bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimate of Genotypic and Phenotypic Correlation and Path Coefficients in Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)
Authors: Singh Dharmendra Bahadur , Yadav G. C. , Singh Nitesh Kumar , Kumar Rahul , Prashant  
Published: December 2023

The significant positive correlation of phenotypic and genotypic performance as well as path correlation of crops helps in selection of the superior cultivars. Based upon important significance of these estimates, it was applied in our research. For this an experiment was conducted on different genotypes of chilli during winter season of 2021-22, with the aim of estimate correlation coefficient among the growth and yield traits and elucidate the direct and indirect effect of different traits on yield through path coefficient analysis. The experimental material for the study consisted of 40 genotypes including one check (Kashi Anmol), laid in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Observations were recorded on thirteen quantitative characters. The most important trait fruit yield per plant had exhibited highly significant and positive phenotypic correlation with average fruit weight (0.925), no. of fruits per plant (0.595) and fruit circumference (0.464). Path coefficient analysis revealed that average fruit weight (0.835) and no. of fruit per plant (0.385) were identified as most important traits which had positive direct on fruit yield per plant. The higher magnitude of negative direct effect on fruit yield per plant was exerted by fruit circumference (-0.018) followed by secondary branches per plant (-0.011). While maximum positive indirect effect on total fruit yield per plant shown by fruit circumference (0.448), followed by no. of fruit per plant (0.216). while negative indirect effect shown by secondary branches per plant (-0.143) followed by plant height (-0.127) and days to mature red ripe stage (-0.124). Thus, it can be inferred from the data above that selecting for these qualities will effectively enhance the crop for increased production and contributing traits.
Endocrine Disruptors
Authors: Kougias Daniel G. , Kundu Payel 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Endocrine disruption is a relatively new field of study, as endocrine disruptors were not formally acknowledged by regulatory agencies until 1996. Over the years, many federal and international regulatory agencies and professional associations have provided varying terminology and classifications; however, in general, exposure to endocrine disruptors, or endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs), at environmentally relevant doses results in adverse effects consequent to interfering with endocrine function. Apart from minor nomenclature disagreements, there are challenges and limitations to this field, as EDC classification criteria can vary substantially in considering evidence for a biologically plausible causal relationship between the endocrine activity and the induced adverse effect. Accordingly, international consensus for unambiguous designation of EDCs is lacking. Therefore, this chapter will not attempt to resoundingly identify all known or suspected EDCs; rather, the objective of this chapter is to first provide historical context to chemical regulation, including on endocrine disruption and its development as a field, and then follow with a review of the health implications, which highlights some fundamental concepts of endocrine disruption and incorporates a tale of the infamous public health disaster resulting from prescribing pregnant women diethylstilbestrol (DES), a potent synthetic estrogen. The current testing guidelines and standards for EDCs are also reviewed, demonstrating the restricted focus on canonical endocrine disruption that is characterized by nuclear hormone receptor‐based activity and the estrogenic, androgenic, thyroidal, and steroidogenic (EATS) modalities. To end, some of the more recently regulated EDCs, particularly bisphenol A and phthalates, as well as other ubiquitous EDCs, like phytoestrogens and flame retardants, are reviewed.
Infarct‐related structural disconnection and delirium in surgical aortic valve replacement patients
Authors: Browndyke Jeffrey N. , Tomalin Lewis E. , Erus Guray , Overbey Jessica R. , Kuceyeski Amy , Moskowitz Alan J. , Bagiella Emilia , Iribarne Alexander , Acker Michael , Mack Michael , Mathew Joseph , O'Gara Patrick , Gelijns Annetine C. , Suarez‐Farinas Mayte , Messé Steven R. ,   for the Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network (CTSN) Investigators
Published: December 2023

AbstractObjectiveAlthough acute brain infarcts are common after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), they are often unassociated with clinical stroke symptoms. The relationship between clinically “silent” infarcts and in‐hospital delirium remains uncertain; obscured, in part, by how infarcts have been traditionally summarized as global metrics, independent of location or structural consequence. We sought to determine if infarct location and related structural connectivity changes were associated with postoperative delirium after SAVR.MethodsA secondary analysis of a randomized multicenter SAVR trial of embolic protection devices (NCT02389894) was conducted, excluding participants with clinical stroke or incomplete neuroimaging (N = 298; 39% female, 7% non‐White, 74 ± 7 years). Delirium during in‐hospital recovery was serially screened using the Confusion Assessment Method. Parcellation and tractography atlas‐based neuroimaging methods were used to determine infarct locations and cortical connectivity effects. Mixed‐effect, zero‐inflated gaussian modeling analyses, accounting for brain region‐specific infarct characteristics, were conducted to examine for differences within and between groups by delirium status and perioperative neuroprotection device strategy.Results23.5% participants experienced postoperative delirium. Delirium was associated with significantly increased lesion volumes in the right cerebellum and temporal lobe white matter, while diffusion weighted imaging infarct‐related structural disconnection (DWI‐ISD) was observed in frontal and temporal lobe regions (p‐FDR < 0.05). Fewer brain regions demonstrated DWI‐ISD loss in the suction‐based neuroprotection device group, relative to filtration‐based device or standard aortic cannula.InterpretationStructural disconnection from acute infarcts was greater in patients who experienced postoperative delirium, suggesting that the impact from covert perioperative infarcts may not be as clinically “silent” as commonly assumed.
Caffeine‐reinforced Collagen as Localized Microenvironmental Trans‐Browning Bio‐Matrix for Soft Tissue Repair and Regeneration in Bariatric Condition
Authors: Sreekumar Sreelekshmi , Vijayan Vinu , Gangaraj Karyath Palliyath , Thangasornaraja Menakha , Kiran Manikantan Syamala 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe wound exudates, hypoperfusion of the subcutaneous fat layer, and poor vasculature worsen wound management in obese subjects. In the current study, a multifunctional Caffeine‐reinforced collagen biomaterial is developed that can simultaneously modulate lipid metabolism and angiogenesis in obese wound microenvironments for faster tissue regeneration. The biomaterial is fabricated specialized for obese conditions to initiate simultaneous lipolysis and angiogenesis locally in the hypoxic subcutaneous fat in wound margins of obese subjects. Caffeine‐reinforced collagen biomatrix shows better structural integrity, thermal stability, bio‐compatibility, and lesser proteolytic susceptibility. Caffeine‐collagen biomaterial promote angiogenesis, fibroblast migration, and localized browning of white adipocytes to activate thermogenesis in the subcutaneous fat layer at the wound site. Full‐thickness excision wound healing studies performed in obese C57BL6 mice shows faster wound closure within day 9 when compare to control mice. The Caffeine‐reinforced collagen biomaterial remodeled the wound site locally by activating fibroblast to secrete collagen, activate endothelial cells to promote angiogenesis, and induce browning in white adipocytes in subcutaneous fat. The study opens a new direction in bariatric tissue regenerative medicine by locally modulating lipid metabolism, angiogenesis, and trans‐browning at the injured site for faster complete restoration of the damaged tissue.
Highly Efficient and Reliable Organic Light–Emitting Diodes Enabled by a Multifunctional Hazy Substrate for Extreme Environments
Authors: Jeon Yongmin , Lee Tae‐Yun , Nam Minwoo , Lee Hyeongjun , Kim Hyeunwoo , Lee Sun‐Woo , Oh Seung Jin , Choi Seungyeop , Yang Jun‐Yeong , Jung Sunghoon , Lee Seunghun , Byeon Eun‐Yeon , Kim Taek‐Soo , Jeon Heonsu , Kwon Jeong Hyun 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAs transparent, flexible, and wearable organic electronics degrade under normal outdoor environmental conditions (e.g., water vapor, oxygen, and UV light) and extreme environments, including washing or rain, a customized encapsulation technology is required to improve device reliability. Herein, a simple process is presented for fabricating multifunctional hazy substrates (MFHSs) with excellent gas diffusion barrier (GDB), flexibility, UV reflectance, light scattering, and waterproof properties. First, a spiky polyethylene terephthalate (PET) surface is produced with 76.0% optical haze through ion‐beam treatment followed by the formation of a hydrophobic layer to achieve a waterproof effect (contact angle: 153.3°). Then, a multifunctional multibarrier film is fabricated based on a nano‐laminated distributed Bragg reflector and functional polymer on the functional PET substrate to serve as a GDB and UV filter. This multibarrier film has excellent mechanical and chemical stabilities, in addition to having a water vapor transmission rate of 10−6 g m−2 day−1 and UV transmittance of <3%. The so‐fabricated MFHS not only increases the device efficiency by 73% but also enables a highly flexible and environmentally stable organic light–emitting diode. The surface treatment and encapsulation technologies developed in this study are expected to increase the lifetime of organic devices and facilitate high outdoor usability.
Boosting the Electroactivity of Porous Ni2P/Pd6P Nanorods for Nitrate to Ammonia Through Hydrogen Spillover Effect
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Wang Jiayi , Zong Kai , Yang Yi , Wang Xin , Chen Zhongwei 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn contrast to the energy‐intensive Haber‐Bosch process, the electroreduction of nitrate to ammonia presents a promising alternative. In this work, the Ni2P/Pd6P nanorods (named NiPdP‐NR) are successfully synthesized by using a simple phosphating process with NiIIPdII‐dimethylglyoxime complex (NiIIPdII‐DMG) nanorods as the precursor. Density functional theory calculations and electrochemical experiments prove that the introduction of Pd facilitates hydrogen spillover from Pd to Ni2P modulates the surface electronic structures, and therefore improves the catalytic kinetics of nitrate reduction ultimately. According to the dynamic experiment, the as‐prepared NiPdP‐NR shows high nitrate conversion efficiency (90.6%), selectivity of NH3 (93.4%), high Faradic efficiency (92.6%), and NH3 yield rate (0.908 mmol h−1 mgcat−1) for the nitrate reduction.
Comparative Proteomics Inspired Self‐Stimulated Release Hydrogel Reinforces the Therapeutic Effects of MSC‐EVs on Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Huang Meng , Zheng Mengna , Song Qingxiang , Ma Xinyi , Zhang Qian , Chen Huan , Jiang Gan , Zhou Songlei , Chen Hongzhuan , Wang Gang , Dai Chengxiang , Li Suke , Li Ping , Wang Hao , Zhang Ao , Huang Yukun , Chen Jun , Gao Xiaoling 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe clinical application of extracellular vesicles (EVs)‐based therapeutics continues to be challenging due to their rapid clearance, restricted retention, and low yields. Although hydrogel possesses the ability to impede physiological clearance and increase regional retention, it typically fails to effectively release the incorporated EVs, resulting in reduced accessibility and bioavailability. Here an intelligent hydrogel in which the release of EVs is regulated by the proteins on the EVs membrane is proposed. By utilizing the EVs membrane enzyme to facilitate hydrogel degradation, sustained retention and self‐stimulated EVs release can be achieved at the administration site. To achieve this goal, the membrane proteins with matrix degrading activity in the mesenchymal stem cell‐derived extracellular vesicles (MSC‐EVs) are identified using comparative proteomics. After that, a hydrogel comprised of self‐assembled peptides that are susceptible to degradation by the membrane enzymes present in MSC‐EVs is designed and synthesized. After intranasal administration, this peptide hydrogel facilitates sustained and thermo‐sensitive release of MSC‐EVs, thereby extending the retention of the MSC‐EVs and substantially enhancing their potential for treating Alzheimer's disease. This research presents a comparative proteomics‐driven approach to intelligent hydrogel design, which holds the capacity to significantly enhance the applicability of EVs in clinical settings.
Plasma‐Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition of Amorphous Tantalum Thin Films for Copper Interconnects Using an Organometallic Precursor
Authors: Tian Xu , Ding Yuancan , Chai Gaoda , Tang Yupu , Lei Renbo , Jia Guodong , Zhang Yuanju , Li Jinxiong , Zhou Yi , Wang Xinwei 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAs integrated circuits continue to shrink in size, the demand for high‐quality adhesive layers in copper Damascene interconnects has increased. However, tantalum (Ta) films, used as liners, prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD) from metal halide precursors, are prone to corrosion and exhibit issues such as low film density and unstable performance. In this study, Ta films are successfully fabricated using a plasma‐enhanced ALD (PEALD) process with an organometallic precursor of Ta(NtBu)(NEt2)3 (TBTDET). The study of the growth conditions reveals that introducing 10% Ar in Ar‐H2 mixed gas leads to continuous high‐quality Ta films. The deposited Ta films are free of halogen impurities, which can avoid the detrimental impact on the stability of the Cu interconnects. Although the films contain some carbon and nitrogen impurities, they do not affect the film adhesive properties. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the Ta films are amorphous, and the amorphous Ta films exhibit superior barrier properties. Moreover, highly uniform Ta films can be conformally deposited into narrow interconnect structures using this PEALD process. These findings suggest that the Ta films prepared by the organometallic precursor can offer a promising solution to address the issues related to the halogen elements in the adhesive layer preparation.
A Hierarchical Polyoxometalate/Pd/Mos2 Hybrid: Developing an Efficient Novel Bifunctional Catalyst for Water Splitting
Authors: Guillen‐Soler Melanie , Vassilyeva Natalia V. , Quirós‐Díez Eugenia Pilar , Vila‐Fungueiriño Jose M. , Forment‐Aliaga Alicia , Gimenez‐Lopez Maria del Carmen 
Published: December 2023

AbstractCatalytic water splitting is a promising approach to produce clean hydrogen fuel from renewable energy sources. However, developing hybrid heterostructures capable of efficiently breaking down water into its constituent elements, hydrogen, and oxygen, presents a considerable challenge. In this study, a novel hierarchical POM/Pd/MoS2 hybrid heterostructure, composed of sheets of MoS2 modified with Pd nanoparticles and combined with a cobalt‐based polyoxometalate (POM), serving as bifunctional catalyst for water splitting is reported. Through a synergistic synthetic approach, MoS2, acting as a reducing agent, triggers the nucleation and growth of Pd nanoparticles, which, in turn, serve as anchoring sites for the polymerization of the cobalt‐based POM into fibers. POM/Pd/MoS2 hybrid exhibits an enhanced oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity, comparable to the benchmark catalysts Ir/C and IrO2/C in alkaline media, being its hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity similar to the activated Pd/MoS2 hybrid. The intriguing electrocatalytic capability of the resulting material for producing hydrogen and oxygen through electrochemical means arises from the enhanced charge storage capacity and conductivity of MoS2, the multi‐electron transfer facilitated by the POM, and the high electrocatalytic activity of the metals.
Variable Stiffness Fibers Enabled Universal and Programmable Re‐Foldability Strategy for Modular Soft Robotics
Authors: Luan Hengxuan , Wang Meng , Zhang Qiang , You Zhong , Jiao Zhongdong 
Published: December 2023

AbstractOrigami is a rich source of inspiration for creating soft actuators with complex deformations. However, implementing the re‐foldability of origami on soft actuators remains a significant challenge. Herein, a universal and programmable re‐foldability strategy is reported to integrate multiple origami patterns into a single soft origami actuator, thereby enabling multimode morphing capability. This strategy can selectively activate and deactivate origami creases through variable stiffness fibers. The utilization of these fibers enables the programmability of crease pattern quantity and types within a single actuator, which expands the morphing modes and deformation ranges without increasing their physical size and chamber number. The universality of this approach is demonstrated by developing a series of re‐foldable soft origami actuators. Moreover, these soft origami actuators are utilized to construct a bidirectional crawling robot and a multimode soft gripper capable of adapting to object size, grasping orientation, and placing orientation. This work represents a significant step forward in the design of multifunctional soft actuators and holds great potential for the advancement of agile and versatile soft robots.
Intrinsic Activity of Metalized Porphyrin‐based Covalent Organic Frameworks for Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction
Authors: Hu Hongyin , Miao Runyang , Yang Fulin , Duan Fang , Zhu Han , Hu Yiming , Du Mingliang , Lu Shuanglong 
Published: December 2023

AbstractElectrocatalytic nitrate reduction (NO3RR) to ammonia is a promising alternative to the traditional Haber–Bosch process for the removal of widespread nitrate pollutants. Understanding the structure–activity correlations of the NO3RR is essential for developing efficient catalysts. Herein, metalized porphyrin‐based covalent organic frameworks (COFs) containing optional metal centers and linking units are used to reveal the reaction pathway and intrinsic structure–performance relationship of the NO3RR. The experimental results show that Fe porphyrin‐based COFs have the highest activity and ammonia selectivity (FENH3 = 85.4%, NH3 yield rate = 1883.6 µmol h−1 mg−1COF) among COFs with different investigated metal centers. Moreover, the higher electron density at the Fe center as regulated by the linking units significantly decreased the selective reduction ability from nitrate to ammonia of the COFs. Theoretical calculations confirmed that the reaction pathway and *NO to *NHO are potential‐dependent steps. More importantly, the adsorbed energy of NO on the metal centers (G*NO) is proposed as a highly matched thermodynamic descriptor for evaluating catalytic performance and may be extended to more NO3RR catalysts with well‐defined structures. This work illustrates the intrinsic structure–activity relationship of metalized COFs for the NO3RR, which may provide useful guidance for designing efficient electrocatalysts.
Functionalized Electrode Additive for Simultaneously Reinforcing Chemo‐Mechanical Properties of Millimeter‐Thick Dry‐Electrode for High‐Energy All‐Solid‐State Batteries
Authors: Kim Hyun‐seung , Jung Jae Yup , Kim KyungSu , Hwang Chihyun , Yu Jisang , Park Min‐Sik , Cho Woosuk 
Published: December 2023

AbstractVoids are widely disseminated in a powder when mixed, and hence the typical dry‐electrode preparation method yields a sparse dry‐electrode because the external pressure applied to the surface of the mixed powder is not evenly distributed. Consequently, particle cracking and void remnants appear in the electrode after calendaring. This study introduces a practically applicable bi‐functionalized electrode additive to simultaneously reinforce the chemo‐mechanical properties of millimeter‐thick dry electrodes. The agyrodite Li6PS5Cl solid electrolyte and lithium difluorophosphate (LiPO2F2) additive have different sizes, as demonstrated by their densification from their elaborate bimodal structure, which is densely packed. Because the additive is filled into the interparticle voids in the electrode sheet during electrode fabrication, a decrease in electrode cracking after calendaring is possible because of the uniform distribution of external pressure. Hence, a thin, highly ionic/electronic‐conductive electrode can be constructed by the addition of LiPO2F2 additive. Furthermore, during the formation, the active material surface‐contacted LiPO2F2 promptly produces a surface layer comprising LiF and LixPFy. Thus, the addition of LiPO2F2 further reduces the degradation of Li6PS5Cl solid electrolytes. As a result, the LiPO2F2 additive simultaneously improves the electrochemical and physicochemical properties of millimeter‐thick dry‐electrodes for high‐energy all‐solid‐state battery systems.
Exploring the role of interest rates, macroeconomic environment, agricultural cycle, and gender on loan demand in the agricultural sector: Evidence from Mali
Authors: Ölkers Tim , Mußhoff Oliver 
Published: December 2023

AbstractFormal credit plays an important role for the development of the agriculture sector in developing countries because many farmers are characterized as liquidity constrained. Access to credit can increase farmers' purchasing power for inputs and agricultural technology, thus raising the overall productivity. Farmers in Mali are particularly vulnerable to shocks, such as heavy precipitation events. Access to liquidity to increase the resilience of the agricultural sector is essential. Therefore, higher financing volumes are required, which make the analysis of loan demand in agriculture of interest. The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the role of the interest rate, the macroeconomic environment, the agricultural cycle and the gender of the farmer on the loan demand in the agricultural sector from a country in the Sahel. Unique and comprehensive loan data at the farm level, provided by a commercial Malian bank, is used for this analysis. The analysis covers the period from 2010 to 2020. Two different estimation strategies are combined. First, an ordinary least square regression is applied with the granted loan amount as the dependent variable. Second, the machine learning technique, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, is applied to select the most relevant features to be used as explanatory variables in the estimation. The results reveal that the interest rate, the gross value added, the farmer's gender as well as the agricultural cycle have statistically significant effects on the granted loan demand in agriculture. These results are of interest to policymakers, who deal with financial inclusion as well as market failures, and agricultural financial institutions who could incorporate such information in the design of future loan products to stimulate farmers' loan demand, especially for female farmers. [EconLit Citations: G20, G21, O13, O16, Q14, Q18].