bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activation of MnO6 Units via an Interfacial Electric Field: Electron Injection into Mn t2g for Rapid and Stable Sodium Ion Storage in CeO2/MnOx
Authors: Yao Shuyun , Wang Shiyu , Wang Jinrui , Hou Zishan , Gao Xueying , Liu Yuanming , Fu Weijie , Nie Kaiqi , Xie Jiangzhou , Yang Zhiyu , Yan Yi‐Ming 
Published: February 2024

AbstractManganese‐based oxides (MnOx) suffer from sluggish charge diffusion kinetics and poor cycling stability in sodium ion storage. Herein, an interfacial electric field (IEF) in CeO2/MnOx is constructed to obtain high electronic/ionic conductivity and structural stability of MnOx. The as‐designed CeO2/MnOx exhibits a remarkable capacity of 397 F g−1 and favorable cyclic stability with 92.13% capacity retention after 10,000 cycles. Soft X‐ray absorption spectroscopy and partial density of states results reveal that the electrons are substantially injected into the Mn t2g orbitals driven by the formed IEF. Correspondingly, the MnO6 units in MnOx are effectively activated, endowing the CeO2/MnOx with fast charge transfer kinetics and high sodium ion storage capacity. Moreover, In situRaman verifies a remarkably increased structural stability of CeO2/MnOx, which is attributed to the enhanced Mn─O bond strength and efficiently stabilized MnO6 units. Mechanism studies show that the downshift of Mn 3d‐band center dramatically increases the Mn 3d‐O 2p orbitals overlap, thus inhibiting the Jahn–Teller (J–T) distortion of MnOx during sodium ion insertion/extraction. This work develops an advanced strategy to achieve both fast and sustainable sodium ion storage in metal oxides‐based energy materials.
Iron‐Confined CRISPR/Cas9‐Ribonucleoprotein Delivery System for Redox‐Responsive Gene Editing
Authors: Qiu Lingling , Sun Minmin , Chen Lei , Jiang Jing , Fu Zhendong , Wang Ying , Bi Yulin , Guo Qixin , Bai Hao , Chen Shihao , Gao Lizeng , Chang Guobin 
Published: February 2024

AbstractClustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)‐associated protein 9 (Cas9) is a promising gene editing tool to treat diseases at the genetic level. Nonetheless, the challenge of the safe and efficient delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 to host cells constrains its clinical applicability. In the current study, a facile, redox‐responsive CRISPR/Cas9‐Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) delivery system by combining iron‐coordinated aggregation with liposomes (Fe‐RNP@L) is reported. The Fe‐RNP is formed by the coordination of Fe3+ with amino and carboxyl groups of Cas9, which modifies the lipophilicity and surface charge of RNP and alters cellular uptake from primary endocytosis to endocytosis and cholesterol‐dependent membrane fusion. RNP can be rapidly and reversibly released from Fe‐RNP in response to glutathione without loss of structural integrity and enzymatic activity. In addition, iron coordination also improves the stability of RNP and substantially mitigates cytotoxicity. This construct enabled highly efficient cytoplasmic/nuclear delivery (≈90%) and gene‐editing efficiency (≈70%) even at low concentrations. The high payload content, high editing efficiency, good stability, low immunogenicity, and ease of production and storage, highlight its potential for diverse genome editing and clinical applications.
Boosting Membrane Interactions and Antimicrobial Effects of Photocatalytic Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles by Peptide Coating
Authors: Caselli Lucrezia , Parra‐Ortiz Elisa , Micciulla Samantha , Skoda Maximilian W. A. , Häffner Sara Malekkhaiat , Nielsen Emilie Marie , van der Plas Mariena J.A. , Malmsten Martin 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPhotocatalytic nanoparticles offer antimicrobial effects under illumination due to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), capable of degrading bacterial membranes. ROS may, however, also degrade human cell membranes and trigger toxicity. Since antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) may display excellent selectivity between human cells and bacteria, these may offer opportunities to effectively “target” nanoparticles to bacterial membranes for increased selectivity. Investigating this, photocatalytic TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) are coated with the AMP LL‐37, and ROS generation is found by C11‐BODIPY to be essentially unaffected after AMP coating. Furthermore, peptide‐coated TiO2 NPs retain their positive ζ‐potential also after 1–2 h of UV illumination, showing peptide degradation to be sufficiently limited to allow peptide‐mediated targeting. In line with this, quartz crystal microbalance measurements show peptide coating to promote membrane binding of TiO2 NPs, particularly so for bacteria‐like anionic and cholesterol‐void membranes. As a result, membrane degradation during illumination is strongly promoted for such membranes, but not so for mammalian‐like membranes. The mechanisms of these effects are elucidated by neutron reflectometry. Analogously, LL‐37 coating promoted membrane rupture by TiO2 NPs for Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria, but not for human monocytes. These findings demonstrate that AMP coating may selectively boost the antimicrobial effects of photocatalytic NPs.
Damage‐Free Silica Coating for Colloidal Nanocrystals Through a Proactively Water‐Generating Amidation Reaction at High Temperature
Authors: Liao Xinrong , Liu Mingming , He Mengda , Yuan Changwei , Zhang Qinggang , Wan Qun , Qu Zan , Kong Long , Li Liang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSilica is a promising shell coating material for colloidal nanoparticles due to its excellent chemical inertness and optical transparency. To encapsulate high‐quality colloidal nanocrystals with silica shells, the silane coupling hydrolysis is currently the most effective approach. However, this reaction requires water, which often adversely affects the intrinsic physicochemical properties of nanocrystals. Achieving a damage‐free silica encapsulation process to nanocrystals by hydrolysis is a huge challenge. Here, a novel strategy is developed to coat colloidal nanocrystals with a denser silica shell via a proactively water‐generating reaction at high temperature. In this work, water molecules are continuously and proactively released into the reaction system through the amidation reaction, followed by in situ hydrolysis of silane, completely avoiding the impacts of water on nanocrystals during the silica coating process. In this work, water sensitive perovskite nanocrystals (CsPbBr3) are selected as the typical colloidal nanocrystals for silica coating. Notably, this high‐temperature in situ encapsulation technology greatly improves the optical properties of nanocrystals, and the silica shells exhibit a denser structure, providing nanocrystals with better protection. This method overcomes the challenge of the influence of water on nanocrystals during the hydrolysis process, and provides an important reference for the non‐destructive encapsulation of colloidal nanocrystals.
Covalently‐Bonded Laminar Assembly of Van der Waals Semiconductors with Polymers: Toward High‐Performance Flexible Devices
Authors: Li Ningxin , Jabegu Tara , He Rui , Yun Seokjoon , Ghosh Sujoy , Maraba Diren , Olunloyo Olugbenga , Ma Hedi , Okmi Aisha , Xiao Kai , Wang Gangli , Dong Pei , Lei Sidong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractVan der Waals semiconductors (vdWS) offer superior mechanical and electrical properties and are promising for flexible microelectronics when combined with polymer substrates. However, the self‐passivated vdWS surfaces and their weak adhesion to polymers tend to cause interfacial sliding and wrinkling, and thus, are still challenging the reliability of vdWS‐based flexible devices. Here, an effective covalent vdWS–polymer lamination method with high stretch tolerance and excellent electronic performance is reported. Using molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as a case study, gold–chalcogen bonding and mercapto silane bridges are leveraged. The resulting composite structures exhibit more uniform and stronger interfacial adhesion. This enhanced coupling also enables the observation of a theoretically predicted tension‐induced band structure transition in MoS2. Moreover, no obvious degradation in the devices’ structural and electrical properties is identified after numerous mechanical cycle tests. This high‐quality lamination enhances the reliability of vdWS‐based flexible microelectronics, accelerating their practical applications in biomedical research and consumer electronics.
MAX Phase (Nb4AlC3) For Electrocatalysis Applications
Authors: Gandara Meriene , Mladenović Dušan , Oliveira Martins Marta de Jesus , Rakocevic Lazar , Kruszynski de Assis João Marcos , Šljukić Biljana , Sarmento Gonçalves Emerson 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn search for novel materials to replace noble metal‐based electrocatalysts in electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices, special attention is given to a distinct class of materials, MAX phase that combines advantages of ceramic and metallic properties. Herein, Nb4AlC3 MAX phase is prepared by a solid‐state mixing reaction and characterized morphologically and structurally by transmission and scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, nitrogen‐sorption, X‐ray diffraction analysis, X‐ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopy. Electrochemical performance of Nb4AlC3 in terms of capacitance as well as for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is evaluated in different electrolytes. The specific capacitance Cs of 66.4, 55.0, and 46.0 F g−1 at 5 mV s−1 is determined for acidic, neutral and alkaline medium, respectively. Continuous cycling reveals high capacitance retention in three electrolyte media; moreover, increase of capacitance is observed in acidic and neutral media. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed a low charge transfer resistance of 64.76 Ω cm2 that resulted in better performance for HER in acidic medium (Tafel slope of 60 mV dec−1). In alkaline media, the charge storage value in the double layer is 360 mF cm−2 (0.7 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode) and the best ORR performance of the Nb4AlC3 is achieved in this medium (Tafel slope of 126 mV dec−1).
Understanding and Mitigating Atomic Oxygen‐Induced Degradation of Perovskite Solar Cells for Near‐Earth Space Applications
Authors: Seid Biruk Alebachew , Sarisozen Sema , Peña‐Camargo Francisco , Ozen Sercan , Gutierrez‐Partida Emilio , Solano Eduardo , Steele Julian A. , Stolterfoht Martin , Neher Dieter , Lang Felix 
Published: February 2024

AbstractCombining high efficiency with good radiation tolerance, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are promising candidates to upend expanding space photovoltaic (PV) technologies. Successful employment in a Near‐Earth space environment, however, requires high resistance against atomic oxygen (AtOx). This work unravels AtOx‐induced degradation mechanisms of PSCs with and without phenethylammonium iodide (PEAI) based 2D‐passivation and investigates the applicability of ultrathin silicon oxide (SiO) encapsulation as AtOx barrier. AtOx exposure for 2 h degraded the average power conversion efficiency (PCE) of devices without barrier encapsulation by 40% and 43% (w/o and with 2D‐PEAI‐passivation) of their initial PCE. In contrast, devices with a SiO‐barrier retained over 97% of initial PCE. To understand why 2D‐PEAI passivated devices degrade faster than less efficient non‐passivated devices, various opto‐electrical and structural characterications are conducted. Together, these allowed to decouple different damage mechanisms. Notably, pseudo‐J–V curves reveal unchanged high implied fill factors (pFF) of 86.4% and 86.2% in non‐passivated and passivated devices, suggesting that degradation of the perovskite absorber itself is not dominating. Instead, inefficient charge extraction and mobile ions, due to a swiftly degrading PEAI interlayer are the primary causes of AtOx‐induced device performance degradation in passivated devices, whereas a large ionic FF loss limits non‐passivated devices.
Bio‐Inspired Interlocking Structures for Enhancing Flexible Coatings Adhesion
Authors: Lu Pengpeng , Li Xin , Xu Jingyang , Fan Yong , Sun Jiyu , Liang Yunhong , Tian Limei , Ming Weihua , Ren Luquan , Zhao Jie 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe flexible protective coatings and substrates frequently exhibit unstable bonding in industrial applications. For strong interfacial adhesion of heterogeneous materials and long‐lasting adhesion of flexible protective coatings even in harsh corrosive environments. Inspired by the interdigitated structures in Phloeodes diabolicus elytra, a straightforward magnetic molding technique is employed to create an interlocking microarray for reinforced heterogeneous assembly. Benefiting from this bio‐inspired microarrays, the interlocking polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coating recorded a 270% improvement in tensile adhesion and a 520% increase in shear resistance, approaching the tensile limitation of PDMS. The elastic polyurethane‐polyamide (PUPI) coating equipped with interlocking structures demonstrated a robust adhesion strength exceeding 10.8 MPa and is nearly unaffected by the corrosion immersion. In sharp contrast, its unmodified counterpart exhibited low initial adhesion and maintain ≈20% of its adhesion strength after 30 d of immersion. PUPI coating integrated with microarrays exhibits superior resistance to corrosion (30 d, |Z|0.01HZ ≈1010 Ω cm2, Rct≈108 Ω cm2), cavitation and long‐term adhesion retention. These interlocking designs can also be adapted to curved surfaces by 3D printing and enhances heterogeneous assembly of non‐bonded materials like polyvinylidene fluoride (PTFE) and PDMS. This bio‐inspired interlocking structures offers a solution for durably bonding incompatible interfaces across varied engineering applications.
Bio‐Inspired Organic Synaptor with In Situ Ion‐Doped Ultrathin Polyelectrolyte Containing Acetylcholine‐Like Cation
Authors: Yu Ji‐Man , Kim Youson , Lee Changhyeon , Jeong Booseok , Kim Jin‐Ki , Han Joon‐Kyu , Yang Junyeong , Yun Seong‐Yun , Im Sung Gap , Choi Yang‐Kyu 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAn ion‐based synaptic transistor (synaptor) is designed to emulate a biological synapse using controlled ion movements. However, developing a solid‐state electrolyte that can facilitate ion movement while achieving large‐scale integration remains challenging. Here, a bio‐inspired organic synaptor (BioSyn) with an in situ ion‐doped polyelectrolyte (i‐IDOPE) is demonstrated. At the molecular scale, a polyelectrolyte containing the tert‐amine cation, inspired by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is synthesized using initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) with in situ doping, a one‐step vapor‐phase deposition used to fabricate solid‐state electrolytes. This method results in an ultrathin, but highly uniform and conformal solid‐state electrolyte layer compatible with large‐scale integration, a form that is not previously attainable. At a synapse scale, synapse functionality is replicated, including short‐term and long‐term synaptic plasticity (STSP and LTSP), along with a transformation from STSP to LTSP regulated by pre‐synaptic voltage spikes. On a system scale, a reflex in a peripheral nervous system is mimicked by mounting the BioSyns on various substrates such as rigid glass, flexible polyethylene naphthalate, and stretchable poly(styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene) for a decentralized processing unit. Finally, a classification accuracy of 90.6% is achieved through semi‐empirical simulations of MNIST pattern recognition, incorporating the measured LTSP characteristics from the BioSyns.
Intricate Ionic Behaviors in High‐Performance Self‐Powered Hydrothermal Chemical Generator Using Water and Iron (III) Gate
Authors: Xiao Ming , Tao Panmeng , Wang Yuqin , Sha Wenqi , Wang Siliang , Zeng Wei , Zhao Jinling , Ruan Limin 
Published: February 2024

AbstractUtilizing the ionic flux to generate voltage output has been confirmed as an effective way to meet the requirements of clean energy sources. Different from ionic thermoelectric (i‐TE) and hydrovoltaic devices, a new hydrothermal chemical generator is designed by amorphous FeCl3 particles dispersing in MWCNT and unique ferric chloride or water gate. In the presence of gate, the special ion behaviors enable the cell to present a constant voltage of 0.60 V lasting for over 96 h without temperature difference. Combining the differences of cation concentration, humidity and temperature between the right and left side of sample, the maximum short‐circuit current and power output can be obtained to 168.46 µA and 28.11 µW, respectively. The generator also can utilize the low‐grade heat to produce electricity wherein Seebeck coefficient is 6.79 mV K−1. The emerged hydrothermal chemical generator offers a novel approach to utilize the low‐grade heat, water and salt solution resources, which provides a simple, sustainable and low‐cost strategy to realize energy supply.
Assessing BizDevOps maturity using international standards: Case studies and lessons learned
Authors: Sanjurjo Eduardo , Pedreira Oscar , García Félix , Piattini Mario 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDevOps has emerged as a practical approach to the interaction between development and operations. This approach has been extended to the interaction with business functions, generating the term BizDevOps. Although many proposals and tools support BizDevOps from a technical viewpoint, there has been no significant improvement in management aspects, such as evaluating the practices and processes involved in the area. This paper presents two case studies on the assessment of BizDevOps practices using MMBDO (Maturity Model for BizDevOps), a maturity model for BizDevOps based on international ICT standards. The case studies were conducted in two organizations with different profiles: a large multinational ICT company with a unit specialized in providing DevOps to the rest of the company and a small software development company that implements DevOps practices as part of its development system. The evidence we obtained in the case studies supports the adequacy of MMBDO for assessing the maturity of BizDevOps in real companies. Also, the combination of the two case studies supports the adequacy of the model for being used in companies with different sizes and levels of maturity. MMBDO is an adequate proposal for assessing the maturity of BizDevOps in software organizations and a suitable tool for process improvement.
Trapping and on‐column hydrolysis strategy coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry for new ginsenosides identification and quantification
Authors: Li Yu‐Ting , Zhang Ming‐Xiao , Su Ling , Zheng Sheng‐Yu , Xiao Shengyuan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMalonyl ginsenosides (mRs) are physiologically active constituents of Asian and American ginseng (P. quinquefolius). They are also important quality markers for the herbs from the Panax genus. Their contents are relevant to several essential quality characteristics of ginseng, for example, the original species, the growing age, the planting areas, the cultivation methods, and the processing conditions. However, when extracted from the herb, an mR is very unstable to lose the malonyl group. This property hampers the structural and quantitative determination of an mR. Herein, We report a trapping and on‐column hydrolysis coupled with a high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS) method. With this method, 19 mRs have been identified from Panax ginseng roots. The isomers of some mRs with identical MS/MS characteristics have been differentiated. The quantities of these mRs have also been determined without references using this method. The quantitative results can be traced to the quantity of certified neutral ginsenoside reference materials. The method has been well‐validated. In addition, unique low‐abundance acetyl ginsenoside Rg1 and malonyl pseudoginsenoside F11 were identified from P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius, respectively.
Linear mixed models for complex survey data: Implementing and evaluating pairwise likelihood
Authors: Lumley Thomas , Huang Xudong 
Published: February 2024

SummaryAs complex‐survey data become more widely used in health and social science research, there is increasing interest in fitting a wider range of regression models. We describe an implementation of two‐level linear mixed models in R using the pairwise composite likelihood approach of Rao and co‐workers. We discuss the computational efficiency of pairwise composite likelihood and compare the estimator to the existing sequential pseudolikelihood estimator in simulations and in data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) educational survey.
Teaching English through a Second Language to Linguistic Minority Students in EFL Contexts: Identifying “Double Subtractive” Education
Authors: Nguyen Trang Thi Thuy 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAlthough English education is a topic of huge concern in TESOL research, the issue of teaching English through a second language to linguistic minority students in EFL contexts is often overlooked. The teaching of English in such a circumstance can be labeled as a form of double subtractive education. This article explores and provides illustrations of double subtractive education in Vietnam. Data were gathered through interviews or conversations with administrators, teachers, and minority students from six suburban secondary schools. Findings suggest that in such an education program, the teachers and students confronted major challenges in teaching and learning English due to cross‐linguistic transition problems in relation to the students' home language, Vietnamese, and English. This form of education, however, seemed to be not only about linguistic issues alone, but also related to political and social factors. The idea of linguistic capital associated with English which suggests that the language is a tool for its learners' social mobility, in addition, may not necessarily be applied to minority students experiencing such an education form. Decolonial approaches to minority education are, therefore, needed to remedy issues with double subtractive education in practice.
Unleashing the Potential of Big Ideas in Language Education: What and How?
Authors: Yuan Rui , Zhang Tiefu , Wang Qiang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWhile the concept of big ideas has been widely promoted in different subject areas such as history and STEM, its pedagogical power has received little attention in second language education. In view of this gap, this paper seeks to conceptualize and practicalize this notion by addressing two fundamental questions regarding the “what” and “how” of big ideas in English‐as‐a‐foreign‐language (EFL) classrooms. Specifically, the paper proposes a tentative, heuristic framework that views big ideas as a composite of three distinct yet interrelated dimensions regarding knowledge, domain, and learning. In light of the framework, the paper argues for the need to adopt big ideas as curriculum organizers in language teaching while employing an infusion, inductive approach to helping students analyze, comprehend, and apply big ideas in the process of language learning.