bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sociodemographic distributions and molecular characterization of colonized Enterococcus faecium isolates from locality hospitals in Khartoum, Sudan
Authors: Siddig Loai Abdelati , Bayoumi Magdi , Elhadi Nasreldin 
Published: October 2023

Background
Enterococcus faecium is an opportunistic pathogen of humans with diverse hosts, encompassing animals as well as human beings. In the past twenty years, there has been a rise in the instances of nosocomial infections that are linked to antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus faecium. The acquisition of diverse antimicrobial resistance factors has driven the global development of robust and convergent adaptive mechanisms within the healthcare environment. The presence of microorganisms in hospitalized and non-hospitalized patient populations has been significantly aided by the facilitation of various perturbations within their respective microbiomes.

Objective
This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial profile, demographic and clinical characteristics, along with the detection of virulence encoding genes, and to find out the clonal genetic relationship among colonized E. faecium strains.

Methodology
A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out between October 2018 and March 2020 at four Khartoum locality hospitals in Sudan. The study comprised a total of 108 strains of E. faecium isolated from patients admitted to four locality hospitals in Khartoum. A self-structured questionnaire was used to gather information on sociodemographic traits. Data were analyzed using chi-square test. In all cases, P value ≤ 0.05 with a corresponding 95% confidence interval was considered statistically significant. Moreover, enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus–polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) was utilized to assess the prevalence of clonal relationships, and the gel was analyzed using CLIQS software.

Results
In this study, the isolation rate of colonized E. faecium strains was 108/170 (63.5%). The colonization of E. faecium and its association with various sociodemographic and clinical features was examined. 73 (67.6%) of patients had multidrug-resistant (MDR), and 22 (20.4%) had extensively drug-resistant (XDR), 73 (67.6%) of patients engaged in self-medication practices. Eighty patients (74.1%) were non-adherence to prescribed antibiotics, while 70 (64.8%) patients reported recent antibiotic usage within the 3 months. The present study suggests that demographic factors may not be significantly associated with the incidence of E. faecium infection except for patients who had a prior history of antibiotic use (P ≤ 0.005). The analysis of virulence genes showed a high prevalence of asa1 gene (22.2%) among strains. In ERIC-PCR the genetic relatedness of E. faecium showed seven identical clusters (A–G) with 100% genetic similarity. This implies clonal propagation in hospitals and communities.

Conclusion
This study found that the incidence of E. faecium isolated from locality hospitals in Khartoum was likely due to the spread of E. faecium clones, thereby highlighting the need for intensifying infection control measures to prevent the spreading of nosocomial infection.
Elaboração de um sig web para geolocalização de jazigos em cemitérios
Authors: Silveira Bruna Galdêncio Siqueira , De Paula Cesar Francisco , Borges Vânia de Oliveira , Pinto Reni Aparecido Norberto , Piantino Luiz Fernando Moura , Sanjulião Lo-Ruana Karen Amorim , Reis Maria José , Da Silva Adriel Soares 
Published: October 2023

O conceito de Cidade Inteligente, em sua definição intrínseca, visa a transformação dos municípios em entidades urbanas dotadas de discernimento, como quais se beneficiam de tecnologias avançadas para promover o bem-estar de sua população residente. Uma questão contemporânea que emerge com relevância é uma problemática identificada, preocupante à complicação enfrentada pelos cidadãos na identificação e localização dos túmulos de seus entes queridos no recinto do cemitério. Além disso, os visitantes que se dirigem aos túmulos de seus familiares veem-se defrontados com a frustrante dificuldade de realizar tal achado, o que, por sua simplicidade aparente, resulta em desapontamento. Em consonância com os postulados conceituais e com a problemática mencionada, delineou-se um projeto de natureza propositiva, delineou-se um projeto com o escopo de facilitar a geolocalização dos túmulos para o benefício da coletividade. Tal iniciativa assume a forma de um Sistema de Informação Geográfica (SIG) que entregue à gestão de uma casa funerária que opera na cidade de Passos, apresentando-se como um serviço de utilidade pública. Foi desenvolvida uma base cartográfica extraída por meio de um ortomosaico elaborado a partir de imagens tomadas com câmera embracada em um Drone. As técnicas de geoprocessamento associadas a conceitos de banco de dados relacional possibilitaram uma melhor organização e assimilação da informação trazendo uma resposta mais imediata e assertiva ao usuário na identificação da área de interesse (jazigo).
Evaluation of the Influence of Culture Media and Neem Cake Extract on the Growth Rate of Three Soil Borne Fungi (Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma viride and Sclerotium rolfsii)
Authors: Etim Daniel Offiong , Aniete Bassey Rosemary , Ini-Ibehe Ndarake Eden , Umana Etim Johnson , Nancy Ireozor 
Published: October 2023

Aims: To evaluate the performance and efficacy of three fungi on pure Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), Potato dextrose agar (PDA), malt extract agar (MEA); SDA, PDA and MEA modified in combination with different neem cake concentrations.
Study Design: The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Botany, University of Calabar, between July 2021 and September, 2021.
Methodology: Fungal pathogens were isolated from soil samples and infected fruits of water melon. Different culture media were used to grow the pathogens. Chloramphenicol (250mg) was added to each medium, autoclaved at 1210C for 15 minutes, and kept at room temperature of 21 ± 10C. After inoculation, colonies were sub cultured to obtain pure culture. Media modification was achieved by adding 10g, 20g, 30g and 40g of extract. Cork borer (5mm) of fungi stock culture were transferred to Petri dishes. Linear growth of fungi was recorded after 16 hours. Average linear growth rate was measured at 12 hours interval for five days.
Results: Spore concentration of Sclerotium rolfsii was significantly higher in pure media than in modified media. Among modified media, concentrations were significantly higher in both PDA and MEA at 1.60x106 spores/ml. Trichoderma viride on pure SDA produced the highest spore concentration at 4.80x106 spores/ml followed by pure PDA at 4.10x106 spores/ml, whereas on the modified media, MEA had the highest spore concentration at 1.80x106 spores/ml. Pure Potato Dextroes Agar (PDA) of Trichoderma harzianum produced the highest spores at 6.10x106 spores/ml while MEA and SDA had close range of spore production at 4.90x106 and 4.30x106 spores/ml respectively. Modified MEA had the highest spore concentration at 1.30x106 spores/ml followed by SDA which had 1.1x106 spores/ml.
Conclusion: The mycelia growth rate reveals that both pure and modified MEA supported the growth of all the fungi better than PDA and SDA.
Multi‐Dimensional Taylor Network‐Based Adaptive Tracking Control for Nonlinear Time‐Delay Systems Subject to Asymmetric Input Saturation Under Prescribed Performance
Authors: Zhai Lian‐Lian , Zhao Wei , Zhou Ya‐Feng , Han Yu‐Qun 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study is to develop a new control method for nonlinear time‐delay systems with input saturation and to achieve the prescribed performance control target by exploiting the excellent approximation performance of multidimensional Taylor networks (MTNs). The transformation method is used to transform the complex saturation model into a simple model with bounded error, simplifying the controller design process. The MTN is used to handle the nonlinear functions of the system, and an original adaptive control algorithm is constructed with the help of the backstepping method. The proposed control approach is feasible and can implement the tracking error signal that falls into the desired prescribed scope with all the signals in the control system being bounded. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed approach is demonstrated by presenting simulation results.
Solvophobic Binder Crystallinity‐Tailored Advances in Solvent‐Free Thick Cathodes for High‐Energy Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Kim Hyemin , Kang Dong Hyuk , Lee Jeonghun , Yoon Juhee , Kim Yurim , Kim Jihyeon , Jin Hyoung‐Joon , Yun Young Soo 
Published: January 2025

AbstractDeveloping high‐performance thick cathodes with optimized inactive‐to‐active material ratios is a promising approach to enhance the energy density of conventional lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, increasing electrode thickness introduces challenges, including elevated resistance and mechanical issues such as cracking and flaking, particularly in slurry‐based wet processes. This highlights the necessity for solvent‐free, low‐resistance thick cathode fabrication methods. In this study, the impact of a solvent‐free mechano–thermal fabrication process on the electrochemical performance of high‐nickel ternary metal oxide‐based thick cathodes is explored. A key challenge identified is the formation of solvophobic crystalline structures on the surface of the active cathode materials. To address this, a fast cooling strategy is implemented at the end of the solvent‐free fabrication process, which successfully reduced the solvophobic crystallinity, ultimately surpassing the electrochemical performance of cathodes produced through wet processes. Furthermore, incorporating a PVDF/succinonitrile (SN) mixture binder via liquid‐phase mixing further minimized crystallinity, resulting in significantly improved electrolyte wettability, ionic conductivity, and mechanical adhesion. As a result, the mixture binder system achieved a high areal capacity of ≈11 mA h cm⁻2 and demonstrated stable cycling performance over 100 cycles. When paired with a lithium metal anode, the thick cathode attained an energy density of ≈418 W h kg⁻¹, translating to ≈335 W h kg⁻¹ with packaging—representing approximately 35% improvement over current LIB technologies.
Electrolyte Solvent‐Ion Configuration Deciphering Lithium Plating/Stripping Chemistry for High‐Performance Lithium Metal Battery
Authors: Li Qian , Liu Gang , Chen Yinghua , Wang Jia , Kumar Pushpendra , Xie Hongliang , Wahyudi Wandi , Yu Hao , Wang Zexu , Ma Zheng , Ming Jun 
Published: January 2025

AbstractElectrolyte engineering plays a critical role in tuning lithium plating/stripping behaviors, thereby enabling safer operation of lithium metal anodes in lithium metal batteries (LMBs). However, understanding how electrolyte microstructures influence the lithium plating/stripping process at the molecular level remains a significant challenge. Herein, using a commonly employed ether‐based electrolyte as a model, the role of each electrolyte component is elucidated and a relationship between electrolyte behavior and the lithium plating/stripping process is established by investigating the effects of electrolyte compositions, including solvents, salts, and additives. The variations in Li+ deposition kinetics are not only analyzed by characterizing the lithium deposition overpotential and exchange current density but it is also identified that the intermolecular interactions are the previously unexplored cause of these variations by 2D nuclear overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY). An interfacial model is developed to explain how solvent interactions, distinct roles of anions, and critical effects of additives influence Li+ desolvation kinetics and the thermodynamic stability of desolvation clusters during lithium plating/stripping process. This model clarifies how these configurations of solvents and ions are related to the macroscopic properties of lithium plating/stripping chemistry. These findings contribute to more uniform and controllable lithium deposition, providing valuable insights for designing advanced electrolyte systems for LMBs.
PbSe‐Induced Sb2S3 Crystallization and Interface Band Optimization for High‐Efficiency Bulk Heterojunction Sb2S3 Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Yang , Jin Mengqi , Wan Zhiyang , Chen Chong , Cao Wenbo , Naveed Faisal , Kuang Jiajin , Cheng Liquan , Lei Longhui , Chen Junwei , Dong Yingying , Wang Mingtai 
Published: January 2025

AbstractSb2S3 solar cells have significant advantages in non‐toxicity and stability compared to perovskite solar cells. However, their power conversion efficiency still needs to be improved urgently. One of the main reasons is that the crystal orientation of 2D Sb2S3 is difficult to control, and there are a large number of dangling bonds at the crystal surface, which make it difficult for photogenerated charges to efficiently conduct in the desired direction and causes serious charge recombination. In order to overcome various challenges, including the core difficulties mentioned above, herein, ultra‐thin PbSe is deposited on TiO2/CdS nanorods to induce preferential crystallization of Sb2S3 films in the [hk1] direction that is more conducive to charge transport, bidirectionally passivate defects at the CdS/Sb2S3 heterojunction interface. At the same time, the crystallization in the [hk0] direction, which is not conducive to charge transport, is suppressed in the Sb2S3 thin film, and the interfacial band structure is optimized. Ultimately, the efficiency of target Sb2S3 solar cell is improved to 8.06%, which is the highest efficiency of bulk heterojunction Sb2S3 solar cells. This study provides new ideas for efficient Sb2S3 solar cells in novel device design, Sb2S3 crystallization optimization, and interface engineering.
Vivid Structural Coloration in Transparent MXene‐Cellulose Nanocrystals Composite Films
Authors: Dimitrov Botyo , Poliukhova Valeriia , Joo Claire , Buxton Madeline , Roslyk Irina , Gogotsi Yury , Crossno Jacob , Page Kirt A. , Koerner Hilmar , Nepal Dhriti , McConney Michael E. , Bunning Timothy J. , Tsukruk Vladimir V. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractWe demonstrate shear‐printed layered photonic films with vivid structural coloration from bio‐derived cellulose nanocrystals and highly aligned Ti3C2Tx MXene nanoflakes. These ultrathin films (700–1500 nm) show high light transmittance above 40% in the visible range. In reflectance mode, however, the films appear vividly colored and iridescent due to the multiple distinct photonic bandgaps in the visible and near‐infrared ranges, which are rarely observed in CNC composites. The structural coloration is controlled by the stacking of MXene nanoscale‐thin layers separated by the thicker cellulose nanocrystals matrix, as confirmed by photonic simulations. The unique combination of distinctly different optical appearances in transmittance and reflectance modes occurs in films printed with just a few layers. This is because of the molecularly smooth interfaces and the high refractive contrast between bio‐based and inorganic phases, which result in a concurrence of constructive and destructive interference. These lamellar biophotonic films open the possibilities for advanced radiative cooling, camouflaging, multifunctional capacitors, and optical filtration applications, while the cellulose nanocrystals matrix strengthens their flexibility, robustness, and facilitates sustainability.
Phosphated Electrolyte Enabling Dual Robust Electrode–Electrolyte Interfacial Reconstruction Toward Capable Zn Metal Batteries
Authors: Wang Yuao , Wang Tiantian , Cui Penghui , Mao Guanchong , Ye Ke , Hu Fang , Chen Minghua , Cao Dianxue , Zhu Kai 
Published: January 2025

AbstractRechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) are expected to be the next generation of low‐cost, safe, and high‐energy‐density energy storage systems. However, undesirable electrode/electrolyte interfacial (EEI) side reactions of anode and dissolution of cathode materials during cycling of ZIBs have led to drastic degradation of battery performance. Here, a phosphated electrolyte is developed to facilitate the simultaneous formation of a Zn3(PO4)2‐rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and the cathode/electrolyte interface (CEI) as well as improved solvent chemistry. The in situ generated robust EEI induce uniform deposition of zinc and inhibit solvation of the cathode material to achieve a high performance ZIBs. The improved solvent chemistry promises stable cycling at low temperatures with an ultra‐long life of 600 h at −10 °C. Moreover, the pouch cell with phosphated electrolyte exhibits excellent cycling performance with no significant capacity degradation after 150 cycles. In addition, the phosphated electrolyte in anode‐free ZIBs performances a long lifetime of 200 cycles. This study provides a simple and effective strategy for interface construction in ZIBs.
“One Stone, Two Birds”: Multi‐Element Doping Induced Crystallinity Modulation for Large Current Density Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Yuan Yuhang , Yang Yifan , Liu Guanglei , Chang Mingwei , Liu Zhu , Gao Kaichun , Zheng Hongbang , Ye Mingxin , Shen Jianfeng 
Published: January 2025

AbstractOxygen evolution reaction (OER) plays a critical role in water splitting, which can directly determine the energy consumption of hydrogen production. However, the poor stability of catalysts at large current density inhibits their industrial application. Therefore, the development of efficient catalysts with industry‐relevant activities still faces great challenges. Herein, a one‐step corrosion strategy is reported for the preparation of multi‐element low‐crystal transition metal hydroxide (denoted as NiFeCrMnCo‐c). Density functional theory calculation indicates that multi‐element doping strategy improves the conductivity of the catalyst and reduces the energy barrier in the catalytic process. Only 259 and 303 mV overpotentials are required to achieve the anodic current densities of 100 and 1000 mA cm−2 respectively, and it can work at the anodic current density of 50 and 1000 mA cm−2 for 300 h without apparent attenuation. Furthermore, when it is self‐assembled as an anion exchange membrane electrolyzer, it requires only 1.72 V at 1000 mA cm−2 for industrial water splitting and operates stably for 100 h at 60 °C, which can meet the requirements of industrial hydrogen production. The design of the OER catalysts with simple preparation, high activity, and high current density provides a new perspective for practical industrial water splitting.
Highly Safe Electrolyte for Fast‐Charging, High‐Temperature, High‐Voltage Sodium Metal Batteries
Authors: Wu Daxiong , Wang Huaping , Zhu Chunlei , Wang Chuan , Li Xiu , Ma Jianmin 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe development of high‐energy and safe sodium metal batteries (SMBs) remains largely challenging due to the lack of a viable electrolyte, especially at high rates and high temperatures. Here a highly safe electrolyte is reported via engineering the fluorinated solvents and potassium trifluoro(2‐fluoropyridin‐3‐yl)borate (PTFB) additive for high‐energy SMBs under extreme conditions. The as‐formulated electrolyte not only exhibits excellent Non‐flammability, heat resistance, and anodic stability but also promotes the formation of a NaF‐dominated solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) with uniform distribution and generates a thin and homogeneous cathode‐electrolyte interphase (CEI) with high ionic conductivity. Thus, the assembled Na||Na symmetric and Na||Cu batteries achieve a durable cycle of over 1200 h and a high average Coulombic efficiency (CE) of 99.07%, respectively. Moreover, the 4.5 V Na||Na3V2(PO4)2O2F (NVPF) batteries also deliver stable high‐temperature (55 °C) and fast‐charging (6 min charging) performance. Even with limited Na, the Cu@Na||NVPF full battery retains a high‐capacity retention of 95.4% after 200 cycles. The work provides a promising approach for developing fast‐charging, high‐energy, and safe SMBs.
Adhesive and Conductive Fibrous Hydrogel Bandages for Effective Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
Authors: Jin Subin , Jung Hyunjin , Song Jihyang , Kim Sumin , Yoon Subeen , Kim Jung Hyun , Lee Jung Seung , Kim Yong Jun , Son Donghee , Shin Mikyung 
Published: January 2025

AbstractPeripheral nerve injury is a common disease resulting in reversible and irreversible impairments of motor and sensory functions. In addition to conventional surgical interventions such as nerve grafting and neurorrhaphy, nerve guidance conduits are used to effectively support axonal growth without unexpected neuroma formation. However, there are still challenges to secure tissue‐mimetic mechanical and electrophysiological properties of the conduit materials. Herein, the phenylborate‐tethered hydrogel‐assisted doping effect is elucidated on conductive polymers, enhancing peripheral nerve regeneration when used as a sutureless bandage on the injured nerve. The adhesive and conductive nerve bandage consists of biocompatible hyaluronic acid hydrogel microfibers produced by electrospinning, followed by in situ conductive polypyrrole polymerization on the fibrous mat. Particularly, phenylborate groups enable high adsorption of pyrrole without mechanical crack on the hydrogel network and allow tissue‐like stretchability and on‐nerve adhesiveness. In a rat crushed nerve injury model, the nerve bandage can effectively promote nerve regeneration through stable sutureless wrapping followed by great electrical transmission on the defect region, showing anatomical and functional recovery of the nerve tissues and preventing muscular atrophy. Such hydrogel fibrous bandages will be a promising surgical dressing to be combined with versatile biomedical devices/materials for peripheral nerve repair.
High‐Temperature Polymer Composite Dielectrics: Energy Storage Performance, Large‐Scale Preparation, and Device Design
Authors: Li Xin , Hu Penghao , Jiang Jianyong , Pan Jiayu , Nan Ce‐Wen , Shen Yang 
Published: January 2025

AbstractFilm capacitors are widely used in advanced electrical and electronic systems. The temperature stability of polymer dielectrics plays a critical role in supporting their performance operation at elevated temperatures. For the last decade, the investigations for new polymer dielectrics with high energy storage performance at higher temperatures (>200 °C) have attracted much attention and numerous strategies have been employed. However, there is currently still a large gap between lab research and large‐scale production. In this review, the main effects of high temperature on the dielectric properties are analyzed and core modification strategies are summarized. The scientific and technological reasons for the performance difference between lab research and practical application are also discussed. Further, several processes for large‐scale film preparation and typical device structure design are reviewed. The current research and product launches pertaining of high‐temperature film capacitors are also summarized. Conclusive insights and future perspectives are delineated to offer strategic direction for the ongoing and prospective innovation in polymer dielectric materials.