bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrodeposition of Versatile Nanostructured Sb/Sb2O3 Microcomposites: A Parameter Study
Authors: Voigt Karsten , Heubner Christian , Liebmann Tobias , Matthey Björn , Weiser Mathias , Schneider Michael , Michaelis Alexander 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAntimony (Sb) and its oxides are considered to be promising materials for numerous applications, such as secondary batteries, catalysis, and thermoelectrics. Recent studies show that Sb/Sb2O3 composites can easily be prepared by electrochemical deposition. In the present work, the impact of process parameters, such as flow conditions, substrate roughness, and current‐potential modulations, on the properties of the Sb/Sb2O3 deposits are investigated. The deposits are characterized by electron microscopy including energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis as well as X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The systematic investigations on the process parameters reveal that the size, morphology, and composition of the resulting Sb/Sb2O3 composites can be adjusted in a wide range. The insights of this parameter study imply a huge design freedom for the electrochemical formation of nanostructured Sb/Sb2O3 composites, allowing straightforward implementation of rational designs depending on a desired application.
The Bioinspired Facile Method to Efficiently Generate Diverse Proteinosomes with pH Switchable Permeability
Authors: Qin Jianghui , Wei Shaoyin , Xu Hongyan , Wang Liwen , Hao Pengyan , Peng Bo , Zhang Yagang , Shi Pengzhong , Zan Xingjie 
Published: May 2020

AbstractProteinosome, characterized by an inner aqueous cavity wrapped by membrane with embedded protein, is one of the most attractive structures, has huge potential applications on drug delivery, tissue engineering, catalysis, synthetic biology, artificial cells, engineering of the biomachines, biosensors, and biodevices, etc. Here, inspired by polyphenol chemistry, a facile and universal method is presented to fabricate the diverse proteinosomes, with independence on the amino acid sequence, isoelectric points, molecular weight (Mw), wettability, and functional domains of applied proteins. Besides, the materials employed here are green and cost‐effective, and the method developed here is efficient and easily operated without any expensive equipments. The proteinosomes and the mechanism of generating proteinosomes are well characterized and analyzed by various techniques. The permeability of generated proteinosomes is underlined, which not only shows dependence on the applied proteins but also the Mw of diffused molecules. In addition, the permeability can be reversibly switched on/off in 100% by environmental pH. Capitalizing the facility and university of this method, it is believed it paves the way of the proteinosomes to multiple potential applications, such as drug delivery, micro‐/nanoreactors, tissue engineering, catalysis, biosensor, etc.
Polymer Electronics: To Be or Not to Be?
Authors: Blom Paul W. M. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe realization that polymers can be used as active material in opto‐electronic applications initiated substantial effort in the scientific community to explore new materials. Polymers can be made strong, flexible, lightweight, and can be mass produced. Furthermore, polymers can be processed at low temperatures, typically below 150 °C, creating the opportunity to use a range of plastic substrates instead of glass. Many polymers are soluble in organic solvents, making it possible to create electronically active “inks” that allow for solution‐processed electronic components as light‐emitting diodes and transistors. Examples of innovative new products based on semiconducting polymers are inkjet‐printed displays, non‐contact radio frequency identification tags, and sensors. However, the realization of polymeric displays is hindered by the relatively low efficiency of polymer‐based light‐emitting diodes. Major problems are the inability to realize multi‐layers from solution, insufficient harvesting of triplet excitons and the presence of defects. Printed circuits of organic transistors are still hampered by stability issues and relatively low charge carrier mobility of the organic semiconductors. More recently, organic electrochemical transistors have been employed as biosensors. Herein, the fundamentals and recent progress of polymer‐based light‐emitting devices and transistors are being discussed.
Organ‐Restricted Vascular Delivery of Nanoparticles for Lung Cancer Therapy
Authors: Bölükbas Deniz A. , Datz Stefan , Meyer‐Schwickerath Charlotte , Morrone Carmela , Doryab Ali , Gößl Dorothee , Vreka Malamati , Yang Lin , Argyo Christian , van Rijt Sabine H. , Lindner Michael , Eickelberg Oliver , Stoeger Tobias , Schmid Otmar , Lindstedt Sandra , Stathopoulos Georgios T. , Bein Thomas , Wagner Darcy E. , Meiners Silke 
Published: May 2020

AbstractNanoparticle‐based targeted drug delivery holds promise for treatment of cancers. However, most approaches fail to be translated into clinical success due to ineffective tumor targeting in vivo. Here, the delivery potential of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) functionalized with targeting ligands for epidermal growth factor receptor and C─C chemokine receptor type 2 is explored in lung tumors. The addition of active targeting ligands on MSNs enhances their uptake in vitro but fails to promote specific delivery to tumors in vivo, when administered systemically via the blood or locally to the lung into immunocompetent murine lung cancer models. Ineffective tumor targeting is due to efficient clearance of the MSNs by the phagocytic cells of the liver, spleen, and lung. These limitations, however, are successfully overcome using a novel organ‐restricted vascular delivery (ORVD) approach. ORVD in isolated and perfused mouse lungs of Kras‐mutant mice enables effective nanoparticle extravasation from the tumor vasculature into the core of solid lung tumors. In this study, ORVD promotes tumor cell‐specific uptake of nanoparticles at cellular resolution independent of their functionalization with targeting ligands. Organ‐restricted vascular delivery thus opens new avenues for optimized nanoparticles for lung cancer therapy and may have broad applications for other vascularized tumor types.
Parathyroid Hormone‐Loaded Microneedle Promotes Tendon Healing Through Activation of mTOR
Authors: Yao Zhixiao , Xue Tong , Cai Chuandong , Li Juehong , Lu Mingkuan , Liu Xudong , Jin Tuo , Wu Fei , Liu Shen , Fan Cunyi 
Published: May 2020

AbstractTendon rupture/defects may impose a huge economic and mental burden on patients and society. At present, neither surgery nor conservative treatment regimens can provide long‐term therapeutic benefits, and the prognosis is often disappointing owing to the loss of tendon function and strength. There is an urgent need for innovative strategies to treat defective tendons. Here, a microneedle patch is developed for the efficient transdermal delivery of parathyroid hormone (PTH). The microneedle tip is made up of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and is water swellable, but insoluble, thereby ensuring the accurate and efficient release of PTH, while evacuating the skin without any tip material deposition. The PTH‐loaded microneedle patch is replaced daily in a rat tendon defect‐healing model. Results from histology, biomechanics, and gene expression analysis confirm that this newly developed microneedle patch accelerates tendon healing following the subcutaneous delivery of PTH and activates the transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1/mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (Smad3)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling cascade, which may be involved in the underlying mechanism. These results suggest that the PTH‐loaded microneedle patch developed herein may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of injured tendons.
Covalent Inhibitors Allosterically Block the Activation of Rho Family Proteins and Suppress Cancer Cell Invasion
Authors: Sun Zhongya , Zhang Hao , Zhang Yuanyuan , Liao Liping , Zhou Wen , Zhang Fengcai , Lian Fulin , Huang Jing , Xu Pan , Zhang Rukang , Lu Wenchao , Zhu Mingrui , Tao Hongru , Yang Feng , Ding Hong , Chen Shijie , Yue Liyan , Zhou Bing , Zhang Naixia , Tan Minjia , Jiang Hualiang , Chen Kaixian , Liu Bo , Liu Chuanpeng , Dang Yongjun , Luo Cheng 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe Rho family GTPases are crucial drivers of tumor growth and metastasis. However, it is difficult to develop GTPases inhibitors due to a lack of well‐characterized binding pockets for compounds. Here, through molecular dynamics simulation of the RhoA protein, a groove around cysteine 107 (Cys107) that is relatively well‐conserved within the Rho family is discovered. Using a combined strategy, the novel inhibitor DC‐Rhoin is discovered, which disrupts interaction of Rho proteins with guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitors (GDIs). Crystallographic studies reveal that the covalent binding of DC‐Rhoin to the Cys107 residue stabilizes and captures a novel allosteric pocket. Moreover, the derivative compound DC‐Rhoin04 inhibits the migration and invasion of cancer cells, through targeting this allosteric pocket of RhoA. The study reveals a novel allosteric regulatory site within the Rho family, which can be exploited for anti‐metastasis drug development, and also provides a novel strategy for inhibitor discovery toward “undruggable” protein targets.
Multimodal Nanoscale Tomographic Imaging for Battery Electrodes
Authors: Müller Simon , Lippuner Manuel , Verezhak Mariana , De Andrade Vincent , De Carlo Francesco , Wood Vanessa 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAccurate representations of the 3D structure within a lithium‐ion battery are key to understanding performance limitations. However, obtaining exact reconstructions of electrodes, where the active particles, the carbon black and polymeric binder domain, and the pore space are visualized is challenging. Here, it is shown that multimodal imaging can be used to overcome this challenge. High‐resolution ptychographic X‐ray computed tomography are combined with lower resolution but higher contrast transmission X‐ray tomographic microscopy to obtain 3D reconstructions of pristine and cycled graphite‐silicon composite electrodes. This cross‐correlation enables quantitative analysis of the surface of active particles, including the heterogeneity of carbon‐black and binder domain and solid‐electrolyte interphase coverage. Capturing the active particles as well as the carbon black‐binder domain allows using these segmented structures for electrochemical simulations to highlight the influence of the particle embedding on local state of charge heterogeneities.
Hierarchical Polyelemental Nanoparticles as Bifunctional Catalysts for Oxygen Evolution and Reduction Reactions
Authors: Wu Meiling , Cui Mingjin , Wu Lianping , Hwang Sooyeon , Yang Chunpeng , Xia Qinqin , Zhong Geng , Qiao Haiyu , Gan Wentao , Wang Xizheng , Kline Dylan , Zachariah Michael R. , Su Dong , Li Teng , Hu Liangbing 
Published: May 2020

AbstractEfficient electrocatalysts are critical in various clean energy conversion and storage systems. Polyelemental nanomaterials are attractive as multifunctional catalysts due to their wide compositions and synergistic properties. However, controlled synthesis of polyelemental nanomaterials is difficult due to their complex composition. Herein, a one‐step synthetic strategy is presented to fabricate a hierarchical polyelemental nanomaterial, which contains ultrasmall precious metal nanoparticles (IrPt, ≈5 nm) anchored on spinel‐structure transition metal oxide nanoparticles. The polyelemental nanoparticles serve as excellent bifunctional catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The mass catalytic activity of the polyelemental nanoparticles is 7‐times higher than that of Pt in ORR and 28‐times that of Ir in OER at the same overpotentials, demonstrating the high activity of the bifunctional electrocatalyst. This outstanding performance is attributed to the controlled multiple elemental composition, mixed chemical states, and large electroactive surface area. The hierarchical nanostructure and polyelemental design of these nanoparticles offer a general and powerful alternative material for catalysis, solar cells, and more.
Cotton yield and lint quality responses to nitrogen rate and placement in the humid southeast
Authors: McClanahan Sarah , Frame W. Hunter , Stewart Ryan D. , Thomason Wade E. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractProper N management in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.) is essential to optimize yields. Information on proper N application rate and placement method is needed for coarse‐textured soils of the humid Southeast. The objective of this study was to measure strip‐tilled cotton performance in response to five N rate and placement application methods. Five N rates (0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg N ha−1) and three placement methods {broadcast (urea + ammonium sulfate [AMS], surface banded (urea ammonium nitrate [UAN] + ammonium thiosulfate [ATS]), and injected (UAN + ATS) were evaluated from 2016 to 2018 at five sites in Virginia and one site in North Carolina. Petiole NO3–N, lint yield, lint percent turnout, and fiber quality parameters were measured. Nitrogen rate and placement had a significant effect on lint yield but only N rate affected petiole NO3–N concentration. Quadratic plateau analysis of relative yield found that 133, 128, and 180 kg N ha−1were the optimum N rates for injected, surface‐banded, and broadcast systems with relative yields of 95, 90, and 94%, respectively. A critical petiole NO3–N concentration threshold of 5600 mg NO3–N kg−1at early bloom was calculated to reach 92% relative yield. Neither rate nor placement had an effect on fiber quality parameters. This study shows that both surface banding and injecting between 128 and 133 kg N ha−1can produce 90% or more relative yield for a modern cotton variety in the upper southeastern coastal plain of the United States.
Molecularly Tailored Lithium–Arene Complex Enables Chemical Prelithiation of High‐Capacity Lithium‐Ion Battery Anodes
Authors: Jang Juyoung , Kang Inyeong , Choi Jinkwan , Jeong Hyangsoo , Yi Kyung‐Woo , Hong Jihyun , Lee Minah 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPrelithiation is of great interest to Li‐ion battery manufacturers as a strategy for compensating for the loss of active Li during initial cycling of a battery, which would otherwise degrade its available energy density. Solution‐based chemical prelithiation using a reductive chemical promises unparalleled reaction homogeneity and simplicity. However, the chemicals applied so far cannot dope active Li in Si‐based high‐capacity anodes but merely form solid–electrolyte interphases, leading to only partial mitigation of the cycle irreversibility. Herein, we show that a molecularly engineered Li–arene complex with a sufficiently low redox potential drives active Li accommodation in Si‐based anodes to provide an ideal Li content in a full cell. Fine control over the prelithiation degree and spatial uniformity of active Li throughout the electrodes are achieved by managing time and temperature during immersion, promising both fidelity and low cost of the process for large‐scale integration.
Emerging Concepts of Nanobiotechnology in mRNA Delivery
Authors: Wang Yue , Yu Chengzhong 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIntroducing mRNA into cells has attracted intense interest for diverse applications; however, success requires delivery solutions. Engineered nanomaterials have been applied as mRNA nanocarriers; their functions are designed mainly as delivery vehicles, but rarely in regulation of the protein translation. Recently, progress in nanobiotechnology has shifted the design principle of mRNA nanocarriers from simple delivery tools to translation modulators. Here, we review the emerging concepts of nanomaterials regulating mRNA translation and recent progress in mRNA delivery. Designer nanomaterials providing integrated functions for specific mRNA applications are also reviewed to provide insights for the design of next‐generation nanomaterials to revolutionize mRNA technology.
Comparative impact of SiO2 and TiO2 nanofillers on the performance of thin‐film nanocomposite membranes
Authors: Urper‐Bayram Gulsum Melike , Bossa Nathan , Warsinger David M. , Koyuncu Ismail , Wiesner Mark 
Published: May 2020

AbstractNanoparticle (NP) additions can substantially improve the performance of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration polyamide (PA) membranes. However, the relative impacts of leading additives are poorly understood. In this study, we compare the effects of TiO2 and SiO2 NPs as nanofillers in PA membranes with respect to permeate flux and the rejection of organic matter (OM) and salts. Thin‐film nanocomposite (TFN) PA membranes were fabricated using similarly sized TiO2 15 nm and SiO2 (10 – 20 nm) NPs, introduced at four different NP concentrations (0.01, 0.05, 0.2, and 0.5% w/v). Compared with PA membranes fabricated without NPs, membranes fabricated with nanofillers improved membranes hydrophilicity, membrane porosity, and consequently the permeability. Permeability was increased by 24 and 58% with the addition of TiO2 and SiO2, respectively. Rejection performance and fouling behavior of the membranes were examined with salt (MgSO4 and NaCl) and OM (humic acid [HA] and tannic acid [TA]). The addition of TiO2 and SiO2 nanofillers to the PA membranes improved the permeability of these membranes and also increased the rejection of MgSO4, especially for TiO2 membranes. The addition of TiO2 and SiO2 to the membranes exhibited a higher flux and lower flux decline ratio than the control membrane in OM solution filtration. TFN membranes' HA and TA rejections were at least 77 and 71%, respectively. The surface change properties of NPs appear to play a dominant role in determining their effects as nanofillers in the composite membrane matrix through a balance of changes produced in membrane pore size and membrane hydrophilicity.
Design of a PID optimized neural networks and PD fuzzy logic controllers for a two‐wheeled mobile robot
Authors: Ben Jabeur Chiraz , Seddik Hassene 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn this paper, two intelligent techniques for a two‐wheeled differential mobile robot are designed and presented: A smart PID optimized neural networks based controller (SNNPIDC) and a PD fuzzy logic controller (PDFLC). Basically, mobile robots are required to work and navigate under exigent circumstances where the environment is hostile, full of disturbances such as holes and stones. The robot navigation leads to an autonomous decision making to overcome an obstacle and/or to stop the engine to protect it. In fact, the actuators that drive the robot should in no way be damaged and should stop to change direction in case of insurmountable disturbances. In this context, two controllers are implemented and a comparative study is carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approaches. For the first one, neural networks are used to optimize the parameters of a PID controller and for the second a fuzzy inference system type Mamdani based controller is adopted. The goal is to implement control algorithms for safe robot navigation while avoiding damage to the motors. In these two control cases, the smart robot has to quickly perform tasks and adapt to changing environment conditions while ensuring stability and accuracy and must be autonomous with regards to decision making. Simulations results aren't done in real environments, but are obtained with the Matlab/Simulink environment in which holes and stones are modeled by different load torques and are applied as disturbances on the mobile robot environment. These simulation results and the robot performances are satisfactory and are compared to a PID controller in which parameters are tuned by the Ziegler–Nichols tuning method. The applied methods have proven to be highly robust.
Analysis of means approach in advanced designs
Authors: Jayalath Kalanka P. , Ng Hon Keung Tony 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAnalysis of means (ANOM), similar to Shewhart control chart that exhibits individual mean effects on a graphical display, is an attractive alternative mean testing procedure for the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The procedure is primarily used to analyze experimental data from designs with only fixed effects. Recently introduced, the ANOM procedure based on the q‐distribution (ANOMQ procedure) generalizes the ANOM approach to random effects models. This article reveals that the application of ANOM and ANOMQ procedures in advanced designs such as hierarchically nested and split‐plot designs with fixed, random, and mixed effects enhances the data visualization aspect in graphical testing. Data from two real‐world experiments are used to illustrate the proposed procedure; furthermore, these experiments exhibit the ANOM procedures' visualization ability compared with ANOVA from the point of view of the practitioner.
Protection and Isolation of Bioorthogonal Metal Catalysts by Using Monolayer‐Coated Nanozymes
Authors: Zhang Xianzhi , Fedeli Stefano , Gopalakrishnan Sanjana , Huang Rui , Gupta Aarohi , Luther David C. , Rotello Vincent M. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe demonstrate here the protection of biorthogonal transition metal catalysts (TMCs) in biological environments by using self‐assembled monolayers on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Encapsulation of TMCs in this hydrophobic environment preserves catalytic activity in presence of pH conditions and complex biological media that would deactivate free catalyst. Significantly, the protection affords by these nanozymes extends to isolation of the catalyst active site, as demonstrated by the independence of rate over a wide pH range, in strong contrast to the behavior of the free catalyst.
Invasive strategy for COVID patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome: The first multicenter Italian experience
Authors: Secco Gioel Gabrio , Tarantini Giuseppe , Mazzarotto Pietro , Garbo Roberto , Parisi Rosario , Maggio Silvia , Vercellino Matteo , Pistis Gianfranco , Audo Andrea , Kozel Daniela , Centini Giacomo , Di Mario Carlo 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo report our initial experience of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)/acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing standard of care invasive management.BackgroundThe rapid diffusion of the SARS‐CoV‐2 together with the need for isolation for infected patients might be responsible for a suboptimal treatment for SARS‐CoV‐2 ACS patients. Recently, the group of Sichuan published a protocol for COVID/ACS infected patients that see the thrombolysis as the gold standard of care.MethodsWe enrolled 31 consecutive patients affected by SARS‐COV‐2 admitted to our emergencies room for suspected ACS.ResultsAll patients underwent urgent coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) when required except two patients with severe hypoxemia and unstable hemodynamic condition that were conservatively treated. Twenty‐one cases presented diffuse ST‐segment depression while in the remaining cases anterior and inferior ST‐elevation was present in four and six cases, respectively. PCI was performed in all cases expect two that were diagnosed as suspected myocarditis because of the absence of severe coronary disease and three with apical ballooning at ventriculography diagnostic for Tako‐Tsubo syndromes. Two patients conservatively treated died. The remaining patients undergoing PCI survived except one that required endotracheal intubation (ETI) and died at Day 6. ETI was required in five more patients while in the remaining cases CPAP was used for respiratory support.ConclusionsUrgent PCI for ACS is often required in SARS‐CoV‐2 patients improving the prognosis in all but the most advanced patients. Complete patient history and examination, routine ECG monitoring, echocardiography, and careful evaluation of changes in cardiac enzymes should be part of the regular assessment procedures also in dedicated COVID positive units.