bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Self‐Healable and Conductive Double‐Network Hydrogels with Bioactive Properties
Authors: Rahman Aminur , Solaiman  , Foyez Tahmina , Susan Md. Abu Bin Hasan , Imran Abu Bin 
Published: August 2020

AbstractNanocomposite hydrogels are a class of materials that are generally composed of hydrophilic polymers and nanofillers. They can have various important properties such as self‐healing, conductivity, toughness, bioactivity, facile processing ability, and this enables manifold practical applications. However, development of a single nanocomposite hydrogel with all of the properties of interest is yet to be realized. Here, a double‐network (DN) polymer hydrogel consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol)‐poly(sodium 4‐styrene sulfonate)‐poly(2‐aminoethylenemethacrylate) polymers (PVA‐P(NaSS)‐P(AEMA)) is reported. The obtained DN hydrogels containing copper ions, (PVA‐P(NaSS)‐P(AEMA)@Cu2+) hydrogel and copper nanoparticles (PVA‐P(NaSS)‐P(AEMA)@Cu) hydrogels, are found to exhibit self‐healing, conducting, high mechanical, bioactive, and wound healing properties. The fabricated hydrogel may potentially be applied in the biomedical and electronics sector.
Two‐Stage Depressurization in Gas Dissolution Foaming: The Production of Nanocellular Materials Free of Defects
Authors: Martín‐de León Judith , Bernardo Victoria , Rodríguez‐Pérez Miguel Ángel 
Published: August 2020

AbstractNanocellular polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is produced through a newly proposed method, a two‐stage depressurization in the gas dissolution foaming process. This method modifies the depressurization step and allows controlling the pressure during cell growth, avoiding this way, the appearance of micrometric defects in the produced cellular materials. Three grades of PMMA, as well as different production parameters, are tested in order to study their influence on the final materials. Moreover, cellular structures are compared with those obtained with a one‐stage depressurization process. Additionally, this work analyzes the foaming mechanisms taking place during the production of nanocellular materials.
Polymeric Microcuboids Programmable for Temperature‐Memory
Authors: Liu Yue , Gould Oliver E.C. , Rudolph Tobias , Fang Liang , Kratz Karl , Lendlein Andreas 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMicroobjects with programmable mechanical functionality are highly desirable for the creation of flexible electronics, sensors, and microfluidic systems, where fabrication/programming and quantification methods are required to fully control and implement dynamic physical behavior. Here, programmable microcuboids with defined geometries are prepared by a template‐based method from crosslinked poly[ethylene‐co‐(vinyl acetate)] elastomers. These microobjects could be programmed to exhibit a temperature‐memory effect or a shape‐memory polymer actuation capability. Switching temperatures Tsw during shape recovery of 55 ± 2, 68 ± 2, 80 ± 2, and 86 ± 2 °C are achieved by tuning programming temperatures to 55, 70, 85, and 100 °C, respectively. Actuation is achieved with a reversible strain of 2.9 ± 0.2% to 6.7 ± 0.1%, whereby greater compression ratios and higher separation temperatures induce a more pronounced actuation. Micro‐geometry change is quantified using optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The realization and quantification of microparticles, capable of a tunable temperature responsive shape‐change or reversible actuation, represent a key development in the creation of soft microscale devices for drug delivery or microrobotics.
Short‐Term Morphology Relaxation of Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomers after Fast Strain Steps
Authors: Stribeck Almut , Schneider Konrad , Eling Berend , Pöselt Elmar 
Published: August 2020

AbstractStrain steps are applied to elastomers in a pneumatic relaxometer and monitored by small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). The relaxometer provides a rise time of 13 ms for strain pulses of step height Δε = ±1 in strain. The basic character of the 2D SAXS frames is examined and corresponding invariants Q(t) are analyzed. Three thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) of hardness 85 Shore A with different soft segments are studied both unannealed and annealed. The first response of all materials is a fast morphology conversion which finishes within tmc =250 ms. Because it has been untraceable, it is characterized by a settling stroke Q(tmc) − Q(0). The second response is a slow morphology adjustment process which complies with logarithmic relaxation. It is characterized by a relaxation rate DQ = Q(10 t)/Q(t) − 1. Comparison indicates that the nanoscopic morphology relaxation processes appear to have little direct relation to the macroscopic stress relaxation curves. The materials differ with respect to hard‐domain morphology stability and morphology recovery. Most unstable is the morphology of the annealed polyether‐based material. It forms nanofibrillary entities when strained.
Granular Cellulose Nanofibril Hydrogel Scaffolds for 3D Cell Cultivation
Authors: Gehlen David B. , Jürgens Niklas , Omidinia‐Anarkoli Abdolrahman , Haraszti Tamás , George Julian , Walther Andreas , Ye Hua , De Laporte Laura 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe replacement of diseased and damaged organs remains an challenge in modern medicine. However, through the use of tissue engineering techniques, it may soon be possible to (re)generate tissues and organs using artificial scaffolds. For example, hydrogel networks made from hydrophilic precursor solutions can replicate many properties found in the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) but often lack the dynamic nature of the ECM, as many covalently crosslinked hydrogels possess elastic and static networks with nanoscale pores hindering cell migration without being degradable. To overcome this, macroporous colloidal hydrogels can be prepared to facilitate cell infiltration. Here, an easy method is presented to fabricate granular cellulose nanofibril hydrogel (CNF) scaffolds as porous networks for 3D cell cultivation. CNF is an abundant natural and highly biocompatible material that supports cell adhesion. Granular CNF scaffolds are generated by pre‐crosslinking CNF using calcium and subsequently pressing the gel through micrometer‐sized nylon meshes. The granular solution is mixed with fibroblasts and crosslinked with cell culture medium. The obtained granular CNF scaffold is significantly softer and enables well‐distributed fibroblast growth. This cost‐effective material combined with this efficient and facile fabrication technique allows for 3D cell cultivation in an upscalable manner.
Distribution of microbiota across different intestinal tract segments of a stranded dwarf minke whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata
Authors: Tian Jiashen , Du Jing , Lu Zhichuang , Han Jiabo , Wang Zhen , Li Duohui , Guan Xiaoyan , Wang Zhaohui 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMarine mammals are an important part of ocean ecosystems, of which, whales play a vital role in the marine food chain. In this study, the mucosa and contents from different intestinal tract segments (ITSs) of a stranded dwarf minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) were analyzed. The gut microbiota were sequenced using high‐throughput sequencing technology, based on a 16S rRNA approach. The microbial composition of the intestinal mucosa and its contents were similar in every single ITS. Large intestine microbiota richness and diversity were significantly higher when compared to the duodenum and jejunum. The dominant bacteria in the gut were Firmicutes and Actinobacteria; the former was enriched in the large intestine, whereas the latter was more abundant in the duodenum and jejunum. Our findings provide novel insights for microbiota in B. acutorostrata.
Ellagic Acid and Its Microbial Metabolite Urolithin A Alleviate Diet‐Induced Insulin Resistance in Mice
Authors: Yang Jieping , Guo Yuanqiang , Henning Susanne M. , Chan Brenda , Long Jianfeng , Zhong Jin , Acin‐Perez Rebeca , Petcherski Anton , Shirihai Orian , Heber David , Li Zhaoping 
Published: August 2020

ScopeThis work aims at evaluating the effect of dietary ellagic acid (EA) and its microbial metabolite urolithin A (UA) on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance (IR) in mice with diet‐induced IR.Methods and ResultsDBA2J mice are fed a high fat/high sucrose diet (HF/HS) for 8 weeks to induce IR and then 0.1% EA, UA, or EA and UA (EA+UA) are added to the HF/HS‐diet for another 8 weeks. UA significantly decreases fasting glucose and increases adiponectin compared with HF/HS‐controls. During intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test, EA+UA significantly improve insulin‐mediated glucose lowering effects at 15 and 120 min and reduce blood triglycerides compared with HF/HS‐controls. Serum free fatty acids are significantly decreased by EA, UA, and EA+UA. Differential expression of genes related to mitochondrial function by EA, UA, and EA+UA in liver and skeletal muscle is observed. Primary hepatocytes from IR‐mice have higher proton leak, basal and ATP‐linked oxygen consumption rates compared with healthy controls. EA and EA+UA but not UA reduce the proton leak in hepatocytes from IR‐mice.ConclusionEA and UA induce different metabolic benefits in IR mice. The effects of EA and UA on mitochondrial function suggest a potentially novel mechanism modulating metabolism.
Comparison of iterative parametric and indirect deep learning‐based reconstruction methods in highly undersampled DCE‐MR Imaging of the breast
Authors: Rastogi Aditya , Yalavarthy Phaneendra K. 
Published: August 2020

PurposeTo compare the performance of iterative direct and indirect parametric reconstruction methods with indirect deep learning‐based reconstruction methods in estimating tracer‐kinetic parameters from highly undersampled DCE‐MR Imaging breast data and provide a systematic comparison of the same.MethodsEstimation of tracer‐kinetic parameters using indirect methods from undersampled data requires to reconstruct the anatomical images initially by solving an inverse problem. This reconstructed images gets utilized in turn to estimate the tracer‐kinetic parameters. In direct estimation, the parameters are estimated without reconstructing the anatomical images. Both problems are ill‐posed and are typically solved using prior‐based regularization or using deep learning. In this study, for indirect estimation, two deep learning‐based reconstruction frameworks namely, ISTA‐Net+ and MODL, were utilized. For direct and indirect parametric estimation, sparsity inducing priors (L1 and Total‐Variation) and limited memory Broyden‐Fletcher‐Goldfarb‐Shanno algorithm as solver was deployed. The performance of these techniques were compared systematically in estimation of vascular permeability (

) from undersampled DCE‐MRI breast data using Patlak as pharmaco‐kinetic model. The experiments involved retrospective undersampling of the data 20×, 50×, and 100× and compared the results using PSNR, nRMSE, SSIM, and Xydeas metrics. The

maps estimated from fully sampled data were utilized as ground truth. The developed code was made available as https://github.com/Medical‐Imaging‐Group/DCE‐MRI‐Compare open‐source for enthusiastic users.ResultsThe reconstruction methods performance was evaluated using ten patients breast data (five patients each for training and testing). Consistent with other studies, the results indicate that direct parametric reconstruction methods provide improved performance compared to the indirect parameteric reconstruction methods. The results also indicate that for 20× undersampling, deep learning‐based methods performs better or at par with direct estimation in terms of PSNR, SSIM, and nRMSE. However, for higher undersampling rates (50× and 100×) direct estimation performs better in all metrics. For all undersampling rates, direct reconstruction performed better in terms of Xydeas metric, which indicated fidelity in magnitude and orientation of edges.ConclusionDeep learning‐based indirect techniques perform at par with direct estimation techniques for lower undersampling rates in the breast DCE‐MR imaging. At higher undersampling rates, they are not able to provide much needed generalization. Direct estimation techniques are able to provide more accurate results than both deep learning‐ and parametric‐based indirect methods in these high undersampling scenarios.
Design and evaluation of quantitative MRI phantoms to mimic the simultaneous presence of fat, iron, and fibrosis in the liver
Authors: Zhao Ruiyang , Hamilton Gavin , Brittain Jean H. , Reeder Scott B. , Hernando Diego 
Published: August 2020

PurposeTo design, construct, and evaluate quantitative MR phantoms that mimic MRI signals from the liver with simultaneous control of three parameters: proton‐density fat fraction (PDFF), , and T1. These parameters are established biomarkers of hepatic steatosis, iron overload, and fibrosis/inflammation, respectively, which can occur simultaneously in the liver.MethodsPhantoms including multiple vials were constructed. Peanut oil was used to modulate PDFF, MnCl2 and iron microspheres were used to modulate , and NiCl2 was used to modulate the T1 of water (T1,water). Phantoms were evaluated at both 1.5 T and 3 T using stimulated‐echo acquisition‐mode MRS and chemical shift–encoded MRI. Stimulated‐echo acquisition‐mode MRS data were processed to estimate T1,water, T1,fat, , and for each vial. Chemical shift–encoded MRI data were processed to generate PDFF and maps, and measurements were obtained in each vial. Measurements were evaluated using linear regression and Bland‐Altman analysis.ResultsHigh‐quality PDFF and maps were obtained with homogeneous values throughout each vial. High correlation was observed between imaging PDFF with target PDFF (slope = 0.94‐0.97, R2 = 0.994‐0.997) and imaging with target (slope = 0.84‐0.88, R2 = 0.935‐0.943) at both 1.5 T and 3 T. The values of and were highly correlated with slope close to 1.0 at both 1.5 T (slope = 0.90, R2 = 0.988) and 3 T (slope = 0.99, R2 = 0.959), similar to the behavior observed in vivo. The value of T1,water (500‐1200 ms) was controlled with varying NiCl2 concentration, while T1,fat (300 ms) was independent of NiCl2 concentration.ConclusionNovel quantitative MRI phantoms that mimic the simultaneous presence of fat, iron, and fibrosis in the liver were successfully developed and validated.
Relevant Nutrition Therapy in COVID‐19 and the Constraints on Its Delivery by a Unique Disease Process
Authors: Patel Jayshil J. , Martindale Robert G. , McClave Stephen A. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWorldwide, as of July 2020, >13.2 million people have been infected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) virus. The spectrum of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) ranges from mild illness to critical illness in 5% of cases. The population infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 requiring an intensive care unit admission often requires nutrition therapy as part of supportive care. Although the various societal guidelines for critical care nutrition meet most needs for the patient with COVID‐19, numerous factors, which impact the application of those guideline recommendations, need to be considered. Since the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus is highly contagious, several key principles should be considered when caring for all patients with COVID‐19 to ensure the safety of all healthcare personnel involved. Management strategies should cluster care, making all attempts to bundle patient care to limit exposure. Healthcare providers should be protected, and the spread of SARS‐CoV‐2 should be limited by minimizing procedures and other interventions that lead to aerosolization, avoiding droplet exposure through hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE should be preserved by decreasing the number of individuals providing direct patient care and by limiting the number of patient interactions. Enteral nutrition (EN) is tolerated by the majority of patients with COVID‐19, but a relatively low threshold for conversion to parenteral nutrition should be maintained if increased exposure to the virus is required to continue EN. This article offers relevant and practical recommendations on how to optimize nutrition therapy in critically ill patients with COVID‐19.
Hydrogenative Depolymerization of End‐of‐Life Polycarbonates by an Iron Pincer Complex
Authors: Alberti Christoph , Fedorenko Elena , Enthaler Stephan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractChemical recycling processes can contribute to a resource‐efficient plastic economy. Herein, a procedure for the iron‐catalyzed hydrogenation of the carbonate function of end‐of‐life polycarbonates under simultaneous depolymerization is presented. The use of a straightforward iron pincer complex leads to high rate of depolymerization of poly(bisphenol A carbonate) and poly(propylene carbonate) yielding the monomers bisphenol A and 1,2‐propanediol, respectively, as products under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, the iron complex was able to depolymerize polycarbonates containing goods and mixture of plastics containing polycarbonates.
The impact of gamification on consumer loyalty, electronic word‐of mouth sharing and purchase behavior
Authors: Al‐Zyoud Mohammad Fahmi 
Published: August 2020

Firms often strive to acquire and increase the number of patronizes. Gamification ‐ a modern marketing and promotional tool is known activate positive emotions. Nevertheless, existing research has rarely examined how gamification shapes consumer loyalty and other tangible outcomes. The present research aims are twofold. First, this study examine how gamification affects consumer loyalty. Second, this study investigates how consumer loyalty resulting from gamified interactions manifest purchase and eWOM sharing behavior. Data were obtained using a simple random sampling technique from consumers who had multiple online transactions with a gamified eCommerce website in the last 3 months. The obtained data was analyzed using a variance‐based structural equation modeling (VB‐SEM) technique. Results from VB‐SEM confirmed that gamification is a predictor for enhanced consumer loyalty. Consumer loyalty did not only foster purchase intention and eWOM sharing behavior, but also mediate the link between gamification and purchase intention, and between gamification and eWOM sharing behavior. This article contributes to gamification marketing literature by empirically examining its effects on important marketing variables. Implications for theory and practice are discussed alongside limitations and future research course.
Tensile and longitudinal shrinkage behaviors of polylactide/wood‐fiber composites via direct injection molding
Authors: Guo Gangjian , Li Ye , Zhao Xiumei , Rizvi Reza 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPolylactide (PLA), derived from bioresources, is an environmentally friendly plastic which has attracted tremendous interests in both academia and industry. This study investigates the feasibility of direct injection molding of PLA/wood‐fiber composites and their mechanical and longitudinal shrinkage behaviors under different molding conditions. To understand the processing–property relationship of the thermally sensitive composites, response surface methodology was applied to study the effects of molding parameters, as well as their interacting effects, on the tensile strength and the longitudinal shrinkage of the composites. Melt temperature, packing pressure, and injection speed were chosen as the molding parameters studied. The statistical models were validated through confirmation experiments. The predicted values are in agreement with experimental data, and the average prediction accuracy is more than 95% for both tensile strength and longitudinal shrinkage. The models would not only improve our understanding of the tensile strength and shrinkage behaviors, but also can be used to help tooling design and select a proper processing window to maximize the tensile strength while achieving the desired longitudinal shrinkage.
Multifunctional bionanocomposites with ultraviolet blocking, infrared reflection and thermal conductivity
Authors: Decol Marindia , Pachekoski Wagner M. , Becker Daniela 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe objective of this paper is investigating the effect of different localizations of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanoparticles in the poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) blends on the ultraviolet (UV) blocking, infrared reflection (NIR), and thermal conductivity of the nanocomposites for the fabrication of bionanocomposites with high performance. Transmission electron microscopy images demonstrated that the different mixing sequences induced different nanoparticle localization in the immiscible PCL/PLA blend. These different localizations yielded differences in the properties of the hybrid quaternary nanocomposite. When the nanoparticles had different localizations, TiO2 at the interface and hBN in the PCL phase, the thermal conductivity was 0.86 Wm−1 K−1, 100% of UV radiation (λ = 300 nm) was blocked and 74% of NIR radiation was reflected. This nanocomposite has a strong potential for application as a multifunctional biodegradable film for agriculture, capable of absorbing UV radiation, reflecting NIR radiation, and conducting thermal energy.
Thermo‐rheological analysis of various chain extended recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)
Authors: Pandey Vivek , Seese Michael , Maia João M. , Schiraldi David A. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThree chain extenders, pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), ethylene carbonate (EC), and a polymeric‐epoxide, were investigated for improving recycled p(ethylene terephthalate) (r‐PET) properties with melt extrusion. The amount of additives and processing temperatures were also varied to check for melt degradation. Small amplitude oscillatory shear experiments were performed to probe rheological changes with different chain extenders. Capillary rheometry with haul‐off was also performed to measure extensional viscosity and melt strength. Higher loadings of the chain extenders were found to improve properties of r‐PET. These chain extenders definitely increased melt viscosities when incorporated at the higher level of the ranges examined, matching that of virgin PET. EC addition resulted in high shear thinning of the polymer. Epoxy and PMDA added to r‐PET produced products with the same extensional viscosity as v‐PET. Haul‐off experiments demonstrate superior performance by epoxy‐modified r‐PET compared to v‐PET.