bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Bacteriological and Antibiogram of Uropathogens among Students in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Imo State University, Owerri
Authors: Enwerem Chibuenyim Maxwell , Dike- Ndudim Joy Nkeiruka , Ndubueze Chizaram Winners 
Published: April 2022

The Assessment of bacteriological and antibiogram of uropathogens among students in the faculty of Health Sciences, Imo State University, Owerri with the aim to determine the prevalence of the isolates and to test which antibiotic has the greatest antagonistic activity against the different isolates in the study area. Fifty (50) students made up of both sexes were examined using their midstream urine samples as specimen. The study took note of the students’ age, sex and department. The urine samples were cultured on Nutrient agar, Mannitol salt agar, and MacConkey agar using pour plate method and were incubated at 37oC for 24 hours. After which the total bacterial counts were carried out and based on the count, it was categorized as being significant, suspected and non-significant. The colonies were then sub cultured for further identification. The pure isolates produced were stained using Gram stain, examined microscopically and further tested using relevant biochemical tests. It was found that a total of 35 bacteria were isolated which includes E.coli 14(40%) being the most predominant organism, followed by Staphylococus aureus 13(37.1%), Proteus mirabilis 7(20%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1(2.9). Out of the fifty (50) urine samples investigated, 24 samples were significant for UTI (105 CFU/ml), 2 samples were suspected for UTI (102 – 104 CFU/ml), while 24 were not significant for UTI (below 102CFU/ml). Based on departmental studies, the subjects from the Department of Nutrition and Diatetics and Optometry had the highest significance of UTI, (60%) respectively. The results of susceptibility tests showed that Imipenem was the most effective antibiotic in inhibiting the bacterial growth (98.8% of antibiotic activity). The present study therefore, revealed that the urine samples collected from students in Faculty of Health sciences, Imo State University, Owerri had significant UTI and most of the isolates (98.8%) were sensitivity to Imipenem. UTI testing should be conducted periodically, and those who are infected should be treated with antibiotics like Imipenem to avoid complications. New antimicrobials and therapeutic agents with great efficacy, no side effects, ease of availability, and low cost should also be created. In order to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance, antibiotic medication should be started following a laboratory culture and sensitivity report. This would not only aid in the prudent use of antibiotics, but it would also help to limit the spread of antimicrobial resistant strains in the research region and the general community.
A Practice-based Methodology on Conducting a Collaborative Scoping Review with PRISMA-ScR Model for the Separated Refugee Youth Project
Authors: Alamgir A K M , Nudel Serena , Abojedi Amjed 
Published: April 2022

Considering the novelty of the area of a 2-year study on impact of family loss and separation on refugee youth in Toronto, the research team decided to conduct a scoping review of the existing literature as a foundation document that included the extent, range, geography, and nature of research on the topic of interest.
A collaborative co-design approach for this review bought in wisdom from relevant stakeholders. Arksey and O’Malley’s framework was modified for this scoping review that substantively identified the extent and magnitude of past research, research gaps, and best practice models for conducting such exploratory research on novel ideas. This framework yielded desired output, such as selection and characteristics of sources of evidence, critical appraisal within sources of evidence, and synthesis of results for the next steps of the research. Prudent researchers and professionals in this area of research, service provider agencies, and a university librarian were consulted. The PRISMA-ScR model saved time and ensured the appropriate yield of the search items. The quality of the review process was evaluated by the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Qualitative Studies Checklist tool.
This article displays a practical example of how the scoping review process was instrumental in a community-based research project with separated refugee youth to generate the foundational evidence for broader research. This quality-embedded process of collecting and charting data for a scoping review is transferable to similar research initiatives. The flexibility and reproducibility of this review method are commendable.
Feasibility of Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheotomy in Head and Neck Cancer Surgery: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Lee Hyun Jin , Park Yesai , Kim Rip , Kang Sung-Hee , Nam Inn-chul 
Published: April 2022

ObjectivePercutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) is a technique that can place a tracheostomy tube safely without visually identifying the trachea. We evaluated its feasibility during head and neck cancer surgery.Summary of background dataPDT has many advantages, such as less bleeding, easier technique, and shorter procedural time.MethodsTwelve patients who underwent PDT during head and neck cancer surgery from September 2016 to March 2018 were enrolled, and their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Medical records of another 12 patients who underwent conventional tracheostomy during head and neck cancer surgery were analyzed. PDT was performed using a Ciaglia Percutaneous Tracheostomy Set. The tracheostomy point was determined by palpation without the guidance of bronchoscopy or ultrasonography. Blood loss, procedural time, communication between the cervical wound and tracheostomy wound, and complications were compared between the PDT group and the conventional group.ResultsThe PDT group had less blood loss, a shorter procedural time, and a lower incidence of communication between the cervical and tracheostomy wound. There was 1 case of conversion to conventional tracheostomy due to wrong tracheal penetration in the PDT group.ConclusionsPDT is safe and effective as an adjunctive procedure during head and neck cancer surgery.
The effect of autistic behaviors on evaluations of deception and credibility in everyday social situations
Authors: Lim Alliyza , Young Robyn L. , Brewer Neil 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBehaviors such as gaze aversion and repetitive movements are commonly believed to be signs of deception and low credibility; however, they may also be characteristic of individuals with developmental or mental health conditions. We examined the effect of five behaviors that are common among autistic individuals—gaze aversion, repetitive movements, misinterpretation of figurative language, monologues, and flat affect—on observers' evaluations of deception and credibility. This study focused on judgments made in everyday social situations which contrasts with most previous studies which have examined such judgments in contexts (e.g., legal proceedings) where they are of primary importance. In three experiments, we presented participants with video segments of individuals being interviewed about biographical information and participants then indicated their perception of the individuals' truthfulness and credibility. Overall, individuals were perceived as more deceptive and less credible when they displayed autistic behaviors than when they did not; however, the effect sizes detected were weak.
A PMNN‐PZT Piezoceramic Based Magneto‐Mechano‐Electric Coupled Energy Harvester
Authors: Yu Zhonghui , Yang Jikun , Cao Jiawei , Bian Lang , Li Zhanmiao , Yuan Xiaoting , Wang Zehuan , Li Qunyang , Dong Shuxiang 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIt is desired to obtain a piezoceramic with a high piezoelectric coefficient and low dielectric loss simultaneously for energy harvester application. Herein, it is reported that the 0.025Pb(Mn1/3Nb2/3)O3‐0.525Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3‐0.135PbZrO3‐0.315PbTiO3 (PMNN‐PZT) ceramic exhibits superior piezoelectric charge parameter e33 of 37.74 pC m−2 and low dielectric loss tanδ of 0.45%. Furthermore, a PMNN‐PZT ceramic‐based magneto‐mechano‐electric coupled energy harvester (MMEC‐EH) with a varying‐stiffness cantilever is designed and fabricated, which shows the strong self‐resonance effect in response to a random, transient impulse vibration or magnetic field stimulus. The investigations show that under a 0.6 s pulse vibration stimulus, the MMEC‐EH can tune itself into self‐resonance damping oscillation lasting for six seconds at its resonance frequency of 16 Hz, and the produced maximum power is 1.96 mWRMS. Under both weak magnetic field and force‐field dual‐stimulus (Hac = 0.5 Oe and a = 0.05 g), the generated power density is about 60 mWRMS Oe−2g−2cm−3, which is one to two orders of magnitude higher than those previously reported MMEC‐EHs. Finally, the MMEC‐EH is successfully demonstrated to power temperature/humidity sensors, indicating its potential for harvesting both weak vibration and magnetic field energy from environments for self‐powered sensor application.
Tuning Polymer Hydrophilicity to Regulate Gel Mechanics and Encapsulated Cell Morphology
Authors: Navarro Renato S. , Huang Michelle S. , Roth Julien G. , Hubka Kelsea M. , Long Chris M. , Enejder Annika , Heilshorn Sarah C. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractMechanically tunable hydrogels are attractive platforms for 3D cell culture, as hydrogel stiffness plays an important role in cell behavior. Traditionally, hydrogel stiffness has been controlled through altering either the polymer concentration or the stoichiometry between crosslinker reactive groups. Here, an alternative strategy based upon tuning the hydrophilicity of an elastin‐like protein (ELP) is presented. ELPs undergo a phase transition that leads to protein aggregation at increasing temperatures. It is hypothesized that increasing this transition temperature through bioconjugation with azide‐containing molecules of increasing hydrophilicity will allow direct control of the resulting gel stiffness by making the crosslinking groups more accessible. These azide‐modified ELPs are crosslinked into hydrogels with bicyclononyne‐modified hyaluronic acid (HA‐BCN) using bioorthogonal, click chemistry, resulting in hydrogels with tunable storage moduli (100–1000 Pa). Human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs), human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) are all observed to alter their cell morphology when encapsulated within hydrogels of varying stiffness. Taken together, the use of protein hydrophilicity as a lever to tune hydrogel mechanical properties is demonstrated. These hydrogels have tunable moduli over a stiffness range relevant to soft tissues, support the viability of encapsulated cells, and modify cell spreading as a consequence of gel stiffness.
Mechanical, Elastic, and Adhesive Properties of Two‐Dimensional Materials: From Straining Techniques to State‐of‐the‐Art Local Probe Measurements
Authors: Di Giorgio Cinzia , Blundo Elena , Pettinari Giorgio , Felici Marco , Bobba Fabrizio , Polimeni Antonio 
Published: April 2022

Abstract2D materials, such as graphene, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), and transition‐metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), are intrinsically flexible, can withstand very large strains (>10% lattice deformations), and their optoelectronic properties display a clear and distinctive response to an applied stress. As such, they are uniquely positioned both for the investigation of the effects of mechanical deformations on solid‐state systems and for the exploitation of these effects in innovative devices. For example, 2D materials can be easily employed to transduce nanometric mechanical deformations into, e.g., clearly detectable electrical signals, thus enabling the fabrication of high‐performance sensors; just as easily, however, external stresses can be used as a “knob” to dynamically control the properties of 2D materials, thereby leading to the realization of strain‐tuneable, fully reconfigurable devices. Here, the main methods are reviewed to induce and characterize, at the nm level, mechanical deformations in 2D materials. After presenting the latest results concerning the mechanical, elastic, and adhesive properties of these unique systems, one of their most promising applications is briefly discussed: the realization of nano‐electromechanical systems based on vibrating 2D membranes, potentially capable of operating at high frequencies (>100 MHz) and over a large dynamic range.
Self‐Assembly of Adjustable Micropatterned Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide on Porous Polymeric Surfaces
Authors: Wang Feihu , Huang Hao , Yaniv Karin , Kushmaro Ariel , Bernstein Roy 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe breath figure (BF) method is a simple technique for fabricating micropatterned surfaces but has been rarely studied using graphene oxide (GO) or reduced GO (rGO). Additionally, fabrication of GO or rGO micropatterned (MPGO or MPrGO) by the BF method focuses on smooth and dense inorganic substrates, and the investigation of adjusting the MPGO morphology has been limited. This research systematically studies self‐assembly of MPGO and MPrGO on the surface of two model porous polymers by the BF method and explores its potential applications for surface modification. It is found that the size range of the MPGO is 1–50 µm and that the structures can be adjusted by changing the process parameters. Specifically, under specific conditions, a uniform honeycomb MPGO is obtained. Surface characteristics demonstrate that the unique MPGO morphology alters the surface water contact‐angle from ≈65° to ≈100° and that MPrGO decreases the surface resistivity to 1–5 kΩ cm−2. Additionally, MPGO coating on a microfiltration membrane gives it a much greater permeability than GO coating without micropatterned morphology and antibiofilm properties. Overall, this study shows that MPGO and MPrGO with adjustable morphologies are easily obtained on polymeric surfaces, thus altering the surface properties and giving the polymers various potential applications.
Fully 3D‐Printed, Ultrathin Capacitors via Multi‐Material Microsputtering
Authors: Kornbluth Yosef S. , Parameswaran Lalitha , Mathews Richard , Racz Livia M. , Velásquez‐García Luis F. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThis study reports the first fully additively manufactured capacitors as a proof‐of‐concept demonstration of direct‐write, ultrathin‐film electronic components made via multi‐material microplasma sputtering. This is also the first demonstration of a cleanroom‐quality, multi‐material electrical device produced entirely through additive manufacturing. Ultrathin metal and dielectric films are deposited at <80 °C and atmospheric pressure conditions on a substrate using a novel, continuously fed, dual target microsputtering printhead. The conductive films are created by sputtering gold in an air atmosphere and shown to attain near‐bulk electrical resistivity. The dielectric films are created by sputtering aluminum in a gas blend of argon and air; the aluminum oxidizes in the high‐energy, high‐collisionality plasma, forming alumina nanoparticles that are deposited on the substrate. Ultra‐thin (35 nm) alumina films showed extremely high resistivity (100 GΩ‐m) and dielectric strength (6.2 GV m−1). Also, the frequency response of the capacitor is satisfactorily described by the universal dielectric response typically found in heterogenous dielectrics. It is hypothesized that the dielectric response is the result of the presence of condensed water in the pores of the alumina film.
Time‐Resolved Orientation and Phase Analysis of Lead Halide Perovskite Film Annealing Probed by In Situ GIWAXS
Authors: Reus Manuel A. , Reb Lennart K. , Weinzierl Alexander F. , Weindl Christian L. , Guo Renjun , Xiao Tianxiao , Schwartzkopf Matthias , Chumakov Andrei , Roth Stephan V. , Müller‐Buschbaum Peter 
Published: April 2022

AbstractScalable thin‐film deposition methods are increasingly important for hybrid lead halide perovskite thin films. Understanding the structure evolution during non‐equilibrium processes helps to find suitable materials and processing parameters to produce films with well‐performing optoelectronic properties. Here, spin‐cast and slot‐die coated bilayers of lead iodide (PbI2) and methylammonium iodide (MAI) are investigated by in situ grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering during the thermal annealing process, which converts the bilayer into methylammonium lead iodide (MAPI). Photoluminescence (PL) and UV/Vis measurements show increasing crystallinity during the annealing process and a slight PL red‐shift of the spin‐cast film, attributed to crystallite coalescence that is not prominent for the slot‐die coated film. The disintegration of the solvent‐precursor complex (MA)2(Pb3I8) ⋅ 2 DMSO and conversion into perovskite are followed in situ and differences in the morphology and time evolution are observed. In both, spin‐cast and slot‐die coated thin‐films, the isotropic orientation is dominant, however, in the slot‐die coated films, the perovskite crystallites have an additional face‐on orientation ((110) parallel to substrate) that is not detected in spin‐cast films. An Avrami model is applied for the perovskite crystal growth that indicates reduced dimensionality of the growth for the printed thin films.
Electron Delocalization in CsPbI3 Quantum Dots Enables Efficient Light‐Emitting Diodes with Improved Efficiency Roll‐Off
Authors: Yang Shixu , Bi Chenghao , Dong Wei , Zhang Xiaoyu , Zheng Weitao , Choy Wallace C. H. , Tian Jianjun 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPerovskite quantum dot (QD) charging is prone to occur during light‐emitting diode (LED) operation due to the electron accumulation inside the QD emitters, which is caused by the unbalanced charge injection and carrier transportation. Here in order to address this issue, an electron attractor of phenethylammonium (PEA+) is introduced to the surface of perovskite QDs. The PEA+ conjugated ligands can reversibly store and release electrons driven by the electron local density of states redistribution, which enhances the delocalization of electrons in QDs, and thus suppresses QD charging at high carrier concentrations, as evidenced by the excitation energy dependent photoluminescence. Besides, PEA+ down‐shifts the Fermi level of perovskite QDs, consequently increases the hole concentration, leading to greatly improved hole conduction. Halogen‐rich synthesis environment also reduces the number of halogen vacancies, consequently narrows the distribution of electronic states at the band edges, leading to slightly improved electron conduction. Taking advantage of the enhanced electron delocalization and improved charge transportation, the CsPbI3 QDs LEDs show the maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 15.6% with a low efficiency roll‐off, and the maximum luminance of 1634 cd m−2.
Transversal Halide Motion Intensifies Band‐To‐Band Transitions in Halide Perovskites
Authors: Gehrmann Christian , Caicedo‐Dávila Sebastián , Zhu Xiangzhou , Egger David A. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractDespite their puzzling vibrational characteristics that include strong signatures of anharmonicity and thermal disorder already around room temperature, halide perovskites (HaPs) exhibit favorable optoelectronic properties for applications in photovoltaics and beyond. Whether these vibrational properties are advantageous or detrimental to their optoelectronic properties remains, however, an important open question. Here, this issue is addressed by investigation of the finite‐temperature optoelectronic properties in the prototypical cubic CsPbBr3, using first‐principles molecular dynamics based on density‐functional theory. It is shown that the dynamic flexibility associated with HaPs enables the so‐called transversality, which manifests as a preference for large halide displacements perpendicular to the Pb‐Br‐Pb bonding axis. The authors find that transversality is concurrent with vibrational anharmonicity and leads to a rapid rise in the joint density of states, which is favorable for photovoltaics since this implies sharp optical absorption profiles. These findings are contrasted to the case of PbTe, a material that shares several key properties with CsPbBr3 but cannot exhibit any transversality and, hence, is found to exhibit much wider band‐edge distributions. The authors conclude that the dynamic structural flexibility in HaPs and their unusual vibrational characteristics might not just be a mere coincidence, but play active roles in establishing their favorable optoelectronic properties.
Disentangling Memristive and Memcapacitive Effects in Droplet Interface Bilayers Using Dynamic Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Sacci Robert L. , Scott Haden L. , Liu Zening , Bolmatov Dima , Doughty Benjamin , Katsaras John , Collier C. Patrick 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe underlying principles for generating intelligent behavior in living organisms are fundamentally different from those in traditional solid‐state circuits. Biomimetic neuromorphic equivalents based on biological membranes offer novel implementation of tunable plasticity and diverse mechanisms to control functionality. Here, dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (dEIS) to probe diphytanoylphosphatidylcholine (DPhPC) droplet interface bilayers (DIBs) to better understand the differences in molecular level structure/dynamics that give rise to hysteretic loops and neuromorphic, memelement behaviors in lipid bilayers in response to electrical biasing is used. Importantly, this system does not have ion‐conducting channels and is, therefore, not expected to show memristive behavior. Surprisingly, both memristive and memcapacitive behaviors by measuring the time‐dependent complex impedance of DPhPC DIBs are detected. It is shown that nonlinear memristance can originate from structural changes in the bilayer, affecting its dielectric properties. This novel dEIS application allows for the simultaneous analysis of the system's changing memristive and memcapacitive properties, which originate from different molecular restructuring processes. Moreover, and importantly, access to this type of information increases the number of neuromorphic processes supported simultaneously in a single two‐terminal device.
Screening Switching Materials with Low Leakage Current and High Thermal Stability for Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Wu Renjie , Jia Shujing , Gotoh Tamihiro , Luo Qing , Song Zhitang , Zhu Min 
Published: April 2022

AbstractNeuromorphic computing implemented with spiking neural networks is an energy efficient computing paradigm to break through the Von Neumann bottleneck in the future. Ovonic threshold switching (OTS) selector is considered to be a promising spiking neuron candidate. As ≈1011artificial neurons are needed for brain‐inspired computing, leakage current of OTS devices would waste enormous power. OTS devices with ultralow leakage current are deeply desired. Since the leakage current is closely related to the bandgap of OTS materials and only the amorphous one shows the volatile switching property, here binary gallium sulfide (GaS), characterized by 2.53 eV large band‐gap and ≈550 °C high crystallization temperature is singled out, as the most appealing OTS material. High‐density trap states, an essential prerequisite of the OTS material, are detected in the amorphous GaS. Indeed, the OTS behaviors of the GaS‐based device are directly observed. The simple OTS device could provide 21.23 MA cm−2large ON current density, and ≈10−8 A low OFF current and ≤10 ns switching speed. Furthermore, it is also used to build GaS‐based leakage integrate and fire neurons for future neuromorphic computing. This study provides a new idea for material design before device preparation and takes a neuron as an example.