bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microwave Synthesis and High‐Mobility Charge Transport of Carbon‐Nanotube‐in‐Perovskite Single Crystals
Authors: Lin Chun‐Ho , Lyu Zhensheng , Zhuo Yuting , Zhao Chen , Yang Jialin , Liu Changxu , Kim Jiyun , He Tengyue , Hu Long , Li Feng , Shen Yansong , Liu Kewei , Yu Weili , Wu Tom 
Published: October 2020

AbstractOrganolead trihalide perovskites have emerged as a new class of competitive solution‐processed semiconductors due to their unique optoelectronic properties. However, poor ambient stability and charge transport are the Achilles’ heel of hybrid perovskites, thus limiting their applications. In this work, microwave‐assisted synthesis is applied for the first time to rapidly grow perovskite single crystals embedded with single‐wall carbon nanotubes. These nanotube‐in‐perovskite single crystals are endowed with a carrier mobility one order of magnitude higher than the pure counterpart and the related photodetectors show an ultrafast photo‐response speed (5 and 80 ns for rise and decay time, respectively). The fast and uniform heating of microwave irradiation facilitates the synthesis of ambient‐stable crystals with nanoscale additives, paving the way to creating a wide range of mixed‐dimensional perovskite‐based nanocomposites with optimal properties and device performance.
Suppression of Groups Intermingling as an Appealing Option for Flattening and Delaying the Epidemiological Curve While Allowing Economic and Social Life at a Bearable Level during the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Bâldea Ioan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic in a population modelled as a network wherein infection can propagate both via intra‐ and inter‐group interactions is simulated. The results emphasize the importance of diminishing the inter‐group infections in the effort of substantial flattening/delaying of the epi(demiologic) curve with concomitant mitigation of disastrous economy and social consequences. To exemplify, splitting a population intom(say, 5 or 10) noninteracting groups while keeping intra‐group interaction unchanged yields a stretched epidemiological curve having the maximum number of daily infections reduced and postponed in time by the same factorm(5 or 10). More generally, the study suggests a practical approach to fight against SARS‐ CoV‐ 2 virus spread based on population splitting into groups and minimizing intermingling between them. This strategy can be pursued by large‐scale infrastructure reorganization of activity at different levels in big logistic units (e.g., large productive networks, factories, enterprises, warehouses, schools, (seasonal) harvest work). Importantly, unlike total lockdown, the proposed approach prevents economic ruin and keeps social life at a more bearable level than distancing everyone from anyone. The declaration for the first time in Europe that COVID‐19 epidemic ended in the two‐million population Slovenia may be taken as support for the strategy proposed here.
Exploiting Self‐Healing in Lithium Batteries: Strategies for Next‐Generation Energy Storage Devices
Authors: Mezzomo Lorenzo , Ferrara Chiara , Brugnetti Gabriele , Callegari Daniele , Quartarone Eliana , Mustarelli Piercarlo , Ruffo Riccardo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMajor improvements in stability and performance of batteries are still required for a more effective diffusion in industrial key sectors such as automotive and foldable electronics. An encouraging route resides in the implementation into energy storage devices of self‐healing features, which can effectively oppose the deterioration upon cycling that is typical of these devices. In order to provide a comprehensive view of the topic, this Review first summarizes the main self‐healing processes that have emerged in the multifaceted field of smart materials, classifying them on the basis of their recovering mechanisms. Then, attention is closely focused on self‐healable energy storage devices. In particular, self‐healing in lithium‐ion and lithium–metal batteries is discussed, emphasizing both the physical (cracks, fractures, cuts, etc.) and chemical (degradation, gas production, etc.) issues that currently threaten the operating life of these devices, and the more effective self‐healing strategies which can prevent or postpone undesired and dangerous failures. Finally, an outlook on the possible resolution of relevant challenges is briefly discussed.
Clinical characteristics and rate of dilatation in Turner syndrome patients treated for aortic dilatation
Authors: Pater Colleen M , Gutmark‐Little Iris , Tretter Justin T , Martin Lisa J , Backeljauw Philippe , Brown Nicole M 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTurner syndrome is associated with an increased risk of aortic aneurysms and dissection. Recent 2017 clinical care guidelines recommend medical therapy to treat aortic dilatation, although whether this slows dilatation is unknown. We aimed to describe a pre‐guideline cohort of Turner syndrome patients with aortic dilatation, the rate of dilatation following diagnosis, and post therapy dilatation rates. We conducted a retrospective review of Turner syndrome patients with a dilated aortic root or ascending aorta by current definitions. In total, 40 patients were included with 22 treated patients. Most patients had 45,X karyotype, were white, non‐Hispanic, and received both growth hormone and estrogen. Except for hypertension, there were no differences in risk factors among treated and untreated groups. Bicuspid aortic valve was very common. Treatment group patients had significantly more dilated ascending aortas by absolute measurements and aortic size index. In an adjusted model, there was minimal change in aortic measures over time and this was not associated with medication use. In conclusion, in this cohort, Turner syndrome patients with aortic dilatation were more likely to be treated if they had hypertension and if they met multiple dilatation criteria. Further study is needed to establish medical therapy efficacy on dilatation progression.
Unpacking chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) patch use: Do individuals respond to food patches as predicted by the marginal value theorem?
Authors: O'Bryan Lisa R. , Lambeth Susan P. , Schapiro Steven J. , Wilson Michael L. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe marginal value theorem is an optimal foraging model that predicts how efficient foragers should respond to both their ecological and social environments when foraging in food patches, and it has strongly influenced hypotheses for primate behavior. Nevertheless, experimental tests of the marginal value theorem have been rare in primates and observational studies have provided conflicting support. As a step towards filling this gap, we test whether the foraging decisions of captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) adhere to the assumptions and qualitative predictions of the marginal value theorem. We presented 12 adult chimpanzees with a two‐patch foraging environment consisting of both low‐quality (i.e., low‐food density) and high‐quality (i.e., high‐food density) patches and examined the effect of patch quality on their search behavior, foraging duration, marginal capture rate, and its proxy measures: giving‐up density and giving‐up time. Chimpanzees foraged longer in high‐quality patches, as predicted. In contrast to predictions, they did not depress high‐quality patches as thoroughly as low‐quality patches. Furthermore, since chimpanzees searched in a manner that fell between systematic and random, their intake rates did not decline at a steady rate over time, especially in high‐quality patches, violating an assumption of the marginal value theorem. Our study provides evidence that chimpanzees are sensitive to their rate of energy intake and that their foraging durations correlate with patch quality, supporting many assumptions underlying primate foraging and social behavior. However, our results question whether the marginal value theorem is a constructive model of chimpanzee foraging behavior, and we suggest a Bayesian foraging framework (i.e., combining past foraging experiences with current patch sampling information) as a potential alternative. More work is needed to build an understanding of the proximate mechanisms underlying primate foraging decisions, especially in more complex socioecological environments.
Topological Phase Transition and Eigenstates Localization in a Generalized Non‐Hermitian Su–Schrieffer–Heeger Model
Authors: Zhang Zhi‐Xu , Huang Rong , Qi Lu , Xing Yan , Zhang Zhan‐Jun , Wang Hong‐Fu 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe topological properties of a generalized non‐Hermitian Su–Schrieffer–Heeger model are investigated and it is demonstrated that the non‐Hermitian phase transition and the non‐Hermitian skin effect can be induced by intra‐cell asymmetric coupling under open boundary conditions. Through investigating and calculating the non‐Hermitian winding number with generalized Brillouin zone theory, it is found that the present non‐Hermitian system has an exact bulk‐boundary correspondence relationship. Meanwhile, the non‐Hermitian winding number is used to characterize the non‐Hermitian phase transition and determine the phase transition boundary, and it is found that the non‐Hermitian phase transition is not completely induced by the asymmetric coupling strength. By means of the mean inverse participation ratio, the factors that affect the eigenstates localization are shown and it is revealed that large system size or large asymmetric coupling strength can leave the system in the localized state. Additionally, it is found that for the asymmetric coupling strength and the system size, the eigenstates localization is much more sensitive to the asymmetric coupling strength.
Using design of experiments to understand and predict polymer microcapsule core‐shell architecture
Authors: Lock Andrew T. , Seekell Raymond P. , Vutha Ashwin , Kheir John N. , Polizzotti Brian D. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMicrobubbles (MBs) have tremendous application in a number of fields and strategies to impart them with tunable properties are of great interest to the scientific community. We recently reported a robust platform to produce polymeric MBs (more appropriately termed polymeric microcapsules, PMCs) with highly tunable materials properties by controlling the self‐emulsification of oil‐in‐water emulsions. In this study, we used design of experiments to develop a model to predict PMC internal architectures and mean particle diameter as a function of three key processing parameters: concentration of self‐emulsifier (0.1% < F68 < 0.25% wt/wt), homogenization speed (1500–3000 rpm), and dilution factor (15 < DF < 30). We show that the homogenization speed and F68 concentration strongly influence both PMC morphology and size, with porous shell hollow cored PMCs being favored at low speeds and high F68 concentrations and nonporous‐shelled gas‐in‐oil cored PMCs (g/o‐PMCs) being favored at faster speeds and lower F68 concentrations. Models were subsequently validated by successfully predicting the relative percent yield and mean particle diameter of g‐PMCs and g/o‐PMCs for four sets of randomly selected factor settings. We anticipate that the results shown here will serve as a roadmap for other investigators interested in evaluating the utility of g‐PMCs, g/o‐PMCs or, combinations of the two, as novel gas carriers, diagnostic imaging agents, acoustic insulators, shock absorbers, and lightweight building materials, among many others.
Stimuli‐responsive hybrid microgels for controlled drug delivery: Sorafenib as a model drug
Authors: Caputo Tania Mariastella , Aliberti Anna , Cusano Angela Maria , Ruvo Menotti , Cutolo Antonello , Cusano Andrea 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMicrogels (MGs) are synthetic colloidal hydrogel particles made of three dimensional polymer networks. Their chemical composition is crucial for their use as intelligent drug release systems operated by temperature control. Herein, several MGs using N‐isopropylacrylamide (Nipam)/N‐isopropylmethacrylamide (Nipmam), chitosan and acrylic/methacrylic acid have been synthesized by free radical polymerization reactions (NC MGs) and the effects of surfactants and different reaction times on size and swelling properties have been investigated. MGs have been identified and characterized by dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy, and finally used to optimize the encapsulation protocol of the hydrophobic drug sorafenib. The drug delivery system here described has encapsulation efficiency of 40% and releases 10% of the entrapped drug over about 16 h after the temperature is raised above the volume phase transition temperature. Data suggest that MGs with optimized composition may act as properly instructed entities able to trap and release biomolecules following external stimuli.
Blending and foaming thermoplastic starch with poly (lactic acid) by CO2‐aided hot melt extrusion
Authors: Chauvet Margot , Sauceau Martial , Baillon Fabien , Fages Jacques 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBiomaterials are materials that can be biodegradable or obtained from renewable resources. Among them, poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and thermoplastic starch (TPS) represent an interesting alternative to replace petro‐sourced thermoplastics. In this study, blends made by TPS addition to PLA were subjected to a foaming process using supercritical CO2‐aided extrusion. Extruder die temperature and CO2 content were the most prominent parameters explaining the structure of the foams obtained. Both parameters were intimately linked since the CO2 flow depends on the melt temperature, the lower the temperature, the higher the CO2 solubility. Therefore, the die temperature was chosen to pilot the process. Whatever the experimental conditions, a 50/50 (in wt%) blend was poorly foamed due to the strong incompatibility between both biopolymers. However, the blend made of 80 wt% PLA and 20 wt% TPS gave evenly foamed samples. In terms of expansion and type of porosity this blend behaved like pure PLA with high porosity, up to 96%, and the presence of a threshold die temperature separating a close cell porosity at lowest temperatures and an open cell structure above the threshold. This temperature threshold was however significantly lower to that obtained with pure PLA.
Structure and properties of bio‐based polyurethane coatings for controlled‐release fertilizer
Authors: Liao Yun , Cao Bing , Liu Li , Wu Xiandong , Guo Sheng , Mi Changhui , Li Kaiwen , Wang Meng 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTwo kinds of bio‐based polyurethane coatings for controlled‐release urea were prepared by in‐situ polymerization used castor oil and liquefied starch as raw materials, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the section morphology of castor oil based polyurethane (Castor‐PU) coating was uniform and dense, and that of liquefied starch based polyurethane (Starch‐PU) coating had certain proportion of microporous. Infrared spectroscopy (IR) showed that the two coatings had typical urethane characteristic structure, but the difference was that the Starch‐PU had obvious unreacted isocyanate structure. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that the glass transition temperature of the two coatings was around 58°C, but the Castor‐PU had a crystallization domain with obvious crystallization melting peak at 130°C. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) showed that the thermal stability of Castor‐PU was significantly higher than that of Starch‐PU. The controlled‐release property test showed that when the coating ratio was 2.8%, the nutrient release longevity of urea coated with Castor‐PU was 49 days and that of urea coated with Starch‐PU was 14 days. The reasons for the poor controlled‐release performance of Starch‐PU were analyzed, which probably caused by concentrated sulfuric acid and hydrophilic dispersant added in the liquefied starch.
Developmental morphology of the cervical vertebrae and the emergence of sexual dimorphism in size and shape: A computed tomography study
Authors: Miller Courtney A. , Hwang Seong Jae , Cotter Meghan M. , Vorperian Houri K. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCervical vertebral bodies undergo substantial morphological development during the first two decades of life that are used clinically to visually determine skeletal maturation with the cervical vertebral maturation index (CVMI). CVMI defines six stages that capture the morphological transformations from 6 years to 18 years. However, CVMI has poor reproducibility given its qualitative nature and does not account for sexual dimorphism. This study aims to quantify the morphological development of the cervical vertebral bodies C2–C7 in size (height and depth) and shape and examine the emergence of sexual dimorphism. Using 115 (70 M;45F) computed tomography studies from typically developing individuals ages 6 months to 20 years, landmarks were placed at the margins of the C2–C7 cervical vertebral bodies in the midsagittal plane for size and shape analysis. Findings revealed a dichotomy in the growth trends of height versus depth. The C2–C7 growth in depth gained the majority of the adult size by age 5 years, while the C3–C7 growth in height displayed two periods of accelerated growth during early childhood and puberty. Significant sex differences were found in height and depth growth trends and the form‐space ontogenetic trajectories during puberty, with minor but evident differences emerging at age 3 years. Female C2–C7 depth measures were smaller than males at all ages. However, sex differences in height became evident due to males continuing to grow after females reach maturity. Findings quantify the morphological developmental stages of CVMI and emphasize the need to account for sex differences when assessing skeletal maturation.
Risk Prediction Modeling Based on a Combination of Initial Serum Biomarker Levels in Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis–Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Gono Takahisa , Masui Kenichi , Nishina Naoshi , Kawaguchi Yasushi , Kawakami Atsushi , Ikeda Kei , Kirino Yohei , Sugiyama Yumiko , Tanino Yoshinori , Nunokawa Takahiro , Kaneko Yuko , Sato Shinji , Asakawa Katsuaki , Ukichi Taro , Kaieda Shinjiro , Naniwa Taio , Okano Yutaka , Kuwana Masataka ,   and the Multicenter Retrospective Cohort of Japanese Patients with Myositis‐Associated ILD (JAMI) Investigators
Published: October 2020

ObjectiveTo establish predictive models for mortality in patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis–associated interstitial lung disease (PM/DM‐ILD) using a combination of initial serum biomarker levels.MethodsThe Multicenter Retrospective Cohort of Japanese Patients with Myositis‐Associated ILD (JAMI) database of 497 incident cases of PM/DM‐ILD was used as a derivation cohort, and 111 cases were additionally collected as a validation cohort. Risk factors predictive of all‐cause mortality were identified by univariate and multivariable Cox regression analyses using candidate serum biomarkers as explanatory variables. The predictive models for mortality were generated in patients with and those without anti–melanoma differentiation–associated gene 5 (MDA‐5) antibody, using a combination of risk factors. Cumulative survival rates were assessed using Kaplan‐Meier analysis, and were compared between subgroups using the Breslow test.ResultsIn the derivation cohort, C‐reactive protein (CRP) and Krebs von den Lungen 6 (KL‐6) levels were identified as independent risk factors for mortality in both anti–MDA‐5–positive and anti–MDA‐5–negative patients. We then developed a prediction model based on anti–MDA‐5 antibody status, CRP level, and KL‐6 level, termed the “MCK model,” to identify patients at low (<15%), moderate (15–50%), or high (≥50%) risk of mortality, based on the number of risk factors. The MCK model successfully differentiated cumulative survival rates in anti–MDA‐5–positive patients (P < 0.01 for low versus moderate risk and P = 0.03 for moderate versus high risk) and in anti–MDA‐5–negative patients (P < 0.001 for low versus moderate risk). The utility of the MCK model was replicated in the validation cohort.ConclusionOur findings indicate that an evidence‐based risk prediction model using CRP and KL‐6 levels combined with anti–MDA‐5 antibody status might be useful for predicting prognosis in patients with PM/DM‐ILD.
Nitration of Porphyrin Systems: A Toolbox of Synthetic Methods
Authors: Mikus Agnieszka , Łopuszyńska Beata 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis review addresses nitration reactions of porphyrin derivatives. Simple porphyrins modifications afford valuable intermediates in this area of chemistry. They are useful materials for further transformations, as the NO2 group introduced into parent porphyrin system increases its electrophilic character, thus allowing a broad spectrum of subsequent reactions, e. g. reduction of NO2 to NH2, subsequent diazotisation, nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen (in ortho‐position to NO2), a variety of cyclizations, etc. Such reactions are often utilized in the first steps of the designed syntheses, leading to attractive and useful target porphyrin molecules. This approach (via nitro‐derivatives) allows synthesizing numerous porphyrin‐like compounds of a high degree of complexity, and has thus become one of the methods choice. The substitution by NO2 group can take place at all positions of the porphyrin systems: four meso‐positions (5, 10, 15, 20) and eight positions β (2, 3, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18). The third possibility includes the nitration in meso‐aryl rings attached to positions 5, 10, 15, and 20. The latter derivatives (meso‐aryl substituted ones) are a large, well‐known group of synthetic porphyrins. The nitration reactions described herein follow three various mechanisms: (a) radical, (b) via π‐cation radicals and π‐dications, and (c) electrophilic. All the above cases are discussed in detail. According to our knowledge, this is the first such systematic account concerning these reactions.
Lisdexamfetamine and amphetamine pharmacokinetics in oral fluid, plasma, and urine after controlled oral administration of lisdexamfetamine
Authors: Comiran Eloisa , Carlos Graciela , Barreto Fabiano , Pechanksy Flavio , Fröehlich Pedro E. , Limberger Renata P. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractLisdexamfetamine (LDX) is a long‐acting prodrug stimulant indicated for the treatment of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and binge‐eating disorder (BED) symptoms. In vivo hydrolysis of the LDX amide bond releases the therapeutically active d‐amphetamine (d‐AMPH). This study aims to describe the pharmacokinetics of LDX and its major metabolite d‐AMPH in human oral fluid, urine and plasma after a single 70 mg oral dose of LDX dimesylate. Six volunteers participated in the study. Oral fluid and blood samples were collected for up to 72 h and urine for up to 120 h post‐drug administration for the pharmacokinetic evaluation of intact LDX and d‐AMPH. Samples were analyzed by LC‐MS/MS. Regarding noncompartmental analysis, d‐AMPH reached the maximum concentration at 3.8 and 4 h post‐administration in plasma and oral fluid, respectively, with a mean peak concentration value almost six‐fold higher in oral fluid. LDX reached maximum concentration at 1.2 and 1.8 h post‐administration in plasma and oral fluid, respectively, with a mean peak concentration value almost three‐fold higher in plasma. Intact LDX and d‐AMPH were detected in the three matrices. The best fit of compartmental analysis was found in the one‐compartment model for both analytes in plasma and oral fluid. There was a correlation between oral fluid and plasma d‐AMPH concentrations and between parent to metabolite concentration ratios over time in plasma as well as in oral fluid.