bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 Pandemic: A Concise Appraisal of the Current Status
Authors: Richard Otolorin Gbeminiyi , Oluwatobi Akefe Isaac , Tosin Olufemi Olaolu , Obinna Esonu Daniel , Isaac Dunka Hassana , Adanu Adanu Williams , Audu Danjuma Friday , Nok Kia Grace Sabo , Oghenefega Ovwighose Naomi , Paul Mshelbwala Philip 
Published: April 2021

Covid-19 is caused by the Betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2) which is an enveloped RNA virus causing diseases in both humans and animals. This research involved a systematic review with the aid of computerised literature search from PubMed, Scopus, Medline, ScienceDirect, Embase and Google Scholar and other recently published editorials. Specific words/phrases used for the search included COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 vaccines development, SARS-CoV-2 and COVAX.The rapid velocity by which the virus spreads, based on its unexpectedly high infectivity, requires urgent action towards both the development of a vaccine and effective viral inhibitors to decrease the virulence or eliminate symptoms. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused marked effect on global health and the economy worldwide being that it is shrouded in numerous uncertainties as scientist worldwide are yet to fully understand the virus. Although significant progress have been recorded by scientists, new information of the virus keeps emerging especially with the emergence of new variants and the capability of the virus to infect a multitude organ types apart from the respiratory tract. Consequently, there is a need for scientists all over the world to be constantly updated with recent information evolving from current research. This review is a concise appraisal of the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic across various regions of the world.
Effects of Vitamin C and Choline Chloride Supplementation on Temperature and Some Haematological Parameters in Trypanosoma congolense Infected Rats
Authors: Ukwueze C. S. , Ememe M. U. , Otumchere K. J. 
Published: April 2021

Aims: Effects of Vitamin C and Choline chloride supplementation on temperature and some haematological parameters were investigated in Trypanosoma congolense infected rats.
Methodology: A total of twenty five (25) healthy albino rats weighing between 113.5-154.3 g were used for the study. They were randomly divided into groups (A-E) of five rats per group. Group A was uninfected untreated which served as the control, group B was infected untreated. Groups C, D and E were infected treated with Choline chloride, Vitamin C and combination of Choline chloride and Vitamin C respectively.
Results: The mean body temperature was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the infected untreated group on days 21 and 28 post infection, when compared to the infected supplemented treated groups. The mean packed cell volume (PCV) decreased significantly (p <0.05) in the infected untreated group on days 21 and 28 post infection, when compared to the other infected treated groups. The mean haemoglobin concentration (HB) decreased significantly (p <0.05) in the infected untreated group on days 7, 21 and 28 post infection, when compared to the other infected and treated groups. The mean red blood cell counts (RBC) decreased significantly (p <0.05) in the infected untreated group on day 28 post infection compared to the other infected and treated groups. The mean total white blood cell counts (TWBC) decreased significantly (p <0.05) in the infected untreated group on days 14 and 21 post infection compared to the infected treated groups. On day 28 post infection TWBC counts in the group treated with combination of vitamin C and Choline chloride increased (p <0.05) when compared with the other treated groups. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in all the infected treated groups when compared with the control
Conclusion: It was concluded from the study that combined supplementation of Vitamin C and Choline chloride will be more effective in ameliorating the haematological impacts of trypanosomosis.
Optimal Conditions for Expression of Enzymatic Activities in Bacillus Strains Essential for Production of Soumbara, a Functional Fermented Food Involved in Blood Pressure Homeostasis
Authors: Kouakou Yves A. , Ouattara Honoré G. , Karou Germain T. 
Published: April 2021

Background: Soumbara is a traditional fermented food involved in the blood pressure homeostasis. The functional properties of this food strongly depend on the fermentative microbiota. In this study, we screened and identified at molecular level, some potential starters strain among the main microbiota associated with soumbara in Cote d’Ivoire, and investigated the conditions for optimal expression of their functional performance.
Methods: We screened and identified by ribosomal gene sequencing, interesting microbial strains and conditions for optimal expression of their functional performance notably proteolytic, lipolytic, pectinolytic, amylolytic and cellulolytic activities was investigated using semi quantitative method.
Results: The isolated microbiota was composed of 90.41 % of Bacillus strains, the rest being yeast and lactic acid bacteria. A total of 4 performant strains, specifically Bacillus subtilis (BS14P), Bacillus subtilis (KS16P), Bacillus velezensis (HS27M) and Bacillus pumilis (PS10P) were extracellular enzymes producing strains with halo diameter ranging between 1.9 and 2.8 cm. These strains grew optimally in the temperature range of 30- 35°C at pH 7-8. The largest enzyme producer Bacillus velezensis strain (HS27M) was remarkably able to grow well at relatively high temperature (40°C) and in a larger pH range (6-9). Proteolysis enzymes were produced optimally at 40-45°C, pH 7 whereas lipolysis occurred maximally at 40°C, pH 7. Likewise maximum pectinolytis, cellulolysis and amylolysis occurred at 45°C, pH range 7-8.
Conclusion: This study suggests Bacillus velezensis HS27M as valuable starter cultures for the production of soumbara with bioactive and organoleptic quality.
PERCEIVED LUXURY VALUE DAN PENGARUHNYA TERHADAP MINAT MENGINAP DI HOTEL BINTANG LIMA
Authors: Hariwijaya Nevia Putri , Hodianto Vincentia Celia , Thio Sienny 
Published: April 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisa perceived luxury value yang dilihat dari dari nilai utilitarian, hedonis, finansial, relasional dan simbolik dan pengaruhnya terhadap minat menginap di hotel bintang lima. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif kausal dengan pengambilan sampel menggunakan purposive sampling. Kuesioner disebarkan kepada 104 responden yang pernah menginap di hotel bintang lima dalam dua tahun terakhir. Analisa statistik deskriptif dan regresi linier berganda digunakan untuk menganalisa data. Hasil pengolahan data menunjukkan bahwa nilai hedonis merupakan nilai luxury yang dipersepsikan paling tinggi diikuti oleh nilai utilitarian dan nilai finansial. Perceived luxury values yang dilihat dari nilai hedonis dan finansial mempunyai pengaruh yang positif dan signifikan terhadap minat menginap di hotel bintang lima.
Comparison of SimoaTM and EllaTM to assess serum neurofilament‐light chain in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Gauthier Audrey , Viel Sébastien , Perret Magali , Brocard Guillaume , Casey Romain , Lombard Christine , Laurent‐Chabalier Sabine , Debouverie Marc , Edan Gilles , Vukusic Sandra , Lebrun‐Frénay Christine , De Sèze Jérôme , Laplaud David Axel , Castelnovo Giovanni , Gout Olivier , Ruet Aurélie , Moreau Thibault , Casez Olivier , Clavelou Pierre , Berger Eric , Zephir Hélène , Trouillet‐Assant Sophie , Thouvenot Eric ,   OFSEP Investigators
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe compared SimoaTM and EllaTM immunoassays to assess serum neurofilament‐light chain levels in 203 multiple sclerosis patients from the OFSEP HD study. There was a strong correlation (ρ = 0.86, p < 0.0001) between both platforms. The EllaTM instrument overestimated values by 17%, but as the data were linear (p = 0.57), it was possible to apply a correction factor to EllaTM results. As for SimoaTM, serum neurofilament‐light chain levels measured by EllaTM were correlated with age and EDSS and were significantly higher in active multiple sclerosis, suggesting that these assays are equivalent and can be used in routine clinical practice.
Mechanisms of the Planar Growth of Lithium Metal Enabled by the 2D Lattice Confinement from a Ti3C2Tx MXene Intermediate Layer
Authors: Yang Di , Zhao Chunyu , Lian Ruqian , Yang Lin , Wang Yizhan , Gao Yu , Xiao Xu , Gogotsi Yury , Wang Xudong , Chen Gang , Wei Yingjin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe propensity of Li to form irregular and nonplanar electrodeposits has become a fundamental barrier for fabricating Li metal batteries. Here, a planar, dendrite‐free Li metal growth on 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene is reported. Ab initio calculations suggest that Li forms a hexagonal close‐packed (hcp) layer on the surface of Ti3C2Tx via ionic bonding and the lattice confinement. The ionic bonding weakens gradually after a few monolayers, resulting in a nanometers‐thin transition region of hcp‐Li. Above this transition region, the deposition is dominated by plating of body‐centered cubic (bcc) Li via metallic bonding. Formation of a dense and planar Li metal anode with preferential growth along the (110) facet is explained by the lattice matching between Ti3C2Tx and hcp‐Li and then with bcc‐Li, as well as preferred thermodynamic factors including the large dendrite formation energy and small migration barrier for Li. The prepared Li metal anode shows stable cycling in a wide current density range from 0.5 to 10.0 mA cm–2. The LiFePO4‖Li full cell fabricated with this Li metal anode exhibits only 9.5% capacity fading after 500 charge–discharge cycles at 1 C rate.
Adaptive Ionogel Paint from Room‐Temperature Autonomous Polymerization of α‐Thioctic Acid for Stretchable and Healable Electronics
Authors: Wang Yingjie , Sun Shengtong , Wu Peiyi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDevelopment of a universal stretchable ionic conductor coating on insulating substrates, irrespective of surface chemistry and substrate shapes, is of immense interest for compliant and integrative large‐area electronics but has proved to be extremely challenging. Existing methods relying either on the concurrent deposition of polymerizing precursors or on divided formulation and painting processes both suffer from several limitations in terms of adhesion, dehydration, processability, and surface pre‐treatment. Here an ionogel paint that is readily prepared from the concentration‐induced autonomous ring‐opening polymerization of a natural small molecule—α‐thioctic acid (TA) at ambient conditions is reported. The presence of ionic liquid prevents polyTA from further depolymerization via forming COOH···OS hydrogen bonds, resulting in ultra‐stretchable ionogels with widely tunable mechanical and conductive properties, self‐healability, as well as tissue‐like strain adaptability. Moreover, owing to its universal adhesion and adjustable rheology, the ionogel paint can be directly coated on diverse substrates with arbitrary shapes (including porous materials, 3D printed frames, and elastic threads) to render them ionic conductivity. Applications of the ionogel‐coated substrates as skin‐like highly sensitive and durable large‐strain sensors are further demonstrated, suggesting the ionogel paint's great potential in the emerging soft and stretchable electronics.
Templateless, Plating‐Free Fabrication of Flexible Transparent Electrodes with Embedded Silver Mesh by Electric‐Field‐Driven Microscale 3D Printing and Hybrid Hot Embossing
Authors: Zhu Xiaoyang , Liu Mingyang , Qi Ximeng , Li Hongke , Zhang Yuan‐Fang , Li Zhenghao , Peng Zilong , Yang Jianjun , Qian Lei , Xu Quan , Gou Nairui , He Jiankang , Li Dichen , Lan Hongbo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFlexible transparent electrodes (FTEs) with an embedded metal mesh are considered a promising alternative to traditional indium tin oxide (ITO) due to their excellent photoelectric performance, surface roughness, and mechanical and environmental stability. However, great challenges remain for achieving simple, cost‐effective, and environmentally friendly manufacturing of high‐performance FTEs with embedded metal mesh. Herein, a maskless, templateless, and plating‐free fabrication technique is proposed for FTEs with embedded silver mesh by combining an electric‐field‐driven (EFD) microscale 3D printing technique and a newly developed hybrid hot‐embossing process. The final fabricated FTE exhibits superior optoelectronic properties with a transmittance of 85.79%, a sheet resistance of 0.75 Ω sq−1, a smooth surface of silver mesh (Ra ≈ 18.8 nm) without any polishing treatment, and remarkable mechanical stability and environmental adaptability with a negligible increase in sheet resistance under diverse cyclic tests and harsh working conditions (1000 bending cycles, 80 adhesion tests, 120 scratch tests, 100 min ultrasonic test, and 72 h chemical attack). The practical viability of this FTE is successfully demonstrated with a flexible transparent heater applied to deicing. The technique proposed offers a promising fabrication strategy with a cost‐effective and environmentally friendly process for high‐performance FTE.
Tunable Sponge‐Like Hierarchically Porous Hydrogels with Simultaneously Enhanced Diffusivity and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Alsaid Yousif , Wu Shuwang , Wu Dong , Du Yingjie , Shi Lingxia , Khodambashi Roozbeh , Rico Rossana , Hua Mutian , Yan Yichen , Zhao Yusen , Aukes Daniel , He Ximin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCrosslinked polymers and gels are important in soft robotics, solar vapor generation, energy storage, drug delivery, catalysis, and biosensing. However, their attractive mass transport and volume‐changing abilities are diffusion‐limited, requiring miniaturization to avoid slow response. Typical approaches to improving diffusion in hydrogels sacrifice mechanical properties by increasing porosity or limit the total volumetric flux by directionally confining the pores. Despite tremendous efforts, simultaneous enhancement of diffusion and mechanical properties remains a long‐standing challenge hindering broader practical applications of hydrogels. In this work, cononsolvency photopolymerization is developed as a universal approach to overcome this swelling–mechanical property trade‐off. The as‐synthesized poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel, as an exemplary system, presents a unique open porous network with continuous microchannels, leading to record‐high volumetric (de)swelling speeds, almost an order of magnitude higher than reported previously. This swelling enhancement comes with a simultaneous improvement in Young's modulus and toughness over conventional hydrogels fabricated in pure solvents. The resulting fast mass transport enables in‐air operation of the hydrogel via rapid water replenishment and ultrafast actuation. The method is compatible with 3D printing. The generalizability is demonstrated by extending the technique to poly(N‐tertbutylacrylamide‐co‐polyacrylamide) and polyacrylamide hydrogels, non‐temperature‐responsive polymer systems, validating the present hypothesis that cononsolvency is a generic phenomenon driven by competitive adsorption.
Polymorph Engineering for Boosted Volumetric Na‐Ion and Li‐Ion Storage
Authors: Zhang Lu , Wei Zhixuan , Yao Shiyu , Gao Yu , Jin Xu , Chen Gang , Shen Zexiang , Du Fei 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTo meet the ever‐growing demand for advanced rechargeable batteries with light weight and compact size, much effort has been devoted to improving the volumetric capacity of electrodes. Herein, an effective strategy of polymorph engineering is proposed to boost the volumetric capacity of FeSe. Owing to the inherent metallic electronic conductivity of tetragonal‐FeSe, a conductive additive‐free electrode (hereafter denoted as CA‐free) can be assembled with an enhanced sodium storage volumetric capacity of 1011 mAh cm−3, significantly higher than semiconducting hexagonal‐FeSe. Impressively, the CA‐free electrode can achieve an extremely high active material utilization of 96.7 wt% and high initial Coulombic efficiency of 96%, superior to most of the anodes for Na‐ion storage. Moreover, the design methodology is branched out using tetragonal FeSe as the cathode for Li‐ion batteries. The CA‐free tetragonal‐FeSe electrode can achieve a high volumetric energy density of 1373 Wh L−1 and power density of 7200 W L−1, outperforming most metal chalcogenides. Reversible conversion reactions are revealed by in situ XRD for both sodium and lithium systems. The proposed design strategy provides new insight and inspiration to aid in the ongoing quest for better electrode materials.
Laser‐Induced Graphene/MoO2 Core‐Shell Electrodes on Carbon Cloth for Integrated, High‐Voltage, and In‐Planar Microsupercapacitors
Authors: Lin Na , Chen Hanning , Wang Wentao , Lu Longsheng 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSimple and scalable manufacturing of flexible energy storage units with high electrochemical performance is essential for wearable electronic devices. Herein, a carbon cloth (CC) coated with Mo ion homo‐dispersed hydrogel ink is used as a precursor for laser scribing, during which laser‐induced graphene/MoO2 (LIG/MoO2) is in‐situ synthesized on the substrate. By regulating the surface topography and nanoparticle distribution, the as‐prepared LIG/MoO2‐CC electrode shows a network structure composed of multiple core‐shell fibers. Among them, the carbon‐fiber core phase provides strong mechanical stability, and the in‐situ growth shell of LIG/MoO2 ensures high electrochemical performance. Experimentally, the MSCs assembled by interdigital electrodes can deliver an areal capacitance of 81.8 mF cm−2 and areal energy density of 113.7 μWh cm−2 at a power density of 2.5 mW cm−2, placing them among the best performing LIG‐based MSCs. Through the series‐parallel structure design of electrodes, the output voltage and total capacitance of MSCs can be adjusted according to the demands of actual applications, presenting a huge potential for integration with other wearable electronics.
Light‐Driven Carbon‐Based Soft Materials: Principle, Robotization, and Application
Authors: Yang Yuanyuan , Shen Yajing 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRecently, the optical field driving mechanism is emerging in the manipulation of small‐scale soft robots due to its remote, wireless, and selective control capabilities. Among the light‐responsive materials, carbon has exhibited great potentials as light‐driven actuators due to its good light absorption ability, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength. Taking advantage of the carbon materials, various carbon‐based actuators are reported with efficient, fast response, and stable actuating performance. Hence, carbon‐based actuators are widely applied in robotic applications controlled by external light irradiation. This review summarizes the principle actuating mechanism of carbon‐based actuators and focuses on the analysis of the robotization and application mechanisms. The locomotion implemented by the carbon‐based actuators is discussed by analyzing the robot structure designs and light exposing approaches, accompanied with corresponding force analysis. Moreover, various applications of carbon‐based actuators are reviewed with mechanism discussion. Furthermore, the challenges, including the perspectives of the robotization and applications of carbon‐based actuators, are discussed for further development and robotic utilization of carbon‐based materials.
Double Ligands Enabled Ruthenium Catalyzed ortho‐C−H Arylation of Dialkyl Biarylphosphines: Straight and Economic Synthesis of Highly Steric and Electron‐Rich Aryl‐Substituted Buchwald‐Type Phosphines
Authors: Wang Liang‐Neng , Tang Pan‐Ting , Li Ming , Li Jia‐Wei , Liu Yue‐Jin , Zeng Ming‐Hua 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA double‐ligands enabled ruthenium catalyzed C(sp2)−H arylation of dialkyl phosphines is described, which provides a straight access to aryl‐substituted dialkyl phosphine ligands. The combination of 1,3‐diketone and amino acid ligands is essential for this transformation. An important six‐membered cycloruthenium intermediate was successfully isolated and characterized by X‐ray diffraction. Mechanistic studies showed that the 1,3‐diketone promoted the process of oxidative addition of cycloruthenium intermediate. Some of modified CyJohnPhos ligands exhibited highly catalytic activity in palladium catalyzed C−N bond formation.magnified image
Low Dose Soft X‐Ray Remotely Triggered Lanthanide Nanovaccine for Deep Tissue CO Gas Release and Activation of Systemic Anti‐Tumor Immunoresponse
Authors: Li Youbin , Jiang Mingyang , Deng Zhiming , Zeng Songjun , Hao Jianhua 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGas‐based therapy has emerged as a new green therapy strategy for anti‐tumor treatment. However, the therapeutic efficacy is still restricted by the deep tissue controlled release, poor lymphocytic infiltration, and inherent immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Herein, a new type of nanovaccine is designed by integrating low dose soft X‐ray‐triggered CO releasing lanthanide scintillator nanoparticles (ScNPs: NaLuF4:Gd,Tb@NaLuF4) with photo‐responsive CO releasing moiety (PhotoCORM) for synergistic CO gas/immuno‐therapy of tumors. The designed nanovaccine presents significantly boosted radioluminescence and enables deep tissue CO generation at unprecedented tissue depths of 5 cm under soft X‐ray irradiation. Intriguingly, CO as a superior immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducer further reverses the deep tissue immunosuppressive TME and concurrently activates adaptive anti‐tumor immunity through efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. More importantly, the designed nanovaccine presents efficient growth inhibition of both local and distant tumors via a soft X‐ray activated systemic anti‐tumor immunoresponse. This work provides a new strategy of designing anti‐tumor nanovaccines for synergistic deep tissue gas‐therapy and remote soft X‐ray photoactivation of the immune response.
Flexible and Transparent Electrodes of Cu2−XSe with Charge Transport via Direct Tunneling Effect
Authors: Silva Silésia F. C. , Zanatta Bruno S. , Rabelo Adriano C. , Bottecchia Otávio L. , Tozoni José R. , Oliveira Jr Osvaldo N. , Marletta Alexandre 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this paper, it is demonstrated that copper selenide (Cu2−XSe) films onto polyester sheets may serve as transparent electrodes in inorganic–organic hybrid light emission devices (IOHLED), as possible replacement to indium tin oxide or fluorine‐doped tin oxide. The Cu2−XSe film synthesized via bath chemical deposition is electrically stable with a sheet resistance of 148 Ω sq−1 and optical bandgap of 2.3 eV. IOHLED are made with poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) as an organic layer for hole transport and poly[2‐metoxy‐5‐(2‐ethylhexyloxy)‐1,4‐phenylenevinylene] (MEH‐PPV) as electroluminescent semiconductor. The IOHLED emits in the visible range owing to the simultaneous emission from Cu2−XSe and MEH‐PPV layers. The enhanced performance is explained by analyzing the charge transport mechanisms at the inorganic–organic interface, which for Cu2−XSe/PEDOT:PSS changes from Fowler‐Nordheim to direct tunneling regardless of the device temperature (90–370 K). The onset voltage is 75% smaller than in the absence of the PEDOT:PSS layer due to a 27 meV decrease in the potential barrier, and the direct tunneling becomes more relevant to device performance than the sheet resistance of the Cu2−XSe layer. Upon adding transparency, mechanical flexibility, and covering large areas, the ultrathin Cu2−XSe films on polyester substrates permit new designs for electro‐optical devices with inorganic–organic heterojunctions.