bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dexamethasone Delivery via Amphiphilic, Low‐swelling Hydrogels Treats Postoperative Inflammation in Cervical Spine Applications
Authors: Linderman Stephen W. , Barber Graham F. , DeVeaux S'Dravious A. , Botchwey Edward A. , Refai Daniel , Klein Adam M. , García Andrés J. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractAnterior cervical spine surgeries are often complicated by difficulty swallowing due to local postoperative swelling, pain, scarring, and tissue dysfunction. These postoperative events lead to systemic steroid and narcotic use. Local, sustained drug delivery may address these problems, but current materials are unsafe for tight surgical spaces due to high biomaterial swelling, especially upon degradation. To address these shortcomings, a low‐swelling, amphiphilic hydrogel system termed DexaPatch is developed containing dexamethasone‐poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles for sustained release upon local implantation in the surgical site. The bulk amphiphilic hydrogel, comprised of 4‐arm poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐maleimide macromer cross‐linked with triblock dithiolated PEG‐poly(propylene glycol)‐PEG (poloxamer a.k.a. Pluronic), achieves consistent and tunable mechanical and low‐swelling properties. Dexamethasone is released in a burst, followed by a sustained release over 40 days, similar to the release from microparticles alone. The DexaPatch system is lyophilized for shelf stability and surgical handling properties, sterilized, and briefly rehydrated in the operating room prior to surgical implantation in a rabbit model of anterior spinal surgery. DexaPatch results in significantly reduced prevertebral edema radiographically and decreased fibrosis in prevertebral muscles compared to sham surgery. This implantable biomaterial platform reduces local postoperative inflammation with potential surgical applications throughout the body.
Creating Single Atomic Coordination for Hypoxia‐Resistant Pyroptosis Nano‐Inducer to Boost Anti‐Tumor Immunotherapy
Authors: Li Wenshuai , Li Hongyuan , Jiang Guangwei , Yang Lan , Nie Huifang , Lin Chenteng , Gao Wenjia , Huang Rongqin 
Published: January 2025

AbstractGeneral synthesis and mechanical understanding of type I nano‐photosensitizers are of great importance for hypoxia‐resistant pyroptosis inducers. Herein, a simple solvothermal treatment is developed to convert non‐photosensitive small molecules (hemin) into uniform carbon nanodots (HNCDs) with strong type I photodynamic activity and red fluorescence emission. These HNCDs inherit the single atomic Fe–N4 center of hemin while creating sp2‐hybridized carbon surroundings, which synergistically modulated the energy level and electron transfer for converting the type II photodynamic process to type I. After encapsulating HNCDs with bovine serum albumin (BSA) to facilitate in vivo applications, the resulting BSA nanoparticles (HB) can image tumors and significantly induce the pyroptosis of tumor cells even under an extremely hypoxic environment (2% O2). This evokes a strong antitumor immune response, effectively restraining tumor growth and lung metastasis in triple‐negative breast cancer mice, with good biocompatibility. This work introduces an applicable pyroptosis nano‐inducer to combat hypoxic tumors and highlights the regulation of Fe–N4 centers to develop hypoxia‐resistant type I nano‐photosensitizers for cancer treatment.
Hybrid Soft Segments Boost the Development of Ultratough Thermoplastic Elastomers with Tunable Hardness
Authors: Zhang Xingxue , Wang Luping , Zhang Kaiqiang , Zhou Kunyang , Hou Kaiyang , Zhao Zhixun , Li Guiliang , Yao Qing , Sun Nan , Wang Xu 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe hardness of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) significantly influences their suitability for various applications, but traditionally, enhancing hardness reduces toughness. Herein a method is introduced that leverages hybrid soft segments to fine‐tune the hardness of TPEs without compromising their exceptional toughness. Through the selective copolymerization of polytetramethylene ether glycols (PTMEGs) at various molecular weights, supramolecular poly(urethane‐urea) TPEs are molecularly engineered to cover a wide spectrum of hardness while retaining good toughness. It is achieved through the formation of graded functional zones—densely packed for enhanced hardness and strength, and loosely packed for greater extensibility and toughness—driven by variations in PTMEG chain length and mismatched supramolecular interactions. Through the establishment and systematic investigation of a TPE library, the intricate interplay between design, structure, and performance of these materials is elucidated, refining the optimization techniques. The TPEs demonstrate exceptional mechanical properties, including a variant with a Shore hardness of 86A and a toughness of 819 MJ m−3, alongside a softer variant with a 59A hardness and a 786 MJ m−3 toughness. The innovation extends to a scalable solvent‐based TPE production line, promising widespread industrial application. This advancement reimagines the potential of high‐performance TPEs and composites, offering versatile materials for demanding applications.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Efficiency Through Oxygen Vacancy‐Driven Molecular Epitaxial Growth of Metal–Organic Frameworks on BiVO4
Authors: Xin Yulei , Tian Jian , Xiong Xianqiang , Wu Chenglin , Carabineiro Sónia A.C. , Yang Xiaogang , Chen Zhangxing , Xia Yang , Jin Yanxian 
Published: January 2025

AbstractEfficient charge separation at the semiconductor/cocatalyst interface is crucial for high‐performance photoelectrodes, as it directly influences the availability of surface charges for solar water oxidation. However, establishing strong molecular‐level connections between these interfaces to achieve superior interfacial quality presents significant challenges. This study introduces an innovative electrochemical etching method that generates a high concentration of oxygen vacancy sites on BiVO4 surfaces (Ov‐BiVO4), enabling interactions with the oxygen‐rich ligands of MIL‐101. This reduces the formation energy and promotes conformal growth on BiVO4. The Ov‐BiVO4/MIL‐101 composite exhibits an ideal semiconductor/cocatalyst interface, achieving an impressive photocurrent density of 5.91 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE, along with excellent stability. This high‐performing photoanode enables an unbiased tandem device with an Ov‐BiVO4/MIL‐101‐Si solar cell system, achieving a solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiency of 4.33%. The molecular‐level integration mitigates surface states and enhances the internal electric field, facilitating the migration of photogenerated holes into the MIL‐101 overlayer. This process activates highly efficient Fe catalytic sites, which effectively adsorb water molecules, lowering the energy barrier for water oxidation and improving interfacial kinetics. Further studies confirm the broad applicability of oxygen vacancy‐induced molecular epitaxial growth in various MOFs, offering valuable insights into defect engineering for optimizing interfaces and enhancing photocatalytic activity.
Boosting Thermoelectric Performance of Semicrystalline Conducting Polymers by Simply Adding Nucleating Agent
Authors: Chen Chen , Ma Haibao , Lu Kaiqing , Zhang Xiaoxuan , Yue Baiqiao , Song Ce , Huang Pochong , Cheng Haifeng , Lin Yue 
Published: January 2025

AbstractControlling the microstructure of semiconducting polymers is critical for optimizing thermoelectric performance, yet remains challenging, requiring complex processing techniques like alignment. In this study, a straightforward strategy is introduced to enhance the thermoelectric properties of semi‐crystalline polymer films by incorporating minimal amounts of nucleating agents, a method widely used in traditional polymer industries. By blending less than 1 wt% of N,N′‐(1,4‐phenyl)diisonicotinamide (PDA) into poly(2,5‐bis(3‐alkylthiophen‐2‐yl)thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene) (PBTTT‐C14), controlled modulation of crystallization behavior is achieved, resulting in reduced structural disorder and enhanced charge carrier mobility. Systematic investigations reveal that an optimal PDA loading of 0.9 wt% increases the crystallization degree by 45% compared to pristine PBTTT‐C14 films. Under these optimized conditions, the PDA‐modified PBTTT‐C14 films exhibit a maximum electrical conductivity of 1,894 S cm−1 and a maximum power factor of 176 µW m−1 K−2, showing improvements of 96% and 433%, respectively, over doped pristine PBTTT‐C14 films. These gains are attributed to the synergistic effects of polymer chain extension and reduced grain boundary resistance, which collectively enhance charge transport efficiency. Additionally, ion exchange doping is found to maintain a high charge carrier concentration while preserving the crystallinity introduced by PDA, paving the way for advanced thermoelectric materials and next‐generation polymer‐based electronics.
IR Spectroscopic Studies on Water Confined in an Isoreticular MOF Series–Influence of the Metal and Linker Functionality
Authors: Haug Tabea C. V. , Hoffmann Frank , Tasova Merve N. , Heffels Roy , Fröba Michael 
Published: January 2025

AbstractMono‐ and bimetallic MOF‐74 samples with different ratios of Mg2+ and Ni2+ (9:1, 7:3, and 1:1), as well as Ni‐MOF‐74 analogs with different pore sizes and functionalities, were loaded with water through the exposure to a controlled relative humidity. To get information on the influence of the metal, pore size (1.2–3.6 nm), and functionality on the confined water, all samples were analyzed through infrared spectroscopy and the results were correlated to corresponding water sorption isotherms. Deconvolution of the O‐H stretching vibrational band made it possible to draw conclusions about differently ordered water species inside the pores. In all samples, it was visible that at lower pore loadings, the MOFs mostly comprised of less ordered water species, while higher pore loadings led to an increased formation of a more ordered, tetrahedral phase. Increasing amounts of Ni2+ within the series of bimetallic Mg/Ni‐MOF‐74 samples gave the hydrated systems a more hydrophilic behavior and favored the growth of more ordered species. Moreover, larger pores favored the less ordered water species, while hydrophilic functionalities led to the growth of water with a higher tetrahedrality and hydrophobic groups led to pores dominated by less ordered water species but can also have an ordering effect.
Hybrid Contact for High‐Performance MoS2 Transistors via Hard‐Mask Scanning Probe Lithography
Authors: Chen Zhe , Zhu Wen , Xu Lanxin , An Minghao , Zheng Xiaorui 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe scaling down of transistors in silicon‐based complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS) technology has reached critical limits, necessitating the exploration of novel materials and architectures. 2D semiconductors have emerged as promising candidates for continuing Moore's law beyond traditional silicon due to their atomic‐scale thickness and superior electrostatic control, which mitigate short channel effects. However, realizing the full potential of 2D materials in industrial applications requires overcoming challenges in fabricating scalable and CMOS‐compatible devices, particularly concerning metal‐semiconductor contacts. Here, a hybrid‐contact configuration is presented by developing a hard‐mask scanning probe lithography (SPL) for high‐performance molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) field‐effect transistors (FETs). After systematically comparing with the fabricated top‐contact and edge‐contact configurations, the hybrid‐contact substantially improves carrier injection efficiency, enabling an enhanced on‐current of 50.5 µA·µm⁻¹, an on/off ratio exceeding 5 × 1010, a reduced contact resistance of 2.14 kΩ·µm, and a Schottky barrier height of 26 meV, which is evidently illustrated by using the equivalent resistor network. The hard‐mask SPL also facilitates the high‐resolution nanoscale patterning on MoS2 flakes with a feature size of ≈18 nm. This hybrid‐contact configurations along with hard‐mask SPL demonstrate potentials in fabricating high‐performance 2D FETs, paving the way for their practical application in future electronic devices.
Pathophysiology of IBD as a Key Strategy for Polymeric Nanoparticle Development
Authors: Gardey Elena , Brendel Johannes C. , Stallmach Andreas 
Published: January 2025

AbstractInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract with an uncertain etiology. Currently, IBD therapy relies on the induction of clinical remission followed by maintenance therapy using anti‐inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressants; however, a definite cure of the disease is still out of scope. Established approaches are characterized by adverse drug‐related side effects that can even be potentially life‐threatening. In contrast, increased interest and remarkable scientific progress in targeted drug delivery systems offer a promising approach to reduce systemic adverse events, delivering the therapeutic substances only to inflamed tissue. All alteration in gastrointestinal barrier integrity, especially a disturbed epithelial barrier, a unique pattern of the receptors on cell surface and/or an oxidative stress milieu in inflamed areas can be used as effective approaches for targeted and controlled drug delivery. Hence, this review focuses on the pathophysiology of the inflamed GI tract as a potential strategy for targeted polymeric nanoparticles for IBD treatment. Interdisciplinary efforts between the polymeric chemistry and gastroenterology/immunology promise to create novel synergies that improve the development of effective nanoparticle systems with significant clinical impact. In this regard, the current challenges in the clinical translation of promising nanomedicine are also discussed.
Lipopeptide 01 from Staphylococcus Epidermidis Resists Pathogenic Bacteria and Promotes Bone Healing in Implant‐Associated Infections
Authors: Wang Shengjie , Liu Wei , Yang Chao , Li Changwei , Zhang Xianlong 
Published: January 2025

AbstractImplant‐associated infections (IAI) present a significant clinical challenge. Effective prevention of and recovery from IAI is complex, involving antibacterial treatment and the promotion of bone integration. However, the current artificial implants used in clinics often lack effective antibacterial properties and have limited functionality. In this study, Lipopeptide 01 (LP01), a lipopeptide derived from the skin commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis is successfully immobilized, onto the porous surface of sulfonated Poly (ether‐ether‐ketone) (SPEEK) to create a novel artificial implant, LP01‐PS. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrates that LP01‐PS displays favorable material properties, biocompatibility, outstanding antibacterial characteristics, and the ability to promote bone formation. Mechanistically, LP01‐PS enhances antibacterial activities by triggering TLR2/P65 signaling, upregulating the expression of LL37 and β‐defensins in macrophages. Furthermore, it can boost the osteogenic differentiation capability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) through the β‐catenin signaling pathway, thereby facilitating bone formation. The discovery of LP01‐PS with dual antibacterial and osteogenic effects, coupled with insights into its mode of action, suggests that LP01‐PS can serve as a promising implant material to enhance the success rates of total joint replacement surgeries, mitigate the risks of infection and prosthetic loosening, and foster the repair and regeneration of bone tissue.
Ethynyl‐Linked Donor–Acceptor Covalent Organic Framework for Highly Efficient Photocatalytic H2O2 Production
Authors: Li Bowen , Chen Junjin , Wang Kang , Qi Dongdong , Wang Tianyu , Jiang Jianzhuang 
Published: January 2025

AbstractPhotocatalytic H2O2 synthesis from H2O and O2 is considered to be one of the most promising alternative approaches for manufacturing H2O2. Developing highly active and selective photocatalysts is of significant in achieving efficient H2O2 photosynthesis. Herein, an ethynyl‐linked donor–acceptor covalent organic framework (COF), named EBBT‐COF, is prepared from the condensation reaction between an electron‐deficient unit 4,4′,4″‐(1,3,5‐benzenetriyltri‐2,1‐ethynediyl)tris‐benzenamine and an electron‐rich unit benzo[1,2‐b:3,4‐b′:5,6‐b″]trithiophene‐2,5,8‐tricarboxaldehyde. Powder X‐ray diffraction and N2 adsorption isotherm unveil the crystalline porous hcb network of EBBT‐COF with pores size centered at ca. 2.3 nm. Spectroscopic characterizations demonstrate the excellent visible‐light absorption capacity and enhanced photo‐induced charge separation and transport efficiency of EBBT‐COF owing to its donor–acceptor architecture. Density functional theory calculations and electrochemical tests indicate the high activity and selectivity of EBBT‐COF toward 2e− O2 reduction reaction and 2e− water oxidation reaction with triethynylbenzene and trithiophene moieties to accelerate O2‐to‐H2O2 and H2O‐to‐H2O2 conversion, respectively. These merits enable EBBT‐COF to be a promising photocatalyst toward H2O2 generation from H2O and O2 with a H2O2 yield rate of 5 686 µmol g−1 h−1, an optimal apparent quantum yield of 15.14%, a solar‐to‐chemical conversion efficiency of 1.17% (λ > 400 nm), representing one of the best performance among COF‐based photocatalysts reported thus far.
Homogeneously Blended Donor and Acceptor AgBiS2 Nanocrystal Inks Enable High‐Performance Eco‐Friendly Solar Cells with Enhanced Carrier Diffusion Length
Authors: Kim Hae Jeong , Park Jin Young , Choi Ye‐Jin , Kim Soo‐Kwan , Yong Taeyeong , Lee Wonjong , Seo Gayoung , Lee Eon Ji , Choi Seongmin , You Hyung Ryul , Park Won‐Woo , Yoon Soojin , Kim Wook Hyun , Lim Jongchul , Kim Younghoon , Kwon Oh‐Hoon , Choi Jongmin 
Published: January 2025

AbstractColloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) have garnered significant attention as promising photovoltaic materials due to their tunable optoelectronic properties enabled by surface chemistry. Among them, AgBiS2 NCs stand out as an attractive candidate for solar cell applications due to their environmentally friendly composition, high absorption coefficients, and low‐temperature processability. However, AgBiS2 NC photovoltaics generally exhibit lower power conversion efficiency (PCE) compared to other NC‐based devices, primarily due to numerous surface traps that serve as recombination sites, leading to a short diffusion length for free carriers. To address this challenge, this work develops donor and acceptor blended (D/A) AgBiS2 films. Through ligand modulation, this work formulates acceptor and donor AgBiS2 NC inks with suitable electrical band alignment for charge separation, while ensuring that they are fully miscible in the same solvent. This enabled the fabrication of high‐quality, thickness‐controllable D/A‐blended junction films. This work finds that this approach effectively facilitates carrier separation, leading to an enhanced carrier lifetime and diffusion length. As a result, using this approach, this work achieves AgBiS2 films that are twice as thick in solar cell applications compared to conventional devices, leading to improvements in current density and a solar cell PCE of 8.26%.
Gyro‐Multigrid Triboelectric Nanogenerator via Topological Defects Strategy for Efficiently Harvesting Low‐Grade Wave Energy
Authors: Gao Wei , Gao Xiaobo , Su Juan , Cai Huisheng , Li Hao , Chen Baodong , Wang Zhong Lin 
Published: January 2025

AbstractWave energy is a promising sustainable energy yet to be fully exploited due to the low frequency and broad‐banded wave fields, so much so that difficult to capture, resulting in low efficiency and limited power output from current many wave energy harvesters. Here, a topological defect gyro‐multigrid triboelectric nanogenerator (TD‐GM‐TENG) is proposed that harnesses the mechanical energy of ocean waves to generate electricity and promotes the accumulation of triboelectric charge on the basis of realized from low to high rotation speed under the precession and gravitation acceleration effects. It benefited from topological defect strategy, TD‐GM‐TENG offers a charge transfer rate of 3.1 µC s−1 that when can reach to a speed of nearly 1000 rpm at the wave frequency of 1 Hz. Furthermore, the charge density reaches 90 µC m−2 in a cycle of 0.06 s, which is 1.6 times higher than the same kind of spherical‐TENGs in the field of ocean energy harvesting. Finally, TD‐GM‐TENG unit outputs a peak power of 3.7 mW at the simulated water wave environment of 1 Hz and demonstrates its applicability and feasibility of being used as a distributed emergency power supply in the offshoring observation and early warning services.
Cu‐Driven Active Cu2Se@MXene Heterointerface Reconstruction and Co Electron Reservoir Toward Superior Sodium Storage
Authors: Lu Chengxing , Li Boyu , Shi Mengjie , Li Qun , Liu Kun , Lu Cuiyun , Liao Jingwen , Hu Ziyue , Wei Xiaoyan , Li Chunsheng , Sun Yan , Liu Tong , Liu Ronghui , Zhao Qing 
Published: January 2025

AbstractHeterostructure engineering and active component reconstruction are effective strategies for efficient and rapid charge storage in advanced sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, sandwich‐type CoSe2@MXene composites are used as a model to reconstruct new active Cu2Se@MXene heterostructures by in situ electrochemical driving. The MXene core provides interconnected pathways for electron and ion conduction, while also buffering volumetric expansion to stabilize the structure. This reconstructed Cu2Se@MXene heterointerface features abundant sodium storage active sites, enhanced Na+ adsorption, and diffusion kinetics, thus increasing sodium storage capacity. Moreover, the elevated Co valence state during the discharge process allows it to act as an electron reservoir to provide additional electron supply for Cu2Se conversion and accelerate the sodium storage kinetics. When employed as an anode in SIBs, the CoSe2@MXene electrode exhibits high capacity (694 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1), excellent rate performance (425 mAh g−1 at 20 A g−1), and exceptional durability (437 mAh g−1 after 10 000 cycles at 5 A g−1 with a 0.0014% capacity decay per cycle). The electrochemical reconstruction and sodium storage mechanism of Cu2Se@MXene anode is further revealed through ex situ characterization and theoretical calculations. This work provides a new approach for designing advanced conversion‐type anodes for SIBs.
Impact of index insurance on downside income risk: Evidence from northern Kenya
Authors: Shikuku Kelvin Mashisia , Ochenje Ibrahim 
Published: January 2025

AbstractWe assessed the impact of index‐based livestock insurance (IBLI) on household income and its higher‐order moments (i.e., variance and skewness). The study uses four waves of panel survey data from northern Kenya and applies a two stage least squares (2SLS) instrumental variables regression to estimate the causal impacts. We found that uptake of IBLI increased household income and reduced pastoralists' exposure to downside risk. Our results imply that policies and investments promoting the scaling of index insurance will be effective for climate risk management and welfare improvement in Sub‐Saharan Africa by increasing income and reducing exposure to downside risk.