bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Graphene Oxide Membranes for Tunable Ion Sieving in Acidic Radioactive Waste
Authors: Wu Tong , Wang Zhe , Lu Yuexiang , Liu Shuang , Li Hongpeng , Ye Gang , Chen Jing 
Published: February 2021

AbstractGraphene oxide (GO) membranes with unique nanolayer structure have demonstrated excellent separation capability based on their size‐selective effect, but there are few reports on achieving ion–ion separation, because it is difficult to inhibit the swelling effect of GO nano sheets as well as to precisely control the interlayer spacing d to a specific value between the sizes of different metal ions. Here, selective separation of uranium from acidic radioactive waste containing multication is achieved through a precise dual‐adjustment strategy on d. It is found that GO swelling is greatly restricted in highly acidic solution due to protonation effect. Then the interlayer spacing is further precisely reduced to below the diameter of uranyl ion by increasing the oxidation degree of GO. Sieving uranyl ions from other nuclide ions is successfully realized in pH =3–3 mol L−1 nitric acid solutions.
A Single‐Nucleotide Mutation in a GLUTAMATE RECEPTOR‐LIKE Gene Confers Resistance to Fusarium Wilt in Gossypium hirsutum
Authors: Liu Shiming , Zhang Xiaojun , Xiao Shenghua , Ma Jun , Shi Weijun , Qin Tao , Xi Hui , Nie Xinhui , You Chunyuan , Xu Zheng , Wang Tianyi , Wang Yujing , Zhang Zhennan , Li Jianying , Kong Jie , Aierxi Alifu , Yu Yu , Lindsey Keith , Klosterman Steven J. , Zhang Xianlong , Zhu Longfu 
Published: February 2021

AbstractFusarium wilt (FW) disease of cotton, caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (Fov), causes severe losses in cotton production worldwide. Though significant advancements have been made in development of FW‐resistant Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) in resistance screening programs, the precise resistance genes and the corresponding molecular mechanisms for resistance to Fov remain unclear. Herein it is reported that Fov7, a gene unlike canonical plant disease‐resistance (R) genes, putatively encoding a GLUTAMATE RECEPTOR‐LIKE (GLR) protein, confers resistance to Fov race 7 in Upland cotton. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (C/A) in GhGLR4.8, resulting in an amino acid change (L/I), is associated with Fov resistance. A PCR‐based DNA marker (GhGLR4.8SNP(A/C)) is developed and shown to cosegregate with the Fov resistance. CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated knockout of Fov7 results in cotton lines extremely susceptible to Fov race 7 with a loss of the ability to induce calcium influx in response to total secreted proteins (SEPs) of Fov. Furthermore, coinfiltration of SEPs with GhGLR4.8A results in a hypersensitive response. This first report of a GLR‐encoding gene that functions as an R gene provides a new insight into plant–pathogen interactions and a new handle to develop cotton cultivars with resistance to Fov race 7.
Design of Block‐Copolymer Nanoporous Membranes for Robust and Safer Lithium‐Ion Battery Separators
Authors: Yang Hao , Shi Xiansong , Chu Shiyong , Shao Zongping , Wang Yong 
Published: February 2021

AbstractLithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) suffer from unsatisfied performance and safety risks mainly because of the separators. Herein, a block copolymer (BCP) composed of robust and electrolyte‐affinitive polysulfone (PSF) and Li+‐affinitive polyethylene glycol (PEG) is rationally designed to prepare a new type of LIB separator. The copolymer is subjected to selective swelling, producing nanoporous membranes with PEG chains enriched along the pore walls. Intriguingly, when used as LIB separators, thus‐produced BCP membranes efficiently integrate the merits of both PSF and PEG chains, endowing the separators thermal resistance as high as 150 °C and excellent wettability. Importantly, the nanoporous separator is able to close the pores with a temperature of 125 °C, offering the battery a thermal shutdown function. The membrane exhibits ultrahigh electrolyte uptake up to 501% and a prominent ionic conductivity of 10.1 mS cm−1 at room temperature. Batteries assembled with these membranes show excellent discharge capacity and C‐rate performance, outperforming batteries assembled from other separators including the extensively used Celgard 2400. This study demonstrates a facile strategy, selective swelling of block copolymer, to engineer high‐performance and safer LIB separators, which is also applicable to produce advanced copolymer‐based separators for other types of batteries.
Polaronic Contributions to Friction in a Manganite Thin Film
Authors: Weber Niklas A. , Schmidt Hendrik , Sievert Tim , Jooss Christian , Güthoff Friedrich , Moshneaga Vasily , Samwer Konrad , Krüger Matthias , Volkert Cynthia A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDespite the huge importance of friction in regulating movement in all natural and technological processes, the mechanisms underlying dissipation at a sliding contact are still a matter of debate. Attempts to explain the dependence of measured frictional losses at nanoscale contacts on the electronic degrees of freedom of the surrounding materials have so far been controversial. Here, it is proposed that friction can be explained by considering the damping of stick‐slip pulses in a sliding contact. Based on friction force microscopy studies of La(1−x)SrxMnO3films at the ferromagnetic‐metallic to a paramagnetic‐polaronic conductor phase transition, it is confirmed that the sliding contact generates thermally‐activated slip pulses in the nanoscale contact, and argued that these are damped by direct coupling into the phonon bath. Electron‐phonon coupling leads to the formation of Jahn–Teller polarons and to a clear increase in friction in the high‐temperature phase. There is neither evidence for direct electronic drag on the atomic force microscope tip nor any indication of contributions from electrostatic forces. This intuitive scenario, that friction is governed by the damping of surface vibrational excitations, provides a basis for reconciling controversies in literature studies as well as suggesting possible tactics for controlling friction.
Photoswitching between Water‐Tolerant Adhesion and Swift Release by Inverting Liquid Crystal Fingerprint Topography
Authors: Feng Wei , Chu Liangyong , de Rooij Matthijn B. , Liu Danqing , Broer Dirk J. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAlthough switchable adhesive surfaces are important and desirable for soft robotics, it is still challenging to replicate nature's switchable adhesion capability on artificial surfaces, especially for underwater applications. Here polymeric coatings with fingerprint topographies that are capable of switching the surface adhesion upon light illumination are reported. This is achieved via a synergistic combination of surface topographical inversion and spatially selective distribution of adhesive polymers. The surface topographical inversion is accomplished by the anisotropic deformation of the fingerprint‐configured liquid crystal network (LCN) coating upon light‐controlled order parameter modulation. Adhesive and nonadhesive polymers are spatial‐selectively arranged on top of the LCN coating following the alternating homeotropic and planar domains, respectively, where liquid crystal mesogens are orthogonally aligned. The adhesive part is composed of a water‐tolerant adhesive polymer with 3,4‐dihydroxy‐l‐phenylalanine (catechol) groups inspired by mussel byssus. This report presents a dynamic surface with locally alternating nonadhesive indented areas and adhesive elevated areas where the topographical positions can be dynamically changed with light illumination which can serve as smart skins for robotic applications.
Extracellular Vesicles from Child Gut Microbiota Enter into Bone to Preserve Bone Mass and Strength
Authors: Liu Jiang‐Hua , Chen Chun‐Yuan , Liu Zheng‐Zhao , Luo Zhong‐Wei , Rao Shan‐Shan , Jin Ling , Wan Teng‐Fei , Yue Tao , Tan Yi‐Juan , Yin Hao , Yang Fei , Huang Fei‐Yu , Guo Jian , Wang Yi‐Yi , Xia Kun , Cao Jia , Wang Zhen‐Xing , Hong Chun‐Gu , Luo Ming‐Jie , Hu Xiong‐Ke , Liu Yi‐Wei , Du Wei , Luo Juan , Hu Yin , Zhang Yan , Huang Jie , Li Hong‐Ming , Wu Ben , Liu Hao‐Ming , Chen Tuan‐Hui , Qian Yu‐Xuan , Li You‐You , Feng Shi‐Kai , Chen Yang , Qi Lu‐Yue , Xu Ran , Tang Si‐Yuan , Xie Hui 
Published: February 2021

AbstractRecently, the gut microbiota (GM) has been shown to be a regulator of bone homeostasis and the mechanisms by which GM modulates bone mass are still being investigated. Here, it is found that colonization with GM from children (CGM) but not from the elderly (EGM) prevents decreases in bone mass and bone strength in conventionally raised, ovariectomy (OVX)‐induced osteoporotic mice. 16S rRNA gene sequencing reveals that CGM reverses the OVX‐induced reduction of Akkermansia muciniphila (Akk). Direct replenishment of Akk is sufficient to correct the OVX‐induced imbalanced bone metabolism and protect against osteoporosis. Mechanistic studies show that the secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is required for the CGM‐ and Akk‐induced bone protective effects and these nanovesicles can enter and accumulate into bone tissues to attenuate the OVX‐induced osteoporotic phenotypes by augmenting osteogenic activity and inhibiting osteoclast formation. The study identifies that gut bacterium Akk mediates the CGM‐induced anti‐osteoporotic effects and presents a novel mechanism underlying the exchange of signals between GM and host bone.
Room‐Temperature Sodium–Sulfur Batteries and Beyond: Realizing Practical High Energy Systems through Anode, Cathode, and Electrolyte Engineering
Authors: Eng Alex Yong Sheng , Kumar Vipin , Zhang Yiwen , Luo Jianmin , Wang Wenyu , Sun Yongming , Li Weiyang , Seh Zhi Wei 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe increasing energy demands of society today have led to the pursuit of alternative energy storage systems that can fulfil rigorous requirements like cost‐effectiveness and high storage capacities. Based fundamentally on earth‐abundant sodium and sulfur, room‐temperature sodium–sulfur batteries are a promising solution in applications where existing lithium‐ion technology remains less economically viable, particularly in large‐scale stationary systems such as grid‐level storage. Here, the key challenges in the field are first highlighted, followed by comprehensive analyses of accessible strategies to overcome them, starting from engineering of the anode–electrolyte interface in both liquid and solid electrolytes. Recently reported polymer and solid‐state electrolytes are also surveyed. Thereafter, the core principles guiding use‐inspired design of cathode architectures, covering the spectrum of elemental sulfur and polysulfide cathodes, to emerging host structures, and covalent composites are focused upon. Future prospects are explored, with insights into other alkali‐metal systems beyond sodium–sulfur batteries, such as the potassium–sulfur battery. Finally a conclusion is provided by outlining the research directions necessary to attain high energy sodium–sulfur devices, and potential solutions to issues concerning large‐scale production, so as to ultimately realize widespread deployment of practical energy storage systems.
Rationally Design a Sulfur Cathode with Solid‐Phase Conversion Mechanism for High Cycle‐Stable Li–S Batteries
Authors: He Bin , Rao Zhixiang , Cheng Zexiao , Liu Dongdong , He Danqi , Chen Jie , Miao Ziyun , Yuan Lixia , Li Zhen , Huang Yunhui 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSolid–solid reactions are very effective for solving the main challenges of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries, such as the shuttle effect of polysulfides and the high dependence of electrolyte consumption. However, the low sulfur content and sluggish redox kinetics of such cathodes dramatically limit the practical energy density of Li–S batteries. Here a rationally designed hierarchical cathode to simultaneously solve above‐mentioned challenges is reported. With nanoscale sulfur as the core, selenium‐doped sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (PAN/S7Se) as the shell and micron‐scale secondary particle morphology, the proposed cathode realizes excellent solid–solid reaction kinetics in a commercial carbonate electrolyte under high active species loading and a relatively low electrolyte/sulfur ratio. Such an approach provides a promising solution toward practical lithium sulfur batteries.
Prevalence and the factors associated with malnutrition risk in elderly Chinese inpatients
Authors: Liu Rong , Shao Wenchao , Sun Nianzhe , Lai Jonathan King‐Lam , Zhou Lingshan , Ren Man , Qiao Chendong 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundMalnutrition is an under recognized, but common issue in elderly patients. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of poor nutritional status and identify comprehensive geriatric assessment‐based clinical factors associated with increased malnutrition risk to assessing malnutrition risk in hospitalized elderly patients in China.MethodsA total of 365 elderly hospitalized patients (178 women, 76.37 ± 7.74 years) undertook a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), and have their nutritional status assessed using the short‐form mini‐nutritional assessment.ResultsAmong 365 patients, 32 (8.77%) were malnourished and 112 (30.68%) were at risk of malnutrition. A logistic regression analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR], 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13‐2.23), alcohol consumption (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.19‐3.48), presence or history of cancer or heart failure (OR, 3.48 and 2.86; 95% CI, 1.49‐8.13 and 1.12‐7.27), depression (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.97‐4.17), body mass index (OR, 5.62; 95% CI, 3.62‐8.71), being dependent in activity of daily living (OR, 3.81; 95% CI, 2.61‐5.57), a lower score in instrumental activities of daily living (OR, 3.01; 95% CI, 2.09‐4.33), recent fall(s) (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.37‐2.91), cognitive impairment (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.30‐2.53), insomnia (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.07‐2.06), hemoglobin and albumin level (OR, 1.72 and 2.86; 95% CI, 1.17‐2.50 and 1.53‐5.36) were independent correlates of malnutrition in older patients.ConclusionOur study demonstrated that age, alcohol consumption, chronic diseases (cancer and heart failure), depression, body mass index, function status, recent fall(s), cognitive impairment, insomnia, and low hemoglobin and albumin levels were independently associated with malnutrition in these patients. Comprehensive geriatric assessment can provide detailed information of older patients and can be a useful tool for assessing malnutrition risk‐associated factors.
“We didn't get much schooling because we were fishing all the time”: Potential impacts of irregular school attendance on the spread of epidemics
Authors: Dimka Jessica , Sattenspiel Lisa 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectivesEspecially in traditional, rural, and low‐income areas, children attend school irregularly. School‐based interventions are common mitigation strategies for infectious disease epidemics, but if daily attendance is not the norm, the impact of schools on disease spread might be overestimated.MethodsWe use an agent‐based model of an early 20th century Newfoundland community to compare epidemic size and duration in three scenarios: (1) all school‐aged children attend school each weekday, (2) students aged 10–15 have a chance of engaging in adult activities each day, and (3) students aged 10–15 have a chance of being reassigned to adult roles at the start of each simulation and thus never attend school.ResultsAs the probability of not attending school increases, epidemics become smaller and peak earlier. The change in final size is larger with permanent reassignment (35% at baseline, 18% at maximum reassignment) than with daily nonattendance (35% vs. 22%). For both scenarios, the peak occurs 3 days earlier with maximum absence compared to the baseline. Benefits extend beyond the reassigned agents, as all school‐aged agents are more likely to escape infection with increasing reassignment, and on average, 3–6 additional agents (2.6%–5.3%) escape infection compared to the baseline.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that absenteeism can have important impacts on epidemic outcomes. Thus, socioeconomic and other reasons for nonattendance of school, as well as how rates vary in different contexts, must be considered in models predicting epidemic outcomes or evaluating public health interventions in the face of major pandemics.
Deep eutectic solvents on extraction of bisphenol A from water matrices: COnductor like Screening MOdel for Real Solvents prediction and experimental validation
Authors: Santhi Vivek Mariappan , Ramalingam Anantharaj , Parthasarathy Divya Lakshmi , Seshasayee Priyadarshini , Narasimhan Swaanika Lakshmi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDensities of pure distilled water, tetra butyl ammonium bromide glycerol{[TBAB][Gly]}, and different concentration of aqueous bisphenol A (aq. BPA) (i.e., 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm) were measured at different temperatures from 293.15–343.15 K. Further, densities of the pseudo binary mixtures of aq. BPA and {[TBAB][Gly]} over the entire mole fraction were measured at different temperatures from 293.15–343.15 K. From these measured density data, the solution thermodynamic properties of the pseudo binary mixtures of aq. BPA and {[TBAB][Gly]} were calculated, and the excess molar volume data were correlated using the Redlich–Kister polynomial equation. Furthermore, the σ‐profiles and σ‐potentials of all the studied species were generated and analyzied in terms of H‐bond donor and/or acceptor at atom and molecular levels. Finally, based on the results of aq. BPA with {[TBAB][Gly]}, tetra butyl ammonium bromide decanoic acid {[TBAB][DA]} and tetra butyl ammonium bromide oleic acid {[TBAB][OA]} based deep eutectic solvents were used for the removal of BPA from the aqueous stream at 298.15 K and 1 atm. This process was characterized in terms of distribution coefficient (D), extraction efficiency (η), and also thermodynamic feasibility of the process at different temperatures.
Effect of storage time on the characteristics of a waterborne polyurethane/tetraethoxysilane mixture and the properties of prepared films
Authors: Lee Yun‐Yun , Lee Ya‐Shiuan , Lee Wen‐Jau 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWaterborne polyurethane (WPU) is one of the most important resins. The properties of WPU can be modified by introducing inorganic components. Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) is a precursor for preparing inorganic polymers and can be used to prepare WPU/silica hybrids. In this study, WPU dispersion was synthesized by reacting polytetramethylene ether glycol and dimethylolpropionic acid with isophorone diisocyanate, followed by chain extension with ethylenediamine. After mixing WPU with TEOS, the mixture was sealed and stored at room temperature for different lengths of times. The influence of time on the characteristics of the WPU/TEOS mixture and the properties of films were investigated. The results showed that the viscosity, surface tension and average particle size of the mixture increased with prolonged storage time. 29Si‐NMR analysis indicated that the structure of silica exists in the WPU film. DSC, DMA and TGA results showed that WPU/silica films made from the mixture have less thermal activity, higher storage modulus, lower damping peak heights and better heat resistance after relatively long storage times.
Synthetic scheme to increase the abrasion resistance of waterborne polyurethane–urea by controlling micro‐phase separation
Authors: Chen Shu‐Yi , Zhuang Ren‐Quan , Chuang Fu‐Sheng , Rwei Syang‐Peng 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAs an environmental‐friendly coating material in industry, waterborne polyurethane–urea (WPU) is still not comparable with solvent‐based polyurethane (SPU) in mechanical properties, due to the hydrophilic chain‐extender. Herein, a synthetic scheme to increase the abrasion resistance of WPU with ether diol, and conventional hydrophilic chain‐extender (DMBA, 2,2‐bis[hydroxymethyl]butanoic acid) is revealed. This study discuss the degree of micro‐phase separation (DPS) with toughness, elongation, abrasion resistance, and compared with the WPU contain various types of diol, such as esters, ether and carbonates, and the ether‐based SPU. From the results, the major factor that affect to the abrasion properties of WPU is DPS, which is highly depend on the chemical structure of diol, and hard segment content. WPU film achieve higher toughness with ether‐based diol with higher DPS, and better abrasion resistance than SPU. This study demonstrate a strategy for the composition designing, and the synthesis of high‐abrasion resistance WPU by controlling the micro‐phase separation, and content of DMBA without any inorganic fillers.
Surface modification of bamboo fibers by diammonium phosphate and their applications in flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane
Authors: Wu Quan , Liu Yanxiang , Han Zhongqiang , Su Ming , Sun Jun , Zhang Sheng , Gu Xiaoyu , Li Hongfei 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBamboo fibers (BF) were used as charring agent in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), together with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to prepare intumescent flame retardant composites. In order to improve the dispersibility and flame retardant efficiency, BF was grafted with diammonium phosphate (DAP), named as modified bamboo fibers (M‐BF). By the presence of 8 wt% APP and 2 wt% M‐BF, the sample could achieve the maximal limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 30.5% and V‐0 rating in UL‐94 test. The peak heat release rate for TPU/8APP/2 M‐BF is 190 kW/m2, which is 86.0% lower than that of neat TPU. Besides, TPU/8APP/2 M‐BF sample presented a tensile strength of 23.0 MPa, which was slightly lower than neat TPU sample. The thermogravimetric analysis for TPU composites and the morphology observation of the char demonstrated that APP and M‐BF took effects on condensed phase through promoting the formation of intumescent char structure and free radical trapping. Meanwhile, it could release inert gases in gas phase. Therefore, M‐BF exhibited great potential in applying as renewable charring agent for alleviating the depletion of petroleum resources.
Improving proton conductivity and ionic selectivity of porous polyolefin membranes by chitosan deposition
Authors: Zefirov Vadim V. , Sizov Victor E. , Gulin Alexander A. , Gallyamov Marat O. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe paper presents a new method for modifying polyolefin membranes using chitosan deposition in order to apply them as a separator in the redox flow batteries with an aqueous electrolyte. Chitosan is deposited from an aqueous carbonic acid under high pressure of saturating carbon dioxide, which allows to increase the affinity of the composite membrane to aqueous electrolyte and, as a consequence, to increase the proton conductivity. In addition, the deposition of a chitosan film makes it possible to reduce the pore size, which means an increase in the ionic selectivity of the porous membrane. In the article, membranes modified with chitosan for different times were obtained. It was shown that as a result of the proposed treatment, the ionic selectivity of membranes increases from 0.2·107 ms·min/cm3 to 5·107 ms·min/cm3.