bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surface Energy Engineering of Buried Interface for Highly Stable Perovskite Solar Cells with Efficiency Over 25%
Authors: Su Hang , Xu Zhuo , He Xilai , Yao Yuying , Zheng Xinxin , She Yutong , Zhu Yujie , Zhang Jing , Liu Shengzhong (Frank) 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe abundant oxygen‐related defects (e.g., O vacancies, O–H) in the TiO2 electron transport layer results in high surface energy, which is detrimental to effective carrier extraction and seriously impairs the photovoltaic performance and stability of perovskite solar cells. Here, novel surface energy engineering (SEE) is developed by applying a surfactant of heptadecafluorooctanesulfonate tetraethylammonium (HFSTA) on the surface of the TiO2. Theoretical calculations show that the HFSTA‐TiO2 is less prone to form O vacancies, leading to lower surface energy, thus improving the carrier‐extraction efficiency. The experimental results show that superior perovskite film is obtained due to the reduced heterogeneous nucleation sites and improved crystallization process on the modified TiO2. Furthermore, the flexible long alkyl chains in HFSTA considerably relieve the compressive stresses at the buried interface. By combining the passivation of TiO2, crystallization process modulation, and stress relief, a champion PCE up to 25.03% is achieved. The device without encapsulation sustains 92.2% of its initial PCE after more than 2500 h storage under air ambient with relative humidity of 25–30%. The SEE of a buried interface paves a new way toward high‐efficiency, stable perovskite solar cells.
Armor for Steel: Facile Synthesis of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Films on Various Substrates
Authors: Vlassiouk Ivan , Smirnov Sergei , Puretzky Alexander , Olunloyo Olugbenga , Geohegan David B. , Dyck Ondrej , Lupini Andrew R. , Unocic Raymond R. , Meyer Harry M. , Xiao Kai , Briggs Dayrl , Lavrik Nickolay , Keum Jong , Cakmak Ercan , Harris Sumner B. , Checa Marti , Collins Liam , Lasseter John , Emery Reece , Rayle John , Rack Philip D. , Stehle Yijing , Chaturvedi Pavan , Kidambi Piran R. , Gu Gong , Ivanov Ilia 
Published: October 2023

AbstractWhile hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) has been widely used as a buffer or encapsulation layer for emerging electronic devices, interest in utilizing it for large‐area chemical barrier coating has somewhat faded. A chemical vapor deposition process is reported here for the conformal growth of hBN on large surfaces of various alloys and steels, regardless of their complex shapes. In contrast to the previously reported very limited protection by hBN against corrosion and oxidation, protection of steels against 10% HCl and oxidation resistance at 850 °C in air is demonstrated. Furthermore, an order of magnitude reduction in the friction coefficient of the hBN coated steels is shown. The growth mechanism is revealed in experiments on thin metal films, where the tunable growth of single‐crystal hBN with a selected number of layers is demonstrated. The key distinction of the process is the use of N2 gas, which gets activated exclusively on the catalyst's surface and eliminates adverse gas‐phase reactions. This rate‐limiting step allowed independent control of activated nitrogen along with boron coming from a solid source (like elemental boron). Using abundant and benign precursors, this approach can be readily adopted for large‐scale hBN synthesis in applications where cost, production volume, and process safety are essential.
Origin of Intrinsic Operational Instability in Organic Field‐Effect Transistors with Aligned High‐Mobility Donor–Acceptor Copolymer Active Layers
Authors: Sakamoto Kenji , Bulgarevich Kirill , Yasuda Takeshi , Minari Takeo , Takeuchi Masayuki 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe origin of intrinsic operational instability in organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) is discussed by comparing bias stress effects of OFETs with unidirectionally aligned and unaligned active layers of two different semiconducting polymers under vacuum environment. By forming hydrophobic nano‐groove structures on gate dielectric surfaces, a high‐mobility donor–acceptor copolymer, poly[4‐(4,4‐dihexadecyl‐4H‐cyclopenta[1,2‐b:5,4‐b′]‐dithiophen‐2‐yl)‐alt‐[1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4‐c]pyridine] (PCDTPT) and a benchmark semicrystalline polymer, poly(2,5‐bis(3‐hexadecylthiophen‐2‐yl)thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene) (PBTTT‐C16), are successfully aligned. The mobilities of the PCDTPT‐OFETs are higher than those of the PBTTT‐OFETs, but the operational stabilities are lower. Moreover, for both semiconducting polymers, the aligned OFETs exhibit higher mobility but lower operational stability than the unaligned OFETs. These results indicate that an increase in mobility does not necessarily lead to an increase in operational stability. The interface trap density of states analysis reveals that the lower operational stability of PCDTPT‐OFETs is not due to the tail state change but primarily due to the much larger turn‐on voltage shift (ΔVon). The major mechanism causing ΔVon should be the charge carrier transfer from the channel to the gate dielectric. Since the energy barrier limiting the charge carrier transfer decreases with increasing ionization potential of the active layer, the lower operational stability of PCDTPT‐OFETs is attributed to the higher ionization potential of PCDTPT.
BPTF Drives Gastric Cancer Resistance to EGFR Inhibitor by Epigenetically Regulating the C‐MYC/PLCG1/Perk Axis
Authors: Li Fangyuan , Yu Junxian , Pan Tao , Feng Haoran , Li Jianfang , Yu Beiqin , Fan Zhiyuan , Sang Qingqing , Chen Mengdi , Zang Mingde , Hou Junyi , Wu Xiongyan , Yu Yingyan , Li Yuan‐Yuan , Yan Chao , Zhu Zhenggang , Su Liping , Liu Bingya 
Published: October 2023

AbstractErlotinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is used for treating patients with cancer exhibiting EGFR overexpression or mutation. However, the response rate of erlotinib is low among patients with gastric cancer (GC). The findings of this study illustrated that the overexpression of bromodomain PHD finger transcription factor (BPTF) is partially responsible for erlotinib resistance in GC, and the combination of the BPTF inhibitor AU‐1 with erlotinib synergistically inhibited tumor growth both in vivo and in vitro. AU‐1 inhibited the epigenetic function of BPTF and decreased the transcriptional activity of c‐MYC on PLCG1 by attenuating chromosome accessibility of the PLCG1 promoter region, thus decreasing the expression of p‐PLCG1 and p‐Erk and eventually improving the sensitivity of GC cells to erlotinib. In patient‐derived xenograft (PDX) models, AU‐1 monotherapy exhibited remarkable tumor‐inhibiting activity and is synergistic anti‐tumor effects when combined with erlotinib. Altogether, the findings illustrate that BPTF affects the responsiveness of GC to erlotinib by epigenetically regulating the c‐MYC/PLCG1/pErk axis, and the combination of BPTF inhibitors and erlotinib is a viable therapeutic approach for GC.
Simple One‐Step Molten Salt Method for Synthesizing Highly Efficient MXene‐Supported Pt Nanoalloy Electrocatalysts
Authors: Wang Ya , Li Lili , Shen Miao , Tang Rui , Zhou Jing , Han Ling , Zhang Xiuqing , Zhang Linjuan , Kim Guntae , Wang Jian‐Qiang 
Published: October 2023

AbstractMXene‐supported noble metal alloy catalysts exhibit remarkable electrocatalytic activity in various applications. However, there is no facile one‐step method for synthesizing these catalysts, because the synthesis of MXenes requires a strongly oxidizing environment and the preparation of platinum nanoalloys requires a strongly reducing environment and high temperatures. Hence, achieving coupling in one step is extremely challenging. In this paper, a straightforward one‐step molten salt method for preparing MXene‐supported platinum nanoalloy catalysts is proposed. The molten salt acts as the reaction medium to dissolve the transition metals and platinum ions at high temperatures. Transition metal ions oxidize the A‐site element from its MAX precursor at high temperatures, and the resulting transition metals further reduce platinum ions to form alloys. By coupling Al oxidation and platinum ion reduction using a molten salt solvent, this method directly converts Ti3AlC2 to a Pt‐M@Ti3C2Tx catalyst (where M denotes the transition metal). It further offers the possibility of extending the Pt‐M phase to binary, ternary, or quaternary platinum‐containing nanoalloys and converting the Al‐containing MAX phase to Ti2AlC and Ti3AlCN. Due to the strong interfacial interaction, the as‐prepared Pt‐Co@Ti3C2Tx is superior to commercial Pt/C (20 wt.%) in the hydrogen evolution reaction.
Pneumonia vaccine response in individuals with Down syndrome at three specialty clinics
Authors: Santoro Stephanie L. , Baloh Carolyn H. , Hart Sarah J. , Horick Nora , Kishnani Priya S. , Krell Kavita , Oreskovic Nicolas M. , Shaffer Mikayla , Talib Nasreen , Torres Amy , Spiridigliozzi Gail A. , Skotko Brian G. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIndividuals with Down syndrome (DS) have been particularly impacted by respiratory conditions, such as pneumonia. However, the description of co‐occurring recurrent infections, the response to pneumococcal immunization, and the association of these was previously unknown. We screened individuals with DS using an 11‐item screener and prospectively collected pneumococcal titers and laboratory results. We found that the screener did not successfully predict which individuals with DS who would have inadequate pneumococcal titers. Thirty four of the 55 individuals with DS (62%) had abnormal pneumococcal titers demonstrating an inadequate response to routine immunization. In the absence of a valid screener, clinicians should consider screening all individuals with DS through the use of pneumococcal titers to 23 serotypes to assess vaccine response.
Comprehensive characterization and evaluation of the process chain and products from Euphausia superba exocuticles to chitosan
Authors: Hahn Thomas , Egger Jeannine , Krake Simon , Dyballa Michael , Stegbauer Linus , von Seggern Nils , Bruheim Inge , Zibek Susanne 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAntarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a source for compounds of high nutritive value. Within that process of extraction, exocuticles (shells) accumulate which are currently disposed. A valorization of the compounds of the exocuticle such as chitosan would be beneficial to avoid waste and to obtain a versatile polymer at the same time. In contrast to previous investigations focusing on chitosan production from whole krill, we applied and optimized process stages of the chitosan production from the exocuticles, performing a comprehensive analytical evaluation of the whole process, the side streams and the products for the first time. Degreasing was the first step resulting in a krill oil yield of 6.2% using ethanol. The fatty acid profile exhibited high contents of phospholipids (21.2%). Citric acid offered a demineralization efficiency of 93%. Deproteinization investigation revealed 2 M NaOH and 90°C for 2.5 h to be the best parameters, resulting in a deproteinization efficiency of 99.9% and a chitin content of 92.8%. The spectroscopic investigation indicated that the chitin has a crystallinity index of 76% and an acetylation degree of 88%. The deacetylation degrees of the resulting chitosans is determined to be 74%–88%, the molecular weight ranges from 102 to 126 kDa.
Fabrication of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) starch‐based ultrafine fibers: Investigation of fundamental and antimicrobial properties
Authors: Cao Meiyi , Lin Songqin , Geng Meixuan , Zhang Yongna , Ren Jingjing , Yang Bin , Li Xianglong 
Published: October 2023

AbstractMicro/nano‐based fibrous membranes loaded with antibacterial agents have been widely studied in the medical field. In this research, we describe the development of a new environmentally friendly medical dressing based on centrifugally spun cassava starch‐based ultrafine fibers loaded with nanosilver (Ag). For this purpose, the spinnability of amylopectin‐rich native cassava starch in a centrifugal spinning system was investigated. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was applied to improve the water stability and mechanical properties of the starch‐based fibers, and the water stability of the fibers was further improved by posttreatment with formic acid. The morphology, structure, thermal, and tensile properties were studied. The results indicated that the native cassava starch showed excellent spinnability in the centrifugal spinning system. The tensile strength and water stability of the obtained fibrous membranes were improved by adding PVA and further improved after the posttreatment. The antibacterial properties of fibers loaded with Ag were evaluated through a bacteriostatic zone test, and the results showed that the fibers presented good antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli. Therefore, the obtained fibers have great potential for application in the medical dressing field.
Chemical recycling of polymer composites induced by selective variable frequency microwave heating
Authors: Vichare Preksha , Engler Anthony , Schwartz Jared , Kohl Paul A. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe application of variable frequency microwave (VFM) heating to achieve rapid thermal depolymerization of polymer composites is reported for the first time. The thermal and chemical influence of composite additives on polymer decomposition has been studied for a set of chemically recyclable polymers, including polyphthalaldehyde, polypropylene carbonate, two polyhydroxyalkanoates, and nylon 6. Carbon‐based additives, specifically nanocarbon particles, were used as effective microwave absorbers to controllably degrade the surrounding polymer matrix into valuable, monomeric compounds. Depolymerization and byproduct confirmation were quantified by gel permeation chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Synergistic effects can be leveraged from pre‐treating composite samples to further reduce the total microwave energy required to depolymerize composite samples. This study establishes the use of VFM heating for chemical recycling of polymer composites that can be leveraged toward a plastic circular economy.
Energiegewinn und Energieeinspeicherung des Prototyps eines neuartigen Wärmespeicher‐ und Energieerzeugungssystems
Authors: Schröter Birke , Spiegel Jonas , Carrigan Svenja , Kornadt Oliver , Friedrich Thomas , Wißbach Michael , Platzek Dieter , Büscher Wolfgang 
Published: October 2023

AbstractDurch die Auswirkungen des fortschreitenden Klimawandels und den daraus resultierenden Forderungen nach einem klimaneutralen Gebäudebestand ist es von großer Bedeutung, einen Großteil des Energiebedarfs durch die Nutzung erneuerbarer Energien decken zu können. Dazu wird im Rahmen eines Forschungsprojekts ein neuartiges Wärmespeicher‐ und Energieerzeugungssystem für Gebäude entwickelt, welches die Energieerzeugung und ‐speicherung in autarken „Energiepfählen“ anstrebt. Ziel der vorliegenden Analyse war die Auswertung eines ersten Prototyps, der im Zuge des Projekts entwickelt und experimentell untersucht wurde. Bei der Untersuchung standen die Energiegewinnung, die Energieeinspeicherung und die Dauer der Entladung des neuen Systems im Vordergrund. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Energiegewinnung des Prototyps gut funktioniert und vergleichbar mit bestehenden Solarthermiekollektoren ist. Allerdings wurde mit Unterstützung einer Gebäudesimulation gezeigt, dass die Energieeinspeicherung nicht ausreicht, um den gesamten Nutzenergiebedarf für die thermische Konditionierung eines Beispielgebäudes wirtschaftlich durch den Energiepfahl zu decken. Die Untersuchungen zeigen, dass der Prototyp großes Potenzial besitzt, aber eine Weiterentwicklung notwendig ist, um eine wirtschaftliche Option darzustellen.
Energetische Gewinne von Solarabsorbern im Verbund mit Eisspeichern
Authors: Goeke Johannes 
Published: October 2023

AbstractDie Speicherung von Energie ist in der Wärmeversorgung von Gebäuden ein lange bekanntes Prinzip zur Sicherstellung optimaler Effizienz und im Falle der Einbeziehung erneuerbarer Energie eine Notwendigkeit. Eine neue Form des Eisspeichers als erdvergrabenes Wasserreservoir ist in den letzten Jahren vermehrt zum Einsatz gekommen. Da in vielen Fällen Unklarheit über die solaren Energieflüsse bei der Beladung und bei der Entladung herrschen, werden in dieser Studie die Wärmeübertragungsbedingungen von Solarabsorbern als Wärmequelle sowohl für die Wärmepumpe als auch für den Eispeicher aus Strahlung und Umgebungsluft analysiert. Es werden die thermodynamischen Randbedingungen diskutiert, die den Wärmeertrag dominieren und exemplarisch Wärmemengen ermittelt. Dazu werden in einer Simulation die Wärmegewinne eines Solarröhrenabsorbers in Funktion mit einem Eisspeicher, Wärmepumpe und der Wärmelast des VDI Musterhauses (VDI 6009) dargestellt.
Survival outcomes of different neoadjuvant treatment regimens in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer and MRI‐detected extramural venous invasion
Authors: Chen Mo , Ma Yan , Song Yi‐wen , Huang Jinhua , Gao Yuan‐hong , Zheng Jian , He Fang 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPurposeMRI‐detected extramural venous invasion (mrEMVI) is associated with poor survival outcomes in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). An mrEMVI‐positive status is considered a strong indication for neoadjuvant treatment, but the optimal regimen is unknown.Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively compared pathological and survival outcomes of 584 patients diagnosed with mrEMVI‐positive rectal cancer between January 2013 and October 2021, and receiving either neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) alone, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) alone, or nCRT plus NCT, prior to total mesorectal excision. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance clinical bias between groups, which were compared using chi‐square testing and Kaplan–Meier curves.ResultsMedian follow‐up was 33.9 (range, 10.2–100.4) months. The 3‐year overall survival (OS), disease‐free survival (DFS), distant metastasis‐free survival (DMFS), and locoregional relapse‐free survival (LRFS) rates for all patients were 90.4%, 57.5%, 61.1%, and 85.7%, respectively. Of 584 mrEMVI‐positive patients at the time of diagnosis, 457 (78.3%) were EMVI‐negative on surgical pathology, and they had significantly better 3‐year OS, DMFS, DFS, and LRFS rates (all p < 0.001) than patients who remained EMVI‐positive. After PSM was applied, patients receiving nCRT alone had significantly better 3‐year OS (96.8% vs. 86.5%, p = 0.005) and DMFS (67.1% vs. 53.5%, p = 0.03) rates than those receiving NCT alone. Patients receiving NCT plus nCRT had higher pathological complete response (PCR) (10.8% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.04) and downstaging (33.8% vs. 5.3%, p < 0.001) rates than those receiving nCRT alone, but survival rates did not differ (all p > 0.05).ConclusionMost EMVI‐positive patients with LARC converted to EMVI‐negative after neoadjuvant treatment, resulting in improved OS and DFS. Patients receiving nCRT had more favorable survival outcomes than those receiving NCT, suggesting the importance of including neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Patients receiving NCT in addition to nCRT had higher rates of PCR and downstaging, but their survival rates were not better.
Design, Synthesis, Anticancer Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Studies of Oxazole‐Incorporated Naphthyridine Derivatives
Authors: Rangaswamy Singamsetty , Sreenivasulu Reddymasu , Babu Vankayala Ramesh , Syed Tasqeeruddin , Kapavarapu Ravi Kumar , Jayaprakash Hulikunte Veeranna , Abbaraju Venkata Durga Nagendra Kumar 
Published: October 2023

AbstractA novel series of oxazole incorporated naphthyridine (21 a–j) derivatives were designed and, synthesized followed by screening of their anticancer activity profiles against human breast cancer (MCF‐7), human lung cancer (A549) and human prostate (PC3 & DU‐145) cancer cell lines by employing MTT [3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide] assay using etoposide as the positive control. Of these compounds, N‐(6‐chloro‐3‐(4‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)oxazol‐2‐yl)‐1,5‐naphthyridin‐4‐yl)oxazol‐2‐amine with 3,4,5‐trimethoxy substituent on the aryl moiety attached to oxazole ring showed potent anticancer activity against PC3, A549, MCF‐7, and DU‐145 cell lines with IC50 values of 0.13±0.095 μM; 0.10±0.084 μM; 0.18±0.087 μM and 0.15±0.076 μM respectively. Apart from this, compounds N‐(6‐chloro‐3‐(4‐(3,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)oxazol‐2‐yl)‐1,5‐naphthyridin‐4‐yl)oxazol‐2‐amine, N‐(6‐chloro‐3‐(4‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)oxazol‐2‐yl)‐1,5‐naphthyridin‐4‐yl)oxazol‐2‐amine, and N‐(6‐chloro‐3‐(4‐(3,5‐dimethylphenyl)oxazol‐2‐yl)‐1,5‐naphthyridin‐4‐yl)oxazol‐2‐amine also showed better anticancer activities against four cancer cell lines screened for. These activities were also validated through the molecular docking simulations, which further indicated demonstration of better interaction energy and profile by these compounds.
J‐Aggregate‐Triggering BODIPYs: an Ultrasensitive Chromogenic and Fluorogenic Sensing Platform for Perfluorooctanesulfonate
Authors: Cho Siyoung , Kim Youngmi 
Published: October 2023

AbstractContamination of water supplies by polyfluoroalkyl substances, notably perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), has serious health and environmental consequences. Therefore, the development of straightforward and effective means of monitoring and removing PFASs is urgently required. In this study, we report a rapid and sensitive method for the detection of PFOS and PFOA in water that rely on the J‐aggregate formation of meso‐ester‐BODIPY dyes. The dye C10‐mim, which contains a hydrophilic methylimidazolium group and a hydrophobic alkylated BODIPY, self‐assembles in water into weakly green‐emissive micellar assemblies. Upon binding to PFOS or PFOA, a spontaneous disassembly and reorganization forms orange‐emissive J‐aggregates. The rapid formation (≤5 s) of J‐aggregates and the accompanying spectral shifts provide a superior sensing performance, with excellent sensitivity (limit of detection=0.18 ppb for PFOS) and distinct chromogenic and fluorogenic “turn‐on” responses.
Divergent and Nucleophile‐Assisted Rearrangement in the Construction of Pyrrolo[2,1‐b][3]benzazepine and Pyrido[2,1‐a]isoquinoline Scaffolds
Authors: Obydennik Arina Y. , Titov Alexander A. , Listratova Anna V. , Borisova Tatiana N. , Sokolova Irina L. , Rybakov Victor B. , Van der Eycken Erik V. , Voskressensky Leonid G. , Varlamov Alexey V. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractUnder microwave (MW) irradiation at 150 °C in toluene and in the presence of nucleophiles (DMAP, triphenylphosphine and tetrahydrothiophene) 1‐substituted 1‐ethynyl‐2‐vinyldi‐ and tetrahydroisoquinolines undergo [3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement providing pyrrolo[2,1‐b][3]benzazepines in good yields. The replacement of toluene with acetonitrile directs the rearrangement towards the formation of 7,11b‐dihydro‐6H‐pyrido[2,1‐a]isoquinolines.