bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Porous silicon nanotube bundles as nanocarriers for small interfering RNA delivery
Authors: Le Nguyen T. , Akkaraju Giridhar R. , Coffer Jeffery L. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe describe in this work an evaluation of bundles of hollow mesoporous silicon nanotubes to facilitate transfection of HeLa cells using small interfering RNA designed to knock down expression of Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (eGFP). These experiments entail direct visualization of the nanotube bundles associated with the cells using both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal fluorescence imaging. These nanotube bundles are generated by surface modification of nanotube arrays with aminopropyl‐triethoxysilane (APTES), followed by their ultrasonication in water, to create the amine‐terminated structures capable of electrostatic conjugation of siRNA at an efficiency of 23%–50% (depending on initial siRNA concentration). Delivery and transfection to HeLa cells are verified by quantification of fluorescence imaging; an average percent knockdown of ∼50% eGFP is achieved. As nanoscale drug delivery vehicles are expected to be resorbed in clinical use, we also assess SiNT bundle degradation during the above in vitro timescale using scanning and transmission electron (TEM) microscopies. We conclude with a brief discussion of challenges and opportunities in future experiments involving this platform.
Investigation on para‐aramid fiber‐reinforced poly‐ether ketone‐ketone high‐performance composite for ballistic application
Authors: Mandal Sombit , Bhowmik Shantanu , Ramu M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis investigation highlights the performance of high‐performance polymeric composite for ballistic application. Therefore, reinforcement of para‐aramid fiber in poly‐ether‐ketone‐ketone (PEKK) resin film has been made. The surface of PEKK and para‐aramid fiber was modified by low‐pressure plasma to enhance the surface energy of the polymeric film and reinforcement fiber. The polymeric composite was manufactured by compression molding with a pressure of 2 bar, temperature of 310°C with holding time of 15 min. Due to low‐pressure plasma treatment of PEKK film and para‐aramid fiber, the tensile strength of the composites increases considerably. In the accelerated aging test, the tensile specimens are dipped into concentrated HNO3 and NaOH medium for 15 days. It is observed that there is a decrease in tensile strength. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the virgin specimen was compared to the environmentally aged for 15 days and in this case, also there was a decrease in tensile strength. Two types of composite panels were made (i) 25 layers of PEKK film with 24 layers of para‐aramid fabric and (ii) 45 layers of PEKK film with 44 layers of para‐aramid fabric with 15 mm × 15 mm. The composite panel was tested with four 9 mm handgun bullets fired from a distance of 5 meters with a speed of 430 m/s. In the case of 25 layers of PEKK film with 24 layers of para‐aramid fabric, the composite failed under ballistic test, however, in the case of 45 layers of PEKK film with 44 layers of para‐aramid fabric, the composite was successful under ballistic test.Highlights
Film stacking method of PEKK and Aramid fiber.
Ballistic composite panel with layers of PEKK and Aramid fiber.
Enhancement of mechanical properties of the composite panel with plasma surface treatment.
Ballistic testing of composite panel.
Bio‐based benzoxazine composites derived from magnolol: Promising solution for sustainable alternatives for dielectric and superhydrophobic applications
Authors: Madesh Priyanka , Krishnasamy Balaji , Arumugam Hariharan , Muthukaruppan Alagar 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTo alleviate the environmental hazard and minimize the practice of utilizing fossil fuel‐based precursors in the production of benzoxazines, sustainable bio‐phenol precursors namely magnolol and bio‐based amine furan‐2yl‐methanamine have been utilized to synthesize bio‐benzoxazine and was cured and characterized. The curing temperature of the synthesized bio‐benzoxazine monomer was found to be 216°C. Utilizing the carbon obtained from two different bio‐sources namely, chicken feather and cashew nut shell cake bio‐polybenzoxazine composites were prepared. The char yield of bio‐carbon reinforced bio‐polybenzoxazine composites was enhanced to 65% compared to that of neat polybenzoxazine (60%). The value of the dielectric constant of neat polybenzoxazine was found to be 5.52 which was further improved to a maximum of 8.9 and 7.8 on reinforcement of 15 wt% chicken feather carbon and 15 wt% cashew nut shell cake carbon respectively. The prepared bio‐polybenzoxazine composites exhibit a near superhydrophobic nature with the value of water repulsive angle at 150° than that of neat matrix (143°). From the obtained results, it is suggested that the sustainable bio‐carbon reinforced bio‐based benzoxazine will be a promising material for thermally stable, high dielectric, and water‐repellent applications.Highlights
Eco‐friendly, sustainable magnolol‐based bio‐benzoxazine was synthesized.
Waste valorization for bio‐carbon—poultry, and agricultural wastes were utilized.
Bio‐carbon reinforcement marginally increases the thermal stability of composites.
Bio‐carbon reinforced composites exhibit close to superhydrophobic nature.
Incorporation of bio‐carbon enhances the value of dielectric constant.
A review on polylactic acid‐based blends/composites and the role of compatibilizers in biomedical engineering applications
Authors: Srivastava Alok , Bhati Pooja , Singh Shweta , Agrawal Mohit , Kumari Nisha , Vashisth Priya , Chauhan Pankaj , Bhatnagar Naresh 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPoly(lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the most promising biopolymers extensively used in food, packaging, medical and pharmaceutical industries. It is due to favorable physicochemical properties, in‐situ hydrolytic degradation and well‐established processing parameters. However, in medical engineering applications, PLA shows some drawbacks like low cell adhesion, biological inertness, slow degradation rate and high acid inflammation. These shortcomings of pure PLA could be addressed by blending it with other bioresorbable materials and compatibilizers. This review provides comprehensive information on different PLA composites in the field of tissue engineering, implants, injury management and drug delivery systems. The PLA‐based composites are divided into four parts: PLA/polymer, PLA/metal, PLA/ceramic, and PLA/nanoparticles. It also investigates various synthesis process, role of different compatibilizers, in vitro studies and their in vivo applications.Highlights
Review the trends of bioresorbable PLA blends/composites.
Extensively focused on PLA blend with polymer, metal, ceramic, and nanoparticles.
Role of reinforcement and compatibilizer to overcome shortcomings of PLA implant.
Highlights advantages, limitations, and properties of different types of PLA implants.
Discuss various clinical applications and future of PLA blends/composite scaffolds.
Climate and land‐use change impacts on cultural use berries: Considerations for mitigative stewardship
Authors: Mucioki Megan 
Published: February 2024

Societal Impact StatementCultural use berries are prized foods and medicines across the United States and Canada, with almost 200 different species used by Indigenous Peoples. Berries are increasingly being impacted by environmental and land‐use change. Berry habitats, how and when berry plants reproduce, and the volume of berries available for harvest each year are shifting widely. These changes are impacting access to, availability of, and consumption of berries. Biocultural stewardship practices, like low‐intensity fire, transplanting, and thinning, can be used in response to these stressors to support berry plant health and productivity as well as a sustained relationship with this important food.SummaryAlmost 200 different species of berries are used for food and medicine by Indigenous Peoples, with unparalleled nutritional and cultural significance among plant foods. Environmental and land‐use change is increasingly compromising access to, availability of, and consumption of berries. In this review, I consider (a) how climate and land‐use change are impacting cultural use berries across species and places, as documented by Indigenous Peoples and in the scientific literature, and (b) how stewardship practices are being applied to promote resilience and sustainability in berrying landscapes experiencing stress. Climate impacts on Arctic and subarctic berry species include earlier ripening, changes in taste, or increased variability in abundance. These same regions are experiencing a proliferation of shrubs, while forests throughout the lower 48 and Canada are suffering from suffocating fuel loads and stand densities that are not conducive to berry habitat for many species. In the Pacific West, berries are influenced by prolonged droughts and increasing spring and summer temperatures. Climate change impacts are amplified by shifts in land use for forestry and agriculture. Biocultural stewardship practices, like low‐intensity fire, thinning, transplanting, and cultural care, can be used to mitigate these impacts and promote berry microclimate habitats. There is opportunity for intertribal networking and knowledge sharing around berry stewardship practices that will support local and regional climate change responses.
Spray performance of flexible shield canopy opener and rotor wind integrated boom‐sprayer application in soybean: effects on droplet deposition distribution
Authors: Yu Shihui , Cui Lei , Cui Huiyuan , Liu Xuemei , Liu Jian , Xin Zhenbo , Yuan Jin , Wang Dongwei 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDCanopy density is high during mid‐to‐late soybean growth as a result of dense planting to improve yield, which seriously affects the control of pests and diseases. The dilemmas of difficult droplet penetration, nonuniform deposition, and droplet drift in field spraying remain challenges to the precise control of droplet distribution. This paper proposed a novel spraying application mode combined flexible shield canopy opener (FSCO) with rotor wind. The design of the key components of the new boom‐spraying machine are described. The effects of the comparative spraying modes on spray deposition and droplet drift were studied in a field validation test to explore the feasibility of the novel spraying application.RESULTSThe study found that droplet coverage inside the soybean canopy was significantly affected by spraying mode, rotor wind speed and opener depth. The spraying operation that used the FSCO and rotor wind integrated mode was optimal for droplet uniformity on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the canopy leaves, with droplet uniformity indices of 0.966 and 0.934, respectively. At a rotor wind speed of 6 m s−1 and opener depth of 15 cm, the soybean canopy droplet coverage uniformity effect achieved the highest composite score of 0.937. The spraying mode used in this study improved droplet coverage uniformity by 82.30% and droplet anti‐drift performance improved by 99.73% compared to the conventional boom‐spraying mode.CONCLUSIONThe study shows validity of the spraying mode combined FSCO with rotor wind to open dense canopy and improved droplet deposition uniformity in canopy and anti‐drift performance. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Evaluating atmospheric electricity changes as an indicator of fog formation
Authors: Miller Caleb , Nicoll Keri A. , Westbrook Chris , Harrison R. Giles 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFog is a high‐impact weather phenomenon, which is challenging to forecast accurately. Measuring changes in atmospheric electricity has been proposed as a complement to other fog prediction methods, since fog is known to produce changes in the potential gradient (PG). Many aspects of the relationship between PG and fog remain unexplored, to which modern instrumentation for continuous monitoring of PG and visibility brings a new perspective. We describe several automatic methods of detecting fog events and apply them to a large dataset to understand the evolution of the PG during fog development. The median PG increase in fog is found to be 58 V/m, which is statistically significant compared with the 17 V/m standard deviation of PG in the prefog hours. However, the median lead time of this increase before the fog onset was found to be 0.4 h, compared with 0.6 h solely using visibility data. While we were able to predict fewer fog events using PG (55% of cases) than visibility (64% of cases), PG was much more likely to give a longer lead time (of over 2 h) than visibility (30% vs. 13% respectively). This indicates that PG measurements would be a useful additional tool in fog prediction.
Reversible Red‐/Blue‐Shifted Mechanofluorochromic Properties of Indole‐Based Difluoroboron Compounds with Aggregation‐Induced Emission
Authors: Xu Maocai , Zhang Bangcui , Tian Jiazhuang , Yang Yanhua , Gao Shulin , Li Fumin , Shao Lin 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTo further explore the relationship between structure and property of the mechanofluorochromic materials, two indole‐based aggregation‐induced emission compounds (I−Ph−BF2 and I−PhNp−BF2) with BF2‐core were designed and synthesized. They displayed intramolecular charge transfer characteristics and dissimilar reversible mechanofluorochromic behaviors (red‐shift for I−Ph−BF2 and blue‐shift for I−PhNp−BF2). Based the powder X‐ray diffraction patterns and quantum chemical calculation results, it was responsible for the blue‐shift mechanofluorochromic behavior of I−PhNp−BF2 that the reduced molecular polarity of the excited state and the undermined partially ordered structure. In contrast, the phase change between an ordered arrangement state and a disordered amorphous state of I−Ph−BF2 solid powder, as well as the appropriate molecular polarity, brought out red‐shift mechanofluorochromic effect. It provided a foundation for further exploration of the mechanofluorochromic property.
Investigating Novel Thiophene Carbaldehyde Based Thiazole Derivatives as Potential Hits for Diabetic Management: Synthesis, In Vitro and In Silico Approach
Authors: Ullah Najeeb , Alam Aftab , Zainab  , Elhenawy Ahmed A. , Naz Saira , Islam Mohammad Shahidul , Ahmad Shujaat , Shah Syed Adnan Ali , Ahmad Manzoor 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis research work is based on synthesis of eleven novel thiazole derivatives (3 a‐k) of thiophene carbaldehyde. All the synthesized compounds were successfully synthesized, characterized by 1H‐NMR and EI‐MS spectroscopic techniques and finally subjected for their in vitro α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity. Seven derivatives 3 i (IC50=10.21±1.84 μM), 3 b (IC50=11.14±0.99 μM), 3 f (IC50=13.21±2.76 μM), 3 h (IC50=14.21±0.31 μM), 3 k (IC50=15.21±1.02 μM), 3 e (IC50=16.21±1.32 μM), and 3 c (IC50=18.21±1.89 μM), in the series displayed excellent inhibitory potential better than the standard acarbose. However, two compounds 3 g (IC50=33.21±1.99 μM) and 3 d (IC50=42.31±2.12 μM) showed significant activity while two compounds 3 j and 3 a were found less active with IC50 values of 82.31±0.31 and 88.36±1.21 μM respectively. Additional research revealed that the compounds are not exhibiting any cytotoxic effects. The molecular docking study of these derivatives showed their good binding potential for α‐glucosidase active site with excellent interactions and docking scores.
Hydrogel nanoparticles as new drug delivery system for CNS disorders
Authors: Omar Khudhur Zhikal , Karimian Aida , Asadi Asadollah , Abdolmaleki Arash 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that more than one million individuals suffer from central nervous system (CNS) diseases worldwide. Nanogels are a good way to deliver drugs because they are ultra‐stable, can hold a lot of drugs, have a core‐shell structure, are very permeable, and can get into brain tissue both in the lab and in living organisms. The blood‐brain barrier (BBB) and the blood‐cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) make it harder to deliver therapies to specific areas of the CNS because drugs can′t get into the brain well enough. However, these barriers help treat neurological disorders like epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, brain tumors, and ischemic stroke. A number of biological studies suggest that nano‐additives may improve the shape, mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, and biological activities of hydrogels. The creation of nanogels for CNS drug delivery, their early preclinical success, and their potential for neurotoxicity are all examined in this research. This study looks at techniques that are almost ready for clinical use, a preclinical delivery system for the CNS, and the use of nanogels as a successful BBB‐penetration method. It also examines the main difficulties that nanogels must overcome in order to provide the most effective therapeutic care for CNS illnesses.
Aqueous Extract of Dillenia indica Fruit (AEDI): A Sustainable Biocatalyst for the Synthesis of Pharmacologically Important Bis(indolyl)methanes
Authors: Choudhury Gitashree , Talukdar Hrishikesh , Chandra Deka Dibakar 
Published: February 2024

AbstractA highly effective green technique for the synthesis of bis(indolyl) methanes mediated by ‘Aqueous Extract of Dillenia indica’ (AEDI) is developed. The reaction involves a simple procedure at a moderate temperature of below 60 °C in air within a short reaction time of 30–60 minutes under conditions free from external promoters, acids, ligands/organic media using our natural water–extracted catalyst, affording moderate to high yield. This protocol offers a mild, effective, and highly economical alternative to the existing protocols and promotes a more environmentally friendly alternative for the protic and Lewis acids catalysts that are already in use.
Highly Practical Aqueous Phase Acylation of Phenols, Amines and Alcohols Employing New Green Acylation Reagents Derived From DBU
Authors: Thangalipalli Swathi , Goud Bandalla Siddarama , Gavinolla Vijayalaxmi , Kairoju Srikanth , Panduga Ramaraju , Neella Chandra Kiran 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTwo new Lewis base adducts (LBAs) of DBU were prepared, isolated in grams scale and are employed as Green reagents for base free benzoylation and pivaloylation in water. The structures of these reagents are unambiguously confirmed and the practicality of these LBAs (transient species) in organic synthesis as operationally simple protecting reagents of various phenols, amines, and alcohols in water at ambient temperature is explored. The products are furnished in very good yields (up to 95 %) and are purified just by filtration followed by recrystallization thus avoiding column chromatography. The Lewis base, DBU is recycled and reused for the preparation of LBAs. The methodology is an environmentally benign due to aqueous phase, base free reaction, chromatography free purificatios, ambient temperature reactions and recycling DBU.
Solution‐Processable Route for Large‐Area Uniform 2D Semiconductor Nanofilms
Authors: Li Wen‐Hua , Li Nan , Wang Xiao‐Li , Wang Wenjuan , Zhang Haobing , Xu Qiang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe semiconductor thin film engineering technique plays a key role in the development of advanced electronics. Printing uniform nanofilms on freeform surfaces with high efficiency and low cost is significant for actual industrialization in electronics. Herein, a high‐throughput colloidal printing (HTCP) strategy is reported for fabricating large‐area and uniform semiconductor nanofilms on freeform surfaces. High‐throughput and uniform printing rely on the balance of atomization and evaporation, as well as the introduced thermal Marangoni flows of colloidal dispersion, that suppresses outward capillary flows. Colloidal printing with in situ heating enables the fast fabrication of large‐area semiconductor nanofilms on freeform surfaces, such as SiO2/Si, Al2O3, quartz glass, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), Al foil, plastic tube, and Ni foam, expanding their technological applications where substrates are essential. The printed SnS2 nanofilms are integrated into thin‐film semiconductor gas sensors with one of the fastest responses (8 s) while maintaining the highest sensitivity (Rg/Ra = 21) (toward 10 ppm NO2), as well as an ultralow limit of detection (LOD) of 46 ppt. The ability to print uniform semiconductor nanofilms on freeform surfaces with high‐throughput promises the development of next‐generation electronics with low cost and high efficiency.
Seismic behavior and shear capacity prediction of coupled concrete‐filled multicellular steel tube composite shear walls
Authors: Zheng Hong , Mi Yuxi , Cai Lele , Wang Guang , Jiang Liqiang , Ma Xiaoming , Lu Guiqiang , Chen Yuanjun 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn this paper, a coupled concrete‐filled multicellular steel tube composite shear walls structure (CCSSW) is proposed. A finite element model (FEM) is developed to investigate the seismic behavior of CCSSW, and the model was validated by the tests. The effects of four parameters including axial compression ratio (ACR) on the hysteretic behavior of the CCSSW were studied. Then, a theoretical model for predicting the ultimate shear capacity (USC) of CCSSW was established. The results show that the failure mode of coupled walls exchanged from flexural failure to flexural‐shear failure with increasing the ACR, and it is recommended that the ACR should less than 0.6 to ensure the ductility requirement. To better realize the function of the first line of defense of steel coupling beam (SCB), following recommendations are concluded: the span‐to‐depth ratio range of SCB is 4.0–6.0, the wall stiffness ratio is 2.4–4.7, and low yield strength material should be used for SCB. The maximum error on USC between FEM results and theoretical results is 12.8%, and most of them are less than 10%, indicating the effectiveness of the proposed theoretical model.
Experimental study on RC beams shear‐strengthened with composite polymer mortar and steel strands wire mesh
Authors: Wang Tao , He Mingsheng , Wu Hongbo , Che Yali , Li Yucheng 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis paper presents an experimental investigation of the use of composite polymer mortar (CPM) and steel strands wire mesh (SSWM) to strengthen reinforced concrete (RC) beams in shear. In order to maximize the shear resistance of the steel strands, a new type of anchor device called wedge‐shaped steel plate hoops (WSSPHs) was developed. And the study aimed to examine the effect of shear‐to‐span ratio and prestressing level on the mechanical properties of the beams. A total of nine beams were constructed and tested under four‐point bending monotonic load, comprising three control beams and six strengthened beams. The study analyzed the damage modes, load‐deflection curves, strength, stiffness, and ductility of the beams. The test results indicated that (1) the mechanical properties of the strengthened beams were improved, with the shear capacity improving by 38.47%–71.37% after strengthening. (2) It was observed that SSWM could be utilized more effectively in high shear‐to‐span ratio beams among the strengthened beams with the same prestressing level. (3) Additionally, the larger prestressing level was found to change the design damage mode of the test beams, with RB‐2.5‐0.5 failing in bending. Finally, a model was proposed to predict the shear capacity of the test beams based on the specification GB 50011‐2010. The model considered the effect of the initial prestressing of the steel strands.