bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeling Exchange Rate and Nigerian Deposit Money Market Dynamics Using Trivariate form of Multivariate GARCH Model
Authors: Dum Deebom, Zorle , Lebari Tuaneh, Godwin 
Published: March 2019

The risks associated with exchange rate and money market indicators have drawn the attentions of econometricians, researchers, statisticians, and even investors in deposit money banks in Nigeria. The study targeted at modeling exchange rate and Nigerian deposit banks money market dynamics using trivariate form of multivariate GARCH model. Data for the period spanning from 1991 to 2017 on exchange rate (Naira/Dollar) and money market indicators (Maximum and prime lending rate) were sourced for from the central bank of Nigeria (CBN) online statistical database. The study specifically investigated; the dynamics of the variance and covariance of volatility returns between exchange rate and money market indicators in Nigeria were examine whether there exist a linkage in terms of returns and volatility transmission between exchange rate and money market indicators in Nigeria and compared the difference in Multivariate BEKK GARCH considering restrictive indefinite under the assumption of normality and that of student’s –t error distribution. Preliminary time series checks were done on the data and the results revealed the present of volatility clustering. Results reveal the estimate of the maximum lag for exchange rate and money market indicators were 4 respectively. Also, the results confirmed that there were two co-integrating equations in the relationship between the returns on exchange rate and money market indicators. The results of the diagonal MGARCH –BEKK estimation confirmed that diagonal MGARCH –BEKK in students’-t was the best fitted and an appropriate model for modeling exchange rate and Nigerian deposit money market dynamics using trivariate form of multivariate GARCH model. Also, the study confirmed presence of two directional volatility spillovers between the two sets of variables.
Sonographic Features Predictive of Thyroid Nodule Malignancy in a Nigerian Population
Authors: Rebecca Owoyomi Oluwatoyin , Mopelola Asaleye Christianah , Oluwole Komolafe Akinwumi 
Published: March 2019

Aims: To determine the ultrasound malignancy score (UMS) and identify the ultrasound (US) features of thyroid nodule (TN) associated with malignancy, in our study population, using fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) as the gold standard.
Study Design: A prospective observational study.
Place and Duration of Study: Departments of Radiology and Morbid Anatomy and Forensic Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile Ife, Nigeria, between June 2016 and May 2017.
Methodology: We studied 110 thyroid nodules in 110 adult subjects (97males and 13males). Neck ultrasound scan (USS) to evaluate and score 7 sonographic features of the nodules for their malignant potential as well as simultaneous Ultrasound Guided Fine Needle Aspiration (USG-FNAC) was done. The findings were compared and data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20.
Results: USG-FNAC findings showed that of the 110 thyroid nodules studied, 107(97.3%) were benign while 3(2.7%) were malignant. Receiver operating characteristic curve showed that at sensitivity and specificity of 66.7% and 88.8% respectively giving UMS of 4.5. All the 3 nodules that were malignant on USG-FNAC had micro calcification and irregular margins on ultrasound (p=0.05).
Conclusion: Using USG-FNAC as the gold standard, thyroid nodules with UMS of 4.5 are likely to be malignant. Ill-defined margins and micro calcifications on ultrasound are suggestive of malignancy in thyroid nodules.
Profile and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Bacterial Isolates from Infected Wounds of Patients Attending Berekum Holy Family Hospital in Ghana
Authors: Dadzie Isaac , Quansah Nicholas , Dadzie Emmanuel Kingsley 
Published: March 2019

Background: Wound management and care after an infection has been known to present a major concern to healthcare professionals. Its association with increased trauma, discomfort and financial burden to patients bring to bear the need for aggressive intervention. This study sought to investigate the bacterial profile and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of infected wounds in patients who reported to Berekum Holy Family Municipal Hospital in Ghana.
Methodology: A total of 150 consenting patients with wound infections of diverse aetiologies were recruited. Wound swabs were aseptically obtained, macroscopically analyzed, gram stained and cultured on differential media. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique.
Results: The prevalence of wound infection was 84.67% with cellulitis (35.43%) accounting for the most cause. Gram-negative bacilli (84.5%) were the most isolated bacteria with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (28%) being the most predominant pathogen isolated. Polymicrobial infections were identified in 33 (19.64%) of the infected wounds with Pseudomonas aeruginosa/Proteus mirabilis being the most common association (36.4%). The isolated gram-negative organisms were absolutely susceptible (97%-100%) to amikacin. Gentamicin, Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin exhibited moderate to higher susceptibility. Gentamicin exhibited maximal susceptibility against the gram-positive organisms with tetracycline being the most resistant antibiotic against the isolated organisms.
Conclusion: With the increased detection of bacterial pathogens causing wound infections and their susceptibility to the tested antibiotics, we recommend that patients with wound infections should immediately report cases to health facilities for early intervention.
Combining Micro and Macro Relative Density: An Experimental and Computational Study on Hierarchical Porous 3D‐Printed Polylactic Acid Structures
Authors: Koltsakidis Savvas , Tsongas Konstantinos , Tzetzis Dimitrios 
Published: November 2024

Polymer foams and cellular solids have gained significant interest due to their enhanced properties. This study introduces a novel approach by employing foamed fused filament fabrication printing of cellular solids. A composite polylactic acid filament containing chemical blowing agents is used to create structures with varying micro relative density, which is examined through scanning electron microscopy and tensile testing, with comparisons made to a Mori Tanaka analytical model and representative volume elements investigation. Two different types of cellular solid structures, specifically body‐centered cubic and Gyroid triple periodic minimal surface structures, have been created with different thicknesses and printed at various temperatures. This is done to attain a range of micro‐ and macroporosity, leading to samples with equal total relative densities. Compression tests, coupled with finite element analysis, provide insights into the influence of each type of porosity. The fabricated specimens exhibit compressive strengths ranging from 1.07 to 79.14 MPa and elastic moduli ranging from 0.064 to 3.35 GPa. The findings suggest that porous structures relying on macroporosity exhibit higher compressive strength, while those relying on microporosity demonstrate more appealing energy absorption properties, particularly under stresses approaching the plateau region.
Highly Efficient Amorphous Polymer‐Based Ultralong Phosphorescence Enabled by Intense Repulsive Interactions
Authors: Yan Shuanma , Guan Yiyan , Zhou Xiang , Mei Chenglin , Mao Huiling , Ma Huili , An Zhongfu , Shi Huifang , Huang Wei 
Published: November 2024

AbstractAmorphous polymer‐based materials combining high optical transparency, mechanical flexibility, and the potential for low‐cost scalability and processing, are attractive in the vibrant field of ultralong organic phosphorescence (UOP). However, developing amorphous polymer‐based UOP materials with high quantum efficiency (ФP) remains a formidable challenge because the inherently loose polymer networks lead to the violent non‐radiative transition and quenching processes of triplet excitons. Herein, a series of amorphous polymer‐based UOP materials are fabricated by doping organic phosphors (SA, DA, and TA) composed of triphenylamine units modified with different numbers of carboxyl groups into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix. These experimental and computational results indicate that the resulting polymer films (SA/PVA, DA/PVA, and TA/PVA) exhibit the gradually enhanced UOP, which is attributed to the increased intermolecular hydrogen‐bonded interactions, enabling incremental repulsive interactions between the isolated chromophores and PVA matrix, resulting in the reduced dissipation of triplet excitons through a non‐radiative transition. Remarkably, TA/PVA has an optimal ФP of up to 77.5%, which is a record ФP among the reported heavy‐atom‐free amorphous polymer‐based UOP materials. Given the bright afterglow emission and solution‐processable properties, the promise of transparent, flexible, and large‐area paints for display and illumination are demonstrated. This study will provide a design strategy to enhance the quantum efficiency of amorphous phosphorescent materials, showing great promise in flexible electronics.
Gold‐Assisted Exfoliation of Large‐Area Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenides: From Interface Properties to Device Applications
Authors: Panasci Salvatore Ethan , Schilirò Emanuela , Roccaforte Fabrizio , Giannazzo Filippo 
Published: November 2024

AbstractSemiconductor transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), such as MoS2, are currently regarded as key‐enabling materials for sub‐1 nm channel transistors, beyond‐complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor electronic and optoelectronic devices and sensors. Owing to this wide application potential, several bottom‐up and top‐down synthesis approaches for these materials have been explored so far. Despite the huge progresses in scalable deposition methods (such as chemical vapor deposition, metal–organic chemical vapor deposition), exfoliated layers from bulk crystals still represent the benchmark for record electronic properties of TMDs. Among exfoliation approaches, metal‐assisted mechanical exfoliation emerges as the most effective method to separate large‐area (mm2 to cm2) single‐crystalline monolayer membranes of TMDs (and many other 2D materials) from the parent bulk crystals. This paper reviews the state‐of‐the‐art in this field, from current understanding of MoS2 exfoliation mechanisms on Au (considered as a model system), to the main device applications of as‐exfoliated and transferred large‐area MoS2 membranes (including Au/MoS2/Au memristors, MoS2 photodetectors, and field‐effect transistors). Perspectives of this method in the realization of arrays of 2D heterojunction devices, including Moirè superlattice devices, and open challenges for its widespread application are finally discussed.
Programmable Mechanochromic Time Integrators
Authors: van Niekerk Ryno , Martens Constantinus M. , Flapper Jitte , Esteves A. Catarina C. , Schenning Albert P. H. J. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractMechanochromic polymers are receiving much attention for monitoring the structural performance of materials. Current mechanochromic polymers however do not offer simultaneous detection of the duration and degree of strain while retaining memory of the strain history. Here a structurally colored polymer coating is reported that can indicate, quantify, and memorize strain over time. The mechanochromic polymers are fabricated by a simple and scalable bar coating process. The coating consists of chemically and optically distinct cholesteric liquid crystal droplets. Upon strain, the droplets deform causing an eye‐discernible reflective color change through a diffusion‐based compositional ripening process. The response depends on both the degree and duration of strain and can be easily adjusted by the concentration of droplets in the coating. The programmable mechanochromic time integrator offers simultaneous and sensitive detection of strain over a wide range while exhibiting memorability. The user‐interactive interface allows people to visually perceive the strain history of materials and introduces a novel mechanochromic material for monitoring the structural performance of materials ultimately enhancing both safety and performance.
Perfect Ultraviolet Absorbers via Disordered Polarizonic Metasurfaces for Multiband Camouflage and Stealth Technologies
Authors: Assad Mhd Adel , Elbahri Mady 
Published: November 2024

AbstractAchieving multiband camouflage through the integration of ultraviolet (UV) absorption, visible light camouflage, and infrared signature modulation has long posed a challenge in material science. Leveraging the polarizonic concept, the study demonstrates, for the first time, the broadband camouflage system that adheres to the golden rule by achieving near‐perfect UV absorption (99.96%) across the UV‐A, UV‐B, and UV‐C ranges. This system is also visibly colored to blend with its environment and leaves no thermal signature in the IR. Traditionally, earth‐abundant metals, such as iron, are not considered viable for plasmonic color applications due to their high optical losses and oxidation susceptibility that degrade their optical properties. However, contrary to conventional assumptions, the study introduces a sustainable color palette derived from transparent and grey earth‐abundant materials, offering novel approaches to color, stealth, and energy‐harvesting metasurface‐driven technologies. The simple, cost‐effective, and environmentally friendly co‐sputtering fabrication method highlights the impact of the polarizonic concept and its novel dipolar image interference phenomena on flexible substrates therefore passivating the way for scalable and sustainable solutions in next‐generation camouflage systems with potential applications in UV‐protective coatings, photolithography, and anti‐counterfeiting technologies.
Recent Progress and Opportunities of Wearable Non‐Invasive Epidermal Sensors for Skin Disease Diagnosis
Authors: Xu Jin , Huang Ye , Zhao Zhihui , Wang Duojia , Yang Chao , Zhang Kewei 
Published: November 2024

AbstractWith deteriorating environment and increased stress in modern life, skin diseases have become the fourth leading cause of nonfatal and chronic diseases. An early diagnosis might improve the chances of a successful treatment. Wearable epidermal sensors have been emerged as new non‐invasive tools for clinical practice and research in dermatology, which can act as a complement to the otherwise mostly visual and tactile judgments. This review discusses the recent progress and opportunities of wearable epidermal sensors for skin disease diagnosis. The configuration, material choice, and fundamental platforms of wearable epidermal sensors are first summarized. Then, their emerging application in monitoring skin diseases is demonstrated by detecting skin hardness, skin hydration, and biomakers. With the advances highlighted here and the ongoing research efforts, the continuous breakthrough in wearable epidermal sensors and their attractive application in skin disease management is foreseeable in the future.
Metabolically‐Driven Active Targeting of Magnetic Nanoparticles Functionalized with Glucuronic Acid to Glioblastoma: Application to MRI‐Tracked Magnetic Hyperthermia Therapy
Authors: Caro Carlos , Paez‐Muñoz José M. , Pernía Leal Manuel , Carayol Marta , Feijoo‐Cuaresma Mónica , García‐Martín María L. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractGlioblastoma continues to pose a major global health challenge due to its incurable nature. The need for new strategies to combat this devastating tumor is therefore paramount. Nanotechnology offers unique opportunities to develop innovative and more effective therapeutic approaches. However, most nanosystems developed to treat glioblastomas, especially those based on metallic nanoparticles (NPs), have proven unsuccessful due to their inability to efficiently target these tumors, which are particularly inaccessible due to the restrictions imposed by the blood‐brain tumor barrier (BBTB). Here, an innovative strategy is presented to efficiently target metallic NPs to glioblastomas through glucose transporters (GLUT) overexpressed on the endothelial cells of glioblastoma microvasculature, particularly GLUT1. Specifically, Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (IONPs) are functionalized with glucuronic acid to promote GLUT‐mediated transcytosis which is drastically boosted by inducing mild hypoglycemia. This metabolically‐driven active targeting strategy has yielded unprecedented efficacy in targeting metallic NPs to glioblastomas. Moreover, these IONPs, designed to act as magnetic hyperthermia (MH) mediators, are used to conduct a proof‐of‐concept preclinical study on MRI‐tracked MH therapy following intravenous administration, resulting in significant tumor growth delay. These findings demonstrate unparalleled efficiency in glioblastoma targeting and lay the ground for developing alternative therapeutic strategies to combat glioblastoma.
Hardware‐Feasible and Efficient N‐Type Organic Neuromorphic Signal Recognition via Reservoir Computing
Authors: Liu Riping , He Yifei , Zhu Xiuyuan , Duan Jiayao , Liu Chuan , Xie Zhuang , McCulloch Iain , Yue Wan 
Published: November 2024

AbstractOrganic electrochemical synaptic transistors (OESTs), inspired by the biological nervous system, have garnered increasing attention due to their multifunctional applications in neuromorphic computing. However, the practical implementation of OESTs for signal recognition—particularly those utilizing n‐type organic mixed ionic‐electronic conductors (OMIECs)—still faces significant challenges at the hardware level. Here, a state‐of‐the‐art small‐molecule n‐type OEST integrated within a physically simple and hardware feasible reservoir‐computing (RC) framework for practical temporal signal recognition is presented. This integration is achieved by leveraging the adjustable synaptic properties of the n‐OEST, which exhibits tunable nonlinear short‐term memory, transitioning from volatility to nonvolatility, and demonstrating adaptive temporal specificity. Additionally, the nonvolatile OEST offers 256 conductance levels and a wide dynamic range (≈147) in long‐term potentiation/depression (LTP/LTD), surpassing previously reported n‐OESTs. By combining volatile n‐OESTs as reservoirs with a single‐layer perceptron readout composed of nonvolatile n‐OEST networks, this physical RC system achieves substantial recognition accuracy for both handwritten‐digit images (94.9%) and spoken digit (90.7%), along with ultrahigh weight efficiency. Furthermore, this system demonstrates outstanding accuracy (98.0%) by grouped RC in practical sleep monitoring, specifically in snoring recognition. Here, a reliable pathway for OMIEC‐driven computing is presented to advance bioinspired hardware‐based neuromorphic computing in the physical world.
Hydrogel Fibers‐Based Biointerfacing
Authors: Chen Xingmei , Feng Yinghui , Zhang Pei , Ni Zhipeng , Xue Yu , Liu Ji 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe unique 1D structure of fibers offers intriguing attributes, including a high length‐to‐diameter ratio, miniatured size, light‐weight, and flexibility, making them suitable for various biomedical applications, such as health monitoring, disease treatment, and minimally invasive surgeries. However, traditional fiber devices, typically composed of rigid, dry, and non‐living materials, are intrinsically different from the soft, wet, and living essence of biological tissues, thereby posing grand challenges for long‐term, reliable, and seamless interfacing with biological systems. Hydrogel fibers have recently emerged as a promising candidate, in light of their similarity to biological tissues in mechanical, chemical and biological aspects, as well as distinct fiber geometry. In this review, a comprehensive overview of recent progress in hydrogel fibers‐based biointerfacing technology is provided. It thoroughly summarizes the manufacturing strategy and functional design, especially for hydrogel fibers with distinct optical and electron conductive performance, as well as responsiveness to triggers including thermal, magnetic field and ultrasonic wave, etc. Such unique attributes enable various biomedical applications, which are also examined in detail. Future challenges and potential directions, including biosafety, long‐term reliability, sterilization, multi‐modalities integration and intelligent therapeutic systems, are raised. This review will serve as a valuable resource for further advancement and implementation as next‐generation biointerfacing technology.
Development of an Inhalable DNA Tetrahedron MicroRNA Sponge
Authors: Yao Lan , Zhang Geru , Wang Yun , Liu Zhiqiang , Liang Jiale , Sun Jiafei , Li Songhang , Tian Taoran , Lin Yunfeng 
Published: November 2024

AbstractIn designing aerosolized drugs, the challenge lies in achieving optimal penetration and retention. Existing delivery systems prioritize larger particles for prolonged intrapulmonary retention, compromising penetration speed. Conversely, smaller nanoparticles face rapid clearance and limited retention. RNA sponges featuring multiple microRNA binding sites exhibit promising potential for gene expression regulation. However, the complex structure of the frequently utilized cyclic RNA sponge impedes rapid penetration and cellular uptake, restricting its application. This study proposes an innovative approach using a compact tetrahedral framework of nucleic acid to construct an inhalable microRNA sponge. Distinguished by its simplified structure, this microRNA sponge ensures effective microRNA inhibition, rapid tissue penetration, and prolonged residency through prompt endocytosis. Validated in acute lung inflammation models, the approach demonstrates swift restoration of local immune homeostasis. This design addresses the critical need for aerosol vehicles that balance efficient penetration and sustained retention, offering a promising solution for effective gene expression regulation.
Precision Microfluidic Control of Neuronal Ensembles in Cultured Cortical Networks
Authors: Murota Hakuba , Yamamoto Hideaki , Monma Nobuaki , Sato Shigeo , Hirano‐Iwata Ayumi 
Published: November 2024

AbstractIn vitro neuronal culture is an important research platform in cellular and network neuroscience. However, neurons cultured on a homogeneous scaffold form dense, randomly connected networks and display excessively synchronized activity; this phenomenon has limited their applications in network‐level studies, such as studies of neuronal ensembles, or coordinated activity by a group of neurons. Herein, polydimethylsiloxane‐based microfluidic devices are developed to create small neuronal networks exhibiting a hierarchically modular structure resembling the connectivity observed in the mammalian cortex. The strength of intermodular coupling is manipulated by varying the width and height of the microchannels that connect the modules. Neuronal activity recording via calcium imaging shows that the spontaneous activity in networks with smaller microchannels (2.2–5.5 µm2) has lower synchrony and exhibits a threefold variety of neuronal ensembles. Optogenetic stimulation demonstrates that a reduction in intermodular coupling enriches evoked neuronal activity patterns and that repeated stimulation induces plasticity in neuronal ensembles in these networks. These findings suggest that cell engineering technologies based on microfluidic devices enable in vitro reconstruction of the intricate dynamics of neuronal ensembles, thus providing a robust platform for studying neuronal ensembles in a well‐defined physicochemical environment.