bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cell‐Derived Vesicles as TRPC1 Channel Delivery Systems for the Recovery of Cellular Respiratory and Proliferative Capacities
Authors: Kurth Felix , Tai Yee Kit , Parate Dinesh , van Oostrum Marc , Schmid Yannick R. F. , Toh Shi Jie , Yap Jasmine Lye Yee , Wollscheid Bernd , Othman Alaa , Dittrich Petra S. , Franco‐Obregón Alfredo 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) are capable of specifically activating a TRPC1‐mitochondrial axis underlying cell expansion and mitohormetic survival adaptations. This study characterizes cell‐derived vesicles (CDVs) generated from C2C12 murine myoblasts and shows that they are equipped with the sufficient molecular machinery to confer mitochondrial respiratory capacity and associated proliferative responses upon their fusion with recipient cells. CDVs derived from wild type C2C12 myoblasts include the cation‐permeable transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, TRPC1 and TRPA1, and directly respond to PEMF exposure with TRPC1‐mediated calcium entry. By contrast, CDVs derived from C2C12 muscle cells in which TRPC1 has been genetically knocked‐down using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, do not. Wild type C2C12‐derived CDVs are also capable of restoring PEMF‐induced proliferative and mitochondrial activation in two C2C12‐derived TRPC1 knockdown clonal cell lines in accordance to their endogenous degree of TRPC1 suppression. C2C12 wild type CDVs respond to menthol with calcium entry and accumulation, likewise verifying TRPA1 functional gating and further corroborating compartmental integrity. Proteomic and lipidomic analyses confirm the surface membrane origin of the CDVs providing an initial indication of the minimal cellular machinery required to recover mitochondrial function. CDVs hence possess the potential of restoring respiratory and proliferative capacities to senescent cells and tissues.
Liquid Metal Based Stretchable Magnetoelectric Films and Their Capacity for Mechanoelectrical Conversion
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Ai Jingwei , Ma Zheng , Yin Yajun , Zou Ruiping , Su Bin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractGallium based liquid metal alloys (GLMAs) have tremendous prospects in diverse applications, such as transient devices, soft robotics, biomedical sensing, and health monitoring, due to being endowed with compelling deformability and conductivity simultaneously. Unfortunately, most GLMA‐based flexible devices require external power supply, which might cause some potential issues including additional weight, occupied space, and frequent replacement. Alternatively, self‐powered concepts, by biologically converting mechanical forces to electric energy, are deemed as a promising strategy. Thus, the challenge that GLMAs are applied to self‐powered system is critical and imperative. This study has demonstrated a self‐powered and stretchable magnetoelectric film based on GLMAs. The magnetoelectric film is able to conduct mechanoelectrical conversion via controllable distance of electromagnetic interaction during cyclic stretching–releasing process. To investigate the mechanoelectrical conversing mechanism, an equivalent Maxwell's numerical simulation is combined with experimental results, exploring different experimental parameters. Furthermore, diverse programmed patterning of GLMAs and structure designs are utilized to tune electrical performance. It is believed that the magnetic/electrical synergistic design principle will create a new avenue for liquid metals as functional material in the development of wearable electronics with large strains.
Stable MoOX‐Based Heterocontacts for p‐Type Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells Achieving 20% Efficiency
Authors: Cao Shuangying , Li Jingye , Zhang Juan , Lin Yinyue , Lu Linfeng , Wang Jilei , Yin Min , Yang Liyou , Chen Xiaoyuan , Li Dongdong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCrystalline silicon heterojunction solar cells based on hole‐selective MoOX contacts provide obvious merits in terms of the decent passivation and carrier selectivity but face the challenge of long‐term stability. With the aim to improve the performance and stability of solar cells with full area MoOX/metal contacts, a SiOX tunneling layer on silicon surface is intentionally formed by UV/O3 treatment and an indium tin oxide (ITO) film is sputtered as a high‐work‐function electrode. Before ITO sputtering, an ultrathin V2OX capping layer is introduced to efficiently prevent MoOX film from air exposure and the damage by sputtering bombardment. The insertion of SiOX, V2OX, and ITO keeps the work function of MoOX at a high level, which improves the hole selectivity as well as the stability of the contact. The p‐Si/SiOX/MoOX/V2OX/ITO/Ag solar cell demonstrates an efficiency of 20.0% with improved stability, which is the highest value for MoOX heterocontacts class on p‐type silicon to date.
Biofunctional Elements Incorporated Nano/Microstructured Coatings on Titanium Implants with Enhanced Osteogenic and Antibacterial Performance
Authors: Xu Na , Fu Jijiang , Zhao Lingzhou , Chu Paul K. , Huo Kaifu 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBone fracture is prevalent among athletes and senior citizens and may require surgical insertion of bone implants. Titanium (Ti) and its alloys are widely used in orthopedics due to its high corrosion resistance, good biocompatibility, and modulus compatible with natural bone tissues. However, bone repair and regrowth are impeded by the insufficient intrinsic osteogenetic capability of Ti and Ti alloys and potential bacterial infection. The physicochemical properties of the materials and nano/microstructures on the implant surface are crucial for clinical success and loading with biofunctional elements such as Sr, Zn, Cu, Si, and Ag into nano/microstructured TiO2 coating has been demonstrated to enhance bone repair/regeneration and bacterial resistance of Ti implants. In this review, recent advances in biofunctional element‐incorporated nano/microstructured coatings on Ti and Ti alloy implants are described and the prospects and limitations are discussed.
Diffusion Limited Cryopreservation of Tissue with Radiofrequency Heated Metal Forms
Authors: Han Zonghu , Sharma Anirudh , Gao Zhe , Carlson Timothy W. , O'Sullivan M. Gerard , Finger Erik B. , Bischof John C. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCryopreserved tissues are increasingly needed in biomedical applications. However, successful cryopreservation is generally only reported for thin tissues (≤1 mm). This work presents several innovations to reduce cryoprotectant (CPA) toxicity and improve tissue cryopreservation, including 1) improved tissue warming rates through radiofrequency metal form and field optimization and 2) an experimentally verified predictive model to optimize CPA loading and rewarming to reduce toxicity. CPA loading is studied by microcomputed tomography (µCT) imaging, rewarming by thermal measurements, and modeling, and viability is measured after loading and/or cryopreservation by alamarBlue and histology. Loading conditions for three common CPA cocktails (6, 8.4, and 9.3 m) are designed, and then fast cooling and metal forms rewarming (up to 2000 °C min−1) achieve ≥90% viability in cryopreserved 1–2 mm arteries with various CPAs. Despite high viability by alamarBlue, histology shows subtle changes after cryopreservation suggesting some degree of cell damage especially in the central portions of thicker arteries up to 2 mm. While further studies are needed, these results show careful CPA loading and higher metal forms warming rates can help reduce CPA loading toxicity and improve outcomes from cryopreservation in tissues while also offering new protocols to preserve larger tissues ≥1 mm in thickness.
Stimulus‐Responsive Nanoparticle Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents: Design Considerations and Applications
Authors: Fu Shengxiang , Cai Zhongyuan , Ai Hua 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been widely used for disease diagnosis because it can noninvasively obtain anatomical details of various diseases through accurate contrast between soft tissues. Over one‐third of MRI examinations are performed with the assistance of contrast agents. Traditional contrast agents typically display an unchanging signal, thus exhibiting relatively low sensitivity and poor specificity. Currently, advances in stimulus‐responsive contrast agents which can alter the relaxation signal in response to a specific change in their surrounding environment provide new opportunities to overcome such limitation. The signal changes based on stimulus also reflects the physiological and pathological conditions of the site of interests. In this review, how to design stimulus‐responsive nanoparticle MRI contrast agents from the perspective of theory and surface design is comprehensively discussed. Key structural features including size, clusters, shell features, and surface properties are used for tuning the T1 and T2 relaxation properties. The reversible or non‐reversible signal changes highlight the contrast agents have undergone structural changes based on certain stimulus, as an indication for disease diagnosis or therapeutic efficacy.
Supramolecular Chiral Aggregates Exhibiting Nonlinear CD–ee Dependence
Authors: Yan Xiaosheng , Wang Qian , Chen Xuanxuan , Jiang Yun‐Bao 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAlthough a linear relationship between the optical activity (normally the CD signal) and the enantiomeric excess (ee) of chiral auxiliaries has been the most commonly observed dependence in dynamic supramolecular helical aggregates, positive nonlinear CD–ee dependence, known as the “majority‐rules effect” (MRE), indicative of chiral amplification, has also been well documented and to some extent understood. In sharp contrast, the negative nonlinear CD–ee dependence has been much less reported and is not well understood. Here, the state of the art of both the positive and negative nonlinear CD–ee dependence in noncovalently bound supramolecular helical aggregates is summarized, with the hope that the vast examples of supramolecular aggregates showing positive nonlinear dependence, in terms of the methods of investigations, variations in the structure of the building block (single species or multiple species), and theoretical modeling using the mismatch penalty energy and helix reversal penalty energy, would help to guide the design of building blocks to form aggregates showing negative nonlinear dependence, and thus to understand the mechanisms. The potential applications of those functional supramolecular aggregates are also discussed.
Three‐Phase Boundary in Cross‐Coupled Micro‐Mesoporous Networks Enabling 3D‐Printed and Ionogel‐Based Quasi‐Solid‐State Micro‐Supercapacitors
Authors: Lai Feili , Yang Chao , Lian Ruqian , Chu Kaibin , Qin Jingjing , Zong Wei , Rao Dewei , Hofkens Johan , Lu Xihong , Liu Tianxi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe construction of advanced micro‐supercapacitors (MSCs) with both wide working‐voltage and high energy density is promising but still challenging. In this work, a series of nitrogen‐doped, cross‐coupled micro‐mesoporous carbon–metal networks (N‐STC/MxOy) is developed as robust additives to 3D printing inks for MSCs fabrication. Taking the N‐STC/Fe2O3 nanocomposite as an example, both experimental results and theoretical simulations reveal that the well‐developed hierarchical networks with abundantly decorated ultrafine Fe2O3 nanoparticles not only significantly facilitate the ion adsorption at its three‐phase boundaries (Fe2O3, N‐STC, and electrolyte), but also greatly favor ionic diffusion/transport with shortened pathways. Consequently, the as‐prepared N‐STC/Fe2O3 electrode delivers a high gravimetric capacitance (267 F g−1 at 2 mV s−1) and outstanding stability in a liquid‐electrolyte‐based symmetric device, as well as a record‐high energy density of 114 Wh kg−1 for an asymmetric supercapacitor. Particularly, the gravimetric capacitance of the ionogel‐based quasi‐solid‐state MSCs by 3D printing reaches 377 F g−1 and the device can operate under a wide temperature range (−10 to 60 °C).
An “Ether‐In‐Water” Electrolyte Boosts Stable Interfacial Chemistry for Aqueous Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Shang Yanxin , Chen Nan , Li Yuejiao , Chen Shi , Lai Jingning , Huang Yongxin , Qu Wenjie , Wu Feng , Chen Renjie 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAqueous batteries are promising devices for electrochemical energy storage because of their high ionic conductivity, safety, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, their voltage output and energy density are limited by the failure to form a solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) that can expand the inherently narrow electrochemical window of water (1.23 V) imposed by hydrogen and oxygen evolution. Here, a novel (Li4(TEGDME)(H2O)7) is proposed as a solvation electrolyte with stable interfacial chemistry. By introducing tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TEGDME) into a concentrated aqueous electrolyte, a new carbonaceous component for both cathode−electrolyte interface and SEI formation is generated. In situ characterizations and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) calculations reveal a bilayer hybrid interface composed of inorganic LiF and organic carbonaceous species reduced from Li+2(TFSI−) and Li+4(TEGDME). Consequently, the interfacial films kinetically broaden the electrochemical stability window to 4.2 V, thus realizing a 2.5 V LiMn2O4−Li4Ti5O12 full battery with an excellent energy density of 120 W h kg−1 for 500 cycles. The results provide an in‐depth, mechanistic understanding of a potential design of more effective interphases for next‐generation aqueous lithium‐ion batteries.
Engineering Microcapsules for Simultaneous Delivery of Combinational Therapeutics
Authors: Huang Lu , Zhou Jianhua , Chen Yin , Li Wei , Han Xing , Wang Liqiu 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe combination of chemo‐ and photothermal therapy is an effective strategy to improve clinical outcomes and minimize side effects. For simultaneously delivering chemo‐ and photothermal agents to the tumor region to exert their synergistic effect, an efficient and safe drug co‐delivery platform is in great need. Microcapsules (MCs) are promising drug carriers for local treatment of tumors. However, their applications in chemo‐photothermal combinational therapy have not been fully explored. Herein, novel doxorubicin (DOX) and indocyanine green (ICG)‐incorporated microcapsules (DIMCs) are reported for highly efficient delivery of combinational therapeutics. To obtain DIMCs with precise configuration and controlled drug release characteristics, the microfluidic double‐emulsion templating method is adopted and factors dominating the size and morphology of DIMCs are investigated. Under optimized conditions, DIMCs with well‐defined hydrogel cores and polymeric shells can be steadily prepared, which are hydrolytically degradable, allow for pH‐sensitive sustained release of the drug payload, and show excellent photothermal effects. The in vitro experiment shows that DIMCs exhibit significantly enhanced antitumor efficiency owing to the synergistic effects of chemo‐ and photothermal actives, showing great potential as a new therapeutic platform in local treatment of cancers.
A High‐Performance Na–Al Battery Based on Reversible NaAlCl4 Catholyte
Authors: Zhan Xiaowen , Bonnett Jeffrey F. , Engelhard Mark H. , Reed David M. , Sprenkle Vincent L. , Li Guosheng 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis work demonstrates a high‐capacity and safe Na–Al battery pairing a sodium metal anode and reversible NaAlCl4 catholyte for grid scale energy storage applications. The energy‐rich Na anode allows the full use of the aluminum cathode, resulting in a full‐cell capacity of 308 mAh g−1 at a discharge voltage of 1.6 V. Benefiting from the use of a β″‐alumina solid electrolyte, molten sodium anode, and reversible Al deposition/stripping from NaAlCl4 catholyte, the battery presents a stable Coulombic efficiency of 100% and energy efficiency of ≈95%. At a rate of C/3 (6.77 mA cm−2), the cell maintains 282 mAh g−1 (447 Wh kg−1) after 200 cycles with an excellent capacity retention of 97.6%. Moreover, pathways to build Na‐anode‐free cells from the discharged state under dry air are elucidated, which further extends the feasibility of this battery for stationary storage applications. These findings are expected to provide a new platform for the development of practical aluminum batteries.
Photocatalysts Based on Organic Semiconductors with Tunable Energy Levels for Solar Fuel Applications
Authors: Kosco Jan , Moruzzi Floriana , Willner Benjamin , McCulloch Iain 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe photocatalytic synthesis of solar fuels such as hydrogen and methane from water and carbon dioxide is a promising strategy to store abundant solar energy in order to overcome its intermittency. Although this approach has been studied for decades using inorganic semiconductor photocatalysts, organic semiconductors have only recently gained notable attention. The tunable energy levels of organic semiconductors can enable the design of photocatalysts with optimized solar light utilization. However, the solar conversion efficiency of organic semiconductor photocatalysts has so far been limited by their low quantum efficiencies. To address this issue, various photocatalyst design strategies including semiconductor energy level optimization, surface modification, and the fabrication of heterojunctions have been applied, resulting in substantial increases in photocatalytic efficiency. This progress report systematically describes the strategies employed to increase the efficiency of organic semiconductor photocatalysts for the generation of solar fuels from water and carbon dioxide. Particular attention is given to describing strategies to enhance quantum efficiency, and insights are provided on the mechanisms underlying their success to aid the rational design of future organic photocatalysts. Perspectives on the future challenges and promising research directions for the design of efficient organic photocatalysts for the generation of solar fuels are also provided.
Maize‐potato rotation maintains soil water balance and improves productivity
Authors: Wang Hongli , Zhang Xucheng , Yu Xianfen , Hou Huizhi , Fang Yanjie , Ma Yifan , Zhang Guoping 
Published: September 2020

AbstractContinuous maize cropping dries soils, while continuous potato cropping results in a soil moisture surplus, but decreases land productivity. To determine whether soil water balance and economic returns could be manipulated through maize‐potato rotation. The effects of 1) continuous maize cropping (M), 2) continuous potato cropping (P) and 3) maize‐potato rotation (R) on the variation in soil water content, water consumption, biomass and yield, economic benefits, and water economic yield were investigated. The depth of soil water consumption reached the maximum in 2016 (a dry year), at 260 cm, 200 cm, and 200 cm in M, P, and R, respectively. Compared with soil water storage in the 0–280 cm before planting in 2013, those after six years of cultivation were decreased by 186.31 mm in M, increased by 42.20 mm in P, and increased by 11.29 mm in R. R increased the post‐flowering/total depletion% by 16.81–44.65%, the post‐flowering/total biomass percentage by 10.83–24.83%, and water use efficiency of grain/tubers by 15.52–23.39% in 2016–2018, compared with M. Compared with M, R and P increased the total benefit by 55.44% and 41.62%, decreased ET by 10.69% and 17.93%, and increased EWUE by 74.02% and 72.52%, respectively. However, tuber yield and the water use efficiency of tubers in P decreased by 31.19% and 16.78%, respectively, from 2014–2017. Treatment R maintained the soil water balance, alleviated the over‐consumption of deep soil water caused by continuous maize cropping, and reduced the decline in soil productivity caused by continuous potato cropping.
Effects of working capital management on firms' profitability: evidence from cheese‐producing companies
Authors: Fernández‐López Sara , Rodeiro‐Pazos David , Rey‐Ares Lucía 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWorking capital management (WCM) is a key question for firms' profitability, especially for small and medium enterprises faced with severe financial restrictions and whose current assets account for a significant part of their investments. These features describe most firms in the livestock industry. However, studies on WCM related to these firms are scarce. Using a sample of 444 Spanish cheese‐manufacturing companies during the period 2010–2016 and applying a dynamic panel data methodology, this paper analyzes the extent to which the main components defining the WCM policies—days sales outstanding, days inventory outstanding (DIO), days payable outstanding (DPO), and cash conversion cycle (CCC)—affect firms' profitability. Empirical evidence reveals a negative effect of DIO and the CCC on firms' profitability, suggesting the need to reduce the level of inventory of cheese‐manufacturing companies. Similarly, the empirical evidence confirms a negative relationship between DPO and firms' profitability. [EconLit Citations: C23, G31, L25, L79, Q12].
Enhancing oil–solid and oil–water separation in heavy oil recovery by CO2‐responsive surfactants
Authors: Lu Yi , Li Rui , Manica Rogerio , Liu Qingxia , Xu Zhenghe 
Published: September 2020

AbstractInterfacial properties are of critical importance to various separation applications. In heavy oil recovery, for example, a low oil–water interfacial tension (IFT) benefits the separation of heavy oil from their host rocks, which becomes problematic in the later stage of oil–water separation. CO2‐responsive surfactants were investigated to enhance the overall heavy oil recovery by switching their interfacial activity to the desired state in each stage. The surfactants at interfacially active state greatly enhanced the separation of heavy oil from hosting solids, as demonstrated by measuring contact angle and oil liberation using a custom‐designed on‐line visualization system. Meanwhile, the resulting heavy oil‐in‐water emulsions could also be easily demulsified by the bubbling of CO2 gas, which switched off the interfacial activity of the surfactants. Furthermore, CO2‐responsive surfactants could be partially recycled in process water to improve sustainability, making CO2‐responsive surfactants to be promising chemical aids in heavy oil production and many other vital industries.
Effect of particle orientation on the drag force in random arrays of oblate ellipsoids in low‐Reynolds‐number flows
Authors: Li Xinyang , Jiang Ming , Huang Zheqing , Zhou Qiang 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThrough particle‐resolved direct numerical simulations of flows past random arrays of oblate ellipsoids at low Reynolds numbers, this work demonstrates how the drag force on oblate ellipsoids depends on the Hermans orientation factor S, the mean crosswise sphericity φ⊥, the aspect ratio AR, and the solid volume fraction c. Wide ranges of S, AR, and c are considered and they are in the intervals (−0.5, 1), (0.2, 0.8), and (0.1, 0.4), respectively. This study extends the work on prolate ellipsoids by Li et al (AIChE Journal, 2019, 65, e16621). Based on the simulation results, two models are respectively developed using S and φ⊥as the independent orientation factor. The model based on S could give accurate prediction of the drag force and the lateral force exerted on arrays of particles. The model based on φ⊥ is able to use one generalized drag correlation for both oblate and prolate ellipsoids.