bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials of Azadirachta indica Leaf Extract Using Bacteria Isolated from Polluted Water as Test Organisms
Authors: Majolagbe Olusola Nathaniel , Ishola Bolatito Motunrayo , Adeyeni Ezekiel Gbadebo 
Published: July 2023

Aims: Globally, there is continuous emergence of infectious pathogens. Therefore, there is a need to search for new drug molecules of plant origin such as A. indica which is commonly grown in Nigeria. This study was aimed at evaluating the antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of the leaf extract of A. indica and determining its bioactive molecules.
Study Design: This was an in-vitro laboratory study.
Place and Duration of Study: This research was carried out at the Microbial Resources Research Laboratory (MRRL), Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso Nigeria from April 2021 to January 2023.
Methodology: Collected fresh leaves of A. indica were destalked, air dried at 27oC for 10 days, and finally grounded. The dried powders were extracted by maceration using four (4) solvents namely: water (aqueous), methanol, ethyl-acetate, and n-hexane. The leaf extracts were assessed for their antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. Bioactive molecules present in the leaf extract were determined by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Results: It was observed that leaf extracts of A. indica possess bioactive molecules such as Phytol which is over 50% of the total biomolecules present. These biomolecules are responsible for the antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials of the extract. The ABTS and DPPH radicals scavenging activities ranged from 24.51 to 90.32 % and 31.79 to 79.59 % respectively. These extracts can be used to mop up free radicals which have damaging effects on the cells of the body. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract for each of the test bacteria isolates varied between 0.05 to 0.8 mg/ml. Thus, the leaf extract of A. indica is a reservoir of bioactive molecules which can be used for novel drug synthesis and discovery.
Conclusion: Thus, leaf extracts of A. indica contain potent biomolecules which can be harnessed for therapeutic use.
Mycotoxin Content of Fungi-Contaminated Sorghum Sold in Selected Markets in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Bamkefa B. A. , Fatoki O. A. , Abiola-Olagunju O. , Duyilemi-Olaniyi A. , Abeeb A. S. , Adediran K. O. , Ajogbeje O. O. 
Published: July 2023

Aim: This study sought to evaluate the mycoflora associated with sorghum retailed in some selected markets in Ibadan metropolis and assessing the risks associated with their consumption.
Methodology: Sorghum samples were obtained from Sango, Oja Oba, Ojoo, Bodija and Orita markets in Ibadan, Nigeria. Associated fungi were isolated by direct plating of the sample on Potato Dextrose Agar while they were identified by morphological and microscopic methods. Proximate and aflatoxin content of the samples were determined using standard methods.
Results: The presence of Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Mucor sp, Penicillium sp, Trichothecium sp, Curvularia sp., Fusarium monoliforme, Alternaria alternata, and P. roqueforti were observed in the samples. Among these, A. flavus and A. niger were the most predominant with occurrence of 34.92% and 23.81% respectively. The aflatoxin analysis showed a concentration ranging from 46 – 102ppb and was highest in samples collected from Ojoo market. Aflatoxin contamination was not detected in sixty percent of the samples collected while samples from Oja Oba and Bodija markets had the most samples contaminated by aflatoxins.
Conclusion: The presence of fungi and aflatoxin was confirmed in some of the samples collected from major markets in Ibadan. This suggests the need for continuous surveillance and the recommendation of measures that will prevent fungal infestation.
Impact of Assistive Listening Devices with Hearing AIDS
Authors: Najeeb S. M. Tarique , Singh Akanksha , Bose Dipak Kumar , Chandel Swati , Gupta Neena 
Published: July 2023

Background: Hearing aids plays a significant role in management of hearing loss. Communication technologies when integrated with hearing aids leads to a better understanding of listening and a better outcome in their quality of life.
Objective: To measure the quality of life with the use of Assistive Listening Devices (ALD) when paired with hearing aid.
Methods: Cross sectional study conducted in the Delhi and NCR region across hospitals and clinics. Total 109 participants were included in this study over a period of one year.
Results: Assistive listening devices when used with the hearing aids, participants reported a significant improvement in quality of life.
Conclusion: It is recommended to use ALDs with hearing aids for a satisfactory listening quality which leads to a better quality of life.
Historical change in the Emirati life script
Authors: Camia Christin , Alhallami Ayesha Omran , Alhattali Dhabia Khalid , Al Hosani Badria Mohamed , Bohn Annette 
Published: July 2023

AbstractCultural life scripts organize culturally shared expectations regarding order and timing of life events during a prototypical life course. Prior research sustained that the semantic knowledge of cultural life scripts is relatively stable across decades and between age groups, even though this notion had only been investigated in relatively stable societies, and in mostly female samples. Therefore, this study obtained the newborn and elderly Emirati life scripts in an equal number of younger and older women and men. As expected, the Emirati newborn life script displays current Emirati lifestyle and customs. The elderly life script mirrors the traditional Emirati lifestyle; however, much less in the younger than in the older participants. Furthermore, we found differences in the temporal distribution and emotional valence of events between newborn and elderly life scripts. This study implies that cultural life scripts change with cultural transformation, but that adapting life script knowledge may necessitate experience.
Ultra‐Strong Regenerated Wool Keratin Fibers Regulating via Keratin Conformational Transition
Authors: Zhang Liang , Ma Ning , Jia Xiangzheng , Hua Tianjiao , Zhu Jin , Ding Chenbin , Yang Dongzi , Luo Jinrong , Wang Menglei , Luo Jiajun , Li Shuo , Tong Xiaoling , Fan Qiyue , Xia Zhou , Shao Yanyan , Jian Muqiang , Gao Enlai , Shao Yuanlong , Zhang Jin 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBy virtue of remarkable biocompatibility and their promising applications in biomedical fields, biomass‐regenerated fibers, such as wool keratin fiber and cellulose fiber, have attracted extensive attention. However, the insufficient mechanical performance still hinders their yarn manufacturing capability and further large‐scale applications. Herein, an ultra‐strong and ultra‐tough regenerated wool keratin fiber by regulating keratin conformation with high‐quality small‐size graphene (HQSGr) and mechanical training treatment (M‐HQSGr‐RWKF) is fabricated. With the assistance of mechanical training, a small addition of HQSGr (0.1 wt.%) remarkably augments the secondary structure transition from α‐helix to β‐sheet of the keratin, which delivers a tensile strength of 215.4 ± 5.2 MPa, surpassing all reported natural wool and regenerated wool or even poultry fibers. Benefiting from the excellent mechanical strength, wet‐state toughness (158.9 MJ m−3), and recoverable strain (205.0%), M‐HQSGr‐RWKF has been demonstrated as a biocompatible artificial muscle to drive the biomimetic motion, which manifests ultrahigh actuation strain greater than 100.0% and stress of 16.7 MPa. The derived ultra‐strong and ultra‐tough keratin fiber opens a new avenue for developing smart fiber from biomass resources.
Fatigue‐Resistant Conducting Polymer Hydrogels as Strain Sensor for Underwater Robotics
Authors: Zhang Zhilin , Chen Guangda , Xue Yu , Duan Qingfang , Liang Xiangyu , Lin Tao , Wu Zhixin , Tan Yun , Zhao Qi , Zheng Wenqian , Wang Lina , Wang Fucheng , Luo Xiaoyu , Xu Jingkun , Liu Ji , Lu Baoyang 
Published: July 2023

AbstractConducting polymer hydrogels are widely used as strain sensors in light of their distinct skin‐like softness, strain sensitivity, and environmental adaptiveness in the fields of wearable devices, soft robots, and human‐machine interface. However, the mechanical and electrical properties of existing conducting polymer hydrogels, especially fatigue‐resistance and sensing robustness during long‐term application, are unsatisfactory, which severely hamper their practical utilities. Herein, a strategy to fabricate conducting polymer hydrogels with anisotropic structures and mechanics is presented through a combined freeze‐casting and salting‐out process. The as‐fabricated conducting polymer hydrogels exhibit high fatigue threshold (>300 J m−2), low Young's modulus (≈100 kPa), as well as long‐term strain sensing robustness (over 10 000 cycles). Such superior performance enables their application as strain sensors to monitor the real‐time movement of underwater robotics. The design and fabrication strategy for conducting polymer hydrogels reported in this study may open up an enticing avenue for functional soft materials in soft electronics and robotics.
Multifunctional Fiber‐Based Optoacoustic Emitter as a Bidirectional Brain Interface
Authors: Zheng Nan , Jiang Ying , Jiang Shan , Kim Jongwoon , Chen Guo , Li Yueming , Cheng Ji‐Xin , Jia Xiaoting , Yang Chen 
Published: July 2023

AbstractA bidirectional brain interface with both “write” and “read” functions can be an important tool for fundamental studies and potential clinical treatments for neurological diseases. Herein, a miniaturized multifunctional fiber‐based optoacoustic emitter (mFOE) is reported thatintegrates simultaneous optoacoustic stimulation for “write” and electrophysiology recording of neural circuits for “read”. Because of the intrinsic ability of neurons to respond to acoustic wave, there is no requirement of the viral transfection. The orthogonality between optoacoustic waves and electrical field provides a solution to avoid the interference between electrical stimulation and recording. The stimulation function of the mFOE is first validated in cultured ratcortical neurons using calcium imaging. In vivo application of mFOE for successful simultaneous optoacoustic stimulation and electrical recording of brain activities is confirmed in mouse hippocampus in both acute and chronical applications up to 1 month. Minor brain tissue damage is confirmed after these applications. The capability of simultaneous neural stimulation and recording enabled by mFOE opens up new possibilities for the investigation of neural circuits and brings new insights into the study of ultrasound neurostimulation.
Artificial Neural Processing‐Driven Bioelectronic Nose for the Diagnosis of Diabetes and Its Complications
Authors: Jang Woong Bi , Yi Dongwon , Nguyen Thanh Mien , Lee Yujin , Lee Eun Ji , Choi Jaewoo , Kim You Hwan , Choi Eun‐Jung , Oh Jin‐Woo , Kwon Sang‐Mo 
Published: July 2023

AbstractDiabetes and its complications affect the younger population and are associated with a high mortality rate; however, early diagnosis can contribute to the selection of appropriate treatment regimens that can reduce mortality. Although diabetes diagnosis via exhaled breath has great potential for early diagnosis, research on such diagnosis is restricted to disease detection, requiring in‐depth examination to diagnose and classify diseases and their complications. This study demonstrates the use of an artificial neural processing‐based bioelectronic nose to accurately diagnose diabetes and classify diabetic types (type I and II) and their complications, such as heart disease. Specifically, an M13 phage‐based electronic nose (e‐nose) is used to explore the features of subjects with diabetes at various levels of cellular and organismal organization (cells, liver organoids, and mice). Exhaled breath samples are collected during culturing and exposed to the phage‐based e‐nose. Compared with cells, liver organoids cultured under conditions mimicking a diabetic environment display properties that closely resemble the characteristics of diabetic mice. Using neural pattern separation, the M13 phage‐based e‐nose achieves a classification success rate of over 86% for four conditions in mice, namely, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and cardiomyopathy.
Calcitic Prisms of The Giant SeashellPinna NobilisForm Light Guide Arrays
Authors: Amini Shahrouz , Zhu Tingting , Biswas Abin , Charsooghi Mohammad Avalin , Kim Kyoohyun , Reber Simone , Dauphin Yannicke , Fratzl Peter 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe shells of thePinnidaefamily are based on a double layer of single‐crystal‐like calcitic prisms and inner aragonitic nacre, a structure known for its outstanding mechanical performance. However, on the posterior side, shells are missing the nacreous layer, which raises the question of whether there can be any functional role in giving up this mechanical performance. Here, it is demonstrated that the prismatic part of thePinna nobilisshell exhibits unusual optical properties, whereby each prism acts as an individual optical fiber guiding the ambient light to the inner shell cavity by total internal reflection. This pixelated light channeling enhances both spatial resolution and contrast while reducing angular blurring, an apt combination for acute tracking of a moving object. These findings offer insights into the evolutionary aspects of light‐sensing and imaging and demonstrate how an architectured optical system for efficient light‐tracking can be based on birefringent ceramics.
d‐Orbital Electron Delocalization Realized by Axial Fe4C Atomic Clusters Delivers High‐Performance Fe–N–C Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Yuan Long‐Ji , Liu Bo , Shen Li‐xiao , Dai Yun‐Kun , Li Qi , Liu Chang , Gong Wei , Sui Xu‐Lei , Wang Zhen‐Bo 
Published: July 2023

AbstractFe–N–C catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has been considered as the most promising nonprecious metal catalyst due to its comparable catalytic performance to Pt in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The active centers of Fe–pyrrolic N4 have been proven to be extremely active for ORR. However, forming a stable Fe–pyrrolic N4 structure is a huge challenge. Here, a Cyan‐Fe–N–C catalyst with Fe–pyrrolic N4 as the intrinsic active center is constructed with the help of axial Fe4C atomic clusters, which shows a half‐wave potential of up to 0.836 V (vs. RHE) in the acid environment. More remarkably, it delivers a high power density of 870 and 478 mW cm−2 at 1.0 bar in H2–O2 and H2–Air fuel cells, respectively. According to theoretical calculation and in situ spectroscopy, the axial Fe4C can provide strong electronic perturbation to Fe–N4 active centers, leading to the d‐orbital electron delocalization of Fe and forming the Fe–pyrrolic N4 bond with high charge distribution, which stabilizes the Fe–pyrrolic N4 structure and optimizes the OH* adsorption during the catalytic process. This work proposes a new strategy to adjust the electronic structure of single‐atom catalysts based on the strong interaction between single atoms and atomic clusters.
Villi Inspired Mechanical Interlocking for Intestinal Retentive Devices
Authors: Naik Durva , Balakrishnan Gaurav , Rajagopalan Mahathy , Huang Xiaozili , Trivedi Nihar , Bhat Arnav , Bettinger Christopher J. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIntestinal retentive devices have applications ranging from sustained oral drug delivery systems to indwelling ingestible medical devices. Current strategies to retain devices in the small intestine primarily focus on chemical anchoring using mucoadhesives or mechanical coupling using expandable devices or structures that pierce the intestinal epithelium. Here, the feasibility of intestinal retention using devices containing villi‐inspired structures that mechanically interlock with natural villi of the small intestine is evaluated. First the viability of mechanical interlocking as an intestinal retention strategy is estimated by estimating the resistance to peristaltic shear between simulated natural villi and devices with various micropost geometries and parameters. Simulations are validated in vitro by fabricating micropost array patches via multistep replica molding and performing lap‐shear tests to evaluate the interlocking performance of the fabricated microposts with artificial villi. Finally, the optimal material and design parameters of the patches that can successfully achieve retention in vivo are predicted. This study represents a proof‐of‐concept for the viability of micropost‐villi mechanical interlocking strategy to develop nonpenetrative multifunctional intestinal retentive devices for the future.
Single‐Atom Cu Stabilized on Ultrathin WO2.72 Nanowire for Highly Selective and Ultrasensitive ppb‐Level Toluene Detection
Authors: Wang Peng , Guo Shisong , Hu Zhixiang , Zhou Licheng , Li Tiankun , Pu Shiliang , Mao Hui , Cai Hong , Zhu Zhenfeng , Chen Bingbing , Li Hua‐Yao , Liu Huan 
Published: July 2023

AbstractVarious catalysts are developed to improve the performance of metal oxide semiconductor gas sensors, but achieving high selectivity and response intensity in chemiresistive gas sensors (CGSs) remains a significant challenge. In this study, an in situ‐annealing approach to synthesize Cu catalytic sites on ultrathin WO2.72 nanowires for detecting toluene at ultralow concentrations (Ra/Rg = 1.9 at 10 ppb) with high selectivity is developed. Experimental and molecular dynamic studies reveal that the Cu single atoms (SAs) act as active sites, promoting the oxidation of toluene and increasing the affinity of Cu single‐atom catalysts (SACs)‐containing sensing materials for toluene while weakening the association with carbon dioxide or water vapor. Density functional theory studies show that the selective binding of toluene to Cu SAs is due to the favorable binding sites provided by Cu SAs for toluene molecules over other gaseous species, which aids the adsorption of toluene on WO2.72 nanowires. This study demonstrates the successful atomic‐level interface regulation engineering of WO2.72 nanowire‐supported Cu SAs, providing a potential strategy for the development of highly active and durable CGSs.
A discrimination model by machine learning to avoid gastrectomy for early gastric cancer
Authors: Hayashi Tsutomu , Takasawa Ken , Yoshikawa Takaki , Hashimoto Taiki , Sekine Shigeki , Wada Takeyuki , Yamagata Yukinori , Suzuki Haruhisa , Abe Seiichirou , Yoshinaga Shigetaka , Saito Yutaka , Kouno Nobuji , Hamamoto Ryuji 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAimGastrectomy is recommended for patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) because the possibility of lymph node metastasis (LNM) cannot be completely denied. The aim of this study was to develop a discrimination model to select patients who do not require surgery using machine learning.MethodsData from 382 patients who received gastrectomy for gastric cancer and who were diagnosed with pT1b were extracted for developing a discrimination model. For the validation of this discrimination model, data from 140 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic resection followed by gastrectomy, with a diagnosis of pT1b EGC, were extracted. We applied XGBoost to develop a discrimination model for clinical and pathological variables. The performance of the discrimination model was evaluated based on the number of cases classified as true negatives for LNM, with no false negatives for LNM allowed.ResultsLymph node metastasis was observed in 95 patients (25%) in the development cohort and 11 patients (8%) in the validation cohort. The discrimination model was developed to identify 27 (7%) patients with no indications for additional surgery due to the prediction of an LNM‐negative status with no false negatives. In the validation cohort, 13 (9%) patients were identified as having no indications for additional surgery and no patients with LNM were classified into this group.ConclusionThe discrimination model using XGBoost algorithms could select patients with no risk of LNM from patients with pT1b EGC. This discrimination model was considered promising for clinical decision‐making in relation to patients with EGC.
Revisiting the diagnosis of Gaucher disease in a family with multiple GBA1 variants
Authors: Ryan Emory , Tayebi Nahid , D'Souza Andrea , Lopez Grisel , Lichtenberg Jens , Sidransky Ellen 
Published: July 2023

AbstractOur ability to identify different variants in GBA1, the gene mutated in the lysosomal storage disorder Gaucher disease (GD), has greatly improved. We describe a multigenerational family with type 1 GD initially evaluated over three decades ago. Re‐evaluating both the genotype and phenotype, we determined that one family member with genotype N370S/T369M (p.N409S/p.T408M), was likely erroneously diagnosed with GD. This case substantiates that GBA1 variant T369M, while mildly reducing glucocerebrosidase activity, does not result in GD. The observation has clinical relevance as cases with this genotype will increasingly be ascertained through screening programs in newborns and in movement disorder clinics.
Discovery of Two‐dimensional Hexagonal MBene HfBO and Exploration on its Potential for Lithium‐Ion Storage
Authors: Miao Nanxi , Gong Yutong , Zhang Huaiyu , Shen Qing , Yang Rui , Zhou Jianping , Hosono Hideo , Wang Junjie 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe practical applications of two‐dimensional (2D) transition‐metal borides (MBenes) have been severely hindered by the lack of accessible MBenes because of the difficulties in the selective etching of traditional ternary MAB phases with orthorhombic symmetry (ort‐MAB). Here, we discover a family of ternary hexagonal MAB (h‐MAB) phases and 2D hexagonal MBenes (h‐MBenes) by ab initio predictions and experiments. Calculations suggest that the ternary h‐MAB phases are more suitable precursors for MBenes than the ort‐MAB phases. Based on the prediction, we report the experimental synthesis of h‐MBene HfBO by selective removal of In from h‐MAB Hf2InB2. The synthesized 2D HfBO delivered a specific capacity of 420 mAh g−1 as an anode material in lithium‐ion batteries, demonstrating the potential for energy‐storage applications. The discovery of this h‐MBene HfBO added a new member to the growing family of 2D materials and provided opportunities for a wide range of novel applications.
Wrinkled Hollow Carbon Spheres with Adjustable Diameter for High‐Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Zhao Zihan , Huang Yinshuai , Du Juan , Chen Aibing 
Published: July 2023

AbstractCreating more pleated and collapsed structures for carbon‐based electrode materials is an important measure to enhance the performance of supercapacitors. Herein, a polymer formed by the aldimine reaction of terephthalaldehyde and aminopropyltriethoxysilane was utilized as the carbon source, and tetraethoxysilane was added as a silica additive to achieve the wrinkled structure on hollow carbon spheres. The silica had a significant modulating effect on the structure of the obtained wrinkled hollow carbon sphere (WHCS), which displayed a visible pleated structure, hollow structure, high specific surface area, and pore volume. As an electrode material for supercapacitors, WHCS exhibits excellent performance with a capacitance of 312 F ⋅ g−1 and remarkable cycle life stability, demonstrating its great potential for use in supercapacitors.