bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Constructing inkjet printed dielectric elastomers with modified silicon carbide nanowire surfaces to enhance electromechanical performance
Authors: Wang Zhihui , Zhao Xuan , Zhang Meng , Zhou Yanfen , Zhou Bangze , Liu Zhanxu , Zhang Xiaofeng , Jiang Zhiqing , Sun Yaning , Jerrams Stephen , Jiang Liang 
Published: July 2024

AbstractDielectric elastomers (DEs), have attracted interest because they can replicate the behavior of muscles. They can change shape when subjected to an electric field. A novel DE is proposed in this study that incorporates silicon carbide (SiC) nanowires into silicone rubber (SR). The nanowires were propagated using polycarbosilane via a chemical vapor reaction (CVR). A boronate polymer was employed to promote compatibility between SR and SiC nanowires which modified the nanowire surfaces, leveraging a strong adhesive quality of the catechol moiety. Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) inkjet printing was then used to form the DEs into various shapes. These DEs had substantial dielectric constants of the order of 4.46. Significantly, one of the DEs achieved the highest actuated area strain of 20.36% in an electric field of 16.5 V/μm, demonstrating excellent driving performance. Furthermore, when used the fabricated DEs showed pronounced long‐term stability, meaning they are capable of finding applications in artificial intelligence, biomimetics, aerospace, and other disciplines.Highlights
The SiC nanowires were obtained through a chemical vapor reaction.
A boronate polymer with catechol moiety was used to modify the SiC nanowires.
DEs were formed various shapes by inkjet printing.
DEs achieved very large actuated strains of up to 20.36% at 16.5 V/μm.
Establishment of regression‐based isometric strength reference values for the upper limb in persons with multiple sclerosis
Authors: DelMastro Heather M. , Robson Abigail , Gromisch Elizabeth S. , Campo Marc , Simaitis Laura B. , Lo Albert C. , Dhari Zaenab , Ruiz Jennifer A. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundMuscle weakness is common and significantly affects persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), with dysfunction in upper limb (UL) muscle groups occurring in approximately 60% of PwMS.ObjectiveTo develop gender‐specific regression‐based prediction equations, with 95% confidence intervals for maximal bilateral UL isometric strength (shoulder abduction and adduction, wrist flexion and extension) and hand grip strength in PwMS.DesignCross‐sectional study.SettingComprehensive MS center.Participants256 PwMS.InterventionsNot Applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresShoulder abduction and adduction and wrist flexion and extension isometric strength (Biodex System 4 Pro Dynamometer) and hand grip strength (Jamar handheld dynamometer) were measured. Disease characteristics (disability and disease duration) and demographics (age, height, and weight) were collected. Regression‐based predictive equations were generated for the UL muscle groups for each gender and limb, using age, height, weight, disability, and disease duration as covariates. Variables were compared between genders using the Mann–Whitney U test. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) reference values (mean ± SD) were reported based on age (<30, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69 years) and disability (mild, moderate, severe ambulant, and severe nonambulant) for each gender and limb.ResultsRegression‐based equations were developed for both genders' strongest and weakest limb, accounting for age, height, weight, disability, and disease duration. MVC was higher in men than women (p < .001) in all muscle groups. Overall, MVC was significantly related to age in 14, height in 5, weight in 6, disability in 14, and disease duration in none of the 20 models.ConclusionThis is the first study to provide regression‐based prediction equations for strongest and weakest MVC of UL muscle groups and demonstrated an inverse relationship between MVC with disability and age. Regression‐based reference strength values can help clinicians understand muscular strength along a spectrum of PwMS and can aid in goal setting and education for realistic outcomes.
Bridging pharmacology and neural networks: A deep dive into neural ordinary differential equations
Authors: Losada Idris Bachali , Terranova Nadia 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe advent of machine learning has led to innovative approaches in dealing with clinical data. Among these, Neural Ordinary Differential Equations (Neural ODEs), hybrid models merging mechanistic with deep learning models have shown promise in accurately modeling continuous dynamical systems. Although initial applications of Neural ODEs in the field of model‐informed drug development and clinical pharmacology are becoming evident, applying these models to actual clinical trial datasets—characterized by sparse and irregularly timed measurements—poses several challenges. Traditional models often have limitations with sparse data, highlighting the urgent need to address this issue, potentially through the use of assumptions. This review examines the fundamentals of Neural ODEs, their ability to handle sparse and irregular data, and their applications in model‐informed drug development.
Berberine and berberine nanoformulations in cancer therapy: Focusing on lung cancer
Authors: Hsu Chou‐Yi , Pallathadka Harikumar , Gupta Jitendra , Ma Haowei , Al‐Shukri Hamzah H. K. , Kareem A. K. , Zwamel Ahmed Hussein , Mustafa Yasser Fakri 
Published: July 2024

AbstractLung cancer is the second most prevalent cancer and ranks first in cancer‐related death worldwide. Due to the resistance development to conventional cancer therapy strategies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, various natural products and their extracts have been revealed as alternatives. Berberine (BBR), which is present in the stem, root, and bark of various trees, could exert anticancer activities by regulating tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, metastasis, angiogenesis, and immune responses via modulating several signaling pathways within the tumor microenvironment. Due to its poor water solubility, poor pharmacokinetics/bioavailability profile, and extensive p‐glycoprotein‐dependent efflux, BBR application in (pre) clinical studies is restricted. To overcome these limitations, BBR can be encapsulated in nanoparticle (NP)‐based drug delivery systems, as monotherapy or combinational therapy, and improve BBR therapeutic efficacy. Nanoformulations also facilitate the selective delivery of BBR into lung cancer cells. In addition to the anticancer activities of BBR, especially in lung cancer, here we reviewed the BBR nanoformulations, including polymeric NPs, metal‐based NPs, carbon nanostructures, and others, in the treatment of lung cancer.
Preparation and Characterization of Biowaste Derived Zn, Sr Co‐substituted HAP/Lignin Biocomposite for Potential Biomedical Applications
Authors: Sridevi S. , Sutha S. , Kavitha L. , Gopi D. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis present study deals with the facile synthesis of Zinc (Zn), Strontium (Sr) Co‐substituted hydroxyapatite (M‐HAP)/lignin composite for biomedical applications. For composite formation, HAP was isolated from egg shell through wet precipitation method, biopolymer of lignin was extracted from neem wood through organosolve technique then HAP composites (HAP, HAP/lignin, Zn‐HAP/lignin, Sr‐HAP/lignin, Zn, Sr‐HAP/lignin) were obtained using freeze drying performance. The synthesized HAP composites were characterized using X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDAX). The antibacterial behavior of the HAP composites was investigated against E. Coli, B. Subtilies, P. Aeruginosa and S. Aureus pathogens. Then the mechanical property of the HAP composites was carried out using Vicker's microhardness test which reveals a better improvement in mechanical hardness. The antibacterial activity confirms that the HAP composite exhibits enhanced antibacterial activity. Further, the cell viability analysis shows that the co‐substitution of Zn and Sr in HAP lattice improved cell viability analysis, which indicates that the obtained Zn, Sr co‐substituted HAP/lignin biocomposite acts as a potential biomaterial for better biomedical application.
Synthesis and Characterization of Metal Complexes [M(L)(Im)]NO3, In Vitro DNA/BSA Binding Behavior and Cytotoxicity on HepG2 Cancer Cells
Authors: Alroba Almuhrah A. N. , Aazam Elham Shafik , Zaki Mehvash 
Published: July 2024

AbstractA new ligand (HL) was prepared from heterocyclic 8‐Hydroxy‐2‐quinolinecarboxaldehyde and 2‐Aminobenzophenone in one pot synthesis. The metal complexes of the types [Zn(L)(Im)]NO3 (1), [Cu(L)(Im)]NO3 (2) and [Co(L)(Im)]NO3 (3) were prepared by adopting HL and Imidazole under refluxing conditions. The HL and complexes 1–3, were characterized by CHN elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FT‐IR, ToF Mass. The spectroscopic studies suggest square pyramidal geometry in all complexes. The interaction of ligand and complexes with DNA and BSA was conducted by UV‐vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The Kb value of 2.17×104 M−1 for complex 2 is the highest depicting its greater binding propensity with DNA. Similarly, in BSA binding studies, complex 2 shows greater binding potential in the hydrophobic core probably near the Trp 212 in the subdomain IIA. Furthermore, the complex 2 shows excellent cytotoxicity on HepG2 cancer cells with IC50=74.05±0.69 μM. In the cell cycle analysis of HepG2 cells, it has been observed that complex 2 arrests the cell proliferation in the G1/S phase. Annexin V‐based flow cytometry analysis further indicated 6‐fold apoptotic cell death by complex 2 in the experiment along with non‐specific necrosis cell death.
Novel Synthesis of Functionalized Bis(Benzo‐Heterocyclic Amine) Derivatives via Copper‐Catalyzed One‐Pot Multicomponent Reactions
Authors: Nematpour Manijeh 
Published: July 2024

AbstractA copper‐catalyzed one‐pot synthesis of substituted bis(benzoxazole)amine, N‐benzoxazole(benzoimidazole)amine, and N‐benzoxazole(benzothiazole)amine is described via intramolecular cyclization of iodophenol and 2‐amino benzimidazoles(thiazoles)(oxazoles)‐trichloroacetonitrile adduct under ultrasound irradiation in MeCN with good yields. The use of simple and readily available starting materials, no column chromatography, mild copper‐catalytic reaction conditions, good yields (74–84 %), applying the sonochemical methodology and short reaction times are remarkable specifications of this protocol. All the compounds synthesized in this design are new and their identities have been confirmed using IR, NMR, CHN and mass spectrometry techniques.
Transition‐Metal‐Free (Hetero)arylsulfonylation of 1‐Iodopyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalines
Authors: Ca Thuy T. , Le Khanh T. M. , Nguyen Tung T. , Chau Ngoc D. Q. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWe describe herein a method for transition‐metal‐free (hetero)arylsulfonylation of 1‐iodopyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalines with sodium arylsulfinates. The corresponding aryl iodides were in situ prepared from eletrophilic iodination of C1−H bonds in pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalines with N‐iodosuccinimide. The ensuing sulfonylation only required DMSO as solvent and completed after 15 min. Many arylsulfinates bearing chloro, bromo, methylsufonyl, acetamide, and nitro groups were competent substrates. Heteroarylsulfonylation of pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxalines were also feasible.
Cu Based Dilute Alloys for Tuning the C2+ Selectivity of Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Authors: Crandall Bradie S. , Qi Zhen , Foucher Alexandre C. , Weitzner Stephen E. , Akhade Sneha A. , Liu Xin , Kashi Ajay R. , Buckley Aya K. , Ma Sichao , Stach Eric A. , Varley Joel B. , Jiao Feng , Biener Juergen 
Published: July 2024

AbstractElectrochemical CO2 reduction is a promising technology for replacing fossil fuel feedstocks in the chemical industry but further improvements in catalyst selectivity need to be made. So far, only copper‐based catalysts have shown efficient conversion of CO2 into the desired multi‐carbon (C2+) products. This work explores Cu‐based dilute alloys to systematically tune the energy landscape of CO2 electrolysis toward C2+ products. Selection of the dilute alloy components is guided by grand canonical density functional theory simulations using the calculated binding energies of the reaction intermediates CO*, CHO*, and OCCO* dimer as descriptors for the selectivity toward C2+ products. A physical vapor deposition catalyst testing platform is employed to isolate the effect of alloy composition on the C2+/C1 product branching ratio without interference from catalyst morphology or catalyst integration. Six dilute alloy catalysts are prepared and tested with respect to their C2+/C1 product ratio using different electrolyzer environments including selected tests in a 100‐cm2 electrolyzer. Consistent with theory, CuAl, CuB, CuGa and especially CuSc show increased selectivity toward C2+ products by making CO dimerization energetically more favorable on the dominant Cu facets, demonstrating the power of using the dilute alloy approach to tune the selectivity of CO2 electrolysis.
Engineering Lewis‐Acid Defects on ZnO Quantum Dots by Trace Transition‐Metal Single Atoms for High Glycerol‐to‐Glycerol Carbonate Conversion
Authors: Butburee Teera , Prasert Ampawan , Rungtaweevoranit Bunyarat , Khemthong Pongtanawat , Mano Poobodin , Youngjan Saran , Phanthasri Jakkapop , Namuangruk Supawadee , Faungnawakij Kajornsak , Zhang Lijuan , Jin Ping , Liu Huifang , Wang Feng 
Published: July 2024

AbstractEfficient conversion of biomass wastes into valuable chemicals has been regarded as a sustainable approach for green and circular economy. Herein, a highly efficient catalytic conversion of glycerol (Gly) into glycerol carbonate (GlyC) by carbonylation with the commercially available urea is presented using low‐cost transition metal single atoms supported on zinc oxide quantum dots (M1‐ZnO QDs) as a catalyst without using any solvent. A facile one‐step wet chemical synthesis allows various types of metal single atoms to simultaneously dope and introduce Lewis‐acid defects in the ZnO QD structure. It is found that doping with a trace amount of isolated metal atoms greatly boosts the catalytic activity with Gly conversion of 90.7%, GlyC selectivity of 100.0%, and GlyC yield of 90.6%. Congruential results from both Density Functional Theory (DFT) and in situ Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (in situ DRIFTS) studies reveal that the superior catalytic performance can be attributed to the enriched Lewis acid sites that endow optimal adsorption, formation of the intermediate for coupling between urea and Gly, and desorption of GlyC. Moreover, the tiny size of ZnO QDs efficiently promotes the accessibility of these active sites to the reactants.
WS2 Nanotube Transistor for Photodetection and Optoelectronic Memory Applications
Authors: Pelella Aniello , Kumar Arun , Intonti Kimberly , Durante Ofelia , De Stefano Sebastiano , Han Xinyi , Li Zhonggui , Guo Yao , Giubileo Filippo , Camilli Luca , Passacantando Maurizio , Zak Alla , Di Bartolomeo Antonio 
Published: July 2024

AbstractNanotube and nanowire transistors hold great promises for future electronic and optoelectronic devices owing to their downscaling possibilities. In this work, a single multi‐walled tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanotube is utilized as the channel of a back‐gated field‐effect transistor. The device exhibits a p‐type behavior in ambient conditions, with a hole mobility µp ≈  1.4 cm2V−1s−1 and a subthreshold swing SS ≈ 10 V dec−1. Current–voltage characterization at different temperatures reveals that the device presents two slightly different asymmetric Schottky barriers at drain and source contacts. Self‐powered photoconduction driven by the photovoltaic effect is demonstrated, and a photoresponsivity R ≈ 10 mAW−1 at 2 V drain bias and room temperature. Moreover, the transistor is tested for data storage applications. A two‐state memory is reported, where positive and negative gate pulses drive the switching between two different current states, separated by a window of 130%. Finally, gate and light pulses are combined to demonstrate an optoelectronic memory with four well‐separated states. The results herein presented are promising for data storage, Boolean logic, and neural network applications.
Isolation and Characterization of Non‐Conventional and Underutilized Starch from Water Lily (Nymphaea lotus): Functional, Rheological, and Thermal Properties
Authors: Abelti Alemu Lema , Teka Tilahun A. , Bultosa Geremew 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn this study, starch is isolated from Nymphaea lotus and its functional, rheological, and thermal properties are compared with potatoes, rice, and maize starches. The swelling power and solubility of all starches increased as the temperature increased. After 5 days of storage at +4 °C, syneresis increased, but paste clarity is decreased. The Herschel–Bulkley model well described the flow behavior, as evidenced by the upward and downward curves’ R2 values are higher than 0.95. Storage modulus and loss modulus increased as frequency increased, and the loss factors is less than unity for all starches. Differentially scanning calorimeter thermograms show the onset, peak, and conclusion temperature ranged from 58.5 to 68.01 °C, 68.94–73.97 °C, and 79.6–88.77 °C, respectively. The gelatinization temperature range and enthalpy of gelatinization ranged from 14.0 to 21.1 °C and 9.40–13.35 J g−1, respectively. Starch from N. lotus rhizome and seed exhibited a higher gelatinization temperature than potato starch, whereas their enthalpy of gelatinization is lower. Overall, the present finding will promote the utilization of starches isolated from the rhizome and seed of N. lotus for food and non‐food industries.
Ferrocenyl Azoles: Versatile N‐Containing Heterocycles and their Anticancer Activities
Authors: Sadanala Bhavya Deepthi , Trivedi Rajiv 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe medicinal chemistry of ferrocene has gained its momentum after the discovery of biological activities of ferrocifen and ferroquine. These ferrocenyl drugs have been designed by replacing the aromatic moiety of the organic drugs, tamoxifen and chloroquine respectively, with a ferrocenyl unit. The promising biological activities of these ferrocenyl drugs have paved a path to explore the medicinal applications of several ferrocenyl conjugates. In these conjugates, the ferrocenyl moiety has played a vital role in enhancing or imparting the anticancer activity to the molecule. The ferrocenyl conjugates induce the cytotoxicity by generating reactive oxygen species and thereby damaging the DNA. In medicinal chemistry, the five membered nitrogen heterocycles (azoles) play a significant role due to their rigid ring structure and hydrogen bonding ability with the biomolecules. Several potent drug candidates with azole groups have been in use as chemotherapeutics. Considering the importance of ferrocenyl moiety and azole groups, several ferrocenyl azole conjugates have been synthesized and screened for their biological activities. Hence, in the view of a wide scope in the development of potent drugs based on ferrocenyl azole conjugates, herein we present the details of synthesis and the anticancer activities of ferrocenyl compounds bearing azole groups such as imidazole, triazoles, thiazole and isoxazoles.
EPOS-GNSS Data Quality Monitoring Web Portal
Authors: Bamahry Fikri , Legrand Juliette , Bruyninx Carine , Fabian Andras 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe European Plate Observing System (EPOS) is a large and complex European e-infrastructure that facilitates the integrated use of multi-disciplinary datasets and services for Solid Earth research. EPOS’ GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) component provides access to GNSS data and products. This paper introduces a new EPOS web portal (https://gnssquality-epos.oma.be) that has been developed with the aim to provide the necessary information to monitor the availability and quality of daily GNSS data that are discoverable through EPOS. Currently, the web portal includes the tracking performances of more than 1600 GNSS stations. Several GNSS data quality indicators (DQIs), such as the number of observed versus expected observations, the number of missing epochs, the number of observed satellites, the maximum number of observations, the number of cycle slips, the Standard Point Positioning results, and the multipath values on code observation are monitored and their plots are available online. These DQIs provide helpful information that can be used to detect a potential degradation of the quality of the GNSS observations. Here, we will present the status of the web portal, the considered data quality indicators, and their benefits for GNSS data users.
Unpacking Digital Educational Experiment in the Home Setting: Crisis, Relational Proximity and Distal Participation in the Times of COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Rai Prabhat , Fleer Marilyn , Fragkiadaki Glykeria , Ødegaard Elin Eriksen , Sadownik Alicja R. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThere are methodological challenges of studying children’s development in-motion, these challenges were further accentuated in the times of COVID-19 pandemic. The challenge demanded novel thinking from researchers in responding to the crisis and also preparing for new realities post-pandemic. This section has chapters that extends this discourse and further theorises the role of digital tools in capturing children’s development as a dynamic and dialectical process. The methodological argument presented here shows how educational experiment were conducted via digital tools to create motivating condition for children’s STEM concept formation in the home setting in Australia. This chapter especially reports on the methodological aspects of developing digital educational experiments and the changing ‘role of researcher’ as a distal participant. During the pandemic our object of inquiry, children’s home practices underwent a transformative change. In these changing material conditions digital educational experiments were developed as a methodology to work in collaboration with families so that we can continue to offer children in early years a new motivating condition for learning. While working with families a number of digital tools were used to build common knowledge that was used to develop a responsive and relational pedagogy for children in early years.
Digital Educational Experiments: Re-conceptualising Families’ Roles as Competent Educators and Co-researchers for STEM Conceptual Development
Authors: Yu Suxiang , Rai Prabhat , Fleer Marilyn 
Published: July 2024

AbstractOver the past few years, the COVID-19 Pandemic has posed new challenges, such as unexpected lockdowns and restricted research site visits to our educational experiments with families. These challenges demand that we develop innovative ways of working remotely with families using digital tools, leading to our development of digital educational experiments in family settings. In digital educational experiments, researchers no longer visit children’s home settings, whereas families take up a more expansive role: they not only take up a pedagogic position for skilfully implementing the Conceptual PlayWorld [CPW] with infant-toddlers but also a co-researcher role for collecting meaningful digital data of CPW sessions for answering relevant research questions. It is not only essential to understand families’ changing roles in digital educational experiments under the new research conditions but also necessary to understand how researchers can come up with a new study design that motivates and empowers families to take up the new educator and co-researcher roles successfully and thus generating high-quality research data for better understanding effective family STEM pedagogy and young children’s STEM conceptual development. This chapter reports a CPW storytelling and mini-workshop study design for a digital educational experiment. It is argued that this new digital educational experiment design opens new possibilities for high-quality remote research with families.