bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploration, colonisation et développement durable
Authors: Arsenault Dominic , Guay Louis-Martin
Published: July 2021

Dans cet article, nous réunissons des données ou des informations généralement éparses pour offrir un portrait synthétique de l’histoire du secteur du jeu vidéo au Québec, nous intéressant au territoire sur lequel s’écrit cette histoire (de Montréal à Québec en passant par Trois-Rivières et d’autres studios excentrés) aussi bien qu’à la nature des entreprises qui y participent (des grands studios aux développeurs indépendants et amateurs). Cet historique veut mettre en lumière les particularités de ce secteur d’activité où industries technologiques et industries culturelles se chevauchent, et adopte pour ce faire une division en trois périodes : 1) période d’exploration au sein d’un entrepreneuriat amateur et enthousiaste; 2) période de colonisation par les grandes firmes étrangères, l’injection de capitaux étrangers stimulant la croissance de l’industrie; 3) période que la structuration des développeurs indépendants (notamment avec la Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec) et la relève par une génération post-fission autorisent à considérer comme étant celle du développement durable. Notre tour d’horizon touche à des aspects de l’industrie qui sont factuels aussi bien qu’à des questions de fond comme les contenus, le processus créatif et l’enjeu de la souveraineté culturelle dans un secteur d’activité fondé sur des marchés libéralisés, la fluidité des capitaux et une économie dématérialisée.
Collectionner des jeux vidéo au Québec
Authors: Lefloïc-Lebel Adam
Published: July 2021

Cet article pose un regard sur la communauté de collectionneurs vidéoludiques du Québec, d’abord en clarifiant comment la ludovidéophilie se compare aux autres mouvements de collection plus classiques. Ensuite, en isolant le collectionnement de jeux vidéo au Québec, nous chercherons à voir comment cette communauté évolue à travers un monde de plus en plus ouvert et qui interagit majoritairement en anglais. Existe-t-il des traits de ludovidéophilie qui soient spécifiquement québécois ? Une incursion parmi cette communauté éclairera notre réflexion et confirmera s’il s’agit vraiment d’une communauté de « petits Gaulois dans une mer d’Anglais » ou bien si ses membres réussissent aisément à tirer leur épingle du jeu (vidéo).
Characteristics of Zn1-xAlxO NR/ITO Composite Films Oriented Application for Optoelectronic Devices
Authors: Dinh Lam Nguyen
Published: July 2021

The Zn1-xAlxO nanorod (NR) were grown on ITO substrates by a hydrothermal process. The influences of the Al doping concentration on the surface morphology, structural, optical, and electrical characteristics of the Zn1-xAlxO NR/ITO composite film were investigated in detail. The results indicated that characteristics of the Zn1-xAlxO NR/ITO composite film were strongly influenced by the Al doping concentration. Furthermore, the lowest vertical resistance of the Zn1-xAlxO NR can be obtained when x = 0.01 and it strongly reduces when the concentration of UV light illumination increases. This reduction follows an exponential decay with a decay rate of 4.35. This result shows good photoconductivity response of the Zn1-xAlxO NR/ITO composite film and its ability to apply for optoelectronic devices material.
A Novel Dual Output Schmitt Trigger Using Second Generation Current Controlled Conveyor
Authors: Zahiruddin Syed , Srinivasulu Avireni , Sarada Musala
Published: July 2021

Schmitt trigger is designed using the single second generation Current Controlled Conveyor. The proposed configuration utilizes single CCCII and only two externally connected resistors and is able to produce dual output square wave signal. The topology has the benefit of having a simple circuit, offering a large bandwidth and improved slew rate. PSPICE simulator using OrCad 16.3 version, 0.35 μm CMOS technology is used to verify the design, hysteresis is determined and compared with the existing methods available in the literature. The proposed configuration is tested using the experimental setup involving CFOA (AD844AN) and OTA (LM13700). The results have been found satisfactory in both simulation and experimental aspect. Montecarlo analysis and orstcase analysis are determined to prove the circuit efficiency in terms of critical parameters such as resistance with a tolerance of 5%. The hysteresis is also determined, that can reduce the effect of noise, able to produce exact square wave at the output. Schmitt trigger circuits find the applications in the field of Bio medical applications, analog signal processing, communication systems, waveform generators, pulse width modulators, multivibrators, flip-flops and in many other amplifier circuits. The basic application of Schmitt trigger is a square wave generator. The proposed topology is the best suited for monolithic IC fabrication.
Ultraviolet-A Light and Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy to Accelerate Wound Healing and Reduce Bacterial Proliferation
Authors: Davis Kathryn E. , Bills Jessica , Noble Debby , Crisologo Peter A. , Lavery Lawrence A.
Published: July 2021

Background: Ultraviolet (UV)-A therapy is a simple, inexpensive, and effective modality for wound healing, with tremendous potential to improve healing and reduce clinical infections in a number of clinical settings. To date, application of UV-A relies on bulky and hard-to-dose lamps that provide inconsistent therapy, thus making it difficult to apply therapy that is appropriate for the patient.

Methods: This study was designed to test the effectiveness of a novel wound therapy device that combines UV-A with traditional negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) to promote wound healing. Furthermore, we tested the ability of fiberoptic UV-A delivery to inhibit bacterial proliferation. Finally, we assayed the level of DNA damage that results from UV-A as compared to established UV-C therapies. Wound healing studies were performed in a porcine model using an articulated therapy arm that allows for continued therapy administration over an extended time course. Negative-pressure wound therapy was administered alone or with UV-A fiberoptic therapy for 2 weeks. Dressings were changed twice a week, at which time wound area was assessed.

Results: Data demonstrate that UV-A with NPWT treatment of wounds results in greater healing than NPWT alone. Using the same therapy device, we demonstrate that exposure of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to fiberoptic UV-A results in decreased colony area and number of both bacterial strains. Finally, we show that UV-A induces minimal DNA damage in human fibroblasts and no more DNA damage in wound tissue as compare to intact skin.

Conclusions: These data demonstrate that UV-A can decrease bacterial proliferation and promote wound healing when coupled with NPWT.
The solubility product extends the buffering concept to heterotypic biomolecular condensates
Authors: Chattaraj Aniruddha , Blinov Michael L , Loew Leslie M
Published: July 2021

Biomolecular condensates are formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of multivalent molecules. LLPS from a single ("homotypic") constituent is governed by buffering: above a threshold, free monomer concentration is clamped, with all added molecules entering the condensed phase. However, both experiment and theory demonstrate that buffering fails for the concentration dependence of multicomponent ("heterotypic") LLPS. Using network-free stochastic modeling, we demonstrate that LLPS can be described by the solubility product constant (Ksp): the product of free monomer concentrations, accounting for the ideal stoichiometries governed by the valencies, displays a threshold above which additional monomers are funneled into large clusters; this reduces to simple buffering for homotypic systems. The Ksp regulates the composition of the dilute phase for a wide range of valencies and stoichiometries. The role of Ksp is further supported by coarse-grained spatial particle simulations. Thus, the solubility product offers a general formulation for the concentration dependence of LLPS.
Pupal behavior emerges from unstructured muscle activity in response to neuromodulation in Drosophila
Authors: Elliott Amicia D , Berndt Adama , Houpert Matthew , Roy Snehashis , Scott Robert L , Chow Carson C , Shroff Hari , White Benjamin H
Published: July 2021

Identifying neural substrates of behavior requires defining actions in terms that map onto brain activity. Brain and muscle activity naturally correlate via the output of motor neurons, but apart from simple movements it has been difficult to define behavior in terms of muscle contractions. By mapping the musculature of the pupal fruit fly and comprehensively imaging muscle activation at single-cell resolution, we here describe a multiphasic behavioral sequence in Drosophila. Our characterization identifies a previously undescribed behavioral phase and permits extraction of major movements by a convolutional neural network. We deconstruct movements into a syllabary of co-active muscles and identify specific syllables that are sensitive to neuromodulatory manipulations. We find that muscle activity shows considerable variability, with sequential increases in stereotypy dependent upon neuromodulation. Our work provides a platform for studying whole-animal behavior, quantifying its variability across multiple spatiotemporal scales, and analyzing its neuromodulatory regulation at cellular resolution.
Crosstalk between repair pathways elicits double-strand breaks in alkylated DNA and implications for the action of temozolomide
Authors: Fuchs Robert P , Isogawa Asako , Paulo Joao A , Onizuka Kazumitsu , Takahashi Tatsuro , Amunugama Ravindra , Duxin Julien P , Fujii Shingo
Published: July 2021

Temozolomide (TMZ), a DNA methylating agent, is the primary chemotherapeutic drug used in glioblastoma treatment. TMZ induces mostly N-alkylation adducts (N7-methylguanine and N3-methyladenine) and some O6-methylguanine (O6mG) adducts. Current models propose that during DNA replication, thymine is incorporated across from O6mG, promoting a futile cycle of mismatch repair (MMR) that leads to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). To revisit the mechanism of O6mG processing, we reacted plasmid DNA with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), a temozolomide mimic, and incubated it in Xenopus egg-derived extracts. We have shown that in this system, MMR proteins are enriched on MNU-treated DNA and we observed robust, MMR-dependent, repair synthesis. Our evidence also suggests that MMR, initiated at O6mG:C sites, is strongly stimulated in cis by repair processing of other lesions, such as N-alkylation adducts. Importantly, MNU-treated plasmids display DSBs in extracts, the frequency of which increases linearly with the square of alkylation dose. We suggest that DSBs result from two independent repair processes, one involving MMR at O6mG:C sites and the other involving base excision repair acting at a nearby N-alkylation adduct. We propose a new, replication-independent mechanism of action of TMZ, which operates in addition to the well-studied cell cycle-dependent mode of action.
РАСЧЕТ ТУРБУЛЕНТНЫХ НАПРЯЖЕНИЙ В КОНВЕКТИВНО-ПЕРЕМЕШАННОМ СЛОЕ В МЕЛКОВОДНОМ ОЗЕРЕ ПОДО ЛЬДОМ С ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕМ ДВУХ ADCP, "Фундаментальная и прикладная гидрофизика"
Authors: Богданов С. Р. , Здоровеннов Р.Э. , Пальшин Н.И. , ЗДОРОВЕННОВА Г. Э. , ТЕРЖЕВИК А. Ю. , ГАВРИЛЕНКО Г. Г. , Волков С. Ю. , Ефремова Т.В. , Кулдин Н.А. , Кириллин Г. Б.
Published: July 2021

Представлен метод расчета турбулентных напряжений, основанный на использовании пары трехлучевых акустических допплеровских профилографов скорости, с одной или двумя точками пересечения лучей. Для апробации метода был спланирован и проведен специальный натурный эксперимент по измерению температуры воды, уровня подледной облученности и компонент скорости в конвективно-перемешанном слое покрытого льдом небольшого бореального озера. Полученные данные позволяют рассчитать не только интенсивности пульсаций вдоль трех ортогональных осей, но и недиагональные компоненты тензора Рейнольдса. С использованием условия однородности средней скорости по горизонтали получены количественные результаты, описывающие энергетику процессов в период весенней подледной конвекции: рассчитана анизотропия турбулентных пульсаций, изучена корреляция энергии турбулентности с интенсивностью накачки (через поток плавучести). Приведен качественный анализ параметров и динамики энергосодержащих структур, развивающихся в конвективном слое небольших покрытых льдом озер весной.
Tecendo redes imperiais: uma dimensão asiática do comércio britânico de escravos no Atlântico no século XVIII
Authors: Kobayashi Kazuo
Published: July 2021

O século XVIII assistiu ao desenvolvimento da economia escravista atlântica, sustentada pela constante oferta de mão de obra do continente africano. Para comprar cativos africanos na costa do Atlântico, os mercadores estrangeiros tinham que atender às demandas expressas dos africanos, notadamente os tecidos indianos de algodão, que se tornaram o “carro-chefe” das mercadorias. Nesse período, o comércio anglo-asiático, conduzido pela Companhia Britânica das Índias Orientais, desempenhou um papel central no fornecimento de têxteis indianos para os comerciantes de escravos britânicos. Este artigo aborda como comerciantes britânicos adquiriam têxteis na Índia para a África Atlântica. Ao examinar essa questão, o artigo ilustra o comércio global de algodão, das áreas de produção de têxteis indianos para a África Atlântica, e, em última análise, argumenta que a narrativa do chamado “comércio triangular” precisa ser substituída por outra perspectiva, que destaque o protagonismo de consumidores africanos e de tecelões sul-asiáticos. Weaving Imperial Networks: An Asian Dimension of the British Atlantic Slave Trade in the 18th CenturyThe eighteenth century saw the development of the Atlantic slave-based economy, sustained by a constant supply of labor from the African continent. On the Atlantic coast, in order to purchase captives foreign merchants had to meet local demands for trade commodities, notably Indian cotton textiles, which became a crucial product. During this period, the Anglo-Asian trade, conducted by the English East India Company, played a central role in the supply of Indian textiles for British slave traders. This paper addresses how British merchants procured textiles in India for Atlantic Africa. By examining this question, the paper illustrates a global cotton trade that extended between the areas where Indian textiles were produced and Atlantic Africa. Finally, the paper argues that the so-called “triangular trade” narrative should be replaced by another perspective that emphasizes the agency of African consumers and South Asian weavers.Atlantic slave trade | Indian cotton textiles | English East India Company
Negritude: uma identidade legal em consequência da liberdade
Authors: Brito Luciana da Cruz
Published: July 2021

Resenha de:de LA FUENTE, Alejandro; GROSS, Ariela. Becoming free, becoming black: race, freedom, and law in Cuba, Virginia and Louisiana. Nova York: Cambridge University Press, 2020. 281p
"Nossa história é outra como é outra nossa problemática": Beatriz Nascimento por sua obra
Authors: Reginaldo Lucilene
Published: July 2021

Resenha de:NASCIMENTO, Beatriz.  Beatriz Nascimento, quilombola e intelectual. Possibilidades nos dias da destruição. São Paulo: Editora Filhos da África, 2018. 488p.
Campos de batalha intelectual e novos paradigmas do pensamento africano
Authors: Hernandez Leila Leite
Published: July 2021

Resenha de:BARBOSA, Muryatan. A razão africana: breve história do pensamento africano contemporâneo. São Paulo: Todavia, 2020. 216 p.
Mapeamento Patentário Sobre Veículos Cosmonáuticos no Brasil
Authors: Martinez Maria Elisa Marciano , Reis Marcello Carvalho dos , Wehmann Claus Franz
Published: July 2021

O acesso ao espaço é reconhecido como um fator estratégico para a indústria aeroespacial, fato este que gera uma grande aceleração no desenvolvimento dessa indústria desde a Segunda Grande Guerra e, em sua totalidade, feita com a contribuição dos governos, seja em cooperação ou de forma autônoma. Assim, os projetos espaciais estão sendo transferidos para o setor privado devido ao surgimento de várias empresas focadas no desenvolvimento de tecnologias de baixo custo para acesso ao espaço. Dessa forma, com a utilização da análise patentária, estudou-se a presença da indústria aeroespacial no Brasil e sua influência, avaliando-se o conjunto de tecnologias que vão desde a infraestrutura para o lançamento de um foguete, o próprio foguete até a carga útil que constitui o desenvolvimento da área aeroespacial. Conclui-se que o mapeamento patentário para veículos cosmonáuticos é uma ferramenta viável para monitoramento e gestão da tecnologia, já que os documentos patentários são ricas fontes de informação técnica.
Prospecção Científica e Tecnológica do Potencial Biotecnológico da Cafeína como Agente Larvicida e Nematicida
Authors: Sousa Paulo Sérgio de Araujo , Rodrigues Marciele Gomes , Santos Mayara Sousa dos , Oliveira Williana Silva de , Machado Cleane Da Silva , Vieira Maria Alice de Sousa , Silva Janaína Oliveira da , Cardoso Francilene , Alvarenga Elenice Monte
Published: July 2021

Atualmente, a utilização de pesticidas químicos em culturas agrícolas tem se tornado cada vez mais frequente. A cafeína é uma das moléculas psicoativas mais consumidas em todo o mundo, no entanto, pouco se sabe sobre as aplicações que ela possui no cenário agrícola. Dessa forma, a presente pesquisa almejou prospectar a utilização da cafeína como um biopesticida em bases nacionais e internacionais de artigos e patentes. Para tal, a busca científica e tecnológica, com palavras-chave e combinações específicas, se deu nas seguintes bases: SciELO, PubMed, INPI, EPO, LATIPAT, USPTO e WIPO. Os resultados para as buscas de artigos e patentes revelaram, de forma geral, que pouco tem sido explorado acerca das atividades biológicas nematicida e larvicida da cafeína. Portanto, conclui-se que novos estudos com a cafeína, voltados para o controle de inimigos naturais de culturas, são promissores para o desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias agrícolas. 
Análise Prospectiva de Tecnologias Frugais Relacionadas à Segurança Pública e à Perícia Forense: mapeamento tecnológico por meio de depósitos de patentes
Authors: Fujita Allynson Takehiro , Fogatti Osvaldo De Freitas
Published: July 2021

Um dos fatores para os altos índices brasileiros de criminalidade é a carência de recursos tecnológicos nos institutos de criminalística e órgãos policiais, fato que estimula a busca por soluções tecnológicas acessíveis e de qualidade, adequadas ao conceito de inovação frugal. O trabalho busca realizar mapeamento de tecnologias frugais nas áreas de segurança pública e perícia forense, por meio da pesquisa patentária junto ao Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (IMPI). As pesquisas resultaram em 32 documentos relevantes, 11 deles sobre tecnologias frugais. Concluiu-se que inovações de alta tecnologia provinham de grandes empresas estrangeiras, ao passo que 10 das 11 inovações de cunho frugal provieram de universidades públicas nacionais, corroborando a função social das pesquisas desenvolvidas nessas instituições. Constatou-se baixa incidência de patentes de medicina e balística forenses, e nenhuma nas áreas da morfologia, contabilidade, engenharia, documentoscopia e fonética forenses, tampouco na área da perícia forense ambiental.
Mapeamento de Patentes de Respiradores Artificiais ou Ventiladores Mecânicos
Authors: Pires Edilson Araújo , Andrade Jamile De Jesus Souza , Lora Fábio André
Published: July 2021

A pandemia da Covid-19 revelou uma carência de ventiladores mecânicos, equipamentos indispensáveis ao tratamento de pacientes que apresentam insuficiência respiratória, que tem sido a principal causa de morte daqueles infectados pelo Coronavírus. Esse artigo realizou um levantamento da produção de patentes relacionadas a ventiladores e respiradores utilizados no suporte ventilatório pulmonar. A coleta de dados foi realizada no Orbit Intelligence, empregando os termos (ventilat or respirat and mecanical) ou (artificial or medical), associados à Classificação Internacional de Patentes A61H-031/00; A61M-016/00. Foram analisadas 6.394 famílias de patentes, sendo o primeiro pedido requerido em 1909, mas, 2019 foi o ano mais produtivo. Foram identificadas 14 famílias de patentes de residentes brasileiros, evidenciando a necessidade de ampliar os estudos que garantam a evolução científico-tecnológica desses dispositivos no país. Por outro lado, existem mais de 5.900 famílias de patentes que podem ser exploradas no Brasil, sem infringir os direitos de propriedade industrial dos seus titulares.
Perfil das Bases de Dados Científicas e Tecnológicas Utilizadas por Pesquisadores Brasileiros em Estudos nas áreas de Ciências da Vida
Authors: Santos Jânio Rodrigo , Rocha Angela Machado
Published: July 2021

Entre as atividades realizadas pelos Núcleos de Inovação Tecnológica, a busca por informações científicas e patentárias são consideradas essenciais e fornecem elementos importantes para subsidiar a tomada de decisão em Institutos de Ciência e Tecnologia. Poucos trabalhos encontrados na literatura apresentam orientações de quais bases científicas e tecnológicas são mais indicadas para a realização de estudos nas áreas e nas subáreas inerentes às ciências médicas e biológicas. Portanto, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo mapear as principais bases científicas e tecnológicas que podem ser utilizadas em estudos nas áreas de Ciências da Vida. Tais ferramentas foram identificadas por meio de leitura de campos de título, resumo e metodologia de trabalhos publicados pelas revistas Cadernos de Prospecção, Geintec e pelo CEE. Os resultados indicaram que Espacenet, INPI, Patentscope, USPTO e WoS foram as bases mais utilizadas na realização dos estudos, sugerindo sua utilização na recuperação de documentos das áreas acima especificadas.
Composição musical a partir de Modelagem Sistêmica e Teoria dos Conjuntos
Authors: Tavares Pedro Henrique Carneiro , Tavares Maria Clara De Sousa
Published: July 2021

O artigo apresenta resultados de projeto de pesquisa com foco na investigação teórico-prática do processo de criação musical a partir do uso associado de modelagem sistêmica e da teoria dos conjuntos. A modelagem sistêmica, que origina-se da convergência das teorias da intertextualidade e dos sistemas composicionais, sendo a priori empregada na geração de parâmetros musicais a partir de um intertexto. A teoria dos conjuntos, tendo origem na teoria matemática, está sendo utilizada na regência da organização dos parâmetros musicais, no âmbito da criação de obras musicais originais.
Quatro elementos fundamentais da performance ao trompete: uma abordagem conceitual.
Authors: Schwebel Heinz Karl Novaes
Published: July 2021

Abordagem conceitual e explicação sobre os quatro elementos definidos no artigo como fundamentais à boa performance ao Trompete: Respiração, Emissão do Som, Articulação e Fraseado/Organização Musical. A busca pela performance ideal através da correta compreensão e aplicação desses elementos é representada graficamente ao final do artigo.

Palavras chave: Trompete; Elementos fundamentais; Representação gráfica.
LAMC1 upregulation via TGFβ induces inflammatory cancer‐associated fibroblasts in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via NF‐κB–CXCL1–STAT3
Authors: Fang Lingling , Che Yun , Zhang Chaoqi , Huang Jianbing , Lei Yuanyuan , Lu Zhiliang , Sun Nan , He Jie
Published: July 2021

Cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAF) are a heterogeneous cell population within the tumor microenvironment,and play an important role in tumor development. By regulating the heterogeneity of CAF, transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) influences tumor development. Here, we explored oncogenes regulated by TGFβ1 that are also involved in signaling pathways and interactions within the tumor microenvironment. We analyzed sequencing data of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and our own previously established RNA microarray data (GSE53625), as well as esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines with or without TGFβ1 stimulation. We then focused on laminin subunit gamma 1 (LAMC1), which was overexpressed in ESCC cells, affecting patient prognosis, which could be upregulated by TGFβ1 through the synergistic activation of SMAD family member 4 (SMAD4) and SP1. LAMC1 directly promoted the proliferation and migration of tumor cells, mainly via Akt–NFκB–MMP9/14 signaling. Additionally, LAMC1 promoted CXCL1 secretion, which stimulated the formation of inflammatory CAF (iCAF) through CXCR2–pSTAT3. Inflammatory CAF promoted tumor progression. In summary, we identified the dual mechanism by which the upregulation of LAMC1 by TGFβ in tumor cells not only promotes ESCC proliferation and migration, but also indirectly induces carcinogenesis by stimulating CXCL1 secretion to promote the formation of iCAF. This finding suggests that LAMC1 could be a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker for ESCC.
Tumor‐Associated Protrusion Fluctuations as a Signature of Cancer Invasiveness
Authors: Caballero David , Brancato Virginia , Lima Ana C. , Abreu Catarina M. , Neves Nuno M. , Correlo Vitor M. , Oliveira Joaquim M. , Reis Rui L. , Kundu Subhas C.
Published: July 2021

The generation of invasive fluctuating protrusions is a distinctive feature of tumor dissemination. During the invasion, individual cancer cells modulate the morphodynamics of protrusions to optimize their migration efficiency. However, it remains unclear how protrusion fluctuations govern the invasion of more complex multi‐cellular structures, such as tumors, and their correlation with the tumor metastatic potential. Herein, a reductionist approach based on 3D tumor cell micro‐spheroids with different invasion capabilities is used as a model to decipher the role of tumor‐associated fluctuating protrusions in cancer progression. To quantify fluctuations, a set of key biophysical parameters that precisely correlate with the invasive potential of tumors is defined. It is shown that different pharmacological drugs and cytokines are capable of modulating protrusion activity, significantly altering protrusion fluctuations, and tumor invasiveness. This correlation is used to define a novel quantitative invasion index encoding the key biophysical parameters of fluctuations and the relative levels of cell‐cell/matrix interactions, which is capable of assessing the tumor's metastatic capability solely based on its magnitude. Overall, this study provides new insights into how protrusion fluctuations regulate tumor cell invasion, suggesting that they may be employed as a novel early indicator, or biophysical signature, of the metastatic potential of tumors.
Super‐Strong and Super‐Stiff Chitosan Filaments with Highly Ordered Hierarchical Structure
Authors: Chen Yijun , Zhang Qing , Zhong Yi , Wei Pingdong , Yu Xuejie , Huang Junchao , Cai Jie
Published: July 2021

Currently, the world is facing the problems of the gradual depletion of non‐renewable fossil resources and the severe harm of non‐degradable plastic waste to the land and marine ecological environment. Because of the rapid increase in the demand for fiber materials, the development of high‐performance biomass‐based fibers has emerged as an important research topic to reduce the reliance on petroleum‐based synthetic fibers. In this study, a novel green wet‐spinning strategy is used for the fabrication of super‐strong and super‐stiff chitosan filaments from an aqueous KOH/urea solution using a two‐step drawing process. The highly ordered hierarchical structure of the resulting filaments contributes to their excellent mechanical properties. The tensile strength and Young's modulus of the chitosan filaments are 878 ± 123 MPa and 44.7 ± 12.3 GPa, respectively, and these values are comparable to those of spider silk and bacterial cellulose. The chitosan filaments prepared in this study are superior to low‐density steel in terms of the specific strength and modulus. The green and scalable strategy proposed in this study will broaden the application range of chitosan filaments in flexible bioelectronics, biomaterials, and textiles.
A Biomimetic In Vitro Model of the Kidney Filtration Barrier Using Tissue‐Derived Glomerular Basement Membrane
Authors: Wang Dan , Sant Snehal , Ferrell Nicholas
Published: July 2021

The glomerular filtration barrier (GFB) filters the blood to remove toxins while retaining high molecular weight proteins in the circulation. The glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and podocytes, highly specialized epithelial cells, are critical components of the filtration barrier. The GBM serves as a physical barrier to passage of molecules into the filtrate. Podocytes adhere to the filtrate side of the GBM and further restrict passage of high molecular weight molecules into the filtrate. Here, a 3D cell culture model of the glomerular filtration barrier to evaluate the role of the GBM and podocytes in mediating molecular diffusion is developed. GBM is isolated from mammalian kidneys to recapitulate the composition and mechanics of the in vivo basement membrane. The GFB model exhibits molecular selectivity that is comparable to the in vivo filtration barrier. The GBM alone provides a stringent barrier to passage of albumin and Ficoll. Podocytes further restrict molecular diffusion. Damage to the GBM that is typical of diabetic kidney disease is simulated using hypochlorous acid and results in increased molecular diffusion. This system can serve as a platform to evaluate the effects of GBM damage, podocyte injury, and reciprocal effects of altered podocyte–GBM interactions on kidney microvascular permeability.
Anticoagulant Hydrogel Tubes with Poly(ɛ‐Caprolactone) Sheaths for Small‐Diameter Vascular Grafts
Authors: Zhang Chunliang , Xie Qian , Cha Ruitao , Ding Li , Jia Liujun , Mou Lei , Cheng Shiyu , Wang Nuoxin , Li Zulan , Sun Yang , Cui Chuanjue , Zhang Yu , Zhang Yan , Zhou Fengshan , Jiang Xingyu
Published: July 2021

Small‐diameter vascular grafts (inner diameter < 6 mm) are useful in treating cardiovascular diseases. The off‐the‐shelf small‐diameter vascular grafts for clinical applications remain a great limitation owing to their thrombogenicity or intimal hyperplasia. Herein, bilayer anticoagulant hydrogel tubes with poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) sheaths are prepared by freeze‐thawing and electrospinning, which contain nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)‐heparin/poly‐L‐lysine nanoparticles tube as an inner layer and PCL sheath as an outer layer. The structure, anticoagulant property, and biocompatibility of the inner layer are studied. The effects of thickness of the outer layer on perfusion performance and mechanical property of hydrogel tubes with PCL sheaths (PCL‐NFC/PVA‐NPs tubes) are investigated. The effect of compliance of PCL‐NFC/PVA‐NPs tubes on their blood flow is studied by numerical simulation. The tissue compatibility and the patency of PCL‐NFC/PVA‐NPs tubes are evaluated by implantation in subcutaneous tissue of rats and carotid artery of rabbits. PCL‐NFC/PVA‐NPs tubes have prominent anticoagulation, sufficient burst pressure and good compliance similar to native arteries. PCL‐NFC/PVA‐NPs tubes facilitate infiltration of host cells and achieve active proliferation of recruited cells, which will be a promising candidate for small‐diameter vascular grafts.
Near‐Infrared Light‐Triggered Polyprodrug/siRNA Loaded Upconversion Nanoparticles for Multi‐Modality Imaging and Synergistic Cancer Therapy
Authors: Kuang Gaizhen , Lu Hongtong , He Shasha , Xiong Hejian , Yu Jie , Zhang Qingfei , Huang Yubin
Published: July 2021

Stimuli‐responsive nanosystems have been widely applied as effective modalities for drug/gene co‐delivery in cancer treatment. However, precise spatiotemporal manipulations of drug/gene co‐delivery, as well as multi‐modality imaging‐guided cancer therapy, still remain a daunting challenge. Here, multifunctional polyprodrug/siRNA loaded upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are reported that combine computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR), and upconversion luminescence (UCL) tri‐modality imaging and near‐infrared (NIR) light‐activated drug/gene on‐demand delivery. The photoactivatable platinum(IV) (Pt(IV))‐backbone polymers (PPt) and the siRNA targeting polo‐like kinase 1 (Plk1) are loaded on the surface of polyethyleneimine (PEI)‐coated UCNPs (PUCNP) to obtain the multifunctional polyprodrug/siRNA loaded UCNPs (PUCNP@Pt@siPlk1). The PUCNP@Pt@siPlk1 can be served as a “nanotransducer” to convert NIR light (980 nm) into local ultraviolet (UV) to visible light for the cleavage of photosensitive PPt, resulting in the simultaneous on‐demand release of high toxic platinum(II) (Pt(II)) and siPlk1. Meanwhile, the PUCNP@Pt@siPlk1 has CT, T1‐weighted MR, and UCL tri‐modality imaging abilities. Based on these merits, PUCNP@Pt@siPlk1 displayed excellent synergistic therapeutic efficacy via image‐guided and NIR light‐activated platinum‐based chemotherapy and RNA interfering in vitro and in vivo. Thus, this developed nanosystem with NIR light‐controlled drug/gene delivery and multi‐modality imaging abilities, will display great potential in combining chemotherapy and gene therapy.
Superior All‐Solid‐State Batteries Enabled by a Gas‐Phase‐Synthesized Sulfide Electrolyte with Ultrahigh Moisture Stability and Ionic Conductivity
Authors: Lu Pushun , Liu Lilu , Wang Shuo , Xu Jieru , Peng Jian , Yan Wenlin , Wang Qiuchen , Li Hong , Chen Liquan , Wu Fan
Published: July 2021

Sulfide solid electrolytes (SEs) are recognized as one of the most promising candidates for all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs), due to their superior ionic conductivity and remarkable ductility. However, poor air stability, complex synthesis process, low yield, and high production cost obstruct the large‐scale application of sulfide SEs. Herein, a one‐step gas‐phase synthesis method for sulfide SEs with oxide raw materials in ambient air, completely getting rid of the glovebox and thus making large‐scale production possible, is reported. By adjusting substituted elements and concentrations, the ionic conductivity of Li4‐xSn1‐xMxS4 can reach 2.45 mS cm−1, which represents the highest value among all reported moist‐air‐stable and recoverable lithium‐ion sulfide SEs reported. Furthermore, ASSBs with air/water‐exposed and moderate‐temperature‐treated Li3.875Sn0.875As0.125S4 even maintains superior performances with the highest reversible capacity (188.4 mAh g−1) and the longest cycle life (210 cycles), which also breaks the record. Therefore, it may become one of the most critical breakthroughs during the development of sulfide ASSBs toward its practical application and commercialization.
Metal–Nitrogen–Carbon Catalysts of Specifically Coordinated Configurations toward Typical Electrochemical Redox Reactions
Authors: Wang Yongxia , Cui Xiangzhi , Peng Luwei , Li Lulu , Qiao Jinli , Huang Haitao , Shi Jianlin
Published: July 2021

Metal–nitrogen–carbon (M–N–C) material with specifically coordinated configurations is a promising alternative to costly Pt‐based catalysts. In the past few years, great progress is made in the studies of M–N–C materials, including the structure modulation and local coordination environment identification via advanced synthetic strategies and characterization techniques, which boost the electrocatalytic performances and deepen the understanding of the underlying fundamentals. In this review, the most recent advances of M–N–C catalysts with specifically coordinated configurations of M–Nx (x = 1–6) are summarized as comprehensively as possible, with an emphasis on the synthetic strategy, characterization techniques, and applications in typical electrocatalytic reactions of the oxygen reduction reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, CO2 reduction reaction, etc., along with mechanistic exploration by experiments and theoretical calculations. Furthermore, the challenges and potential perspectives for the future development of M–N–C catalysts are discussed.
Nanoscale Noncollinear Spin Textures in Thin Films of a D2d Heusler Compound
Authors: Sharma Ankit K. , Jena Jagannath , Rana Kumari Gaurav , Markou Anastasios , Meyerheim Holger L. , Mohseni Katayoon , Srivastava Abhay K. , Kostanoskiy Ilya , Felser Claudia , Parkin Stuart S. P.
Published: July 2021

Magnetic nano‐objects, namely antiskyrmions and Bloch skyrmions, have been found to coexist in single‐crystalline lamellae formed from bulk crystals of inverse tetragonal Heusler compounds with D2d symmetry. Here evidence is shown for magnetic nano‐objects in epitaxial thin films of Mn2RhSn formed by magnetron sputtering. These nano‐objects exhibit a wide range of sizes with stability with respect to magnetic field and temperature that is similar to single‐crystalline lamellae. However, the nano‐objects do not form well‐defined arrays, nor is any evidence found for helical spin textures. This is speculated to likely be a consequence of the poorer homogeneity of chemical ordering in the thin films. However, evidence is found for elliptically distorted nano‐objects along perpendicular crystallographic directions within the epitaxial films, which is consistent with elliptical Bloch skyrmions observed in single‐crystalline lamellae. Thus, these measurements provide strong evidence for the formation of noncollinear spin textures in thin films of Mn2RhSn. Using these films, it is shown that individual nano‐objects can be deleted using a local magnetic field from a magnetic tip and collections of nano‐objects can be similarly written. These observations suggest a path toward the use of these objects in thin films with D2d symmetry as magnetic memory elements.
Ultrasensitive Biomolecule‐Less Nanosensor Based on β‐Cyclodextrin/Quinoline Decorated Graphene Oxide toward Prompt and Differentiable Detection of Corona and Influenza Viruses
Authors: Hashemi Seyyed Alireza , Bahrani Sonia , Mousavi Seyyed Mojtaba , Omidifar Navid , Arjmand Mohammad , Behbahan Nader Ghaleh Golab , Ramakrishna Seeram , Lankarani Kamran Bagheri , Moghadami Mohsen , Firoozsani Mohammad
Published: July 2021

Rapid mutation of airborne pathogenic viruses, e.g., SARS‐CoV‐2, and their similar symptoms with flu or influenza, raises an urgent demand for the development of biomolecule‐less nanosensors capable of rapid, sensitive, specific, and differentiable detection of viruses in a single potential window to distinguish infected people from healthy ones through a precise and prompt manner that do not require highly purified biological receptors. To address this vital requirement, a label‐free, and biomolecule‐less nanosensor is designed and developed based on the modified graphene oxide (GO) with NHS/EDC activated β‐cyclodextrin/8 hydroxyquinoline (8HQ) complex toward rapid (in 1 min) and differentiable detection of betacoronaviruses (viz., SARS‐CoV‐2) and influenza viruses (viz., H1N1 and H3N2) in a single potential window. The outcome of the process shows that the employed process leads to considerable soar in the electrical conductivity, porosity, active surface area, available active sites for trapping viruses, and sensitivity of the nanosensor that leads to rapid, sensitive, specific, and simultaneous detection of selected pathogenic viruses with a superiorly low detection limit (DL) and high sensitivity. Obtained results highlight the potential of the developed nanoplatform as a capable screening tool for quick detection of infected people.
Boosting the Efficiency of CZTS/Si Tandem Solar Cells Using In2O3 Layer in CZTS Top Cell
Authors: Doumit Nicole , Soro Kahatie , Ozocak Aylin , Batut Nathalie , Schellmanns Ambroise , Saintaime Eddy , Ntsoenzok Esidor
Published: July 2021

While single‐junction solar cells may be capable of attaining AM1.5 theoretical efficiency of 33.16%, infinite multijunction (MJ, Tandem) solar cells will have a limiting efficiency of 86.8%. Tandem solar cells based on crystalline silicon (c‐Si) bottom cells are therefore attracting great interest. An interesting candidate for the top cell absorber is represented by copper zinc tin sulfide Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS). In this work, the CZTS/Si tandem solar cell is optimized by using indium oxide / Cadmium sulfide (In2O3/CdS) hybrid buffer. This present work reports CZTS/Si solar cell with an open‐circuit voltage VOC of over 0.942 V and a JSC of 34.7 mA cm−² by adding In2O3 layer in the CZTS top cell. The added In2O3 layer has a thickness of 0.022 µm and is n‐doped with a concentration of 1e20 cm−3. Compared with a CZTS/Si in which the hybrid buffer is of CdS, the efficiency is increased from 13.5% to 28.4%. These hybrid In2O3/CdS buffers provide a promising way to reduce the VOC deficit and further boost the efficiency of CZTS/Si solar cells.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Nanomachining Mechanism between Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline Silicon Carbide
Authors: Liu Bing , Yang Haijie , Xu Zongwei , Wang Dongai , Ji Hongwei
Published: July 2021

As an advanced ceramics material, silicon carbide (SiC) is extensively applied in numerous industries. In this study, molecular dynamics method is used to comparatively investigate the nanomachining mechanism between monocrystalline SiC (mono‐SiC) and polycrystalline SiC (poly‐SiC) ceramics. Four simulations are performed for the two materials with and without ultrasonic vibration‐assisted machining (UVAM). The diamond tool is set as a non‐rigid body and vibrated along the depth direction with 100 GHz in frequency and 0.5 nm in amplitude. The effects of material and ultrasonic vibration on the nanomachining mechanism of SiC are analyzed in depth, including the surface generation, subsurface damage, and tool wear. It is determined that the machinability of SiC ceramics can be effectively improved by UVAM. The machining‐induced damage extent of poly‐SiC is more serious than that of mono‐SiC. It is also found that UVAM can effectively reduce the machining‐induced damage, decrease the machining resistance, and increase the possibility of ductile removal, but bring about a slightly larger tool wear.
Adaptive Self‐Sealing Suction‐Based Soft Robotic Gripper
Authors: Song Sukho , Drotlef Dirk‐Michael , Son Donghoon , Koivikko Anastasia , Sitti Metin
Published: July 2021

While suction cups prevail as common gripping tools for a wide range of real‐world parts and surfaces, they often fail to seal the contact interface when engaging with irregular shapes and textured surfaces. In this work, the authors propose a suction‐based soft robotic gripper where suction is created inside a self‐sealing, highly conformable and thin flat elastic membrane contacting a given part surface. Such soft gripper can self‐adapt the size of its effective suction area with respect to the applied load. The elastomeric membrane covering edge of the soft gripper can develop an air‐tight self‐sealing with parts even smaller than the gripper diameter. Such gripper shows 4 times higher adhesion than the one without the membrane on various textured surfaces. The two major advantages, underactuated self‐adaptability and enhanced suction performance, allow the membrane‐based suction mechanism to grip various three‐dimensional (3D) geometries and delicate parts, such as egg, lime, apple, and even hydrogels without noticeable damage, which can have not been gripped with the previous adhesive microstructures‐based and active suction‐based soft grippers. The structural and material simplicity of the proposed soft gripper design can have a broad use in diverse fields, such as digital manufacturing, robotic manipulation, transfer printing, and medical gripping.
Real‐Time Functional Assay of Volumetric Muscle Loss Injured Mouse Masseter Muscles via Nanomembrane Electronics
Authors: Kim Hojoong , Kwon Young‐Tae , Zhu Carol , Wu Fang , Kwon Shinjae , Yeo Woon‐Hong , Choo Hyojung J.
Published: July 2021

Skeletal muscle has a remarkable regeneration capacity to recover its structure and function after injury, except for the traumatic loss of critical muscle volume, called volumetric muscle loss (VML). Although many extremity VML models have been conducted, craniofacial VML has not been well‐studied due to unavailable in vivo assay tools. Here, this paper reports a wireless, noninvasive nanomembrane system that integrates skin‐wearable printed sensors and electronics for real‐time, continuous monitoring of VML on craniofacial muscles. The craniofacial VML model, using biopsy punch‐induced masseter muscle injury, shows impaired muscle regeneration. To measure the electrophysiology of small and round masseter muscles of active mice during mastication, a wearable nanomembrane system with stretchable graphene sensors that can be laminated to the skin over target muscles is utilized. The noninvasive system provides highly sensitive electromyogram detection on masseter muscles with or without VML injury. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the wireless sensor can monitor the recovery after transplantation surgery for craniofacial VML. Overall, the presented study shows the enormous potential of the masseter muscle VML injury model and wearable assay tool for the mechanism study and the therapeutic development of craniofacial VML.
Versatile Ice Microneedles for Transdermal Delivery of Diverse Actives
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxuan , Fu Xiao , Chen Guopu , Wang Yuetong , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: July 2021

Microneedles are regarded as an emerging and promising transdermal drug delivery strategy. Great efforts are devoted to getting rid of their material restrictions and imparting them with abilities to carry various drugs. Here, inspired by ice formation in nature and based on characteristics of different frozen materials, the authors present novel ice microneedles made from versatile soft materials using a simple freezing template‐based fabrication stratagem for effective transdermal delivery of diverse actives. Their strategy can convert microneedles with almost all water‐containing components from softness into hardness for guaranteeing satisfactory penetration, thus removing their material component limitations. As all fabrication procedures are mild and actives can maintain activity during these processes, the ice microneedles can carry and deliver various actives from small molecules and macromolecules to even living organisms. They have demonstrated that these ice microneedles can easily penetrate mouse and swine skins using a microneedle injector, with their active‐carried tips left inside after their ice base melts. Thus, by loading heparin, erythropoietin, or biosafe Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) inside the ice microneedles to treat mouse models, the practical values of these microneedles are well displayed, indicating their bright prospects in universal drug delivery systems.
Chemical Vapor Deposition of Highly Conjugated, Transparent Boron Carbon Nitride Thin Films
Authors: Giusto Paolo , Cruz Daniel , Heil Tobias , Tarakina Nadezda , Patrini Maddalena , Antonietti Markus
Published: July 2021

Ternary materials made up only from the lightweight elements boron, carbon, and nitrogen are very attractive due to their tunable properties that can be obtained by changing the relative elemental composition. However, most of the times, the synthesis requires to use up to three different precursor and very high temperatures for the synthesis. Moreover, the low reciprocal solubility of boron nitride and graphene often leads to BN‐C composite materials due to phase segregation. Herein, an innovative method is presented to prepare BCN thin films by chemical vapor deposition from a single source precursor, melamine diborate. The deposition occurs homogenously at relatively low temperatures generating very high degree of sp2 conjugation. The as‐prepared thin films possess high transparency and refractive index values in the visible range that are of interest for reflective mirrors and lenses. Furthermore, they are wide‐bandgap semiconductor with very positive valence band, making these materials very stable against oxidation of interest as protective coating and charge transport layer for solar cells. The simple chemical vapor deposition method that relies on commonly available and low‐hazard precursor can open the way for application of BCN thin films in optics, optoelectronics, and beyond.