bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of X-ray Irradiation on the Morphological Performance of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam)
Authors: Edu Ndem E. , Agu Reuben C. , Nwachukwu Augusta A. , Osondu-Anyanwu Chinyere , Nkang Nkoyo A. , Egbaji Covenant I.
Published: May 2023

Aim: Sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam) were studied to assess the influence of x-ray irradiation on the morphological performance.

Place and Duration of Study: Samples were collected from National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, irradiation was done in the x-ray unit of a medical laboratory, planting and data analysis were done at the experimental farm and laboratory of the Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Calabar.

Methodology: Stems of Sweet potatoes were grouped and non-control groups irradiated at different x-ray doses, planted and morphological parameters analyzed.

Results: The results showed no significant difference in the treatments for parameters such as number of leaves, leaf area, leaf length, plant height, leaf width and days to sprouting when kilo voltage (kV) was constant at 40kV and milli Amperes per second (mAs) varied from 1.6mAs to 3.2mAs. There was also no significant difference in the treatments for parameters such as leaf area, leaf length, leaf width and days to sprouting when mAs was constant at 1.6mAs and kilo voltage (kV) varied from 40kV to 100kV. The results also showed that the low doses of x-ray irradiation did not cause aberrations in the morphological performance of sweet potato.

Conclusion: These findings necessitate the need for adequate irradiation doses in the use of ionizing radiations on crops in order to maintain and improve their varieties.
Correlation of Entrance Skin Dose with Body Mass Index of Patients Undergoing Routing X-Ray Examination at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, North-Eastern Nigeria
Authors: Rabiu J. A. , Raheem I. O. , Kolawole A. A. , Yushau Y.
Published: May 2023

This study was conducted to assess the amount of dose received by patients undergoing routine x-ray examinations at Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe in Gombe State, Nigeria. Entrance skin doses (ESDs) for different kinds of x-ray procedures, include Posterior Anterior (PA) and Lateral (Lat) chest, Anterior Posterior (AP) Abdomen, AP pelvis, AP and Lat lumber spine and PA and Lat skull were assessed using standard exposure parameters. Data were obtained from eighty (80) patients who were exposed to diagnostic X-ray during their regular X-ray examinations.  The patients’ age ranged from 1 to 80 years, while the weight was between 20kg and 100kg and height of these patients was between 95.0cm and 171cm. The skin dose of each patient was evaluated using a formula, based on the radiographic exposure parameters of kVp, mAS, SSD, the X-ray tube and the total filtration of the beams. The mean entrance skin dose ranged from 0.016 mGy to 3.168 mGy. Eventually, the ESDs measured for these x-ray procedures were found to be below the maximum permissible limits set by Nigeria Basic Ionizing Radiation Regulation and all the examinations conducted showed that there is a good correlation between the entrance skin doses and body mass index for the studied subjects. This implies that patients with higher body mass index will received more dose than the patients with low body mass index.
Optical Characterization of Nickel Sulphide Thin Films Prepared by Chemical Bath Deposition Method
Authors: Nwauzor J. N. , Nnachi E. O. , Okoroudoh I. S. , Igbo M. E. , Babalola A. D.
Published: May 2023

Nickel sulfide thin films were prepared using chemical bath deposition method on a glass substrate. Nickel sulphate and sodium thiosulphate were used as starting chemicals. Ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA), was used as the complexing agent. In this study time was the only parameter optimized to get good quality thin film. Films were characterized using an UV M501 single beam scanning spectrophotometer from a wavelength of 220- 560nm. The nickel sulfide thin films exhibited direct band gap transition with band gap energy 2.3eV. A poor reflectance, moderate absorbance and high transmittance was recorded.
When Expansion Is Not Enough—State Innovation to Build Choice and Consumer Control in Medicaid
Authors: Chen Lanhee J.
Published: May 2023

This JAMA Forum discusses continued Medicaid expansion across the states, the enrollment boom during the COVID-19 pandemic, and new models of care with increased choice and control for Medicaid recipients.
Association of Weight Loss in Ambulatory Care Settings With First Diagnosis of Lung Cancer in the US
Authors: Kessler Larry G. , Nicholson Brian D. , Burkhardt Hannah A. , Oke Jason , Thompson Matthew J.
Published: May 2023

Importance

Lung cancer, the US’s leading cause of cancer death, is often diagnosed following presentation to health care settings with symptoms, and many patients present with late-stage disease.

Objective

To investigate the association between weight loss and subsequent diagnosis of incident lung cancer in an ambulatory care population and to assess whether recorded weight change had higher odds of lung cancer diagnosis than objective measurements.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This case-control study included patients visiting a US academic medical center between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2019. Data were derived from US ambulatory care electronic health records from the University of Washington Medical Center linked to the local Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry. Cases were identified from patients who had a primary lung cancer diagnosis between 2012 and 2019; controls were matched on age, sex, smoking status, and presenting to the same type of ambulatory clinic as cases. Data were analyzed from March 2022 through January 2023.

Exposure

Continuous and categorical weight change were assessed.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Odds ratios estimating the likelihood of a diagnosis of lung cancer were calculated using univariable and multivariable conditional logistic regression.

Results

A total of 625 patients aged 40 years or older with a first primary lung cancer diagnosis and 4606 matched controls were included (1915 [36.6%] ages 60 to 69 years; 418 [8.0%] Asian, 389 [7.4%] Black, 4092 [78.2%] White). In unadjusted analyses, participants with weight loss of 1% to 3% (odds ratio [OR], 1.12; 95% CI, 0.88-1.41), 3% to 5% (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 0.99-1.88), or 5% to 10% (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.82-1.85) over a 2-year period did not have statistically significantly increased risk of lung cancer diagnosis compared with those who maintained a steady weight. However, participants with weight loss of 10% to 50% had more than twice the odds of a lung cancer diagnosis (OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.27-4.05). Most categories of weight loss showed significant associations with an increased risk of lung cancer diagnosis for at least 6 months prior to diagnosis. Patients who had weight loss both recorded in clinicians’ notes and measured had higher odds of lung cancer compared with patients who had only recorded (OR, 1.26; odds; 95% CI, 1.04-1.52) or measured (OR, 8.53; 95% CI, 6.99-10.40) weight loss.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this case-control study, weight loss in the prior 6 months was associated with incident lung cancer diagnosis and was present whether weight loss was recorded as a symptom by the clinician or based on changes in routinely measured weight, demonstrating a potential opportunity for early diagnosis. The association between measured and recorded weight loss by clinicians presents novel results for the US.
Feasibility and Safety of Diffusing Alpha-Emitter Radiation Therapy for Recurrent or Unresectable Skin Cancers
Authors: D’Andrea Mark A. , VanderWalde Noam A. , Ballo Matthew T. , Patra Pradeep , Cohen Gil’ad N. , Damato Antonio L. , Barker Christopher A.
Published: May 2023

Importance

Patients with recurrent or unresectable skin cancers have limited treatment options. Diffusing alpha-emitter radiation therapy (DaRT), a novel solid tumor management strategy using alpha-particle interstitial brachytherapy, may address this challenge.

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of using DaRT to manage recurrent or unresectable skin cancers.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prospective cohort study of patients who received a 2-week to 3-week treatment course and were followed up for 24 weeks after treatment during 2021 and 2022 at 2 sites in the US. Patients with malignant skin tumors or soft tissue tumors were recruited if they had limited treatment options for tumors recurrent after prior surgery or external beam radiotherapy or unresectable tumors.

Intervention

Patients underwent DaRT to deliver a physical dose of 10 Gy (equivalent weighted dose of 200 CGE) to the tumor.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Feasibility of the DaRT procedure was evaluated based on the ability of investigators to successfully deliver radiation to the tumor. Patients were followed up for adverse events (AEs) for 24 weeks and for tumor response by physicians’ physical examination and imaging 12 weeks after device removal.

Results

This study included 10 participants with recurrent or unresectable skin cancer (median [IQR] age, 72 [68-75] years; 6 males [60%]; 4 females [40%]). Six patients (60%) had recurrent disease, and 4 (40%) had tumors that were deemed unresectable. Tumors were located on the nose, chin, eyelid, scalp, neck, trunk, and extremities. Median (range) tumor volume before treatment was 2.1 cm3 (0.65-12.65 cm3). The mean (SD) prescription dose coverage of the gross tumor volume was 91% (2.8%) with all tumors having coverage of 85% or more. No device-related grade 3 AEs were noted. Common AEs were grade 1 to 2 erythema, edema, and pruritus. At 12 weeks following treatment, there was a 100% complete response rate. Nine of 10 complete responses (90%) were confirmed by CT imaging.

Conclusions and Relevance

This cohort study suggests the feasibility and preliminary safety of DaRT in the management of recurrent or unresectable skin cancers. The favorable safety profile and high response rates are promising. A US trial for marketing approval based on this pilot study is under way.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04377360
Incidence of Eye Trauma in Children Associated With Foam Bullets or Foam Darts From Nonpowder Guns
Authors: Dentel Alexandre , Boulanger Etienne , Vignal-Clermont Catherine , Caputo Georges , Martin Gilles C.
Published: May 2023

This case series estimates the annual incidence of pediatric eye injuries associated with recreational use of nonpowder guns at an ophthalmologic emergency department in France.
Swab Pressing vs Stromal Hydration to Prevent Incision Leakage and Transient Collapse of Anterior Chamber in Phacoemulsification
Authors: Liu Zitian , Lin Haowen , Jin Ling , Qu Bo , Liu Jianping , Zheng Yingfeng , He Mingguang , Luo Lixia , Liu Yizhi
Published: May 2023

Importance

During phacoemulsification, incision leakage and the subsequent anterior chamber collapse often occur after the withdrawal of the handpiece, which cannot be prevented by current sealing techniques. A new technique called swab pressing is proposed here to apply pressure with a cotton swab to seal the incision immediately, but efficacy remains unknown.

Objective

To determine if swab pressing is noninferior to stromal hydration, the current practice, in sealing incisions in phacoemulsification for age-related cataract.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This noninferiority randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted between February 2022 and September 2022 at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangzhou, China. Patients aged 60 to 90 years with age-related cataract were enrolled.

Interventions

Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive swab pressing or stromal hydration. All surgeries were performed by a single experienced surgeon who was unmasked to the assignment.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The proportion of closed clear corneal incisions evaluated using intraoperative optical coherence tomography.

Results

A total of 126 eyes of 126 participants were randomized into the swab pressing group (63 [50%]) and stromal hydration group (63 [50%]). The mean (SD) age of participants was 69.2 (6.14) years and 70.1 (7.67) years in the pressing and stromal hydration groups, respectively. A total of 39 participants (61.9%) in the pressing group and 35 (55.6%) in the modified group were female. The proportion of closed incisions was 96.8% (61 of 63) in the swab pressing group and 93.7% (59 of 63) in the stromal hydration group. Noninferiority was met, as the lower 95% CI of −5.83 percentage points was greater than the prescribed noninferiority margin of −6.60 percentage points (difference, 3.17 percentage points; 95% CI, −5.83 to 12.18 percentage points). The rate of anterior chamber collapse (pressing: 0 of 63 vs stromal hydration: 35 of 63 [55.6%]; P < .001) was lower in the swab pressing group. There were no differences between the 2 groups in the proportion of closed incisions and central anterior chamber depth at postoperative hour 1 and day 1.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, swab pressing was noninferior to stromal hydration in sealing clear corneal incisions in phacoemulsification for age-related cataract. While this trial involved only 1 surgeon who was not masked to the interventions, the results suggest that swab pressing is feasible and further investigations would be warranted to determine if it prevents the intraoperative transient collapse of anterior chamber or affects visual acuity outcomes.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05242653
Reimbursement for Olfactory Testing
Authors: Saraswathula Anirudh , Schlosser Rodney J. , Rowan Nicholas R.
Published: May 2023

This Viewpoint addresses the lack of reimbursement for olfactory testing, which is especially important in a time when the populations of older adults and patients with COVID-19–associated olfactory dysfunction have grown.
Relationship between financial distress and mistreatment of workers regarding the COVID-19 prevention measures: A 1-year prospective cohort study
Authors:   CORoNaWork Project, Sawamoto Naoya , Okawara Makoto , Matsugaki Ryutaro , Odagami Kiminori , Mafune Kosuke , Tateishi Seiichiro , Tsuji Mayumi , Ogami Akira , Fujino Yoshihisa
Published: May 2023

Objective

A substantial number of workers’ experience mistreatment in the workplace, impacting workers’ health and companies’ functioning. Vulnerability of those with lower income has been reported, yet little is known about mistreatment during COVID-19. This study aims to examine whether workers in financial distress are particularly prone to mistreatment at the workplace with reference to pandemic-related infection prevention measures.

Methods

An internet-based, year-long prospective cohort study was conducted from 2020 to 2021. Participants were recruited from workers aged 20 and 65 years and currently employed at baseline. In total, 27 036 were included in the analysis and 18 170 responded to the follow-up survey. The odds ratio (OR) of mistreatment at the workplace regarding COVID-19 associated with the financial condition at baseline was estimated using multilevel logistic regression analysis nested by participant residence.

Results

Compared with workers in a comfortable financial condition, those under financial stress showed significantly higher ORs of mistreatment (age- and sex-adjusted model: 2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.75–2.47, P < .001, model adjusted for socioeconomic factors: 2.14, 95% CI 1.79–2.55, P < .001).

Conclusion

Workers in financial distress were shown to be vulnerable to mistreatment at work regarding infection prevention measures in the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring a double burden of poverty and mistreatment. The perspective of vulnerable groups needs to be taken into account when implementing countermeasures against emerging infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. As unfair treatment in the workplace might distort vulnerable employees’ reactions to infection control (e.g., hiding infection), financial deprivation should be considered a public health issue.
Plant Lectins: Implications in Tolerance and Resistance
Authors: Osman Makarim E. M. , Osman Rieham S. H. , Ghartey‐Kwansah George , Konozy Emadeldin H. E.
Published: May 2023

Lectins are ubiquitous classes of carbohydrate‐binding proteins. They serve a wide range of physiological functions in Phyto‐organisms. Among many biological significances, they play a crucial role in plant tolerance and resistance against environmental biotic and abiotic challenges. They are a component of the plant's innate immune system and defence mechanism. Lectin‐like receptor kinases (Lec‐RLK) are essential in stress sensing and saccharide signalling. Their expression can be modulated by various hormonal responses; they can also tweak downstream hormonal pathways or signal the expression of stress‐related genes. Other plant lectin families, localized in the vacuole, cytoplasm, and nucleus, could also revamp the response to different stress factors. They participate in the further downstream responses, including the clearance and turnover of accumulated undesired and misfolded nascent proteins triggered by stress, DNA protection, and chromatin modulation. Understanding the genetics, the evolution of gene mechanisms, and the functional roles of Lectins in molecular pathways affecting plant tolerance is essential to reduce the effects of global climate change on food security and the health and well‐being of humans. This review will assist in integrating existing knowledge, with a focus on understanding how plant lectins confer adaptation to challenging environmental conditions, ultimately to assist agricultural scientists in breeding plants with greater adaptive capacities.
Complementary Functions of Vanadium in Boosting Electrocatalytic Activity of CuCoNiFeMn High‐Entropy Alloy for Water Splitting
Authors: Sivanantham Arumugam , Lee Hansung , Hwang Sung Won , Lee Han Uk , Cho Sung Beom , Ahn Byungmin , Cho In Sun
Published: May 2023

High entropy alloys (HEAs) composed of multi‐metal elements in a single crystal structure are attractive for electrocatalysis. However, identifying the complementary functions of each element in HEAs is a prerequisite. Thus, VxCuCoNiFeMn (x = 0, 0.5, and 1.0) HEAs are investigated to identify the active role of vanadium in improving the electrocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Structural studies show the successful incorporation of V in the HEA. V1.0CuCoNiFeMn (V1.0‐HEA) shows an overpotential of 250 mV versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (at −50 mA cm−2, 1 m KOH), which is ≈170 mV lower than that of control‐HEA (422 mV). Improves electrical conductivity and the electrochemical surface area of the V1.0‐HEA accelerated HER activity. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations reveal reduced water dissociation and hydrogen adsorption energies of V1.0‐HEA, resulting in the boosted HER kinetics. The effect of V incorporation on the barrier height and active sites at the surface of V1.0‐HEA is schematically explained. This study can be facilitated for the development of highly active HEAs for large‐scale electrochemical water splitting.
Dendrite‐Free Lithium Metal Battery Enabled by Dendritic Mesoporous Silica Coated Separator
Authors: Ren Wenxuan , Zhu Kerun , Zhang Wei , Liang Haichen , Xu Li , Wang Lipeng , Yang Chaochao , Yang Yi , Zhang Pengfei , Wang Fei , Wang Yonggang , Li Wei
Published: May 2023

Concentration polarization‐induced lithium dendrites seriously impede the practical application of high‐energy‐density lithium metal batteries. Porous materials that aim to inhibit lithium dendrites are extensively explored. However, their effects are still limited by the intrinsic features of the pores, especially channel geometry and surface properties. Herein, a separator modification strategy of blocking “dendritic deposition” via “dendritic channels” is proposed. A porous shield‐like film is formed on the polypropylene separator through the close packing of ultra‐small (≈100 nm) silica nanospheres with unique dendritic mesopores (DMS). Besides the hierarchical pores homogenizing the ion flux, the DMS film also provides abundant Si(OH)x groups, preferentially adsorbing the TFSI− in the electrolyte and accelerating the transport of Li+. Most notably, the dendritic mesochannels with high complexity can diversify the growth directions of lithium and contribute to a more substantial homogenizing process of Li+. Consequently, a dendrite‐free deposition with 1000 stable cycles in Li|Li symmetric cells even at 10 mA cm−2 is achieved. This study provides a scalable approach for the fabrication of mesoporous separators and offers a fresh perspective on the future design of advanced separators utilized for dendrite suppression.
Orchestrated Strategies for Developing Fluorophores for NIR‐II Imaging
Authors: Feng Xin , Wei Long , Liu Yanlin , Chen Xiaoyuan , Tian Rui
Published: May 2023

Fluorescence imaging (FLI), a non‐invasive, real‐time, and highly sensitive imaging modality, allows for investigating the molecular/cellular level activities to understand physiological functions and diseases. The emergence of the second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II, 1000–1700 nm) has endowed fluorescence imaging with deeper tissue penetration and unprecedented clarity. Among the various NIR‐II imaging fluorophores, the organic fluorescent probes have occupied a pivotal position in bioimaging due to their higher biocompatibility, safety, and potential for clinical applications compared with those of the inorganic probes. To obtain high‐quality organic dyes, diverse strategies have been taken. In this review, different strategies for optimizing NIR‐II organic fluorophores are summarized, including traditional chemical modifications, and emerging bioengineering operations, which have not previously been elaborated on and summarized. Moreover, the bioengineering strategies are highlighted using endogenous serum proteins and even exogenous gene‐editing proteins, which would provide fresh insights to design good‐performance dyes and help develop NIR‐II probes with clinical translation potential in the future. A critical perspective on the direction of the design strategies of NIR‐II dyes for disease imaging is also proposed.
Augmenting Immunogenic Cell Death and Alleviating Myeloid‐Derived Suppressor Cells by Sono‐Activatable Semiconducting Polymer Nanopartners for Immunotherapy
Authors: Ding Mengbin , Zhang Yijing , Yu Ningyue , Zhou Jianhui , Zhu Liyun , Wang Xing , Li Jingchao
Published: May 2023

Inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) by sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is promising for cancer immunotherapy, which however is inefficient due to oxygen depletion that compromises SDT effect and mediates recruitment of immunosuppressive myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). The fabrication of sono‐activatable semiconducting polymer nanopartners (SPNTi) to simultaneously augment ICD and alleviate MDSCs for immunotherapy is reported. A sonodynamic semiconducting polymer, hydrophobic hypoxia‐responsive tirapazamine (TPZ)‐conjugate, and MDSC‐targeting drug (ibrutinib) are encapsulated inside such SPNTi with surface shell of a singlet oxygen (1O2)‐cleavable amphiphilic polymer. TPZ and ibrutinib serve as drug partners to enlarge immunotherapeutic effect. Upon sono‐activation, SPNTi generate 1O2 to break 1O2‐cleavable polymers for in situ liberations of TPZ‐conjugate and ibrutinib in tumor sites, and oxygen is consumed to create severe hypoxic tumor microenvironment, in which, TPZ‐conjugate is activated for augmenting ICD action, while ibrutinib alleviates MDSCs for promoting antitumor immunological effect. In a bilateral tumor mouse model, SPNTi‐mediated sono‐activatable immunotherapy results in growth restraints of primary and distant tumors and noteworthy precaution of tumor metastases. This study thus provides a sono‐activatable immunotherapeutic strategy with high precision and safety for cancer via overcoming post‐treatment hypoxia and targeting MDSCs.
Understanding the Role of Removable Solid Additives: Selective Interaction Contributes to Vertical Component Distributions
Authors: Fan Baobing , Zhong Wenkai , Gao Wei , Fu Huiting , Lin Francis R. , Wong Reese W.‐Y. , Liu Ming , Zhu Chenhui , Wang Cheng , Yip Hin‐Lap , Liu Feng , Jen Alex K.‐Y.
Published: May 2023

Sequentially deposited organic solar cells (SD‐OSCs) have attracted great attention owing to their ability in achieving a more favorable, vertically phase‐separated morphology to avoid the accumulation of counter charges at absorber/transporting layer interfaces. However, the processing of SD‐OSCs is still quite challenging in preventing the penetration of small‐molecule acceptors into the polymer donor layer via erosion or swelling. Herein, solid additives (SAs) with varied electrostatic potential distributions and steric hinderance are introduced into SD‐OSCs to investigate the effect of evaporation dynamics and selective interaction on vertical component distribution. Multiple modelings indicate that theπ–πinteraction dominates the interactions between aromatic SAs and active layer components. Among them,p‐dibromobenzene shows a stronger interaction with the donor while 2‐chloronaphthalene (2‐CN) interacts more preferably with acceptor. Combining the depth‐dependent morphological study aided by multiple X‐ray scattering methods, it is concluded that the evaporation of SAs can drive the stronger‐interaction component upward to the surface, while having minor impact on the overall molecular packing. Ultimately, the 2‐CN‐treated devices with reduced acceptor concentration at the bottom surface deliver a high power conversion efficiency of 19.2%, demonstrating the effectiveness of applying selective interactions to improve the vertical morphology of OSCs by using SAs with proper structure.
Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopic Investigation of TiO2 Grown on Silica Nanoparticles by Solution Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: Ding Fei , Tavera Méndez Cindy L. , Grass Jan‐Paul , Crisp Ryan W. , Barr Maïssa K. S. , Wisser Dorothea
Published: May 2023

Atomic layer deposition in solution (sALD) is just emerging as a technology for the preparation of thin films. Unlike ALD from the gas phase, it allows for mild reaction conditions in a solvent phase and at room temperature, thus decreasing the energy requirements of the process and widening the range of accessible precursor molecules. In this work, the deposition of thin films of titania on silica is investigated using titanium(IV) isopropoxide (TTIP) and water as precursors, which are alternatingly brought into contact with the support in a home‐built plug flow reactor. The mechanism of covalent grafting of the precursor to the surface, subsequent hydrolysis, and reaction to a layer of titania are investigated in detail using magic angle spinning (MAS) solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. TTIP preferentially reacts with Q2 groups of condensed silica. 2D solid‐state NMR spectra allow to clearly show the successful grafting of this compound to the support by the appearance of a characteristic signal at −107 ppm, which is tentatively attributed to silicon nuclei in a SiOTi bond, and to reveal the presence of titanol groups on the emerging TiO2 film.
Doping Density Extraction of Plasma Treated Metal Oxide Thin Film Diodes by Capacitance–Voltage Analysis
Authors: Khong Yin Jou , Niang Kham Man , Flewitt Andrew J.
Published: May 2023

High quality thin film p‐n junction diodes with high rectification ratios and low ideality factors have been fabricated from metal oxides, such as amorphous oxide semiconductors (AOSs), and characterized. Plasma treatment of interfaces has been demonstrated to improve devices made from AOSs, using current–voltage (I–V) measurements. However, capacitance–voltage (C–V) measurements of the devices have been scarcely reported in the literature. Therefore, the focus of this work is characterization of cuprous oxide (Cu2O)/amorphous zinc‐tin oxide (a‐ZTO) thin film heterojunction diodes using C–V analysis. Performance differences of plasma‐treated and untreated diodes that are difficult to observe in I–V analysis are more prominent in C–V analysis. Moreover, C–V analysis allows extraction of charge density profiles, which is a measure of the defect state density that led to intrinsic doping. The variation of doping densities of the untreated diode across the full range of applied reverse bias is shown to be up to 2 orders of magnitude, while those of the treated diodes are within a factor of 10 only. Junction charge profiles, interfacial charge depletion, and accumulation that are key features of rectifying diodes are shown to be clearly distinct between untreated, nitrogen‐treated, and oxygen‐treated diodes, thus explaining why oxygen‐treated diodes are superior.
A Newly Identified Spike Protein Targeted Linear B‐Cell Epitope Based Dissolvable Microneedle Array Successfully Eliciting Neutralizing Activities against SARS‐CoV‐2 Wild‐Type Strain in Mice
Authors: Li Lin , Zhao Zhongpeng , Yang Xiaolan , Su Zhongyi , Li Wendong , Chen Shaolong , Wang Lu , Sun Ting , Du Chen , Li Ziyi , Yang Zeqian , Li Min , Wang Tiecheng , Wang Ying , Fan Yubo , Wang Hui , Zhang Jing
Published: May 2023

Vaccination is a cost‐effective medical intervention. Inactivated whole virusor large protein fragments‐based severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2) vaccines have high unnecessary antigenic load to induce allergenicity and/orreactogenicity, which can be avoided by peptide vaccines of short peptide fragments that may induce highly targeted immune response. However, epitope identification and peptide delivery remain the major obstacles in developing peptide vaccines. Here, a multi‐source data integrated linear B‐cell epitope screening strategy is presented and a linear B‐cell epitope enriched hotspot region is identified in Spike protein, from which a monomeric peptide vaccine (Epitope25) is developed and applied to subcutaneously immunize wildtype BALB/c mice. Indirect ELISA assay reveals specific and dose‐dependent binding between Epitope25 and serum IgG antibodies from immunized mice. The neutralizing activity of sera from vaccinated mice is validated by pseudo and live SARS‐CoV‐2 wild‐type strain neutralization assays. Then a dissolvable microneedle array (DMNA) is developed to pain‐freely deliver Epitope25. Compared with intramuscular injection, DMNA and subcutaneous injection elicit neutralizing activities against SARS‐CoV‐2 wild‐type strain as demonstrated by live SARS‐CoV‐2 virus neutralization assay. No obvious damages are found in major organs of immunized mice. This study may lay the foundation for developing linear B‐cell epitope‐based vaccines against SARS‐CoV‐2.
A Strategy Inspired by the Cicada Shedding Its Skin for Synthesizing the Natural Material NaFe3S5·2H2O
Authors: Dai Hanqing , Dai Wenqing , Chen Yuanyuan , Yan Yukun , Zuo Guangzheng , Hu Zhe , Wei Jinxin , Zhou Wenjie , Zhang Wanlu , Wei Wei , Zhang Guoqi , Guo Ruiqian
Published: May 2023

Sulfide minerals hold significant importance in both fundamental science and industrial advancement. However, certain natural sulfide minerals, such as NaFe3S5·2H2O (NFS), pose great challenges for exploitation and synthesis due to their high susceptibility to oxidation. To date, no successful precedent exists for synthesizing NFS. Here, a novel approach to synthesizing low‐cost and pollution‐free NFS with high stability using the high‐pressure hydrothermal method based solely on knowledge of its chemical formula is presented. Moreover, an innovative strategy inspired by the cicada's molting process to develop unstable natural materials is proposed. The mechanical, thermal, optical, electrochemical, and magnetic properties of the NFS are thoroughly investigated. The storage of lithium, sodium, and potassium ions is primarily concentrated in the gap between (0 0 1) crystal planes. Additionally, as a catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at 10 mA cm−2, micron‐sized NFS exhibits an excellent overpotential of 6.5 mV at 90 °C, surpassing those of reported HER catalysts of similar size. This research bridges the gap in the sulfide mineral family, overcomes limitations of the high‐pressure hydrothermal method, and paves the way for future synthesis of natural minerals, lunar minerals, and Martian minerals.
Interlayer Electrons Polarization of Asymmetric Metal Nanoclusters/g‐C3N4 for Enhanced Microwave Therapy of Pneumonia
Authors: Li Yuan , Wu Shuilin , Zheng Yufeng , Li Zhaoyang , Cui Zhenduo , Jiang Hui , Zhu Shengli , Liu Xiangmei
Published: May 2023

Interlayer interactions in two dimensional (2D) materials promote catalytic performance but often depend on the transport of inter rather than intralayer electrons. In this study, it is found that asymmetric metal‐nanocluster‐doped 2D g‐C3N4 greatly enhances catalytic performance by inducing microwave excitation of interlayer electron delocalization, resulting in a polarization of interlaminar charge transport for microwave disinfection and pneumonia therapy. Asymmetric Fe and Cu nanocluster doping (DCN‐FeCu) enables g‐C3N4 to generate interlayer electrons under microwave irradiation, leading to interlayer polarization processes and electron delocalization effects, thus enhancing the interlayer migration efficiency of electrons. It also improves impurity energy levels and leads to a decrease in work function, allowing DCN‐FeCu to produce microwave carriers across the photoelectric potential barrier under low‐energy microwave radiation (2.45 GHz). This asymmetric doping modulation produces layer number‐dependent microwave electron excitations that are verified using multi‐metal doping. Therefore, structurally modulated asymmetric doping of 2D materials with interfacial spatial effects can provide efficient microwave disinfection and pneumonia therapy.
Dry Pre‐Lithiation for Graphite‐Silicon Diffusion‐Dependent Electrode for All‐Solid‐State Battery
Authors: Lee Jongjun , Jin Dahee , Kim Ju Young , Roh Youngjoon , Lee Hyobin , Kang Seok Hun , Choi Jaecheol , Jo Taejin , Lee Young‐Gi , Lee Yong Min
Published: May 2023

The graphite/silicon‐based diffusion‐dependent electrodes (DDEs) are one of the promising electrode designs to realize high energy density for all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs) beyond conventional composite electrode design. However, the graphite/silicon‐based electrode also suffers from large initial irreversible capacity loss and capacity fade caused by significant volume change during cycling, which offsets the advantages of the DDEs in ful‐cell configuration. Herein, a new concept is presented for DDEs, dry pre‐lithiated DDEs (PL‐DDEs) by introducing Li metal powder. Since Li metal powder provides Li ions to graphite and silicon even in a dry state, the lithiation states of active materials is increased. Moreover, the residual Li within PL‐DDE further serves as an activator and a reservoir for promoting the lithiation reaction of the active materials and compensating for the active Li loss upon cycling, respectively. Based on these merits, ASSBs with PL‐DDE exhibit excellent cycling performance with higher columbic efficiency (85.2% retention with 99.6% CE at the 200th cycle) compared to bare DDE. Therefore, this dry lithiation process must be a simple but effective design concept for DDEs for high‐energy‐density ASSBs.
Comprehensive Battery Safety Risk Evaluation: Aged Cells versus Fresh Cells Upon Mechanical Abusive Loadings
Authors: Jia Yikai , Gao Xiang , Ma Lin , Xu Jun
Published: May 2023

Despite their wide applications, lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have been struggling with their safety risks arising from different lifetime stages. Here, the NCMA pouch cell is taken as an example, and the safety of both fresh and aged cells from three milestone stages, that is, internal short circuit (ISC) triggering risk, ISC mode, and the subsequent thermal runaway (TR) consequence is investigated. By combining mechanical abusive testing and physics‐based models on commercialized cells with various states‐of‐health (SOH) and states‐of‐charge, it is discovered that the ISC triggering delays with the decay of SOH and soft ISC mode will be triggered more frequently, which is mainly due to the mechanical behaviors of the current collectors. The temperature rises and peak temperature during the subsequent TR also become milder for aged cells due to the reduced capacity and deterministic soft ISC process. Results here provide a mechanistic explanation of the safety risk comparison between the fresh and aged cells, offering cornerstone guidance to the evaluation and design of next‐generation safer LIBs.
Transformed Solvation Structure of Noncoordinating Flame‐Retardant Assisted Propylene Carbonate Enabling High Voltage Li‐Ion Batteries with High Safety and Long Cyclability
Authors: Lu Di , Zhang Shenghang , Li Jiedong , Huang Lang , Zhang Xiaohu , Xie Bin , Zhuang Xiangchun , Cui Zili , Fan Xiulin , Xu Gaojie , Du Xiaofan , Cui Guanglei
Published: May 2023

The evolution of high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) urgently requires the development of high‐safety electrolytes with high voltage resistance. Here, noncoordinating flame retardant pentafluoro‐(phenoxy)‐cyclotriphosphazene (FPPN) endows propylene carbonate (PC, 70 vol%)‐based electrolytes with high graphite anode compatibility, non‐flammability, high voltage stability, and excellent separator/electrode wettability. Theoretical calculations reveal that FPPN significantly affects Li+‐PC‐anion interactions and favors Li+ desolvation. Based on in situ optical microscopy and in situ differential electrochemical mass spectrometry, it is innovatively proposed that large amounts of H2 and C3H6 from PC decomposition play a dominant role in destroying the graphitic structure. The evolution of H2 and C3H6 is dramatically alleviated and totally suppressed, respectively, when FPPN prevents PC‐induced graphite exfoliation. More encouragingly, an optimized PC/FPPN‐based electrolyte (70 vol% PC) enables a high voltage LiCoO2/graphite pouch cell (4.35 V, ≈2.6 Ah, ≈242 Wh kg−1) with excellent cycle life and high safety. This work deepens the understanding of PC‐graphite compatibility and opens a new avenue of realizing practical application of PC‐based electrolytes (PC content over 50 vol%) in high capacity (over 2 Ah) LIBs.
Long‐Life and High‐Loading All‐Solid‐State Li–S Batteries Enabled by Acetylene Black with Dispersed Co‐N4 as Single Atom Catalyst
Authors: Zhong Haoyue , Su Yu , Wu Yuqi , Gu Jiabao , Ma Ruqin , Luo Yu , Lin Hongxin , Tao Mingming , Chen Jingzhao , Liang Ziteng , Wang Kangjun , Zheng Xuefan , Chen Zirong , Peng Jinxue , Lv Zhongwei , Gong Zhengliang , Huang Jianyu , Yang Yong
Published: May 2023

All‐solid‐state Li–S batteries (ASSLSBs) have exhibited great promise as next‐generation energy storage systems due to the elimination of the shuttle effect and flammability. However, the low reactivity of sulfur and poor solid–solid contact in the composite cathode result in limited electrochemical performances. Here, a Co‐N4‐decorated carbon composite is prepared by direct ball milling and serves as a sulfur host for ASSLSBs. The uniform distribution of Co‐N4 can effectively accelerate the redox conversion of sulfur and inhibit the agglomeration of sulfur particles during cycling through strong chemical affinity. Benefiting from these merits, the sulfur cathode with a sulfur content of 40% and a sulfur loading of 1.5 mg cm−2 in ASSLSBs exhibits high reversible capacity (1439 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C) and superior long‐term cyclic performance (capacity fade rate of 0.025% per cycle for 1000 cycles at 0.5 C). Even under a sulfur loading up to 4.5 mg cm−2, the areal capacity can reach 5.13 mAh cm−2 at 60 °C and maintain stable cycling over 300 cycles at 0.3 C. This work offers a promising strategy for enhancing the electrochemical performance of ASSLSBs.
Conversion‐Type Organic‐Inorganic Tin‐Based Perovskite Cathodes for Durable Aqueous Zinc‐Iodine Batteries
Authors: Wang Shixun , Huang Zhaodong , Tang Bing , Li Xinliang , Zhao Xin , Chen Ze , Zhi Chunyi , Rogach Andrey L.
Published: May 2023

Aqueous metal‐iodine batteries have recently attracted widespread attention, but their intrinsic issues such as the undesired shuttle effect and volatility of iodine hinder their reliable long‐term performance. Herein, organic–inorganic MXDA2SnI6 (MXDA2+ denotes protonated m‐xylylenediamine cation) perovskite microcrystals with a zero‐dimensional arrangement of octahedral perovskite units offering high content of elemental iodine (46 wt% in the whole cathode) are proposed as conversion‐type cathode materials for aqueous ZnI2 batteries. Iodide anions deliver reliable electrochemical activity and are effectively immobilized on the cathode to relieve the shuttle process by both physical steric hindrance and chemical adsorption offered by long‐chain organic matrix and the presence of B‐site Sn(II) cations in the MXDA2SnI6 perovskite, respectively. Moreover, the formation of triiodide anions is alleviated in favor of a significant proportion of pentaiodide ions during the end of the charging process, enabled by increased formation energy of I3− and effective confinement via SnI…I halogen bonds and NH…I hydrogen bonds, as revealed by density functional theory calculations. As a result, rechargeable aqueous ZnI2 batteries are realized that achieve a champion capacity of over 206 mAh g−1I at 0.5 A g−1 (close to the theoretical limit), and outstanding rate capability with a capacity retention of 87% at 3 A g−1. Suppressed shuttle of polyiodide anions endows aqueous ZnI2 batteries with prolonged cyclic stability, namely high capacity retention of 95% after 5700 cycles at 1 A g−1. This study promotes the development of high‐performance cathode materials for metal‐I2 batteries by revealing the feasibility of using ionic perovskites as conversion‐type cathodes.
Venous thromboembolism risk in cancer patients receiving first‐line immune checkpoint inhibitor versus chemotherapy
Authors: Li Ang , May Sarah B. , La Jennifer , Martens Kylee L. , Amos Christopher I. , Flowers Christopher R. , Do Nhan V. , Brophy Mary T. , Chitalia Vipul , Ravid Katya , Gaziano John Michael , Fillmore Nathanael R.
Published: May 2023

It remains unclear if immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is associated with higher rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared with cytotoxic chemotherapy (chemo) in patients with comparable cancer type, staging, and comorbidities. Using the national Veterans Affairs healthcare system database from 2016 to 2021, we performed a propensity score (PS)‐weighted retrospective cohort study to compare the incidence of VTE in patients with selected stage III/IV cancer receiving first‐line ICI versus chemo. The PS model utilized overlap weights to balance age, sex, race, treatment year, VTE history, paralysis/immobilization, prolonged hospitalization, cancer type, staging, time between diagnosis and treatment, and National Cancer Institute comorbidity index. Weighted Cox regressions with robust standard error were used to assess the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). We found that among comparable advanced cancers, first‐line ICI (n = 1823) and first‐line chemo (n = 6345) had similar rates of VTE (8.49% for ICI and 8.36% for chemo at 6 months). The weighted HR was 1.06 (95% CI 0.88–1.26) for ICI versus chemo. In a subgroup analysis restricted to lung cancers, first‐line ICI/chemo (n = 828), ICI monotherapy (n = 428), and chemo monotherapy (n = 4371) had similar rates of VTE (9.60% for ICI/chemo, 10.04% for ICI, and 8.91% for chemo at 6 months). The weighted HR was 1.05 (95% CI 0.77–1.42) for ICI versus chemo, and 1.08 (95% CI 0.83–1.42) for ICI/chemo versus chemo. In conclusion, ICI as a systemic therapy has a similarly elevated risk as cytotoxic chemo for VTE occurrence in cancer patients. This finding can inform future prospective studies exploring thromboprophylaxis strategies.
Photo‐Induced Cleavage of Alkenes to Carbonyls in Water
Authors: Yue Xiaoguang , Ouyang Yani , Zhu Jiashun , Yue Jingfang , Peng Jiehai , Li Wanmei
Published: May 2023

A method of the oxidative cracking of olefins’ C=C bonds promoted by NaN3 in water without photocatalyst was developed. Some typical cheap olefins could be converted to aldehydes or ketones in moderate to good yields at room temperature under blue light irradiation. The experimental results showed that NaN3−O2 charge‐transfer complexes might be formed during the reaction, and then oxidized and cracked, finally formed aldehydes or ketones.
Enhanced Entanglement and Controlling Quantum Steering in a Laguerre–Gaussian Cavity Optomechanical System with Two Rotating Mirrors
Authors: Sohail Amjad , Abbas Zaheer , Ahmed Rizwan , Shahzad Aamir , Akhtar Naeem , Peng Jia‐Xing
Published: May 2023

Gaussian quantum steering is a type of quantum correlation in which two entangled states exhibit asymmetry. An efficient theoretical proposal is presented for the control of quantum steering and enhancement of entanglement in a Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) cavity optomechanical system. The system contains two rotating mirrors and a coherently driven optical parametric amplifier (OPA). The numerical results show significantly improved mirror‐mirror and mirror‐cavity entanglements by controlling the system parameters such as parametric gain, parametric phase, and the frequency of the two rotating mirrors. In addition to bipartite entanglement, our system also exhibits mirror‐cavity‐mirror tripartite entanglement as well. Another intriguing finding is the control of quantum steering, for which several results were obtained by investigating it for various system parameters. It is shown that the steering directivity is primarily determined by the frequency of two rotating mirrors. Furthermore, for two rotating mirrors, quantum steering is found to be asymmetric both one‐way and two‐way. Therefore, it can be asserted that the current proposal may help in the understanding of non‐local correlations and entanglement verification tasks.
Influence of ZIF‐8 polymorphism catalysts and nanosizes in p‐nitrophenyl ester hydrolysis
Authors: Hamidon Noor Fazrieyana , Tahir Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed , Latif Muhammad Alif Mohamad , Abdul Rahman Mohd Basyaruddin
Published: May 2023

Three ZIF‐8 polymorphism structures (ZIF‐L, n21ZIF‐8 and n35ZIF) were synthesised by varying molar ratios of 2‐methylimidazole and zinc nitrate hexahydrate (8:1, 21:1 and 35:1) in water at room temperature without any modulator. A high yield of up to 88% was produced for ZIF‐L. Based on their distinct physicochemical characteristics, all were tested as catalysts for the hydrolysis reaction of p‐nitrophenyl palmitate (p‐NPPal) into p‐nitrophenol (p‐NP). The polymorphisms exhibited varying catalytic performance, which was related to altering the imidazolate linker. ZIF‐L outperformed others up to 94 μmol/min/g of p‐NPPal hydrolysis at optimum conditions (1 w/v % of catalyst, incubated at 90°C, 300 rpm for 15 min). Meanwhile, n35ZIF‐8 with nanoscale particle (150 nm) demonstrated a good kinetics (R2 = 0.99921) and recovery rate up to 78% by maintaining 50% activity until the fifth cycle.