bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Probe the Localized Electrochemical Environment Effects and Electrode Reaction Dynamics for Metal Batteries using In Situ 3D Microscopy
Authors: Feng Guangxia , Guo Jiaming , Tian Huajun , Li Zhao , Shi Yaping , Li Xiaoliang , Yang Xu , Mayerich David , Yang Yang , Shan Xiaonan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractUncontrollable dendrite growth is closely related to non‐uniform reaction environments. However, there is a lack of understanding and analysis methods to probe the localized electrochemical environment (LEE). Here the effects of the LEE are investigated, including localized ion concentrations, current density, and electric potential, on metal plating/stripping dynamics and dendrite minimization. A novel in situ 3D microscopy technique is developed to image the morphology dynamics and deposition rate of Zn plating/stripping processes on 3D Zn–Mn anodes. Using the in situ 3D microscope, the electrode morphology changes during the reactions are directly imaged and Zn deposition rate maps at different time points are obtained. It is found that reaction kinetics are highly correlated to LEE and electrode morphology. To further quantify the LEE effects, the digital twin technique is employed that allows the accurate calculation of the electrochemical environments, such as localized ion concentrations, current density, and electric potential, which cannot be directly measured from experiments. It is found that the curvature of the 3D electrode surface determines the LEE and significantly influences reaction kinetics. This provides a new strategy to minimize the dendrite formation by designing and optimizing the 3D geometry of the electrode to control the LEE.
NAC062 acts as an upstream regulator of NAC103 under endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Yang Zheng‐Ting , Guo Zi‐Qiang , Wang Shun‐Sha , An Yin , Fan Si‐Xian , Jian Yan , Li Kun , Yi Yin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractEnvironmental stresses may trigger the accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), thus leading to ER stress in plants. Endoplasmic reticulum stress, harmful to plant growth, can be alleviated by upregulating unfolded protein response (UPR) initiated by transcription factors. NAC062 and NAC103, as reported in previous studies, both play significant roles in upregulating UPR genes to promote cell survival under ER stress in Arabidopsis. It is still unclear, however, which one of them acts as an upstream regulator in the ER stress pathway. Results of the current study demonstrated that NAC062 acts as an upstream regulator to directly regulate the expression of NAC103 to mediate ER stress in mouse‐ear cress [Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh]. The expression of NAC103 is upregulated by the overexpression of NAC062D (the nuclear localization form of NAC062). Through subsequent dual‐luciferase reporter assay and yeast one‐hybrid (YIH) assay, NAC062D was found directly bound to the NAC103 promoter. The results of real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) showed that NAC062 and NAC103 are both upregulated in biotic stress (jasmonic acid [JA] treatment) and abiotic stress (such as salt stress, oxidation stress, and cold stress) pathways. Studying the relationship between NAC062 and NAC103 is beneficial to understand their function in biotic and abiotic stress pathways, so as to enhance plants tolerance under environmental stresses.
Optical Sorting of a Plasmonic or Dielectric or Chiral Mie Object Using a Single Metasurface
Authors: Safkat Kazi , Rahim Masudur , Mahdy M.R.C. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIdentifying an object, be it of dielectric or plasmonic or chiral nature, by only using light beam is familiarized as optical sorting. As far as is known, a single optical setup is not reported so far, where these three different kinds of Mie sized particles can exhibit completely distinct behaviors. Chemical‐based sorting of these various types of particles is still considered as a notable industrial problem due to the use of very expensive chemicals. This work presents a novel all‐optical technique to distinguish classes of nanoscale Mie objects by separately placing them over a metasurface consisting of double‐lined gold nanostructures. The proposed setup promotes an effective on‐chip material‐based optical sorting of silica (a dielectric object), gold (a plasmonic object), and chiral nanospheres by generating a dual surface plasmon polariton (SPP) energized plasmonic complex field, which induces fully different behaviors in Mie scatterers having dissimilar material properties. For instance, when simple plane wave is imposed underneath the metasurface, plasmonic object experiences the counterintuitive optical pulling force, dielectric object experiences pushing force, whereas the chiral object experiences optical lateral force. The proposed optical setup may introduce a new method of all‐optical sorting without using chemicals or costly materials.
Artificial muscle like behavior of polypyrrole polyethylene oxide independent of applied potential ranges
Authors: Kiefer Rudolf , Le Quoc Bao , Velmurugan Bharath Kumar , Otero Toribio F. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe development of artificial muscles replicating natural muscles is envisaged for the construction of soft devices and robots working at low voltages. Here we present the parallel electrosynthesis, characterization, and isometric and isotonic study of Electro‐Chemo‐Mechanical‐Deformations from polypyrrole doped with dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBS−) with addition of 10 wt.% polyethylene oxide (PEO) forming PPy‐PEO/DBS films and PPy/DBS films. They were submitted to potential cycling or consecutive potential steps (0.0025 Hz–0.1 Hz) using different potential ranges (0.8 to −0.4 V, 0.65 to −0.6 V and ±1.0 V) in a solution of bis(trifluoromethane) sulfonimide lithium in propylene carbonate (LiTFSI‐PC). The PPy‐PEO/DBS linear films showed anion‐driven actuation while PPy/DBS revealed mixed ion (cation and anion) actuation. The PPy‐PEO/DBS film samples present the higher strain range of 20% (stress over 1 MPa) with 2 times higher strain and stress variations than the PPy/DBS films. The potential range 0.8 to −0.4 V showed best results for PPy‐PEO/DBS in long‐term cycling stability up to 1000 cycles of 4.2% strain and 0.35 MPa stress, suitable for artificial muscle like applications. Material characterization considered before and after actuation cycles was made with scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray, and Raman spectroscopy.
Highly selective synthesis of primary amines from amide over Ru‐Nb2O5 catalysts
Authors: Guo Wanjun , Xia Qineng , Jia Hongyan , Guo Yong , Liu Xiaohui , Pan Hu , Wang Yangang , Wang Yanqin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAmines are an important class of compounds in natural products and medicines. The universal availability of amides provides a potential way for the synthesis of amines. Herein, Ru/Nb2O5 catalyst is demonstrated to be highly efficient and stable for the selective hydrogenation of propionamide to propylamine (as a model reaction), with up to 91.4% yield of propylamine under relatively mild conditions. Results from XPS analyses, CO chemisorption, TEM images and DRIFTS spectra revealed that the unique properties of Nb2O5 can effectively activate the C=O group of amides, and the smaller Ru particles on Nb2O5 could further promote the activation, leading to superior catalytic performance of Ru/Nb2O5 for amide hydrogenation. Meanwhile, reducing the surface acidity of Nb2O5 can greatly inhibit the side reactions to by‐products, and further enhance the selectivity to amine. Moreover, this catalytic system is also applicable for the hydrogenation of a variety of amides and provides high potential for the industrial production of primary amines from amides.
Absorption, metabolism, and pharmacokinetic profile of xanthohumol in rats as determined via UPLC‐MS/MS
Authors: Bai Huan‐Huan , Xia Tian‐Shuang , Jiang Yi‐Ping , Xu Wu‐Mu , Xu Ping‐Cui , Wang Na‐Ni , Gou Xiao‐Jun , Xin Hai‐Liang 
Published: December 2021

AbstractXanthohumol, a natural isoflavone from Humulus lupulus L., possesses biological activities. However, the biological fate of xanthohumol in vivo remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the absorption and metabolism of xanthohumol in rats through UPLC‐MS/MS. The plasma, urine and fecal samples were collected after oral administration of xanthohumol (25, 50, 100 mg/kg) in SD rats. The contents of xanthohumol and its metabolites were determined by UPLC‐MS/MS. A total of 6 metabolites of xanthohumol were identified in rats, including methylated, glucuronidated, acid‐catalyzed cyclization and oxidation, indicating xanthohumol underwent phase I and II metabolism. Besides, isoxanthohumol was the major metabolites of xanthohumol. Xanthohumol was rapidly absorbed, metabolized, and eliminated in rats. The pharmacokinetics results showed the Tmax of xanthohumol and isoxanthohumol were 3 and 2.33 h, respectively. The AUC0−t of xanthohumol and isoxanthohumol were 138.83 ± 6.03 and 38.77 ± 4.46 ng/ml·h, respectively. Furthermore, xanthohumol was mainly excreted in the form of prototype through feces and a small amount of xanthohumol was excreted through urine. These results illustrated the absorption, metabolism, and pharmacokinetics process of xanthohumol in rats, and provided a reference for the further rational applications.
Cellular uptake of 2‐aminopyridine‐modified peptide nucleic acids conjugated with cell‐penetrating peptides
Authors: Brodyagin Nikita , Kataoka Yuka , Kumpina Ilze , McGee Dennis W. , Rozners Eriks 
Published: December 2021

AbstractCell‐penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been extensively used to deliver peptide nucleic acid (PNA) in cells. We have previously found that replacement of cytosine in triplex‐forming PNAs with 2‐aminopyridine (M) not only enhanced RNA binding, but also improved cellular uptake of PNAs. In this study, we used confocal fluorescence microscopy to evaluate the ability of CPPs to further improve cellular uptake of M‐modified PNAs. We found that PNAs conjugated with Tat and octa‐arginine peptides were effectively taken up in MCF7 cells when supplied in cell media at 1 μM. Remarkably, M‐modified PNA without any CPP conjugation also showed strong uptake when the concentration was increased to 5 μM. Majority of PNA conjugates remained localized in distinct cytoplasmic vesicles, as judged by dot‐like fluorescence patterns. However, M‐modified PNAs conjugated with Tat, octa‐arginine, and even a simple tri‐lysine peptide also showed dispersed fluorescence in cytoplasm and were taken up in nuclei where they localized in larger vesicles, most likely nucleoli. Endosomolytic peptides or chemicals (chloroquine and CaCl2) did not release the conjugates from cytosolic vesicles, which suggested that the PNAs were not entrapped in endosomes. We hypothesize that M‐modified PNAs escape endosomes and accumulate in cellular compartments rich in RNA, such as nucleoli, stress granules, and P‐bodies.
Macrophage‐targeted delivery of siRNA to silence Mecp2 gene expression attenuates pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Mou Yong , Wu Guo‐Rao , Wang Qi , Pan Ting , Zhang Lei , Xu Yongjian , Xiong Weining , Zhou Qing , Wang Yi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial lung disease characterized by the infiltration of macrophages in the fibrotic region. Currently, no therapeutic strategies effectively control disease progression, and the 5‐year mortality of patients after diagnosis is unacceptably high. Thus, developing an effective and safe treatment for IPF is urgently needed. The present study illustrated that methyl‐CpG‐binding protein 2 (MECP2), a protein responsible for the interpretation of DNA methylome‐encoded information, was abnormally expressed in lung and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples of IPF patients and mice with onset of pulmonary fibrosis. And further studies verified that the overexpression of MECP2 occurred mainly in macrophages. Inhibition of Mecp2 expression in macrophages robustly abrogated alternatively activated macrophage (M2) polarization by regulating interferon regulatory factor 4 expression. Accordingly, cationic liposomes loading Mecp2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) were raised for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. It was noted that the liposomes accumulated in the fibrotic region after intratracheal injection, especially in macrophages. In addition, intratracheal administration of Mecp2 siRNA‐loaded liposomes significantly reversed the established pulmonary fibrosis with few side‐effects and high safety coefficients. Collectively, these results are essential not only for further understanding the DNA methylation in pathogenesis of IPF but also for providing a potent therapeutic strategy for IPF treatment in the clinic practice.
An anatomical model for studying cerebellar tonsillar herniation related to raised intracranial pressure
Authors: Carpenter Kennedy , Iwanaga Joe , Aysenne Aimee , Dumont Aaron S. , Bui C. J. , Tubbs R. Shane 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBrain herniation is one of the most feared complications of many neurological pathologies. However, current understanding of the mechanisms behind brain herniation syndromes is poor. By investigating the correlations between raised intracranial pressure (ICP) and herniation of the cerebellar tonsils, we hope to develop a model that can be used to study intracranial fluid dynamics and its effects on brain tissue. This will facilitate evaluation of patients with elevated ICP and development of novel treatments including surgical approaches for decompressing the posterior cranial fossa and upper cervical spine. A standard suboccipital surgical approach was used to expose the foramen magnum and observe movements of the cerebellar tonsils in fresh cadavers. A urinary Foley catheter balloon in the parietal extradural space was used to simulate a mass effect while ICP was monitored. The baseline anatomy differed widely among the cadaver specimens. However, and overall, we found that as ICP rises, the cerebellar tonsils descend through the foramen magnum at a rate of 0.3 mm per 1 mmHg increase in ICP. A mean descent of 6.2 mm was observed for a mean ICP increase of 17 mmHg. In this cadaveric study, we present a method and model for exploring brain herniation syndromes in the context of ICP changes. This could allow for further models to study the effects of other neuropathologies on the cerebellar tonsils, including posterior cranial fossa mass lesions and cerebellar hemorrhage.
Sciatic nerve movement in the deep gluteal space during hip rotations maneuvers
Authors: Balius Ramon , Pujol Montse , Pérez‐Cuenca Dolores , Morros Carles , Susín Antonio , Corominas Hèctor , Sala‐Blanch Xavier 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWe hypothesize that the sciatic nerve in the subgluteal space has a specific behavior during internal and external coxofemoral rotation and during isometric contraction of the internal and external rotator muscles of the hip. In 58 healthy volunteers, sciatic nerve behavior was studied by ultrasound during passive internal and external hip rotation movements and during isometric contraction of internal and external rotators. Using MATLAB software, changes in nerve curvature at the beginning and end of each exercise were evaluated for longitudinal catches and axial movement for transverse catches. In the long axis, it was observed that during the passive internal rotation and during the isometric contraction of external rotators, the shape of the curve increased significantly while during the passive external rotation and the isometric contraction of the internal rotators the curvature flattened out. During passive movements in internal rotation, on the short axis, the nerve tended to move laterally and forward, while during external rotation the tendency of the nerve was to move toward a medial and backward position. During the isometric exercises, this displacement was less in the passive movements. Passive movements of hip rotation and isometric contraction of the muscles affect the sciatic nerve in the subgluteal space. Retrotrochanteric pain may be related to both the shear effect of the subgluteus muscles and the endoneural and mechanosensitive aggression to which the sciatic nerve is subjected.
miR‐155‐regulated mTOR and Toll‐like receptor 5 in gastric diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Huang Wei‐Ting , Kuo Sung‐Hsin , Kuo Yi‐Chun , Lin Chung‐Wu 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundGastric diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is often associated with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Those in the early stage could be treated with H. pylori eradication therapy, and are classified into a sensitive group and a resistant group.MethodsGenome‐wide miRNA and miRNA expression profiles were obtained from biopsy specimens of gastric DLBCL. MiRNAs and their targets as predictors of responses to H. pylori eradication therapy were identified through differential expression and pathway enrichment analysis, and further confirmed with transfection experiments in lymphoma cell lines of B‐cell origin.ResultsGenome‐wide miRNA and mRNA profiles showed miR‐200 was associated with the sensitive group, and that the resistant group had higher levels of miR‐155 and lower levels of DEPTOR (an inhibitor of mTOR) than the sensitive group. BJAB cells transfected with miR‐155 also had lower DEPTOR and higher mTOR levels. Therefore, miR‐155‐mediated inhibition of DEPTOR with secondary activation of mTOR was a potential marker for resistance to H. pylori eradication therapy. In contrast, pathway enrichment analysis showed that Toll‐like receptor 5 (TLR5), the receptor for bacterial flagellin, was a potential marker for sensitivity to H. pylori eradication therapy. In an independent series, stronger expression of pS6K1 (a direct target of mTOR) was associated with the resistant group and morphologic evidence of active gastritis was associated with the sensitive group.ConclusionsThese findings showed that activation of the miR‐155‐DEPTOR pathway is a marker for resistance to H. pylori eradication therapy, and that histological evaluation of active gastritis might be used as a surrogate marker to predict responses to H. pylori eradication therapy in gastric DLBCL.
Online group‐buying: The effect of deal popularity on consumer purchase intention
Authors: Chow Cheris W. C. , Chow Clement S. F. , Lai Jennifer Y. M. , Zhang Lida L. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractGroup‐buying, in which consumers are granted a discounted price on a purchase offer within a particular period if the offer can achieve a required group size, is a prevalent marketing channel in recent years. Based on the bandwagon effect, a group‐buying offer looks more attractive when there are more sign‐ups for it. However, when the number of sign‐ups is too large, the opposing network externality takes effect because consumers begin to worry that the excessive demand will jeopardize the supplier's ability to maintain quality offering. We captured these two effects by proposing an inverted U‐shaped relationship between group‐buying deal popularity and consumer purchase intention. Additionally, we identified consumers' risk attitude as a conceptually important boundary condition of this relationship. We conducted two lab experiments to test the hypotheses. The results showed that group‐buying deal popularity increased consumer purchase intention before popularity reached a certain point and decreased consumer purchase intention after popularity reached this point. We also found that this inverted U‐shaped relationship was more pronounced for risk‐averse than risk‐taking consumers. Important implications for group‐buying intermediaries are discussed.
Persistence and Evolution of Materials Features During Catalysis Using Topological and Trivial Polymorphs of MoTe2
Authors: Katzbear Rowan R. , Zhu Yanglin , Mao Zhiqiang , Schaak Raymond E. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractTopological materials have high carrier mobilities that can be maintained in the presence of crystal structure defects, which is useful for catalysis. Topological materials have been shown to be active catalysts, but it remains unclear if topology persists during catalysis. We studied the physical and chemical evolution of MoTe2 during photo‐ and electrocatalytic hydrogen production. This material offers a unique opportunity to directly compare a trivial semiconductor, 2H‐MoTe2, with a topological insulator, 1T’‐MoTe2, with comparable compositions, crystal structures, and surface roughnesses. We observed no major bulk changes in the materials after catalysis. The surfaces of the catalysts were significantly roughened and oxidized, but the carrier mobility of the topological phase remained high. These results suggest that topology persists during, and may be advantageous for, catalysis, and provide rationale for considering topology in the search for water‐splitting catalysts.
Ring Opening Reactions of β‐Propiolactam in Superacidic Media
Authors: Beck Stefanie , Rück Vanessa , Pietsch Lea‐Viktoria , Jessen Christoph , Kornath Andreas J. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe reaction of β‐propiolactam in the superacidic systems HF/MF5 (M=Sb, As) led to the formation of monoprotonated 3‐aminopropanoyl fluoride in the form of [C(O)F(CH2)2NH3][SbF6] and [C(O)F(CH2)2NH3][AsF6]. In the presence of traces of water, the diprotonated species β‐alanine [C(OH)2(CH2)2NH3][AsF6]2 was synthesized for the first time. All salts were characterized by low‐temperature infrared and Raman spectroscopy. Additionally, single‐crystal X‐ray analyses were conducted in the case of [C(O)F(CH2)2NH3][SbF6] and [C(OH)2(CH2)2NH3][AsF6]2. By using SO2 instead of HF as the solvent, the salt [C(OH)2(CH2)2NHSO][SbF6]2 was obtained, and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of this salt containing a thionylimide moiety was conducted. For the formation of these open‐chain compounds, an acyl cationic species as intermediate is assumed, which is formed from N‐protonated β‐propiolactam. Quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVTZ and MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ levels of theory were carried out to gain a better understanding of the formation and the structural properties of protonated β‐propiolactam.
Prediction of the ASTM and TBP distillation curves and specific gravity distribution curve for fuels and petroleum fluids
Authors: Hosseinifar Pouya , Shahverdi Hamidreza 
Published: December 2021

AbstractA predictive approach called the six‐point method is developed to construct distillation curves of different petroleum fluids based on the information of six points of the distillation curve at volume percentages (5, 10, 30, 50, 70, and 90). Indeed, six diverse mathematical equations are developed, which establish relationships between the six mentioned distillation temperatures and physical properties ( and ) of petroleum fluids. Having predicted the six points, a third‐order polynomial curve can easily be fitted over these data. Accordingly, the six‐point method is well capable of predicting the distillation curve of both American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D86 and true boiling point (TBP) data for any arbitrary petroleum fluid using only their physical properties. Two auxiliary relations are also presented to estimate the physical properties that may not be available for a petroleum fraction. These relations enable the model to receive pairs of () and () as input parameters, instead of (). A useful transfer function is also developed to convert the TBP curve predicted by the six‐point method to the specific gravity distribution curve. Furthermore, a new set of experimental data obtained from the distillation test is also presented in this work. The experiment has been performed on the petroleum cuts resulting from the crude oil atmospheric distillation unit and Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) production unit. The model performance was carefully evaluated against a wide range of literature data as well as new experimental data provided in this study, and the mean of average absolute deviations (AAD%) values was 1.98% for about 233 samples, including 2039 data points.