bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photonic NO2 Gas Sensing with Binaphthyl‐Based Dopants
Authors: Spengler Matthias , Pschyklenk Lukas , Niemeyer Jochen , Kaul Peter , Giese Michael 
Published: January 2021

AbstractA series of reactive binaphthyl‐diimine‐based dopants is prepared and investigated with respect to their potential for the chiral induction of structural coloration in nematic liquid crystal mixture E7 and the selective photonic sensing of nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Studies of the helical twisting power (HTP) in 4‐cyano‐4′‐pentylbiphenyl (5CB) reveal HTP values as high as 375 µm‐1 and the tremendous impact of structural compatibility and changes of the dihedral binaphthyl angle on the efficiency of the chiral transfer. Detailed investigation of the sensing capabilities of the systems reveals an extraordinarily high selectivity for NO2 and a response to concentrations as low as 100 ppm. The systems show a direct response to the analyte gas leading to a concentration‐dependent shift of the reflectance wavelength of up to several hundred nanometers. Incorporation of copper ions remarkably improves the sensor's properties in terms of sensitivity and selectivity, enabling the tailored tweaking of the system's properties.
Printing High‐Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells in High‐Humidity Ambient Environment—An In Situ Guided Investigation
Authors: Fong Patrick Wai‐Keung , Hu Hanlin , Ren Zhiwei , Liu Kuan , Cui Li , Bi Tao , Liang Qiong , Wu Zehan , Hao Jianhua , Li Gang 
Published: January 2021

AbstractExtensive studies are conducted on perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with significant performance advances (mainly spin coating techniques), which have encouraged recent efforts on scalable coating techniques for the manufacture of PSCs. However, devices fabricated by blade coating techniques are inferior to state‐of‐the‐art spin‐coated devices because the power conversion efficiency (PCE) is highly dependent on the morphology and crystallization kinetics in the controlled environment and the delicate solvent system engineering. In this study, based on the widely studied perovskite solution system dimethylformamide–dimethyl sulfoxide, air‐knife‐assisted ambient fabrication of PSCs at a high relative humidity of 55 ± 5% is reported. In‐depth time‐resolved UV–vis spectrometry is carried out to investigate the impact of solvent removal and crystallization rate, which are critical factors influencing the crystallization kinetics and morphology because of adventitious moisture. UV–vis spectrometry enables accurate determination of the thickness of the wet precursor film. Anti‐solvent‐free, high‐humidity ambient coatings of hysteresis‐free PSCs with PCEs of 21.1% and 18.0% are demonstrated for 0.06 and 1 cm2 devices, respectively. These PSCs exhibit comparable stability to those fabricated in a glovebox, thus demonstrating their high potential.
Fabrication of Stretchable and Transparent Core–Shell Polymeric Nanofibers Using Coaxial Electrospinning and Their Application to Phototransistors
Authors: Lee Moo Yeol , Oh Youngseok , Hong Jayeon , Lee Sang Jin , Seong Dong Gi , Um Moon‐Kwang , Oh Joon Hak 
Published: January 2021

Abstract1D semiconducting nanomaterials are promising candidates for wearable electronic devices, in which variability of form (i.e., flexibility and stretchability) is a crucial factor for achieving stable operation during a user's physical activity. Although many stretchable 1D electronic materials have been suggested, they mainly rely on structural engineering, rather than the intrinsic stretchability of the materials, and hence suffer from electrical instability under mechanical deformation. In this work, stretchable core–shell polymeric nanofibers (NFs) are fabricated using coaxial electrospinning. The stretchable core–shell NFs, which consist of a stretchable core and a semiconducting shell, provide both mechanical robustness and superior electrical properties under external strain. The stretchable core–shell NF‐based transistors show high operational stability at up to 30% mechanical strain. Furthermore, fully stretchable organic field‐effect transistors fabricated using core–shell NFs and stretchable conductors exhibit stable operation and high optical transparency (71% of transmittance at a wavelength of 550 nm). The core–shell NFs also exhibit excellent optoelectronic properties, including a maximum light responsivity (R) of 84.2 A W−1 and an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 178.6%, under illumination at a wavelength of 585 nm. The results demonstrate a viable approach to fabricating wearable electronic devices using stretchable core–shell polymeric NFs.
Revealing the Role of Fluoride‐Rich Battery Electrode Interphases by Operando Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Gong Chen , Pu Shengda D. , Gao Xiangwen , Yang Sixie , Liu Junliang , Ning Ziyang , Rees Gregory J. , Capone Isaac , Pi Liquan , Liu Boyang , Hartley Gareth O. , Fawdon Jack , Luo Jun , Pasta Mauro , Grovenor Chris R. M. , Bruce Peter G. , Robertson Alex W. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), a complex layer that forms over the surface of electrodes exposed to battery electrolyte, has a central influence on the structural evolution of the electrode during battery operation. For lithium metallic anodes, tailoring this SEI is regarded as one of the most effective avenues for ensuring consistent cycling behavior, and thus practical efficiencies. While fluoride‐rich interphases in particular seem beneficial, how they alter the structural dynamics of lithium plating and stripping to promote efficiency remains only partly understood. Here, operando liquid‐cell transmission electron microscopy is used to investigate the nanoscale structural evolution of lithium electrodeposition and dissolution at the electrode surface across fluoride‐poor and fluoride‐rich interphases. The in situ imaging of lithium cycling reveals that a fluoride‐rich SEI yields a denser Li structure that is particularly amenable to uniform stripping, thus suppressing lithium detachment and isolation. By combination with quantitative composition analysis via mass spectrometry, it is identified that the fluoride‐rich SEI suppresses overall lithium loss through drastically reducing the quantity of dead Li formation and preventing electrolyte decomposition. These findings highlight the importance of appropriately tailoring the SEI for facilitating consistent and uniform lithium dissolution, and its potent role in governing the plated lithium's structure.
Polymers in Lithium‐Ion and Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Li Junheng , Cai Yifeng , Wu Haomin , Yu Zhiao , Yan Xuzhou , Zhang Qiuhong , Gao Theodore Z. , Liu Kai , Jia Xudong , Bao Zhenan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractLithium‐ion batteries play a significant role in modern electronics and electric vehicles. However, current Li‐ion battery chemistries are unable to satisfy the increasingly heightened expectations regarding energy demand and reliability. To boost the overall energy density while ensuring the safety of Li batteries, researchers have focused on alternative battery materials, such as silicon, sulfur, and Li metal. These represent promising avenues, although numerous obstacles (e.g., Si cracking, polysulfide shuttling, Li dendrites, etc.) must be tackled before batteries based on these materials can enter mass production and penetrate the mainstream market. Polymers are a class of materials that are widely used in current battery systems; however, many novel polymer chemistries may offer better performance and reliability than the current ones, and even overcome the issues of the above‐mentioned new battery materials. In this review, selected polymeric materials for solving these issues are categorized into four parts: polymer electrolytes, polymer artificial solid‐electrolyte interphases, binders, and separators. Both the current progress and the characterization methods are included. Potential future directions of energy materials research are pointed out as well.
20.8% Slot‐Die Coated MAPbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells by Optimal DMSO‐Content and Age of 2‐ME Based Precursor Inks
Authors: Li Jinzhao , Dagar Janardan , Shargaieva Oleksandra , Flatken Marion A. , Köbler Hans , Fenske Markus , Schultz Christof , Stegemann Bert , Just Justus , Többens Daniel M. , Abate Antonio , Munir Rahim , Unger Eva 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSolar cells incorporating metal‐halide perovskite (MHP) semiconductors are continuing to break efficiency records for solution‐processed solar cell devices. Scaling MHP‐based devices to larger area prototypes requires the development and optimization of scalable process technology and ink formulations that enable reproducible coating results. It is demonstrated that the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of small‐area methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) devices, slot‐die coated from a 2‐methoxy‐ethanol (2‐ME) based ink with dimethyl‐sulfoxide (DMSO) used as an additive depends on the amount of DMSO and age of the ink formulation. When adding 12 mol% of DMSO, small‐area devices of high performance (20.8%) are achieved. The effect of DMSO content and age on the thin film morphology and device performance through in situ X‐ray diffraction and small‐angle X‐ray scattering experiments is rationalized. Adding a limited amount of DMSO prevents the formation of a crystalline intermediate phase related to MAPbI3 and 2‐ME (MAPbI3‐2‐ME) and induces the formation of the MAPbI3 perovskite phase. Higher DMSO content leads to the precipitation of the (DMSO)2MA2Pb3I8 intermediate phase that negatively affects the thin‐film morphology. These results demonstrate that rational insights into the ink composition and process control are critical to enable reproducible large‐scale manufacturing of MHP‐based devices for commercial applications.
Black hole in asymmetric cosmological bounce
Authors: Pérez Daniela , Perez Bergliaffa Santiago E. , Romero Gustavo E. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe determine the causal structure of the McVittie spacetime for a cosmological model with an asymmetric bounce. The analysis includes the computation of trapping horizons; regular, trapped, and antitrapped regions; and the integration of the trajectories of radial null geodesics before, during, and after the bounce. We find a trapped region since the beginning of the contracting phase up to shortly before the bounce, thus showing the existence of a black hole. When the universe reaches a certain minimum scale in the contracting phase, the trapping horizons disappear, and the central singularity becomes naked. These results suggest that neither a contracting nor an expanding universe can accommodate a black hole at all times.
Ecological hazard assessment via species sensitivity distributions: The non‐exchangeability issue
Authors: Migliorati Sonia , Monti Gianna Serafina , Vighi Marco 
Published: January 2021

AbstractProbabilistic approaches to hazard assessment use species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) to characterize hazard for toxicants exposure for different species within a community. Many of the assumptions at the core of SSDs are unrealistic, among them the assumption that the tolerance levels of all species in a specific ecological community are a priori exchangeable for each new toxic substance. Here we propose the use of a particular test to detect situations where such an assumption is violated. Then, a new method based on non‐nested random effects model is required to identify novel SSDs capable of taking into account species non‐exchangeability. Credible intervals, representing SSD uncertainty, could be determined based on our procedure. This leads to new and reliable estimates of the environmental hazard. We present a Bayesian modeling approach to address model inference issues, using Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling.
Actinidia arguta Pulp: Phytochemical Composition, Radical Scavenging Activity, and in Vitro Cells Effects
Authors: Pinto Diana , Sut Stefania , Dall'Acqua Stefano , Delerue‐Matos Cristina , Rodrigues Francisca 
Published: January 2021

AbstractHardy kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta) is a highly appreciated exotic fruit endowed with outstanding bioactive compounds. The present work proposes to characterize the pulp from A. arguta organic fruits, emphasizing its radicals scavenging capacity and effects on intestinal cells (Caco‐2 and HT29‐MTX). The physicochemical properties and phenolic profile were also screened. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC, respectively) of pulp were 12.21 mg GAE/g on dry weight (DW) and 5.92 mg CE/g DW, respectively. A high antioxidant activity was observed (FRAP: 151.41 μmol FSE/g DW; DPPH: 12.17 mg TE/g DW). Furthermore, the pulp did not induce a toxic effect on Caco‐2 and HT29‐MTX cells viability up to 1000 μg/mL. Regarding in vitro scavenging capacity, the pulp revealed the highest scavenging power against NO. (IC50=3.45 μg/mL) and HOCl (IC50=12.77 μg/mL). These results emphasize the richness of A. arguta fruit pulp to be used in different food products.
Higher concordance of PD‐L1 expression between biopsies and effusions in epithelioid than in nonepithelioid pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Mansour Mohammed S. I. , Seidal Tomas , Mager Ulrich , Dobra Katalin , Brunnström Hans , Dejmek Annika 
Published: January 2021

BackgroundMalignant mesothelioma (MM) is a therapy‐resistant tumor, often causing an effusion. Drugs targeting the programmed cell death 1 (PD‐1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) pathway have shown promising results, but assessment of PD‐L1 expression to select patients for therapy has mainly been performed on histologic tissue samples. In a previous study, we showed that MM effusions are suitable for PD‐L1 assessment with results comparable to those reported in histologic studies, but no studies have compared PD‐L1 expression in histologic and cytologic samples.MethodsPD‐L1 expression was determined immunohistochemically (clone 28‐8) in 61 paired samples of effusions and biopsies from patients with pleural MM, obtained at the time of diagnosis. Only cases with >100 tumor cells were included. Membranous staining in tumor cells was considered positive at ≥1%, >5%, >10%, and >50% cutoff levels.ResultsOf 61 histologic samples, PD‐L1 expression was found in 28 and 7 samples at ≥1% and >50% cutoffs, respectively; the corresponding figures for cytology were 21 and 5, respectively. The overall percentage agreement between histology and cytology was 69% and 84%, with a kappa (κ) of 0.36 and 0.08 at ≥1% and >50% cutoffs, respectively. The concordance between cytology and histology tended to be higher for epithelioid MM versus nonepithelioid MM at a ≥1% cutoff. PD‐L1 positivity in biopsies, but not in effusions, correlated with the histologic subtype at a ≥1% cutoff.ConclusionsA moderate concordance of PD‐L1 expression between biopsies and effusions from pleural MM, especially for the epithelioid subtype, indicates biological differences between the 2 types of specimens. Cytology and histology may be complementary.
CD169 and CD64 could help differentiate bacterial from CoVID‐19 or other viral infections in the Emergency Department
Authors: Bourgoin Pénélope , Soliveres Thomas , Barbaresi Alexandra , Loundou Anderson , Belkacem Inès Ait , Arnoux Isabelle , Bernot Denis , Loosveld Marie , Morange Pierre‐Emmanuel , Michelet Pierre , Malergue Fabrice , Markarian Thibaut 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe identification of a bacterial, viral, or even noninfectious cause is essential in the management of febrile syndrome in the emergency department (ED), especially in epidemic contexts such as flu or CoVID‐19. The aim was to assess discriminative performances of two biomarkers, CD64 on neutrophils (nCD64) and CD169 on monocytes (mCD169), using a new flow cytometry procedure, in patients presenting with fever to the ED during epidemics. Eighty five adult patients presenting with potential infection were included during the 2019 flu season in the ED of La Timone Hospital. They were divided into four diagnostic outcomes according to their clinical records: no‐infection, bacterial infection, viral infection and co‐infection. Seventy six patients with confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were also compared to 48 healthy volunteers. For the first cohort, 38 (45%) patients were diagnosed with bacterial infections, 11 (13%) with viral infections and 29 (34%) with co‐infections. mCD169 was elevated in patients with viral infections, with a majority of Flu A virus or Respiratory Syncytial Virus, while nCD64 was elevated in subjects with bacterial infections, with a majority of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. nCD64 and mCD169 showed 90% and 80% sensitivity, and 78% and 91% specificity, respectively, for identifying patients with bacterial or viral infections. When studied in a second cohort, mCD169 was elevated in 95% of patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infections and remained at normal level in 100% of healthy volunteers. nCD64 and mCD169 have potential for accurately distinguishing bacterial and acute viral infections. Combined in an easy and rapid flow cytometry procedure, they constitute a potential improvement for infection management in the ED, and could even help for triage of patients during emerging epidemics.
Measuring calibration factors by imaging a dish of cells expressing different tandem constructs plasmids
Authors: Yin Ao , Sun Han , Chen Hongce , Liu Zhi , Tang Qiling , Yuan Ye , Tu Zhuang , Zhuang Zhengfei , Chen Tongsheng 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThree‐cube Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) method is the most extensively applied approach for live‐cell FRET quantification. Reliable measurements of calibration factors are crucial for quantitative FRET measurement. We here proposed a modified TA‐G method (termed as mTA‐G) to simultaneously obtain the FRET‐sensitized quenching transition factor (G) and extinction coefficients ratio (γ) between donor and acceptor. mTA‐G method includes four steps: (1) predetermining the ratio ranges of the sensitized emission of acceptor (FC) to the donor excitation and donor channel image (IDD[(DA])) for all FRET plasmids; (2) culturing the cells which express every FRET plasmid in one dish respectively; (3) distinguishing and marking the cells expressing different FRET plasmids by detecting their FC/IDD(DA) values; (4) linearly fitting FC/IAA(DA) (acceptor excitation and acceptor channel image) to IDD(DA)/IAA(DA) for different kinds of cells. We implemented mTA‐G method by imaging tandem constructs cells with different FRET efficiency cultured in one dish on different days, and obtained consistent G and γ values. mTA‐G method not only circumvents switchover of different culture dishes but also keep the constant imaging conditions, exhibiting excellent robustness, and thus will expands the biological applications of quantitative FRET analysis in living cells.
Alpha‐lipoic acid: A promising adjuvant for nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs therapy with improved efficacy and gastroprotection
Authors: Barut Elif Nur , Engin Seçkin , Saygın İsmail , Kaya‐Yasar Yesim , Arici Seyma , Sezen Sena F. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractNonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used in a wide variety of diseases due to their analgesic and anti‐inflammatory effects, but their usage have been limited due to significant ulcerogenic side effects. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of α‐lipoic acid (ALA) treatment on the anti‐inflammatory activity of indomethacin (Indo) as well as the possible therapeutic effect of ALA on high dose Indo‐induced gastropathy in female mice. Mice were treated with Indo (5 or 30 mg/kg, p.o) alone or in combination with ALA (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg, i.p). in vivo anti‐inflammatory effect was evaluated by formalin‐induced paw edema measured as paw thickness and edema. Gastric damage was evaluated macroscopically and histologically by scoring mucosal hemorrhage, erosion, edema and inflammation. To our results, Indo was ineffective at 5 mg/kg, but co‐treatment with Indo and ALA significantly reduced paw edema, implying that ALA augmented the anti‐inflammatory effect of subtherapeutic dose of Indo. However, ALA was not able to induce a further increase in the anti‐inflammatory effect of Indo at 30 mg/kg. Unlike the treatment with Indo at 5 mg/kg, Indo at 30 mg/kg caused severe gastric damage that prevented by co‐treatment with ALA. These results suggest that combination of ALA with NSAIDs can both increase anti‐inflammatory effect and prevent NSAIDs‐induced gastric damage. ALA would be promising adjuvant that can reduce dose for effective NSAID therapy, which improves safety profile of NSAIDs especially in cases long‐term administration of high dose needed.
Adaptive coloration in pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca)—The devil is in the detail
Authors: Sirkiä Päivi M. , Qvarnström Anna 
Published: January 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the origin and persistence of phenotypic variation within and among populations is a major goal in evolutionary biology. However, the eagerness to find unadulterated explanatory models in combination with difficulties in publishing replicated studies may lead to severe underestimations of the complexity of selection patterns acting in nature. One striking example is variation in plumage coloration in birds, where the default adaptive explanation often is that brightly colored individuals signal superior quality across environmental conditions and therefore always should be favored by directional mate choice. Here, we review studies on the proximate determination and adaptive function of coloration traits in male pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca). From numerous studies, we can conclude that the dark male color phenotype is adapted to a typical northern climate and functions as a dominance signal in male–male competition over nesting sites, and that the browner phenotypes are favored by relaxed intraspecific competition with more dominant male collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis) in areas where the two species co‐occur. However, the role of avoidance of hybridization in driving character displacement in plumage between these two species may not be as important as initially thought. The direction of female choice on male coloration in pied flycatchers is not simply as opposite in direction in sympatry and allopatry as traditionally expected, but varies also in relation to additional contexts such as climate variation. While some of the heterogeneity in the observed relationships between coloration and fitness probably indicate type 1 errors, we strongly argue that environmental heterogeneity and context‐dependent selection play important roles in explaining plumage color variation in this species, which probably also is the case in many other species studied in less detail.