAC gain (13.76±0.22mm) while their counterparts fed TMPs had higher final weight (10.74±0.25kg), final height (83.77±0.83) and weight gain (2.11± 0.01kg). The children fed TMPs had slightly higher daily weight gain (50.23g) than those fed HMF (48.81g); and all the children were discharged with -2<z-score. 

Conclusion: It can be concluded that HMF was effective in managing malnutrition in pre-school children. Therefore, it is recommended as alternative therapeutic food.
Agrometeorological Indices Influenced by Varying Planting Windows and Varieties of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) in Maharashtra, India
Authors: Katkar M. G. , Kharbade S. B. , Wankhede S. Y. , Shaikh A. A. , Sthool V. A.
Published: August 2023

An experiment was carried out at the Faculty of Agriculture Department of Agricultural Meteorology Farm, Centre for Advanced Agricultural Meteorology,College of Agriculture, Pune during Kharif seasons of 2014 and 2015.The experiment was laid out a split plot design with three replications.The treatment comprised of three brinjal hybrids viz.,V1:Phule Arjun, V2: Krishna, V3: Panchganaga as main plot and four planting windows viz., P1: 31st MW (30 July-5 August), P2: 32ndMW (6-12August), P3:33rdMW (13-19 August) and P4: 34thMW (20-26 August) as subplot treatments. Micrometeorological studies of Cumulative GDD, HTU, and PTU at the end of each growth stage showed that the numerically higher requirement was observed in hy.Phule Arjun over  hy.Krishna and hy.Panchganga hybrids during both the years  2014 and 2015 experimentation period.Whereas, the lowest canopy temperature was found in hy.Phule Arjun (29.0 0C) than the rest of the brinjal hybrids. Canopy reflected PAR and transmitted PAR was higher in (191.54 and 188.62 µ mol m-2s-1) Panchganaga hybrids among the brinjal hybrids. Amongst all the brinjal hybrids, Phule Arjun hybrids were found significantly superior under extended planting windows followed by Krishna and Panchganga. Planting during 31st MW (1st week of August) was observed to be most suitable and optimum for brinjal considering the growth and yield attributes. This planting window was at par with the 32nd MW planting window. Linear correlation analysis for brinjal fruit yield with weather parameters was significantly positively correlated with maximum temperature and minimum temperature.
Advancements in the Use of Entomopathogenic Microbes for Pest and Disease Management- A Review
Authors: Shukla Puskar , Bankar Devanand R. , Kumar Arun , M. Muhammad Suhaib Ismayil , Aman Ashutosh Singh , Mishra Pramod Kumar , Raghuvanshi Himendra Raj , Gayithri Mateti
Published: August 2023

This comprehensive review presents an in-depth analysis of the role of entomopathogenic microbes in insect pest and disease management. The study covers the taxonomy and classification of these organisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and nematodes, all of which have shown efficacy in controlling various insect pests. Entomopathogenic microbes represent a valuable, sustainable, and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides, highlighting their significant role in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. The review reveals that entomopathogenic microbes affect pests at different developmental stages through various mechanisms, including disease induction, parasitism, and competition for resources. The effects are not just lethal but also sub-lethal, affecting pest reproductive capacity, growth, and development. The microbes secondary metabolites often have antimicrobial properties, contributing to plant disease management by suppressing plant pathogens. Despite their promising potential, challenges exist in the widespread application of these microbes. Factors such as formulation, delivery, and environmental conditions can influence their effectiveness. The paper also discusses the importance of genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics in understanding the complex interactions between microbes, insects, and plants, which could lead to the development of more targeted and efficient bio-control agents. The review outlines future directions for this field, emphasizing the necessity for more extensive research to enhance our understanding of entomopathogenic microbes, optimize their use, overcome the current challenges, and harness their potential for sustainable pest and disease management. The need for regulatory frameworks to ensure safe and effective utilization is also underscored. This paper underscores the untapped potential of entomopathogenic microbes as acritical component of sustainable agriculture.
Efficacy of Non-Conventional Chemical Inducers against Fusarium oxysporum Inciting Wilt in Chilli
Authors: Gupta Priyanka , Sangwan Pooja , Singh Manjeet
Published: August 2023

Chilli wilt incited by Fusarium oxysporum is the most devastating disease, causing substantial                yield losses throughout chilli growing areas of the world. Fusarium oxysporum is a soil-borne fungus which survives for several years in soil. The disease is favoured by high temperature                and high moisture, this condition plays significant role in development of wilt symptoms.                         The disease management using chemicals is economically not feasible and is also unsafe                          for the environment. Due to growing public awareness to environment and human health,                       need of the hour is to find alternate approaches for disease management. Therefore, to                 investigate induction of systemic resistance against Fusarium oxysporum in chilli. Different                   non-conventional chemical inducers like salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), Indole acetic                  acid (IAA), Indole butyric acid (IBA), chitosan, salicylic acid nano formulation and chitosan                 nano formulation were used in an experiment conducted in Department of plant pathology, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana. These non-conventional chemicals with four concentrations 25, 50, 75 and 100 µg/ml were evaluated for their antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum under in vitro condition using poison food technique                    with four replications. It was found that the highest mycelial growth inhibition was observed in salicylic acid nano formulation (79.73%) at 100 µg/ml concentration followed by Jasmonic                    acid (77.12%) at 100 µg/ml concentration and the lowest growth inhibition was recorded in                  Indole acetic acid (27.15%) at 100 µg/ml concentration. The same trend was observed when                 chilli varieties Pusa Jwala (susceptible) and Pusa Sadabahar (moderately resistant) were tested with the two best and the least effective non-conventional chemical inducer obtained in vitro for measuring the disease severity in screen house. This insight clarifies the scope of using non-conventional chemical inducers as an effective disease management strategy against Fusarium wilt of chilli.
Lean Body Mass in Osteoporotic Postmenopausal Women Treated with Nandrolone Decanoate: A Systematic Search Review
Authors: Câmara Lucas Caseri , Starling Marcelo Andrade , Canvilo Loreta Moraes , Civile Vinícius , Moça Virgínia Fernandes
Published: August 2023

Aims: Along with the bone loss due to aging and postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) is the muscle mass loss, with an increasing occurrence of poorer body composition and osteosarcopenia. The current pharmacological recommendation guidelines for PMO treatment does not include any drugs that promote muscle hypertrophy. Nandrolone Decanoate (ND) is an anabolic steroid that has proven to increase bone and muscle mass in several pathologic conditions. Thus, we aimed to search for studing with body composition measurements, especially lean body mass, in postmenopausal women undergoing pharmacological treatment with ND for PMO.

Study Design: Review with systematic search strategy.

Methodology: We used free and structured MeSh terms combined in a PICO strategy, searching for studies in PubMed, CENTRAL, LILACS, Scielo, Open Grey, and TRIP database.

Results: Three studies were found and included for analysis, two of which were randomized controlled and one observational. All studies observed positive increments in muscle mass concomitant with an increase in bone mass, and a reduction in body fat mass, due to the treatment of PMO with ND. Side effects were predominantly androgenic (voice deepening, increased hirsutism), considered mild, well tolerated, and without serious adverse events.

Conclusion: ND was an effective drug for increasing lean body mass, reduce body fat, concomitantly improving several bone health parameters (bone mineral content and density) and outcomes (fractures), showing adequate clinical safety, therefore becoming a potential adjuvant to be considered in the medical therapeutic armamentarium for optimized PMO treatment.
Autobiografias de escravizados e libertos
Authors: Xavier Regina Célia Lima
Published: August 2023

Resenha de:OLIVEIRA, Rafael Domingos. Vozes afro-atlânticas: autobiografias e memórias da escravidão e da liberdade. São Paulo: Elefante, 2022. 292 p.
Entre jongos, jilós e piruetas do pensamento científico
Authors: Sampaio Gabriela dos Reis
Published: August 2023

Resenha de:Agostini, Camilla, Entre lugares. Rio de Janeiro: Paisagens Híbridas, 2022. (Coleção Memórias de Paisagens). 102 p.
Diffuse Cutaneous Aphthosis After Combined Targeted Cancer Therapies and Responsive to Pentoxifylline
Authors: Larocca Cecilia A. , Fay Christopher J. , Hirner Jesse P. , Meyerhardt Jeffrey A. , Cleary James M. , Dewan Anna K. , LeBoeuf Nicole R.
Published: August 2023

This case series describes 3 patients who developed cutaneous aphthosis while taking an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor in combination with an MEK inhibitor.
Trimethylamine N-Oxide and White Matter Hyperintensity Volume Among Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kijpaisalratana Naruchorn , Ament Zsuzsanna , Bevers Matthew B. , Bhave Varun M. , Garcia Guarniz Ana-Lucia , Couch Catharine A. , Irvin M. Ryan , Kimberly W. Taylor
Published: August 2023

Importance

Although increasing evidence suggests that trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is associated with atherosclerosis, little is known about whether TMAO and its related metabolites (ie, choline, betaine, and carnitine) are associated with small vessel disease.

Objective

To evaluate the association between TMAO and its related metabolites with features of cerebral small vessel disease, including white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV) and acute lacunar infarction.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study included patients enrolled in the Specialized Programs of Translational Research in Acute Stroke biorepository. The registry included 522 patients with acute ischemic stroke who were 18 years or older who presented at the Massachusetts General Hospital or Brigham and Women’s Hospital within 9 hours after onset between January 2007 and April 2010. The analyses in this study were conducted between November 2022 and April 2023.

Exposures

Plasma TMAO, choline, betaine, and carnitine were measured by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.

Main Outcomes and Measures

WMHV was quantified by a semiautomated approach using signal intensity threshold with subsequent manual editing. Ischemic stroke subtype was classified using the Causative Classification System.

Results

Among 351 patients included in this study, the mean (SD) age was 69 (15) years; 209 patients (59.5%) were male and had a median (IQR) admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale of 6 (3-13). The magnetic resonance imaging subgroup consisted of 291 patients with a mean (SD) age of 67 (15) years. Among these, the median (IQR) WMHV was 3.2 (1.31-8.4) cm3. TMAO was associated with WMHV after adjustment for age and sex (β, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.01-0.29; P < .001). TMAO remained significant in a multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking (β, 0.14; 95% CI, 0-0.29; P = .05). TMAO was associated with lacunar stroke but not other ischemic stroke subtypes in a model adjusted for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.05-2.66; P = .03).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this observational study, TMAO was associated with cerebral small vessel disease determined by WMHV and acute lacunar infarction. The association was independent of traditional vascular risk factors.
Engaging Adolescents in Using Online Patient Portals
Authors: Sisk Bryan A. , Antes Alison L. , Bereitschaft Christine , Enloe Madi , Lin Sunny , Srinivas Meghana , Bourgeois Fabienne , DuBois James M.
Published: August 2023

Importance

Many health care systems offer adolescents access to health information through online patient portals, but few studies have explored how to engage adolescents in using and benefiting from online portals.

Objective

To determine how US children’s hospitals have attempted to encourage adolescent portal use, barriers to engaging adolescents, and ideal future goals for engagement.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This qualitative study performed structured qualitative interviews with informatics administrators from children’s hospitals across the US between February and July 2022. Informatics administrators were employed by US health care systems that managed a children’s hospital with at least 50 dedicated pediatrics beds. Data analysis was performed from November 2022 to January 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

This study used thematic analysis of (1) current steps that health care systems had taken to engage adolescents in using their online patient portals and (2) barriers to engaging adolescents and ideal future goals and outcomes of engagement.

Results

Among 58 total interviews with 65 informatics administrators who represented 63 hospitals across 58 health care systems, 6 themes of approaches to engaging adolescents in portal use were identified: (1) promoting and educating adolescents about portal enrollment, (2) establishing workflows to support enrollment, (3) seeking and incorporating feedback, (4) creating a culture or environment supporting engagement, (5) increasing portal utility, and (6) limited efforts. Barriers to engaging adolescents in portal use related to either (1) stakeholder investment, interest, and capabilities or (2) intersecting technical, ethical, and legal factors. Participants identified 4 ideal future efforts to engage adolescents: (1) develop adaptable private means of communication with adolescents, (2) use adolescent-centric user design, (3) enhance promotion and education about portal use, and (4) simplify and adapt workflows to encourage enrollment. Participants described 3 ideal outcomes of this future engagement: (1) provide education about current health, (2) prepare for transition to adulthood, and (3) improve digital health education of adolescents.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this qualitative study of informatics administrators, children’s hospitals across the US were found to have varying degrees of efforts to engage adolescents in using their portals. Most of these efforts focused on supporting adolescent enrollment, but fewer efforts focused on making the portal useful and interesting to adolescents.
Serine protease inhibitors decrease metastasis in prostate, breast, and ovarian cancers
Authors: Sananes Amiram , Cohen Itay , Allon Irit , Ben‐David Oshrit , Abu Shareb Raghda , Yegodayev Ksenia M. , Stepensky David , Elkabets Moshe , Papo Niv
Published: August 2023

Targeted therapies for prostate, breast, and ovarian cancers are based on their activity against primary tumors rather than their anti‐metastatic activity. Consequently, there is an urgent need for new agents targeting the metastatic process. Emerging evidence correlates in vitro and in vivo cancer invasion and metastasis with increased activity of the proteases mesotrypsin (prostate and breast cancer) and kallikrein 6 (KLK6; ovarian cancer). Thus, mesotrypsin and KLK6 are attractive putative targets for therapeutic intervention. As potential therapeutics for advanced metastatic prostate, breast, and ovarian cancers, we report novel mesotrypsin‐ and KLK6‐based therapies, based on our previously developed mutants of the human amyloid β‐protein precursor Kunitz protease inhibitor domain (APPI). These mutants, designated APPI‐3M (prostate and breast cancer) and APPI‐4M (ovarian cancer), demonstrated significant accumulation in tumors and therapeutic efficacy in orthotopic preclinical models, with the advantages of long retention times in vivo, high affinity and favorable pharmacokinetic properties. The applicability of the APPIs, as a novel therapy and for imaging purposes, is supported by their good safety profile and their controlled and scalable manufacturability in bioreactors.
Magnetostrictive Composite Bolt Fastening Characteristics and Internal Axial Force
Authors: Mori Kotaro , Narita Fumio , Iriya Norihito
Published: August 2023

Herein, the fastening characteristics and internal axial force of magnetostrictive composite bolts using magnetic flux‐density change are experimentally and theoretically examined. Magnetostrictive composite bolts are fabricated using FeCo wire and epoxy resin by applying magnetic field and preload. The advantage of using a bolt made of magnetostrictive composite materials is that it has reduced weight and can be applied to prestress. Tightening tests are conducted, with and without external‐bias magnetic fields, to measure bolt strain and magnetic flux‐density change. Then, theoretical and finite element analyses are performed to calculate the strain, axial force, and magnetic flux‐density. Theoretical results are compared with experimental results to determine the relationship between tightening torque, internal axial force, and magnetic flux‐density change. It is found that the applied magnetic field and preload conditions during fabrication, as well as the bias magnetic field during the tightening tests, have a significant effect on the magnetic flux‐density change of magnetostrictive composite bolts. The results of this study help propose new possibilities for internet of things and structural health monitoring nodes.
Highly Pseudocapacitive Storage Design Principles of Heteroatom‐Doped Graphene Anode in Calcium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Gao Yong , Li Zhenglong , Wang Pan , Cui Wengang , Wang Xiaowei , Yang Yaxiong , Gao Fan , Zhang Mingchang , Gan Jiantuo , Li Chenchen , Liu Yanxia , Wang Xinqiang , Qi Fulai , Zhang Jing , Han Xiao , Du Wubin , Pan Hongge , Xia Zhenhai
Published: August 2023

Pseudocapacitive storage of multivalent ions, especially Ca2+, in heteroatom‐doped carbon nanomaterials is promising to achieve both high energy and power densities, but there is the lack of pseudocapacitive theories that enable rational design of the materials for calcium‐ion batteries. Herein, the general design principles are established for the anode materials of the batteries via density functional theory calculations and experimental verifications of a series of heteroatom‐doped graphene as an efficient pseudocapacitive anode. A novel descriptor Φ is proposed to correlate the intrinsic properties of dopants with the pseudocapacitive storage properties of the carbon‐based anode. The design principle and descriptor have the predictive ability to screen out the best dual‐doped graphene anode with 10 times higher Ca2+ storage capability than that of sole‐doped one, and exceed the current best Ca2+ storage anode materials.
Spirally Grown Zinc‐Cobalt Alloy Layer Enables Highly Reversible Zinc Metal Anodes
Authors: Wang Tianqi , Tang Yan , Yu Minxiao , Lu Bingan , Zhang Xiaotan , Zhou Jiang
Published: August 2023

Although Zn‐ion batteries have gained extensive attention, it persistently suffers from uncontrolled dendrite growth and severe side reactions on zinc (Zn) anodes. Here, a spirally grown 3D ZnCo overlayer is designed on one side of commercial zinc foil by means of constant‐current electrodeposition to address these challenges. In contrast to Zn crystal planes, the ZnCo crystal planes mainly exposed to the side of the 3D spiral structure exhibit superior zincophilicity, promoting the bottom‐up layer‐by‐layer Zn growth. During plating, the surface of Zn metal with ZnCo overlayer (ZnCo) gradually becomes flat by constraining the diffusion behavior of Zn2+ ions. The resulting ZnCo–ZnCo cells demonstrate stable operation for over 620 h at a large current density of 5 mA cm−2. Furthermore, the ZnCo‐NH4V4O10 pouch cell delivers an initial capacity of 190 mA h g−1 and maintains a high capacity retention of 81% after 400 cycles. This alloying strategy of electro‐deposition offers new insights into the design of highly reversible Zn anodes.
Spidermen Strategy for Stable 24% Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Xuping , Li Qinghua , Zheng Juanjuan , Xu Jiewen , Chen Zixia , Li Zimin , Liu Jie , Liang Shengyong , Wang Deng , Zhang Zhenghe , Jin Xiao , Wu Jihuai , Zhang Xingcai
Published: August 2023

The interface energetics‐modification plays an important role in improving the power conversion efficiency (PCE) among the perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Considering the low carrier mobility caused by defects in PSCs, a double‐layer modification engineering strategy is adopted to introduce the “spiderman” NOBF4 (nitrosonium tetrafluoroborate) between tin dioxide (SnO2 and perovskite layers. NO+, as the interfacial bonding layer, can passivate the oxygen vacancy in SnO2, while BF4− can optimize the defects in the bulk of perovskite. This conclusion is confirmed by theoretical calculation and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The synergistic effect of NO+ and BF4− distinctly heightens the carrier extraction efficiency, and the PCE of PSCs is 24.04% with a fill factor (FF) of 82.98% and long‐term stability. This study underlines the effectiveness of multifunctional additives in improving interface contact and enhancing PCE of PSCs.
Transdermal Sustained Release Properties and Anti‐Photoaging Efficacy of Liposome‐Thermosensitive Hydrogel System
Authors: Wu Sijie , Liu Gaodan , Shao Ping , Lin Xingyu , Yu Jiahao , Chen Hanchi , Li Huiliang , Feng Simin
Published: August 2023

Drug delivery systems have become a research priority in the biomedical field. The incorporation of liposomes to hydrogels further forms more robust multifunctional systems for more effective and sustained topical drug delivery. In this study, carboxymethyl‐modified chitosan/hyaluronic acid (CMC/HA, CMH) thermosensitive hydrogel is developed for sustained transdermal delivery of liposomes. Hydrogels are crosslinked by hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interaction and electrostatic interaction. The gel properties can be regulated by substitution degree (DS), and when DS = 18.20 ± 0.67% (CMH2), the gel temperature is 37.8 °C, allowing rapid gelation at body temperature (315 s). Moreover, CMH2 hydrogel has suitable spreadability (17.7–57.2 cm2), viscosity (2133.4 mPa s) and porous structure, which facilitated its adhesion and application on the skin and liposomes delivery. The hydrogel can retard the liposomes release, and the release rate of ascorbyl glucoside (AA2G) is 33.92–49.35% in 24 h. Hydrogel avoids the rapid clearance of liposomes from the skin and improved the skin retention, achieving the long‐term release of bioactive components. Liposome‐hydrogel system more efficiently promotes the anti‐photoaging effect of AA2G on skin, reducing epidermal thickness, melanin deposition and lipid oxidative damage and increasing collagen density. Therefore, liposome‐hydrogel systems are proposed as multifunctional delivery systems for sustained transdermal delivery.
Diels–Alder Photoclick Patterning of Extracellular Matrix for Spatially Controlled Cell Behaviors
Authors: Bailey Sophia J. , Hopkins Erik , Baxter Naomi J. , Whitehead Isobel , de Alaniz Javier Read , Wilson Maxwell Z.
Published: August 2023

Strategies that mimic the spatial complexity of natural tissues can provide cellular scaffolds to probe fundamental questions in cell biology and offer new materials for regenerative medicine. Here, the authors demonstrate a light‐guided patterning platform that uses natural engineered extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins as a substrate to program cellular behaviors. A photocaged diene which undergoes Diels–Alder‐based click chemistry upon uncaging with 365 nm light is utilized. By interfacing with commercially available maleimide dienophiles, patterning of common ECM proteins (collagen, fibronectin Matrigel, laminin) with readily purchased functional small molecules and growth factors is achieved. Finally, the use of this platform to spatially control ERK activity and migration in mammalian cells is highlighted, demonstrating programmable cell behavior through patterned chemical modification of natural ECM.
Expanding the Potential of 3‐Hydroxyindolinones: Synthesis of Quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ones through Acid‐Promoted Azidation and Ring‐Expansion
Authors: Zhan Shuming , Xu Heng , Guo Wenjing , Li Lin , Hong Biqiong , Gu Zhenhua
Published: August 2023

We report herein a synthesis of quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐ones from 3‐hydroxyindolin‐2‐one derivatives, which can be synthesized from commercially available isatins in one or two steps. The reaction proceeded through a CF3CO2H‐mediated azidation via a carbocation, followed by acid‐induced N2 extrusion and ring‐expansion. Both CF3CO2H and the solvent 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐propanol were found to be crucial for this rearrangement. The axial chirality in 3‐hydroxyindolin‐2‐one skeleton was fully preserved in the products.
Highly Strain‐Stable Intrinsically Stretchable Olfactory Sensors for Imperceptible Health Monitoring
Authors: Zhao Guodong , Sun Jing , Zhang Mingxin , Guo Shanlei , Wang Xue , Li Juntong , Tong Yanhong , Zhao Xiaoli , Tang Qingxin , Liu Yichun
Published: August 2023

Intrinsically stretchable gas sensors possess outstanding advantages in seamless conformability and high‐comfort wearability for real‐time detection toward skin/respiration gases, making them promising candidates for health monitoring and non‐invasive disease diagnosis and therapy. However, the strain‐induced deformation of the sensitive semiconductor layers possibly causes the sensing signal drift, resulting in failure in achievement of the reliable gas detection. Herein, a surprising result that the stretchable organic polymers present a universal strain‐insensitive gas sensing property is shown. All the stretchable polymers with different degrees of crystallinity, including indacenodithiophene‐benzothiadiazole (PIDTBT), diketo‐pyrrolo‐pyrrole bithiophene thienothiophene (DPPT‐TT) and poly[4‐(4,4‐dihexadecyl‐4H‐cyclopenta[1,2‐b:5,4‐b′]dithiophen‐2‐yl)‐alt‐[1,2,5]thiad‐iazolo [3,4‐c] pyridine] (PCDTPT), show almost unchanged gas response signals in the different stretching states. This outstanding advantage enables the intrinsically stretchable devices to imperceptibly adhere on human skin and well conform to the versatile deformations such as bending, twisting, and stretching, with the highly strain‐stable gas sensing property. The intrinsically stretchable PIDTBT sensor also demonstrates the excellent selectivity toward the skin‐emitted trimethylamine (TMA) gas, with a theoretical limit of detection as low as 0.3 ppb. The work provides new insights into the preparation of the reliable skin‐like gas sensors and highlights the potential applications in the real‐time detection of skin gas and respiration gas for non‐invasive medical treatment and disease diagnosis.
Reliable detection of blast disease in rice plant using optimized artificial neural network
Authors: Dubey Ratnesh Kumar , Choubey Dilip Kumar
Published: August 2023

Early plant disease diagnosis is necessary for several purposes, including reducing yield losses, monitoring and predicting infections, detecting host resistance, and studying basic host–pathogen biological processes. However, early detection has been limited by a trained workforce and the ability to identify the problem early in the growing season. Artificial intelligence/machine learning algorithms can help fill this gap. Automatic leaf detection using machine learning is proposed in this study. The presented approach consists of three stages: pre‐processing, feature extraction, and classification. Initially, the input image is transformed into the red, green, and blue formatand the noise in the green band is removed using a median filter. Then important features of the green band are extracted. After feature extraction, the extracted features are fed to the optimized artificial neural network classifier to classify an image as normal or diseased. To improve artificial neural network (ANN) performance, the ANN parameters are chosen optimally using the adaptive sunflower optimization (ASFO) algorithm. Then, the infected region is separated using a level set segmentation algorithm. The efficiency of our work is analyzed based on accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity; the proposed method reached the maximum accuracy of 97.94% for plant disease prediction.
The impact of early sports participation on body fatness in adulthood is not mediated by current physical activity
Authors: Avelar Ademar , Araujo Monique Yndawe Castanho , da Silva Camila Buonani , de Lima Manoel Carlos Spiguel , Codogno Jamile Sanches , Turi‐Lynch Bruna Camilo , Fernandes Rômulo Araújo , Mantovani Alessandra Madia
Published: August 2023

Objective

The aim was to analyze the relationship between early sports participation (ESP) and body fatness (BF) in adults, as well as to identify whether this possible relationship is directly influenced by the current physical activity (PA) level.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study combined baseline data of two cohort. The BF estimated by DXA. The ESP, the subjects reported the engagement in sports during childhood (7–10 years) and adolescence (11–17 years) through two yes/no questions and current PA (described as steps) was device—measured using pedometers. Were identified as potential covariates and therefore adjusted the multivariate models: age, ethnicity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and sleep quality. Statistical analysis consisted of the chi‐square test, analysis of variance/covariance, and structural equation modeling (software BioEstat version 5.0; p‐value < .05).

Results

Adults engaged in ESP had lower BF; among women, the variance in BF explained by ESP was 25.5%; among men, it was 9.2%. Sports participation in early life (r = −.436 [95% CI: −0.527 to −0.346]) and current PA (r = −.431 [95% CI: −0.522 to −0.340]) were inversely related to BF, as well as positively related to each other (r = .328 [95% CI: 0.226 to 0.430]). In the mediation model, current PA partially mediated (18.5%) the impact of ESP on BF, while current PA and ESP remained relevant determinants of BF.

Conclusion

Early sports participation and current PA have a significant impact on BF in adulthood, which is of similar magnitude and independent of each other.
Imagining an Interest‐Based Approach to Political Conflicts
Authors: Cloke Kenneth
Published: August 2023

In the previous Part 1, “Civil Societies v. Nation States in Problem Solving and Mediation,” 41 Alternatives 101 (July/August 2023) (available at https://bit.ly/3OJoLjF), author‐mediator Ken Cloke examined the tension between a state's objective emphasis on process and rules and civil society's quest for adaptability, often through conflict resolution processes and techniques. This month's second part moves ahead on the role mediation plays in building a better society.
Chiral Hybrid Germanium(II) Halide with Strong Nonlinear Chiroptical Properties
Authors: Wang Hebin , Li Junzi , Lu Haolin , Gull Sehrish , Shao Tianyin , Zhang Yunxin , He Tengfei , Chen Yongsheng , He Tingchao , Long Guankui
Published: August 2023

Due to the pronounced anisotropic response to circularly polarized light, chiral hybrid organic–inorganic metal halides have been regarded as promising candidates for the application in nonlinear chiroptics, especially for the second‐harmonic generation circular dichroism (SHG‐CD) effect. However, designing novel lead‐free chiral hybrid metal halides with large anisotropy factors and high laser‐induced damage thresholds (LDT) of SHG‐CD remains challenging. Herein, we develop the first chiral hybrid germanium halide, (R/S‐NEA)3Ge2I7⋅H2O (R/S‐NGI), and systematically investigated its linear and nonlinear chiroptical properties. S‐NGI and R‐NGI exhibit large anisotropy factors (gSHG‐CD) of 0.45 and 0.48, respectively, along with a high LDT of 38.46 GW/cm2; these anisotropy factors were the highest values among the reported lead‐free chiral hybrid metal halides. Moreover, the effective second‐order nonlinear optical coefficient of S‐NGI could reach up to 0.86 pm/V, which was 2.9 times higher than that of commercial Y‐cut quartz. Our findings facilitate a new avenue toward lead‐free chiral hybrid metal halides, and their implementation in nonlinear chiroptical applications.
Synthesis, structural elucidation, molecular modeling and antimicrobial studies of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes containing NO donor bidentate Schiff base
Authors: Saleem Shama , Parveen Bushra , Abbas Kashif , Iqbal Sarosh , Altaf Ataf Ali , Kausar Samia
Published: August 2023

Solid complexes (1–4) of Schiff base ((o‐tolylimino)methyl)phenol (HL) with manganese(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), and copper(II) were synthesized in methanol under reflux. Schiff base (HL) was synthesized through condensation reaction of 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde with o‐toluidine. Ligand (HL) and synthesized complexes (1–4) were characterized by using different spectroscopic techniques (UV–visible, FTIR, 1H NMR, mass spectrometry, powder X‐ray diffractometer [XRD]), magnetic measurements, and thermal gravimetric analysis. Spectroscopic analysis demonstrated that ligand being bidentate, in all the complexes, coordinates with metals through the N atom of azomethine group and O atom of the hydroxyl group. Molecular ion peaks (m/z) appear in the mass spectra of complexes confirm the proposed stoichiometry. TGA data of complexes 1 and 2 exhibited water molecules coordinated with the central metal ions (Mn2+ and Co2+). Magnetic Susceptibility analysis of metal complexes proposed octahedral geometry for Mn(II) and Co(II) complexes. Conductivity analysis was in good agreement with non‐electrolyte nature of metal complexes. Global reactivity data exhibited that metal(II) complexes are soft as compared to HL. Moreover, frontier molecular orbital (FMO) findings revealed that among the metal complexes, [Mn(L)2(H2O)2] 1 was having large energy gap showing greater stability and less reactivity, while [Ni(L)2] 3 was found most reactive among all of them. Values of chemical reactivity descriptors obtained denoted that synthesized metal complexes can be proved as efficient biological candidates owing to their reactivity patterns. In vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity of complexes and ligand were evaluated against different strains of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis) and fungi (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma harzianum, and Aspergillus flavus) via disc diffusion method. The bacterial and fungal growth more efficiently inhibited by the use of metal complexes (1–4) than ((o‐tolylimino)methyl)phenol (HL).
The effects of zinc hydroxystannate/boron nitride hybrids and aluminum diethylphosphinate on flame retardancy and smoke suppression of styrene–butadiene rubber composites
Authors: Xu Wenzong , Zhang Zhihui , Cheng Pengfei , Ding Ding , Bian Ziwei , Yu Xue
Published: August 2023

As one of the three general rubbers, styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) is widely used in industrial products such as tires and cables. However, SBR has the disadvantages of flammability and low thermal conductivity, which limits its application in industry. In order to improve the flame retardancy and thermal conductivity of SBR, zinc hydroxystannate/boron nitride hybrids (ZHS@BN) were successfully prepared by in‐situ growth on BN. ZHS@BN was successfully prepared as determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetry. When 3 phr ZHS@BN and 12 phr aluminum diethylphosphinate (ADP) were added, the limiting oxygen index value of SBR composites reached 28.4%. Compared with pure SBR, their peak heat release rate and peak smoke release rate decreased by 59.2% and 50.6%, respectively. Through the analysis of the flame‐retardant properties and carbon residue of the SBR composites, it was proved that there was a good synergy between ZHS@BN and ADP to improve the flame‐retardant properties of SBR.
One‐pot Syntheses of Benzo‐ and Benzofuran‐fused Iridaoxabenzenes via CH Bond Activations of Alkyl‐bridged Diphenol Derivatives
Authors: Iwamoto Takahiro , Suzuki Mika , Hasegawa Hibiki , Abeta Hinako , Matsuo Yusuke , Tanaka Takayuki , Yasuda Nobuhiro , Ishii Youichi
Published: August 2023

One‐pot syntheses of new π‐extended metallaaromatic compounds have been developed by utilizing Ir‐mediated CH bond activation of ethylene‐ or ethylidene‐bridged diphenol derivatives. Depending on the bridging alkyl groups, two types of iridaoxabenzenes, both of which are doubly fused with benzo and benzofuran units, have been obtained. Studies on their structures and electronic characters indicate that both complexes have an aromatic character on the iridaoxacycles, and their π‐conjugated systems are fully delocalized over the whole molecular skeletons. These novel metallaaromatic complexes exhibited some reactivities which are distinct from those reported for the non‐fused metallaaromatic compounds.
The moon wears a crown: Babylonian reports of earthshine
Authors: Knapp Taylor , Steele John
Published: August 2023

Observations of the first visibility of the new moon crescent by ancient Babylonian astronomers often refer to the moon “wearing a crown”. In this article, we undertake a detailed analysis of all Babylonian reports of the observation of the new moon crescent in order to test the common assumption that this phrase refers to the phenomenon of Earthshine. We conclude that the assumption is correct and further explore the observational circumstances that made Earthshine visible to the Babylonian astronomers—and by analogy to any experienced naked‐eye observer. We demonstrate that the most significant factor in whether or not Earthshine is seen is not, as might be expected, the age of the moon but instead the prevailing sky darkness. We also show that the Babylonian observations display a seasonal variation that is consistent with modern observations of and models for the Earth's albedo.
Predicting photoresist sensitivity using machine learning
Authors: Ghule Balaji G. , Kim Minkyeong , Jang Ji‐Hyun
Published: August 2023

We introduce a scheme for predicting photoresist sensitivity using machine learning (ML) work flow on the basis of previously reported experimental data. Different ML models, specifically Linear Regression, Kernel Ridge Regression, Gaussian Process Regressor, Random Forest Regressor, and Multilayer Perceptron Regressor, were evaluated to rapidly identify the best sensitivity prediction model. The experiment was carried out on the Google Colab platform using the Materials Simulation Toolkit for Machine Learning and Sci‐kit Learn. Different ensemble models were utilized without splitting the dataset to determine the prediction accuracy of the ML models. The hyperparameter optimization was established with a 70/30 ratio, followed by a K‐Fold cross‐validation to improve the model prediction performance. The optimized ML model showed a prediction performance of R2 = 0.83, RMSE = 10.53, and MARE = 0.68. Hence, by optimizing the hyperparameters used in the ML model, the sensitivity of the photoresist materials can be predicted with improved prediction performance.