bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An investigation of applications of neural style transfer to forensic footwear comparison
Authors: Stock Gregory J
Published: February 2023

Neural Style Transfer (NST) is an application of neural networks that allows one to create an image that has the content of one image and the style of another image. For example, NST can be used to create an image of a cat in the style of Van Gogh's \emph{Starry Night}. This study asks two distinct questions. Can we use NST to manufacture pseudo crime scene images of shoe impressions by transferring the style of a crime scene image to a clean impression of a shoe? The idea is that the known, clean image will be transformed to take on the characteristics of a crime scene image, thereby providing a mechanism for researchers to generate pseudo crime scene images that can be used, for example, in training impression recognition algorithms. This is useful because there is a shortage of ground truth known crime scene-like data. We report that our NST procedure does not produce extremely convincing pseudo impressions but the results are nonetheless promising. The second question asks if we can improve crime scene/suspect shoe impression comparison by using NST as a preprocessing, sharpening step. The idea is that the "style" of well-defined edges of the clean impressions will be transferred to the crime scene image. We have a lineup of clean shoe impressions containing the impression of the shoe that created the crime scene image and several other impressions of shoes of the same make, model, and size. We compare the crime scene image to each of the shoes in the lineup using an algorithm that computes similarity scores. The matching shoe should give the highest score with high probability. Next, we combine the crime scene image with an aggregate image of all the clean shoe impressions in the lineup using NST. Then we repeat the comparison process with the NST image instead of the original crime scene image. We observe that, in half of the cases we studied, when we compare the NST image to each of the shoes in the lineup, we can more readily distinguish between the matching shoe and the non-matching shoes than when we do the comparisons with the original crime scene image.
Data on the move
Authors: Jhagroe Shivant
Published: February 2023

Even though Science and Technology Studies has highlighted how things and publics participate in energy assemblages, the specific role of big data has received relatively little attention. This paper examines the politics of energy data in relation to residential grid management. Informed by the concept ‘data journey’, developed by Bates et al. (2016), it proposes an ‘energy data journey’ approach and focusses on two questions: how are big data of smart homes produced and how do they travel? And who is empowered by this energy data production and movement? The paper addresses these questions in the empirical context of a Dutch-Belgian pilot project that has designed and tested energy management of a smart home. The empirical analysis shows how energy data and household profiles are created and travel through different cyber-physical locations to serve different purposes. The use of specific ‘home energy profiles’ is crucial and contributes to neoliberal energy management as it focusses on self-monitoring tools and users’ responsibility, while empowering commercial tech-companies and high income groups. The final section reflects on the cyber-materiality of energy data and the techno-politics of energy data more broadly. The paper argues that an energy data journey approach is productive for STS researchers when critically reflecting on the agency and politics of energy data.
« Nous verrions notre mort ». Écrire la mise en scène de la femme, du féminisme et de la mort aujourd’hui : les exemples de Woman and Scarecrow et La vie utile
Authors: Ruane Aileen
Published: February 2023

Le présent article propose d’explorer les personnifications de la Mort dans les pièces de deux autrices féministes : Woman and Scarecrow (2006) de la dramaturge irlandaise Marina Carr et La vie utile de la dramaturge québécoise Évelyne de la Chenelière (2019). Ces autrices reprennent à leur compte le motif du dévoilement d’une Vérité par l’apparition de la Mort au chevet du mourant. Dans la plupart des pièces, ce dialogue au seuil de la mort permettrait de confier des vérités cachées au temps de la vie, comme s’il n’y avait plus rien à perdre pour qui quitte le monde. Ce n’est toutefois pas tant une vérité finale que recherchent les protagonistes des pièces étudiées qu’une réévaluation de ce qu’elles croyaient vrai et que la Mort leur fait remettre en question. L’article montrera que le travail textuel et scénographique des dramaturges accentue l’ambiguïté inhérente à tout bilan moral final. Dans ces deux pièces, la pensée féministe est montrée comme étant difficile à incarner au quotidien (au temps présent) par des protagonistes qui n’expriment ultimement les injustices vécues qu’au moment de leur mort, lorsque ces injustices n’engagent plus leur avenir. Il ne s’agit donc plus pour elles de valoriser la pédagogie/punition à travers le personnage de la Mort mais de suggérer qu’à la fin d’une vie se tiennent la discussion/le dialogue, engendreurs de polysémie. La scène est alors un lieu avantageux pour communiquer cette réflexion féministe qui tient de l’ambiguïté des vies possibles davantage que d’une morale implacable à transmettre.
La marca «empresa solidaria». Mecanismo de partenariado entre la administración pública, las entidades privadas y la sociedad civil
Authors: Luque Mateo Miguel Ángel
Published: February 2023

El trabajo trata de dar respuesta a la cuestión de si la denominación de «casilla de empresa solidaria» y la marca «EmpreXa» que se otorga a las entidades que eligen destinar el 0,7% de la cuota del Impuesto sobre Sociedades a actividades de interés general, consideradas de interés social, se corresponde con algún tipo de actuación o exigencia de carácter solidario. De lo contrario, se proyectaría una idea equivocada de este mecanismo –introducido por la Ley 6/2018, de 3 de julio–, en comparación con las calificaciones institucionales otorgadas a otro tipo de entes que tributan en el mismo impuesto y que sí cumplen determinados principios más cercanos al ámbito de la solidaridad, la ayuda mutua, la democracia, la igualdad, la equidad o la responsabilidad. Además, se estudian las consecuencias que se derivan de la elección de la cuota íntegra del tributo para calcular la cantidad destinada a tal fin. Finalmente se aboga por instaurar un modelo estable para la financiación del TSAS, articulado con una fórmula mixta basada en la recaudación de los tributos personales sobre la renta –para cuantificar el importe a destinar–, y en la figura de los presupuestos participativos.
Relação dos ciclos operacional e financeiro na lucratividade de uma empresa industrial
Authors: Gotardo Rudimar , Zanin Antonio , Kruger Silvana Dalmutt
Published: February 2023

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a relação dos ciclos operacional e financeiro na necessidade de capital de giro e na lucratividade de uma empresa industrial. O ambiente de estudo é uma empresa do setor metalmecânico, a coleta de dados foi realizada a partir das informações contábeis de 2018, 2019 e 2020. Avaliou-se a partir dos indicadores de liquidez, endividamento e rentabilidade sobre o capital próprio, que a empresa reduziu liquidez, aumentou seu endividamento, porém apresentou melhora no retorno do capital próprio investido, no entanto, os resultados obtidos revelaram que os ciclos operacional e financeiro tiveram desempenho inferior no decorrer do período estudado. Os achados indicam que não há relação entre os ciclos operacional e financeiro com a necessidade de capital de giro e com a lucratividade da empresa. O estudo evidencia a relevância da avaliação dos indicadores de lucratividade e de desempenho para a gestão financeira das organizações.
Association of β-Globin Gene Haplotypes with Haematological Parameters and Foetal Haemoglobin among Patients with Sickle Cell Disorder in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
Authors: Bhagat Sanjana , Thakur Amar Singh
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Sickle cell disease is caused by a single nucleotide substitution in the β-globin gene. The variations in Foetal Haemoglobin (HbF) levels, β-globin gene cluster haplotype have been used as predictors of disease severity in sickle cell disease patients. Aim: To determine the frequency of β-globin gene haplotypes in sickle cell disease patients and also to establish their association with haematological parameters and HbF. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical College, Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, India, in collaboration with Department of Biotechnology, Government Nagarjuna PG College of Science, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India, from April 2021 to May 2022. A total of 100 patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and 50 with sickle cell traits were included in the study. Haplotypes were identified by Restriction Fragment Length Analysis (RFLP) method for seven polymorphic sites in β-globin gene cluster. Haematological parameters such as Hb, Haematocrit (HCT), Mean Cell Volume (MCV), Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH) and HbF levels were estimated. Data was analysed using various statistical tests such as ShapiroWilk test, Levene’s test, student t-test, Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis tests as per analysis requirement. Results: In the present study, 51 (51%) males and 49 (49%) females were in sickle cell disease group (SS), while 25 (50%) males and 25 (50%) females were in sickle cell trait group (AS). The mean age of the sickle cell disease patients was 23.84±8.38 years and for sickle cell trait group was 26.3±7.37 years. There was a significant difference (p-value <0.0001) in HbF levels among haplotypes. Additionally, higher HbF concentration was found in Arab-Indian haplotypes in SCD patients. No significant association was observed between the haplotypes and haematological parameters. Conclusion: The findings suggested that haematological parameters were not significantly associated with β-globin gene haplotypes. The β-globin gene haplotypes influence the HbF levels in sickle cell patients.
Morphometric Analysis of Great Cardiac Vein and its Clinical Implication-A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Agarwal Jolly , Agrawal Anurag , Kumar Virendra , Sinha DN
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Great Cardiac Vein (GCV) is the longest venous vessel of heart. It is the main tributary of the coronary sinus and anterior wall of the left ventricle and interventricular septum are drained by GCV. Aim: To study the morphometry of GCV and its variations in north-western region of India. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, SRMS IMS, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India, from January 2012 to December 2013. Thirty hearts of different ages and of both sexes (22 males and 8 females) procured from cadavers in the department. The length and diameter of GCV were measured with help of thread and digital vernier calipers. The mean, standard deviation and correlation were calculated using Microsoft office excel 2007. Results: In present study, 30 hearts (mean age: 41.83±12.37 years) of both sexes (22 males and 8 females) were studied. The mean length of GCV was 79.26±22.78 mm and the range of length was from 55.50±27.57 to 112.33±36.07 mm. The mean diameter of GCV was 2.85±1.32 mm. The mean length of GCV in males was 83.26±22.05 mm, while in females, the mean length of GCV was 74.72±22.08 mm. The diameter of GCV was having significant relation with weight (r=-0.663, p-value=0.0007) and age group (r-0.481; p-value=-0.023) in cadaveric males. Conclusion: The present morphometric study of GCV provides data for measurement of interventional devices required during interventional procedure in Indian setting.
Role of P Wave Duration and Tissue Doppler Imaging as Predictive Indicators for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Osama Awad Mostafa , Elsalam Mostafa Dina Abd , Naseem Mohamed , Abd Elwahab Hamdy Ehab
Published: February 2023

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent chronic arrhythmia in the heart. AF accounts for one-third of rhythm disorder hospitalizations. AF increases profoundly the risk of stroke, heart failure, and death. This study used P-wave and transthoracic echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) to determine paroxysmal AF predictors in hypertensive individuals.

Methods: This case control study was performed on 100 hypertensive adult patients. They were classified into two equal group: Group I included hypertensive patients diagnosed to have paroxysmal AF. Group II (control group) included hypertensive patients with normal sinus rhythm. All subjects were subjected to electrocardiographic and conventional and tissue Doppler Imaging measurements.

Results:  Pmax had significantly increased in PAF patients compared to sinus rhythm patients.  PAL, PAR, PAI, LR, LI and IR had significantly increased in PAF patients compared to sinus rhythm patients. In Multivariate logistic regression analysis, Pmax, PAL, PAI, PAR, LR, LI and IR were found to be independent predictors for PAF. Therefore, Pmax, PAL PAI, PAR, LR, LI and IR were found to be significant predictors for PAF. Best cut-off values for Pmax, PAL, PAI, PAR, LR,  LI and IR were: (118, 81, 61, 49.9, 34, 20 and 16 ms) with sensitivity (76, 96, 96, 88, 82, 86 and 77.5 ), specificity (84, 100, 98, 92, 78, 82 and 76) and the AUC of (0.850, 0.979, 0.987, 0.961, 0.836,  0.891 and 0.798) respectively.

Conclusions: Electrocardiographic P-wave analysis and echocardiographic TDI may identify hypertension patients at risk for paroxysmal AF, since the combination of Pmax and TDI may help in predicting the development of AF in hypertensive individuals.
Optimizing the Methods and Schedule of Fertilization Escalated Nutrient Uptake, Nutrient Use Efficiency and Dry Matter Yield of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)
Authors: Kamboj Ankush , K. Khokhar Kiran , Raj Dev , Kumar Pawan , Kumar Satender , Kamboj Paras , Rani Mamta
Published: February 2023

A field study was performed at Regional Research Station, Uchani (Karnal) of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India during 2020-21 to ascertain the role of precision nutrient management in enhancing nutrient availability to plants by amending the schedule and method of N and K fertilization in spring planted sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) crop under wide spacing (120 cm). The experiment was devised under split plot design with three replications. The main plot treatments consisted of two methods of fertilizer placement (B1-broadcasting and B2-band placement) while sub plot treatments included four schedules of application of recommended dose of N and K (RDN+RDK) in five splits (T1), six splits (T2), seven splits (T3) and T4 (RDN in three splits, full dose of P and K at planting). All the main and sub plot treatments showed a remarkable influence on nutrient uptake (kg ha-1), partial factor (kg kg-1) productivity, dry matter accumulation (t ha-1) and plant macro-nutrient content. B1 and T1 among main and sub plot treatments respectively lead to greater nutrient uptake, partial factor productivitie of NPK and highest dry matter yield.
Assessment of Choroidal and Central Foveal Thickness in Cases of Acute Anterior Uveitis Using Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Al-sayed Mahfouz Layla , Mahmoud Kabil Mamdouh , Samir Elkodousy Mona , Elsayed Wasfy Tamer
Published: February 2023

Background: The most typical ocular inflammatory condition is anterior uveitis, which frequently results in a painful red eye. Acute, subacute, or chronic manifestations are possible [1]. Acute anterior uveitis (AAU) can develop as a localized infection or as a standalone medical condition unrelated to any other illness or inflammation in the body. Most instances of acute unilateral, anterior non-granulomatous uveitis do not require an extensive work up because up to 50% of these patients are idiopathic [2]. When the uveitis is recurrent, chronic, bilateral, granulomatous, resistant to treatment, intermediate, posterior, or in children under the age of 15, laboratory testing should be taken into consideration. The majority of patients with acute unilateral, anterior non-granulomatous uveitis do not require a full workup because up to 50% of these patients are idiopathic [3].

 Aim of the Study: Using optical coherence tomography and improved depth imaging, this controlled, selected, cross-sectional investigation evaluated the thickness of the choroidal and central foveal choroidal tissues in instances of acute anterior uveitis.

Patients and Methods: The study included 50 eyes from 25 patients with acute anterior uveitis, including 5 patients who had bilateral illness, and 20 eyes from 10 healthy, age-, gender-, and refraction-matched controls.

Results: The mean age of the patients 24 years (range 10 to 38 years) and of the controls was 22 years (range 13 to 40 years).This study was conducted on 25 patients: 17 male (68%) and 8 females (32%) and on 20 control participants: 5 males (50%) and 5 females (50. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured in all participants using decimal notation and the mean (0.425± 0.213) was mildly decreased. All patients had a full ophthalmological examination, fundus examination, and macula OCT imaging with assessment of central foveal thickness and sub-foveal choroidal thickness, which we documented. The active acute anterior uveitis in the scanned eyes displayed cell densities ranging from +1 to +3 in the anterior chamber. All participants underwent spectral domain-OCT with enhanced depth imaging, and we discovered that in acute anterior uveitis, the central foveal thickness and the sub-foveal choroidal thickness increase in the affected eye and, to a lesser extent, in the other eye that appears to be healthy, compared to the eyes of completely normal people.

Conclusion: Comparing the eyes of patients with acute anterior uveitis to the fellow eyes of the patients, both the central foveal thickness and the sub-foveal choroidal thickness rise markedly.
Sliding Mode Control-Based Modeling and Simulation of a Quadcopter
Authors: Elagib Rahmi , Karaarslan Ahmet
Published: February 2023

This article discusses the use of Sliding Mode Control (SMC) for the control of a four-rotor vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The Newton-Euler method is utilized to build the quadcopter's dynamic model. The model is divided into under-actuated and fully actuated subsystems. Even though controlling UAVs is difficult owing to their extremely nonlinear characteristics, previous experimental trials and simulation studies have proved that the sliding mode controller yields satisfactory performance and disturbance tolerance. The contribution of this study is the presenting of an accurate quadcopter modeling and simulation employing a sliding mode controller and a Newton-Euler formula to reduce chattering. In this study, SMC was used to control the altitude and attitude of the quadcopter. MATLAB/Simulink was used to show the quadcopter dynamic model and controller model, and the result illustrating the controller's performance in different conditions was acquired.
Perception of Teachers towards their Transfers on Students’ Academic Achievement in Public Secondary Schools in Kakamega County
Authors: Angote Omulama Aston , Onyango Yambo, John M. , Sika James Ochieng
Published: February 2023

Teachers’ transfers are historical occurrences in education. However, such transfers may have different effects on teacher stability and curriculum coverage. The focus of this study was to assess the perception of teachers towards their transfers on students’ academic achievement in public secondary schools in Kakamega County. Education Production Function Theory (EPFT), Theory of Constraint (TOC) and Social Exchange Theory (SET) were found to be relevant for the study. The target population was 268 public secondary Schools, 1500 teachers, 268 principals and one (1) County staffing officer. The sample size of 30% of the population was deemed to be adequate for the study. The sampling techniques used were; simple random sampling, stratified sampling and systematic sampling. Data collection procedures were done with the help of administering questionnaires to respondents, document analysis and interview schedules were the major principal instruments used. Validity of research instruments was done with the help of two university research supervisors from Kisii University. Reliability of index 0.7 for teachers and 0.89 for principals was obtained using test retest approach. Data presentation was done with the help of tables. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis of quantitative data with results presented in frequencies and percentages. Inferential statistics were used for analysis of qualitative data. Qualitative data involved correlation and regression analysis which formed a basis for evaluation of theories under study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used for data analysis. Findings showed that 77 percent of teachers perceived that denial of transfers to those who may have applied was common. It was concluded that forced transfers were all factors that affected academic achievement of students in secondary schools in the County and this meant that they could not be ignored by the relevant authorities concerned with staffing of teacher in the County. The study recommended for the need to strike a balance between the needs of the teachers and those of the employer such that there should be posting of teachers either to their home areas or in areas close to their homes for easier accessibility to their families.
Metriki c neprivodimoy massoy vedushie k korrektnoy zavisimosti ot parametrov effektov gravitatsii vokrug zaryajennih i vrashayushihsya tel
Authors:   Centre for Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, Zakir Zahid
Published: February 2023

Стандартные метрики вокруг заряженных и вращающихся источников (Керра-Ньюмана в общем, Рейсснера-Нордстрёма и Керра в частности) содержат полную массу на бесконечности, которая включает как массу нейтрального невращающегося тела, так и масс-эквиваленты энергий вращения и электрического поля. Поэтому полная масса растёт с ростом углового момента и заряда. Однако при изучении зависимости эффектов гравитации от параметров этот факт игнорировался, полагая полную массу постоянной при меняющихся угловом моменте и заряде. Эта ошибка привела к физически абсурдным предсказаниям об ослаблении гравитации и её эффектов при росте энергий вращения и электрического поля. Для исключения таких ошибок полная масса должна быть выражена через независимые параметры - массу нейтрального невращающегося вещества источника, заряд и угловой момент. Недавно это было сделано используя как независимый параметр массу, определяемую из гравитационного радиуса на полюсе, когда заряд находится только на поверхности (Закир, 2022). В данной статье используется «неприводимая масса», которая определялась ранее эвристически как остаток полной массы после удаления углового момента и заряда. Массовая формула, выражающие полную массу через неприводимую массу, ранее была найдена Флоридесом (1960) (уточнена автором (2022)) для заряженного тела, Кристодолу (1970) для вращающегося и Христодолу-Руффини (1971) для заряженного вращающегося источников. В статье стандартные метрики преобразованы в метрики с независимыми параметрами путём подстановки выражения для полная масса согласно этим массовым формулам. Показано, что метрики в этой форме ведут к физически корректной зависимости эффектов гравитации от параметров, в частности, рост энергий вращения и электрического поля усиливает гравитацию и её эффекты, такие как замедление времени и красные смещения, увеличивает радиусы орбит и площадь тени.
A proposed definition of participatory organizational interventions
Authors: Sakuraya Asuka , Iida Mako , Imamura Kotaro , Ando Emiko , Arima Hideaki , Asaoka Hiroki , Eguchi Hisashi , Hidaka Yui , Hino Ayako , Inoue Akiomi , Inoue Reiko , Iwanaga Mai , Kobayashi Yuka , Komase Yu , Otsuka Yasumasa , Sasaki Natsu , Shimazu Akihito , Tsuno Kanami , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Kawakami Norito , Tsutsumi Akizumi
Published: February 2023

Participatory organizational interventions offer an effective way to promote occupational safety and health. Despite an increasing number of studies, a common definition of participatory organizational interventions has yet to be established. Therefore, we aimed to form a definition using the following process. First, we developed a tentative draft definition of organizational interventions and participatory elements, based on the relevant literature. The tentative definition was revised in several rounds of an extensive discussion by the authors. This resulted in the draft definition. We asked 15 selected international experts in occupational safety and health to review and comment on the draft definition. We carefully reviewed their comments, and formulated our final proposed definition. To summarize the key points of the final version of the definition, organizational interventions are planned actions that primarily directly target working conditions with the aim of promoting and maintaining of the highest degree of physical, mental, and social well-being of workers in all occupations. In addition, as participatory elements of organizational interventions in the final definition, ideally, all workers participate in every step of the intervention, while participating in part of the steps of the intervention in some cases. Furthermore, in principle, all workers participate in each step of intervention, while it is also acceptable that only elected representatives among workers participate in the intervention.
Cofilin promotes vasculogenic mimicry by regulating the actin cytoskeleton in human breast cancer cells
Authors: Nakajima Minami , Kawahara Ryota , Simizu Siro
Published: February 2023

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is the formation of microvascular channels by cancer cells. VM requires cellular processes that are regulated by changes in cellular migration and morphology. Cofilin (CFL), a key regulator of actin depolymerization, has been reported to affect malignant phenotypes of cancer. We show that treatment with inhibitors of actin dynamics suppresses VM in MDA‐MB‐231 human breast cancer cells. We established CFL‐knockout (KO) MDA‐MB‐231 cells and found that VM was attenuated in CFL‐KO cells. Although the re‐expression of wild‐type CFL restored VM in CFL‐KO cells, inactive phosphomimetic CFL failed to do so. Collectively, our results demonstrate that CFL is a critical regulator of VM and implicate CFL as a novel therapeutic target for breast cancer.
The small GTPase Sar1, control centre of COPII trafficking
Authors: Van der Verren Sander E. , Zanetti Giulia
Published: February 2023

Sar1 is a small GTPase of the ARF family. Upon exchange of GDP for GTP, Sar1 associates with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane and recruits COPII components, orchestrating cargo concentration and membrane deformation. Many aspects of the role of Sar1 and regulation of its GTP cycle remain unclear, especially as complexity increases in higher organisms that secrete a wider range of cargoes. This review focusses on the regulation of GTP hydrolysis and its role in coat assembly, as well as the mechanism of Sar1‐induced membrane deformation and scission. Finally, we highlight the additional specialisation in higher eukaryotes and the outstanding questions on how Sar1 functions are orchestrated.
Integrated Cascade Nanozyme Remodels Chondrocyte Inflammatory Microenvironment in Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis via Inhibiting ROS‐NF‐κB and MAPK Pathways
Authors: Zhang Zhongyin , Yuan Lichan , Liu Yufeng , Wang Ruobing , Zhang Yihong , Yang Yan , Wei Hui , Ma Junqing
Published: February 2023

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) is a degenerative joint disease with no complete cure at present. Notably, the inflammatory microenvironment in TMJ OA is modulated by oxidative stress, which impacts cartilage metabolism, chondrocyte apoptosis, inflammatory cytokine release, and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis. Thus, it is reasoned that reducing excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the chondrocyte microenvironment may be an effective therapeutic strategy for TMJ OA. Recently, cascade nanozymes, including Pt@PCN222‐Mn, have been exploited to treat ROS‐associated diseases. Nevertheless, cascade nanozymes are not employed for TMJ OA therapy. To fill this gap, it is explored whether the Pt@PCN222‐Mn cascade nanozyme could be applied to the treatment of TMJ OA. The in vitro results demonstrate that the Pt@PCN222‐Mn nanozyme can inhibit the production of inflammatory factors, the degradation of ECM, and the apoptosis of chondrocytes by inhibiting the ROS‐nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐κB_ and mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathways. The in vivo results further demonstrate that the Pt@PCN222‐Mn nanozyme can delay the progression of TMJ OA in the rat unilateral anterior crossbite model. It is believed that insightful perspectives on the application of nanozymes in TMJ OA will be provided here.
An Advanced Strategy to Enhance TENG Output: Reducing Triboelectric Charge Decay
Authors: Wang Congyu , Guo Hengyu , Wang Peng , Li Jiawei , Sun Yihan , Zhang Dun
Published: February 2023

The Internet of Things (IoT) is poised to accelerate the construction of smart cities. However, it requires more than 30 billion sensors to realize the IoT vision, posing great challenges and opportunities for industries of self‐powered sensors. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), an emerging new technology, is capable of easily converting energy from surrounding environment into electricity, thus TENG has tremendous application potential in self‐powered IoT sensors. At present, TENG encounters a bottleneck to boost output for large‐scale commercial use if just by promoting triboelectric charge generation, because the output is decided by the triboelectric charge dynamic equilibrium between generation and decay. To break this bottleneck, the strategy of reducing triboelectric charge decay to enhance TENG output is focused. First, multiple mechanisms of triboelectric charge decay are summarized in detail with basic theoretical principles for future research. Furthermore, recent advances in reducing triboelectric charge decay are thoroughly reviewed and outlined in three aspects: inhibition and application of air breakdown, simultaneous inhibition of air breakdown and triboelectric charge drift/diffusion, and inhibition of triboelectric charge drift/diffusion. Finally, challenges and future research focus are proposed. This review provides reference and guidance for enhancing TENG output.
Porous Organic Polymer with Hierarchical Structure and Limited Volume Expansion for Ultrafast and Highly Durable Sodium Storage
Authors: Zhang Longhai , Wang Rui , Liu Zixiang , Wan Jiandong , Zhang Shilin , Wang Siming , Hua Kang , Liu Xiaohao , Zhou Xunzhu , Luo Xiansheng , Zhang Xiaoyang , Cao Mengge , Kang Hongwei , Zhang Chaofeng , Guo Zaiping
Published: February 2023

Sustainable organic electrode materials, as promising alternatives to conventional inorganic electrode materials for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), are still challenging to realize long‐lifetime and high‐rate batteries because of their poor conductivity, limited electroactivity, and severe dissolution. It is also urgent to deeply reveal their electrochemical mechanism and evolution processes. A porous organic polymer (POP) with a conjugated and hierarchical structure is designed and synthesized here. The unique molecule and structure endow the POP with electron delocalization, high ionic diffusivity, plentiful active sites, exceptional structure stability, and limited solubility in electrolytes. When evaluated as an anode for SIBs, the POP exhibits appealing electrochemical properties regarding reversible capacity, rate behaviors, and long‐duration life. Importantly, using judiciously combined experiments and theoretical computation, including in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and ex situ spectroscopy, we reveal the Na‐storage mechanism and dynamic evolution processes of the POP, including 12‐electron reaction process with Na, low volume expansion (125–106% vs the initial 100%), and stable composition and structure evolution during repeating sodiation/de‐sodiation processes. This quantitative design for ultrafast and highly durable sodium storage in the POP could be of immediate benefit for the rational design of organic electrode materials with ideal electrochemical properties.
Breaking the Photostability and pH Limitation of Halo‐Fluoresceins through Chitosan Conjugation
Authors: Wang Ying , Lang Yunhe , Yang Qin , Wu Peng
Published: February 2023

Halo‐fluoresceins are widely used in cell and tissue staining, intracellular sensing, and photodynamic therapy, but their notorious photo‐instability and pH dependence restrict their applications, especially in long‐term visible light exposure and acidic environments. To overcome these limitations, here a strategy is proposed of conjugating chitosan with the carboxyl group of halo‐fluorescein (CS‐halofluorescein). The cross‐linked polymer chains and the hydrogen‐bonding networks of chitosan help shielding out 1O2 from direct attacking the encapsulated halo‐fluoresceins, leading to a two orders of magnitude lower photobleaching rate. Meanwhile, the condensation of primary amines of chitosan with the carboxyl group on halo‐fluorescein blocks the pH‐dependent intramolecular spirocyclization, leading to pH‐inert fluorescein derivatives. The greatly improved photostability and pH inertness of CS‐halofluoresceins can be harvested for aerobic photoredox synthesis and photodynamic bacteria inactivation in extremely acidic media. Moreover, food additive nature of chitosan and erythrosine (TIF) and excellent film‐forming property of chitosan allow coating‐based light‐assisted preservation of perishable fruits, leading to appreciably extended shelf life of fruits (e.g., perishable strawberry, rt: > 3 days; 4 °C: > 5 days).
Multifunctional Nanogenerator‐Integrated Metamaterial Concrete Systems for Smart Civil Infrastructure
Authors: Barri Kaveh , Zhang Qianyun , Kline Jake , Lu Wenyun , Luo Jianzhe , Sun Zhe , Taylor Brandon E. , Sachs Steven G. , Khazanovich Lev , Wang Zhong Lin , Alavi Amir H.
Published: February 2023

Creating multifunctional concrete materials with advanced functionalities and mechanical tunability is a critical step toward reimagining the traditional civil infrastructure systems. Here, the concept of nanogenerator‐integrated mechanical metamaterial concrete is presented to design lightweight and mechanically tunable concrete systems with energy harvesting and sensing functionalities. The proposed metamaterial concrete systems are created via integrating the mechanical metamaterial and nano‐energy‐harvesting paradigms. These advanced materials are composed of reinforcement auxetic polymer lattices with snap‐through buckling behavior fully embedded inside a conductive cement matrix. We rationally design their composite structures to induce contact‐electrification between the layers under mechanical excitations/triggering. The conductive cement enhanced with graphite powder serves as the electrode in the proposed systems, while providing the desired mechanical performance. Experimental studies are conducted to investigate the mechanical and electrical properties of the designed prototypes. The metamaterial concrete systems are tuned to achieve up to 15% compressibility under cycling loading. The power output of the nanogenerator‐integrated metamaterial concrete prototypes reaches 330 µW. Furthermore, the self‐powered sensing functionality of the nanogenerator concrete systems for distributed health monitoring of large‐scale concrete structures is demonstrated. The metamaterial concrete paradigm can possibly enable the design of smart civil infrastructure systems with a broad range of advanced functionalities.
High Efficiency Antibacterial, Moisture Permeable, and Low Temperature Comfortable Janus Nanofiber Membranes for High Performance Air Filters and Respiration Monitoring Sensors
Authors: Xia Ming , Yao Zhi , Xiong Ziyin , Wu Yi , Cheng Pan , Cheng Qin , Xu Jia , Wang Xungai , Liu Ke , Wang Dong
Published: February 2023

In this work, high efficiency and multifunctional poly(vinyl alcohol‐co‐ethylene) nanofiber, Ag particle, and polypropylene (PP) meltblown nonwoven substrate composite (NF@Ag) air filters by a simple spray coating method and subsequent UV irradiation treatment are demonstrated. The water vapor transmission rate of the NF@Ag‐4 air filter is 4753.36 ± 316.75 g/(m2 d), which is higher than that of commercial PP nonwoven (4240.71 ± 354.36 g/(m2 d)). It is can be explained that the NF@Ag‐4 air filter is a Janus structure with asymmetric wettability, which enhances moisture permeability, thereby improving comfort while wearing. The NF@Ag‐2 air filter exhibits high filtration efficiency (95.80 ± 0.89%) and relatively low pressure drop (122.00 ± 1.73 Pa) without relying on the electrostatic adsorption effect. The resulting NF@Ag air filters display excellent antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, photothermal disinfection, and thermal insulation performance. Furthermore, the as‐prepared NF@Ag air filters can be simply patterned and designed as respiration monitoring sensors to precisely detect the respiratory activity and health of the human being. Therefore, it is believed that these multifunctional air filters will have good potential for applications in the removal of particular matters and breathable wearable electronic devices.
Electric Field Driven Reversible Spinodal Dewetting of Thin Liquid Films on Slippery Surfaces
Authors: Bhatt Bidisha , Gupta Shivam , Sumathi Vasudevan , Chandran Sivasurender , Khare Krishnacharya
Published: February 2023

The stability of thin liquid films on a surface depends on the excess free energy of the system involving various short‐range and long‐range interactions. When forced to wet an unfavorable surface, thin liquid films dewet into multiple small‐sized droplets via spinodal, homogeneous, or heterogeneous nucleation process. However, if the total excess free energy of the system can be manipulated using external stimuli, for example, electric field, temperature, or light, one can control the stability of thin liquid films on demand. Here the electric‐field induced reversible dewetting and rewetting of thin liquid films underneath aqueous drops on slippery surfaces is studied. Upon applying voltage, hundreds of nanometer thick stable liquid films dewet in a manner identical to the spinodal dewetting of few nanometer‐thick liquid films following the linear stability analysis. Upon removing the applied voltage, the dewetted droplets spread, coalesce with neighboring ones, and form a uniform film again, albeit taking significantly longer times. The characteristic features defined via spatial and temporal evolution of the dewetting and rewetting processes are present over multiple cycles suggesting the complete reversibility of the process.
Biointerface Coatings With Structural and Biochemical Properties Modifications of Biomaterials
Authors: Lee Chin‐Yun , Hu Shu‐Man , Christy Jane , Chou Fang‐Yu , Ramli Theresia Cecylia , Chen Hsien‐Yeh
Published: February 2023

Designing a successful biological interface for a biomaterial requires the application of concepts from multiple fields, including materials science, surface science, nanoscience, physics, and biochemistry. With current biomaterials, such as polymers, ceramics, and natural materials, the original inherent properties of these materials no longer suffice for the needs of advanced and stringent biotechnological and medical applications that require controlled precision of physical and biochemical properties. Thus, the development of surface modifications to provide coatings that alter the interface properties of the original materials is pursued with much success to render desired and sophisticated interfacial properties. With acknowledging the available processing materials and fabrication techniques of the biointerface coatings, perspectives from advanced achievements in both physical and biochemical properties of the coating interfaces, and anisotropic presentations of these properties such as gradient of specific properties, the control of interface properties in confined micro/nanodomains and/or in introduced topographical geometries to mimic relevant biological activities is discussed in depth. The mentioned interface properties and the intended interactions toward biological microenvironments in vitro and in vivo are reviewed. Future prospective biointerface coatings with combinatorial and complementary properties from the discussed disciplines are suggested by the authors’ opinions. Last, challenges of current works demonstrating practical and important applications are discussed.
Flexible Pressure Sensors Based on MXene/PDMS Porous Films
Authors: Wang Zhihua , Xu Zeyu , Li Na , Yao Tao , Ge Manling
Published: February 2023

With the increasing demand for smart devices requires sensors with portability and wearability, high performance and durability,and low cost. In this work, an MXene/PDMS flexible self‐powered porous triboelectric pressure sensor (PTPS) is proposed based on the principles of triboelectrification and electrostatic induction. The film‐forming performance of the sensor is investigated for different MXene hydrosol mass ratios, and three modes of operation and practical performance of the PTPS are studied. The sensor converts the applied mechanical force into electrical signals, and the applied load in the range of 0.15–2.50 N and 2.50–5.15 N has a linear correlation with the output voltage. The obtained results show that the sensor sensitivity in these two ranges is 659.37 and 467.74 mV N−1, respectively. The response time of the proposed PTPS is less than 30 ms, and it can be applied to detect signals with a frequency up to 20 Hz. The voltage output remains stable after 6000 contact–separation test cycles. Moreover, hand gesture recognition, water drop sensing, mouse click, and keyboard press sensing are studied in wearable and non‐wearable scenarios. Based on the obtained results, it is concluded that the proposed PTPS has a promising performance in the field of self‐powered human motion sensing electronics.
How Far for the Electronic Skin: From Multifunctional Material to Advanced Applications
Authors: Chen Yun , Sun Yinglun , Wei Yunyun , Qiu Jianfeng
Published: February 2023

Electronic skin that imitates the characteristics and functions of human skin to sense various external signals and records them as different electrical signals has received extensive attention, and much effort has been made on electronic skin for potential medicine application. However, it still needs a long way to achieve practical applications for electronic skin as consumer electronics, the recent progress of electronic skin is reviewed. First, the crucial characteristics in practical electronic skin are analyzed. Subsequently, the technical supports that need to obtain practical electronic skin are also discussed, and electronic skin in terms of short‐term application, medium‐term application and long‐term application are introduced. Finally, suggestions for future development directions in this fascinating field are put forward.
Biomass‐Derived Materials for Interface Engineering in Organic/Perovskite Photovoltaic and Light‐Emitting Devices
Authors: Islam Amjad , Usman Khurram , Haider Zeeshan , Alam Muhammad Fakhar , Nawaz Ali , Sonar Prashant
Published: February 2023

Compared to their inorganic counterparts, organic optoelectronic devices receive considerable attention due to their lower cost, mechanical flexibility, bandgap engineering, and solution processability. In particular, achieving sustainability in solar cells and light emitting devices is an important milestone in the development of green electronics. This has facilitated a close collaboration between different technological fields, opening new ways for low‐cost production and application of biomaterials. Recently, biomass materials, mainly derived from plants, animals and microorganisms, have emerged as effective candidates to modify the interfacial properties, and thus enhance the performance, lifetime, and stability of organic solar cells (OSCs), perovskite solar cells (PVSCs), and organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). Compared to the commonly used synthetic interfacial materials, the use of biomass interlayer materials (BIMs) is still in its embryonic stages; however, their nontoxicity, biorelevance, sustainability, special proton conductivity, and rich functional groups are stimulating researchers around the globe to fabricate novel devices with improved efficiency. Herein, a comprehensive review of BIMs and their importance in next‐generation optoelectronic devices is provided. A well‐targeted comparison between the electrical and physical properties of different BIMs is provided, and how such characteristics improve the performance of three key optoelectronic devices: OSCs, PVSCs and OLEDs, is discussed.
Microfluidic Label‐Free Hydrodynamic Separation of Blood Cells: Recent Developments and Future Perspectives
Authors: Lee Sanghyun , Kim Hojin , Yang Sung
Published: February 2023

The biophysical characteristics and counts of blood cells provide useful information regarding pathological conditions. Therefore, the separation of blood components is a crucial task in biology, clinical diagnosis, therapeutics, and personalized medicine. Recently, microfluidics has gained significant interest as an effective technology for separating target cells from heterogeneous cell populations. Within cellular‐scale microchannels, cells of interest are separated based on intrinsic properties, such as size, shape, and deformability, followed by further downstream or off‐chip analysis. In this review, microfluidic‐based hydrodynamic cell‐separation technologies used in label‐free approaches by categorizing them according to their key working principles are discussed: i) flow fractionation, ii) deterministic lateral displacement, iii) hydrophoresis, iv) inertial migration, and v) microfiltration. An overview of the major separation mechanisms is provided, and the relative performances and features of these technologies are thoroughly discussed. In addition, future perspectives regarding microfluidic system commercialization and standardization are briefly provided for their widespread use and applications.
Bioinspired Continuum Robots with Programmable Stiffness by Harnessing Phase Change Materials
Authors: Zhang Jie , Wang Bo , Chen Haohan , Bai Jianing , Wu Zhigang , Liu Ji , Peng Haijun , Wu Jianing
Published: February 2023

Continuum robots offer significant advantages over traditional ones in some specific scenarios, such as urban search and rescue, minimally invasive surgery, and inspection of cluttered environments. However, motions and/or operations of existing continuum robots always suffer from those limitations in varying curvature interaction scenarios because of the homogeneity and singleness of the structural stiffness. Herein, inspired by the mechanism of an elephant trunk for regulating local stiffness, a three‐segment continuum robot constructed by tensegrity structure, which relies on a stiffness tunable material, with its Young's modulus switchable between 1.79 and 271.62 MPa to achieve the robotic stiffness programmable characteristics, is proposed. For predicting the robotic configuration with varying stiffness distribution, a mechanical model based on the framework of the finite element method is derived. Theoretical predictions reveal that the curvature of each segment can be regulated by programming stiffness of the smart materials; therefore, the customizable design can offer an effective route for real‐time robotic interactions. By evaluating motion characteristics, stiffness performance, and conformal interaction capability, the experimental results demonstrate that the robot can freely regulate the configuration on‐demand, which may provide a foundation for the application of continuum robots with programmable stiffness for interacting with unstructured environments.