bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forbidden Knowledge? Notes on the Production, Transmission, and Reception of the Major Works of Aḥmad al-Būnī
Authors: Gardiner Noah
Published: March 2019

This article is a preliminary presentation of findings from an extensive survey of the large manuscript corpus of works attributed to the 7th/13thcentury Sufi and putative ‘magician’ Aḥmad al-Būnī. In addition to addressing the texts themselves, the survey has included attention to patterns over time in the reproduction of works, and to paratexts such as transmission certificates and ownership notices. Through detailed presentation of the latter, the article serves in a part as a methodological demonstration. It presents: 1) new information on al-Būnī’s life; 2) a brief overview of the major works of the medieval Būnian corpus, with a proposal that five of these works can be attributed most securely to al-Būnī; 3) a discussion of the spread of Būnian works between the 8th/14th and 10th/16th centuries; and 4) evidence that the work through which al-Būnī is best known, Shams al-ma ʿārif al-kubrā, is in significant ways a product of the early 11th/17th century, and that at least two lines of teachers claimed for al-Būnī in this work were plagiarized from the works of ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Bisṭāmī. It is argued that the tenor of al-Būnī’s teachings and the history of their reception have been broadly misunderstood due to reliance on printed editions and a modern scholarly disinclination to regard the occult sciences as a serious topic of inquiry. It ends with a call for more complete integration of manuscript studies into the broader field of Islamic historical studies.
Urbanization and the Development of Gender in the Arabic Dialects
Authors: Al-Sharkawi Muhammad
Published: March 2019

This article makes the claim that the difference between Bedouin and urban dialects of Arabic in gender representation in the plural is a function of the urbanization process the urban dialects of Arabic went through in the 7th century in the conquered territories. Contact-induced linguistic processes of koineization and structural simplification in the newly established urban centers in the Middle East and North Africa helped enhance the gender development that was already in effect before the Arab conquests. By comparing Bedouin and urban dialects to Classical Arabic, the article establishes that the three varieties were in a process of development in gender. Classical Arabic stopped at a particular stage, and Bedouin and urban dialects continued. Comparing Central Asian dialects to urban dialects of Egypt we can see that at least to the 8th century gender was a common feature of Peninsular dialects. The article concludes by stating that the urban dialects developed further to lose all gender distinction in the plural because of the leveling and borrowing processes of the koineization in the urban centers in their formative period.Keywords: Contact Arabic, feminine gender, development, koineization, simplification, Foreigner Talk
The Evolution of Arabic Writing Due to European Influence: The case of punctuation
Authors: Awad Dana
Published: March 2019

The spread of foreign languages, especially French, under European colonial rule inspired certain Arabic writers and scholars in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century to look at ways to develop the Arabic language. This happened because they felt that foreign languages had started to overtake Arabic because they were easier to read (ZAKĪ 1901: 2). In this paper, I will discuss the use of punctuation marks in Arabic texts since the mid-nineteenth century as an example of the evolution of Arabic writing due to European influence. I will explain the reasons why punctuation marks were integrated into Arabic texts, quoting Arabic writers and scholars from the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. These include Zaynab Fawwāz, the first writer to address the issue of punctuation marks in Arabic writings (FAWWĀZ 2007: 105-107), and ʾAḥmad Zakī who officially integrated punctuation into the Arabic language (ZAKĪ 1912). I will also explain the opposition that came from conservative scholars who were reluctant to change any aspect of Arabic writing. This is because they believed in the sanctity of Arabic as it is the language of the Qurʾān and it represents Arabic identity. Therefore, one should avoid any “borrowing” from colonial languages in order to preserve Arabic identity (MEYNET 1971: 94).Keywords: Punctuation, Arabic writing, ʾAḥmad Zakī, printing, Arabic Renaissance / an-Nahḍa al-ʿarabiyya, transmission of knowledge
c - « La Rolls et la Volkswagen » Ecrire en tunisien sur Facebook en 2016
Authors: Achour Kallel Myriam
Published: March 2019

L’image de « La Rolls et de la Volkswagen », métaphore empruntée à Edward Saïd, rend compte, dans une certaine mesure, d’une partie de la réalité sociale linguistique partagée par les pays arabophones dont les langues natales, des « Volkswagen », n’ont pas le poids de l’arabe standard, la « Rolls ». Or, si ces langues ont été politiquement construites en ces termes, les usages scripturaires, eux, ne se sont pas toujours pliés à cette conception. A partir d’un travail de terrain basé sur l’observation des pratiques d’écriture de pages et de groupes sur Facebook et accompagné d’entretiens menés auprès des administrateurs, je montre dans ce texte comment ce réseau social rend visible la langue tunisienne qui endosse différents statuts (celui de langue étrangère, de Rolls et de langue-pont). Je montre, enfin, comment il est utile de considérer Facebook comme un array au sens de Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht.Key Words: Anthropologie du langage ; Ecriture ; Facebook ; langue natale ; Tunisie.
j - Impressions from Tunisia, Spring 2016
Authors: Zorgati Ragnhild J.
Published: March 2019

(No abstract available)
An Analysis of Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī al-Tahānawī’s Approach in "Kashshāf iṣṭilāḥāt al-funūn" – The entry of "huwiyya"
Authors: Lala Ismail
Published: March 2019

The erudite Indo-Ḥanafī lexicologist, Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī ibn al-Qāḍī Muḥammad Ḥāmid ibn Muḥammad ibn Ṣābir al-Fārūqī al-Tahānawī (d. 1158/ 1745?), has hitherto been largely overlooked in Western scholarship. This, despite his lexical magnum opus, Kashshāf iṣṭilāḥāt al-funūn wa’l-ʿulūm al-islāmiyya, being widely used by scholars in fields from philosophy to astronomy, and from metaphysics to mathematics. The present study inspects the modus operandi of this enigmatic lexicologist by taking a detailed entry, that of huwiyya, as a case study to excavate the approach and techniques used by the author to compile his work: What were his objectives? And how does he achieve them? Who were his audience? And how does he cater for them? These, and other, questions will be considered through the window of this entry.Keywords: Al-Tahānawī, Kashshāf iṣṭilāḥāt al-funūn, huwiyya, Arabic lexicography.
THEMED SECTION - (a-l, complete): Islamic Law and Minorities
Authors: De Angelo (ed.) Carlo , Tolino (ed.) Serena
Published: March 2019

No abstract available.
(a) Obituary - In memory of Prof. Agostino Cilardo
Authors: De Angelo Carlo , Tolino Serena
Published: March 2019

No abstract available.
(c) Non-Muslim Minorities in a "Wasaṭī" Perspective
Authors: Pizzo Paola
Published: March 2019

Given the classical framework regulating the position of non-Muslims in Islamic States, this paper focuses on the evolution of the interpretations of those norms, following the thought of wasaṭiyya scholars. In contemporary Islamic thought, a balanced and moderate attitude is proposed by several authors as an attempt to oppose the extremist movements that claim to represent the true Islam. One of the areas in which the wasaṭī approach has found a way to express itself more effectively is in the status of minorities.These thinkers consider that the birth of modern states has produced consequences in the application of the rules governing the relations between citizens of different religions. They have adopted a renewal in terminology that may prefigure a different application of classical Islamic rules.Key words: ḏimma, wasaṭiyya, minorities’ rights, Islamic law, ahl al-kitāb, Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwī.
(g) Transgenderism, Transsexuality and SexReassignment Surgery in Contemporary Sunni Fatwas
Authors: Tolino Serena
Published: March 2019

This paper analyses the contemporary Sunni discourse on transgenderism, transsexuality and sexreassignment surgery (SRS), looking at contemporary fatwas by traditionalist jurists. After a terminological introduction to the semantic field of transsexuality and transgenderism in the international discourse and in the Arab world, the paper analyses the verses in the Quran and the relevant hadiths that are mentioned in the contemporary discussion, before examining what jurists say on the topic. The paper shows that sexreassignment surgery is mostly regarded by Muslim jurists as permitted in cases of intersexuality, as it is considered a treatment to determine the sex of the person, but is usually considered forbidden in cases of transgenderism, as it is considered a change in God’s creation. The paper finally argues that the discussion on SRS by Muslim traditionalist scholars is driven by an essentialised perception of the sex/gender binary and the roles assigned to men and women that is not only shared by those scholars who refuse SRS, but also by those who allow it.Key words: transgenderism, transsexuality, SRS, Islamic law, gender dysphoria, gender identity disorder (GID).
(h) Sexual Rights and their Discontents: Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwī on Homosexuality and the ‘Islamic Family’
Authors: Dennerlein Bettina
Published: March 2019

Taking Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwī as an example, this article suggests looking at neo-conservative Islamic discourse on homosexuality in connection with the enduring vehemence with which this discourse upholds religiously framed notions of marriage and the family while continuously making adaptations on questions of women’s rights in order to accommodate political and societal change. In his writings, al-Qaraḍāwī systematically treats the topic of homosexuality in connection with the central theme of his programme of wasaṭiyya gravitating around the legitimate ‘Islamic’ family which actually proves to be a hybrid of national state sanctioned familism and a decontextualised ideal of sexual difference as an eternal ‘cosmic’ principle. While contributing itself to their politicisation, Islamic discourse constructs both family and sexuality as lying beyond the reach of (secular) politics. Naturalised and sacralised notions of marriage and sexuality thereby warrant a realm for religious authority to rise to legitimately speak in public. So far, research on homosexuality and Islam has largely focused on religious and juridical qualifications as well as on questions of categorisation. The main argument presented here is that the ideological zeal in Islamic discourse on the topic is always also more basically directed against any attempt at transferring the language of (secular) rights to issues of gender and sexuality.Key words: heteronormativity, Islamic discourse, homosexuality, sexual rights, Islamic normativity.
(a) Introduction: From "Issues" to "Arrays"
Authors: Guth Stephan , Hofheinz Albrecht
Published: March 2019

No abstracts available.
(d) Clash
Authors: Chiti Elena
Published: March 2019

No abstract available.
(e) Conversions
Authors: Lindbekk Monika
Published: March 2019

No abstract available.
Fact or Fiction? In Search of the "Learned Council" of Jirmānūs Farḥāt
Authors: Edwards Anthony
Published: March 2019

The “learned council” of Jirmānūs Farḥāt (1670-1732) often surfaces as illustrative of ecumenical humanism in the Levant in the century leading up to the Arab Nahḍa (Renaissance). Primary information about the group however is essentially nonexistent, prompting the regurgitation of facts culled from a discrete number of early 20th -century researches on Farḥāt and his colleagues. This essay puts the historical existence of Farḥāt’s “learned council” on trial and argues that it never existed; nonetheless, its historiographical existence is undeniable. Based on a lexicographical study of the Arabic phrase “learned council (majmaʿ ʿilmī)” and a meticulous review of extant scholarship on the group, I claim that the 18th -century group was conjured into existence in the 20th century. I contend that Catholic Maronite scholars invented Farḥāt’s “learned council” in order to insert their confessional community into a crystalizing Protestantdriven narrative of the Nahḍa, which then Western historians reinterpreted as evidence of Arab Christian literary activity more broadly. This essay provides an example of dialectical historiography and calls for the careful reevaluation of some “facts” that have infiltrated Nahḍa Studies.Keywords: Farḥāt, learned council, majmaʿ, Nahḍa, historiography
A book burner or not? History and myth: Revisiting al-Qāḍī ʿIyāḍ and the controversies over al-Ghazālī in the Islamic West
Authors: Eggen Nora S.
Published: March 2019

A number of scholars in the medieval Islamic West engaged with the work of Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī (d. 505/1111), and he was both celebrated and criticised. Among the scholars who are allotted with a prominent role in the controversies around his work, is the Ceutan judge and scholar al-Qāḍī ʿIyāḍ (d. 544/1149). To some extent, his role in the controversies which allegedly resulted in the burning of some of al-Ghazālī’s books, has become a significant element in ʿIyāḍ’s intellectual and historical biography and in construing him as a somewhat fanatic defender of a particular scholarly tradition, the Mālikī tradition, and a particular political order, the Almoravid dynasty. Although ʿIyāḍ’s own writings clearly position him within the Mālikī scholarly tradition and although historical evidence clearly suggests that he sided with the Almoravids in the Almoravid–Almohad conflict of the early twelfth century, the image of a fierce fanatic and a book burner seems to stem from a later date. The earliest traceable source for this image is an anecdote in al-Shaʿrānī’s (d. 973/1565) Lawāqiḥ al-anwār. In other, later sources additional and partly different images of ʿIyāḍ are construed, motivated by the controversies over al-Ghazālī. However the basis for these images is likewise neither to be found in ʿIyāḍ’s own work nor in available historical sources earlier than al-Shaʿrānī.
Chemotherapy Costs and 21-Gene Recurrence Score Genomic Testing Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Early-Stage Breast Cancer, 2005 to 2011
Authors: Dinan Michaela A. , Wilson Lauren E. , Reed Shelby D.
Published: March 2019

Background: This study examined whether associations between 21-gene recurrence score (RS) genomic testing and lower costs among patients with early-stage, estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer are observable in real-world data from the Medicare population. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using SEER-Medicare data for a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed from 2005 through 2011. The main outcomes were associations between RS testing and overall and chemotherapy-specific costs. The primary analysis was restricted to patients aged 66 to 75 years. Results: The primary analysis comprised 30,058 patients. Mean costs 1 year after diagnosis were $35,940 [SD, $28,894] overall, $51,127 [33,386] for clinically high-risk disease, $33,225 [$27,711] for intermediate-risk disease, and $26,695 [$19,532] for low-risk disease. Chemotherapy-specific costs followed similar trends. In multivariable analyses, RS testing was associated with significantly lower costs among high-risk patients in terms of both relative costs (cost ratio, 0.88; 99% CI, 0.82–0.94) and absolute costs ($6,606; 99% CI, $39,223–$9,290). Higher costs among low-risk and intermediate-risk patients were mainly caused by higher noncancer costs. In sensitivity analyses that included all patients aged ≥66 years (N=64,996), associations between RS testing and costs among high-risk patients were similar but less pronounced because of lower overall use of chemotherapy. Conclusions: RS testing was associated with lower overall and chemotherapy-related costs in patients with high-risk disease, consistent with lower chemotherapy use among these patients. Higher overall costs for patients with intermediate-risk and low-risk disease were driven largely by non–treatment-related costs.
Chronic optogenetic induction of stress granules is cytotoxic and reveals the evolution of ALS-FTD pathology
Authors: Zhang Peipei , Fan Baochang , Yang Peiguo , Temirov Jamshid , Messing James , Kim Hong Joo , Taylor J Paul
Published: March 2019

Stress granules (SGs) are non-membrane-bound RNA-protein granules that assemble through phase separation in response to cellular stress. Disturbances in SG dynamics have been implicated as a primary driver of neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), suggesting the hypothesis that these diseases reflect an underlying disturbance in the dynamics and material properties of SGs. However, this concept has remained largely untestable in available models of SG assembly, which require the confounding variable of exogenous stressors. Here we introduce a light-inducible SG system, termed OptoGranules, based on optogenetic multimerization of G3BP1, which is an essential scaffold protein for SG assembly. In this system, which permits experimental control of SGs in living cells in the absence of exogenous stressors, we demonstrate that persistent or repetitive assembly of SGs is cytotoxic and is accompanied by the evolution of SGs to cytoplasmic inclusions that recapitulate the pathology of ALS-FTD.

Editorial note: This article has been through an editorial process in which the authors decide how to respond to the issues raised during peer review. The Reviewing Editor's assessment is that all the issues have been addressed (see decision letter).
Evolution of host plant use and diversification in a species complex of parasitic weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Hernández-Vera Gerardo , Toševski Ivo , Caldara Roberto , Emerson Brent C.
Published: March 2019

Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) represent one of the most diverse groups of organisms on Earth; interactions with their host plants have been recognized to play a central role in their remarkable diversity, yet the exact mechanisms and factors still remain poorly understood. Using phylogenetic comparative analyses, here we investigate the evolution of host use and its possible role in diversification processes ofRhinusaandGymnetron, two closely related groups of weevils that feed and develop inside plant tissues of hosts within the families Scrophulariaceae and Plantaginaceae. We found strong evidence for phylogenetic conservatism of host use at the plant family level, most likely due to substantial differences in the chemical composition of hosts, reducing the probability of shifts between host families. In contrast, the use of different plant organs represents a more labile ecological trait and ecological niche expansion that allows a finer partitioning of resources.RhinusaandGymnetronweevils initially specialized on plants within Scrophulariaceae and then shifted to the closely related Plantaginaceae; likewise, a gall inducing behavior evolved from non-galler weevils, possibly in response to resource competition, as galls facilitate larval development by providing enhanced nutrition and a favorable microhabitat. Results from trait-dependent diversification analyses suggest that both use of hosts within Plantaginaceae and parasitism on fruits and seed capsules are associated with enhanced diversification ofRhinusaandGymnetronvia low extinction rates. Our study provides quantitative evidence and insights on the ecological factors that can promote diversification in phytophagous insects that feed and develop inside plant tissues.
Dynamics of CO2 Evolution during Bioremediation of Clayey and Sandy Soils Contaminated with Used Lubricating Oil
Authors: Adeyemo Adebayo Jonathan
Published: March 2019

The aim of the study was to evaluate the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in two Brazilian contaminated soil types (clayey S1 and sandy S2) at a loading rate of 30,000 and 45,000 mg/kg. A model soil of 300 g with used lubricating oil was amended with commercially available hydrocarbon degrading microbial consortium: Amnite p1300 as the bioaugmentation (T1), other treatments consist of nutrients amendments - (NH4)2SO4 and K2HPO4 (NPK) as biostimulation (T2), unammended soil - natural attenuation as (T3) and the control soil treated with sodium azide (NaN3) as (T4) were evaluated on the microbial community and the degradation of used lubricating oil. Three microcosm replicated ﬂasks per treatment were incubated, and the performance of each treatment was examined by monitoring CO2 evolution, microbial activity, and oil degradation rate. In Soil 1, T1 produced the highest values of CO2 of (1600.20 mg/kg) and (1347.60 mg/kg) while the least values were recorded in the control (T4) with 89.52 and 102 mg/kg in oil contaminated with 3 and 4.5 % respectively. A similar trend was obtained in the bioaugmented treatment soil (S2) with the highest CO2 production in T1. The best percentage oil degradation was also recorded where the utmost CO2 production was obtained.
The Adaptation of Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-2 within an Omani Context: Some Initial Findings
Authors: Sahar El Shourbagi, , Sabry M. Abd-El-Fattah,
Published: March 2019

Aim: The aim of the present study was to report some initial findings concerning the validity and reliability of the Omani version of the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-2 (OM-GARS-2).

Sample: The sample of the study included 90 children aged 8-14 years and divided into two groups: Autistic group (n = 45), enrolled in two public centers of autism care in two governorates in Oman, and normal group (n =45), enrolled in two public schools in two governorates in Oman.

Raters Sample: A total of 8 teachers (4 males and 4 females) working in these centers rated students on the OM-GARS-2. And 7 teachers (4 males and 3 females) in these schools rated students on the OM-GARS-2. All ratings were performed over a three-week period.

Methodology: To answer the research questions, two types of reliability indictors were computed: (1) test-retest reliability, and (2) internal consistency reliability. Then, Pearson correlation coefficient was computed between students’ scores on OM-ABC which is studied by several researchers and the total score and the OM-GARS-2 subscales as well as total score. Finally, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted where group (autistic vs. normal) was set as an independent variable (factor) and the OM-GARS-2 subscales and Autism index was set as criterion variable to test the hypothesis that there would be one or more mean differences between groups.

Results: The results of the study showed the OM-GARS-2 had temporal stability and internal consistency reliability. The OM-GARS-2 had criterion (type concurrent) validity and discriminant validity.

Conclusion: To conclude, the reliability and validity indices of OM-GARS-2 are very similar to that of the original GARS-2 [1] and other studies conducted internationally.
Modules Whose Endomorphism Rings are Right Rickart
Authors: Abdelwhab Thoraya , Yang Xiaoyan
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we study modules whose endomorphism rings are right Rickart (or right p.p.) rings, which we call R-endoRickart modules. We provide some characterizations of R-endoRickart modules. Some classes of rings are characterized in terms of R-endoRickart modules. We prove that an R-endoRickart module with no innite set of nonzero orthogonal idempotents in its endomorphism ring is precisely an endoBaer module. We show that a direct summand of an R-endoRickart modules inherits the property, while a direct sum of R-endoRickart modules does not. Necessary and sucient conditions for a nite direct sum of R-endoRickart modules to be an R-endoRickart module are provided.
Developments on Baby Strollers over the Last Decade
Authors: Koh B. X. , Nirmal Umar , Yuhazri M.Y.
Published: March 2019

It has come to attention that the interest of baby stroller design is still encouraged and popular among worldwide researches and consumers. A visual history and timeline of invented baby strollers from 1973 to today’s baby strollers was drafted. Moreover, a ten years review on multiple designs of baby strollers was done ranging from the year 2008 to 2018. Based on the review, there are many possible ways to design a baby stroller which its sole purpose is to transport a baby in a much easier method. Through this review, it is noticeable that baby stroller inventors are implementing additional functions like rocking mechanism, diaper changing table, and others. The use of electronic devices in strollers is slowly implemented as the years increases, although there always potential ideas for improvements. Graphs and tables on baby strollers by their popularity and brand was drawn with online shopping websites as a resource to recognize consumer’s interest. Besides that, potential improvements and ideas on the design and fabrication of baby strollers were suggested to fit in with the impending society and future generation.
Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic and Antipyretic Potential of the Stem Barks Aqueous Extract of Albizia ferruginea (Guill. & Perr.) Benth. (Mimosaceae) in Rats and Mice
Authors: Kuum M. G. Minoué , Lambou A. Fotio , Kiki G. Atsang A. , Ndzana M. T. Bella , Keugni B. A. , Moukette B. Moukette , Mezui C. , Djomeni P. D. Dzeufiet , Dimo T.
Published: March 2019

Aims: The present research was carried out to investigate the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic potential of aqueous extract of Albizia ferruginea stem bark.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Animal Biology and Physiology (Animal Physiology Laboratory), Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaoundé I. between March 2012 and June 2016.

Methods: Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyzes were done.The anti-inflammatory effect of the plant extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) was investigated on carrageenan, histamine, serotonin or dextran-induced paw oedema. The analgesic activity was evaluated on acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin-induced nociception, hot plate and tail immersion tests in Swiss albino mice. The antipyretic activity of A. ferruginea extract was assessed on brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia.

Results: Qualitative phytochemical analysis of the AEAF revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoïds, phenols, saponins, tannins, glycosides, tannins and steroids. For quantitative phytochemical analysis, total flavonols represent 0.12±0.04 mg EQT/g dried extract and the total phenol content was 58.69±0.65 mg ECA/g dried extract. The total flavonoids content was 0.18±0.01mg EQT/g dried extract).The total alkaloids presented a grade of 27.45±0.14 mg EBER/g dried extract. Carrageenan, dextran, histamine and serotonin-induced inflammation were significantly inhibited by A. ferruginea’s extract (200 mg/kg), exhibiting 55.47%, 50.26%, 62.88% and 42.59% inhibition, respectively. Acetic acid-induced writhing was significantly reduced by the plant extract. The extract of Albizia ferruginea (200 mg/kg) significantly reduced the second phase of formalin test. The analgesic tests revealed that A. ferruginea had only peripheral analgesic effect. Additionally, the plant’s extract prevented brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia in rats.

Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that A. ferruginea’s aqueous extract has anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and antipyretic properties and this strongly supports the ethnopharmacological uses.
Evaluation of a Low-cost Camera for Agricultural Applications
Authors: Netto Abdon Francisco Aureliano , Martins Rodrigo Nogueira , De Souza Guilherme Silverio Aquino , Dos Santos Fernando Ferreira Lima , Rosas Jorge Tadeu Fim
Published: March 2019

This study aimed to modify a webcam by replacing its near-infrared (NIR) blocking filter to a low-cost red, green and blue (RGB) filter for obtaining NIR images and to evaluate its performance in two agricultural applications. First, the sensitivity of the webcam to differentiate normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) levels through five nitrogen (N) doses applied to the Batatais grass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) was verified. Second, images from maize crops were processed using different vegetation indices, and thresholding methods with the aim of determining the best method for segmenting crop canopy from the soil. Results showed that the webcam sensor was capable of detecting the effect of N doses through different NDVI values at 7 and 21 days after N application. In the second application, the use of thresholding methods, such as Otsu, Manual, and Bayes when previously processed by vegetation indices showed satisfactory accuracy (up to 73.3%) in separating the crop canopy from the soil.
Effect of Preharvest Application of Silicon and Saline Water on Postharvest Quality of Beet (Beta vulgaris L.)
Authors: Filho José Sebastião de Melo , Silva Toshik Iarley da , Leal Ygor Henrique , Basilio Ana Gabriela Sousa , Véras Mário Leno Martins , Dias Thiago Jardelino
Published: March 2019

Beet is one of the vegetables richest in nutrient (bioactive compounds, folic acid and potassium). However, there are few studies on postharvest quality from the crop under irrigation conditions with saline waters, and because of that, the objective of this study was to evaluate effect of saline waters and silicon application in the preharvest on physicochemical quality of the beet. Two experiments were conducted with the objective of evaluating two forms of silicon application: via foliar (experiment 1) and via soil (experiment 2) about its influence in mitigating salt stress. In both experiments was adopted a randomized design with blocks in a 5 x 5 factorial, referring to five levels of electrical conductivity of the irrigation water (ECw): (0.5, 1.3, 3.25, 5.2 and 6.0 dS m-1) five doses of silicon (0.00; 2.64; 9.08; 15.52 and 18.16 mL L-1), they were combined according to the experimental matrix Central composite of Box totaling 10 treatments, with four replicates and three plants per plot. After harvesting, 70 days after transplanting, the following characteristics were evaluated: bulb dry mass, pH, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), TSS/TA ratio and ash.  There was a significant effect for the salinity x silicon (Si) interaction applied via soil to the dry matter mass and titratable acidity. The electrical conductivities of irrigation water (ECw) and Si doses via leaf and soil influenced significantly for analyzed variables, except pH, total soluble solids, TSS/TA ratio, ash and titratable acidity, which were not influenced by ECw and nor by the doses of Si via soil and foliage. Irrigation with water of 6.0 dS m-1 promotes better quality beet tuber. The fertilization on preharvest with silicon via soil or foliage improved postharvest quality of beet.
Impact of Electricity Service on Performance of Microenterprises of Rural Entrepreneurs in Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Olanrewaju Emilola Cecilia
Published: March 2019

The expansion of microenterprises in rural areas is linked with the increase in access and use of electricity services, leading to changes income. However, there is little empirical evidence to underpin the mechanisms that lead from energy supply to profit generation among rural entrepreneurs. To this end, this study analyzed the impact of electricity service on performance of microenterprises of rural entrepreneurs. Primary data were used for this study. Data were collected using questionnaires from a sample of 150 rural entrepreneurs engaged in various microenterprise economic activities from Odeda Local Government Areas of Ogun State in a three-stage sampling procedure. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, logit model and ordinary regression analysis. The result shows that hair dressing and retail shop were the most common form of businesses followed by grain milling, tailoring, welding, relaxation sports centre and cassava processing.  In addition, the result reveals that age, years of schooling, nature of business, monthly expenditure on alternative source of power and duration of power outage supported the microenterprise owner decisions to connect to grid electricity service. Also power outage duration and billing method negatively affected firms’ profitability. On other hand durations of power supply and expenditure on alternative power supply significantly has a positive impact on the profitability of microenterprise. The study therefore recommends that government should intensify action in providing rural communities with reliable and affordable electricity services.
Performance Probability Distribution Function for Modelling Solar Radiation in South Southern Nigeria: A Case Study of Yenagoa
Authors: Abiodun Chukwutem Isaac , Anisiji Obiora Emeka
Published: March 2019

This study has attempted to assess the performance of the most suitable statistical distribution function for modelling solar radiation over Yenagoa, Bayelsa State in Nigeria. The probability distribution functions are tested based on eleven years (2007-2017) solar radiation data obtained from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Six probability distribution functions are tested to ascertain the most appropriate one based on four different statistical tools and fitting accuracy. The associated parameters of the most appropriate fitted probability distribution function are calculated and the trends in the characteristic of the solar radiation are deduced. The result shows that logistic distribution presents the most suitable probability distribution function for modelling solar radiation over the selected environment with RMSE of 1.500 KWh/m2/day, MAE of 1.260 KWh/m2/day, MAPE of 22.000% and R2 of 0.880.When compared with the other five distribution functions, the same trend could be seen although with different values of RMSE, MAE, MAPE and R2. The estimated distribution location and scale parameters of the model vary with month and season. The overall result will be useful for predicting future solar radiation over the studied environment. It will also be a good reference point for the design of large solar power projects in Yenagoa in particular and south southern Nigerian environments  at large.
Electrolyte Chemistry Toward Sulfur‐Rich Interphase for Wide‐Temperature Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Jiabao , Yuan Quan , Chen Yuting , Zhang Zhushun , Yin Ying , Wang Tianyi , Wang Chengyin , Mai Wenjie , Li Jinliang
Published: November 2024

Achieving wide‐temperature operation is a crucial objective for the practical deployment of sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). However, the development of suitable electrolytes is hindered by significant challenges, including compromised ionic dynamics at low temperatures and interphase instability at high temperatures. Herein, this study proposes a novel interphase enhancement mechanism utilizing a sulfur‐rich strategy, grounded in rational solvent selection. This approach enriches the electrolyte with sulfur‐containing species that exhibit high Na+ affinity and efficient ionic migration at both the cathode and anode sides. Consequently, this strategy significantly enhances interfacial charge transfer and interphase integrity, confirmed by theoretical calculations and electrochemical measurements. The designed electrolyte demonstrates robust performance in half‐cells based on Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) across a wide temperature range from −25 to 60 °C. Furthermore, the full‐cell, featuring an NVP cathode paired with a hard carbon anode, exhibits exceptional stability. Specifically, the full cell achieves reversible capacities of 56.1 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at −25 °C and 74.9 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 60 °C, with impressive capacity retentions of 87.7% and 88.2%, respectively. Importantly, the study introduces an advanced interphase optimization strategy that enables the operation of SIBs across wide temperatures, providing practical solutions for future developments in the field.
High‐Performance Narrowband Pure‐Green OLEDs with Gamut Approaching BT.2020 Standard: Deuteration Promotes Device Efficiency and Lifetime Simultaneously
Authors: Liu Jiahui , Yin Xiaojun , Huang Manli , Miao Jingsheng , Li Nengquan , Huang Zhongyan , Yang Chuluo
Published: November 2024

In order to fulfill the demand for ultrahigh definition organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs), pure‐green emitters with Commission Internationale de l’Éclairage (CIE) y‐coordinate over 0.71 are in urgent demand. Meanwhile, the high device efficiency, small efficiency roll‐off, and operational lifetime also remain challenging issues. In this work, a series of narrowband pure‐green fluorescent emitters based on a double‐boron (B) doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) framework fused with naphthalene units is reported. The newly designed emitters realize green emission with peaks of 512–521 nm and extremely narrow full‐width at half‐maxima (FWHMs) of 16–17 nm in toluene solution. Utilizing these emitters in a phosphor‐sensitized fluorescence (PSF) system, the resulting OLEDs exhibit pure green emission with peaks in the range of 514–526 nm and very narrow FWHMs of 19–20 nm. Notably, the devices based on the partially deuterated emitter, DBN‐NaPh‐d, not only achieve a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) as high as 35.2%, small efficiency roll‐off, along with a CIEy of 0.74 but also showcase impressive operational stability with a long lifetime (LT50) of over 3000 h at an initial luminance of 1000 cd m−2. This work represents one of the highest device efficiencies and superior device stability among fluorescence emitter‐based OLEDs.
Enhanced Piezoelectric Properties of Poly(L‐lactide) Nanocomposite Microfiber Scaffolds Due to Polydopamine‐Coating of Barium Titanate Nanoparticles
Authors: Schönlein Richard , Larrañaga Xabier , Panfilo Asier , Li Yu , Larrañaga Aitor , Liu Guoming , Müller Alejandro J. , Aguirresarobe Robert , Ugartemendia Jone M.
Published: November 2024

Recent biomedical applications demand piezoelectric polylactide (PLA)‐based polymers, possessing biodegradable and biocompatible properties for tissue regeneration, implantable force sensors, and energy harvesting devices. However, piezoelectric poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA) possesses weak piezoelectric properties in comparison to non‐biodegradable poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), limiting its application. This contribution presents, for the first time, a nanocomposite strategy to enhance the piezoelectric properties of PLLA, while maintaining cytocompatibility. Biocompatible and piezoelectric barium titanate (BTO) nanoparticles (NPs) are coated by polydopamine (PDA) (cBTO NPs) to improve the quality of the matrix‐filler interface and enhanced the force transmission toward the BTO NPs. Electrospun PLLA/cBTO nanocomposite microfiber scaffolds with 5 wt% of PDA‐coated BTO NPs (cBTO) exhibited an increase in piezoelectric properties of 120% in comparison to pristine PLLA microfiber scaffolds, implying a voltage output increase from 1.4 ± 0.1 to 3.2 ± 0.2 V. Furthermore, the PDA‐coating of BTO (cBTO) NPs itself has an intensifying impact on the piezoelectric properties of PLLA/cBTO nanocomposite compared to non‐coated BTO NPs, increasing the voltage output by 41%. This demonstrates the great potential of PDA‐coating of piezoelectric NPs to enhance the piezoelectric response of PLLA.
The Art of Finding the Optimal Scattering Center(s)
Authors: Kildishev Alexander V. , Achouri Karim , Smirnova Daria
Published: November 2024

The truncated spatial multipolar spectra enable efficient approximate solutions to acoustic, quantum‐mechanical, and electromagnetic problems. In photonics, the efficient multipole description of a general emitter or scatterer with controlled accuracy is complicated by the ambiguity in choosing the multipole expansion center—the multipole terms depend on the position of the expansion center and therefore are not unique. This study solves this fundamental problem by finding the optimal scattering centers for which the spatial multipole spectrum becomes unique. These optimal positions are derived separately for the electric and magnetic multipoles by minimizing the norms of the poloidal quadrupoles, employing the long‐wave approximation (LWA) ansatz. The ultimate positions are verified with idealized discrete emitters and realistic scatterers. The optimal multipoles, including the toroidal terms, are calculated for several distinct scatterers; their utility for fast, low‐cost numerical schemes is discussed. The number of optimal magnetic scattering centers, defined by the multiplicity of the problem, can serve as a new topological metric of a given emitter or scatterer. This finding hints at potential relations between nanoscale optomechanics and topological photonics. Expansion of the work beyond the LWA is possible, with the promise of more general foundational concepts for electrodynamics, acoustics, and quantum mechanics.
Modular Chiral Bithiophene‐2NO Ligands: Synthesis and Application in Asymmetric Palladium(II)‐Catalysed Friedel‐Crafts Alkylation
Authors: Zhu Xian‐Qiao , Li Wu‐Wu , Liu Lin‐Lu , Xu Ke‐Lan , Peng Li‐Jun , Zhang Min , Liu Xiong‐Li , Zhang Wen‐Jing
Published: November 2024

The development of privileged thiophene‐type ligand remains highly desirable, owing to the high coordination ability of sulfur atom to most of the soft metals. Herein, a new class of C2‐symmetric rigid chiral tertiary amine‐derived dioxide ligands with a coordinating bithiophene bridge was developed in a convenient synthetic route with 25–62% overall yields. The bithiophene‐2NO‐palladium(II) catalyst system was generated in situ and found to be highly capable catalyst in the asymmetric Friedel‐Crafts alkylation of indoles. Excellent yields (up to 92%) and high enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee) are obtained for a wide range of substrates under mild conditions. Control experiments and DFT calculations revealed the origins of the enantioselectivity. This represented the first example of chiral thiophene ligands coordinating with soft metal Pd(II) in the asymmetric Friedel‐Crafts alkylation. Experiments revealed that the counteranion is involved in the stereoselectivity‐determining step in this soft palladium(II) catalysis, and the additional NO and thiophene in ligands can act as the second chelation site and thus reduce the amount of free metal ions for suppressing background reaction in the catalytic system.
Phenothiazine‐Modified PTAA Hole Transporting Materials for Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells: A Trade‐Off Between Performance and Sustainability
Authors: de Alencar Daniel Augusto Machado , Koch Giulio , De Rossi Francesca , Generosi Amanda , Ferraro Giuseppe , Bonomo Matteo , Noola Samyuktha , Pellis Giulia , Quagliotto Pierluigi , Paci Barbara , Brunetti Francesca , Barolo Claudia
Published: November 2024

Hole Transport Materials (HTMs) are one of the key elements in Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs) and specifically polymeric HTMs have recently emerged as one of the most viable options to couple excellent performance and good stability. However, most are processed only in aromatic solvents (e.g., toluene or chlorobenzene), thus negatively impacting the overall sustainability of the device. In this contribution, four novel polymers are synthesized specifically designed to be processable in less harsh, non‐aromatic, and non‐chlorinated solvent (i.e., Tetrahydrofuran – THF): the conventional PTAA scaffold is modified by the insertion of a phenothiazine (PTZ) and by the modulation of the methyl moieties on the peripheral benzene. Alternatively, a benzothiadiazole moiety is also added. The polymers are then implemented in flexible PSCs (F‐PSCs) that have recently attracted increased attention due to their high power‐to‐weight ratio. The THF‐processed P1 (a PTZ‐PTAA copolymer with one methyl group substituted) reaches an overall efficiency of 9.10%, outperforming THF‐processed PTAA (PCE = 8.25%) and approaching the one of toluene‐processed reference (PCE = 9.30%). Furthermore, P1 shows better stability under light soaking conditions. To rationalize these results, different characterizations are presented, including optoelectronic techniques, thermal and surface analyses, and GWAXS measurements.
Direct‐Print 3D Electrodes for Large‐Scale, High‐Density, and Customizable Neural Interfaces
Authors: Wang Pingyu , Wu Eric G. , Uluşan Hasan , Zhao Eric Tianjiao , Phillips A.J. , Kling Alexandra , Hays Madeline Rose , Vasireddy Praful Krishna , Madugula Sasidhar , Vilkhu Ramandeep , Hierlemann Andreas , Hong Guosong , Chichilnisky E.J. , Melosh Nicholas A.
Published: November 2024

Silicon‐based microelectronics can scalably record and modulate neural activity at high spatiotemporal resolution, but their planar form factor poses challenges in targeting 3D neural structures. A method for fabricating tissue‐penetrating 3D microelectrodes directly onto planar microelectronics using high‐resolution 3D printing via 2‐photon polymerization and scalable microfabrication technologies are presented. This approach enables customizable electrode shape, height, and positioning for precise targeting of neuron populations distributed in 3D. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated in tackling the critical challenge of interfacing with the retina—specifically, selectively targeting retinal ganglion cell (RGC) somas while avoiding the axon bundle layer. 6,600‐microelectrode, 35 µm pitch, tissue‐penetrating arrays are fabricated to obtain high‐fidelity, high‐resolution, and large‐scale retinal recording that reveals little axonal interference, a capability previously undemonstrated. Confocal microscopy further confirms the precise placement of the microelectrodes. This technology can be a versatile solution for interfacing silicon microelectronics with neural structures at a large scale and cellular resolution.
3D Printed Multi‐Cavity Soft Actuator with Integrated Motion and Sensing Functionalities via Bio‐Inspired Interweaving Foldable Endomysium
Authors: Fang Zhonggui , Tang Shaowu , Su Yinyin , Liu Xiaohuang , Liu Sicong , Yi Juan , Wang Zheng , Dai Jian S.
Published: November 2024

The human muscle bundle generates versatile movements with synchronous neurosensory, enabling human to undertake complex tasks, which inspires researches into functional integration of motions and sensing in actuators for robots. Although soft actuators have developed diverse motion capabilities utilizing the inherent compliance, the simultaneous‐sensing approaches typically involve adding sensing components or embedding certain‐signal‐field substrates, resulting in structural complexity and discrepant deformations between the actuation parts with high‐dimensional motions and the sensing parts with heterogeneous stiffnesses. Inspired by the muscle‐bundle multifiber mechanism, a multicavity functional integration (McFI) approach is proposed for soft pneumatic actuators to simultaneously realize multidimensional motions and sensing by separating and coordinating active and passive cavities. A bio‐inspired interweaving foldable endomysium (BIFE) is introduced to construct and reinforce the multicavity chamber with optimized purposive foldability, enabling 3D printing single‐material fabrication. Performing elongation, contraction, and bidirectional bending, the McFI actuator senses its spatial position, orientation, and axial force, based on the kinematic and sensing models built on multi‐cavity pressures. Two McFI‐actuator‐driven robots are built: a soft crawling robot with path reconstruction and a narrow‐maneuverable soft gripper with object exteroception, validating the practicality in stand‐alone use of the actuator and the potential for intelligent soft robotic innovation of the McFI approach.