bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Conditionally Releasable “Do not Eat Me” CD47 Signal Facilitates Microglia‐Targeted Drug Delivery for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Zhang Lun , Liu Xiao‐ge , Liu Dong‐qun , Yu Xiao‐lin , Zhang Ling‐xiao , Zhu Jie , Lu Shuai , Liu Rui‐tian 
Published: April 2020

AbstractEfficient brain drug delivery has been a challenge in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other brain disorders as blood‐brain barrier (BBB) impedes most drugs to reach brain. To overcome this obstacle, a novel poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticle conjugated with CD47 extracellular domain via reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐responsive phenylborate ester bond exhibiting “do not eat me” signal and BBB penetrating peptide CRTIGPSVC (CRT) and microglia modulation agent Nec‐1s encapsulated in it is developed. The experimental results show that the designed nanoparticle efficiently increases its half‐life in blood circulation by preventing engulfment via phagocytes, and enhances its brain distribution by synergistic effect of CD47 and CRT. The high level of ROS in mouse brain releases CD47 from the nanoparticles and the resultant particles are effectively phagocytized by resident microglia. The engulfed Nec‐1s modulates pathological microglia to a beneficial state, which reduces Aβ burden, microgliosis and astrocytosis, decreases cytokine production and oxidative stress in the brains of AD mice, and finally attenuates cognition deficits and synapse loss. The results first demonstrate that the conditionally releasable “do not eat me” CD47 signal remarkably facilitates microglia‐targeted drug delivery and warrants further study to develop therapeutic agent for AD treatment.
Programmable Liquid Metal Microstructures for Multifunctional Soft Thermal Composites
Authors: Haque A. B. M. Tahidul , Tutika Ravi , Byrum Rachael L. , Bartlett Michael D. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractSoft, elastically deformable composites can enable new generations of multifunctional materials for electronics, robotics, and reconfigurable structures. Liquid metal (LM) droplets dispersed in elastomer matrices represent an emerging material architecture that has shown unique combinations of soft mechanical response with exceptional electrical and thermal functionalities. These properties are strongly dependent on the material composition and microstructure. However, approaches to control LM microdroplet morphology to program mechanical and functional properties are lacking. Here, this limitation is overcome by thermo‐mechanically shaping LM droplets in soft composites to create programmable microstructures in stress‐free materials. This enables LM loadings up to 70% by volume with prescribed particle aspect ratios and orientation, enabling control of microstructure throughout the bulk of the material. Through this microstructural control in soft composites, a material which simultaneously achieves a thermal conductivity as high as 13.0 W m−1 K−1 (>70 × increase over polymer matrix) with low modulus (<1.0 MPa) and high stretchability (>750% strain) is demonstrated in stress‐free conditions. Such properties are required in applications that demand extreme mechanical flexibility with high thermal conductivity, which is demonstrated in soft electronics, wearable robotics, and electronics integrated into 3D printed materials.
Stoichiometry Control for the Tuning of Grain Passivation and Domain Distribution in Green Quasi‐2D Metal Halide Perovskite Films and Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Cheng Tai , Qin Chuanjiang , Watanabe Satoru , Matsushima Toshinori , Adachi Chihaya 
Published: April 2020

AbstractQuasi‐2D metal halide perovskite films are promising for efficient light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), because of their efficient radiative recombination and suppressed trap‐assisted quenching compared with pure 3D perovskites. However, because of the multidomain polycrystalline nature of solution‐processed quasi‐2D perovskite films, the composition engineering always impacts the emitting properties with complicated mechanisms. Here, defect passivation and domain distribution of quasi‐2D perovskite films prepared with various precursor compositions are systematically studied. As a result, in perovskite films prepared from stoichiometric quasi‐2D precursor compositions, large organic ammonium cations function well as passivators. In comparison, precursor compositions of simply adding large organic halide salt into a 3D perovskite precursor ensure not only the defect passivation but also the effective formation of quasi‐2D perovskite domains, avoiding unfavorable appearance of low‐order domains. Quasi‐2D perovskite films fabricated with a well‐designed precursor composition achieve a high photoluminescence quantum yield of 95.3% and an external quantum efficiency of 14.7% in LEDs.
Synergy of Ion Doping and Spiral Array Architecture on Ti2Nb10O29: A New Way to Achieve High‐Power Electrodes
Authors: Deng Shengjue , Zhu He , Liu Bo , Yang Liang , Wang Xiuli , Shen Shenghui , Zhang Yan , Wang Jiaao , Ai Changzhi , Ren Yang , Liu Qi , Lin Shiwei , Lu Yangfan , Pan Guoxiang , Wu Jianbo , Xia Xinhui , Tu Jiangping 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAmeliorating electronic/ionic transport and structural stability of electrode materials is important to the development of power‐intensive lithium ion batteries. Despite its great potential as a high‐power anode, titanium niobium oxide (Ti2Nb10O29, TNO) still underperforms due to its unsatisfactory electronic/ionic conductivity. In this work, a powerful synergistic strategy by combining ion doping and spiral array architecture to boost high‐rate performance of TNO is reported. Cr3+ doped TNO nanoparticles (Cr‐TNO) of 5–10 nm intimately grow on a conductive vertical graphene@TiC‐C (VGTC) skeleton, forming novel Cr‐TNO@VGTC spiral arrays. The unique spiral growth of TNO is achieved due to the confinement effect of VGTC skeleton. Meanwhile, a more open TNO crystal structure with faster ion transfer paths and enhanced structural stability is realized by Cr3+ doping, demonstrated via density functional theory calculation and in situ synchrotron X‐ray diffraction technique. Benefiting from the superior conductive network, enhanced intrinsic electronic/ionic conductivity of Cr‐TNO and reinforced structural stability, the Cr‐TNO@VTC arrays show prominent high‐power performance with a large capacity of 220 mAh g−1 at 40 C (power density of ≈11 kW kg−1) and superior durability (91% retention after 500 cycles). This work provides a new path for the construction of widespread high‐power electrodes for fast energy storage.
Multifunctional Pacemaker Lead for Cardiac Energy Harvesting and Pressure Sensing
Authors: Dong Lin , Closson Andrew B. , Jin Congran , Nie Yuan , Cabe Andrew , Escobedo Danny , Huang Shicheng , Trase Ian , Xu Zhe , Chen Zi , Feldman Marc D. , Zhang John X. J. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBiomedical self‐sustainable energy generation represents a new frontier of power solution for implantable biomedical devices (IMDs), such as cardiac pacemakers. However, almost all reported cardiac energy harvesting designs have not yet reached the stage of clinical translation. A major bottleneck has been the need of additional surgeries for the placements of these devices. Here, integrated piezoelectric‐based energy harvesting and sensing designs are reported, which can be seamlessly incorporated into existing IMDs for ease of clinical translation. In vitro experiments validate the energy harvesting process by simulating the bending and twisting motion during heart cycle. Clinical translation is demonstrated in four porcine hearts in vivo under various conditions. Energy harvesting strategy utilizes pacemaker leads as a means of reducing the reliance on batteries and demonstrates the charging ability for extending the lifetime of a pacemaker battery by 20%, which provides a promising self‐sustainable energy solution for IMDs. The additional self‐powered blood pressure sensing is discussed, and the reported results demonstrate the potential in alerting arrhythmias by monitoring the right ventricular pressure variations. This combined cardiac energy harvesting and blood pressure sensing strategy provides a multifunctional, transformative while practical power and diagnosis solution for cardiac pacemakers and next generation of IMDs.
A New Microengineered Platform for 4D Tracking of Single Cells in a Stem‐Cell‐Based In Vitro Morphogenesis Model
Authors: Samal Pinak , Maurer Philipp , van Blitterswijk Clemens , Truckenmüller Roman , Giselbrecht Stefan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractRecently developed stem‐cell‐based in vitro models of morphogenesis can help shed light on the mechanisms involved in embryonic patterning. These models are showcased using traditional cell culture platforms and materials, which allow limited control over the biological system and usually do not support high‐content imaging. In contrast, using advanced microengineered tools can help in microscale control, long‐term culture, and real‐time data acquisition from such biological models and aid in elucidating the underlying mechanisms. Here, a new culturing, manipulation and analysis platform is described to study in vitro morphogenesis using thin polycarbonate film‐based microdevices. A pipeline consisting of open‐source software to quantify 3D cell movement using 4D image acquisition is developed to analyze cell migration within the multicellular clusters. It is shown that the platform can be used to control and study morphogenesis in non‐adherent cultures of the P19C5 mouse stem cell line and mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) that show symmetry breaking and axial elongation events similar to early embryonic development. Using the new platform, it is found that localized cell proliferation and coordinated cell migration result in elongation morphogenesis of the P19C5 aggregates. Further, it is found that polarization and elongation of mESC aggregates are dependent on directed cell migration.
Defect‐Enhanced Polarization Switching in the Improper Ferroelectric LuFeO3
Authors: Barrozo Petrucio , Småbråten Didrik René , Tang Yun‐Long , Prasad Bhagwati , Saremi Sahar , Ozgur Rustem , Thakare Vishal , Steinhardt Rachel A. , Holtz Megan E. , Stoica Vladimir Alexandru , Martin Lane W. , Schlom Darrel G. , Selbach Sverre Magnus , Ramesh Ramamoorthy 
Published: April 2020

AbstractResults of switching behavior of the improper ferroelectric LuFeO3 are presented. Using a model set of films prepared under controlled chemical and growth‐rate conditions, it is shown that defects can reduce the quasi‐static switching voltage by up to 40% in qualitative agreement with first‐principles calculations. Switching studies show that the coercive field has a stronger frequency dispersion for the improper ferroelectrics compared to a proper ferroelectric such as PbTiO3. It is concluded that the primary structural order parameter controls the switching dynamics of such improper ferroelectrics.
Controlling Preosteoblast Behavior through Manganese Vacancy‐Rich Birnessite with Enhanced Divalent Cation Modulation of Fibronectin–Integrin Interactions
Authors: Liu Shiwei , Li Kai , Hu Tao , Wu Xiaodong , Ao Haiyong , Xie Youtao , Zheng Xuebin 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe osteoblast‐function associated integrin–ligand interactions are known to be dependent on divalent cations, but there is scarce information about the effect of Ca2+ and Mg2+ adsorption properties of an implant surface on integrin α5β1–fibronectin interactions and the subsequent osteoblast behavior. Cation adsorption properties are closely associated with the extent of structural defects in materials. Here, the birnessite‐type MnO2 coatings with different amounts of manganese vacancy (VMn) are prepared on Ti substrates via hydrothermal treatment (denoted as 1M100‐Ti, 5M100‐Ti, and 5M120‐Ti). The 5M120‐Ti surface with hierarchical flower‐like structure and the most stacked [MnO6] layers possess the highest VMn content, which is determined by the ratios of Mn3+/Mn4+ and K/Mn. The increased VMn content enhances the Ca2+ and Mg2+ adsorption properties of the birnessite coatings. When immersed in Ca2+/Mg2+ aqueous solution, the birnessite coatings significantly promote fibronectin adsorption and the exposure of cell‐binding domains on adsorbed fibronectin with 5M120‐Ti showing the greatest enhancement. Accordingly, the 5M120‐Ti surface provides more α5β1‐integrin‐specific instructions to MC3T3‐E1 preosteoblasts capable of enhancing spreading and osteoblastic differentiation compared to two other samples. This study may provide a prospective approach of modulation of integrin–ligand interactions for controlling cell behavior by adjusting metal vacancies in metal oxides coatings.
Self‐Cleaned Photonic‐Enhanced Solar Cells with Nanostructured Parylene‐C
Authors: Centeno Pedro , Alexandre Miguel F. , Chapa Manuel , Pinto Joana V. , Deuermeier Jonas , Mateus Tiago , Fortunato Elvira , Martins Rodrigo , Águas Hugo , Mendes Manuel J. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPhotonic front‐coatings with self‐cleaning properties are presented as means to enhance the efficiency and outdoor performance of thin‐film solar cells, via optical enhancement while simultaneously minimizing soiling‐related losses. This is achieved by structuring parylene‐C transparent encapsulants using a low‐cost and highly‐scalable colloidal‐lithography methodology. As a result, superhydrophobic surfaces with broadband light‐trapping properties are developed. The optimized parylene coatings show remarkably high water contact angles of up to 165.6° and extremely low adhesion, allowing effective surface self‐cleaning. The controlled nano/micro‐structuring of the surface features also generates strong anti‐reflection and light scattering effects, corroborated by numeric electromagnetic modeling, which lead to pronounced photocurrent enhancement along the UV–vis–IR range. The impact of these photonic‐structured encapsulants is demonstrated on nanocrystalline silicon solar cells, that show short‐circuit current density gains of up to 23.6%, relative to planar reference cells. Furthermore, the improvement of the devices' angular response enables an enhancement of up to 35.2% in the average daily power generation.
A Review on Functionally Graded Materials and Structures via Additive Manufacturing: From Multi‐Scale Design to Versatile Functional Properties
Authors: Li Yan , Feng Zuying , Hao Liang , Huang Lijing , Xin Chenxing , Wang Yushen , Bilotti Emiliano , Essa Khamis , Zhang Han , Li Zheng , Yan Feifei , Peijs Ton 
Published: April 2020

AbstractFunctionally graded materials (FGMs) and functionally graded structures (FGSs) are special types of advanced composites with peculiar features and advantages. This article reviews the design criteria of functionally graded additive manufacturing (FGAM), which is capable of fabricating gradient components with versatile functional properties. Conventional geometrical‐based design concepts have limited potential for FGAM and multi‐scale design concepts (from geometrical patterning to microstructural design) are needed to develop gradient components with specific graded properties at different locations. FGMs and FGSs are of great interest to a larger range of industrial sectors and applications including aerospace, automotive, biomedical implants, optoelectronic devices, energy absorbing structures, geological models, and heat exchangers. This review presents an overview of various fabrication ideas and suggestions for future research in terms of design and creation of FGMs and FGSs, benefiting a wide variety of scientific fields.
Silicon‐Based Integrated Label‐Free Optofluidic Biosensors: Latest Advances and Roadmap
Authors: Wang Jiawei , Sanchez Mariana Medina , Yin Yin , Herzer Raffael , Ma Libo , Schmidt Oliver G. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBy virtue of the well‐developed micro‐ and nanofabrication technologies and rapidly progressing surface functionalization strategies, silicon‐based devices have been widely recognized as a highly promising platform for the next‐generation lab‐on‐a‐chip bioanalytical systems with a great potential for point‐of‐care medical diagnostics. Herein, an overview of the latest advances in silicon‐based integrated optofluidic label‐free biosensing technologies relying on the efficient interactions between the evanescent light field at the functionalized surface and specifically bound analytes is presented. State‐of‐the‐art technologies demonstrating label‐free evanescent wave‐based biomarker detection mainly encompass three device configurations, including on‐chip waveguide‐based interferometers, microring resonators, and photonic‐crystal‐based cavities. Moreover, up‐to‐date strategies for elevating the sensitivities and also simplifying the sensing processes are discussed. Emerging laboratory prototypes with advanced integration and packaging schemes incorporating automatic microfluidic components or on‐chip optoelectronic devices lead to one significant step forward in real applications of decentralized diagnostics. Besides, particular attention is paid to currently commercialized label‐free optical bioanalytical models on the market. Finally, the prospects are elaborated with several research routes toward chip‐scale, low‐cost, highly sensitive, multi‐functional, and user‐friendly bioanalytical systems benefiting to global healthcare.
Flexible, Wearable Organic Light‐Emitting Fibers Based on PEDOT:PSS/Ag‐Fiber Embedded Hybrid Electrodes for Large‐Area Textile Lighting
Authors: Ko Keum‐Jin , Lee Hock Beng , Kang Jae‐Wook 
Published: April 2020

AbstractOrganic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), which possess wonderful device performance and mechanical robustness have been extensively explored in textile lighting applications. In this work, an ITO‐free, PEDOT:PSS/Ag‐fiber hybrid transparent conducting electrode (TCE) embedded in polymeric substrate (denoted as hybrid‐fiber TCE henceforth) for the fabrication of large‐area OLEDs is designed. The optimum hybrid‐fiber TCE with a pitch of 150 µm shows extraordinarily low sheet resistance (Rsheet = 1.3 Ω ▫−1) and exceptional mechanical flexibility, exhibiting ≈100% Rsheet retention at a bending radius of up to ≈0.5 mm. The device performance of the resulting OLEDs based on hybrid‐fiber TCEs (fiber‐OLEDs) is on‐par with that of ITO‐based OLED analogues. More fascinatingly, organic light emitting fibers (OLEFs), obtained via slitting the fiber‐OLEDs, display a maximum luminance efficiency of ≈38.2 cd A−1 and a maximum external quantum efficiency of ≈10.9%, which surpasses all previously reported results. In addition, the OLEFs are mechanically robust and able to withstand a high degree of deformation, thus can be woven into fabric matrix for smart textile application. The vacuum‐free, scalable fabrication of the high performance OLEFs demonstrated herein is significant for the development of extremely large‐area smart textile applications.
The Role of Electrostatic Interaction between Free Charge Carriers and Counterions in Thermoelectric Power Factor of Conducting Polymers: From Crystalline to Polycrystalline Domains
Authors: Shi Wen , Yildirim Erol , Wu Gang , Wong Zicong Marvin , Deng Tianqi , Wang Jian‐Sheng , Xu Jianwei , Yang Shuo‐Wang 
Published: April 2020

AbstractOne of the most burning problems in organic thermoelectrics is the lack of deep understanding on the key limiting factors of thermoelectric efficiency at different length scales for conducting polymers. Here, by examining a prototypical π‐conjugated polymer, poly(3‐hexylthiophene) from molecular level to crystalline and polycrystalline domains, and on the basis of first‐principles calculations, new insights are presented into the thermoelectric transport in conducting polymers, and new material design guidelines are provided. It is proved that in the crystalline domains of conducting polymers, due to the strong electrostatic interactions between free charge carriers and counterions, the power factor within a wide range of doping level is governed by the counterion‐induced electronic scattering. It is corroborated that in the polycrystalline domains, although the short mean free path prevents the holes undergoing grain‐boundary scatterings, the crystallite orientations relative to the conduction path and the grain sizes strongly affect the power factor, leading to the modulation of the power factor by at least two orders of magnitude.
Methane Adsorption Properties of Mn‐Modified Graphene: A First‐Principles Study
Authors: Zhao Yingjie , Chen Yuhong , Song Mingxia , Liu Xiaocong , Xu Wenhui , Zhang Meiling , Zhang Cairong 
Published: April 2020

AbstractGraphene (GR), as a 2D carbon nanomaterial with high specific surface area, is one of the primary candidates for energy‐storage applications. In this work, the adsorption properties of graphene and Mn‐modified graphene (Mn‐GR) systems for CH4 molecules are investigated, based on first‐principles density functional theory. It is found that intrinsic graphene adsorbs CH4 molecules weakly. The single side can adsorb up to 4 CH4 molecules, and the average adsorption energy is −0.220 eV per CH4. Mn atom modification can significantly improve the adsorption performance of GR system on CH4. The structure with the largest methane storage capacity is that the GR modified by two Mn atoms that are located in the spacer holes on the opposite sides. The system can adsorb 10 CH4 molecules on both sides, the CH4 adsorption amount can reach 32.93 wt%, and the average adsorption energy is −0.402 eV per CH4. The interaction between the Mn atom and graphene is mainly between the d orbital of the Mn atom and the p orbital of the C atom. After the CH4 molecule is adsorbed, charge transfer occurs between Mn atoms and CH4, which results in a Coulomb attraction and enhances the adsorption performance of CH4 molecules.
Adiponectin attenuates the premature senescence of vascular smooth muscle cells induced by high glucose through mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Cui Xing‐Jun , Lin Xiao , Zhong Jia‐Yu , Li Shuang , He Jie‐Yu , Ni Yu‐Qing , Zhan Jun‐Kun , Liu You‐Shuo 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectiveCardiovascular diseases and vascular aging are common in patients with diabetes. High glucose is a major cause of vascular aging and cardiovascular diseases. Premature senescence of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is one of the main contributors to vascular aging. Adiponectin has been demonstrated to have an anti‐aging effect. The present study explored the mechanisms by which adiponectin protects VSMCs against high‐glucose‐induced senescence.MethodsSenescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal) staining was used to detect senescence cells. Western blot was used for measuring protein levels. Flow cytometry was carried out to detect the cell cycle and telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP)–polymerase chain reaction (PCR) silver staining was selected to measure the telomerase activity.ResultsPremature senescence of VSMCs was induced by high glucose (30 mM) in a time‐dependent manner, which was verified by an increased number of senescence cells, p21 and p53 expression, as well as the decreased proliferation index. High glucose reduced telomerase activity of VSMCs via inhibition of the AMPK/TSC2/mTOR/S6K1 pathway and activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/S6K1 pathway, while adiponectin treatment significantly increased telomerase activity of VSMCs through activation of AMPK/TSC2/mTOR/S6K1 signaling and inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR/S6K1 signaling.ConclusionAdiponectin attenuated the high‐glucose‐induced premature senescence of VSMCs via increasing telomerase activity of VSMCs, which was achieved by activation of AMPK/TSC2/mTOR/S6K1 signaling and inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR/S6K1 signaling.