bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sorafenib and CuB exert synergistic antitumor effects against hepatocellular carcinoma cells via inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Li Hua , Li Dong , Bai Yudi , Zhang Yao , Yan Xue , Li Jin , Zhao Ri , Liu Jiahui , Liu Wei , Shi Maolin , Xu Cheng , Yang Tai , Zhang Tao 
Published: November 2020

Sorafenib, the first‐line agent for treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), improves median overall survival by approximately 3 months. In the present study, we investigated whether sorafenib combined with cucurbitacin B (CuB), a natural tetracyclic triterpenoid isolated from Cucurbitaceae, exerts enhanced antitumor effects against HCC. Cell viability and colony formation ability were detected by cell‐counting kit‐8 and colony formation assays. Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Protein expression was detected by western blotting. HepG2 xenografts in nude mice were used to evaluate in vivo antitumor effects. We report that sorafenib and CuB exhibited synergistic effects on cellular proliferation inhibition and cell apoptosis induction, but not on cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, combination treatment enhanced levels of cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved caspase 9, but suppressed phosphorylation of STAT3. Epidermal growth factor, a potent stimulator of signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 (STAT3), promoted cell viability and colony formation ability, whereas combination treatment exerted inhibitory effects on epidermal growth factor‐induced STAT3 phosphorylation. Finally, HepG2 xenograft mice cotreated with sorafenib and CuB exhibited reduced tumor progression without notable weight loss. In conclusion, sorafenib and CuB exert synergistic antitumor effects through a pathway that may involve STAT3 phosphorylation, and this may represent a promising therapeutic approach for treatment of HCC.
Motor beta cortical oscillations are related with the gait kinematics of youth with cerebral palsy
Authors: Kurz Max J. , Bergwell Hannah , Spooner Rachel , Baker Sarah , Heinrichs‐Graham Elizabeth , Wilson Tony W. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectiveIt is widely believed that the perinatal brain injuries seen in youth with cerebral palsy (CP) impact neuronal processing of sensory information and the production of leg motor actions during gait. However, very limited efforts have been made to evaluate the connection between neural activity within sensorimotor networks and the altered spatiotemportal gait biomechanics seen in youth with CP. The objective of this investigation was to use magnetoencephalographic (MEG) brain imaging and biomechanical analysis to probe this connection.MethodsWe examined the cortical beta oscillations serving motor control of the legs in a cohort of youth with CP (N = 20; Age = 15.5 ± 3 years; GMFCS levels I‐III) and healthy controls (N = 15; Age = 14.1 ± 3 years) using MEG brain imaging and a goal‐directed isometric knee target‐matching task. Outside the scanner, a digital mat was used to quantify the spatiotemporal gait biomechanics.ResultsOur MEG imaging results revealed that the participants with CP exhibited stronger sensorimotor beta oscillations during the motor planning and execution stages compared to the controls. Interestingly, we also found that those with the strongest sensorimotor beta oscillations during motor execution also tended to walk slower and have a reduced cadence.InterpretationThese results fuel the impression that the beta sensorimotor cortical oscillations that underlie leg musculature control may play a central role in the altered mobility seen in youth with CP.
Energy efficient nonfragile control protocol for nonlinear large‐scale systems with input quantization
Authors: Tharanidharan Vasudevan , Sakthivel Rathinasamy , Ren Yong , Marshal Anthon S. , Tuan Nguyen Anh 
Published: November 2020

SummaryThe problem of robust stabilization for a class of nonlinear large‐scale systems with the energy constraints and time‐varying actuator faults is addressed in this article. In the considered system, the stabilization criteria is achieved via a sensor‐network‐based distributed fault‐tolerant controller. Moreover to limit the consumption of energy by the sensors, the measurement size reduction technique and communication rate reduction approach are implemented such that the resulting closed‐loop system is stable within a predefined extended passive performance index level. In particular, the sensor signal quantization technique is used to reduce the frequency and size of the transmitted data packet in the communication sequence. Based on the switched system theory and Lyapunov approach, a new set of sufficient conditions is obtained in the form of linear matrix inequality constraints to ensure the exponential stabilization of the considered system. The developed fault‐tolerant resilient control gains are designed by resorting to the cone complementarity linearization algorithm. Moreover, a nonisothermal continuous stirred‐tank reactor with interconnection is considered as an example to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design technique.
Dual Physically Cross‐Linked Hydrogels Incorporating Hydrophobic Interactions with Promising Repairability and Ultrahigh Elongation
Authors: Liu Xinyao , He Xiao , Yang Bo , Lai Lu , Chen Ningxin , Hu Jinguang , Lu Qingye 
Published: November 2020

AbstractNovel dual physically cross‐linked (DPC) hydrogels with great tensile strength, ultrahigh elongation, and promising repairability are designed by introducing cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) or hydrophobized CNC (CNC‐C8) into polymers physically cross‐linked by hydrophobic forces. C18 alkyl chain is grafted to N‐[3‐(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide (DMAPMA) for hydrophobic monomer (DMAPMA‐C18), and C8 to CNC surface for hydrophobic CNC (CNC‐C8). CNC‐C8 (or CNC) DPC hydrogels are synthesized, with monomers N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMAc) and DMAPMA‐C18 polymerized to form the first network physically cross‐linked by hydrophobic interactions, on which the secondary cross‐linking points are formed by hydrophobic interactions between CNC‐C8 and DMAPMA‐C18, electrostatic interactions between CNC‐C8 (or CNC) and DMAPMA, as well as hydrogen bonding between CNC‐C8 (or CNC) and DMAc. Compared with optimum CNC DPC hydrogels of the highest tensile strength (238 ± 8 kPa), the optimum CNC‐C8 DPC hydrogel with 0.0675 w/v% DMAPMA‐C18 and 0.4 w/v% CNC‐C8 possesses stronger tensile strength of 331 ± 32 kPa and excellent elongation of 4268% ± 1446% as well, demonstrating the enhanced mechanical property of the hydrogel by introduced hydrophobic interactions. In addition, such DPC hydrogel can be facilely repaired with tetrahydrofuran (THF) on the cut surfaces while retaining good tensile stress and elongation behaviors.
Healable, Recyclable, and Mechanically Tough Polyurethane Elastomers with Exceptional Damage Tolerance
Authors: Wang Xiaohan , Zhan Shengnan , Lu Zhongyuan , Li Jian , Yang Xiao , Qiao Yongna , Men Yongfeng , Sun Junqi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThere is a huge requirement of elastomers for use in tires, seals, and shock absorbers every year worldwide. In view of a sustainable society, the next generation of elastomers is expected to combine outstanding healing, recycling, and damage‐tolerant capacities with high strength, elasticity, and toughness. However, it remains challenging to fabricate such elastomers because the mechanisms for the properties mentioned above are mutually exclusive. Herein, the fabrication of healable, recyclable, and mechanically tough polyurethane (PU) elastomers with outstanding damage tolerance by coordination of multiblock polymers of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)/polycaprolactone (PCL) containing hydrogen and coordination bonding motifs with Zn2+ ions is reported. The organization of bipyridine groups coordinated with Zn2+ ions, carbamate groups cross‐linked with hydrogen bonds, and crystallized PCL segments generates phase‐separated dynamic hierarchical domains. Serving as rigid nanofillers capable of deformation and disintegration under an external force, the dynamic hierarchical domains can strengthen the elastomers and significantly enhance their toughness and fracture energy. As a result, the elastomers exhibit a tensile strength of ≈52.4 MPa, a toughness of ≈363.8 MJ m−3, and an exceptional fracture energy of ≈192.9 kJ m−2. Furthermore, the elastomers can be conveniently healed and recycled to regain their original mechanical properties and integrity under heating.
Anchoring of Transition Metals to Graphene Derivatives as an Efficient Approach for Designing Single‐Atom Catalysts
Authors: Zaoralová Dagmar , Mach Radim , Lazar Petr , Medveď Miroslav , Otyepka Michal 
Published: November 2020

AbstractGraphene derivatives with anchored metal atoms represent a promising class of single‐atom catalysts (SACs). To elucidate factors determining the bond strength between metal atoms and graphene derivatives, a series of late 3d and 4d elements, including the iron triad, light platinum group elements, and coinage metals (Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Cu, Ag, and Au), in different oxidation states (from 0 to +III) bonded to either cyanographene (CG) or graphene acid (GA) is explored. The vast diversity of N···Me and O···Me bond dissociation energies is related to charge transfer between the metal and substrate. The ability of CG and GA to reduce metal cations and oxidize metal atoms is attributed to the π‐conjugated lattice of the graphene derivatives. The binding energies of core electrons of the anchored metals are predicted to enable experimental identification via X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The anchoring of metals is accompanied by either complete or partial spin quenching, leading in most cases to the same oxidation state of the metal regardless of its initial charge. The identified features can be utilized in designing new materials with a high potential in heterogenous SACs as well as electrochemical and spintronic applications.
Covalent Organic Frameworks for Water Treatment
Authors: Xia Zijing , Zhao Yusen , Darling Seth B. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCovalent organic frameworks (COFs) are an emerging type of porous crystalline material with highly ordered aperture size and tunable structures with designer properties. COFs have been proposed as promising materials for water treatment because of their notable intrinsic properties like excellent chemostability, high surface area, abundant functional sites, and uniform adjustable aperture size. This review focuses on fundamental COF design principles for water treatment (stability, aperture size, and surface functionalization) and the state‐of‐the‐art application of COFs in desalination, organic contaminant sorption, and ion capture. Additional potential promising applications of COFs for water treatment, including solar steam generation, photocatalysis for degradation of organic contaminants, and capacitive deionization are also presented along with an outlook toward future opportunities in the field.
Large‐Area Plasmonic Metamaterial with Thickness‐Dependent Absorption
Authors: Yang Kang , Wang Jingyu , Yao Xu , Lyu Danya , Zhu Jinfeng , Yang Zhilin , Liu Bowen , Ren Bin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPlasmonic metamaterials are receiving increasing attentions due to their great ability to confine light energy at the nanoscale for perfect absorption and various applications in the near infrared and visible region. However, the common practices to achieve the tunable absorption are to adjust the morphology of plasmonic metamaterials. This strategy has a low fabrication efficiency, which limits the applications of plasmonic metamaterials. Here, the absorption efficiency and peak position of the plasmonic metamaterial consisting of Au nanohole array/SiO2 spacer/Au film are tuned by simply controlling the thicknesses of the hexagonal Au nanohole array and the spacer layer, respectively. An ultrahigh absorption of ≈99% and a high surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect (with an average surface enhancement factor of 106) are achieved at the desired laser wavelength. The substrate can be as large as 10 mm in diameter and shows a high uniformity for SERS detection. This work provides a simple way to flexibly tune the optical properties of plasmonic metamaterials for various promising applications such as plasmon‐mediated chemical reactions and biosensing.
Starburst Type Benzofuroindolocarbazole Donor for High Efficiency and Long Lifetime in Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitters
Authors: Kim Do Sik , Yoon Sung Joon , Lee Kyung Hyung , Lee Jun Yeob , Hong Wan Pyo 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA series of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters of 5‐(4,6‐diphenyl‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl)‐2‐(15‐phenylbenzofuro[3,2‐a]indolo[3,2‐c]carbazol‐10(15H)‐yl)benzonitrile (TrzCNTrx1) and 5‐(4,6‐diphenyl‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl)‐2‐(10‐phenylbenzofuro[3,2‐a]indolo[3,2‐c]carbazol‐15(10H)‐yl)benzonitrile (TrzCNTrx2) are developed through a molecular design strategy that incorporates a starburst type benzofuro[3,2‐a]indolo[3,2‐c]carbazole as a rigid donor. The benzofuro[3,2‐a]indolo[3,2‐c]carbazole is developed as a strong and rigid donor for strong charge transfer character in the TADF emitter in combination with a diphenyltriazine acceptor and a benzonitrile linker. Two starburst type donors with different active sites for the aromatic linker substitution are prepared. Among the TrzCNTrx1 and TrzCNTrx2 emitters, the TrzCNTrx2 emitter shows a small singlet–triplet energy gap below 0.10 eV, high photoluminescence quantum yields over 90%, and short exciton lifetimes less than 5.0 µs. In the device application, the TrzCNTrx2 emitter shows maximum external quantum efficiency of 20.6% with little efficiency roll‐off less than 2% at 3000 cd m−2 and color coordinate of (0.37, 0.57). Moreover, the TrzCNTrx2 device is much better than the TrzCNTrx1 in terms of device lifetime because of short delayed fluorescence lifetime.
Highly Efficient Nb2C MXene Cathode Catalyst with Uniform O‐Terminated Surface for Lithium–Oxygen Batteries
Authors: Li Gaoyang , Li Na , Peng Shuting , He Biao , Wang Jun , Du Yong , Zhang Weibin , Han Kai , Dang Feng 
Published: November 2020

AbstractHighly‐efficient cathode catalysts are the key to improve high rate cycle stability, avoid side reactions, and lower the overpotential of lithium–oxygen batteries (LOBs). MXenes are predicted to be one of the most impressive materials for energy applications. In this work, the catalytic capability of Nb2C MXene is demonstrated with a uniform O‐terminated surface as a cathode material for LOBs. The easily fabricated uniform O‐terminated surface, high catalytic activity of Nb2CO2 sites, and unique reaction kinetics contribute to the excellent electrocatalytic performance of Nb2C MXene. The uniform O‐terminated surface on Nb2C MXene is obtained after heat treatment. Density functional theory calculations reveal the superior catalytic activity of Nb2CO2 compared to other anchor groups and bare surfaces. The calculations also reveal the multinucleation and growth/decomposition mechanism for discharge products on the Nb2CO2 surface. This mechanism is believed to account for the results characterized by ex situ and in situ measurements. The spatial‐direction accumulated porous discharge products at high current density contribute to the excellent high‐rate cycle stability. For example, the cathodes exhibit cycle stability for 130 cycles at an ultrahigh current density of 3 A g−1. The present work provides insights into the modulation of catalytic capabilities, and the rational design of high‐performance MXenes based electrocatalysts.
Variability estimation and genetic divergence in Cymbopogon winterianus for development of superior genotype
Authors: Munda Sunita , Dutta Sukriti , Lal Mohan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCymbopogon winterianus Jowitt. is cultivated worldwide for its industrial and pharmaceutical applications. The economic value for this crop is due to its herbage, essential oil yield, and citronellal content. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the traits that are important to increase the economic yield and to estimate the variability among the Cymbopogon winterianus germplasm necessary for selection of superior genotypes. In this study, a total of 72 accessions of Cymbopogon winterianus were collected from different parts of Northeast India and planted in the experimental farm of CSIR‐NEIST, Jorhat, Assam, India. Divergence and association studies among the nine characters were estimated from the 3‐yr pooled data. The genotypic coefficient of variation was slightly lower than the phenotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits studied. High genetic advance with high heritability (H2BS) estimates were observed in tillers per bush, herbage yield, citronellal, and essential oil content. Path coefficient analysis also supported that the leaves per bush, tillers per bush, leaf breadth, and length of basal sheath were the major contributing characters for the herbage yield. Tillers per bush, leaves per bush, and herbage yield were the direct and indirect factors affecting the essential oil content. Divergence study partitioned the germplasm into 15 different clusters in which tillers per bush, leaves per bush, plant height, leaf length, and herbage yield contributed more towards variability. All the parameters studied could be considered as selection criterion to improve economic yield of C. winterianus and in estimating variability necessary for breeding program.
Sexual orientation‐based disparities in bone health: Evidence of reduced bone mineral density and mineral content among sexual minority men but not women in multiple NHANES waves
Authors: Gibb James K. , Shattuck Eric C. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIntroductionSexual minority (SM) people experience significant stress associated with stigma, contributing to a higher rate of adverse health outcomes. Several known factors (eg, smoking) elevate risk of poor bone health, but to date little research has examined disparities in bone health among SM people. To address this, we analyzed sexual orientation differences in an available bone mineral density (BMD) cross‐sectional dataset assessed via dual X‐ray absorptiometry.MethodsWe combined the 2007 to 2008, 2009 to 2010, and 2013 to 2014 cycles of US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to examine sexual orientation‐based differences in z‐scored BMD in the proximal femur (greater trochanter and intertrochanter locations), bone mineral content (BMC) in the femur and spine, and osteoporosis risk among Lesbian/Gay (n = 53), Bisexual (n = 97), Same‐Sex Experienced (n = 103), and Heterosexual (n = 2990) adults.ResultsSexual orientation‐based disparities in bone mass were observed across all anatomical sites. This effect was due to differences between heterosexual and gay men and persisted in linear regressions after adjusting for risk factors. We found differences in femoral and femoral neck BMC in heterosexual and gay men (P = .02) and in femoral, femoral neck and spinal BMC between heterosexual and bisexual women (P = .05). Sexual orientation remained significant in BMC regressions.ConclusionOur findings suggest that SM men but not women are at greater risk for poor bone health relative to heterosexuals and this disparity is independent of the lifestyle and psychosocial risks included in our models.
Hybrid polymer matrix composite (UHMWPE‐HPMC) as solid particle erosion resistant coating for sharp pipe elbows using numerical simulation and experimental analysis
Authors: Hesamadini Alireza , Hosseinabadi Navid 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA hybrid polymer matrix composite coating, resistant to solid particle erosion inside sharp elbows, consisting interlocking chains of molecules with the ability to deflect the surface impact stress and to uniformly distribute stresses along the hard‐ceramic reinforcement mixture surface was developed. Formulated mixture of ceramic reinforcement particles mixtures (alumina, tungsten carbide, and silicon carbide) with polymer coupling agents; to increase adhesion to the metal surface, led to 600–700 HVN in ternary and 500–550 HVN in binary mixtures. This behavior coincides with high shear strength of 70–76 MPa, Young's and shear modulus of 8.86 and 13.4 GPa in ternary 15%Al2O3‐5%WC‐10%SiC, respectively. The low erosion weight loss of 0.1% and small coefficient of friction near 0.18 indicates the significant wear resistance of the ternary sample. The electron microscopic micrographs determined the dense smooth coating surfaces with adhesive interfaces with the substrate.
Improvement of PAN separator properties using PVA/malonic acid by electrospinning in lithium ion‐batteries
Authors: Khodaverdi Fartash , Vaziri Ali , Javanbakht Mehran , Jahanfar Mehdi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe prominent objective of this study is to improve the thermal shrinkage and wettability of lithium‐ion battery membrane separators based on Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) formed using an electrospinning technique. To achieve this goal, a PAN blended with highly hydrophilic Polyvinylalcohol (PVA) is formed, using malonic acid (MA) as a cross‐linker. Due to the excellent hydrophilic properties of PVA and the network formation inside the separators (because of the MA crosslinker presence), the results show significant improvement in the separator properties. For this reason, at the optimum concentrations of 5 wt.% PVA and 5 wt.% MA (sample F4), an increase of wettability (contact angle from 85° for pure PAN to 42° for the F4 separator) is able to be seen. The electrolyte uptake was significantly increased, as for the F4 sample is increased to 1,150%, which is 2.67 times higher than the PAN with 430%. The improved separators showed higher porosity, better tensile strength, lower thermal shrinkage, and better electrochemical performance than the pure PAN separator. It showed an ion conductivity of 3.03 mS/cm, a wide electrochemical stability window of 5.2 V and an initial discharge capacity of 156.4 mAh/g.
The CAR group of Ig cell adhesion proteins–Regulators of gap junctions?
Authors: Rathjen Fritz G. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMembers of the CAR group of Ig‐like type I transmembrane proteins mediate homotypic cell adhesion, share a common overall extracellular domain structure and are closely related at the amino acid sequence level. CAR proteins are often found at tight junctions and interact with intracellular scaffolding proteins, suggesting that they might modulate tight junction assembly or function. However, impairment of tight junction integrity has not been reported in mouse knockout models or zebrafish mutants of CAR members. In contrast, in the same knockout models deficits in gap junction communication were detected in several organ systems, including the atrioventricular node of the heart, smooth muscle cells of the intestine and the ureter and in Sertoli cells of the testes. Possible interactions between BT‐IgSF and connexin41.8 on the disturbed pattern of pigment stripes found in zebrafish mutants and between ESAM and connexin43 during hematopoiesis in the mouse are also discussed. On the basis of the combined data and phenotypic similarities between CAR member mutants and connexin mutants I hypothesize that they primarily play a role in the organization of gap junction communication. Also see the video abstract here: https://youtu.be/i0yq2KhuDAE.