bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Achieving high initial Coulombic efficiency for competent Na storage by microstructure tailoring from chiral nematic nanocrystalline cellulose
Authors: Xie Fei , Xu Zhen , Guo Zhenyu , Jensen Anders C. S. , Feng Jingyu , Luo Hui , Ding Feixiang , Lu Yaxiang , Hu Yong‐Sheng , Titirici Maria‐Magdalena 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAlthough it has been proven that porous, heteroatomic, and defective structures improve Na storage performance, they also severely affect the initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) due to the huge irreversible capacity in the first cycle, which always limits the practical application of carbon anodes in commercial Na‐ion batteries (NIBs). Here, we show the successful synthesis of nanocrystalline cellulose and the derivative hard carbons. A series of treatments including acid hydrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization, and high‐temperature pyrolysis help tune the pores, heteroatoms, and defects to achieve an optimized balance between superior ICE and reversible capacity of up to 90.4% and 314 mAh g−1. This study highlights that tailoring the electrode microstructure could be an important strategy in the future design of carbonaceous anode materials for high‐performance Na‐ion batteries.
Recent trends, challenges, and perspectives in piezoelectric‐driven self‐chargeable electrochemical supercapacitors
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Karthikeyan , Pazhamalai Parthiban , Manoharan Sindhuja , Liyakath Ali Noor Ul Haq , Kim Sang‐Jae 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe increasing demand for wearable electronic devices has resulted in tremendous progress in research on energy harvesting and storage devices/technologies. Energy storage devices require a power source to charge them, whereas energy harvesting devices require a storage compartment to store the harvested energy for sustainable delivery. Recently, a piezoelectrically driven self‐charging supercapacitor power cell (SCSPC) was developed to harvest and store electrical energy in a solitary system to determine the potential impact of these two types of energy devices for wearable electronic applications. This review describes the recent advances in piezoelectric‐driven SCSPCs in terms of device configuration, piezoelectric separator, electrolyte types, electrode materials, current collectors, and system integration. This review focuses specifically on the principles and mechanism of the self‐charging process that occurred in the SCSPCs and the use of a promising piezo electrochemical spectroscopic tool to realize the piezo electrochemical energy transfer and storage process in the SCSPCs. Further, the current challenges and new perspectives for future developments in the emerging area of SCSPCs or integrated energy devices are discussed.
Understanding the Interaction between Inorganic and Organic Excitonic Components of an Inorganic‐Organic Nanohybrid Associate
Authors: Banerjee Somnath , Chakraborty Debabrata , Preeyanka Naupada , Sarkar Moloy 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe present study deals with the design, formation, and photophysical studies on light‐harvesting inorganic‐organic nanohybrid associates comprising a less‐toxic, inorganic core‐shell QD (Cu−In−S/ZnS) and an organic S0041 dye aggregate. One of the main objectives of this study is to understand the interaction between the inorganic and organic excitonic components of the hybrid system and its implication on the photophysical response of the system. The nanohybrid associate have been obtained through the self‐assembly of S0041 dye molecules (organic exciton) onto Cu−In−S/ZnS QD (inorganic exciton). The characterization of as‐synthesized QD have been done by conventional microscopic and spectroscopic measurements. The exciton domain length for the organic dye aggregates is estimated to be 24 nm. Steady‐state absorption, emission, and time‐resolved photoluminescence (PL) intensity decay measurements have been carried out to understand the interaction mechanism between inorganic and organic excitonic components and the overall photophysical behaviour of the hybrid system. The studies have revealed that the formation of hybrid associate is electrostatically driven and thermodynamically feasible. Interestingly, steady‐state and time‐resolved PL decay measurements and their analysis have revealed that the interaction between inorganic QD and organic aggregate is mediated through dipole‐dipole Förster energy transfer (ET) mechanism and the ET efficiency is found to be as high as 95%. The present system is expected to be used in fabrication of less‐toxic nanoscale light‐harvesting system.
A new catalyst for HER: Tin‐Cobalt Co‐deposited nickel matrix
Authors: Ağfındık Orhan , Aydın Özkan , Farsak Murat , Kardaş Gülfeza 
Published: May 2022

SummaryHydrogen, called the energy source of the future, is a superb energy carrier. Electrolysis of water is the only method in the production of hydrogen classified with the green category. However, although the cost of hydrogen production by electrolysis has decreased considerably in recent years, it still has not reached reasonable levels. It is necessary to develop economical catalysts instead of precious metals with high catalytic efficiency such as platinum to reduce the electrolysis costs and increase the hydrogen evolution efficiency. In this study, the cathode electrode was prepared by depositing Ni, Sn, and Co on the nickel mesh support material using the electrochemical method. The efficiency of the prepared electrodes in terms of hydrogen evolution reaction abilities was investigated. Therefore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, linear sweep voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, and potentiodynamic polarization measurements were taken with a three‐electrode technique in a 1.0 M KOH electrolyte medium. The lowest overvoltage for the hydrogen evolution was determined as 0.1911 V with the SnCo#Ni electrode. The surface characterizations of the prepared electrodes were made using scanning electron microscope‐energy‐disperse X‐ray.
Estimating willingness to pay for public health insurance while accounting for protest responses: A further step towards universal health coverage in Tunisia?
Authors: Abu‐Zaineh Mohammad , Chanel Olivier , Makhloufi Khaled 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIntroductionDeveloping countries face major challenges in implementing universal health coverage (UHC): a widespread informal sector, general discontent with rising economic insecurity and inequality and the rollback of state and public welfare. Under such conditions, estimating the demand for a health insurance scheme (HIS) on voluntary basis can be of interest to accelerate the progress of UHC‐oriented reforms. However, a major challenge that needs to be addressed in such context is related to protest attitudes that may reflect, inter alia, a null valuation of the expected utility or unexpressed demand.MethodsWe propose to tackle this by applying a contingent valuation survey to a non‐healthcare‐covered Tunisian sample vis‐à‐vis joining and paying for a formal HIS. Our design pays particular attention to identifying the nature of the willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) values obtained, distinguishing genuine null values from protest values. To correct for potential selection issues arising from protest answers, we estimate an ordered‐Probit‐selection model and compare it with the standard Tobit and Heckman sample selection models.ResultsOur results support the presence of self‐selection and, by predicting protesters' WTP, allow the “true” sample mean WTP to be computed. This appears to be about 14% higher than the elicited mean WTP.ConclusionThe WTP of the poorest non‐covered respondents represents about one and a half times the current contributions of the poorest formal sector enrolees, suggesting that voluntary participation in the formal HIS is feasible.
Laparoscopy has better performance than laparotomy in the treatment of stable penetrating abdominal trauma: A retrospective cross‐sectional study in a trauma referral hospital in Colombia
Authors: Gómez Efrain J. I. , Vargas Luis F. C. , Lozada‐Martinez Ivan D. , Reyes Mariana , Pedraza Mauricio , Forero Nicolas , Guardo‐Carmona Daniela , Narvaez‐Rojas Alexis R. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundAbdominal trauma is one of the leading causes of death. In Colombia, few studies have evaluated the results on related factors and outcomes when comparing laparotomy versus laparoscopy in the management of penetrating abdominal trauma. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopy in the treatment of stable penetrating abdominal trauma in a limited resources environment in a middle‐income country.MethodsRetrospective cross‐sectional study was conducted in Bogota, Colombia from January 2018 to October 2020. Patients over 18 years old, hemodynamically stable with penetrating abdominal trauma without other body parts injuries, that underwent laparoscopy and/or laparotomy surgical exploration and treatment were included. Frequencies, percentages, correlations, and odds ratio were calculated.ResultsA total of 52 patients were analyzed (26 laparoscopy vs. 26 laparotomy). Stabbing injuries were more frequent in both groups (76.9%), as well as involvement of the anterior abdomen. None missed enterotomies were reported in the laparoscopy group. Surgical time and bleeding were significantly lower in the laparoscopic approach group (63 vs. 115 min and 65 vs. 992 cc, respectively). The time to oral intake and length of stay in the intensive care unit was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic management group (2 vs. 3 days and 1 vs. 4 days, respectively).ConclusionsSurgical results found a safe scenario in a limited resources environment for the application of the laparoscopic technique to approach penetrating abdominal trauma in stable patients without missed injuries, low threshold of conversion to open approach, and additionally not presenting a higher percentage of complications compared with the laparotomy group in Colombia. Operative time, oral intake, and length of hospital stay were lower in the fully therapeutic laparoscopy group.
Monitoring phosphorus in the tributaries of a deep lake from the perspective of the receiving water body
Authors: Valerio Giulia , Pilotti Marco , Scibona Alessandro , Nizzoli Daniele 
Published: May 2022

AbstractDeep lakes under climate change are experiencing reduced deep mixing, with a consequent increase in nutrients concentration and oxygen deficit in the hypolimnion. From this perspective, greater efforts should be made to reduce the phosphorus load delivered to these lakes by their tributaries. An essential precondition for this action is a reliable estimate of the loads, which is challenging due to the marked temporal variability of the hydrologically‐driven diffuse sources. In this article, we used a high‐resolution phosphorus time series measured at the mouth of the main tributary of Lake Iseo and a machine learning algorithm to show the dominant role played by the acute, storm‐dependent transport. The results emphasize the need to control loads strictly linked to precipitation and runoff in the drained watershed, representing 31% of the observed events but responsible for 64% of the overall load to the lake. We also proved evidence that the current obligations on nutrients monitoring miss the total phosphorus dynamics, leading to a systematic underestimation of the load conveyed by the inflows. Accordingly, we propose a sampling methodology where the timing and the methods for data interpolation are established according to the hydrological conditions in the drained watershed. Accounting for the economical and practical constraints imposed by the monitoring authorities, we propose to integrate, at the mouth of lake tributaries, a monthly manual sampling with an auto‐sampler programmed to fill 2 bottles in correspondence of each high flow event. Our simulations showed that in this case the load estimation error was reduced below 1%, implying, on average, 13 field surveys/year and 21 laboratory analyses/year only. It is reasonable to expect comparable performances in hydrologically similar watersheds.
Systematic analysis of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)‐associated herpesvirus genomes from a KS case‐control study in Cameroon: Evidence of dual infections but no association between viral sequence variation and KS risk
Authors: Marshall Vickie A. , Fisher Nicholas C. , Goodman Charles A. , Cornejo Castro Elena M. , Liu Isabella , Khanal Sirish , Holdridge Benjamin M. , Thorpe Abigail L. , Labo Nazzarena , Stolka Kristen B. , Hemingway‐Foday Jennifer J. , Abassora Mahamat , N'Dom Paul , Smith Jennifer S. , Sallah Neneh , Palser Anne L. , Kellam Paul , Keele Brandon F. , Whitby Denise 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn sub‐Saharan Africa, Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is endemic, and Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a significant public health problem. Until recently, KSHV genotype analysis was performed using variable gene regions, representing a small fraction of the genome, and thus the contribution of sequence variation to viral transmission or pathogenesis are understudied. We performed near full‐length KSHV genome sequence analysis on samples from 43 individuals selected from a large Cameroonian KS case‐control study. KSHV genomes were obtained from 21 KS patients and 22 control participants. Phylogenetic analysis of the K1 region indicated the majority of sequences were A5 or B1 subtypes and all three K15 alleles were represented. Unique polymorphisms in the KSHV genome were observed including large gene deletions. We found evidence of multiple distinct KSHV genotypes in three individuals. Additionally, our analyses indicate that recombination is prevalent suggesting that multiple KSHV infections may not be uncommon overall. Most importantly, a detailed analysis of KSHV genomes from KS patients and control participants did not find a correlation between viral sequence variations and disease. Our study is the first to systematically compare near full‐length KSHV genome sequences between KS cases and controls in the same endemic region to identify possible sequence variations associated with disease risk.
Insomnia affects patient‐reported outcome in sleep apnea treated with hypoglossal nerve stimulation
Authors: Steffen Armin , Baptista Peter , Ebner Eva‐Maria , Jeschke Stephanie , König Inke R. , Bruchhage Karl‐Ludwig 
Published: May 2022

AbstractObjectiveComorbid insomnia may impact outcomes of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) receiving hypoglossal nerve stimulation with respiratory sensing (HNS) therapy. To examine whether the presence of insomnia measured using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) is associated with patient‐reported outcomes and objective OSA measures in patients receiving HNS therapy.MethodsIn this retrospective chart review, patients with an HNS implant and ISI score at follow‐up assessment were categorized as having moderate/severe insomnia or no/subthreshold insomnia. OSA‐related data (Apnea Hypopnea Index, AHI; Oxygen Desaturation Index, ODI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ), and overall patient satisfaction was compared between these patient categories. Correlations between ISI scores and each of these variables were examined.ResultsOf the 132 patients, 26% had moderate/severe insomnia at follow‐up assessment. ESS and FOSQ scores were worse in the insomnia group at baseline, follow‐up, and in the change from baseline, but AHI and ODI scores did not differ between patients with and without insomnia. Frequency of overall satisfaction at follow‐up was lower in the insomnia group (58.8% vs. 92.8% with no insomnia, P < .001). Patients with insomnia were more likely to have depression (56% vs. 27% without insomnia, P < .002).ConclusionsInsomnia is associated with worse patient‐reported outcomes of daytime sleepiness and sleep‐related quality of life in patients with OSA receiving HNS therapy. Depression is more prevalent in patients with comorbid insomnia. The ISI may help physicians to address comorbid insomnia and achieve high patient satisfaction and adherence to HNS therapy.Level of Evidence4
The monkey microbial biobank brings previously uncultivated bioresources for nonhuman primate and human gut microbiomes
Authors: Li Danhua , Liu Chang , Abuduaini Rexiding , Du Mengxuan , Wang Yujing , Zhu Haizhen , Chen Honghe , Zhou Nan , Xin Yuhua , Wu Linhuan , Ma Juncai , Zhou Yuguang , Lu Yong , Jiang Chengying , Sun Qiang , Liu Shuang‐Jiang 
Published: May 2022

Impact statementNonhuman primates (NHPs) such as monkeys are the closest living relatives to humans and are the best available models for causative studies of human health and diseases. Gut microbiomes are intensively involved in host health. In this study, by large‐scale cultivation of microbes from fecal samples of monkeys, we obtained previously uncultured bacterial species and constructed a Macaca fascicularis Gut Microbial Biobank (MfGMB). The MfGMB consisted of 250 strains that represent 97 species of 63 genera, 25 families, and 4 phyla. The information of the 250 strains and the genomes of 97 cultured species are publicly accessible. The MfGMB represented nearly 50% of core gut microbial compositions at the genus level and covered over 80% of the KO‐based known gut microbiome functions of M. fascicularis. Data mining showed that the bacterial species in the MfGMB were prevalent not only in NHPs gut microbiomes but also in human gut microbiomes. This study will help the understanding and future investigations on how gut microbiomes interact with their mammalian hosts.
The “Spin‐3/2 Bloch Equation”: System matrix formalism of excitation, relaxation, and off‐resonance effects in biological tissue
Authors: Wu Chengchuan , Blunck Yasmin , Johnston Leigh A. 
Published: May 2022

PurposeThis work proposes “Spin‐3/2 Bloch Equation” (SBE), a consolidated formalism for spin‐3/2 dynamics in biological environments. The formalism encapsulates excitation, relaxation, and off‐resonance with accessible matrix representation for a straightforward implementation with high computational efficiency.TheoryThe SBE is derived using spherical tensor operators to encapsulate the spin‐3/2 dynamics in biological systems in a single system matrix, a formalism akin to the well‐known Bloch Equations (BE).MethodsUsing the proposed SBE, simulations of three classical 23Na pulse sequences were performed to demonstrate the versatility and applicability of the model, returning the evolution of the 23Na spin system during these experiments: soft rectangular and adiabatic inversion recovery (IR) and triple‐quantum filtering. IR simulations were compared with two existing spin‐3/2 simulators and the adaptive BE as a first‐order approximation.ResultsThe proposed SBE is straightforward to implement and facilitates accurate and fast simulations of the underlying higher order coherence in sodium experiments of biological tissues. SBE simulations and comparison spin‐3/2 simulators outperform the BE simulations as expected, with the SBE offering superior computational efficiency achieved by the single system matrix formalism.ConclusionThe proposed SBE enables comprehensive and accurate simulations for spin‐3/2 systems in biological tissue. With a one‐line call to an ordinary differential equation solver, it offers a computationally efficient and accessible method for use in 23Na pulse sequence design.
The impact of manual patient handling on work ability: A cross‐sectional study in a Brazilian hospital
Authors: Bernardes João Marcos , Spröesser Alonso Melissa , Gómez‐Salgado Juan , Ruiz‐Frutos Carlos , García‐Navarro Esperanza Begoña , Dias Adriano 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAimTo investigate the level of self‐reported work ability and its association with manual patient handling in healthcare workers.DesignCross‐sectional study adhering to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.MethodsA total of 320 healthcare workers answered a self‐administered questionnaire regarding manual patient handling, work ability, occupational factors, occurrence of low back pain and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors from November 2016 to March 2017. The association between manual patient handling and low back pain was analysed with Poisson regression models.ResultsThe prevalence ratio of inadequate work ability was 43.42%. Manual patient handling (PR 1.375, 95% CI 1.038–1.821), bachelor education (PR 2.150, 95% CI 1.272–3.632), less than bachelor education (PR 2.166, 95% CI 1.218–3.855), seniority (PR 1.049, 95% CI 1.024–1.086), poor sleep quality (PR 1.425, 95% CI 1.13–1.796) and presence of low back pain (PR 2.003, 95% CI 1.314–3.052) were all positively associated with an inadequate work ability.
Affinity Chromatography‐Based Assays for the Screening of Potential Ligands Selective for G‐Quadruplex Structures
Authors: Platella Chiara , Napolitano Ettore , Riccardi Claudia , Musumeci Domenica , Montesarchio Daniela 
Published: May 2022

AbstractDNA G‐quadruplexes (G4s) are key structures for the development of targeted anticancer therapies. In this context, ligands selectively interacting with G4s can represent valuable anticancer drugs. Aiming at speeding up the identification of G4‐targeting synthetic or natural compounds, we developed an affinity chromatography‐based assay, named G‐quadruplex on Oligo Affinity Support (G4‐OAS), by synthesizing G4‐forming sequences on commercially available polystyrene OAS. Then, due to unspecific binding of several hydrophobic ligands on nude OAS, we moved to Controlled Pore Glass (CPG). We thus conceived an ad hoc functionalized, universal support on which both the on‐support elongation and deprotection of the G4‐forming oligonucleotides can be performed, along with the successive affinity chromatography‐based assay, renamed as G‐quadruplex on Controlled Pore Glass (G4‐CPG) assay. Here we describe these assays and their applications to the screening of several libraries of chemically different putative G4 ligands. Finally, ongoing studies and outlook of our G4‐CPG assay are reported.
Structural, thermal, and viscoelastic response of nanoclay reinforced polylactic acid/thermoplastic polyurethane shape‐memory nanocomposites of low transition temperature
Authors: Jafari Horastani Sahar , Karevan Mehdi , Ghane Mohammad 
Published: May 2022

AbstractShape memory polymers are strong competitors against shape memory alloys in many similar applications due to their inherent properties. Numerous studies have already reported shape memory properties of pure and blended polymer systems. However, further research is required to address property–structure interplays in nano‐reinforced shape memory composites of low programming temperature with specialty applications including wearing smart cloths, advanced medical devices and biomedical shape memory scaffolds. This research aims to evaluate the overall interplay amongst thermal, structural and viscoelastic properties of nanoclay reinforced polylactic acid (PLA)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) shape memory blends whilst the use of a plasticizer is hypothesized to modify the programming temperature of the fabricated parts. To achieve this, the melt mixing method was utilized in fabrication of nanoclay filled PLA/TPU blends of 60/40 ratio as the optimized reference system. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used to reduce the stimulation temperature down to around 42°C. The results showed that the optimal thermal, structural and shape memory properties are obtained when 5 wt% of nanoclay and 10 wt% of PEG are incorporated into the reference blend exhibiting the targeted stimulus temperature as supported by the thermal, structural and shape memory response of the parts. The contact angles, surface energy values and transmission electron microscopy analysis further confirmed the improvement in the miscibility of PLA/TPU blends correlated to the overall shape memory response of the fabricated parts.