bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Facile Strategy to Achieve Synergistic Multiple Hydrogen Bonding Interactions for Constructing Robust Hydrogels with Self‐healing Capability, Shape Transformation and Actuation Function
Authors: Yang Jumin , Cristian Valenzuela , Dong Anjie , Zhang Jianhua 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe double network (DN) hydrogels, especially the physically crosslinked DN hydrogels, have attracted increasing attention due to their high reconfigurability, multi‐sensitivity, and efficient energy dissipation, but their applications still suffer from the relatively low mechanical strength, complex preparation process, and insufficient functionality. In this work, a simple but efficient strategy to fabricate robust and multitasking polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/poly(N‐acryloyl glycinamide) (PNAGA) DN hydrogels via an ultraviolet (UV)‐initiated one‐pot in situ polymerization and a subsequent freezing‐thawing treatment is reported. The PVA/PNAGA DN hydrogels are fully physically linked DN network via multiple hydrogen bonding interactions, which contain hard PVA crystalline microdomains and soft PNAGA regions. The synergetic multiple hydrogen bonding interactions and the cooperation of hard and soft regions in PVA/PNAGA hydrogels as well as the polyhydroxy matrix can not only impart the PVA/PNAGA hydrogels with super mechanical strength, high toughness, good stretchability, and rapid shape‐recoverability, but also endow the hydrogels with tailorable self‐healability, multiple shape memory, and actuation function. Considering the easily available materials, simple preparation process, and highly multitasking properties, this novel strategy should greatly enrich the methodological toolbox for the synthesis of robust and multifunctional hydrogels for the diversity of applications.
Using machine learning to predict fire‐ignition occurrences from lightning forecasts
Authors: Coughlan Ruth , Di Giuseppe Francesca , Vitolo Claudia , Barnard Christopher , Lopez Philippe , Drusch Matthias 
Published: February 2021

AbstractLightning‐caused wildfires are a significant contributor to burned areas, with lightning ignitions remaining one of the most unpredictable aspects of the fire environment. There is a clear connection between fuel moisture and the probability of ignition; however, the mechanisms are poorly understood and predictive methods are underdeveloped. Establishing a lightning–ignition relationship would be useful in developing a model that would complement early warning systems designed for fire control and prevention. A machine learning (ML) approach was used to define a predictive model for wildfire ignition based on lightning forecasts and environmental conditions. Three different binary classifiers were adopted: a decision tree, an AdaBoost and a Random Forest, showing promising results, with both ensemble methods (Random Forest and AdaBoost) exhibiting an out‐of‐sample accuracy of 78%. Data provided by a Western Australia wildfire database allowed a comprehensive verification on over 145 lightning‐ignited wildfires in regions of Australia during 2016. This highlighted that in a minimum of 71% of the cases the ML models correctly predicted the occurrence of an ignition when a fire was actually initiated. The super‐learner developed is planned to be used in an operational context to the enhance information connected to fire management.
Switchable rasorber with high‐order frequency selective surface for transmission bandwidth extension
Authors: Li Ruiming , Hu Haoquan , Tian Jing , Jiang Bixiao , Chen Bo , Lei Shiwen 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSwitchable rasorber operating between rasorbing and absorbing states can effectively improve its stealth performance within the passband. However, the existing switchable rasorbers utilize single‐order frequency selective surfaces (FSSs), limiting their transmission bandwidth. This work proposes a switchable rasorber with expanded passband utilizing high‐order FSS. First, the switching principle of high‐order FSS is presented, which is then used to design the rasorber with an extended transmission band. The simulated results and experimental verification of the proposed switchable rasorber are also presented. Compared with the existing switchable rasorbers, the proposed device demonstrates the widest fractional transmission bandwidth of 17% and a minimum insertion loss of 0.54 dB in rasorbing state. In the absorbing state, the passband is eliminated and the device exhibits a single absorption band with fractional bandwidth of 89.3%.
Semi‐analytical analysis of fractional derivative rheological consolidation considering the effect of self‐weight stress
Authors: Ding Pan , Xu Riqing , Ju Luying , Qiu Zhijian , Cheng Guangmou , Zhan Xiaobo 
Published: February 2021

AbstractStudies have revealed that rheological characteristics and self‐weight stress are nonnegligible during a consolidation process, especially for land reclamation projects or dredged soils. However, they are rarely considered simultaneously in traditional consolidation theories. This paper presents a general solution to the consolidation system of rheological soils that incorporates a fractional derivative model and self‐weight stress. First, the theory of the fractional derivative is introduced to the Merchant model to describe the consolidation behaviours of rheological soils, and the self‐weight stress of soils is simultaneously considered. Based on this model, the governing equation of a rheological consolidation system that considers self‐weight stress is obtained. Second, the analytical solutions of the effective stress and settlement in the Laplace domain are obtained by applying the Laplace transform to the consolidation governing equation. Further, the actual solutions in the real domain are obtained by a numerical Laplace transform inversion method (Abate's fixed Talbot method). Finally, the reliability and correctness of the consolidation theories and the proposed solutions are verified by comparing the calculated results with the degenerate solutions and experimental results in the existing literature. Furthermore, parametric studies are conducted to investigate the influence of rheological parameters and self‐weight parameters on the consolidation settlement and consolidation rate.
Three‐dimensional lattice Boltzmann simulation of the permeability of soil‐rock mixtures and comparison with other prediction models
Authors: Jin Lei , Cheng Tao , Zhang Yi , Li Jingjing 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWith the discrete element method and the proposed virtual slicing technique for three‐dimensional discrete element model, random pore‐structural models of soil‐rock mixtures (SRMs) are constructed and voxelized. Then, the three‐dimensional lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is introduced to simulate the seepage flow in SRMs on the pore scale and the influences of rock content, rock size, relative density on the simulated permeability of SRMs are comprehensively investigated. Finally, several theoretical models are introduced to predict the permeability of SRMs, and comparison is made between the results given by these prediction models and the numerical results obtained in this study. The results show that the permeability of SRMs presents a gradually increasing trend with the increase of rock content, and the rate of increase is also getting larger. When the other conditions remain unchanged, the permeability of SRMs decreases with the increase of relative density. When the rock content is lower than a threshold value, the permeability decreases as the rock size increases; however, this trend gets reversed when the rock content exceeds the threshold value. The permeability values of SRMs simulated with the LBM are lower in different levels than those calculated with the HS model, EMA model, and Zhou model, but most of them are very close to those predicted by the Daigle model.
Cognitive reserve in stroke patients
Authors: Abdullah Ahmad H. , Sharip Shalisah , Rahman Abdul H. A. , Bakar Lazli 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAt present, a limited amount of information exists on the association between cognitive reserve and cognitive impairment in stroke populations. To determine predictors of cognitive reserve among stroke patients, 80 stroke patients attending the neurological and rehabilitation clinic in two different Malaysian general hospitals participated in this study. The Malay Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire (CRIq‐M), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales‐Short Form (DASS‐21), WHO Quality of Life assessment BREF‐21 (WHO‐QOL BREF‐21), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were used as instruments in this study. The study found that cognitive reserve (CRIq‐M) is positively correlated with cognitive function (MoCA),r= 0.529,p < .01. Multiregression showed that education was a significant predictor of cognitive impairment whereas cognitive impairment as assessed by the MoCA is a significant predictor for cognitive reserve in people with stroke. Early identification of cognitive impairment among stroke patients is important so that effective individual rehabilitation can be designed to enhance individual cognitive reserve and quality of life.
Graphitic SiC: A potential anode material for Na‐ion battery with extremely high storage capacity
Authors: Liu Qin , Fu Chengbin , Xiao Bo , Li Yanchun , Cheng Jianbo , Liu Zhenbo , Yang Xin , Xu Xiufeng , Cui Hongtao , Li Qingzhong 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBulk SiC phases with tetrahedral arrangements have been identified several decades ago, and have been widely studied due to their potential applications. Until recently, Yaghoubi et al.'s experiment (Chem. Mater. 2018, 30, 7234) observed the existence of graphitic SiC with few SiC layers stacking, which implies the possible synthesis of such material in the future. In this work, we explored the potential application of graphitic SiC as the Na‐ion battery anode via the first‐principle simulation. Our results reveal that the theoretical capacity of graphitic SiC reaches up to 1339.44 mAh/g, which is almost the highest among the already known Na‐ion battery anodes. Together with the low diffusion barrier, moderate open circuit voltage and excellent electronic conductivity during the sodiation, we propose that the graphitic SiC is a potential material as Na‐ion battery anode. More importantly, we find that the intercalation strength of Na ions into C‐based multilayer materials (or the corresponding theoretical capacity, the operation voltage) could be enhanced by increasing the amount of covalent components in NaC bonds, which could be realized via doping by atom (such as Li, Be, B, Al, Si or P) with lower electronegativity than that of C atom.
A case of multidrug‐resistant Mycobacterium simiae in an elderly woman
Authors: Lotfi Hadi , Aryan Ehsan , Sankian Mojtaba , Meshkat Zahra , Khalifeh Soltani Ahmad , Alvandi Amir Hooshang , Farsiani Hadi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMycobacterium simiae is an emerging and spreading pathogen in Iran and little data about its drug susceptibility test (DST) and no standard treatment regimen are available. We report a case of multidrug‐resistant M. simiae respiratory infection in a 65‐year‐old woman with a history of previous Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The patient was treated with clarithromycin, levofloxacin, and cotrimoxazole for one year and eventually died while still suffering from respiratory problems. For DST, broth microdilution method was used according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines as well as molecular DST in clinical isolate. Mycobacterium simiae was resistant to streptomycin, moxifloxacin, clarithromycin, and cotrimoxazole antibiotics and was sensitive to clofazimine and amikacin antibiotics. Inappropriate use of antibiotics without determining the pattern of antibiotic resistance increases the likelihood of resistance and, for resistant specimens, the need to review the treatment protocol and replace antibiotics. Effectiveness based on antibiotic resistance pattern is essential.
Thiolate‐Protected Metal Nanoclusters: Recent Development in Synthesis, Understanding of Reaction, and Application in Energy and Environmental Field
Authors: Kawawaki Tokuhisa , Ebina Ayano , Hosokawa Yasunaga , Ozaki Shuhei , Suzuki Daiki , Hossain Sakiat , Negishi Yuichi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractMetal nanoclusters (NCs), which are composed of about 250 or fewer metal atoms, possess great potential as novel functional materials. Fundamental research on metal NCs gradually started in the 1960s, and since 2000, thiolate (SR)‐protected metal NCs have been the main metal NCs actively studied. The precise and systematic isolation of SR‐protected metal NCs has been achieved in 2005. Since then, research on SR‐protected metal NCs for both basic science and practical application has rapidly expanded. This review describes this recent progress in the field of SR‐protected metal NCs in three areas: synthesis, understanding, and application. Specifically, the recent study of alloy NCs and connected structures composed of NCs is highlighted in the “synthesis” section, recent knowledge on the reactivity of NCs in solution is highlighted in the “understanding” section, and the applications of NCs in the energy and environmental field are highlighted in the “application” section. This review provides insight on the current state of research on SR‐protected metal NCs and discusses the challenges to be overcome for further development in this field as well as the possibilities that these materials can contribute to solving the problems facing modern society.
Interfacing Carbon Dots for Charge‐Transfer Processes
Authors: Stergiou Anastasios , Tagmatarchis Nikos 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCarbon dots (CDs) are a booming material and the most recent incomer in the big family of carbon nanostructures. Specifically, CDs are nanosized fluorescent core‐shell nanoparticles with tunable absorption and emission spectra, with high solubility in aqueous media and common organic solvents. Herein, the origins and the development of these unique nanoscale structures are discussed, key synthetic routes are briefly described, and the utilization of CDs in light‐induced charge‐transfer schemes is mainly focused upon. Beyond the impact of the CD's surface on the photoluminescence properties, functionalization, by covalent or supramolecular means, permits controllable incorporation of new functionalities with novel photophysical properties. Furthermore, the dual nature of CDs as electron donating or electron accepting species, unveiled upon interfacing them with organic chromophores, highlights their potentiality in managing diverse charge‐transfer processes. Novel mechanisms, such as symmetry‐breaking photoinduced charge‐transfer can be activated upon covalent functionalization of CDs with organic dyes. Without a doubt, participation of CDs in energy conversion schemes opens up a wide avenue that may lead to the development of novel prototype devices suitable for technological applications and related to photonics and optoelectronics.
Pb‐Doped Ag2Se Quantum Dots with Enhanced Photoluminescence in the NIR‐II Window
Authors: Yu Mengxuan , Yang Xiaohu , Zhang Yejun , Yang Hongchao , Huang Haoying , Wang Zan , Dong Jinyi , Zhang Rong , Sun Ziqiang , Li Chunyan , Wang Qiangbin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAg2Se quantum dots (QDs) as an effective biological probe in the second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II, 1000–1700 nm) have been widely applied in bioimaging with high tissue penetration depth and high spatiotemporal resolution. However, the ions deficiency and crystal defects caused by the high Ag+ mobility in Ag2Se crystals are mainly responsible for the inefficient photoluminescence (PL) of Ag2Se QDs. Herein, a tailored route is reported to achieve controllable doping of Ag2Se QDs in which Ag is exchanged by Pb via cation exchange (CE), which is unattainable by direct synthetic methods. The Pb‐doped Ag2Se QDs (denoted as Pb:Ag2Se QDs) present fire‐new optical features with significantly enhanced PL intensity of 4.2 folds. Photoelectron spectroscopy confirms that Pb acts as an n‐type dopant for Ag2Se QDs and therefore the electronic impurities provide additional carriers to fill the traps. Moreover, the general validity of this method is demonstrated to convert different sized Ag2Se into Pb:Ag2Se QDs, so that a wide range of NIR‐II PL with high intensity is obtained. The bright NIR‐II emission of Pb:Ag2Se QDs is further successfully performed in lymphatic system mapping.
Calixarene‐Embedded Nanoparticles for Interference‐Free Gene–Drug Combination Cancer Therapy
Authors: Liu Qi , Zhang Tian‐Xing , Zheng Yadan , Wang Chun , Kang Ziyao , Zhao Yu , Chai Jingshan , Li Hua‐Bin , Guo Dong‐Sheng , Liu Yang , Shi Linqi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCombination therapy based on molecular drugs and therapeutic genes provides an effective strategy for malignant tumor treatment. However, effective gene and drug combinations for cancer treatment are limited by the widespread antagonism between therapeutic genes and molecular drugs. Herein, a calixarene‐embedded nanoparticle (CENP) is developed to co‐deliver molecular drugs and therapeutic genes without compromising their biological functions, thereby achieving interference‐free gene–drug combination cancer therapy. CENP is composed of a cationic polyplex core and an acid‐responsive polymer shell, allowing CENP loading and delivering therapeutic genes with improved circulation stability and enhanced tumor accumulation. Moreover, the introduction of carboxylated azocalix[4]arene, which is a hypoxia‐responsive calixarene derivatives, in the polyplex core endows CENP with the capability to load molecular drugs through the host–guest complexation as well as inhibit the interference between the drugs and genes by encapsulating the drugs into its cavity. By loading doxorubicin and a plasmid DNA‐based CRISPR interference system that targets miR‐21, CENP exhibits the significantly enhanced anti‐tumor effects in mice. Considering the wide variety of calixarene derivatives, CENP can be adapted to deliver almost any combination of drugs and genes, providing the potential as a universal platform for the development of interference‐free gene–drug combination cancer therapy.
Fluorinated Graphene‐Enabled Durable Triboelectric Coating for Water Energy Harvesting
Authors: Jiang Chengmei , Li Xunjia , Ying Yibin , Ping Jianfeng 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe durability issue of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) still limits its practical application for long‐term operation, especially in harvesting water energy, which is one of the most widespread energies in nature. Attempting to ameliorate this, fluorinated graphene (FG) with unique triboelectric negativity and superhydrophobic property is introduced to serve as a new triboelectric and protective layer for TENG construction. The self‐cleaning as well as anti‐corrosion property and durability of the FG coating‐enabled TENG device is then demonstrated. Furthermore, this novel triboelectronegative material candidate is applied for consecutively coating on Cu mesh and the inner wall of sewage pipe to fabricate TENGs for water energy harvesting and working as a metal protective layer in the meantime. Through the extraordinary output performance, the feasibility of FG‐enabled triboelectric coating to be used in the field of interference screening, filtering, and sewage pipes is proved. This developed triboelectronegative coating not only broadens the material selection of TENG but also significantly enhances the durability and robustness of TENG for water energy harvesting, which possesses great potential in applying in metal protection and water energy harvesting under extreme conditions (e.g., strong acid and strong alkaline environments).
Isolation, characterization and estimation of benzoxazinoid glycoside from seeds of Blepharis persica (Burm.f) O. Kuntze
Authors: Gaikar Nilesh , Raval Manan , Patel Samir , Patel Preksha , Hingorani Lal 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSeeds of Blepharis persica, the extracts of which have various pharmacological activities, contain benzoxazinoid compounds. The present studies were aimed to isolate benzoxazinoid class of compound using chromatography, identify the isolated compound using spectroscopic methods, and development of a high‐performance liquid chromatography‐based analytical method for estimation of the constituent. The compound was isolated using HP‐20 and silica‐based column from n‐butanol fraction of Blepharis persica seeds and identified as blepharin from interpretation of spectra. An analytical method was developed using high‐performance liquid chromatography containing a photodiode‐array detector and validated as per ICH Q2(R1) guideline for estimation of blepharin. Blepharin was resolved using a C18 column, whereas the optimized mobile phase was water (pH 8): acetonitrile (90:10, %v/v). The linearity was established between 0.5 to 10.00 μg/mL. Limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.015 and 0.046 μg/mL, respectively. The recovery was in the range of 100.9‐103.9%. The method was found to be selective, precise, and robust too. The content of blepharin was found (0.708 ± 0.02)% w/w of the dried weight basis of plant extract.
Influence of mix composition on the properties of recycled aggregate concrete
Authors: Zaben Abdulrahman , Maslehuddin Mohammed , Al‐Amoudi Omar S. B. , Al‐Dulaijan Salah U. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThere is an increasing trend towards using recycled aggregate (RA) in concrete due to the shortage of high quality natural aggregates. The use of RA in concrete results in the conservation of natural resources, protects the environment and encourages sustainable construction. Though some studies have been conducted on the use of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), the effect of mixture composition on its properties has not been well addressed. In the reported study, the effect of mixture composition, namely cement content and water/cement ratio and the proportion of RA on the mechanical properties of RAC was evaluated, with the intention of developing varying grades of RAC. As reported in earlier studies, the properties of RAC were generally inferior to that of normal aggregate concrete (NAC). Notwithstanding this, RAC with acceptable mechanical properties can be produced utilizing RA, for example RAC with low strength can be used in non‐structural applications. The construction industry should be encouraged to use RAC in building construction; as its use will lead to technical, economic and environmental benefits. Further, the use of RAC will lead to a sustainable development of the construction industry, particularly in regions that lack good quality natural aggregates. Based on the data developed in the reported study, the following quantities of RA are recommended to produce RAC: (i) 20% to produce low strength (20–30 MPa) concrete, (ii) 40% to produce medium (30–50 MPa) concrete and high strength (more than 50 MPa) concrete. Mathematical correlations between the mechanical properties of RAC with varying mix design parameters, such as cement content and water cement ratio and the quantity of RA, are also reported. These correlations can be used to predict the properties of RAC prepared with other proportions of RA and mix design parameters.