bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Near‐Infrared Photoactivatable Semiconducting Polymer Nanoblockaders for Metastasis‐Inhibited Combination Cancer Therapy
Authors: Li Jingchao , Cui Dong , Jiang Yuyan , Huang Jiaguo , Cheng Penghui , Pu Kanyi 
Published: October 2019

AbstractInhibition of protein biosynthesis is a promising strategy to develop new therapeutic modalities for cancers; however, noninvasive precise regulation of this cellular event in living systems has been rarely reported. In this study, a semiconducting polymer nanoblockader (SPNB) is developed that can inhibit intracellular protein synthesis upon near‐infrared (NIR) photoactivation to synergize with photodynamic therapy (PDT) for metastasis‐inhibited cancer therapy. SPNB is self‐assembled from an amphiphilic semiconducting polymer which is grafted with poly(ethylene glycol) conjugated with a protein biosynthesis blockader through a singlet oxygen (1O2) cleavable linker. Such a designed molecular structure not only enables generation of 1O2 under NIR photoirradiation for PDT, but also permits photoactivation of blockaders to terminate protein translation. Thereby, SPNB exerts a synergistic action to afford an enhanced therapeutic efficacy in tumor ablation. More importantly, SPNB‐mediated photoactivation of protein synthesis inhibition precisely and remotely downregulates the expression levels of metastasis‐related proteins in tumor tissues, eventually contributing to the complete inhibition of lung metastasis. This study thus proposes a photoactivatable protherapeutic design for metastasis‐inhibited cancer therapy.
A Narrow‐Bandgap n‐Type Polymer Semiconductor Enabling Efficient All‐Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Shi Shengbin , Chen Peng , Chen Yao , Feng Kui , Liu Bin , Chen Jianhua , Liao Qiaogan , Tu Bao , Luo Jiasi , Su Mengyao , Guo Han , Kim Myung‐Gil , Facchetti Antonio , Guo Xugang 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCurrently, n‐type acceptors in high‐performance all‐polymer solar cells (all‐PSCs) are dominated by imide‐functionalized polymers, which typically show medium bandgap. Herein, a novel narrow‐bandgap polymer, poly(5,6‐dicyano‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole‐alt‐indacenodithiophene) (DCNBT‐IDT), based on dicyanobenzothiadiazole without an imide group is reported. The strong electron‐withdrawing cyano functionality enables DCNBT‐IDT with n‐type character and, more importantly, alleviates the steric hindrance associated with typical imide groups. Compared to the benchmark poly(naphthalene diimide‐alt‐bithiophene) (N2200), DCNBT‐IDT shows a narrower bandgap (1.43 eV) with a much higher absorption coefficient (6.15 × 104 cm−1). Such properties are elusive for polymer acceptors to date, eradicating the drawbacks inherited in N2200 and other high‐performance polymer acceptors. When blended with a wide‐bandgap polymer donor, the DCNBT‐IDT‐based all‐PSCs achieve a remarkable power conversion efficiency of 8.32% with a small energy loss of 0.53 eV and a photoresponse of up to 870 nm. Such efficiency greatly outperforms those of N2200 (6.13%) and the naphthalene diimide (NDI)‐based analog NDI‐IDT (2.19%). This work breaks the long‐standing bottlenecks limiting materials innovation of n‐type polymers, which paves a new avenue for developing polymer acceptors with improved optoelectronic properties and heralds a brighter future of all‐PSCs.
Activating Antitumor Immunity and Antimetastatic Effect Through Polydopamine‐Encapsulated Core–Shell Upconversion Nanoparticles
Authors: Yan Shuangqian , Zeng Xuemei , Tang Yong'an , Liu Bi‐Feng , Wang Yu , Liu Xiaogang 
Published: October 2019

AbstractSynergistic phototherapy has the potential to conquer the extreme heterogeneity and complexity of difficult tumors and result in better cancer treatment outcomes than monomodal photodynamic therapy (PDT) or photothermal therapy (PTT). However, the previous approaches to combining PDT and PTT are mainly focused on primary tumor obliteration while neglecting tumor metastasis, which is responsible for about 90% of cancer deaths. It is shown that a combined PDT/PTT approach, based on upconversion‐polymer hybrid nanoparticles with surface‐loaded chlorin e6 photosensitizer, can enhance primary tumor elimination and elicit antitumor immunity against disseminated tumors. The specifical arrangement of an external upconversion coating over the polymer core ensures adequate photoabsorption by the upconversion nanoparticles for the generation of reactive oxygen species upon single near‐infrared light irradiation. Furthermore, it is found that synergistic phototherapy can elicit robust systemic and humoral antitumor immune responses. When combined with immune checkpoint blockades, it can inhibit tumor relapse and metastasis as well as prolong the survival of tumor‐bearing mice in two types of tumor metastasis models. This study may establish a new modality for enhancing immunogenic cell death through a synergistic phototherapeutic nanoplatform and extend this strategy to overcome tumor metastasis with an augmented antitumor immune response.
A Multisensory Tactile System for Robotic Hands to Recognize Objects
Authors: Li Guozhen , Zhu Rong 
Published: October 2019

AbstractMultisensory tactile systems play an important role in enhancing robot intelligence. A competent robotic tactile system needs to be simple in structure and easily operated, especially with multiple sensations, and have good coordinate ability like human skin. A novel multisensory tactile system for humanoid robotic hands is proposed, allowing the hand to identify objects by grasping and manipulating them. Robotic multifunction sensors based on skin‐inspired thermosensation and structured with micro platinum ribbons partially covered with piezo‐thermic silver‐nanoparticle‐doped porous polydimethylsiloxane membrane simultaneously and independently detect contact pressure, local ambient temperature, and thermal conductivity and temperature of an object. Multiple tactile information which is obtained by the robotic sensors is fused comprehensively based on neural network classification to identify diverse objects in uncertain and dynamic gripping with an object recognition accuracy of 95%. This multisensory system enables robotic hand to better interact with its environment, enhances robotic intelligence, and makes various complex tasks feasible for robots, such as sorting material or rescuing from fire or other disasters.
Engineering State‐of‐the‐Art Plasmonic Nanomaterials for SERS‐Based Clinical Liquid Biopsy Applications
Authors: Wang Jing , Koo Kevin M. , Wang Yuling , Trau Matt 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPrecision oncology, defined as the use of the molecular understanding of cancer to implement personalized patient treatment, is currently at the heart of revolutionizing oncology practice. Due to the need for repeated molecular tumor analyses in facilitating precision oncology, liquid biopsies, which involve the detection of noninvasive cancer biomarkers in circulation, may be a critical key. Yet, existing liquid biopsy analysis technologies are still undergoing an evolution to address the challenges of analyzing trace quantities of circulating tumor biomarkers reliably and cost effectively. Consequently, the recent emergence of cutting‐edge plasmonic nanomaterials represents a paradigm shift in harnessing the unique merits of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) biosensing platforms for clinical liquid biopsy applications. Herein, an expansive review on the design/synthesis of a new generation of diverse plasmonic nanomaterials, and an updated evaluation of their demonstrated SERS‐based uses in liquid biopsies, such as circulating tumor cells, tumor‐derived extracellular vesicles, as well as circulating cancer proteins, and tumor nucleic acids is presented. Existing challenges impeding the clinical translation of plasmonic nanomaterials for SERS‐based liquid biopsy applications are also identified, and outlooks and insights into advancing this rapidly growing field for practical patient use are provided.
RNA Nanotechnology to Solubilize Hydrophobic Antitumor Drug for Targeted Delivery
Authors: Piao Xijun , Yin Hongran , Guo Sijin , Wang Hongzhi , Guo Peixuan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractSmall‐molecule drugs are used extensively in clinics for cancer treatment; however, many antitumor chemical drugs dissolve poorly in aqueous solution. Their poor solubility and nonselective delivery in vivo often cause severe side effects. Here, the application of RNA nanotechnology to enhance the solubility of hydrophobic drugs, using camptothecin (CPT) for proof‐of‐concept in targeted delivery for cancer treatment is reported. Multiple CPT prodrug molecules are conjugated to RNA oligos via a click reaction, and the resulting CPT‐RNA conjugates efficiently self‐assemble into thermodynamically stable RNA three‐way junction (3WJ) nanoparticles. The RNA 3WJ is covalently linked with seven hydrophobic CPT prodrug molecules through cleavable ester bonds and a folic acid ligand for specific tumor targeting while remaining soluble in aqueous solutions without detectable aggregation at therapeutic dose. This CPT‐RNA nanoparticle exhibits efficient and specific cell binding and internalization, leading to cell apoptosis. Tumor growth is effectively inhibited by CPT‐RNA nanoparticles; the targeted delivery, strengthened by tumor ligand, further enhances tumor suppression. Compared with the traditional formulation, solubilization of CPT in aqueous buffer using RNA nanoparticles as a carrier is found to be safe and efficacious, demonstrating that RNA nanoparticles are a promising platform for the solubilization and the delivery of hydrophobic antitumor drugs.
Extracellular Nanomatrix‐Induced Self‐Organization of Neural Stem Cells into Miniature Substantia Nigra‐Like Structures with Therapeutic Effects on Parkinsonian Rats
Authors: Zhang Shiqing , Sun Peng , Lin Kaili , Chan Florence Hiu Ling , Gao Qi , Lau Wai Fung , Roy Vellaisamy A. L. , Zhang Hongqi , Lai King Wai Chiu , Huang Zhifeng , Yung Ken Kin Lam 
Published: October 2019

AbstractSubstantia nigra (SN) is a complex and critical region of the brain wherein Parkinson's disease (PD) arises from the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Miniature SN‐like structures (mini‐SNLSs) constructed from novel combination of nanomaterials and cell technologies exhibit promise as potentially curative cell therapies for PD. In this work, a rapid self‐organization of mini‐SNLS, with an organizational structure and neuronal identities similar to those of the SN in vivo, is achieved by differentiating neural stem cells in vitro on biocompatible silica nanozigzags (NZs) sculptured by glancing angle deposition, without traditional chemical growth factors. The differentiated neurons exhibit electrophysiological activity in vitro. Diverse physical cues and signaling pathways that are determined by the nanomatrices and lead to the self‐organization of the mini‐SNLSs are clarified and elucidated. In vivo, transplantation of the neurons from a mini‐SNLS results in an early and progressive amelioration of PD in rats. The sculptured medical device reported here enables the rapid and specific self‐organization of region‐specific and functional brain‐like structures without an undesirable prognosis. This development provides promising and significant insights into the screening of potentially curative drugs and cell therapies for PD.
Dynamics of Photo‐Induced Surface Oxygen Vacancies in Metal‐Oxide Semiconductors Studied Under Ambient Conditions
Authors: Glass Daniel , Cortés Emiliano , Ben‐Jaber Sultan , Brick Thomas , Peveler William J. , Blackman Christopher S. , Howle Christopher R. , Quesada‐Cabrera Raul , Parkin Ivan P. , Maier Stefan A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractSurface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful analytical technique commonly used in the detection of traces of organic molecules. The mechanism of SERS is of a dual nature, with Raman scattering enhancements due to a combination of electromagnetic (EM) and chemical contributions. In conventional SERS, the EM component is largely responsible for the enhancement, with the chemical contribution playing a less significant role. An alternative technique, called photo‐induced enhanced Raman spectroscopy (PIERS) has been recently developed, using a photo‐activated semiconductor substrate to give additional chemical enhancement of Raman bands over traditional SERS. This enhancement is assigned to surface oxygen vacancies (Vo) formed upon pre‐irradiation of the substrate. In this work, the exceptional chemical contribution in PIERS allows for the evaluation of atomic Vo dynamics in metal oxide surfaces. This technique is applied to study the formation and healing rates of surface‐active Vo in archetypical metal‐oxide semiconductors, namely, TiO2, WO3, and ZnO. Contrary to conventional analytical tools, PIERS provides intuitive and valuable information about surface stability of atomic defects at ambient pressure and under operando conditions, which has important implications in a wide range of applications including catalysis and energy storage materials.
Interfacial Energy Level Tuning for Efficient and Thermostable CsPbI2Br Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Shen En‐Chi , Chen Jing‐De , Tian Yu , Luo Yu‐Xin , Shen Yang , Sun Qi , Jin Teng‐Yu , Shi Guo‐Zheng , Li Yan‐Qing , Tang Jian‐Xin 
Published: October 2019

AbstractInorganic mixed‐halide CsPbX3‐based perovskite solar cells (PeSCs) are emerging as one of the most promising types of PeSCs on account of their thermostability compared to organic–inorganic hybrid counterparts. However, dissatisfactory device performance and high processing temperature impede their development for viable applications. Herein, a facile route is presented for tuning the energy levels and electrical properties of sol–gel‐derived ZnO electron transport material (ETM) via the doping of a classical alkali metal carbonate Cs2CO3. Compared to bare ZnO, Cs2CO3‐doped ZnO possesses more favorable interface energetics in contact with the CsPbI2Br perovskite layer, which can reduce the ohmic loss to a negligible level. The optimized PeSCs achieve an improved open‐circuit voltage of 1.28 V, together with an increase in fill factor and short‐circuit current. The optimized power conversion efficiencies of 16.42% and 14.82% are realized on rigid glass substrate and flexible plastic substrate, respectively. A high thermostability can be simultaneously obtained via defect passivation at the Cs2CO3‐doped ZnO/CsPbI2Br interface, and 81% of the initial efficiency is retained after aging for 200 h at 85 °C.
Polysulfide Confinement and Highly Efficient Conversion on Hierarchical Mesoporous Carbon Nanosheets for Li–S Batteries
Authors: Li Jianbo , Chen Chunyuan , Chen Yuwei , Li Zhenhua , Xie Wenfu , Zhang Xin , Shao Mingfei , Wei Min 
Published: October 2019

AbstractLithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have attracted increasing attention due to their extremely high theoretical specific capacity and a promising power density. However, practical applications of Li–S batteries are still limited by the relatively low performance, owing to poor conductivity of sulfur itself and discharge products (Li2S/Li2S2) as well as the shuttle effect of the intermediate polysulfide. Herein, honeycomb‐like mesoporous Co, N‐doped carbon nanosheets (MC‐NS) with a high specific surface area and abundant defects are developed which, simultaneously enable polysulfide confinement and highly efficient conversion. Moreover, density functional theory calculations and experiments show that the Co‐N‐C catalytic site as well as defects on the carbon skeleton of the MC‐NS facilitate high efficiency in suppressing the shuttle effect of polysulfides. In situ Raman spectra further demonstrate the enhancement of adsorption ability and conversion efficiency of polysulfides on this host. As a result, the MC‐NS enables much increased specific capacity and cycling stability of Li–S batteries. This work provides a useful strategy for realizing practical applications of high‐performance Li–S batteries.
Preventing infectious complications when treating non‐malignant immune‐mediated hematologic disorders
Authors: Malpica Luis , van Duin David , Moll Stephan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractImmunosuppressants, targeted antibody therapies, and surgical splenectomy are amongst the treatment choices for immune‐mediated non‐malignant hematologic disorders, with infection being the most common non‐hematological adverse event from these therapies. Corticosteroids are associated with a length‐of‐treatment and dose‐dependent risk for infection, including opportunistic infections. Screening and antimicrobial prophylaxis against tuberculosis, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, are indicated in selected patients on steroids and with certain risk factors for infection. Rituximab is associated with hepatitis B virus reactivation. All patients planned to be started on rituximab should be screened for hepatitis B surface antigen and total core antibody, with antiviral prophylaxis given depending on test results. In eculizumab treated patients, immunization against meningococcal serogroups ACWY and B is recommended. In addition, some guidelines suggest antibiotic prophylaxis for the duration of eculizumab treatment. In splenectomized patients, counseling and immunization are cornerstones of infection prevention. Several federal and society guidelines about immunizations and prophylactic antimicrobial therapies for patients treated with various immunosuppressive agents exist and are summarized in this manuscript in a clinical‐focused table. In addition, management suggestions are made where no formal guidelines exist.
Tooth transposition prevalence and type among sub‐Saharan Africans
Authors: Irish Joel D. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectivesAlthough rare, tooth transposition—an exchange in location of two teeth—is a frequent topic of study. Clinical and, to a much lesser extent, dental anthropological research have focused predominantly on prevalence (0.03%‐0.74% in several world populations) and case studies, albeit on a restricted spatiotemporal scale. Many regions have received little attention, including sub‐Saharan Africa, while premodern data are few. Here, the aim is to supplement both fields of dental research by reviewing previous publications, and newly reporting transposition rates, types, and co‐occurring abnormalities in time‐successive samples across the subcontinent.MethodsDental data in 51 sub‐Saharan samples (>2500 individuals) dating >10 000 BC to 20th century were recorded. Of these, 36 are of modern and 15 premodern age, comprising males and females ≥12‐years of age. Transposition presence, quadrant, and type were tabulated, cases described, and prevalence presented. In the latter case, Poisson 95% confidence intervals were calculated to better discern true population rates at various geographic levels.ResultsOverall, six of 1886 modern individuals (0.32%) and one of premodern age evidence Mx.C.P1, an exchange of the maxillary canine and first premolar. Various associated dental abnormalities are also evident, including retained deciduous teeth, reduced permanent crowns, and agenesis.ConclusionsThis study provides additional insight into the geographic distribution, features, and time depth of transposition, along with hints supporting a genetic etiology and, potentially, some indications of diachronic change from an initial Mx.C.P1 to several types more recently based on premodern evidence. It is of clinical concern today, but is not just a modern anomaly.
Geometry of the Parameter Space of a Quantum System: Classical Point of View
Authors: Alvarez‐Jimenez Javier , Gonzalez Diego , Gutiérrez‐Ruiz Daniel , Vergara Jose David 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe local geometry of the parameter space of a quantum system is described by the quantum metric tensor and the Berry curvature, which are two fundamental objects that play a crucial role in understanding geometrical aspects of condensed matter physics. Classical integrable systems are considered and a new approach is reported to obtain the classical analogs of the quantum metric tensor and the Berry curvature. An advantage of this approach is that it can be applied to a wide variety of classical systems corresponding to quantum systems with bosonic and fermionic degrees of freedom. The approach used arises from the semiclassical approximation of the Berry curvature and the quantum metric tensor in the Lagrangian formalism. This semiclassical approximation is exploited to establish, for the first time, the relation between the quantum metric tensor and its classical counterpart. The approach described is illustrated and validated by applying it to five systems: the generalized harmonic oscillator, the symmetric and linearly coupled harmonic oscillators, the singular Euclidean oscillator, and a spin‐half particle in a magnetic field. Finally, some potential applications of this approach and possible generalizations that can be of interest in the field of condensed matter physics are mentioned.
Electrospun rubber/thermoplastic hybrid nanofibers for localized toughening effects in epoxy resins
Authors: Di Filippo Maria , Alessi Sabina , Palmese Giuseppe , Dispenza Clelia 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTSynthetic rubber/thermoplastic blends were electrospun from their solutions. The rubber was a solid acrylonitrile/butadiene/acrylic acid copolymer and the thermoplastic was polyacrylonitrile. The aims of this study were to identify suitable systems and processing conditions for obtaining rubber‐based electrospun nanofibers, to investigate the ability of an epoxy resin system to impregnate and swell selected hybrid rubber/thermoplastic mats, and to assess the impact of the nanofibers on the resin morphology and curing behavior. In particular, electrospinning trials were carried out varying the composition of the feed solution and process parameters, such as the applied voltage, the flow rate, and tip‐to‐collector distance. The morphology of the hybrid mats was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and their thermal properties by thermogravimetry. An epoxy resin‐mat monolayer was also prepared and its fracture surface inspected; both rubber nanoparticles and PAN nanofibers were evident. The highly corrugated fracture surfaces suggest activation of local epoxy‐resin toughening mechanisms. Altogether, the results encouraged the application of hybrid mats as interleaves in high‐performance carbon/epoxy composites to contrast delamination. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2020,137, 48501.
Fibers spinning from poly(trimethylsilylpropyne) solutions
Authors: Skvortsov Ivan Yu. , Kalugina Anastasia D. , Litvinova Elena G. , Malkin Alexander Ya. , Khotimskiy Valery S. , Kulichikhin Valery G. 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTThis study for the first time directs in assessment of the necessary conditions for spinning fibers from poly[1‐(trimethylsilyl)1‐propyne], one of the best for gas separation. It includes a search of appropriate solvents, investigation of rheological properties of solutions, a preparation of dopes with reasonable polymer content and a choice of effective coagulants based on their solubility parameters in frames of wet fiber spinning. The fibers were obtained with diameter of 7 ± 1 μm and strength of up to 200 MPa. The morphology of the surface and core of the PTMSP fibers was distinctively different: dense skin and friable core. From the viewpoint of membrane properties, it looks like asymmetrical membrane. In addition, the hollow fibers we prepared by dry spinning method. Overall, the stable fiber spinning process from PTMSP solutions was developed for the first time, and monolith and hollow PTMSP fibers of good quality were obtained. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48511.