bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unprecedentedly Tough, Folding‐Endurance, and Multifunctional Graphene‐Based Artificial Nacre with Predesigned 3D Nanofiber Network as Matrix
Authors: Wang Yunjing , Xia Shuang , Li Hao , Wang Jianfeng 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMimicking the hierarchical brick‐and‐mortar architecture of natural nacre provides great opportunities for the design and synthesis of multifunctional artificial materials. The crucial challenge to push nacre‐mimetic functional materials toward practical applications is to achieve ample ductility, toughness, and folding endurance with simultaneously maintaining high‐level functional properties. In this study, the microstructure of nacre‐mimetics is reformed through predesigning a 3D nanofiber network to replace conventional polymer matrices. A unique sol–gel–film transformation approach is developed to fabricate a graphene‐based artificial nacre containing a preforming 3D, interconnective, inhomogeneous poly(p‐phenylene benzobisoxazole) nanofiber network. The fabulous coupling of the extensive sliding of graphene nanoplatelets and intensive stretching of the 3D nanofiber network over a large scale enables the artificial nacre to display natural nacre‐like deformation behavior, achieving ultralarge strain‐to‐failure (close to 35%), unprecedented toughness (close to 50 MJ m−3), and fold endurance (no decrease in tensile properties after folding for 10 000 times or folding at increasing stress). The new levels of ductility, toughness, and folding endurance are integrated with outstanding thermal properties, including thermal conductivity (≈130 W m−1 K−1), thermal stability (520 °C) and nonflammability, rendering the lightweight nacre‐mimetics promising in flexible electronic devices, particularly for aerospace electronics.
Wide Dynamic Range in Tunable Electrochromic Bragg Stacks from Doped Semiconductor Nanocrystals
Authors: Heo Sungyeon , Agrawal Ankit , Milliron Delia J. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractElectrochromic properties can be enhanced by constructing photonic architectures, in which the reflectance contributes to optical modulation along with the intrinsic dynamic absorptivity of the material. However, optimization of reflectance is challenging without a rational design approach. Here, electrochemically tunable Bragg reflectors are demonstrated that are tuned to be highly transparent in the “off” state, achieving synergistic dynamic optical modulation of absorption and reflection in the visible and near‐infrared range. These Bragg stacks are composed of alternating doped semiconductor nanocrystal (NC) layers of 5 nm sized oxygen vacancy‐doped WO3−x and 15 nm sized 0.4 at% Sn:In2O3 NCs. Combining judicious NC selection and processing optimization with guidance from optical simulations, optimized Bragg stacks are implemented for electrochromic window applications. NCs with high absorption coefficients are essential for strong transmission modulation, though this characteristic limits the dynamic range of the Bragg reflectance. Optimal reflectance modulation including a highly transparent “off” state is confirmed with in situ reflectance and transmittance measurement. More broadly, ligand‐stripped NCs can enable fabrication of complex device architectures on low‐cost flexible substrates. These results guide the design rules for accessing different types of doped semiconductor NC‐based tunable Bragg stacks, an exemplary photonic structure, over a broad wavelength range.
Metal Cations in Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells: Progress and Perspective
Authors: Wang Kai , Subhani Waqas Siddique , Wang Yulong , Zuo Xiaokun , Wang Hui , Duan Lianjie , Liu Shengzhong (Frank) 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMetal halide perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) have revolutionized photovoltaics since the first prototype in 2009, and up to now the highest efficiency has soared to 24.2%, which is on par with commercial thin film cells and not far from monocrystalline silicon solar cells. Optimizing device performance and improving stability have always been the research highlight of PVSCs. Metal cations are introduced into perovskites to further optimize the quality, and this strategy is showing a vigorous development trend. Here, the progress of research into metal cations for PVSCs is discussed by focusing on the position of the cations in perovskites, the modulation of the film quality, and the influence on the photovoltaic performance. Metal cations are considered in the order of alkali cations, alkaline earth cations, then metal cations in the ds and d regions, and ultimately trivalent cations (p‐ and f‐block metal cations) according to the periodic table of elements. Finally, this work is summarized and some relevant issues are discussed.
Defining the Importance Score of Human MicroRNAs and Their Single Nucleotide Mutants Using Random Forest Regression and Sequence Data
Authors: Cui Chunmei , Shi Bing , Shi Jiangcheng , Zhou Yuan , Cui Qinghua 
Published: July 2019

AbstractTo dig critical microRNAs (miRNAs) from the big miRNAome, it is becoming emergent to quantify the importance of miRNAs. However, computational methods for this purpose are still not available. Some sequence features associated with miRNA conservation are revealed and miRNA disease spectrum width (DSW) is defined as a score to measure the importance of miRNAs to some extent. Here, a random forest based regression model, microRNA importance calculator (MIC), is proposed to estimate the relationship between miRNA sequence and DSW score. The result shows that MIC score fits DSW score very well. Moreover, the MIC score significantly correlates with some established biological metrics for miRNA importance, such as miRNA conservation and expression level. Finally, MIC is extended to explore miRNAs with different importance scores across species for evaluating the possibility of druggable miRNAs and estimate how single nucleotide mutants affect the importance of miRNAs. MIC is available at http://www.cuilab.cn/mic.
Boosting High‐Rate Li–S Batteries by an MOF‐Derived Catalytic Electrode with a Layer‐by‐Layer Structure
Authors: Li Wanlong , Qian Ji , Zhao Teng , Ye Yusheng , Xing Yi , Huang Yongxin , Wei Lei , Zhang Nanxiang , Chen Nan , Li Li , Wu Feng , Chen Renjie 
Published: July 2019

AbstractRechargeable high‐energy lithium–sulfur batteries suffer from rapid capacity decay and poor rate capability due to intrinsically intermediate polysulfides' shuttle effect and sluggish redox kinetics. To tackle these problems simultaneously, a layer‐by‐layer electrode structure is designed, each layer of which consists of ultrafine CoS2‐nanoparticle‐embedded porous carbon evenly grown on both sides of reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The CoS2 nanoparticles derived from metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have an average size of ≈10 nm and can facilitate the conversion between Li2S6 and Li2S2/Li2S in the liquid electrolyte by a catalytic effect, leading to improved polysulfide redox kinetics. In addition, the interconnected conductive frameworks with hierarchical pore structure afford fast ion and electron transport and provide sufficient space to confine polysulfides. As a result, the layer‐by‐layer electrodes exhibit good rate capabilities with 1180.7 and 700 mAh g−1 at 1.0 and 5.0 C, respectively, and maintain an impressive cycling stability with a low capacity decay of 0.033% per cycle within ultralong 1000 cycles at 5.0 C. Even with a high sulfur loading of 3.0 mg cm−2, the electrodes still show high rate performance and stable cycling stability over 300 cycles.
Intensified Stiffness and Photodynamic Provocation in a Collagen‐Based Composite Hydrogel Drive Chondrogenesis
Authors: Zheng Li , Liu Sijia , Cheng Xiaojing , Qin Zainen , Lu Zhenhui , Zhang Kun , Zhao Jinmin 
Published: July 2019

AbstractDirected differentiation of bone‐marrow‐derived stem cells (BMSCs) toward chondrogenesis has served as a predominant method for cartilage repair but suffers from poor oriented differentiation tendency and low differentiation efficiency. To overcome these two obstacles, an injectable composite hydrogel that consists of collagen hydrogels serving as the scaffold support to accommodate BMSCs and cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots (QDs) is constructed. The introduction of CdSe QDs considerably strengthens the stiffness of the collagen hydrogels via mutual crosslinking using a natural crosslinker (i.e., genipin), which simultaneously triggers photodynamic provocation (PDP) to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Experimental results demonstrate that the intensified stiffness and augmented ROS production can synergistically promote the proliferation of BMSCs, induce cartilage‐specific gene expression and increase secretion of glycosaminoglycan. As a result, this approach can facilitate the directed differentiation of BMSCs toward chondrogenesis and accelerate cartilage regeneration in cartilage defect repair, which routes through activation of the TGF‐β/SMAD and mTOR signaling pathways, respectively. Thus, this synergistic strategy based on increased stiffness and PDP‐mediated ROS production provides a general and instructive approach for developing alternative materials applicable for cartilage repair.
LiTFSI‐Free Spiro‐OMeTAD‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells with Power Conversion Efficiencies Exceeding 19%
Authors: Tan Boer , Raga Sonia R. , Chesman Anthony S. R. , Fürer Sebastian O. , Zheng Fei , McMeekin David P. , Jiang Liangcong , Mao Wenxin , Lin Xiongfeng , Wen Xiaoming , Lu Jianfeng , Cheng Yi‐Bing , Bach Udo 
Published: July 2019

AbstractTo date, the most efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs) employ an n–i–p device architecture that uses a 2,2′,7,7′‐tetrakis(N,N‐di‐p‐methoxyphenyl‐amine)‐9,9′‐spirobifluorene (spiro‐OMeTAD) hole‐transporting material (HTM), which achieves optimum conductivity with the addition of lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide (LiTFSI) and air exposure. However, this additive along with its oxidation process leads to poor reproducibility and is detrimental to stability. Herein, a dicationic salt spiro‐OMeTAD(TFSI)2, is employed as an effective p‐dopant to achieve power conversion efficiencies of 19.3% and 18.3% (apertures of 0.16 and 1.00 cm2) with excellent reproducibility in the absence of LiTFSI and air exposure. As far as it is known, these are the highest‐performing n–i–p PSCs without LiTFSI or air exposure. Comprehensive analysis demonstrates that precise control of the proportion of [spiro‐OMeTAD]+ directly provides high conductivity in HTM films with low series resistance, fast hole extraction, and lower interfacial charge recombination. Moreover, the spiro‐OMeTAD(TFSI)2‐doped devices show improved stability, benefitting from well‐retained HTM morphology without forming aggregates or voids when tested under an ambient atmosphere. A facile approach is presented to fabricate highly efficient PSCs by replacing LiTFSI with spiro‐OMeTAD(TFSI)2. Furthermore, this study provides an insight into the relationship between device performance and the HTM doping level.
Mechanical Control of the Kinetic Propylene/Propane Separation by Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework‐8
Authors: Zheng Bin , Maurin Guillaume 
Published: July 2019

AbstractOne intriguing feature of many porous MOFs is their stimulus‐induced flexibility, which makes them unique compared to standard adsorbents. Here we propose an innovative concept to achieve an efficient kinetic separation of species with similar properties by the mechanical fine‐tuning of the pore architecture of the flexible zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF‐8. This unprecedented approach was applied to one of the most challenging societally relevant separations: the separation of propylene and propane, which is of vital importance in the petrochemical industry. It was demonstrated that the application of an external pressure creates a gradual enhancement in the propylene/propane diffusion selectivity to more than one order of magnitude at 1 GPa pressure. A detailed analysis of the molecular simulations was further able to unravel the origin of this unusual behavior at the atomistic level.
Effects of Succinylation on the Physicochemical Properties and Structural Characteristics of Edible Rapeseed Protein Isolate Films
Authors: He Rong , Dai Caixia , Li Yang , Wang Zhigao , Li Qun , Zhang Cheng , Ju Xingrong , Yuan Jian 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis study described the manufacture and characterization of different levels of succinic anhydride (0–15%, w/w) on rapeseed protein isolate (RPI) films. Mechanical, barrier, optical, surface, microstructure, and thermal properties were investigated. Results showed that 5% succinylated rapeseed protein isolate (SRPI) film revealed the overall optimal properties. The mechanical and barrier properties of 5% SRPI film were enhanced significantly compared to the RPI film. The water vapor permeability values of RPI and 5% SRPI films were 0.77 and 0.32 g mm/[hour m2 kPa], respectively. Succinylation improved the color of RPI. The contact angle of 5% SRPI film was 108.68° and was the most hydrophobic combination. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy images revealed that 5% SRPI showed a dense, homogenous, and smooth microstructure. Thermogravimetric analysis results verified a low level of succinylation strengthened the thermal resistance of SRPI films. The content of β‐sheet was almost half of all secondary structures after succinylation, which was supported by analyses of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results demonstrated that succinylation could be employed to improve the properties of rapeseed protein and SRPI films have great potential to be used as edible films.
The effect of calcium and magnesium on the interaction between β‐lactoglobulin and carotenoids from sea buckthorn berries
Authors: Dumitraşcu Loredana , Ursache Florentina Mihaela , Aprodu Iuliana , Stănciuc Nicoleta 
Published: July 2019

Abstractβ‐Lactoglobulin has been shown to interact with carotenoids from sea buckthorn berries. However, previously, no studies have taken into account the effect of calcium and magnesium on the β‐lactoglobulin–carotenoids complex. This study aims to determine the effect of calcium and magnesium on the interaction between β‐lactoglobulin and carotenoids from sea buckthorn berries extract, during heating from the perspective of deepening interaction mechanisms as prerequisites for micro‐ and nanoencapsulation. Phase diagram, intrinsic fluorescence spectra, quenching experiments and synchronous spectra were employed to acquire information regarding the conformation of protein in the presence of calcium chloride and magnesium chloride. Intrinsic fluorescence data showed that, between 25°C and 60°C, the presence of calcium chloride in the complex favoured the movement of tryptophan residues to domains located at the protein–water interface, while magnesium chloride favoured the burial of tryptophan residues. Higher temperatures generated blue shifts regardless of which salt was present, suggesting exposure of tryptophan residues to the hydrophobic core of the protein. Extrinsic fluorescence intensity of the non‐heat‐treated complex with magnesium chloride was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than of the complex with calcium chloride, suggesting that 1‐anilino‐8‐naphtalenesulphonic acid was bound to a higher proportion of the β‐lactoglobulin–carotenoids complex. Calcium chloride increased extrinsic fluorescence to a greater extent than magnesium chloride at temperatures above 70°C and was related to small structural changes induced by preheating β‐lactoglobulin.
The influence of environmental performance on environmental disclosures: An empirical study in Ghana
Authors: Aboagye‐Otchere Francis K. , Simpson Samuel Nana Yaw , Kusi John Amoah 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe purpose of the study is to assess the level of corporate environmental disclosures in the corporate annual reports of mining and manufacturing companies in Ghana and their environmental performance. It further assesses the effect of environmental performance on environmental disclosures.A content analysis of the corporate annual reports of 25 companies over a 4‐year period for their environmental disclosures was undertaken using a disclosure index developed in line with Wiseman's (1982) environmental disclosure index. The environmental performance of the sampled firms was proxied by the rating score based on the AKOBEN environmental performance rating tool. A multiple regression analysis was undertaken using a random effect estimation model to test for the effects of environmental performance on environmental disclosures.The study finds that mining companies make more environmental disclosures than the manufacturing companies. Environmental performance was found to be a statistically significant but negative determinant of environmental disclosures. This indicates that mining and manufacturing companies make environmental disclosures to legitimize their activities in the society.The study did not consider the quality of the environmental disclosures. In addition, the study does not consider all companies assessed by the rating tool due to the selection criteria used in sampling the companies for the study. Management of companies needs to improve upon their environmental disclosure practices to gain legitimacy in the society.To the author's knowledge, this is the first study that uses the performance score of an environmental performance rating tool developed in the context of a developing country.
Modeling tourists' visiting intentions toward ecofriendly destinations: Implications for sustainable tourism operators
Authors: Ashraf Muhammad Saeed , Hou Fujun , Kim Woo Gon , Ahmad Wasim , Ashraf Rana Umair 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe previous literature has overlooked the examination of tourists' visiting intentions for ecofriendly destinations. Hence, anchored in Schwartz (1992) personal values and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the present study aims to develop a research model for application in Chinese settings. Survey findings from 467 tourists reveal significant positive relationships between tourists' values of resultant self‐transcendence and conservation and TPB factors (i.e., attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control), with the exception of the relationship between conservation and perceived behavioral control. Moreover, TPB factors and perceived green image were found to have positive effects on tourists' intentions to visit ecofriendly destinations. In addition, environmental consciousness positively moderates the relationships between the two Schwartz values and attitude. Theoretical implications are provided, and the study's findings have strategic practical implications for business managers. We acknowledge the study's limitations and offer research directions for future ecofriendly tourism scholars.
Efficacy, immunogenicity and safety of the AS04‐HPV‐16/18 vaccine in Chinese women aged 18‐25 years: End‐of‐study results from a phase II/III, randomised, controlled trial
Authors: Zhu Feng‐Cai , Hu Shang‐Ying , Hong Ying , Hu Yue‐Mei , Zhang Xun , Zhang Yi‐Ju , Pan Qin‐Jing , Zhang Wen‐Hua , Zhao Fang‐Hui , Zhang Cheng‐Fu , Yang Xiaoping , Yu Jia‐Xi , Zhu Jiahong , Zhu Yejiang , Chen Feng , Zhang Qian , Wang Hong , Wang Changrong , Bi Jun , Xue Shiyin , Shen Lingling , Zhang Yan‐Shu , He Yunkun , Tang Haiwen , Karkada Naveen , Suryakiran Pemmaraju , Bi Dan , Struyf Frank 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundCervical cancer is a major public health concern in China. We report the end‐of‐study results of a phase II/III trial to assess the efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of the AS04‐human papillomavirus (HPV)‐16/18 vaccine in Chinese women aged 18‐25 years followed for up to 72 months after first vaccination. Results of approximately 57 months following first vaccination have been previously reported.MethodsHealthy 18‐25‐year‐old women (N = 6051) were randomized (1:1) to receive three doses of AS04‐HPV‐16/18 vaccine or Al(OH)3 (control) at Months 0‐1‐6. Vaccine efficacy against HPV‐16/18 infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), cross‐protective vaccine efficacy against infections and lesions associated with nonvaccine oncogenic HPV types, immunogenicity, and safety were assessed. Efficacy was assessed in the according‐to‐protocol efficacy (ATP‐E) cohort (vaccine N = 2888; control N = 2892), total vaccinated cohort for efficacy (TVC‐E; vaccine N = 2987; control N = 2985) and TVC‐naïve (vaccine N = 1660; control N = 1587).ResultsIn initially HPV‐16/18 seronegative/DNA‐negative women, vaccine efficacy against HPV‐16/18‐associated CIN grade 2 or worse was 87.3% (95% CI: 5.5, 99.7) in the ATP‐E, 88.7% (95% CI: 18.5, 99.7) in the TVC‐E, and 100% (95% CI: 17.9, 100) in the TVC‐naïve. Cross‐protective efficacy against incident infection with HPV‐31, HPV‐33 and HPV‐45 was 59.6% (95% CI: 39.4, 73.5), 42.7% (95% CI: 15.6, 61.6), and 54.8% (95% CI: 19.3, 75.6), respectively (ATP‐E). At Month 72, >95% of initially seronegative women who received HPV vaccine in the ATP cohort for immunogenicity (N = 664) remained seropositive for anti‐HPV‐16/18 antibodies; anti‐HPV‐16 and anti‐HPV‐18 geometric mean titers were 678.1 EU/mL (95% CI: 552.9, 831.5) and 343.7 EU/mL (95% CI: 291.9, 404.8), respectively. Serious adverse events were infrequent (1.9% vaccine group [N = 3026]; 2.7% control group [N = 3025]). Three and zero women died in the control group and the vaccine group respectively. New onset autoimmune disease was reported in two women in the vaccine group and two in the control group.ConclusionsThis is the first large‐scale randomized clinical trial of HPV vaccination in China. High and sustained vaccine efficacy against HPV‐16/18‐associated infection and cervical lesions was demonstrated up to Month 72. The vaccine had an acceptable safety profile. Combined with screening, prophylactic HPV vaccination could potentially reduce the high burden of HPV infection and cervical cancer in China.Trial registrationNCT00779766.
Preservation of replaced left hepatic artery during 3D laparoscopic totally minimally invasive esophagectomy for cancer
Authors: Syllaios Athanasios , Davakis Spyridon , Sdralis Elias , Petousis Stamatios , Lorenzi Bruno , Charalabopoulos Alexandros 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPreserving a replaced left hepatic artery may be feasible and safe during 3D laparoscopic totally minimally invasive esophagectomy. Avoidance of conversion to an open procedure may be achieved after careful dissection of the celiac trunk lymph nodes, expertise and the visual advantage that 3D vision offers.
Analysis of a Two‐Layer Nozzle‐and‐Diffuser Electroosmotic Micromixer
Authors: Ahmed Faheem , Kim Kwang-Yong 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAn electroosmotic micromixer with two‐layer microchannels of a nozzle‐and‐diffuser structure was proposed. Numerical analysis of the flow and mixing was performed using the three‐dimensional Poisson‐Boltzmann and Navier‐Stokes equations with a diffusion‐convection model for the species concentration. A parametric analysis of the microchannels was performed using three geometric parameters, i.e., length of the nozzle section, length of the diffusion section, and width of the nozzle end, to investigate the impact of each parameter on the mixing performance, which was quantified by a quantitative measure based on the mass variance. The numerical results were used to improve the design of the proposed micromixer, leading to a far better mixing performance with a much shorter channel length compared to an existing electroosmotic micromixer.