bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conformal, Ultra‐thin Skin‐Contact‐Actuated Hybrid Piezo/Triboelectric Wearable Sensor Based on AlN and Parylene‐Encapsulated Elastomeric Blend
Authors: Mariello Massimo , Fachechi Luca , Guido Francesco , De Vittorio Massimo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFlexible electronics based on piezoelectric/triboelectric devices is an attractive technology for human sensing. Their hybridization overcomes the limitations of single components, resulting in compliant skin sensors with enhanced performances and applicability. Such hybrid devices are typically based on wide‐area scarcely durable polymers or lead‐containing piezoelectric materials; they are often not biocompatible and poorly skin‐adaptable, lacking in multifunctionality. In this work, a novel compliant, conformal hybrid piezoelectric‐triboelectric ultra‐thin wearable sensor made of biocompatible materials is reported. The device is in contact with skin through an ultra‐soft patch covered on both sides by a thin friction parylene film. Its working principle is unprecedently based on three simultaneous, complementary and mutually enhancing effects: piezoelectric, skin‐contact‐actuation, and piezo‐tribo hybrid contact. The device can detect, with high sensitivity and wide measurement range, both the impulsiveness of sudden motions and the slower micro‐friction phenomena due to skin deformations, ensuring a stable and repeatable identification of bio‐signals typical of body movements. The device multifunctionality is shown for identifying gait walking, distinguishing hand gestures with a 5‐sensor system on the hand back, and monitoring human joints motions (neck, wrist, elbow, knee, ankle). The assessed energy harvesting capabilities demonstrate the suitability for fabrication of more complex self‐powered sensing systems.
Ultrathin Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets Enabling Composite Polymer Electrolyte for All‐Solid‐State Lithium Batteries at Room Temperature
Authors: Xia Shuixin , Yang Binbin , Zhang Hebin , Yang Junhe , Liu Wei , Zheng Shiyou 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSolid electrolytes are the most promising substitutes for liquid electrolytes to construct high‐safety and high‐energy‐density energy storage devices. Nevertheless, the poor lithium ion mobility and ionic conductivity at room temperature (RT) have seriously hindered their practical usage. Herein, single‐layer layered‐double‐hydroxide nanosheets (SLN) reinforced poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP) composite polymer electrolyte is designed, which delivers an exceptionally high ionic conductivity of 2.2 × 10−4 S cm−1 (25 °C), superior Li+ transfer number (≈0.78) and wide electrochemical window (≈4.9 V) with a low SLN loading (≈1 wt%). The Li symmetric cells demonstrate ultra‐long lifespan stable cycling over ≈900 h at 0.1 mA cm−2, RT. Moreover, the all‐solid‐state Li|LiFePO4 cells can run stably with a high capacity retention of 98.6% over 190 cycles at 0.1 C, RT. Moreover, using LiCoO2/LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2, the all‐solid‐state lithium metal batteries also demonstrate excellent cycling at RT. Density functional theory calculations are performed to elucidate the working mechanism of SLN in the polymer matrix. This is the first report of all‐solid‐state lithium batteries working at RT with PVDF‐HFP based solid electrolyte, providing a novel strategy and significant step toward cost‐effective and scalable solid electrolytes for practical usage at RT.
2D Gadolinium Oxide Nanoplates as T1 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents
Authors: Stinnett Gary , Taheri Nasim , Villanova Jake , Bohloul Arash , Guo Xiaoting , Esposito Edward P. , Xiao Zhen , Stueber Deanna , Avendano Carolina , Decuzzi Paolo , Pautler Robia G. , Colvin Vicki L. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMillions of people a year receive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents for the diagnosis of conditions as diverse as fatty liver disease and cancer. Gadolinium chelates, which provide preferred T1 contrast, are the current standard but face an uncertain future due to increasing concerns about their nephrogenic toxicity as well as poor performance in high‐field MRI scanners. Gadolinium‐containing nanocrystals are interesting alternatives as they bypass the kidneys and can offer the possibility of both intracellular accumulation and active targeting. Nanocrystal contrast performance is notably limited, however, as their organic coatings block water from close interactions with surface Gadoliniums. Here, these steric barriers to water exchange are minimized through shape engineering of plate‐like nanocrystals that possess accessible Gadoliniums at their edges. Sulfonated surface polymers promote second‐sphere relaxation processes that contribute remarkable contrast even at the highest fields (r1 = 32.6 × 10−3 m Gd−1 s−1 at 9.4 T). These noncytotoxic materials release no detectable free Gadolinium even under mild acidic conditions. They preferentially accumulate in the liver of mice with a circulation half‐life 50% longer than commercial agents. These features allow these T1 MRI contrast agents to be applied for the first time to the ex vivo detection of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice.
Simultaneous Delivery of Multiple Antimicrobial Agents by Biphasic Scaffolds for Effective Treatment of Wound Biofilms
Authors: Su Yajuan , McCarthy Alec , Wong Shannon L. , Hollins Ronald R. , Wang Guangshun , Xie Jingwei 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBiofilms pose a major challenge to control wound‐associated infections. Due to biofilm impenetrability, traditional antimicrobial agents are often ineffective in combating biofilms. Herein, a biphasic scaffold is reported as an antimicrobial delivery system by integrating nanofiber mats with dissolvable microneedle arrays for the effective treatment of bacterial biofilms. Different combinations of antimicrobial agents, including AgNO3, Ga(NO3)3, and vancomycin, are incorporated into nanofiber mats by coaxial electrospinning, which enables sustained delivery of these drugs. The antimicrobial agents‐incorporated dissolvable microneedle arrays allow direct penetration of drugs into biofilms. By optimizing the administration strategies, drug combinations, and microneedle densities, biphasic scaffolds are able to eradicate both methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and MRSA/Pseudomonas aeruginosa blend biofilms in an ex vivo human skin wound infection model without necessitating surgical debridement. Taken together, the combinatorial system comprises of nanofiber mats and microneedle arrays can provide an efficacious delivery of multiple antimicrobial agents for the treatment of bacterial biofilms in wounds.
Capillary‐Force‐Driven Self‐Assembly of 4D‐Printed Microstructures
Authors: Liu Xiaojiang , Wei Mengxiao , Wang Qiong , Tian Yujia , Han Jiamian , Gu Hongcheng , Ding Haibo , Chen Qiang , Zhou Kun , Gu Zhongze 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCapillary‐force‐driven self‐assembly is emerging as a significant approach for the massive manufacture of advanced materials with novel wetting, adhesion, optical, mechanical, or electrical properties. However, academic value and practical applications of the self‐assembly are greatly restricted because traditional micropillar self‐assembly is always unidirectional. In this work, two‐photon‐lithography‐based 4D microprinting is introduced to realize the reversible and bidirectional self‐assembly of microstructures. With asymmetric crosslinking densities, the printed vertical microstructures can switch to a curved state with controlled thickness, curvature, and smooth morphology that are impossible to replicate by traditional 3D‐printing technology. In different evaporating solvents, the 4D‐printed microstructures can experience three states: (I) coalesce into clusters from original vertical states via traditional self‐assembly, (II) remain curved, or (III) arbitrarily self‐assemble (4D self‐assembly) toward the curving directions. Compared to conventional approaches, this 4D self‐assembly is distance‐independent, which can generate varieties of assemblies with a yield as high as 100%. More importantly, the three states can be reversibly switched, allowing the development of many promising applications such as reversible micropatterns, switchable wetting, and dynamic actuation of microrobots, origami, and encapsulation.
Optical and Structural Properties of Manganese‐Doped Zinc Oxide Grown by Metal‐Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Saravade Vishal , Manzoor Zahra , Corda Alexis , Zhou Chuanle , Ferguson Ian , Lu Na 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis systematic study investigates the optical properties and process−structure−property relationships of Mn‐doped zinc oxide (ZnMnO) grown by metal‐organic chemical vapor deposition with varying Mn‐doping concentration and growth conditions. ZnMnO exhibits a good crystal quality oriented in the (002) direction and contains intermixtures of zinc oxide (ZnO)‐like and manganese oxide (MnxOy)‐like phases. The material exhibits a direct energy absorption band‐edge and a reduction in bandgap with Mn‐doping. Photoluminescence studies show that Mn‐doping can simultaneously tailor broad green band luminescence and ultraviolet edge emissions. Post‐growth air‐annealing results in broad MnxOy‐related photoluminescence emissions at 3.3–4.5 eV. A further reduction in the absorption band‐edge is also observed with annealing. Results indicate that luminescence wavelengths and intensities, and absorption band‐edge can be tuned with the Mn‐doping process. This paper promotes a thorough understanding of defect centers in ZnO with transition metal doping and their interrelation with optical characteristics. The work provides a solid foundation for the development of optoelectronic devices, such as light emitting diodes, solar cells, lasers, and photodetectors using ZnO‐based materials.
A New Monolayer B4C4 with Robust Stability and Excellent Performance for Spontaneous Water Splitting Under Visible Light
Authors: Li Lin , Li Xiaowei , Zhang Qiuyu , Zhu Dongyang , Li Xiaoyu , Zhang Yihe 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe nature of new monolayer boron carbides (B4C4) and their photocatalytic performance for spontaneous water splitting are investigated using first‐principles calculations. It is interesting to find that B4C4 has a special puckered surface similar to pure borophene and exhibits robust mechanical stability even at extremely high temperature in the molecular dynamics simulation. Its elastic constant in a direction is close to the superstar graphene in 2D materials. Moreover, B4C4 also meets two necessary principles as a photocatalyst, it has proper valence and conduction band positions and a proper indirect bandgap. The optical absorption edge is about 525 nm corresponding a larger range of visible light adsorption than that of g‐C3N4. Additionally, the carrier mobilities are estimated to be about 800 cm2 V−1 s−1 of the electron and 40 000 cm2 V−1 s−1 of the hole which shows its excellent photocatalytic performance. Further calculations demonstrate that the H2O molecule can be stably adsorbed on B4C4 sheet, only a smaller activation energy is needed and the water splitting can be carried out spontaneously. The nanoribbon structures still maintain good performances for practical applications. Generally speaking, the new monolayer B4C4 is an efficient and promising photocatalyst toward overall water splitting proved by these calculation results.
Absolute Volume Deformation Potentials of Inorganic ABX3 Halide Perovskites: The Chemical Trends
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Huang Menglin , Wu Yu‐Ning , Chen Shiyou 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe absolute volume deformation potential (AVDP) is an important physical quantity that describes the absolute energy level shift of semiconductors under pressure. The valence band maximum (VBM) and conduction band minimum (CBM) AVDPs of inorganic cubic ABX3 perovskites (where A = K, Rb, Cs; B = Ge, Sn, Pb; X = Cl, Br, I) are systematically investigated using ab‐initio simulations. Spin‐orbit coupling (SOC) is found to have negligible effect on the AVDPs of ABX3 perovskites, though it plays an important role in their band structures. The AVDPs of VBM are determined to be all negative and large, meaning the energy level will shift downward as the crystal volumes increase, while AVDPs of CBM are mostly positive and small. The AVDPs of VBM and CBM both increase as the atomic number of X‐site element increases, while the absolute value of VBM's AVDP increases initially and decreases afterward as atomic number of B‐site element becomes larger. These trends can be well explained based on the atomic orbital levels, the hybridization of the band edge orbitals, bond length, and bandwidth. These results provide critical parameters for the band structure engineering design of optoelectronic devices based on the ABX3 halide perovskites through strain control.
Ion‐Exchange: A Promising Strategy to Design Li‐Rich and Li‐Excess Layered Cathode Materials for Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Cao Xin , Qiao Yu , Jia Min , He Ping , Zhou Haoshen 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLi‐rich and Li‐excess oxides have been regarded as a promising category of cathode materials for next‐generation Li‐ion batteries due to their high energy density on basis of anionic/cationic redox chemistry. However, the application of Li‐excess oxides suffers from significant problems, such as irreversible lattice oxygen loss and structural distortion. A Li/Na‐ion exchange strategy can be regarded as an effective way to address these obstacles by tuning oxygen stacking arrangements and the coordination environment of alkali metal within emerging structures. Herein, the state‐of‐the‐art progress made within conventional and Li‐excess layered cathodes generated by ion exchange strategy at first is reviewed. Moreover, the mechanisms of oxygen redox, the migrations of Li/transition metals, and structural evolutions within Li‐excess oxides have been further clarified by advanced characterizations, which play an important role in understanding lattice oxygen release, irreversible transition metal migration, phase transition, and the root of capacity/voltage decay. In addition, the theory calculations based on density of states, oxygen release energy, and migration energy barriers of Li/transition metals are systematically summarized, providing an essential guidance to harvest stable oxygen‐related redox reactions within Li‐excess materials. Altogether, this review offers fundamental understanding and future perspectives toward the rational design of high‐energy‐density Li‐excess oxides with reversible anionic/cationic redox chemistry.
Electrochemical Zinc Ion Capacitors: Fundamentals, Materials, and Systems
Authors: Yin Jian , Zhang Wenli , Alhebshi Nuha A. , Salah Numan , Alshareef Husam N. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAn electrochemical zinc ion capacitor (ZIC) is a hybrid supercapacitor composed of a porous carbon cathode and a zinc anode. Based on the low‐cost features of carbon and zinc metal, ZIC is a potential candidate for safe, high‐power, and low‐cost energy storage applications. ZICs have gained tremendous attention in recent years. However, the low energy densities and limited cycling stability are still major challenges for developing high‐performance ZICs. First, the energy density of ZIC is limited by the low capacitance of porous carbon cathodes. Second, aqueous electrolytes induce parasitic reactions, which results in limited voltage windows and poor cycling performances of ZICs. Third, the poor stabilities and low utilization of zinc anodes remain major challenges to develop practical ZICs. This review summarizes the recent progress in developing ZICs and highlights both the promising and challenging attributes of this emerging energy storage technology. Future research directions are proposed for developing better, lower cost, and more scalable ZICs for energy storage applications.
Comparative analysis of spatial genetic structures in sympatric populations of two riparian plants, Saxifraga acerifolia and Saxifraga fortunei
Authors: Magota Kana , Sakaguchi Shota , Hirota Shun K. , Tsunamoto Yoshihiro , Suyama Yoshihisa , Akai Kensei , Setoguchi Hiroaki 
Published: April 2021

PremiseThe genetic structure between plant populations is facilitated by the spatial population arrangement and limited dispersal of seed and pollen. Saxifraga acerifolia, a local endemic species in Japan, is a habitat specialist that is confined to waterfalls in riparian environments. Its sister species, Saxifraga fortunei, is a generalist that is widely distributed along riverbanks. Here, we examined sympatric populations of the two Saxifraga species to test whether the differences in habitat preference and colonization process influenced regional and local genetic structures.MethodsTo reveal genetic structures, we examined chloroplast microsatellite variations and genome‐wide nucleotide polymorphisms obtained by genotyping by sequencing. We also estimated the gene flow among and within populations and performed landscape genetic analyses to evaluate seed and pollen movement and the extent of genetic isolation related to geographic distance and/or habitat differences.ResultsWe found strong genetic structure in the specialist S. acerifolia, even on a small spatial scale (<1 km part); each population on a different waterfall in one river system had a completely different predominant haplotype. By contrast, the generalist S. fortunei showed no clear genetic differentiation.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the level of genetic isolation was increased in S. acerifolia by the spatially fragmented habitat and limited seed and pollen dispersal over waterfalls. Habitat differentiation between the sister taxa could have contributed to the different patterns of gene flow and then shaped the contrasting genetic structures.
A journey towards answers: Bonnie Odgers Meets Dr. John Graham
Authors: Scott Anna‐Lisa , Odgers Bonnie 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe importance of understanding HIST1H1E Syndrome is sharing our family's personal journey to find a diagnosis for our daughter, Bonnie Odgers. This syndrome has also been referred to as Rahman Syndrome and HIST1H1E Neurodevelopmental Syndrome depending upon the origin of research. Characteristics of HIST1H1E are curved fingers, full cheeks, high forehead, speech impairments and mild to severe intellectual disability. This article reveals the Odgers' family journey towards a diagnosis, the key physicians research through whole exome genetic testing and revealing characteristics of HIST1H1E.
Copper Mediated Chemo‐ and Stereoselective Cyanation Reactions
Authors: Chandra Prakash , Choudhary Neha , Lahiri Goutam K. , Maiti Debabrata , Mobin Shaikh M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractEarth‐abundant transition metal based catalytic materials can become pivotal for clean chemical manufacturing due to their facile handling and air moisture stability replacing conventional expensive noble metal based catalytic systems. Amongst the non‐noble metals, copper based catalytic systems due to the variable oxidation states have been effectively used as the tunable and multifunctional catalytic materials for the promotion of selective organic transformations. These copper based catalytic systems effectively promote multifarious organic transformations promoting functionalization of the easily available organic substrates. Nitriles are a significant class of nitrogen‐containing compounds finding applications in pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries. Several organic and inorganic cyanide sources have been effectively usedto cyanate organic compounds by using multi‐ferrous copper catalysts. Furthermore, nitrile compounds are key components used for the synthesis of drug molecules and fabrication of functionalized materials.
Alpha‐Synuclein Oligomers and Neurofilament Light Chain Predict Phenoconversion of Pure Autonomic Failure
Authors: Singer Wolfgang , Schmeichel Ann M. , Shahnawaz Mohammad , Schmelzer James D. , Sletten David M. , Gehrking Tonette L. , Gehrking Jade A. , Olson Anita D. , Suarez Mariana D. , Misra Pinaki P. , Soto Claudio , Low Phillip A. 
Published: April 2021

ObjectiveTo explore the role of alpha‐synuclein (αSyn) oligomers and neurofilament light chain (NfL) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with pure autonomic failure (PAF) as markers of future phenoconversion to multiple system atrophy (MSA).MethodsWell‐characterized patients with PAF (n = 32) were enrolled between June 2016 and February 2019 at Mayo Clinic Rochester and followed prospectively with annual visits to determine future phenoconversion to MSA, Parkinson's disease (PD), or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). ELISA was utilized to measure NfL and protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) to detect αSyn oligomers in CSF collected at baseline.ResultsPatients were followed for a median of 3.9 years. Five patients converted to MSA, 2 to PD, and 2 to DLB. NfL at baseline was elevated only in patients who later developed MSA, perfectly separating those from future PD and DLB converters as well as non‐converters. ASyn‐PMCA was positive in all but two cases (94%). The PMCA reaction was markedly different in five samples with maximum fluorescence and reaction kinetics previously described in MSA patients; all of these patients later developed MSA.InterpretationαSyn‐PMCA is almost invariably positive in the CSF of patients with PAF establishing this condition as α‐synucleinopathy. Both NfL and the magnitude and reaction kinetics of αSyn PMCA faithfully predict which PAF patients will eventually phenoconvert to MSA. This finding has important implications not only for prognostication, but also for future trials of disease modifying therapies, allowing for differentiation of MSA from Lewy body synucleinopathies before motor symptoms develop. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:1212–1220
Improvement of thermal stability and gamma‐ray absorption in microwave absorbable poly(methyl methacrylate)/graphene nanoplatelets nanocomposite
Authors: Bel Tayfun , Muhammettursun Mahmut , Kocacinar Elif , Erman Ecem , Gul Fuat Berke , Dogan Emre , Celep Murat , Baydogan Nilgun 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe graphene nanofiller (2 wt%) was dispersed in poly(methyl methacrylate) by in situ polymerization method. The optimum high frequency (microwave) absorption was evaluated at X‐band due to changes in the scattering parameters (determined by using a vector network analyzer). The slight improvement has been attained in gamma attenuation coefficient of the polymer nanocomposite by using gamma transmission technique. The addition of graphene nanoplatelets (2 wt%) resulted in a thermal improvement from 196.73 to 243.00°C (with 5% weight loss) in TGA analysis. The graphene nanoplatelets provided an optimum decrease in scattering of the microwaves due to the elimination of the defects and the prevention of the agglomeration of the graphene nanoplates. The improvement of microwave absorption (between 8 and 12 GHz) suggested that the nanocomposite was a suitable candidate as a microwave absorbing material. This multipurpose nanocomposite has provided thermal stability and it has ensured the optimum gamma‐ray and microwave absorption depending on the development of the structural properties. The development of these physical characteristics has enabled to improve the electrical conductivity as a result of the progress in the structural properties.