bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vega—A small, low cost, ground robot for nuclear decommissioning
Authors: Bird Benjamin , Nancekievill Matthew , West Andrew , Hayman Jim , Ballard Chris , Jones Will , Ross Shaun , Wild Toby , Scott Tom , Lennox Barry 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis paper presents the Vega robot, which is a small, low cost, potentially disposable ground robot designed for nuclear decommissioning. Vega has been developed specifically to support characterization and inspection operations, such as 2D and 3D mapping, radiation scans and sample retrieval. The design and construction methodology that was followed to develop the robot is described and its capabilities detailed. Vega was designed to provide flexibility, both in software and hardware, is controlled via tele‐operation, although it can be extended to semi and full autonomy, and can be used in either tethered or untethered configurations. A version of the tethered robot was designed for extreme radiation tolerance, utilizing relay electronics and removing active electronic systems. Vega can be outfitted with a multitude of sensors and actuators, including gamma spectrometers, alpha/beta radiation sensors, LiDARs and robotic arms. To demonstrate its flexibility, a 5 degree‐of‐freedom manipulator has been successfully integrated onto Vega, facilitating deployments where handling is required. To assess the tolerance of Vega to the levels of ionizing radiation that may be found in decommissioning environments, its individual components were irradiated, allowing estimates to be made of the length of time Vega would be able to continue to operate in nuclear environments. Vega has been successfully deployed in an active environment at the Dounreay nuclear site in the UK, deployed in nonactive environments at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, and demonstrated to many other organizations in the UK nuclear industry including Sellafield Ltd, with the goal of moving to active deployments in the future.
Exploration of Novel Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Assembly Modulators by Integrated Molecular Simulations
Authors: Wang Chenchen , Zhai Na , Zhao Yilan , Wu Fengshou , Luo Xiaogang , Ju Xiulian , Liu Genyan , Liu Hui 
Published: November 2021

AbstractCapsid protein (Cp) plays an important role in the entire life cycle of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and is considered as a novel anti‐HBV target. A series of novel sulfamoylbenzamide (SBA) derivatives have been recently identified as HBV capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) with EC50 values at a low micromolar range. In this study, ligand‐ and receptor‐based molecular simulations were performed to understand the structure‐activity relationships (SARs) and the interaction mechanisms of these novel HBV CAMs. The constructed three‐dimensional quantitative SAR (3D‐QSAR) models exhibited good predictive abilities and well explained the SARs of these novel CAMs. Docking results suggested that HBV Cp TRP102 and THR128 might be key residues, which could form significant hydrogen bonds with these CAMs. Molecular dynamics (MD) results indicated that the most potent CAM could stably bind to the HBV Cp dimer or hexamer rather than the monomer, indicating that the inter‐dimer interface might be important for SBA CAMs to stably bind with HBV Cp. Furthermore, five novel hit compounds (N1‐5) as HBV CAMs were screened out by a comprehensive virtual screening. Compounds N1 and N2 were proved to bind well with the HBV Cp dimer and hexamer by MD simulations, and might have stronger interactions with the protein than the most potent SBA. These results might provide advantageous enlightenments for designing and developing novel HBV CAMs.
Amine Functionalized Silica Coated Cotton Fabric Supported Pd(0) Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Application for Suzuki Cross‐Coupling and Hydrogenations
Authors: Sharma Surbhi , Kaur Manpreet , Sharma Chandan , Sharma Shally , Paul Satya 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn this study, a simple and cost‐effective approach has been reported, wherein cotton fabric containing hydroxyl groups was utilized as a support material for the immobilization of Pd(0) nanoparticles. Cotton fabric was first modified with SiO2 to enhance the thermal stability followed by functionalization with ethylene diamine to chelate Pd nanoparticles. Sodium borohydride was used for the reduction of palladium ions to nano‐sized palladium. The developed cotton fabric based catalyst was successfully applied to Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction between bromoarenes and arylboronic acids in the presence of potassium carbonate as base and selective hydrogenation of C=C double bond in α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds as well as reduction of nitroarenes using molecular hydrogen as a green reductant. The structural investigation of the catalyst was done using FTIR, TGA, XRD, FEG‐SEM, ICP‐AES and XPS. The catalyst could be removed easily using lab tweezers and reused up to five reaction cycles.
Noble Metal (Pt, Rh, Pd, Ir) Doped Ru/CNT Ultra‐Small Alloy for Acidic Hydrogen Evolution at High Current Density
Authors: Zhang Dan , Wang Zuochao , Wu Xueke , Shi Yue , Nie Nanzhu , Zhao Huan , Miao Hongfu , Chen Xilei , Li Shaoxiang , Lai Jianping , Wang Lei 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThere are still great challenges to prepare high‐efficiency Ru‐based catalysts that are superior to Pt/C under acidic conditions, especially under high current conditions. In this work, a series of surfactant‐free noble metal doped Ru/CNT (M‐Ru/CNT, M = Pt, Rh, Pd, Ir, CNT stands for carbon nanotube) are prepared by microwave reduction method in 1 minute with ≈3–3.5 nm in size for the first time. In 0.5 m H2SO4, the overpotential of Pt‐Ru/CNT (Pt: 4.94 at %) is only 12 mV. What's more, it also has much larger electrochemical surface area and intrinsic activity than Pt/C. Pt‐Ru/CNT still has an ultra‐small overpotential under high current density (113 mV at 500 mA cm−2, 155 mV at 1000 mA cm−2). At the same time, it possesses excellent stability regardless of high current or low current after the durability test of 100 h. Theoretical calculation also deeply reveals that Ru is the main adsorption site of H+. The comparison of the electronic structure of a series of noble metals adjusted by Ru shows that Pt has the most excellent Gibbs free energy of the adsorbed hydrogen and promotes the desorption of the product.
Ultrafast Na Transport into Crystalline Sn via Dislocation‐Pipe Diffusion
Authors: Kim Jae‐Hwan , Lee Young‐Hwan , Park Jun‐Hyoung , Lee Byeong‐Joo , Byeon Young‐Woon , Lee Jae‐Chul 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe charging process of secondary batteries is always associated with a large volume expansion of the alloying anodes, which in many cases, develops high compressive residual stresses near the propagating interface. This phenomenon causes a significant reduction in the rate performance of the anodes and is detrimental to the development of fast‐charging batteries. However, for the Na‐Sn battery system, the residual stresses that develop near the interface are not stored, but are relieved by the generation of high‐density dislocations in crystalline Sn. Direct‐contact diffusion experiments show that these dislocations facilitate the preferential transport of Na and accelerate the Na diffusion into crystalline Sn at ultrafast rates via “dislocation‐pipe diffusion”. Advanced analyses are performed to observe the evolution of atomic‐scale structures while measuring the distribution and magnitude of residual stresses near the interface. In addition, multi‐scale simulations that combined classical molecular dynamics and first‐principles calculations are performed to explain the structural origins of the ultrafast diffusion rates observed in the Na‐Sn system. These findings not only address the knowledge gaps regarding the relationship between pipe diffusion and the diffusivity of carrier ions but also provide guidelines for the appropriate selection of anode materials for use in fast‐charging batteries.
Laser‐Assisted Fabrication of Injectable Nanofibrous Cell Carriers
Authors: Nakielski Paweł , Rinoldi Chiara , Pruchniewski Michał , Pawłowska Sylwia , Gazińska Małgorzata , Strojny Barbara , Rybak Daniel , Jezierska‐Woźniak Katarzyna , Urbanek Olga , Denis Piotr , Sinderewicz Emilia , Czelejewska Wioleta , Staszkiewicz‐Chodor Joanna , Grodzik Marta , Ziai Yasamin , Barczewska Monika , Maksymowicz Wojciech , Pierini Filippo 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe use of injectable biomaterials for cell delivery is a rapidly expanding field which may revolutionize the medical treatments by making them less invasive. However, creating desirable cell carriers poses significant challenges to the clinical implementation of cell‐based therapeutics. At the same time, no method has been developed to produce injectable microscaffolds (MSs) from electrospun materials. Here the fabrication of injectable electrospun nanofibers is reported on, which retain their fibrous structure to mimic the extracellular matrix. The laser‐assisted micro‐scaffold fabrication has produced tens of thousands of MSs in a short time. An efficient attachment of cells to the surface and their proliferation is observed, creating cell‐populated MSs. The cytocompatibility assays proved their biocompatibility, safety, and potential as cell carriers. Ex vivo results with the use of bone and cartilage tissues proved that NaOH hydrolyzed and chitosan functionalized MSs are compatible with living tissues and readily populated with cells. Injectability studies of MSs showed a high injectability rate, while at the same time, the force needed to eject the load is no higher than 25 N. In the future, the produced MSs may be studied more in‐depth as cell carriers in minimally invasive cell therapies and 3D bioprinting applications.
Magnetically Driven Tunable 3D Structured Fe3O4 Vertical Array for High‐Performance Solar Steam Generation
Authors: Zhang Xiangyi , Ren Lipei , Xu Jie , Shang Bin , Liu Xin , Xu Weilin 
Published: November 2021

AbstractStructural design of the solar‐absorbing layer has been considered as one of the most direct and effective approaches for improving the solar steam generation performance by maximizing the absorption of sunlight, but great challenges in manipulation simplification and structure controllability still remain. Herein, a polyester (PET) fabric covered with a vertically aligned 3D tower‐like ferrosoferric oxide (Fe3O4) array via a convenient magnetically driven spray‐coating method is reported, and both the spatial density and height of the Fe3O4 array are tunable upon spraying time. It shows an extremely high solar absorbance (98.6%) in the entire solar spectrum, which is superior to the corresponding 2D Fe3O4 structure (91.1%). Combining the obtained 3D Fe3O4/PET with a yolk‐shell hydrophobic/superhydrophilic modified melamine‐formaldehyde (mMF) sponge, the carefully designed and fabricated 3D Fe3O4/PET‐mMF evaporator can realize a high water evaporation rate of 1.59 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 kW m−2 solar illumination, outperforming most related solar steam generation systems. With the advantages of cost‐effectiveness, high evaporation rate, reliable endurance, and structural controllability, this 3D structural design provides an avenue to build up high‐performance solar energy‐driven water steam generation systems.
DNAzyme‐Functionalized Nanomaterials: Recent Preparation, Current Applications, and Future Challenges
Authors: Jouha Jabrane , Xiong Hai 
Published: November 2021

AbstractDNAzyme–nanomaterial bioconjugates are a popular hybrid and have received major attention for diverse biomedical applications, such as bioimaging, biosensor development, cancer therapy, and drug delivery. Therefore, significant efforts are made to develop different strategies for the preparation of inorganic and organic nanoparticles (NPs) with specific morphologies and properties. DNAzymes functionalized with metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), graphene oxide (GO), and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) are introduced and summarized in detail in this review. Moreover, the focus is on representative examples of applications of DNAzyme–nanomaterials over recent years, especially in bioimaging, biosensing, phototherapy, and stimulation response delivery in living systems, with their several advantages and drawbacks. Finally, the perspective regarding the future directions of research addressing these challenges is also discussed and highlighted.
Flexible Zinc–Air Battery with High Energy Efficiency and Freezing Tolerance Enabled by DMSO‐Based Organohydrogel Electrolyte
Authors: Jiang Dingqing , Wang Hongyang , Wu Shuang , Sun Xiaoyi , Li Juan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWith the emergence of various flexible electronics, the flexible zinc–air battery (ZAB) is considered a promising energy source with low cost, high energy density, and safety. However, gel electrolytes that improve the freezing tolerance and energy efficiency of ZABs are rarely explored. Herein, an organohydrogel electrolyte (OHE) is fabricated by soaking poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid)/polyacrylamide (PAMPS/PAAm) double‐network hydrogel in aqueous KOH electrolyte with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) additive. The prepared OHE exhibits high mechanical strength and excellent ionic conductivity. In addition, the introduction of DMSO effectively improves freezing tolerance and electrochemical performance especially in energy efficiency of ZABs due to that DMSO can break the hydrogen bonds between water molecules and alter the path of the conventional oxygen evolution reaction in ZAB simultaneously. Compared with the control hydrogel electrolyte, the optimized OHE enables flexible ZABs to not only exhibit an exceptionally low charge voltage of 1.63 V, high energy efficiency of 74.2%, and long cycling life of 177 cycles, but also to operate with an excellent specific capacity of 562 mAh g−1 and energy density of 523.4 Wh kg−1 at −40 °C. Moreover, the obtained flexible ZABs keep a stable output under deformations and extreme low temperature, manifesting a great potential for functional wearable devices.
Single-cell profiling of long noncoding RNAs and their cell lineage commitment roles via RNA-DNA-DNA triplex formation in mammary epithelium
Authors: Xu Haibo , Yang Xing , Huang Weiren , Ma Yujie , Ke Hao , Zou Li , Yang Qin , Jiao Baowei 
Published: November 2021

AbstractLong noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are crucial for organ development, exhibit cell-specific expression. Thus, transcriptomic analysis based on total tissue (bulk-seq) cannot accurately reflect the expression pattern of lncRNAs. Here, we used high-throughput single-cell RNA-seq data to investigate the role of lncRNAs using the hierarchical model of mammary epithelium. With our comprehensive annotation of the mammary epithelium, lncRNAs showed much greater cell-lineage specific expression than coding genes. The lineage-specific lncRNAs were functionally correlated with lineage commitment through the coding genes via the cis- and trans-effects of lncRNAs. For the working mechanism, lncRNAs formed a triplex structure with the DNA helix to regulate downstream lineage-specific marker genes. We used lncRNA-Carmn as an example to validate the above findings. Carmn, which is specifically expressed in mammary gland stem cells (MaSCs) and basal cells, positively regulated the Wnt signaling ligand Wnt10a through formation of a lncRNA-DNA-DNA triplex, and thus controlled the stemness of MaSCs. Our study suggests that lncRNAs play essential roles in cell-lineage commitment and provides an approach to decipher lncRNA functions based on single-cell RNA-seq data.Significance statement By coupling multiple database originated gene annotation files and the bulk-seq assembled transcriptome, researchers could use the high throughput scRNA-seq technology, for example, Drop-seq, 10X Genomic scRNA-seq, to understand the temporal- and cell type- specific of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), concurrently include numerous previously unannotated lncRNAs, in the mammary gland epithelium. The expression specificity of lncRNAs can be used to demarcate subpopulations of mammary epithelium. By systematically integrated analysis the expression correlation of lncRNA-mRNA and the lncRNA-DNA-DNA triplex formation potency, it shows lineage-specific lncRNAs can regulate lineage commitment through formation of a lncRNA-DNA-DNA triplex, pervasively, and thus control the stemness of mammary gland stem cells. The present study provides an approach to decipher lncRNA functions by incorporating scRNA-seq with bulk-seq data.
On the road again: Establishment and maintenance of stemness in the neural crest from embryo to adulthood
Authors: Perera Surangi N. , Kerosuo Laura 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Unique to vertebrates, the neural crest (NC) is an embryonic stem cell population that contributes to a greatly expanding list of derivatives ranging from neurons and glia of the peripheral nervous system, facial cartilage and bone, pigment cells of the skin to secretory cells of the endocrine system. Here, we focus on what is specifically known about establishment and maintenance of NC stemness and ultimate fate commitment mechanisms, which could help explain its exceptionally high stem cell potential that exceeds the “rules set during gastrulation.” In fact, recent discoveries have shed light on the existence of NC cells that coexpress commonly accepted pluripotency factors like Nanog, Oct4/PouV, and Klf4. The coexpression of pluripotency factors together with the exceptional array of diverse NC derivatives encouraged us to propose a new term “pleistopotent” (Greek for abundant, a substantial amount) to be used to reflect the uniqueness of the NC as compared to other post-gastrulation stem cell populations in the vertebrate body, and to differentiate them from multipotent lineage restricted stem cells. We also discuss studies related to the maintenance of NC stemness within the challenging context of being a transient and thus a constantly changing population of stem cells without a permanent niche. The discovery of the stem cell potential of Schwann cell precursors as well as multiple adult NC-derived stem cell reservoirs during the past decade has greatly increased our understanding of how NC cells contribute to tissues formed after its initial migration stage in young embryos.
Fibulin 5, a human Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells-secreted paracrine factor, attenuates peripheral nervous system myelination defects through the Integrin-RAC1 signaling axis
Authors: Won So Yeon , Kwon Soojin , Jeong Hui Su , Chung Ki Wha , Choi Byung-Ok , Chang Jong Wook , Lee Ji Eun 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
In the peripheral nervous system (PNS), proper development of Schwann cells (SCs) contributing to axonal myelination is critical for neuronal function. Impairments of SCs or neuronal axons give rise to several myelin-related disorders, including dysmyelinating and demyelinating diseases. Pathological mechanisms, however, have been understood at the elementary level and targeted therapeutics has remained undeveloped. Here, we identify Fibulin 5 (FBLN5), an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, as a key paracrine factor of human Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) to control the development of SCs. We show that co-culture with WJ-MSCs or treatment of recombinant FBLN5 promotes the proliferation of SCs through ERK activation, whereas FBLN5-depleted WJ-MSCs do not. We further reveal that during myelination of SCs, FBLN5 binds to Integrin and modulates actin remodeling, such as the formation of lamellipodia and filopodia, through RAC1 activity. Finally, we show that FBLN5 effectively restores the myelination defects of SCs in the zebrafish model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) type 1, a representative demyelinating disease. Overall, our data propose human WJ-MSCs or FBLN5 protein as a potential treatment for myelin-related diseases, including CMT.
Reprogramming progressive cells display low CAG promoter activity
Authors: Hu Xiao , Wu Qiao , Zhang Jian , Kim Jonghun , Chen Xinyue , Hartman Amaleah A. , Eastman Anna E. , Park In-Hyun , Guo Shangqin 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
There is wide variability in the propensity of somatic cells to reprogram into pluripotency in response to the Yamanaka factors. How to segregate these variabilities to enrich for cells of specific traits that reprogram efficiently remains challenging. Here we report that the variability in reprogramming propensity is associated with the activity of the MKL1/SRF transcription factor and concurs with small cell size as well as rapid cell cycle. Reprogramming progressive cells can be prospectively identified by their low activity of a widely used synthetic promoter, CAG. CAGlow cells arise and expand during cell cycle acceleration in the early reprogramming culture of both mouse and human fibroblasts. Our work illustrates a molecular scenario underlying the distinct reprogramming propensities and demonstrates a convenient practical approach for their enrichment.
Adipose stem cell secretome markedly improves rodent heart and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte recovery from cardioplegic transport solution exposure
Authors: Ellis Bradley W. , Traktuev Dmitry O. , Merfeld-Clauss Stephanie , Can Uryan Isik , Wang Meijing , Bergeron Ray , Zorlutuna Pinar , March Keith L. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractHeart transplantation is a life-saving therapy for end-stage organ failure. Organ deterioration during transportation limits storage to 4 hours, limiting hearts available. Approaches ameliorating organ damage could increase the number of hearts acceptable for transplantation. Prior studies show that adipose-derived stem/stromal cell secretome (ASC-S) rescues tissues from postischemic damage in vivo. This study tested whether ASC-S preserved the function of mouse hearts and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iCM) exposed to organ transportation and transplantation conditions. Hearts were subjected to cold University of Wisconsin (UW) cardioplegic solution ± ASC-S for 6 hours followed by analysis using the Langendorff technique. In parallel, the effects of ASC-S on the recovery of iCM from UW solution were examined when provided either during or after cold cardioplegia. Exposure of hearts and iCM to UW deteriorated contractile activity and caused cell apoptosis, worsening in iCM as a function of exposure time; these were ameliorated by augmenting with ASC-S. Silencing of superoxide dismutase 3 and catalase expression prior to secretome generation compromised the ASC-S cardiomyocyte-protective effects. In this study, a novel in vitro iCM model was developed to complement a rodent heart model in assessing efficacy of approaches to improve cardiac preservation. ASC-S displays strong cardioprotective activity on iCM either with or following cold cardioplegia. This effect is associated with ASC-S-mediated cellular clearance of reactive oxygen species. The effect of ASC-S on the temporal recovery of iCM function supports the possibility of lengthening heart storage by augmenting cardioplegic transport solution with ASC-S, expanding the pool of hearts for transplantation.