bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stone ablation rates using innovative pulse modulation technology: Vapor tunnel, virtual basket, and bubble blast. An in vitro experimental study
Authors: Ballesta Martinez Begoña , Peteinaris Angelis , Tsaturyan Arman , Natsos Anastasios , Koukiou Georgia , Vagionis Athanasios , Pagonis Konstantinos , Obaidat Mohammed , Liourdi Despoina , Vrettos Theofanis , Liatsikos Evangelos , Kallidonis Panagiotis 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIntroduction and ObjectivesVirtual BasketTM, Bubble BlastTM, and Vapor TunnelTM are three laser pulse modulation technologies that modify the holmium: yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Ho:YAG) laser pulse transmission through the creation of bubbles emerging from the fiber tip with different effects on the target stone. The primary outcome of the current study was to test the stone ablation rates for the different pulse modulation modes, Virtual Basket, Bubble Blast, and Vapor Tunnel, using different power, energy, and frequency settings.Materials and MethodsQuanta Cyber: Ho 150 WTM, a 365 µm PrecisionTM fiber, and hard and soft phantom BegoStonesTM were used in an in vitro experimental configuration in a saline bath. In the Virtual Basket mode, the combinations of power, energy and frequency were tested; 10 W = 0.5 J × 20 Hz, 10 W = 0.5 J × 20 Hz, 60 W = 1 J × 60 Hz and 60 W = 2 J × 30 Hz. In the Bubble Blast mode, the combinations, 12 W = 1.2J × 10 Hz, 60 W = 1.2J × 50 Hz and 60 W = 2 J × 30 Hz, were tested. Similarly, the combination of 10 W = 0.5 J × 20 Hz was tested with Vapor Tunnel mode. High‐speed camera captures of the bubble formation and regular photographs of the fragmentation pattern were also taken for each mode.ResultsHigh power lithotripsy was faster and related to higher ablation rates. The Virtual Basket, Bubble Blast, and Vapor Tunnel modalities showed different ablation rates for the same energy and frequency settings. For hard stones, there was an improvement in the ablation rate using 60 W = 2 J × 30 Hz compared with 60 W = 1 J × 60 Hz and 60 W = 1.2 J × 50 Hz. The highest ablation rates were recorded using the Virtual Basket mode with the high‐power settings of 2 J of energy and 30 Hz of frequency.ConclusionsThe Virtual BasketTM pulse‐modulation technology was related to the highest ablation rates for both hard and soft stones, compared to the Bubble BlastTM and the Vapor TunnelTM technologies in high‐power and low‐power lithotripsy respectively. For the same high power settings, higher energy seems to provide higher ablation rates.
Effects of NEFAs during IVM on pig embryos from granulosa cell‐cocultured oocytes
Authors: Shi Meihong , Sirard Marc‐André 
Published: November 2021

AbstractCirculating levels of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) are elevated in some females, which can impair oocyte maturation and embryo development, and may alter the phenotype of the progeny. However, the effects of NEFAs on human embryo development are not clear due to ethical limitations. Thus, we used pig as the model to investigate the impacts of NEFAs on oocyte and embryo due to their similar reproductive and metabolic physiologies to humans. In this study, porcine cumulus‐oocyte complexes were in vitro maturated under a pathologically high concentration of NEFAs (468 μM palmitic acid, 194 μM stearic acid, and 534 μM oleic acid) with the presence of granulosa cell monolayer, in contrast to control without NEFAs. The mature oocytes were fertilized to produce embryos for further analysis of the transcriptome and DNA methylation patterns. The elevated level of NEFAs decreased the blastocyst rate and delayed the blastocyst development. Ingenuity pathway analysis showed that the most affected gene pathways were related mainly to cell activities, metabolism, and inflammation. These findings indicated that oocytes exposed to the exogenous high level of NEFAs during in vitro maturation resulted in altered gene expression and DNA methylation of early embryos, which have detrimental impacts on blastocyst quality.
Perception of other healthcare professionals about the nurses' role and competencies in veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation care: A qualitative study
Authors: Alshammari Muna , Vellolikalam Chitra , Alfeeli Sadiq 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAimThis study aimed to explore the perception of other healthcare professionals, including the doctors, physiotherapists and perfusionists, about the nurses' role and competencies in veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.BackgroundExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation is considered as a challenging clinical activity that requires critical decision and rapid response from nurses, particularly in emergencies. It was observed that nurses are primarily responsible for bedside management of these patients, and teamwork was found helping the nurses to manage this high‐acuity care. However, little is known on the perception of other healthcare professionals about the nurses' roles and competencies, which would contribute to further improvements in quality extracorporeal membrane oxygenation care.DesignThis was a qualitative descriptive study.MethodsOne‐to‐one in‐depth interviews were conducted with nine healthcare professionals working in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation care in an adult intensive care unit of a general hospital in Kuwait.ResultsParticipants reported that nurses play critical and multiple roles and responsibilities in the insertion, maintenance, weaning, and retrieval of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, plus providing general nursing care, and performed their roles competently. Heavy workload, less recognition and support, and individual differences in competence were reported as possible barriers to the nurses' performance.ConclusionOther healthcare professionals recognize continuous training, having experience, teamwork, and increased staffing as measures that can promote the nurses' role in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Bloom where you are planted: Hemangioma or malignancy?
Authors: Gunn Elizabeth , Barnett Christopher C. , Duong Anh Teressa , Beierle Elizabeth A. , Kelly David R. , Vaid Yoginder N. , Keene Kimberly S. , Soike Michael , Whelan Kimberly 
Published: November 2021

AbstractVascular anomalies comprise a spectrum of disorders characterized by the abnormal development or growth of blood and lymphatic vessels. These growths have unique features and diverse behaviors, mandating a multidisciplinary approach in their evaluation, diagnosis, and management. Here we describe the case of a male toddler presenting with an abdominal mass, originally treated as a metastatic retroperitoneal tumor, but subsequently felt to represent a vascular anomaly.
The effect of artificial aging on the impact behavior of SiC nanoparticle‐glass fiber‐reinforced polymer matrix composites
Authors: Kosedag Ertan , Caliskan Umut , Ekici Recep 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe low‐velocity impact behavior of SiC nanoparticle‐glass fiber‐reinforced polymer matrix composites (PMC) in terms of different weight fraction of nanoparticle, artificial aging time, and impact energy was investigated in this article. In this context, silicon carbide (SiC‐70 nm) ceramic nanoparticle in weight fractions of 0%, 0.1%, 1%, 2%, 3% filled glass fiber‐reinforced PMCs were produced by vacuum infusion technique. The specimens were artificially aged in 0, 750, and 1500 h, 85% relative humidity and 70°C in air conditioning cabinet. The after‐impact damage regions were obtained using ultrasonic scanning technique for three different impact energies of 10, 20, and 30 J. The weight of specimens was measured at certain periods during aging and the weight change was examined. As the weight fraction and aging time were increased, the impact resistance of specimens decreased. At the beginning of aging period, the weight of specimens increased; however, the increase in weight decreased over time. Ultrasonic scanning results showed that the damage geometry changed and increasing discontinuity with increasing weight fraction and artificial aging time.
Influences of reactive compatibilization on the structure and physical properties of blends based on thermotropic liquid crystalline polyester and poly(1,4‐cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate)
Authors: Choi Eun‐Ji , Lee So‐Jeong , Gang Ha‐Eun , Jeong Young Gyu 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWe report the effects of reactive compatibilization on the morphology, microstructure, and physical properties of thermotropic liquid crystalline polyester/poly(1,4‐cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate) (TLCP/PCT, 75/25 by wt%) blends, which are fabricated via melt‐compounding in the presence of different catalyst types and contents. Among three different catalysts, titanium butoxide (TBT) is found to be most effective in the reactive compatibilization of TLCP/PCT blends, which is confirmed by SEM images. FT‐IR spectroscopic analysis reveals the formation of copolyesters by catalyst‐induced transesterification between TLCP and PCT components during melt‐compounding with 0.5 and 1.0 phr TBT loadings. Nonetheless, X‐ray diffraction analysis confirms that the crystal structures of TLCP/PCT blends are not affected by reactive compatibilization. The melting and crystallization transition temperatures of the PCT component in the compatibilized blends decrease owing to the shortening of crystallizable PCT segments by the transesterification. TGA data show that the residue at 800°C increases for the blends melt‐compounded with higher TBT catalyst loadings. The shear moduli and complex viscosity of compatibilized TLCP/LCP blends at a melt state are found to be even higher than neat TLCP and PCT. Although the elastic storage moduli of compatibilized TLCP/PCT blends are slightly lower than neat TLCP, they are far higher than neat PCT.
Data assimilation for nonlinear systems with a hybrid nonlinear Kalman ensemble transform filter
Authors: Nerger Lars 
Published: November 2021

AbstractEnsemble Kalman filters are widely used for data assimilation applications in the geosciences. While they are remarkably stable even with nonlinear systems, it is known that they are not optimal in this case. The alternative particle filters are fully nonlinear, but difficult to apply with high‐dimensional models. To combine the strengths of both filter types, a hybrid filter is introduced that combines the local ensemble transform Kalman filter (LETKF) with the nonlinear ensemble transform filter (NETF). Three variants of the hybrid filter are formulated. The hybridization is controlled by a hybrid weight. Different hybrid weights are examined and a new adaptive approach based on the ensemble skewness and kurtosis is introduced. The different hybrid filters and the schemes to compute the hybrid weight are assessed in numerical experiments with the nonlinear Lorenz‐63 and Lorenz‐96 models at different degrees of nonlinearity. A hybrid variant that first applies the NETF followed by the LETKF yields the best results. For the Lorenz‐96 model, error reductions by up to 21.5% compared with the LETKF are obtained for the same ensemble size. Computing the hybrid weight based on skewness and kurtosis combined with the effective sample size yields the lowest estimation errors and the overall highest stability of the hybrid filter. The new hybrid filter applies localization and inflation and is hence also usable with high‐dimensional models and can potentially provide a robust way to account for leading nonlinearity with small ensembles in nonlinear data assimilation applications.
Observer‐based hybrid synchronization control of multiagent systems under dynamic need‐based communication policies
Authors: Xu Yong , Liu Jian 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis article focuses on the problem of observer‐based synchronization control of multi‐agent systems (MASs) subject to chattering phenomenon. Considering that full states of agents are not available and the limited network bandwidth of MAS networks exists, a novel observer‐based hybrid event‐triggered communication (or called need‐based communication) policy is exploited for synchronization of MASs, which is implemented in a fully distributed fashion without requiring any prior knowledge of global network parameters over an undirected graph. Then, to release the limitation of applications for the synchronous algorithm in undirected graphs, an observer‐based hybrid event‐triggered leader‐follower protocol and corresponding to its static triggering policy are developed to study the tracking control problem in a directed graph. Besides, the dynamic triggering policy is proposed by introducing an extra key variable for the directed graph case to reduce considerable triggering instants compared with the static one, which also subsume several existing synchronization schemes as special cases. It is shown that the proposed observer‐based event‐triggered policies can guarantee that leaderless and leader‐following synchronization with intermitted communications among agents. Moreover, Zeno behavior can be excluded. Finally, the practical merits of the proposed methods are corroborated using two numerical examples.
Biomolecule‐Interactive Flexible Light Emitting Capacitor Display
Authors: Qi Xiaoying , Wu Ruige , Lok Boon Keng , Kerk Wai Tat , Lai Steve Foo Khuen , Fan Wei , Pu Kanyi 
Published: November 2021

AbstractUltrathin, lightweight, flexible, and conformable interactive displays that transduce external stimuli into human‐readable signals are essential for emerging applications, such as wearable electronics, human–machine interfaces, and soft robots. Herein, a biomolecule‐interactive flexible light emitting capacitor (LEC) display (BIO‐LEC) capable of dynamic and quantitative visualization of biomolecules through naked‐eye detectable electroluminescence (EL) emission is reported. BIO‐LEC comprises a coplanar LEC light source at the bottom, and a designed microfluidic chip as sampling compartment at the top. The quantitative measurement feature of BIO‐LEC is achieved by introducing the top liquid electrode, which possesses a unique long dielectric realization time, in the microfluidic chip. BIO‐LEC is novel for the following reasons, 1) simple stimuli response principle based on correlating EL intensity to dielectric properties of the top liquid electrode; 2) simple test conditions whereby no labeling is required in the analyte solution to optically detect biomolecules; 3) effective sampling method through the design of an integrated microfluidic chip for hosting the top liquid electrode, ensuring good reproducibility and preventing contamination; 4) sensitive detection limit for heparin concentrations at clinically relevant levels, and 5) high compliance with industrial manufacturing standards.
Drug‐Dependent Morphological Transitions in Spherical and Worm‐Like Polymeric Micelles Define Stability and Pharmacological Performance of Micellar Drugs
Authors: Lim Chaemin , Ramsey Jacob D. , Hwang Duhyeong , Teixeira Susana C. M. , Poon Chi‐Duen , Strauss Joshua D. , Rosen Elias P. , Sokolsky‐Papkov Marina , Kabanov Alexander V. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractSignificant advances in physicochemical properties of polymeric micelles enable optimization of therapeutic drug efficacy, supporting nanomedicine manufacturing and clinical translation. Yet, the effect of micelle morphology on pharmacological efficacy is not adequately addressed. This work addresses this gap by assessing pharmacological efficacy of polymeric micelles with spherical and worm‐like morphologies. It is observed that poly(2‐oxazoline)‐based polymeric micelles can be elongated over time from a spherical structure to worm‐like structure, with elongation influenced by several conditions, including the amount and type of drug loaded into the micelles. The role of different morphologies on pharmacological performance of drug loaded micelles against triple‐negative breast cancer and pancreatic cancer tumor models is further evaluated. Spherical micelles accumulate rapidly in the tumor tissue while retaining large amounts of drug; worm‐like micelles accumulate more slowly and only upon releasing significant amounts of drug. These findings suggest that the dynamic character of the drug–micelle structure and the micelle morphology play a critical role in pharmacological performance, and that spherical micelles are better suited for systemic delivery of anticancer drugs to tumors when drugs are loosely associated with the polymeric micelles.
Smart Ternary Strategy in Promoting the Performance of Polymer Solar Cells Based on Bulk‐Heterojunction or Layer‐By‐Layer Structure
Authors: Xu Wenjing , Ma Xiaoling , Son Jae Hoon , Jeong Sang Young , Niu Lianbin , Xu Chunyu , Zhang Shuping , Zhou Zhengji , Gao Jinhua , Woo Han Young , Zhang Jian , Wang Jian , Zhang Fujun 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAlthough the rapid development of polymer solar cells (PSCs) has been achieved, it is still a great challenge to explore efficient ways for improving power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSCs from materials and device engineering. Ternary strategy has been confirmed as an efficient way to improve PCE of PSCs by employing three kinds of materials. In this work, one polymer donor PM6, and two non‐fullerene materials N3 and MF1 are selected to prepare ternary PSCs with layer‐by‐layer (LbL) or bulk‐heterojunction (BHJ) structure. The LbL and BHJ‐PSCs exhibit PCEs of 16.75% and 16.76% with 15 wt% MF1 content in acceptors, corresponding to over 5% or 4% PCE improvement compared with N3‐based binary PSCs with LbL or BHJ structure. The PCE improvement is mainly attributed to the fill factor enhancement from 73.29% to 76.95% for LbL‐PSCs or from 74.13% to 77.51% for BHJ‐PSCs by employing the ternary strategy. This work indicates that ternary strategy has great potential in preparing highly efficient LbL‐PSCs via simultaneously optimizing molecular arrangement and the thickness of each layer.
Scalable Synthesis of Nano‐Sized Bi for Separator Modifying in 5V‐Class Lithium Metal Batteries and Potassium Ion Batteries Anodes
Authors: Jiang Huiyu , Lin Xiaohang , Wei Chuanliang , Feng Jinkui , Tian Xuelei 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWith the advantages of high theoretical‐specific capacity and lowest working potential, lithium metal anode is considered as the most promising anode for next‐generation batteries. Here, a scalable dealloying method is developed to prepare nano‐sized bismuth (Bi). It is found that the Bi‐modification can not only enhance the wettability of the commercial polyethylene separator but also suppresses the lithium dendrite growth. With the nano‐sized Bi modified separator, 5V‐class lithium metal batteries with commercial carbonate‐based electrolyte show a 91% capacity retention ratio after 800 cycles. First‐principle calculations prove that lithium atoms tend to deposit smoothly on the Bi surface. Moreover, for potassium ion batteries, nano‐sized Bi shows a stable cycling performance and high capacity. The results may be useful for the development of high‐energy and high‐safety batteries.
Recent Advances in g‐C3N4‐Based Photocatalysts for Pollutant Degradation and Bacterial Disinfection: Design Strategies, Mechanisms, and Applications
Authors: Yang Xingxing , Ye Yongli , Sun Jiadi , Li Zaijun , Ping Jianfeng , Sun Xiulan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractEmerging photocatalytic technology promises to provide an effective solution to the global energy crisis and environmental pollution. Graphite carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) has gained extensive attention in the scientific community due to its excellent physical and chemical properties, attractive electronic band structure, and low cost. In this paper, research progress in design strategies for g‐C3N4‐based photocatalysts in the past five years is reviewed from the perspectives of nanostructure construction, element doping, and heterostructure construction. To clarify the relationship between application requirements and structural design, variations in the morphology, electronic energy band structure, light absorption capacity, as well as interfacial charge transfer caused by various modification strategies are discussed in detail. The recent applications of g‐C3N4‐based photocatalysts for pollutant degradation and bacterial disinfection are reviewed, as well as the antimicrobial activity and degradation mechanisms. Finally, current challenges and future development directions for the practical application of g‐C3N4‐based photocatalysts are tentatively discussed.
Ultrahigh Energy Storage Performance of Flexible BMT‐Based Thin Film Capacitors
Authors: Bin Chengwen , Hou Xu , Xie Yadan , Zhang Jingtong , Yang Han , Xu Linrong , Wei Hua , Wang Jie 
Published: November 2021

AbstractFerroelectric thin film capacitors have attracted increasing attention because of their high energy storage density and fast charge–discharge speed, but less attention has been paid to the realization of flexible capacitors for wearable electronics and power systems. In this work, flexible xMn‐BiMg0.5Ti0.7O3 (xMn‐BMT0.7) thin film capacitors with ultrahigh energy storage density and good stability are deposited on mica substrate. The introduction of excess TiO2 with an amorphous structure contributes to the forming of the polar nano regions, resulting in the reduced ferroelectric hysteresis. In order to further improve the energy storage performance, Mn doping increases the polarization by regulating chemical pressure in the lattices and inhibits the valence change of Ti4+. Especially in the 1.5% Mn‐BMT0.7 film capacitor, an ultrahigh energy storage density of 124 J cm‐3 and an outstanding efficiency of 77% are obtained, which is one of the best energy storage performances recorded for ferroelectric capacitors. In addition, the flexible ferroelectric film capacitor also exhibits good thermal stability (25–200 °C), high frequency reliability (500 Hz–10 kHz), excellent electrical (108 cycles), and mechanical (104 cycles) fatigue properties. This work is expected to pave the way for the application of BMT‐based thin film capacitors in flexible energy storage systems.
P‐Doped SiOx/Si/SiOx Sandwich Anode for Li‐Ion Batteries to Achieve High Initial Coulombic Efficiency and Low Capacity Decay
Authors: Im Jinsol , Kwon Jung‐Dae , Kim Dong‐Ho , Yoon Sukeun , Cho Kuk Young 
Published: November 2021

AbstractInitial reversibility and excellent capacity retention are the key requirements for the success of high‐capacity electrode materials in high‐performance Li‐ion batteries and pose a number of challenges to development. Silicon has been regarded as a promising anode material because of its outstanding theoretical capacity. However, it suffers from colossal volume change and continuous formation of unstable solid electrolyte interphases during lithiation/delithiation processes, which eventually result in low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and severe capacity decay. To circumvent these challenges, a new sandwich Si anode (SiOx/Si/SiOx) free from prelithiation is designed and fabricated using a combination of P‐doping and SiOx layers. This new anode exhibits high conductivity and specific capacity compared to other Si thin‐film electrodes. Cells with SiOx/Si/SiOx anodes deliver the highest presently known ICE value among Si thin‐film anodes of 90.4% with a charge capacity of 3534 mA h g−1. In addition, the SiOx layer has sufficient mechanical stability to accommodate the large volume change of the intervening Si layer during charge‐discharge cycling, exhibiting high potential for practical applications of Si thin‐film anodes.