bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Media Use, Selective Exposure, and Political Polarization
Authors: Hahn Lauren B. , Weeks Brian E.
Published: September 2020

Technological advances have vastly expanded the number of news and political media outlets available to the public, creating the possibility that people will selectively expose themselves to like‐minded ideological content. At the same time, there is evidence that citizens are often highly polarized politically. This raises a question about the extent to which patterns of selective exposure contribute to political polarization. This entry provides a brief overview of selective exposure and polarization, highlighting the possibility of a link between them. While an overwhelming majority of people do not exclusively use like‐minded political news outlets, there is mixed evidence regarding a relationship between selective exposure and political polarization.
Measuring Human–Bot Interactions
Authors: Varol Onur
Published: September 2020

As communication technologies evolve, a medium for human interactions also transforms into more rapid and information‐heavy exchanges. To meet the cognitive load, humans rely on software to filter the vast content and automatize online interactions. Most software‐assisted activities are beneficial for human–machine interactions; however, certain bad actors use automation to gain power and increase profit by deceiving others and gaming the systems. Especially in social networks, the prevalence of social bots has increased, and their impact has been observed in various scenarios. Research on detecting those automated agents using machine learning and network analysis has been developed, and researchers have been studying the interaction of humans and social bots online. The recent development of social bot detection methodologies and policy discussions for regulating online automation will lead to healthier online ecosystems.
Temporarily Expanding the Boundaries of the Self
Authors: Ewoldsen David R.
Published: September 2020

Narratives are a cultural universal. All cultures have narratives, but the question is why humans are so attracted to narratives. The temporarily expanding the boundaries of the self theory (TEBOTS) argues that the appeal of narratives is that they provide a way for people to deal with the everyday stressors of protecting the self from threats, maintaining the self, and meeting fundamental needs of the self. Specifically, TEBOTS argues that boundary expansion is the ability to step beyond the self when engaging with a narrative. Boundary expansion provides the mechanism for people to experience through the narrative a vast array of abilities and proficiencies—or their absence.
Retrospective Imaginative Involvement
Authors: Sethi Neha
Published: September 2020

Reflective imaginative involvement (RII) involves people's asynchronous involvement with a narrative. This phenomenon is concerned with what people do with narratives retrospectively (i.e., after watching a TV show or movie or reading a story). Such asynchronous narrative engagement may involve simply reimagining the story as one remembers it, counterfactual reflection on the narratives or engaging in elaborate fan behaviors such as writing fan fiction, fan theorizing, cosplaying, and larping. Temporarily expanding the boundaries of the self model and the model of narrative comprehension and engagement can provide theoretical foundations for exploring the mechanisms that facilitate RII and also for understanding the effects of RII on eudaimonic and hedonic responses to narratives.
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response
Authors: Poerio Giulia Lara
Published: September 2020

This entry provides an overview of extant research on the phenomenon of autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR). ASMR is a pleasant tingling sensation (often described as “brain tingles”) that some people experience in response to a set of triggers including whispering, tapping, and soft speaking. Now, nearly 10 years since the term ASMR was coined, it has become increasingly mainstream and prevalent in popular culture. Large online communities on sites such as YouTube allow people to watch videos created to trigger ASMR which they use to combat insomnia and improve mood. This entry covers the small but growing body of research on ASMR, its historical context, descriptive characteristics, and neurological and physiological basis. The association between ASMR and other perceptual phenomena (synesthesia, misophonia, and frisson) as well as its link to individual difference variables (personality, empathy, flow/absorption, and mindfulness), is also discussed.
Neurocinematics
Authors: Grall Clare , Schmälzle Ralf
Published: September 2020

Neurocinematics, an approach at the intersection of neuroscience, media psychology, and film, uses neuroimaging methods to elucidate the reception and processing of movies. This entry provides a brief introduction to methods and an overview of current research.
Repeat Exposure, Rewatching, and the Paradox of Suspense
Authors: Grady Sara
Published: September 2020

Rewatching a film or rereading a beloved novel are relatively common media behaviors, yet there is much we do not know about the selection and processing of familiar entertainment content. For example, audiences report similar appraisals and interest levels during a second viewing, yet how can a mystery be just as arousing the second time around, when they already know how the story will unfold? This problem (for which there are conflicting proposed solutions) is known as the paradox of suspense. Separately, evidence suggests a number of factors drive the choice to repeat media exposure. These include emotional and contextual factors (such as nostalgia and ritual repetition, respectively), as well as situational and mood‐related factors. Perceptual fluency and predictability also seem to play a role in the selection and appraisal of familiar content, however, several questions remain.
Evolutionary Approaches to Narrative
Authors: Grady Sara
Published: September 2020

Our cognitive capacity for stories evolved thousands of years ago with other forms of abstract representational thinking. In the millennia since, consuming narratives has remained a universally popular pastime. Given their history and ubiquity, many scientists have asked about the functional value of these intrinsically motivated behaviors. What purpose do stories serve? Why do humans dedicate the time and energy required to process fiction? Did the capacity for narrative comprehension serve some evolutionary function or are stories just icing on the cultural cake? Some scholars suggest our thirst for stories stems from evolutionary advantages in social cognition. Perhaps narratives provide insight into social situations which aided survival. Narratives portray other minds and other lives in ways which may encourage perspective‐taking, theory of mind, empathy, and intentionality. Perhaps the social situation models presented in fiction enable useful forms of cognitive play. They may hone skills, cognitive processes, and evolutionary psychological mechanisms (EPMs) which supported interdependent social living and reciprocity in early human society. Research in psychology, anthropology, and neuroscience provides some (primarily correlational) evidence for this proposition but additional empirical tests are needed.
Nostalgia and Media Use
Authors: Baldwin Joshua
Published: September 2020

While nostalgia has historically been conceptualized as a disease akin to depression, modern definitions describe nostalgia as a predominantly positive emotion (with a hint of negative affect) that occurs when individuals reflect about past events from their childhood or youth. Some social psychologists have argued that nostalgic experiences have restorative properties which may decrease a person's negative mood and promote psychological well‐being. Nostalgic content is also quite popular in today's media landscape with a host of entertainment related to audiences' childhood and youth. In response to the increased attention on nostalgic media, some scholars have attempted to link the selection and use of nostalgic content with beneficial outcomes such as well‐being and positive health attitudes. While initial research is promising, this line of study is only in its infancy. Further empirical work is needed to better understand the type of media content that primes nostalgia, why audiences select nostalgic media, and the costs and benefits of consuming nostalgic media content.
Common Ingroup Identity Model
Authors: Yao Shay Xuejing
Published: September 2020

This entry introduces the common ingroup identity model. In intergroup interactions, it is possible for ingroup members to make biased judgments toward both ingroup and outgroup. That is, individuals tend to evaluate their ingroup members positively and outgroup members negatively. The common ingroup identity model proposes that intergroup bias can be reduced by transforming the group boundaries from “us” versus “them” into a more general “we” that includes all the former ingroup and outgroup members. By recategorizing the former outgroup members as part of the larger ingroup, individuals attribute positive evaluations to all members of the new ingroup which includes both former ingroup and outgroup. As a result, stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination against the former outgroup will be reduced. Current media psychology research in the domain of the common ingroup identity model was also discussed.
Event‐Related Potential Measures and Processing Media
Authors: Stróżak Paweł , Zabielska‐Mendyk Emilia
Published: September 2020

The event‐related potentials (ERPs) technique can be successfully used in the field of media psychology, particularly because ERPs can provide answers to important questions regarding media processing. This entry gives a brief overview of the technical aspects of ERPs and reveals how they are derived from the electroencephalography (EEG) recordings, with special emphasis on their primary advantages—that is, high temporal resolution and the ability to measure covert processing of information. The entry also discusses the earliest EEG studies in the field of media psychology and reviews the recent ERP experiments that investigated the effects of the structural features of mediated messages, like montage cuts or the editing techniques used, on the cognitive processes engaged in media processing. Studies in which ERPs were used to determine how attention and interest are allocated to different media content and what are the consequences of exposure to specific media content are also discussed, indicating the practical implications of such research. Finally, the utility of ERPs to test theoretical predictions formulated on the grounds of media psychology is considered. The entry concludes with some remarks on a relative scarcity of studies using ERPs in media processing research.
Social Media Use and Social Movements and Protests
Authors: Lee Sangwon
Published: September 2020

The rapid emergence of digital media technologies, especially social media, has raised questions about their role in social movements. Despite some early skepticism about social media's mobilizing potential in social movements, numerous studies suggest that social media played an integral role in sparking the growth and spread of recent social movements. More specifically, social media provide a sphere for the public to obtain political news, discuss current affairs and injustices, join political and social causes, obtain mobilizing information, and form a collective identity.
Use of Communication Robots in Health Care
Authors: Konijn Elly A. , Hoorn Johan F.
Published: September 2020

Robots are increasingly used in health care, in different forms and with promising results. The newest generation of human‐like communication robots is of most interest for media psychologists. This entry discusses how communication robots have been shown to keep senior citizens company, improve their mental and physical health, and reduce loneliness. For children with special needs, in particular in the autism spectrum, social robots can improve their social skills, support (hospitalized) children, help them cope with various health issues, and reduce distress from treatments. Observations indicate that lonely people and children with special needs easily bond to a communication robot. This entry discusses how and why people may become friends with a mechanical robot. It further discusses the limitations of current research with care robots, related ethical issues, and suggests areas for future research addressing media psychological perspectives on the use of robots in health care.
Neuropsychological Underpinnings of Emotional Responsiveness to Media
Authors: Konijn Elly A. , Achterberg Michelle
Published: September 2020

Responding emotionally to a movie, video game, Instagram post, or a social robot is quite a common experience. Whereas the experience felt is real, the mediated encounter or message often is fabricated, just fiction, and involves artificial nonexistent characters. An intriguing question is thus “why does media use feel so real and how are emotions induced by processing media?” This entry aims to answer that question by outlining the neuropsychological underpinnings of emotional responsiveness to media. It discusses how emotions and emotion regulation are processed in the brain and exemplifies neuropsychological models. Key is the fast processing of feelings and emotions, mostly operated in subcortical‐limbic brain regions, relative to slower and more reflective processing through the prefrontal cortex, which dynamically interact as one system. Then, this entry outlines the neural underpinnings of the rewarding and disturbing effects of (social) media use. Finally, it shows how the parallel processing of emotions in neuropsychological models may explain the often‐found emotional bias in media use. In all, this entry aims to provide insights into the psychology behind media use and open new perspectives for relevant media psychological research.
Ecocultural Theory and Media Research
Authors: Gee Elisabeth
Published: September 2020

This entry provides an overview of ecocultural theories of human development and their implications for media scholarship. Ecocultural theories have been proposed by scholars across several disciplines, and offer various ways to conceptualize how cultural beliefs, values, and practices are enacted, acquired, and modified in the everyday lives and social interactions of children and families. Some key concepts associated with ecocultural theories include the developmental niche, the ecocultural niche, activity settings, cultural pathways, and the developmental microniche. Ecocultural theories offer media researchers a broad framework for understanding the role of media in children's learning and development, in particular emphasizing the importance of understanding media use in the context of everyday life and broader cultural practices.
Direct tumor visual feedback during free breathing in 0.35T MRgRT
Authors: Kim Taeho , Lewis Benjamin C. , Price Alex , Mazur Thomas , Gach H. Michael , Park Justin C. , Cai Bin , Wittland Erin , Henke Lauren , Kim Hyun , Mutic Sasa , Green Olga
Published: September 2020

To present a tumor motion control system during free breathing using direct tumor visual feedback to patients in 0.35 T magnetic resonance‐guided radiotherapy (MRgRT). We present direct tumor visualization to patients by projecting real‐time cine MR images on an MR‐compatible display system inside a 0.35 T MRgRT bore. The direct tumor visualization included anatomical images with a target contour and an auto‐segmented gating contour. In addition, a beam‐status sign was added for patient guidance. The feasibility was investigated with a six‐patient clinical evaluation of the system in terms of tumor motion range and beam‐on time. Seven patients without visual guidance were used for comparison. Positions of the tumor and the auto‐segmented gating contour from the cine MR images were used in probability analysis to evaluate tumor motion control. In addition, beam‐on time was recorded to assess the efficacy of the visual feedback system. The direct tumor visualization system was developed and implemented in our clinic. The target contour extended 3 mm outside of the gating contour for 33.6 ± 24.9% of the time without visual guidance, and 37.2 ± 26.4% of the time with visual guidance. The average maximum motion outside of the gating contour was 14.4 ± 11.1 mm without and 13.0 ± 7.9 mm with visual guidance. Beam‐on time as a percentage was 43.9 ± 15.3% without visual guidance, and 48.0 ± 21.2% with visual guidance, but was not significantly different (P = 0.34). We demonstrated the clinical feasibility and potential benefits of presenting direct tumor visual feedback to patients in MRgRT. The visual feedback allows patients to visualize and attempt to minimize tumor motion in free breathing. The proposed system and associated clinical workflow can be easily adapted for any type of MRgRT.
A systematic overview of methods, their limitations, and their opportunities to investigate inattentional blindness
Authors: Redlich Dennis , Memmert Daniel , Kreitz Carina
Published: September 2020

During the past two decades, the interest in investigating the phenomenon of inattentional blindness strongly increased and resulted in a fraying of paradigms investigating this specific failure of awareness. We reviewed 129 full‐text articles containing 219 experiments for their design and methods to create awareness for the growing variety of inattentional blindness paradigms. Also, we promote a deliberate use of future paradigms (proposedly based on their functionality and representativeness) to improve the transferability of research findings to the real world. In general, we argue that paradigms should be well‐chosen based on the respective purpose, as the concept of inattentional blindness represents most likely several subtypes with different underlying mechanisms rather than a single phenomenon. Finally, we propose to include expectancy as a continuous variable into the definition of inattentional blindness rather than using it as an exclusion criterion.
Time to First Completed Visit and Health Care Utilization Among Young Adults Transferring From Pediatric to Adult Rheumatologic Care in a Safety‐Net Hospital
Authors: Bitencourt Nicole , Bermas Bonnie L. , Makris Una E. , Wright Tracey , Reisch Joan , Solow E. Blair
Published: September 2020

Objective

The transfer from pediatric to adult care for young adults is a vulnerable period. Our objectives were to quantify the time between the final pediatric and the first adult visit and to evaluate unscheduled utilization in care and progression to end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) or death.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of pediatric patients transferring to a large adult rheumatology clinic. Outcomes included time to first completed adult visit, unscheduled health care utilization (hospitalizations and emergency department [ED] visits), and progression to ESRD or death. Multivariable regression models assessed variables predictive of outcomes of interest.

Results

A total of 141 pediatric patients who transferred care were identified: 77% female, 65% Hispanic, and 60% with connective tissue diseases (CTDs). The mean time between final pediatric and first completed adult rheumatology visit was 221 days (range 0–1,207 days). In regression modeling, we found that continued insurance coverage, younger age at referral, and referral from a pediatric rheumatologist were predictive of shorter time to completed adult visit (P < 0.005). Factors associated with hospitalizations and ED visits included CTD diagnosis and Black race (odds ratio [OR] 8.54 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.84–39.58] and 3.04 [95% CI 1.02–9.12] for hospitalizations and OR 3.6 [95% CI 1.59–8.14] and 6.0 [95% CI 1.60–22.69] for ED visits, respectively). ESRD or death occurred among 15% of patients with a CTD.

Conclusion

In pediatric patients transferring to an adult rheumatology clinic, continued insurance coverage and referral from a pediatric rheumatologist decreased delays in attending an adult visit; CTD and Black race were associated with high rates of unscheduled health care utilization.
Robust algorithm for attack detection based on time‐varying hidden Markov model subject to outliers
Authors: Lu Genghong , Feng Dongqin , Huang Biao
Published: September 2020

The problem of robust attack detection and prediction for networked control systems in the presence of outliers is discussed in this article. The conventional hidden Markov model (HMM) is trained to learn the system behavior (ie, transitions between different operating modes) in the nominal process. The HMM with time‐varying transition probabilities is used to track the attack behavior in which the adversary triggers more hazard modes to hasten fatigue of control devices by injecting attack signals with random magnitude and frequency. For different operating modes, the observations are assumed to follow different multivariate Student'stdistributions instead of Gaussian distributions and thus address the robust estimation problem. The expectation maximization algorithm is used to estimate parameters. Finally, simulations are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
A unified filter for singular Markovian jump systems with mixed delays based on an extended free‐matrix‐based inequality approach
Authors: Tian Yufeng , Wang Zhanshan
Published: September 2020

In this article, the problem of unified filters design including H∞, L2 − L∞, passive, dissipative filters and their reduced‐order ones is addressed for continuous‐time singular Markovian jump systems with discrete and distributed delays. Unlike some existing works, the mixed delays can be fully captured by proposing an extended free‐matrix‐based integral inequality. By considering two cases of distributed delays, two novel criteria are presented to ensure the filtering error system to be stochastically admissible and extended dissipative. Some numerical examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the unified filter design methods.
Fabrication of Spheroids with Dome‐Shaped Endothelial Tube Networks by an Adhesive Culture System
Authors: Shima Fumiaki , Makino Tomomi
Published: September 2020

3D functional tissues, such as spheroids fabricated by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which can mimic parts of tissues and organs, have recently been extensively studied in the fields of regenerative medicine and drug discovery. In this study, spheroids containing endothelial tubular structures are fabricated by use of a novel 3D culture plate, “MicoCell.” As MicoCell has a mild cell adhesive surface and multicavity structures, it can provide multiple attached spheroids at the same time (about ≈102 to ≈104 spheroids). Spheroids can be fabricated without using serum, and are easily collected by simple pipetting and no use of enzyme. For the fabrication of spheroids containing endothelial tubular structures, MSCs and endothelial cells are co‐cultured with MicoCell. Surprisingly, endothelial tubular structures are found to extend upward from the bottom where the spheroids attach onto, forming a dome‐shaped morphology. Notably, some tubular structures in the spheroids have a basement membrane and markedly improved oxygen level of the inner part of spheroids. Moreover, as spheroids attach onto the bottom, they do not require any pre‐treatment such as embedding into gel before microscopic observation using an optical clearing reagent. These results indicate that the culture plates will be suitable for clinical and pharmaceutical applications.
Enhanced Cellular Transduction of Nanoparticles Resistant to Rapidly Forming Plasma Protein Coronas
Authors: Blokpoel Ferreras Lia A. , Scott Daniel , Vazquez Reina Saul , Roach Paul , Torres Teobaldo E. , Goya Gerardo F. , Shakesheff Kevin M. , Dixon James E.
Published: September 2020

Nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly being developed as biomedical platforms for drug/nucleic acid delivery and imaging. However, in biological fluids, NPs interact with a wide range of proteins that form a coating known as protein corona. Coronae can critically influence self‐interaction and binding of other molecules, which can affect toxicity, promote cell activation, and inhibit general or specific cellular uptake. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG)‐binding enhanced transduction (GET) is developed to efficiently deliver a variety of cargoes intracellularly; employing GAG‐binding peptides, which promote cell targeting, and cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) which enhance endocytotic cell internalization. Herein, it is demonstrated that GET peptide coatings can mediate sustained intracellular transduction of magnetic NPs (MNPs), even in the presence of serum or plasma. NP colloidal stability, physicochemical properties, toxicity and cellular uptake are investigated. Using label‐free snapshot proteomics, time‐resolved profiles of human plasma coronas formed on functionalized GET‐MNPs demonstrate that coronae quickly form (<1 min), with their composition relatively stable but evolving. Importantly GET‐MNPs present a subtly different corona composition to MNPs alone, consistent with GAG‐binding activities. Understanding how NPs interact with biological systems and can retain enhanced intracellular transduction will facilitate novel drug delivery approaches for cell‐type specific targeting of new nanomaterials.
Prospects for Additive Manufacturing in Contact Lens Devices
Authors: Alam Fahad , Elsherif Mohamed , AlQattan Bader , Ali Murad , Ahmed Israr Muhammad Gulzar , Salih Ahmed , Antonysamy Dennyson Savariraj , Yetisen Ali K. , Park Seongjun , Butt Haider
Published: September 2020

Additive manufacturing (3D printing) has the ability to architect structures at microscale, giving rise to the development of functional contact lenses (CLs) with inbuilt sensing capabilities. 3D printing technology enables fabrication of CLs without surface geometry restrictions. Spherical, nonspherical, symmetric, and asymmetric lenses can be manufactured in an integrated production process. Advantages of 3D printing over conventional techniques include fast and easy production, one‐step manufacturing, and no post processing such as grinding or polishing. In addition, and most significantly, 3D printing can create chambers within the wall of the lenses by taking the advantage of computer‐aided modeling and layer‐by‐layer deposition of the materials. These inbuilt chambers can be used for loading drugs and sensing elements. The computer‐aided design modeling can allow for manufacturing of patient‐specific CLs. This article focuses on the 3D‐printing approaches and the challenges faced in fabricating CLs. 3D‐printing technology as a technique for manufacturing of CLs is discussed, in addition to the manufacturing challenges and the possible solutions to overcome the obstacles.
Hollow Rutile Cuboid Arrays Grown on Carbon Fiber Cloth as a Flexible Electrode for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Chao , Zhang Jiansheng , Wang Xianfen , Lin Chunfu , Zhao Xiu Song
Published: September 2020

Flexible electrodes with high charge storage capacity, low solid‐state diffusion resistance toward charges, and excellent mechanical properties are needed for fabricating flexible energy storage devices. In this paper, an approach is described to synthesize a composite material with hollow rutile TiO2 cuboid arrays supported on carbon fiber cloth (H‐TiO2@CFC). This composite material is used as a self‐supporting and binder‐free anode for sodium‐ion storage, delivering reversible charge capacities of 287.3 at 0.1 C and 103.3 mAh g−1 at 50 C, respectively. The observed excellent electrochemical performance of the H‐TiO2@CFC electrode is mainly attributed to its unique architecture, which facilitates ion transport, improves electron conductivity, and enables active surface reactivity toward sodium ions. In situ X‐ray diffraction characterization results reveal a nearly zero strain structure of the hollow rutile TiO2 in H‐TiO2@CFC against electrochemical cycling. An analysis of the charge storage mechanism reveals a significant pseudocapacitance contribution to the charge storage, accounting for the observed high‐rate performance of the electrode. A flexible full cell fabricated with the H‐TiO2@CFC as the anode and Na3V2(PO4)3 as the cathode exhibits both excellent electrochemical properties and flexibility against mechanical deformation, demonstrating the great promise of the H‐TiO2@CFC composite material for flexible battery cells.
Nonfullerene Bulk Heterojunction‐Based Photocathodes for Highly Efficient Solar Hydrogen Production in Acidic and Neutral Solutions
Authors: Shi Wenwen , Li Deng , Fan Wenjun , Ma Jiangping , Li Chunhua , Yu Wei , Shi Jingying , Li Can
Published: September 2020

Highly efficient photocathode with onset potential beyond 0.6 V is very desirable in order to construct photoelectrochemical (PEC) device for stand‐alone overall water splitting. In this work, it is reported a nonfullerene PBDB‐T:ITIC bulk heterojunction (BHJ) based photocathode delivering unprecedented positive onset potential of 0.8 V and optimal photocurrent density of −11.7 mA cm−2 at 0 V in pH 1 solution. The yielded high ideal ratiometric power‐saved efficiency (Φsaved,ideal) of 4.1% is a record among the previous organic photocathodes. When the electrolyte pH moves to neutral, the Φsaved,ideal is still to be 3.2%, yet being twice more than the currently reported highest value. Pairing with TiOx, the hole transport layer of CuOx with more efficient charge carrier transportation and hole extraction ability excels MoO3 and NiOx, contributing to the highly efficient solar hydrogen production in both acidic and neutral solutions. Premixing the BHJ blend precursor with an anti‐oxidative agent is proved to be a beneficial strategy to improve the PEC stability by suppressing the photo‐oxidation degradation of organic polymer materials. Subsequently a conceptual PEC cell comprising of tandem CuOx/BHJ/TiOx/Pt photocathode and BiVO4/NiFeOx photoanode with a high solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiency up to 1.1% is fabricated in neutral solution without assistance of extra bias.
Low‐Power Complementary Inverter with Negative Capacitance 2D Semiconductor Transistors
Authors: Wang Jingli , Guo Xuyun , Yu Zhihao , Ma Zichao , Liu Yanghui , Lin Ziyuan , Chan Masun , Zhu Ye , Wang Xinran , Chai Yang
Published: September 2020

A fundamental limit for the supply voltage of conventional field‐effect transistors is the long high‐energy tail of the Boltzmann distribution of the carrier population at the source junction, which requires a gate voltage at least 60 mV to change one decade of current. Here 2D semiconductors are adopted as channel materials and hafnium zirconium oxide (HZO) as negative capacitance (NC) gate stack to realize low‐power complementary logic inverter. With HZO/Al2O3 NC gate stack, the 2D semiconductor field‐effect transistor (FET) shows an average subthreshold slope less than Boltzmann limit (as low as 18 mV dec−1) at room temperature for both forward and reverse gate voltage sweeps, which allows to reach the same ON‐state current at a lower Vdd without increasing the OFF‐state current. The drain current can be modulated by 5 × 104 within 220 mV, still exhibiting average SS below 60 mV dec−1. By constructing van der Waals contact to improve the charge injection and control the carrier type, unipolar p‐type WSe2 FET with reduced hole Schottky barrier height is achieved. The complementary inverter with MoS2 and WSe2 NCFETs shows the power consumption of 68 pW.
Confinement of CoP Nanoparticles in Nitrogen‐Doped Yolk‐Shell Porous Carbon Polyhedron for Ultrafast Catalytic Oxidation
Authors: Zhu Changqing , Zhao Shafei , Fan Zhongwei , Wu Haide , Liu Fuqiang , Chen Zhaoxu , Li Aimin
Published: September 2020

Catalytic oxidation of toxic organic pollutants in water urgently requires improved efficiency for practical application. Here a wrapping‐pyrolysis strategy is exploited to convert CoP nanowires‐threaded ZIF‐8 into CoP nanoparticles‐confined nitrogen‐doped yolk‐shell porous carbon polyhedra, featuring high‐density active sites, and high adsorbability, dispersibility and conductivity (4‐High). The nanoreactor efficiently activates peroxymonosulfate for bisphenol A (BPA) degradation over a wide pH range and in saline solutions. The apparent kinetic rate constant (18.96 min−1) is the highest reported to date and exceeds those of reported catalysts by 1–2 orders of magnitude. Experimental and theoretical evidence reveals that the catalysis occurs at the Co4P4@graphitic nitrogen‐doped graphene site to produce surface‐bound SO4•− and induce direct electron abstraction for BPA degradation. The high catalytic activity is attributed to the unique yolk‐shell structure which concentrates catalytic and adsorptive sites within a confined space, as well as to the porous carbon polyhedron with high dispersibility and conductivity for fast mass and electron transport. Moreover, a fluidized‐bed catalytic unit is constructed and enables continuous zero discharge of BPA and easy nanocatalyst recycling. This work will guide “4‐High” catalyst design to improve future deep water purification technology.
Shear‐Induced Interfacial Structural Conversion of Graphene Oxide to Graphene at Macroscale
Authors: Gao Xue , Zhang Jie , Ju Pengfei , Liu Jingzhou , Ji Li , Liu Xiaohong , Ma Tianbao , Chen Lei , Li Hongxuan , Zhou Huidi , Chen Jianmin
Published: September 2020

The controllable adjustment of an ideal graphene structure on the surface/interface is important to achieve many of the potential characteristics and applications of graphene. Here, a phenomenon is observed in which friction can induce the structural conversion of graphene oxide (GO) to graphene perfectly on a macroscale sliding interface. The controlling factors and molecular interaction mechanism are further revealed by experiments and theoretical simulation. The results show that shear force drives the tribochemical reactions between the –OH group of GO and active bond of the counterpart, as well as the –OH groups of adjacent GO sheets, leading to the breakage of the COH bond. This leads to the transformation of the sp3 C to sp2 C, thereby forming a perfect six‐membered ring. The as‐broken hydroxyl groups combine with the dangling bond of the frictional pair or capture hydrogen from the hydroxyl group of the adjacent GO sheet and generate water molecules. This study provides more information on a novel method of manipulating the interfacial structure of graphene at a macroscale by a simple sliding action. The method also provides a new way of force sensing through the detection of the released H2O molecules.
Molecular Quadrupole Moments Promote Ground‐State Charge Generation in Doped Organic Semiconductors
Authors: Privitera Alberto , Londi Giacomo , Riede Moritz , D'Avino Gabriele , Beljonne David
Published: September 2020

The role of local environmental interactions on the generation of free charge carriers in doped organic layers is investigated. Via a classical micro‐electrostatic model, a dual effect of molecular quadrupole moments of host and dopant molecules on doping is demonstrated. Namely, electrostatic interactions ease ionization of the dopant by altering the energy level alignment between the host and the dopant and reduce the barrier for charge dissociation by flattening the energy landscape around the ionized dopants. These results indicate that tailoring molecular quadrupole moments of the host and/or dopant are an attractive strategy toward improved doping efficiency in organic semiconductors.
Polydiacetylene‐Based Biosensors for the Detection of Viruses and Related Biomolecules
Authors: Qian Xiaomin , Städler Brigitte
Published: September 2020

Viruses are a major threat to the wellbeing of humans, animals, and plants. The current diagnostics of viral RNA/DNA are largely dependent on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and related concepts. Serological and immunological assays on the other hand aim to identify the presence of antibodies. Alternative approaches that consider non‐biological entities as part of the sensing set‐up might be a complementary path to alleviate the pressure on access to high‐quality biomolecules and PCR reagents. In this context, polydiacetylenes are widely explored as biosensors because these polymers can be synthesized in situ only with the assistance of light in the desired environment. In addition, this unique group of polymers can be utilized as biosensors to detect an assortment of biomolecules and pathogens with dual optical outputs. The detection of viruses and related biomolecules with polydiacetylenes have been explored over the course of the past three decades. This progress report aims to provide a comprehensive summary of polydiacetylene‐based biosensors for the detection of viruses and also related biomolecules, including nucleic acids and proteins. Given the current situation, this progress report will hopefully inspire scientists and contribute to the development of novel biosensors for the fast and effective detection of viruses.
Phosphorus‐Based Composites as Anode Materials for Advanced Alkali Metal Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhou Junhua , Shi Qitao , Ullah Sami , Yang Xiaoqin , Bachmatiuk Alicja , Yang Ruizhi , Rummeli Mark H.
Published: September 2020

Alkaline metal ion batteries, such as lithium‐ion batteries have been increasingly adopted in consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and large power grids because of their high energy density, power density and working voltage, and long cycle life. Phosphorus‐based materials including phosphorus anodes and metal phosphides with high theoretical capacity, natural abundance, and environmental friendliness show great potential as negative electrodes for alkaline metal ion batteries. In this review, based on the understanding of the storage mechanism of alkali metal ions, the scientific challenges are discussed, the preparation methods and solutions to address these challenges are summarized, the application prospects are demonstrated, and finally possible future research directions of phosphorus‐based materials are provided.
Efficient Gene Delivery Based on Guanidyl‐Nucleic Acid Molecular Interactions
Authors: Wang Dongli , Song Jie , Wang Jing , Zhang Zhiyi , Shen Qing , Wang Jun , Guo Haiyan , Wang Ruifeng , Xie Cao , Lu Weiyue , Liu Min
Published: September 2020

Low transfection efficacy of non‐viral gene vectors restricts their applications. In this paper, N1,N3‐dicarbamimidoyl‐5‐methylisophthalamide (BGG) is designed as a functional group, in which two guanidyls are located at the meta positions of an aryl ring. BGG is conjugated with PAMAM G5 (G5‐BGG) and G5‐BGG/DNA complex is dispersed into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel for local injection. Molecular docking, NMR, IR and Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments demonstrate that G5‐BGG has multiple molecular interactions with nucleic acids, which yield high binding affinity toward nucleic acids. Interestingly, the in vitro transfection efficiency and serum stability of G5‐BGG are significantly improved when the BGG modification ratio is just one. The integrated G5‐BGG/DNA complex is released from a PVA hydrogel sustainably, crosses the cell membrane and escapes from endosome/lysosome. After local injection only once, these features of the G5‐BGG/DNA‐loaded PVA hydrogel are found to improve antitumor efficiency in vivo, and antitumor efficiency is significantly better than PEI 25K. The results confirm that BGG is a potential group for developing non‐viral gene vectors with high transfection efficacy.
Push–Pull Dyes for Yellow to NIR Emitting Electrochemical Cells
Authors: Rémond Maxime , Hwang Jongun , Kim Jinbo , Kim Saeon , Kim Donghwan , Bucher Christophe , Bretonnière Yann , Andraud Chantal , Kim Eunkyoung
Published: September 2020

Push–pull (D‐π‐A) dyes are explored for organic light‐emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) taking advantages of their tunability in the intramolecular charge transfer (CT) through a π‐bridge between donor and acceptor. These dyes present high thermal stability beyond 290 °C and fluorescence quantum yields (Φf), and simple thin film processability. The fluorene‐based dyes with diphenylamine donor (DPF) show high tunability in electroluminescence wavelength up to 825 nm that corresponds to the most red‐shifted metal‐free LECs reported to date. The DPFs show high irradiance under a low working voltage in the presence of poly(9‐vinylcarbazole) (PVK) and 2,5‐bis(5‐tert‐butyl‐benzoxazol‐2‐yl)thiophene (BBOT) hosts. As the CT distance of dyes is increased, Von of the LECs is decreased, since Φf and lifetime of dyes are higher. Furthermore, the smaller angle between the π‐bridge and acceptor (AπA) of dye is critical to increase irradiance, for a closer dye–host proximity. Thus a DPF dye with the lowest AπA (dye I) affords the highest irradiance of 425 µW cm−2 (>220 Cd m−2) among the dyes in this study. Therefore push–pull dyes could provide a rational material design principle toward near‐infrared emitting LECs.
Gallium–Carbenicillin Framework Coated Defect‐Rich Hollow TiO2 as a Photocatalyzed Oxidative Stress Amplifier against Complex Infections
Authors: Yang Jingjing , Wang Chao , Liu Xinli , Yin Yi , Ma Yong‐Hao , Gao Yanfeng , Wang Yuzhen , Lu Zhenda , Song Yujun
Published: September 2020

Development of new strategies with high antimicrobial capability against complex bacterial infections is still challenging. Herein, a three‐in‐one synergistic antimicrobial platform is presented based on gallium–carbenicillin framework coated defect‐rich hollow TiO2 nanoshells (H‐TiO2−x@MOF), for simultaneous eradicating methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) in complex infections, which are the two most common bacteria in wounds. The metal gallium can disrupt bacterial antioxidation system using a “Trojan horse” strategy by substituting iron in the antioxidant enzymes, and finally increase bacterial susceptibility to oxidants. Meanwhile, oxygen‐deficient hollow TiO2−x nanoshells (H‐TiO2−x NSs) can efficiently bind to the bacteria and promote local generation of abundant reactive oxygen species (ROS) under visible‐light irradiation. Thus, the combination of gallium (antioxidant enzyme inhibitor) and black H‐TiO2−x NSs (ROS generator) constitutes a photocatalyzed oxidative stress amplifier that can boost ROS accumulation to destroy pathogens thoroughly. In addition, carbenicillin (Car), as the organic ligand coordinated to gallium ion, also acts as a broad‐spectrum antibacterial agent against PA and shares the responsibility for combating complex infections simultaneously. In view of the superior antibacterial ability, accelerated healing of infected wounds, and good biosafety, the H‐TiO2−x@MOF potentially provides an alternative antibacterial agent to combat complex bacterial infections.
Charge Density Depinning in Defective MoTe2 Transistor by Oxygen Intercalation
Authors: Liu Xiaochi , Qu Deshun , Wang Lu , Huang Ming , Yuan Yahua , Chen Peng , Qu Yuanyuan , Sun Jian , Yoo Won Jong
Published: September 2020

Molybdenum ditelluride is prone to various defects. Among them, tellurium vacancies lead to the significant reduction of band gap as revealed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. They are responsible for inducing spatial band structure variation and localized charge puddles in MoTe2. As a result, undesirable charge density pinning is anticipated in the channel‐dominated MoTe2 field‐effect transistors (FETs) even with much improved ohmic contacts, resulting in poor device characteristics, for example, conductivity minimum point (CMP) pinning and weak gate tunability. DFT simulations suggest occupying tellurium vacancies with oxygen can effectively restore MoTe2 to its intrinsic properties and therefore remove charge density pinning. Experimentally, this can be realized by oxygen intercalation during low‐pressure annealing without bringing in additional defects to MoTe2. The CMP is unpinned in the FETs made of annealed MoTe2, which can be tuned by changing the contact metals with varied work functions. Moreover, much improved device characteristics, for example, a high hole current density exceeding 20 μAμm−1, a record high hole mobility of 77 cm2 V−1 s−1, are obtained.
Multistage Sensitive NanoCRISPR Enable Efficient Intracellular Disruption of Immune Checkpoints for Robust Innate and Adaptive Immune Coactivation
Authors: Wang Ning , Liu Chao , Lu Zhenghao , Yang Wen , Li Lu , Gong Songlin , He Tao , Ou Chunqing , Song Linjiang , Shen Meiling , Wu Qinjie , Gong Changyang
Published: September 2020

Synergistic immune checkpoints blockade (ICB) has the potential to surmount the heterogeneity of tumors that are resistant to conventional therapeutics and result in better treatment outcomes than monotherapy targetting of to a single immune checkpoint. However, current stategies to combining multi‐target ICB are mainly focused on blockades on the cell surface which are incomplete, temporary, and inefficient. Here, a multistage sensitive nanocomplex (MUSE) loaded with programmed death‐ligand 1/CD47 multiple targeting clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated protein 9 (Cas9) (MT‐CRISPR/Cas9) system for complete intracellular immune checkpoint blockade are conducted. The core‐shell structure not only endows the MUSE with prolonged circulation capacity and precise tumor recognition, but also facilitates cell uptake and endosomal escape when confronted with the tumor extra/intracellular environment, leading to efficient delivery of MT‐CRISPR/Cas9 payloads with minimal toxity. It is demonstrated that the MUSE treatment in tumor models can activate robust CD8+ T‐cells and M1 macrophages‐mediated adaptive and innate anti‐tumor immune responses and trigger a persistent immune memory effect, which results in significantly inhibition of tumor growth and improved survival rate with almost undetectable off‐target delivery effect. Taken together, the MUSE‐nanoCRISPR system opens a new avenue for combinative blockade of multiple immune checkpoints, in turn bringing clinical benefits for oncological treatment.
Stretchable, Phase‐Transformable Ionogels with Reversible Ionic Conductor–Insulator Transition
Authors: Ming Xiaoqing , Shi Lei , Zhu He , Zhang Qi
Published: September 2020

Stretchable iontronics with reversible conductor–insulator transitions are attracting great interest due to their promising applications in various fields of flexible electronics. However, effective conductivity switching of the ion conductors is still challenging. Here, a phase‐transformable ionogel (PTIG) that shows a reversible conductor–insulator transition with a very sharp change in bulk ionic conductivity (≈107 times) at a mild transition temperature of −15 °C is introduced. Moreover, this unique material shows good stretchability (840%), high transparency (97% transmittance in the visible range), and good stability. The ionogel material is used to prepare a long‐storage capacitor, which demonstrates good performance. Hence, the new PTIG has the potential for application in the development of flexible iontronics.