bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tuning the Molecular Weight of the Electron Accepting Polymer in All‐Polymer Solar Cells: Impact on Morphology and Charge Generation
Authors: Deshmukh Kedar D. , Matsidik Rukiya , Prasad Shyamal K. K. , Connal Luke A. , Liu Amelia C. Y. , Gann Eliot , Thomsen Lars , Hodgkiss Justin M. , Sommer Michael , McNeill Christopher R. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMolecular weight is an important factor determining the morphology and performance of all‐polymer solar cells. Through the application of direct arylation polycondention, a series of batches of a fluorinated naphthalene diimide‐based acceptor polymer are prepared with molecular weight varying from Mn = 20 to 167 kDa. Used in conjunction with a common low bandgap donor polymer, the effect of acceptor molecular weight on solar cell performance, morphology, charge generation, and transport is explored. Increasing the molecular weight of the acceptor from Mn = 20 to 87 kDa is found to increase cell efficiency from 2.3% to 5.4% due to improved charge separation and transport. Further increasing the molecular weight to Mn = 167 kDa however is found to produce a drop in performance to 3% due to liquid–liquid phase separation which produces coarse domains, poor charge generation, and collection. In addition to device studies, a systematic investigation of the microstructure and photophysics of this system is presented using a combination of transmission electron microscopy, grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine‐structure spectroscopy, photoluminescence quenching, and transient absorption spectroscopy to provide a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between morphology, photophysics, and photovoltaic performance.
Polyampholyte Hydrogels with pH Modulated Shape Memory and Spontaneous Actuation
Authors: Zhang Yuancheng , Liao Jiexin , Wang Tao , Sun Weixiang , Tong Zhen 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPolyampholyte hydrogels are synthesized by one‐step copolymerization of cationic monomer 3‐(methacryloylamino)propyltrimethylammonium chloride, anionic monomers sodium p‐styrenesulfonate (NaSS), and methacrylic acid (MAA) without chemical crosslinker and adding salts. The hydrogels exhibit pH responsive shape memory behavior; the temporary shape of the hydrogel is formed manually after immersing in NaOH solution and fixed in HCl solution, while the shape recovery occurs by immersing in NaOH again. Most interestingly, the hydrogel shows a spontaneous shape change after the first shape memory cycle. When the recovered hydrogel with a little residual deformation is immersed in HCl again, it twists spontaneously and rapidly to the previous temporary shape. The spontaneous twisting and recovering can be repeated for ten times. Furthermore, the hydrogel swells quickly and is strengthened in HCl, while shrinks and weakens in NaOH during the shape change procedure. This unique synergistic effect of fast swelling, residual helical deformation, and increased strength plays a significant role in the spontaneous shape alternation. This new finding will initiate a new prosperous design for new soft actuators requiring successive actions.
Tumor Cells‐Selective Bionic Nanodevice Exploiting Heparanase Combats Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Lang Tianqun , Ran Wei , Dong Xinyue , Zheng Zhong , Liu Yiran , Yin Qi , Li Yaping 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe clinical application of the cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer is limited by their poor selectivity to cancer cells. In this work, a bionic nanodevice consisting of the docetaxel (DTX)‐heparan sulfate (HS) conjugate (HS‐DTX) micelle with a red blood cells membrane (RBC) coating on its surface, termed as rHS‐DTX, is first constructed. It is found that the cytotoxicity of DTX is concealed by HS in human mammary epithelial Michigan Cancer Foundation (MCF)‐10A cells but restored in human mammary cancer MCF‐7 cells because HS is hydrolyzed by heparanase (Hpa), which is overexpressed only in MCF‐7 but not MCF‐10A cells. The RBC coating enhances the cellular uptake of HS‐DTX and endows it with the long circulating ability in blood. In the MCF‐7 metastatic breast cancer mice model, rHS‐DTX exhibits 6.35‐fold higher intratumor DTX accumulation than the free DTX injection and achieves a tumor inhibiting rate of 98.2% and a lung metastasis suppression rate of 99.6%. No severe toxicity is observed in the major organs and blood of mice treated with rHS‐DTX. In summary, rHS‐DTX can provide a promising strategy for targeting therapy of metastatic breast cancer by improving the tumor‐suppressing efficacy of DTX.
Simultaneously Excited Downshifting/Upconversion Luminescence from Lanthanide‐Doped Core/Shell Fluoride Nanoparticles for Multimode Anticounterfeiting
Authors: Liu Jing , Rijckaert Hannes , Zeng Min , Haustraete Katrien , Laforce Brecht , Vincze Laszlo , Van Driessche Isabel , Kaczmarek Anna M. , Van Deun Rik 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis work presents a novel anticounterfeiting strategy based on a material changing its emission color in response to a change in the excitation sources—where a single ultraviolet (UV) or near‐infrared (NIR) light source are employed or simultaneously using two excitation sources (xenon lamp and NIR laser). Following this approach, various combinations of lanthanide (Ln3+)‐doped LiLuF4/LiYF4 core/shell nanoparticles are prepared, providing a promising route to design flexible nanomaterials, as well as already a small library of luminescent materials, which change color when varying the excitation source (UV, NIR or both UV and NIR). Aside from excitation source‐dependent color change, these materials additionally show excitation‐source power‐dependent color change. This work exploits the possibility of developing a new class of multimode anticounterfeit nanomaterials, with excellent performance, which would be almost impossible to mimic or replicate, providing a very high level of security.
Kinetics of Decelerated Melting
Authors: Wondraczek Lothar , Pan Zhiwen , Palenta Theresia , Erlebach Andreas , Misture Scott T. , Sierka Marek , Micoulaut Matthieu , Hoppe Uwe , Deubener Joachim , Greaves G. Neville 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMelting presents one of the most prominent phenomena in condensed matter science. Its microscopic understanding, however, is still fragmented, ranging from simplistic theory to the observation of melting point depressions. Here, a multimethod experimental approach is combined with computational simulation to study the microscopic mechanism of melting between these two extremes. Crystalline structures are exploited in which melting occurs into a metastable liquid close to its glass transition temperature. The associated sluggish dynamics concur with real‐time observation of homogeneous melting. In‐depth information on the structural signature is obtained from various independent spectroscopic and scattering methods, revealing a step‐wise nature of the transition before reaching the liquid state. A kinetic model is derived in which the first reaction step is promoted by local instability events, and the second is driven by diffusive mobility. Computational simulation provides further confirmation for the sequential reaction steps and for the details of the associated structural dynamics. The successful quantitative modeling of the low‐temperature decelerated melting of zeolite crystals, reconciling homogeneous with heterogeneous processes, should serve as a platform for understanding the inherent instability of other zeolitic structures, as well as the prolific and more complex nanoporous metal–organic frameworks.
Wafer Scale Transfer of Ultrathin Silicon Chips on Flexible Substrates for High Performance Bendable Systems
Authors: Navaraj William Taube , Gupta Shoubhik , Lorenzelli Leandro , Dahiya Ravinder 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis paper presents an innovative approach for wafer scale transfer of ultrathin silicon chips on flexible substrates. The methodology is demonstrated with various devices (ultrathin chip resistive samples, metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) capacitors and n‐channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs)) on wafers up to 4″ diameter. This is supported by extensive electromechanical characterization and theoretical analysis, including finite element simulation, to evaluate the effect of bending and the critical breaking radius of curvature. The ultrathin chips on polyimide did not break until the radius of curvature of 1.437 mm. In the case of MOS capacitors the measured capacitance increases with increase in bending load. The changes in the transfer and output characteristics of ultrathin MOSFETs closely match with the theoretical model utilizing empirically determined parameters. Overall, the work demonstrates the efficacy of the new methodology presented here for wafer scale transfer of ultrathin chips on flexible substrates. The presented research will be useful for obtaining high performance and compact circuits needed in many futuristic flexible electronics applications such as implantable electronics and flexible displays. Further, it will open new avenues for realizing multilayered multimaterial (foil‐to‐foil) integrated bendable electronics.
The genetic assimilation in language borrowing inferred from Jing People
Authors: Huang Xiufeng , Zhou Qinghui , Bin Xiaoyun , Lai Shu , Lin Chaowen , Hu Rong , Xiao Jiashun , Luo Dajun , Li Yingxiang , Wei Lan‐Hai , Yeh Hui‐Yuan , Chen Gang , Wang Chuan‐Chao 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectivesThe Jing people are a recognized ethnic group in Guangxi, southwest China, who are the immigrants from Vietnam during the 16th century. They speak Vietnamese but with lots of language borrowings from Cantonese, Zhuang, and Mandarin. However, it's unclear if there is large‐scale gene flow from surrounding populations into Jing people during their language change due to the very limited genetic information of this population.Materials and MethodsWe collected blood samples from 37 Jing and 3 Han Chinese individuals from Wanwei, Shanxin, and Wutou islands in Guangxi and genotyped about 600,000 genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We used Principal Component Analysis (PCA), ADMIXTURE analysis, f statistics, qpWave and qpAdm to infer the population genetic structure and admixture.ResultsOur data revealed that the Jing people are genetically similar to the populations in southwest China and mainland Southeast Asia. But compared with Vietnamese, they show significant evidence of gene flow from surrounding East Asians. The admixture proportion is estimated to be around 35–42% in different Jing groups using southern Han Chinese as a proxy. The majority of the paternal lineages of Jing people are most likely from surrounding East Asians.DiscussionWe conclude that the formation and language change of present‐day Jing people have involved genetic assimilation of surrounding East Asian populations. The language borrowing, in this case, is not only a cultural phenomenon but has involved demic diffusion.
An Efficient 1064 nm NIR‐II Excitation Fluorescent Molecular Dye for Deep‐Tissue High‐Resolution Dynamic Bioimaging
Authors: Li Benhao , Lu Lingfei , Zhao Mengyao , Lei Zuhai , Zhang Fan 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA small‐molecule fluorophore FD‐1080 with both excitation and emission in the NIR‐II region has been successfully synthesized for in vivo imaging. A heptamethine structure is designed to shift the absorption and emission into NIR‐II region. Sulphonic and cyclohexene groups are introduced to enhance its water solubility and stability. The quantum yield of FD‐1080 is 0.31 %, and can be increased to 5.94 % after combining with fetal bovine serum (FBS). Significantly, 1064 nm NIR‐II excitation was demonstrated with the high tissue penetration depth and superior imaging resolution compared to previously reported NIR excitation from 650 nm to 980 nm. FD‐1080 is not only capable of realizing non‐invasive high‐resolution deep‐tissue hindlimb vasculature and brain vessel bioimaging, but also quantifying the respiratory rate based on the dynamic imaging of respiratory craniocaudal motion of the liver for the awake and anaesthetized mouse.
An Artificial Lithium Protective Layer that Enables the Use of Acetonitrile‐Based Electrolytes in Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Trinh Ngoc Duc , Lepage David , Aymé‐Perrot David , Badia Antonella , Dollé Mickael , Rochefort Dominic 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe resurgence of the lithium metal battery requires innovations in technology, including the use of non‐conventional liquid electrolytes. The inherent electrochemical potential of lithium metal (−3.04 V vs. SHE) inevitably limits its use in many solvents, such as acetonitrile, which could provide electrolytes with increased conductivity. The aim of this work is to produce an artificial passivation layer at the lithium metal/electrolyte interface that is electrochemically stable in acetonitrile‐based electrolytes. To produce such a stable interface, the lithium metal was immersed in fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) to generate a passivation layer via the spontaneous decomposition of the solvent. With this passivation layer, the chemical stability of lithium metal is shown for the first time in 1 m LiPF6 in acetonitrile.
Motor competency and social communication skills in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Craig Francesco , Lorenzo Alessandro , Lucarelli Elisabetta , Russo Luigi , Fanizza Isabella , Trabacca Antonio 
Published: March 2018

This study aimed to investigate the association between motor competency and social communication in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared with children with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and typically developing (TD) children. Motor competency, ASD symptoms, and nonverbal Intelligent Quotient (IQ) were investigated through the following tests: Movement Assessment Battery for Children, second edition (MABC‐2), Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), Autism Classification System of Functioning: Social Communication (ACSF:SC) and Leiter International Performances Scale Revised (Leiter‐R). The ASD + ID and ID groups had lower MABC‐2‐manual dexterity mean scores, MABC‐2‐aiming and catching mean scores, MABC‐2‐static and dynamic balance mean scores and MABC‐2‐TTS compared with the TD group (P < 0.05). In addition, the ASD + ID group had lower MABC‐2‐aiming and catching mean scores compared with the ID group. In the ASD + ID group, we found a significant negative correlation (P < 0.001) between MABC‐2‐aiming and catching scores with SCQ scores, nonverbal IQ and ACSF:SC levels. Our findings provide new insight into the common neuropsychological mechanisms underlying social communication and motor deficits in ASD. Multiple deficits in motor functioning may be present in ASD and ID, however deficits involving the ability to integrate motor and social cues are somewhat specific to ASD. Autism Res 2018, 11: 893–902. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Lay SummaryThis study highlighted the specificity of motor impairment in ASD comparing performances on a frequently used measure of motor impairment between clinical groups (ASD + ID and ID) and a non‐clinical group. While previous research has suggested that multiple deficits in motor functioning may be present in ASD, our findings suggest that deficits in tasks involving the ability to integrate visual and motor cues (aiming and catching task) are somewhat specific to ASD.
Price uncertainty, policy, and the economic feasibility of cellulosic biorefineries
Authors: Brown Tristan R. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis paper quantifies the impacts of commodity price uncertainty and major renewable energy policies on the economic feasibility of cellulosic biorefineries. Four nth plant cellulosic biorefinery scenarios are developed via techno‐economic analysis to calculate 20‐year net present value (NPV) probability distributions and probabilities of default. While individual policy scenarios are unable to make the pathway scenarios economically feasible in the form of positive median 20‐year NPVs and low probabilities of default, combinations of policy scenarios that reflect the existing operating environment are able to do so. This result is seemingly incongruous with the large cellulosic biofuel production shortfall that currently exists in the United States but a pioneer plant analysis finds that current policies are unable to make ‘first‐of‐their‐kind’ cellulosic biorefineries economically feasible. The results of the pioneer plant analysis suggest that additional policy support is needed if cellulosic biorefineries are to overcome the pioneer plant hurdle. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Life cycle assessment of algae‐to‐biodiesel shallow pond production systems in the Mediterranean: influence of species, pond type, by(co)‐product valorisation and electricity mix
Authors: Foteinis Spyros , Antoniadis‐Gavriil Antonis , Tsoutsos Theocharis 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe environmental sustainability of microalgae‐to‐biodiesel production systems was examined at open (outdoor) and closed (indoor, using artificial light and temperature control) raceway ponds in a Mediterranean climate (southern Greece). Spirulina platensis and Nannochloropsis sp. species were considered, with the latter having a slightly better environmental performance. In terms of energy efficiency, large cumulative energy demand (CED) values were observed, while the energy return‐on‐investment (EROI) ratio was well below 3 in all cases, indicating that, with current technology, algae‐to‐biodiesel systems have not reached sustainability yet. The impact on land use was minimal, as nonarable land was used. Shallow‐pond cultivation systems are energy intensive, especially the closed ones, and therefore were found to be associated with high environmental footprints. In all cases, the main environmental hotspot was, by and large, the electricity consumption from the Greek fossil‐fuel depended energy mix (90%). Pellet, a process co‐product, largely reduced the total environmental footprint by up to ~47%, which highlights the importance of co‐product valorization. Closed systems exhibited significantly higher environmental footprints compared to open ones, due to the large energy inputs for artificial solar irradiation and for indoor temperature control. In all the cases examined, the microalgae‐to‐biodiesel production system's environmental footprint was higher than that of fossil diesel (i.e. petrodiesel), indicating that ample room exists to improve their environmental performance. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the introduction of renewable energy solely to cover for electricity needs substantially improves environmental sustainability and could render microalgae‐to‐biodiesel systems an environmentally friendlier solution than petrodiesel. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
VR‐embedded BIM immersive system for QS engineering education
Authors: Wang Chen , Li Heng , Kho Song Y. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractInformation communications technology (ICT) has been implemented in the construction sector but there is not yet any immersive system to integrate virtual reality (VR) and building information modeling (BIM) for quantity surveying (QS) practice and education. Aiming to develop a VR‐embedded BIM immersive system for quantity surveying practice and education, experiments using Autodesk Revit 2016, Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2015, and Unity were conducted in this study. The developed VR‐embedded BIM immersive system for quantity surveying practice and education consists of two main components, namely: Immersive System (Head‐mounted display/360‐degree display) and Non‐immersive systems (Desktop VR). The virtual reality application could help improving QS practitioners' and QS students' understanding on the architectural design using VR walkthrough to navigate the virtual 3D building model, thus to improve the efficiency of decision making and the precision in quantity surveying work.
Motivating engineering students learning via monitoring in personalized learning environment with tagging system
Authors: Balakrishnan Balamuralithara 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTPersonalized Learning Environment (PLE) is a novel pedagogical approach, which has caused a paradigm shift in tertiary education. In this study, a computer‐based PLE system was developed for undergraduate engineering students to help them learn a topic in a Wireless Communications course. The study used a mixed‐method approach, involving interviews and administration of questionnaires, to examine the impact of the system on students’ motivation, and the role of instructors as a motivator. The research instrument used was Science motivation questionnaire (SMQ). The analysis of the data yielded several promising results, notably the students were motivated in learning process using the system and the instructors were satisfied that they could perform the monitoring and motivating tasks effectively. Overall, the findings suggest that such a system has a strong potential to create an effective, appealing PLE to help engineering students engage in learning process with a strong sense of motivation and interest. The study also found out that students exhibited high assessment anxiety and low self‐efficacy in self‐directed learning, thus emphasizing the need to provide them with more guidance and assistance.
Stability of complement and substitute relationships in time usage among discretionary activities
Authors: Umesh U.N. , Weeks William A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis research evaluates the stability of time usage relationships among discretionary activities. Traditional economists view products or services as substitutes if both can satisfy the same need of the consumer; they are complements if they are consumed jointly in order to satisfy some particular need. Complementary activities are grouped together in activity sets defined on an a priori basis. Several research questions are developed to investigate the following issues: (a) the stability over time of overall relationships between activities, in terms of visual representation using multidimensional scaling maps, and (b) the validity and stability of a priori classification of activities in activity sets. The results from multidimensional scaling maps are validated using structural equation modeling. The results suggest that time usage relationships are temporally stable. The broad needs of respondents, as represented by interrelationships between activities in sets, were found to be stable. We present reasons for believing that the conclusions of stability are comprehensive and can be used in the real‐world.