bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Robust and Gradient Thickness Porous Membranes for In Vitro Modeling of Physiological Barriers
Authors: Gholizadeh Shayan , Allahyari Zahra , Carter Robert N. , Delgadillo Luis F. , Blaquiere Marine , Nouguier‐Morin Frederic , Marchi Nicola , Gaborski Thomas R. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPorous membranes are fundamental elements for tissue‐chip barrier and co‐culture models. However, the exaggerated thickness of commonly available membranes may represent a stumbling block impeding a more accurate in vitro modeling. Existing techniques to fabricate membranes such as solvent cast, spin‐coating, sputtering, and plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PE‐CVD) result in uniform thickness films. Here, a robust method to generate ultrathin porous parylene C (UPP) membranes is developed not just with precise thicknesses down to 300 nm, but with variable gradients in thicknesses, while at the same time having porosities up to 25%. Surface etching and increased roughness which lead to improved cell attachment is also shown. Next, the mechanical properties of UPP membranes with varying porosity and thickness is examined and the data is fitted to previously published models, which can help determine the practical upper limits of porosity and lower limits of thickness. Lastly, a straightforward approach allowing the successful integration of the UPP membranes into a prototyped 3D‐printed scaffold is validated, demonstrating mechanical robustness and allowing cell adhesion under varying flow conditions. Collectively, the results support the integration and the use of UPP membranes to examine cell–cell interaction in vitro.
Interface Deformable, Thermally Sensitive Hydrogel–Elastomer Hybrid Fiber for Versatile Underwater Sensing
Authors: Wang Chengmin , Wu Baohu , Sun Shengtong , Wu Peiyi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractUnderwater sensing plays a vital role in perceiving various hydrodynamic stimuli for underwater operations, while fishes evolve an adaptable, durable, and multifunctional lateral line sensory system to feel mechanical deformations from nearly all sources as well as water temperature changes. Such perfect integration of multiple functions into one biological system poses a great challenge for artificial soft sensors. Here, by constructing a stretchable and water‐proof core‐cladding hydrogel–elastomer hybrid optical fiber, nearly all the underwater sensations of fish lateral lines can be realized with unprecedented sensing stability. High‐refractive‐index salt, LiBr, is introduced to the hydrogel core to enable long‐range light propagation with a low loss coefficient (≈0.32 dB cm−1), and the dissimilar yet tightly adhered hydrogel–elastomer interface is readily deformable, contributing to the ultrasensitive optical response to subtle environmental stimulations, induced by either motions, hydrostatic pressure variations, ultrasonic/audible sound waves, or water flows. Moreover, the optical loss of the hybrid fiber is linearly responsive to wide temperature changes (5–70 °C), caused by the altered light scattering from hydrogel chain clustering. The present elastomer–hydrogel hybrid optical fiber offers a new designing strategy in developing next‐generation underwater stretchable ray‐optic sensors.
Comparative Analysis of Yeast Replicative Lifespan in Different Trapping Structures Using an Integrated Microfluidic System
Authors: Gao Ziqing , Xu Jian , Chen Kaiyue , Wang Shujing , Ouyang Qi , Luo Chunxiong 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSaccharomyces cerevisiae is an important model to study the molecular mechanisms of eukaryotic cell aging. In previous studies, the replicative lifespan (RLS) of yeast is analyzed mainly by manual microdissection. Microfluidic technologies have gradually replaced this labor‐intensive operation. Many microfluidic devices can trap a single yeast cell and track its entire lifespan. However, a direct comparison between microfluidic device designs and the corresponding evaluated RLS values is limited by the different experimental conditions. This study establishes a microfluidic platform for a systematic comparison among different cell trapping structures. The platform integrates four representative structures (micropads, microchannels, three‐bar jails, and two‐bar cups) and allows simultaneous control with a uniform external condition. The experimentally evaluated RLS values are affected by specific chip structures. Exploration of the underlying mechanism revealed that external mechanical stress caused by the chip structure is the key factor in reducing RLS. The findings indicate that external mechanical stress should be a major reference factor in the selection of microfluidic devices. The study also highlights the importance of further research on the relationship between mechanical stress and aging.
Boosting a Power Performance of a Hybrid Nanogenerator via Frictional Heat Combining a Triboelectricity and Thermoelectricity toward Advanced Smart Sensors
Authors: Jo Seungju , Kim Inkyum , Byun Junmoo , Jayababu Nagabandi , Kim Daewon 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe demand for a well‐equipped healthcare system is increasing due to the requirement of instant treatment in emergency situations. Particularly, patients are advised to employ fall‐detection sensors and touch‐activated emergency alarms to reduce the mortality rate arising from unexpected falls and emergency conditions. Herein, smart sensors are successfully developed by scavenging the human motions and heat energy with the combination of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and a thermoelectric generator (TEG). The frictional heat energy produced from the contact and separation of TENG can be utilized as an input source for TEG. Thus, the hybrid tribo‐thermoelectric nanogenerator (HTTNG) generates two electrical outputs with a single primary input. As evidence of this, the flexible HTTNG delivers high output due to the synergistic effect of two generators, that is, through the high output voltage and current in TENG and TEG, respectively. The feasibility of HTTNG as a touch‐activated emergency alarm and a human fall‐detection sensor is successfully demonstrated. Furthermore, the HTTNG can be a promising self‐powered sensing device without any additional power source as well as a power supplier in the Internet of Things era. This hybrid nanogenerator can pave the way for efficient utilization in healthcare systems.
Polarization‐Dependent and Wavelength‐Tunable Optical Limiting and Transparency of Multilayer Selenium‐Doped Black Phosphorus
Authors: Liu Qirui , Hu Siyang , Zhang Chenxi , Ouyang Hao , Jiang Tian 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAs one of the hottest 2D materials, black phosphorus (BP) exhibits a narrow band gap, high carrier mobility, exceptional photoelectric and thermoelectric properties. Nevertheless, easy oxidation in air limits its practical application. Here, versatile optical properties of multilayer selenium‐doped BP (Se‐BP) with air stability are reported. Based on polarization‐resolved Raman spectroscopy, which clarifies the sample structure and doping content, the optical absorption information of Se‐BP is investigated by employing polarized linear absorption spectra and femtosecond (fs) laser intensity scanning (I‐scan). Importantly, wavelength‐changed I‐scan results demonstrate a distinct maximum of 5.9% saturable absorption (SA) and 14.2% reverse saturable absorption (RSA) effect whose modulation depths act out polarization dependence. Through the results of I‐scan and fs transient absorption spectroscopy, not only is the origin of RSA proven to be the excited state absorption (ESA), but also the correlation between SA‐induced optical transparency and RSA‐induced optical limiting is discussed and confirmed. This work sheds new light on multifunctional optical applications based on doped BP materials.
Manipulation of Orbital Angular Momentum Spectrum Using Shape‐Tailored Metasurfaces
Authors: Yang Ling‐Jun , Sun Sheng , Sha Wei E. I. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractVortex beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) are widely applied in various electromagnetic, optical, and quantum systems. A tailored OAM spectrum composed of several specific modes as expected holds a promise for expanding the degrees of freedom of the systems. However, such a broadband high‐purity tailored spectrum is difficult to be achieved by the present devices, where the broadband amplitude manipulation is not explored yet. In this work, inspired by the envelope‐modulation theory, an elegant and universal way to manipulate the OAM spectrum in wide bandwidth is proposed by using a shape‐tailored metasurface. First, the rotating meta‐atoms on a triangular lattice are proved to have smaller coupling distortion than that on a square lattice, and this behavior is critical for high‐purity vortex spectrum generation by the Pancharatnam–Berry‐based metasurfaces. Second, a universal modulation relation is established between the spatial arrangement of metasurfaces and the generated vortex beams. Finally, the broadband‐modulated OAM spectra and the comb‐like OAM spectra are theoretically and experimentally demonstrated by the shape‐tailored metasurfaces. The proposed amplitude‐modulation scheme offers a novel concept and engineering route to manipulate the OAM spectrum in wide bandwidth, which can promote the development of OAM‐based applications.
Explicit Dynamics of Diffuse Interface in Phase‐Field Model
Authors: Yang Chao , Huang Houbing , Liu Wenbo , Wang Junsheng , Wang Jing , Jafri Hasnain Mehdi , Liu Yu , Han Guomin , Song Haifeng , Chen Long‐Qing 
Published: November 2020

AbstractInterfaces play an important role during phase transition and interfacial chemical reactions. In this paper, three different methods are introduced to analyze the explicit dynamics of the diffuse interface by means of phase‐field model, and these methods are based on three independent perspectives: non‐dispersive propagation of the interfacial waveform, the flux density and sources/sinks analysis of continuity equation, and the moving interfacial coordinate transformation. These theoretical derivations not only present the relationship between the diffuse interfacial velocity and the effect of driving force and interfacial curvature, but also clarify the equivalent method between the phase‐field dynamics and the sharp‐interfacial dynamics, which reveals the physical meaning of the diffuse interfacial dynamical equation from different perspectives. The present study advances the understanding of the interfacial phase transition and provides theoretical insights for the phase‐field model and numerical simulation.
Emerging Approaches in Enhancing the Efficiency and Stability in Non‐Fullerene Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Zhao Fuwen , Zhang Huotian , Zhang Rui , Yuan Jun , He Dan , Zou Yingping , Gao Feng 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe past three years have witnessed rapid growth in the field of organic solar cells (OSCs) based on non‐fullerene acceptors (NFAs), with intensive efforts being devoted to material development, device engineering, and understanding of device physics. The power conversion efficiency of single‐junction OSCs has now reached high values of over 18%. The boost in efficiency results from a combination of promising features in NFA OSCs, including efficient charge generation, good charge transport, and small voltage losses. In addition to efficiency, stability, which is another critical parameter for the commercialization of NFA OSCs, has also been investigated. This review summarizes recent advances in the field, highlights approaches for enhancing the efficiency and stability of NFA OSCs, and discusses possible strategies for further advances of NFA OSCs.
Reaction Acceleration at Solid/Solution Interfaces: Katritzky Reaction Catalyzed by Glass Particles
Authors: Li Yangjie , Mehari Tsdale F. , Wei Zhenwei , Liu Yong , Cooks R. Graham 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe Katritzky reaction in bulk solution at room temperature is accelerated significantly by the surface of a glass container compared to a plastic container. Remarkably, the reaction rate is increased by more than two orders of magnitude upon the addition of glass particles with the rate increasing linearly with increasing amounts of glass. A similar phenomenon is observed when glass particles are added to levitated droplets, where large acceleration factors are seen. Evidence shows that glass acts as a “green” heterogeneous catalyst: it participates as a base in the deprotonation step and is recovered unchanged from the reaction mixture. Reaction acceleration at two separate interfaces is recognized in this study: i) air/solution phase acceleration, as is well known in microdroplets; ii) solid/solution phase, where such acceleration appears to be a new phenomenon.
Recent Advances in Metal‐catalyzed Alkylation, Alkenylation and Alkynylation of Indole/indoline Benzenoid Nucleus
Authors: Pradhan Sourav , De Pinaki Bhusan , Shah Tariq A. , Punniyamurthy Tharmalingam 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSelective editing of the benzenoid C−H bonds (C4−C7) in indoles/indolines has received great interest because functionalized indoles/indolines are featured in many marketed drugs and natural products. Transition‐metal‐catalyzed directed C−H functionalization has thus been developed to manipulate the benzenoid core through C−C and C‐heteroatom bond formation. This review covers the recent advances in selective C−C bond forming reactions, alkylation, alkenylation and alkynylation, over the benzenoid ring (C4−C7) of indoles/indolines using metal catalysis.
From structure to function: Route to understanding lncRNA mechanism
Authors: Graf Johannes , Kretz Markus 
Published: November 2020

AbstractRNAs have emerged as a major target for diagnostics and therapeutics approaches. Regulatory nonprotein‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in particular display remarkable versatility. They can fold into complex structures and interact with proteins, DNA, and other RNAs, thus modulating activity, localization, or interactome of multi‐protein complexes. Thus, ncRNAs confer regulatory plasticity and represent a new layer of regulatory control. Interestingly, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) tend to acquire complex secondary and tertiary structures and their function—in many cases—is dependent on structural conservation rather than primary sequence conservation.Whereas for many proteins, structure and its associated function are closely connected, for lncRNAs, the structural domains that determine functionality and its interactome are still not well understood. Numerous approaches for analyzing the structural configuration of lncRNAs have been developed recently. Here, will provide an overview of major experimental approaches used in the field, and discuss the potential benefit of using combinatorial strategies to analyze lncRNA modes of action based on structural information.
Can natural selection and druggable targets synergize? Of nutrient scarcity, cancer, and the evolution of cooperation
Authors: Blackstone Neil W. , Gutterman Jordan U. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSince the dawn of molecular biology, cancer therapy has focused on druggable targets. Despite some remarkable successes, cell‐level evolution remains a potent antagonist to this approach. We suggest that a deeper understanding of the breakdown of cooperation can synergize the evolutionary and druggable‐targets approaches. Complexity requires cooperation, whether between cells of different species (symbiosis) or between cells of the same organism (multicellularity). Both forms of cooperation may be associated with nutrient scarcity, which in turn may be associated with a chemiosmotic metabolism. A variety of examples from modern organisms supports these generalities. Indeed, mammalian cancers—unicellular, glycolytic, and fast‐replicating—parallel these examples. Nutrient scarcity, chemiosmosis, and associated signaling may favor cooperation, while under conditions of nutrient abundance a fermentative metabolism may signal the breakdown of cooperation. Manipulating this metabolic milieu may potentiate the effects of targeted therapeutics. Specific opportunities are discussed in this regard, including avicins, a novel plant product.
How neoteny shapes human society: Can we escape our formative years, and fight the wrong kind of populism?
Authors: Speijer Dave 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis article describes aspects of our biological nature that have contributed to the dangerous current state of societal, ecological and climatological affairs. Next, it deals with stratagems to take these aspects into account, so as to allow us better choices. I will concentrate on the concepts of evolved group mechanisms and “neoteny” and explain why they direct our responses throughout our lives. The connection between our biological make‐up and our vulnerability to the current rise of certain kinds of irrational, undemocratic, populism is also laid bare. I will end by listing some simple, but possibly controversial, proposals that might have value in combating these societal tendencies and help decision making in a reality‐based, more scientific, manner.
Word of mouth: How upward social comparisons influence the sharing of consumption experiences
Authors: Suárez Vázquez Ana , Du Li , del Río Lanza Ana Belén 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAn outcome of upward social comparisons that has been largely overlooked is its effect on non‐transactional behaviours (i.e., word of mouth). Previous research has identified three different emotional reactions to upward social comparisons: admiration, benign envy and malicious envy. Despite the fact that their effect on consumption has been previously analysed, it remains unclear how these reactions affect word of mouth intention. This study carries out an experimental design that demonstrates that admiration and benign envy positively influence word of mouth behaviour. However, there is no effect of malicious envy on such disposition. The results are sustained under different cultural contexts. The findings shed light on the drivers of word of mouth. They offer guidance to companies for developing more effective strategies to encourage both brand message sharing and consumer‐to‐consumer sharing of consumption experiences.
New Isoflavones with Antioxidant Activity Isolated from Cornulaca monacantha
Authors: Mhiri Rania , Koubaa Imed , Chawech Rachid , Auberon Florence , Allouche Noureddine , Michel Thomas 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn the course of phytochemical and chemotaxonomical investigations of Cornulaca monacantha (Amaranthaceae), two new isoflavones, 3‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐5,7‐dimethoxy‐6‐(methoxymethyl)‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one (1) and 7‐hydroxy‐3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐5‐methoxy‐6‐(methoxymethyl)‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one (2) were isolated from the fresh aerial parts of C. monacantha among with three known compounds named vanillic acid (3), N‐cis‐feruloyltyramine (4) and N‐trans‐feruloyltyramine (5). Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods including one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR and HR‐ESI‐MS techniques. The isolated compounds exhibited interesting antioxidant activity determined by DPPH, ABTS and TAC tests.
Study on the Simple Surface Treatments of N, P Dual‐doped Carbon as Metal‐free Catalyst for Metal‐air Batteries
Authors: Yu Heping , Zhang Hui , Zhang Zhongyi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractN, P dual‐doped porous carbon with high specific surface area of ∼2000 m2 g−1 was prepared via foaming‐carbonization process. It was demonstrated that the simple surface treatment and modification can conveniently further improve the catalytic performance of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The results showed that chemisorbed phosphorus can promote the surface treatment of sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The modified novel sites, adsorbing water molecules of a semi‐free state, promoted the offensive key steps of H2O molecules in ORR. After post‐treatment, the limit current density increased from 5.0 to 6.1 mA cm−2 with a decreased Tafel slope and the onset potential positively shifted. This surface‐modified catalyst was applied to Zn‐air battery and Al‐air battery, and had exhibited good applicability and excellent performances. This work illustrates that the simple post‐treatments can conveniently and effectively improve the ORR performance of metal‐free carbon catalysts.
Self‐Assembly Approach Towards MoS2‐Embedded Hierarchical Porous Carbons for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Liu Yuping , Wang Hongxing , Liu Fengru , Kang Jialing , Qiu Feng , Ke Changchun , Huang Yu , Han Sheng , Zhang Fan , Zhuang Xiaodong 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTransition metal‐based nanoparticle‐embedded carbon materials have received increasing attention for constructing next‐generation electrochemical catalysts for energy storage and conversion. However, designing hybrid carbon materials with controllable hierarchical micro/mesoporous structures, excellent dispersion of metal nanoparticles, and multiple heteroatom‐doping remains challenging. Here, a novel pyridinium‐containing ionic hypercrosslinked micellar frameworks (IHMFs) prepared from the core–shell unimicelle of s‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate)‐b‐poly(4‐bromomethyl) styrene (s‐PtBA‐b‐PBMS) and linear poly(4‐vinylpyridine) were used as self‐sacrificial templates for confined growth of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) inside cationic IHMFs through electrostatic interaction. After pyrolysis, MoS2‐anchored nitrogen‐doped porous carbons possessing tunable hierarchical micro/mesoporous structures and favorable distributions of MoS2 nanoparticles exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction as well as small Tafel slope of 66.7 mV dec−1, low onset potential, and excellent cycling stability under acidic condition. Crucially, hierarchical micro/mesoporous structure and high surface area could boost their catalytic hydrogen evolution performance. This approach provides a novel route for preparation of micro/mesoporous hybrid carbon materials with confined transition metal nanoparticles for electrochemical energy conversion.
Digital Imaging‐based Colourimetry for Enzymatic Processes in Transparent Liquid Marbles
Authors: Nguyen Nhat‐Khuong , Singha Pradip , Zhang Jun , Phan Hoang‐Phuong , Nguyen Nam‐Trung , Ooi Chin Hong 
Published: November 2020

AbstractLiquid marbles are a promising microreactor platform that recently attracts significant research interest owing to their ability to accommodate a wide range of micro reactions. However, the use of destructive and ex‐situ methods to monitor reactions impairs the potential of liquid‐marble‐based microreactors. This paper proposes a non‐destructive, in situ, and cost‐effective digital‐imaging‐based colourimetric monitoring method for transparent liquid marbles, using the enzymatic hydrolysis of starch as an illustrative example. The colourimetric reaction between starch and iodine produces a complex that exhibits a dark blue colour. We found that the absorbance of red channel of digital images showed a linear relationship with starch concentration with high sensitivity and repeatability. This digital‐imaging‐based colourimetric method was used to study the hydrolysis of starch by α‐amylase. The results show high accuracy and applicability of first‐order kinetics for this reaction. The demonstration of digital‐imaging‐based colourimetry indicates the potential of liquid marble‐based microreactors.