| 1. |
- Alexakis, Alexandros Efraim, et al.
(author)
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Modification of CNF‐Networks by the Addition of Small Amounts of Well‐Defined Rigid Cationic Nanolatexes
- 2022
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In: Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics. - : Wiley. - 1022-1352 .- 1521-3935. ; 224:1, s. 2200249-2200249
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cellulose nanofibril (CNF)-networks are modified by the addition of small amounts (below 10 wt%) of well-defined cationic nanolatexes synthesized through reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer-mediated polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA). Minute amounts of nanolatex inclusions lead to increased tensile and shear moduli, indicating that nanolatexes can act as bridging-points between CNFs. At higher nanolatex content, this stiffening effect is lost, likely due to interactions between nanolatexes leading to plasticization. The influence of nanolatex content and size on interparticle distance is discussed and is used as a tool to understand the effects observed in macroscopic properties. Upon annealing, the stiffening effect is lost due to the softening of the nanolatexes, indicating that the core–shell morphology is a prerequisite for this effect. These systems form a versatile platform to develop fundamental insights into complex condensed colloidal systems, to ultimately aid in the development of new sustainable material concepts.
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| 2. |
- Eliasson, Adrian, et al.
(author)
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Highly Ductile Cellulose-Rich Papers Obtained by Ultrasonication-Assisted Incorporation of Low Molecular Weight Plasticizers
- 2023
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In: ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 2168-0485. ; 11:24, s. 8836-8846
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ultrasonication was used as a mean toincorporate glycerolor urea, yielding paper films with a ductility of up to 35%. Fiber-based materials are attractive sustainable alternativestofossil-based plastics, however, the lack of ductility (i.e., brittleness)limits their applicability in complex shapes as are often utilizedfor plastics. In this study, we hypothesize that it is possible toenhance the ductility of a cellulose-rich material by the incorporationof low molecular weight plasticizers (glycerol, urea, citric acid,and tannic acid). However, no significant effects could be observedafter swelling in the presence of plasticizers. To enhance any potentialeffect, it was decided to employ ultrasonication to mechanically disintegratethe fiber and aid the sorption of plasticizer prior to formation ofsheets from the treated fibers. Glycerol or urea in combination withultrasonication resulted in both internal and external fibrillationof the fibers, and it could be observed that the resulting fines createa film at the surface of the fibers in the formed sheets. Tensiletesting shows that this gives rise to a 100% increase in ductilitycompared to sheets from untreated fibers. The use of citric or tannicacid has the opposite effect, reducing ductility to a third of thatof the reference sheet. This is suggested to be due to the formationof covalent cross-links in the treated fibers, which also leads todifferent internal and external fibrillation mechanisms, as observedby scanning electron microscopy. The exceptionally high improvementof the strain-at-break for sheets from the glycerol- and urea-treatedfibers suggests that low molecular weight plasticizers affect theinternal properties of the fiber wall as well as the interactionsbetween the fine material forming in-between the fibers. The findingsfrom the current study suggest that the proposed approach to obtainductile cellulose-rich materials holds promise for the future, butit is also clear that more in-depth research is required to obtaina mechanistic understanding and release the full potential.
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| 3. |
- Pearce, Mark, 1970-, et al.
(author)
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Science prospects for SPHiNX - A small satellite GRB polarimetry mission
- 2019
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In: Astroparticle physics. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. - 0927-6505 .- 1873-2852. ; 104, s. 54-63
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are exceptionally bright electromagnetic events occurring daily on the sky. The prompt emission is dominated by X-/gamma-rays. Since their discovery over 50 years ago, GRBs are primarily studied through spectral and temporal measurements. The properties of the emission jets and underlying processes are not well understood. A promising way forward is the development of missions capable of characterising the linear polarisation of the high-energy emission. For this reason, the SPHiNX mission has been developed for a small-satellite platform. The polarisation properties of incident high-energy radiation (50-600 keV) are determined by reconstructing Compton scattering interactions in a segmented array of plastic and Gd3Al2Ga3O12(Ce) (GAGG(Ce)) scintillators. During a two-year mission, similar to 200 GRBs will be observed, with similar to 50 yielding measurements where the polarisation fraction is determined with a relative error <= 10%. This is a significant improvement compared to contemporary missions. This performance, combined with the ability to reconstruct GRB localisation and spectral properties, will allow discrimination between leading classes of emission models.
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| 4. |
- Ruilope, LM, et al.
(author)
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Design and Baseline Characteristics of the Finerenone in Reducing Cardiovascular Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease Trial
- 2019
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In: American journal of nephrology. - : S. Karger AG. - 1421-9670 .- 0250-8095. ; 50:5, s. 345-356
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- <b><i>Background:</i></b> Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. <b><i>Patients and</i></b> <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥25 mL/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup> and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30 to ≤5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level α = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049.
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