bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Overview of Cellulose‐Based Nanogenerators
Authors: Annamalai Pratheep K. , Nanjundan Ashok Kumar , Dubal Deepak P. , Baek Jong‐Beom 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDeveloping nanogenerators (NGs) is achieved by exploiting the piezoelectric, triboelectric, and pyroelectric effects of both organic and inorganic materials. Many exhibit beneficial electrical properties (dielectric, conductive, or insulating) or have surfaces that are polarizable upon friction or physical contact. Recently, biomass‐derived materials and recycled materials, whose electrical activity can be induced, are explored for application in the design of more sustainable, cost‐effective, biodegradable, disposable NGs, and have demonstrated a wide range of output (microenergy) power densities. Among them, cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer, is found to offer excellent opportunities for designing and manufacturing NGs with multifunctional capacities. Cellulose can be derived into varied forms with multifunctionalities and physical morphologies. This account provides an overview of how cellulose is utilized in creating NGs based on piezoelectric, triboelectric, and pyroelectric effects. Because the mechanical properties of cellulose are tunable, current research trends on NGs originate with the triboelectric effect. The discussion here focuses on design, fabrication methods, achievable electrical power output, and combinations with other materials and devices. Challenges in efficient fabrication and consistent power densities, and opportunities for integrating different technologies and developing more sustainable (in terms of economic, environmental, and ecological) nature–human–machine interfacial devices are also discussed.
Hairpin‐Spacer crRNA‐Enhanced CRISPR/Cas13a System Promotes the Specificity of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Identification
Authors: Ke Yuqing , Huang Shiyi , Ghalandari Behafarid , Li Sijie , Warden Antony R. , Dang Jingqi , Kang Lin , Zhang Yu , Wang Yunqing , Sun Yiqing , Wang Jinglin , Cui Daxiang , Zhi Xiao , Ding Xianting 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe Cas13a system has great potential in RNA interference and molecular diagnostic fields. However, lacking guidelines for crRNA design hinders practical applications of the Cas13a system in RNA editing and single nucleotide polymorphism identification. This study posits that crRNAs with hairpin spacers improve the specificity of CRISPR/Cas13a system (termed hs‐CRISPR). Gibbs free energy analysis suggests that the hairpin‐spacer crRNAs (hs‐crRNAs) suppress Cas13a's affinity to off‐target RNA. A hepatitis B virus DNA genotyping platform is established to further validate the high‐specificity of hs‐CRISPR/Cas13a system. Compared to ordinary crRNA, hs‐crRNAs increase the specificity by threefold without sacrificing the sensitivity of the CRISPR/Cas13a system. Furthermore, the mechanism of the Cas13a/hs‐crRNA/target RNA composition is elucidated with theoretical simulations. This work builds on the fundamental understanding of Cas13a activation and offers significant improvements for the rational design of crRNA for the CRISPR/Cas13a system.
Metallic Co Nanoarray Catalyzes Selective NH3 Production from Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction at Current Densities Exceeding 2 A cm−2
Authors: Deng Xiaohui , Yang Yongpeng , Wang Lei , Fu Xian‐Zhu , Luo Jing‐Li 
Published: February 2021

AbstractElectrochemical nitrate reduction (NITRR) offers a promising alternative toward nitrogen recycling and ammonia production under ambient conditions, for which highly active and selective electrocatalyst is desired. In this study, metallic cobalt nanoarrays as facilely prepared from the electrochemical reduction of Co(OH)2 nanoarrays (NAs) are demonstrated to exhibit unprecedented NH3 producing capability from catalyzing NITRR. Benefitting from the high intrinsic activity of Co0, intimate contact between active species and conductive substrate and the nanostructure which exposes large number of active sites, the Co‐NAs electrode exhibits current density of −2.2 A cm−2 and NH3 production rate of 10.4 mmol h−1 cm−2 at −0.24 V versus RHE under alkaline condition and significantly surpasses reported counterparts. Moreover, the close‐to‐unity (≥96%) Faradaic efficiency (FE) toward NH3 is achieved over wide application range (potential, NO3− concentration and pH). Density function theory calculation reveals the optimized adsorption energy of NITRR intermediates on Co surface over Co(OH)2. Furthermore, it is proposed that despite the sluggish kinetics of Volmer step (H2O → *H + *OH) which provides protons in conventional hydrogenation mechanism, the proton‐supplying water dissociation process on Co surface is drastically facilitated following a concerted water dissociation–hydrogenation pathway.
Co–Fe–Cr (oxy)Hydroxides as Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction Catalysts
Authors: Chen Junsheng , Li Hao , Chen Shuangming , Fei Jingyuan , Liu Chang , Yu Zixun , Shin Kihyun , Liu Zongwen , Song Li , Henkelman Graeme , Wei Li , Chen Yuan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTransition metal cobalt (oxy)hydroxides are promising catalyst candidates for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Their activity can be significantly enhanced by doping chromium; however, the optimal catalyst elemental composition is unknown, and the exact role of Cr remains elusive. Here, density functional theory (DFT) calculations and comprehensive catalyst characterization are combined to address these two questions. Guided by DFT calculations, a series of amorphous ternary Co‐iron(Fe)‐Cr (oxy)hydroxides with systematically tuned elemental compositions are synthesized. Performance atlases of these catalysts are established based on different experimental descriptors, which show that the optimal Co5Fe3Cr2 (oxy)hydroxide reaches a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 232 mV. It delivers a Co‐based mass activity of 1486 A g−1 and a high turnover frequency of 0.23 s−1, over two orders higher than monometallic Co (oxy)hydroxide. X‐ray absorption and photoelectron spectroscopies reveal that Cr promotes Co atoms to occupy octahedral sites and modifies the Co electronic structure. Quasi‐operando electron energy loss spectroscopy further experimentally confirm that Cr accelerates the pre‐oxidation of Co2+ to higher valence species, resulting in significantly higher catalytic activity. The findings here pave the way to use Co–Fe–Cr (oxy)hydroxides as an efficient OER catalyst.
Metallic MoS2 Nanoflowers Decorated Graphene Nanosheet Catalytically Boosts the Volumetric Capacity and Cycle Life of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Cheng Zhibin , Chen Yilong , Yang Yisi , Zhang Linjie , Pan Hui , Fan Xi , Xiang Shengchang , Zhang Zhangjing 
Published: February 2021

AbstractHigh sulfur loading is the key to achieve high energy density promised by Li–S batteries. However, serious problems such as poor rate performance and cycle stability are exposed during the scaling up of the sulfur loading. Systematic modification of both the cathode and separator has the potential to address these issues by enhancing the adsorption and catalytic conversion of polysulfides. Herein, sulfur‐deficient metallic 1T‐MoS2 nanoflowers decorated graphene (FM@G) is proposed to be systematically modified on both cathode and separator. The as‐developed cell exhibits superior cyclability with a capacity retention of 71.7% over 500 cycles. Importantly, steady cyclability and high volumetric capacity of 1360 mAh cm−3 with a high sulfur loading of 5.1 mg cm−2 are also attained even at high current density of 4.27 mA cm−2. The electrochemical performance is comparable to or even superior to the state‐of‐the‐art carbon‐based sulfur batteries. This work provides valuable guidance for the implementation of high‐energy‐density Li–S batteries furnished with high sulfur loading.
Reviving Anode Protection Layer in Na‐O2 Batteries: Failure Mechanism and Resolving Strategy
Authors: Lin Xiaoting , Sun Yipeng , Sun Qian , Luo Jing , Zhao Yang , Zhao Changtai , Yang Xiaofei , Wang Changhong , Huo Hanyu , Li Ruying , Sun Xueliang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractNa‐O2 batteries are attractive for energy storage due to their high theoretical energy density. In order to alleviate Na dendrite formation, artificial protective coatings have been widely investigated in Na‐metal batteries (NMBs). Although it can be intuitive to expect transferable Na protection methodologies from NMBs to Na‐O2 batteries, the performance of anode protection coatings in Na‐O2 batteries remains obscure, because Na‐O2 batteries undergo a unique reaction mechanism involving superoxide. Here, the effect of superoxide crossover on the polymeric Na protection layer in Na‐O2 batteries is revealed, and an effective strategy to eliminate the implications of a superoxide‐sensitive protecting layer is proposed. Using polymeric alucone protected Na anode as an example, the alucone layer actually decomposes under superoxide attack and is incapable of facilitating long‐term cycling of Na‐O2 batteries in sharp contrast to its stable performance in NMBs. By blocking superoxide crossover with solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs), significantly improved Na‐O2 cell performance is demonstrated, recovering the Na dendrite suppressing effect of the alucone film. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of SSE and alucone layer, Na‐O2 batteries can achieve a long life of 325 cycles at 0.2 mA cm−2. This work indicates that the stability of the Na protection layer against superoxide should be taken into serious consideration.
Probing the Energy Storage Mechanism of Quasi‐Metallic Na in Hard Carbon for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Zhaohua , Feng Xin , Bai Ying , Yang Haoyi , Dong Ruiqi , Wang Xinran , Xu Huajie , Wang Qiyu , Li Hong , Gao Hongcai , Wu Chuan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractHard carbon (HC) is the most promising anode material for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), nevertheless, the understanding of sodium storage mechanism in HC is very limited. As an important aspect of storage mechanism, the steady state of sodium stored in HC has not been revealed clearly to date. Herein, the formation mechanism of quasi‐metallic sodium and the quasi‐ionic bond between sodium and carbon within the electrochemical reaction on the basis of theoretical calculations are disclosed. The presence of quasi‐metallic sodium is further confirmed with the assistance of a specific reaction between the sodiated HC electrode and ethanol, by analyzing the reaction products with Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Moreover, based on the specific chemical reaction, the composition of fully sodiated HC is estimated to be NaC6.7, and the corresponding capacity of sucrose‐derived HC is calculated to be 333.4 mAh g−1 in SIBs, matching well with the experimental result. This work helps to reveal the steady state of sodium and improve the understanding of sodium storage behavior in HC from the aspect of charge transfer. In addition, the proposed method is also expected to pave the way to investigate sodium storage mechanisms in other electrode systems.
The morphology evolution of polyethylene produced in the presence of a Ziegler‐type catalyst anchored on the surface of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Zdanovich Aleksandr A. , Moseenkov Sergey I. , Ishchenko Arcady V. , Kuznetsov Vladimir L. , Matsko Mikhail A. , Zakharov Vladimir A. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractData are presented on the evolution of the morphology of polyethylene (PE) formed via in situ polymerization with different polymer yield over a Ziegler‐type titanium‐magnesium catalyst anchored on the CNT surface. Individual polymer microparticles are formed on the CNT surface at the initial polymerization stage (the yield of 2.5–10 g PE/g CNT) with the formation of PE/CNT composites having a shish‐kebab structure. As the polymer yield increases above 10 g PE per g CNT, the size of microparticles increases and the CNT surface gets totally covered with the polymer. We have found also a great effect produced by the morphology of initial CNT particle aggregates of individual nanotubes on the morphology of macroparticles in PE/CNT composites and the uniformity of CNTs distribution in PE/CNT composites. In the case of CNT samples with a loose structure of macroparticles (aggregates of entangled nanotubes), it is possible to obtain a homogeneous distribution of nanotubes in the polymer matrix of composites and increase the electrical conductivity of composites by 1–8 orders of magnitude by varying the CNT content in the composites from 0.9 to 2.8 wt%.
Do some viruses use growth hormone, prolactin and their receptors to facilitate entry into cells?
Authors: Wallis Michael 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe molecular evolution of pituitary growth hormone and prolactin in mammals shows two unusual features: episodes of markedly accelerated evolution and, in some species, complex families of related proteins expressed in placenta and resulting from multiple gene duplications. Explanations of these phenomena in terms of physiological adaptations seem unconvincing. Here, I propose an alternative explanation, namely that these evolutionary features reflect the use of the hormones (and their receptors) as viral receptors. Episodes of rapid evolution can then be explained as due to “arms races” in which changes in the hormone lead to reduced interaction with the virus, and subsequent changes in the virus counteract this. Placental paralogues of the hormones could provide decoys that bind viruses, and protect the foetus against infection. The hypothesis implies that the extensive changes introduced into growth hormone, prolactin and their receptors during the course of mammalian evolution reflect viral interactions, not endocrine adaptations.
Sex‐specific in‐hospital outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement with third generation transcatheter heart valves
Authors: Simard Trevor , Alqahtani Fahad , Hibbert Benjamin , Mamas Mamas A. , El‐Hajj Stephanie , Harris Alyssa H. , Hohmann Samuel F. , Alkhouli Mohamad 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundSex‐based differences in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) outcomes have been previously documented. However, whether these differences persist with contemporary third generation transcatheter heart valves (THVs) is unknown.MethodsWe utilized Vizient's clinical database/resource manager (CDB/RM™) to identify patients who underwent TAVR between January 1, 2018 and March 31, 2020 to compare in‐hospital outcomes between males and females. The primary endpoint was in‐hospital mortality. Secondary endpoints included key in‐hospital complications, length of stay, discharge disposition, and cost. Unadjusted, propensity‐score matched and risk‐adjusted analyses of outcomes were performed.ResultsDuring the study period, 44,280 patients (24,842 males, 19,438 females) underwent TAVR. The primary endpoint of in‐hospital mortality was higher in females than in males (1.6 vs. 1.1% p < .001) in unadjusted analysis and persisted following propensity matching (1.6 vs. 0.9%, p < .001) and multivariable logistic regression with various risk‐adjustment models. In the most comprehensive model adjusting for age, race, and clinical comorbidities, female sex was associated with 34% greater odds of in‐hospital death (95% CI 20–50%, p < .001). Unadjusted and risk‐adjusted rates of post‐TAVR stroke, vascular complication, and blood transfusion were higher in females. Moreover, females demonstrated longer hospitalizations, higher costs and reduced rates of independent discharge home.ConclusionSex‐based differences in TAVR in‐hospital outcomes persist in contemporary practice with third generation transcatheter heart valves. Further research is needed to assess the reasons for these observed disparities and to identify effective mitigation strategies.
Ausgleich der Volatilität der Erneuerbaren Energien mittels Wärmespeichern auf Salzbasis
Authors: Maaß Hans‐Jürgen , Möckel Hans‐Otto 
Published: February 2021

AbstractZum Ausgleich der Volatilität der Erneuerbaren Energien mit Schwerpunkt auf der Solarenergie sind Lösungen jenseits fossiler Reservekraftwerke erforderlich. Ein Ansatz sind Wärmespeicher auf Salzbasis mit Phasenwechselmaterialien (phase change materials, PCM). Um dafür Wirtschaftlichkeit zu erreichen, bedarf es ambitionierter Zielstellungen. Es wird ein System von Speichern (sensibel und latent) für den Temperaturbereich um 400 °C basierend auf Salzen und Thermoölen mit hohem Entwicklungspotenzial vorgestellt.
Internal cathodic protection to study the erosion‐corrosion of AISI 1018 carbon steel
Authors: McChesney Kasia , Trask Michael , Penner Dakota , Evitts Richard , Kennell Glyn , Oguocha Ikechukwuka , Odeshi Akindele 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSteel elbows used in pipelines carrying potash slurry may undergo material loss due to mechanical erosion and/or electrochemical corrosion. Cathodic protection was used to study the effects of flow velocity and slurry concentration on the protection current density required to maintain AISI 1018 carbon steel elbows at a set electric potential. A flow loop with a peristaltic pump was used to pump a slurry consisting of silica sand in a saturated potash brine through the steel elbows. The protection current density measurements were performed under varying slurry flow velocities of 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 m/s and varying slurry concentrations ranging from 0‐35 wt%. The results show maximum values of protection current density were required for mid‐range slurry concentrations. It is concluded that, within the parameters of study, high flow velocities require higher protection current density than low flow velocities. Furthermore, high flow velocities result in a local maximum protection current density being reached at lower slurry concentrations; conversely, a local maximum protection current density is reached at higher slurry concentrations in lower flow velocities. The contrast in local maximum protection current densities likely occurs due to additional particle‐particle collisions at higher velocities causing the maximum mass transfer rate of oxygen to be reached at lower slurry concentrations. SEM micrographs show that wear becomes more evenly distributed with increasing flow velocity due to the homogeneous distribution of particles in the flowing medium.
Regulating Circularly Polarized Luminescence of Axially Chiral Anthracene Derivatives through Solvatochromism and Supramolecular Self‐assembly
Authors: Zheng Shuyuan , Jin Xue , Zhou Jin , Duan Pengfei , Ye Qiang , Han Jianlei 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTwo axially chiral fluorophores derived from anthracene were designed and synthesized, and the chiroptical behaviour were thoroughly investigated including solvent‐dependent emission and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). Interestingly, unexpected supramolecular self‐assembly of the chiral molecules driven by strong π−π interaction can enable significant hypsochromic shift and fluorescence intensity enhancement. Meanwhile, the luminescence dissymmetry factor of CPL activity exhibited significant enhancement through self‐assembly process. This work provides a novel approach to achieve the supramolecular CPL materials possessing both high luminescence quantum efficiency and high circular polarization.
Differential survival of alfalfa varieties interseeded into corn silage
Authors: Grabber John H. , Osterholz William R. , Riday Heathcliffe , Cassida Kimberly A. , Williamson Jessica A. , Renz Mark J. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractInterseeding alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) into silage corn (Zea mays L.) can improve forage yield, farm profitability, and soil conservation, but unreliable alfalfa establishment hampers on‐farm adoption. This study evaluated seedling survival and growth of 36 alfalfa varieties differing in reported plant traits when interseeded at two Wisconsin sites in 2015 and at single sites in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania in 2016. Subplots of alfalfa varieties were sprayed with prohexadione‐calcium (PHD) at 0 or 0.42 kg acid equivalent (a.e.) ha–1 to assess changes in seedling survival mediated by this growth retardant. After corn harvest in 2015, average stand density of varieties in Wisconsin ranged from 15 to 94 plants m–2 without PHD and from 52 to 199 plants m–2 with PHD. Stand density largely determined subsequent first‐cut alfalfa dry matter yield, which ranged from 1.1 to 6.3 Mg ha–1. After corn harvest in 2016, stand density of varieties averaged across PHD treatments ranged from 113 to 248 plants m–2 in Michigan and Pennsylvania, compared with only 0.5 to 26 plants m–2 in Wisconsin; PHD treatment improved stand density only in Wisconsin but could not ensure adequate establishment under wet conditions that favored vigorous corn growth and foliar disease on alfalfa. Overall, establishment was poorly related to measured or reported alfalfa traits, but ‘55H94’ and hybrids were consistently among the best performing cultivars. Further work is needed to understand seedling survival mechanisms and to develop improved germplasm and production practices to ensure reliable establishment of interseeded alfalfa.
Patient‐derived organoids of bladder cancer recapitulate antigen expression profiles and serve as a personal evaluation model for CAR‐T cells in vitro
Authors: Yu Lei , Li Zhichao , Mei Hongbin , Li Wujiao , Chen Dong , Liu Lisa , Zhang Zhongfu , Sun Yangyang , Song Fei , Chen Wei , Huang Weiren 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectivesRecent advances in patient‐derived cancer organoids have opened a new avenue for personalised medicine. We aimed to establish an in vitro technological platform to evaluate chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)‐T cell‐mediated cytotoxicity against bladder cancer.MethodsPatient‐derived bladder cancer organoids (BCOs) were derived using classic medium containing R‐spondin 1 and noggin. The features of BCOs were characterised via H&E, whole‐exome sequencing and immunofluorescence of specific markers. Surface antigen expression profiles of the recently identified CAR‐recognisable targets were determined with a panel of antibodies via immunohistochemistry. A co‐cultivation system consisting of BCOs and engineered T cells targeting a specific antigen was utilised to test its efficacy to model immunotherapy by cytotoxic assays and ELISA.ResultsBladder cancer organoid lines of basal and luminal subtypes were established. The histopathological morphology, genomic alteration, and specific marker expression profiles showed that the BCO lines retained the characteristics of the original tumors. Among all tested CAR‐recognisable antigens in other solid tumors, MUC1 was simultaneously expressed in organoids and parental tumor tissues. Given the surface antigen profiles, second‐generation CAR‐T cells targeting MUC1 were prepared for modelling in vitro immunotherapy responses in BCOs. Specific immune cytotoxicity occurred only in the MUC1+ organoids but not in the MUC1‐ organoids or control CAR‐T cells.ConclusionPatient‐derived BCOs recapitulate the heterogeneity and key features of parental cancer tissues, and these BCOs could be useful for preclinical testing of CAR‐T cells in vitro.