bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metal Ion/Dendrimer Complexes with Tunable Work Functions in a Wide Range and Their Application as Electron‐ and Hole‐Transport Materials of Non‐Fullerene Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Yu Zhimeng , Li Bichen , Ouyang Jianyong 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe work functions of electrodes can be modified by adding charge transport layers to have good energy level matching with the active materials for organic solar cells (OSCs). Usually, a certain material gives rise to one definite work function of an electrode. In this work it is demonstrated that complexes of poly(amido amine) (generation 3) (PAMAM) with Cu2+ can continuously tune the work function of indium tin oxide (ITO) in a range of 4–5 eV by controlling the ratio of Cu2+ to PAMAM. PAMAM can lower the work function of ITO from 4.60 to 4.07 eV, while Cu2+‐PAMAM can increase the work function. The work function increase depends on the Cu2+‐to‐PAMAM molar ratio, and the work function can be up to 4.96 eV. The Cu2+ effect is ascribed the Cu2+‐caused change in the dipole moment of PAMAM. Moreover, this method can be used to continuously modify the work function of other materials, including Ag, Au, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate, and reduced graphene oxide. In addition, PAMAM and Cu2+‐PAMAM are investigated as the charge collection buffer materials of non‐fullerene OSCs of poly[(2,6‐(4,8‐bis(5‐(2‐ethylhexyl)thiophen‐2‐yl)‐benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene))‐alt‐(5,5‐(1′,3′‐di‐2‐thienyl‐5′,7′‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)benzo[1′,2′‐c:4′,5′‐c′]dithiophene‐4,8‐dione))]: 3,9‐bis(2‐methylene‐(3‐(1,1‐dicyanomethylene)‐indanone))‐5,5,11,11‐tetrakis(4‐hexylphenyl)‐dithieno[2,3‐d:2′,3′‐d′]‐s‐indaceno[1,2‐b:5,6‐b′]dithiophene). The power conversion efficiency can reach 9.2%, which is comparable to that using conventional charge transport materials.
Harness the Power of Upconversion Nanoparticles for Spectral Computed Tomography Diagnosis of Osteosarcoma
Authors: Jin Yingying , Ni Dalong , Gao Lu , Meng Xianfu , Lv Yi , Han Fang , Zhang Hua , Liu Yanyan , Yao Zhenwei , Feng Xiaoyuan , Bu Wenbo , Zhang Jiawen 
Published: June 2018

AbstractOsteosarcoma, as the most common primary bone cancer, is difficult to make a differentiation between tumor with contrast agents (CAs) accumulation and healthy bones using X‐ray computed tomography (CT) since they both display high attenuation of X‐ray. Recently, an advanced CT form, gemstone spectral CT (GSCT), has received extensive attention due to its significant ability of material decomposition and monochromatic images, which can overcome the above disadvantages of conventional CT. Herein, the lutecium (Lu)‐based upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs, polyethylene glycol (PEG)–NaLuF4:Yb/Er), which possess great spectral CT performance over clinical used iohexol, is investigated as a novel kind of spectral CT CAs in the diagnosis of osteosarcoma. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments show that Lu‐based UCNPs provided much more diagnostic interpretation, and can successfully distinguish the osteosarcoma from the surround bones with GSCT while the iohexol fails due to the different X‐ray attenuation characteristics of UCNPs (i.e., lutecium) and iohexol (e.g., iodine) under different energy. As a proof of concept, the Lu‐based UCNPs with excellent biocompatibility hold great potential for further clinical diagnosis of skeletal system diseases.
Rationally Designed Self‐Assembling Nanoparticles to Overcome Mucus and Epithelium Transport Barriers for Oral Vaccines against Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Zhang Yuandong , Li Haibo , Wang Qin , Hao Xinyan , Li Hanmei , Sun Heqiang , Han Lu , Zhang Zhirong , Zou Quanming , Sun Xun 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
Helicobacter pylori infection is strongly associated with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. Antibiotic resistance in H. pylori is an increasingly serious threat to global public health. Although oral vaccination is considered to be a promising strategy for protection against H. pylori infection, the poor efficacy of oral vaccines remains a major challenge due to their poor ability to penetrate mucus and cross transepithelial absorption barriers. This study reports the development of a well‐designed nanoparticle that is electrostatically self‐assembled with antigen and cell‐penetrating peptide (CPP), and then coated with a “mucus‐inert” PEG derivative. The nanoparticles have hydrophilic and slightly negative surface properties, which confers excellent mucus‐penetrating ability. Studies demonstrate that the self‐assembled PEG derivatives gradually dissociate from the nanoparticles in mucus, exposing the CPP‐rich cores that are efficiently transepithelial transported via intracellular and paracellular pathways. Nanoparticles containing recombination urease subunit B, a candidate vaccine against H. pylori, significantly enhance systemic and mucosal antibody levels in mice, and these immune responses protect the animals from H. pylori challenge. These results suggest that the CPP‐rich PEGylated nanoparticles may be a powerful platform for building an oral vaccine to protect against gastrointestinal infection by recalcitrant H. pylori or/and other pathogenic microorganisms.
Nanorobots Constructed from Nanoclay: Using Nature to Create Self‐Propelled Autonomous Nanomachines
Authors: Maric Tijana , Mayorga‐Martinez Carmen C. , Khezri Bahareh , Nasir Muhammad Zafir Mohamad , Chia Xinyi , Pumera Martin 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSelf‐propelled, autonomous micro and nanomachines are at the forefront of current nanotechnology. These micro and nanodevices move actively to perform desired tasks, usually using chemical energy from their surrounding environment. Typically, these structures are fabricated via clean room or template‐based electrodeposition methodologies, which yield relatively low numbers of these devices. To utilize these machines in industrial‐scale operations, one would need an inexpensive fabrication route for mass production of nanomachines. The use of naturally occurring nanotubes, Halloysite nanoclay, to fabricate functional nanomotors in great quantities is demonstrated. These nanotubes can be mined in ton quantities and used as base for the fabrication of nanomachines. In addition, it is well known that the surface groups of Halloysite nanoclay bind strongly with heavy metals, which makes it potentially useful in environmental remediation.
Interplay of Structural and Optoelectronic Properties in Formamidinium Mixed Tin–Lead Triiodide Perovskites
Authors: Parrott Elizabeth S. , Green Thomas , Milot Rebecca L. , Johnston Michael B. , Snaith Henry J. , Herz Laura M. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractMixed lead–tin triiodide perovskites are promising absorber materials for low bandgap bottom cells in all‐perovskite tandem photovoltaic devices. Key structural and electronic properties of the FAPb1−xSnxI3 perovskite are presented here as a function of lead:tin content across the alloy series. Temperature‐dependent photoluminescence and optical absorption measurements are used to identify changes in the bandgap and phase transition temperature. The large bandgap bowing parameter, a crucial element for the attainment of low bandgaps in this system, is shown to depend on the structural phase, reaching a value of 0.84 eV in the low‐temperature phase and 0.73 eV at room temperature. The parabolic nature of the bowing at all temperatures is compatible with a mechanism arising from bond bending to accommodate the random placement of unevenly sized lead and tin ions. Charge‐carrier recombination dynamics are shown to fall into two regimes. Tin‐rich compositions exhibit fast, monoexponential recombination that is almost temperature‐independent, in accordance with high levels of electrical doping. Lead‐rich compositions show slower, stretched‐exponential charge‐carrier recombination that is strongly temperature‐dependent, in accordance with a multiphonon assisted process. These results highlight the importance of structure and composition for control of bandgap bowing and charge‐carrier recombination mechanisms in low bandgap absorbers for all‐perovskite tandem solar cells.
Fe–Au Nanoparticle‐Coupling for Ultrasensitive Detections of Circulating Tumor DNA
Authors: Hu Ping , Zhang Shengjian , Wu Tong , Ni Dalong , Fan Wenpei , Zhu Yan , Qian Rong , Shi Jianlin 
Published: June 2018

AbstractEffectiveness of cancer therapy relies heavily on the efficient early diagnosis. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection is one of the most clinically meaningful liquid biopsy approaches for the noninvasive cancer early diagnosis, which, unfortunately, cannot be applied as a routine diagnostic tool till a number of obstacles, for example, unsatisfactory specificity and sensitivity, and extremely high costs, are overcome. Here, the first paradigm of nanomaterial's application in the extremely specific, ultrasensitive, and yet economical ctDNA detections is reported based on a facile nanoparticle‐coupling strategy without amplification, with which polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐introduced bias and other shortcomings are successfully circumvented. Aiming at seven Kirsten rat sarcoma‐2 virus (KRAS) point mutations, the present strategy exhibits high specificity and an ultrahigh sensitivity of detecting as low as 0.1 pg mL−1 of KRAS point mutation without prior PCR amplification. Discriminating KRAS gene mutations in lung adenocarcinoma patients at an extremely low detection limit equivalent to 0.12% mutation relative to wild‐type gene is successful. It is envisioned that this nanoparticle‐coupling approach could be routinely applied clinically for ultra‐early diagnosis and monitoring of diverse malignant tumors, thus facilitating the fight against cancer.
Roles of Interfacial Tension in Regulating Internal Organization of Low Bandgap Polymer Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells by Polymer Additives
Authors: Yang Zhenhua , Guo Yichen , Li Hongfei , Zhou Yuchen , Zuo Xianghao , Yu Yingjie , Pan Cheng , Strzalka Joseph , Nam Chang‐Yong , Rafailovich Miriam H. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe role of a tertiary polymer‐based additive is investigated in increasing the efficiency of inverted low bandgap polymer:fullerene bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells. Charge separation in polymer BHJ solar cells relies on the phase separation between electron accepting fullerene derivatives and photoactive polymers. Proper distribution of individual phases of suitable crystallinities within the active layer is a key factor for efficient charge transport/extraction and high photovoltaic performance. Here, it is demonstrated that the minor addition of a tertiary amorphous polymer, polystyrene (PS), with optimized molecular weights can increase the overall photovoltaic efficiency of poly[N‐9′‐heptadecanyl‐2,7‐carbazole‐alt‐5,5‐(4′,7′‐di‐2‐thienyl‐2′,1′,3′‐benzothiadiazole)]:phenyl‐C61butyric acid methyl ester (PCDTBT:PCBM) inverted BHJ solar cells, through the interfacial‐tension‐driven increase in crystallinities of photoactive phases and redistribution of PCBM molecules away from the top hole‐collecting anode interface. Complementary studies correlating polymer interfacial tension, blend internal structure, charge transport, and photovoltaic characteristics show that tertiary, high molecular‐weight polymers can serve as effective additives for improving the performance of low bandgap polymer solar cells.
Infrared‐Responsive Colloidal Silver Nanorods for Surface‐Enhanced Infrared Absorption
Authors: Li Nannan , Yin Hang , Zhuo Xiaolu , Yang Baocheng , Zhu Xiao‐Ming , Wang Jianfang 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSurface‐enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) spectroscopy, the enhancement of molecular vibrational signals using resonant metal nanostructures, has recently attracted much attention owing to its potential use in molecular detection in chemistry, biology, and medicine. This study reports on the growth of high‐aspect‐ratio metal nanocrystals and their application for SEIRA. Highly uniform Ag nanorods are synthesized through Au nanobipyramid‐directed Ag overgrowth, and Au nanotubes are further prepared through the galvanic replacement reaction from the Ag nanorods. Both Ag nanorods and Au nanotubes possess narrow distributions in diameter and length and exhibit highly tunable plasmon wavelengths in the near and mid‐infrared regions. The Ag nanorods are employed as plasmonic nanoantennas to enhance the molecular vibration signals of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide molecules that are embedded in a mesostructured silica layer coated on the Ag nanorods. The dimension‐dependent SEIRA performances are carefully investigated both experimentally and numerically. The experimental and simulated SEIRA enhancement factors are in good agreement and both determined to be of the order ≈103. The results point out a promising route to the utilization of chemically synthesized, colloidal metal nanostructures as SEIRA platforms. The synthesis method also provides high‐quality metal nanostructures for exploring various plasmon‐based optical and sensing applications in the infrared region.
Stimuli‐Responsive Prodrug Chemistries for Drug Delivery
Authors: Taresco Vincenzo , Alexander Cameron , Singh Nishant , Pearce Amanda K. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractResearch into advanced therapeutic materials is of growing importance worldwide, particularly in the disease areas of infection, neurodegeneration, and oncology. Advances have been made in treating these diverse pathologies but there still remain many challenging areas. Amongst the most difficult are those involving highly potent and/or cytotoxic agents which present the inherent problem of adverse off‐target effects. Of key importance is to widen the therapeutic window for such agents by reducing access to non‐diseased cells and enhancing release at targeted sites. Spatiotemporal controlled release can be achieved by exploiting physical, chemical, or biological stimuli present at the specific diseased area. A crucial strategy involves drug‐carrier linkages able to respond to physiological or biochemical stimuli present in the disease region, and there is now significant literature on (polymeric) prodrugs based on the drug + carrier + cleavable linker philosophy, predominantly for cancer applications. The authors therefore focuse this mini‐review primarily on single/multistimuli‐responsive prodrugs for cancer therapies, covering prominent examples of prodrug chemistries used to endow polymers with controlled and site‐specific drug delivery properties. Additionally, the possibilities for exploiting similar approaches to disease‐associated stimuli present in bacterial and viral infections, inflammatory and immune diseases, and in degenerative disorders are emphasized.
DNA Hydrogel Assemblies: Bridging Synthesis Principles to Biomedical Applications
Authors: Shahbazi Mohammad‐Ali , Bauleth‐Ramos Tomás , Santos Hélder A. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractDNA is a perfect polymeric molecule for interfacing biology with material science to construct hydrogels that represent fascinating properties for a wide variety of biomedical applications. Tunable multifunctionality, convenient programmability, adequate biocompatibility, biodegradability, capability of precise molecular recognition, and high versatility have made DNA an irreplaceable building block for the construction of novel 3D hydrogels. DNA can be used as the only component of a hydrogel, the backbone or a cross‐linker that connects the main building blocks to form hybrid hydrogels through chemical reactions or physical entanglement. Responsive constructs of DNA with superior mechanical properties are very commonly reported nowadays, which can undergo macroscopic changes induced by various triggers, including alteration in ionic strength, temperature, and pH. These hydrogels can be prepared by various types of DNA building blocks, such as branched double‐stranded DNA, single‐stranded DNA, X‐shaped DNA, or Y‐shaped DNA through intermolecular i‐motif structures, DNA hybridization, enzyme ligation, or enzyme polymerization. These hydrogels are envisioned for a variety of applications, such as drug delivery, sensing, tissue engineering, 3D cell culture, and providing template for nanoparticle synthesis. This review highlights the design of ideal DNA hydrogels from biological and material points of view for future biomedical applications.
Hypervalent Iodine(III)‐Catalyzed Balz–Schiemann Fluorination under Mild Conditions
Authors: Xing Bo , Ni Chuanfa , Hu Jinbo 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAn unprecedented hypervalent iodine(III) catalyzed Balz–Schiemann reaction is described. In the presence of a hypervalent iodine compound, the fluorination reaction proceeds under mild conditions (25–60 °C), and features a wide substrate scope and good functional‐group compatibility.
Redox‐Triggered Orientational Responses of Liquid Crystals to Chlorine Gas
Authors: Szilvási Tibor , Bao Nanqi , Nayani Karthik , Yu Huaizhe , Rai Prabin , Twieg Robert J. , Mavrikakis Manos , Abbott Nicholas L. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSurface‐supported liquid crystals (LCs) that exhibit orientational and thus optical responses upon exposure to ppb concentrations of Cl2 gas are reported. Computations identified Mn cations as candidate surface binding sites that undergo redox‐triggered changes in the strength of binding to nitrogen‐based LCs upon exposure to Cl2 gas. Guided by these predictions, μm‐thick films of nitrile‐ or pyridine‐containing LCs were prepared on surfaces decorated with Mn2+ binding sites as perchlorate salts. Following exposure to Cl2, formation of Mn4+ (in the form of MnO2 microparticles) was confirmed and an accompanying change in the orientation and optical appearance of the supported LC films was measured. In unoptimized systems, the LC orientational transitions provided the sensitivity and response times needed for monitoring human exposure to Cl2 gas. The response was also selective to Cl2 over other oxidizing agents such as air or NO2 and other chemical targets such as organophosphonates.
Übertragung unidirektionaler molekularer Motorrotation auf eine räumlich getrennte Biarylachse
Authors: Uhl Edgar , Thumser Stefan , Mayer Peter , Dube Henry 
Published: June 2018

AbstractMolekulare Motoren vollführen kontinuierliche direktionale Bewegungen durch Zufuhr externer Energie. Eine große Herausforderung ist die definierte Übertragung direktionaler Motorbewegungen auf räumlich getrennte molekulare Einheiten. Hier wird ein molekulares System präsentiert, in dem die direktionale Rotation einer lichtbetriebenen Motoreinheit über eine Ethylenglycolkette auf eine entfernte Biarylachse übertragen werden kann. Röntgenstrukturanalyse, ECD‐ und NMR‐Experimente sowie umfassende theoretische Studien liefern Beweise für die gekoppelte, schrittweise und direktionale Bewegung beider Moleküleinheiten. Mit dem beschriebenen Moleküldesign können molekulare Motoreinheiten sehr leicht in größere funktionelle Systeme integriert und so komplexe molekulare Maschinen detailliert untersucht werden.
Tandem Payne/Dakin Reaction: A New Strategy for Hydrogen Peroxide Detection and Molecular Imaging
Authors: Ye Sen , Hu Jun Jacob , Yang Dan 
Published: June 2018

AbstractHydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been recognized as one of the most significant ROS (reactive oxygen species) in human health and disease. Because of the intrinsic attributes of H2O2—such as its low reactivity under physiological pH—it is exceedingly challenging to develop small‐molecule fluorescent probes with high selectivity and sensitivity for visualization of H2O2 in an intricate biological milieu. To address this gap, a rationally designed tandem Payne/Dakin reaction is reported that is specific to molecular recognition of H2O2. New H2O2 probes based on this unique chemical strategy can be easily synthesized by a general coupling reaction, and the practical applicability of those probes has been confirmed by the visualization of endogenously produced H2O2 in living cells. In particular, starvation‐induced H2O2 production in mouse macrophages has been detected by the novel probe in both confocal imaging and flow cytometry. This tandem Payne/Dakin reaction provides a basis for developing more sophisticated molecular tools to interrogate H2O2 functions in biological phenomena.
Surgically resected T1‐ and T2‐stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: T and N staging performance of EUS and PET/CT
Authors: Jeong Dong Young , Kim Min Yeong , Lee Kyung Soo , Choi Joon Young , Kim Soo Jeong , Chung Myung Jin , Min Yang Won , Kim Hong Kwan , Zo Jae Ill , Shim Young Mog , Sun Jong‐Mu 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the frequency of nodal metastases and to disclose the diagnostic performance of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and PET/CT in T and N staging in surgically resected early‐stage esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (eSCCs). Institutional review board approved this retrospective study with waiver of informed consent for reviewing medical record. We included 435 patients with an early T‐stage (Tis or T1a [≤T1a], T1b and T2) eSCC. The rates of metastatic lymphadenopathy were calculated. Then, the performance of EUS and PET/CT in subdividing T and N stages was assessed. 131 ≤ T1a, 234 T1b, and 70 T2 eSCCs were identified. In discriminating ≤T1a from other cancers, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS were 60.3% (79/131), 80.3% (244/304), and 74.3% (323/435) respectively. With ROC curve analysis, cut‐off value of SUVmax 3.05 at PET provided sensitivity 74.8% (98/131), specificity 70.1% (213/304), and accuracy 71.5% (311/435) for differentiating ≤T1a eSCCs from others. Ten (7.6%) of 131 ≤ T1a cancers had nodal metastasis. In discriminating N0 from node‐positive disease, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS were 89.6% (267/298), 41.6% (57/137), and 74.5% (324/435), respectively, whereas those of PET/CT were 88.9% (265/298), 38.7% (53/137), and 73.1% (318/435) respectively. In >70% of patients with ≤T1a eSCCs, the tumor stage can be discriminated from higher stage cancers by using EUS or PET/CT. Substantial percentage (7.6%) of ≤T1a eSCC patients have nodal metastases, which are missed in more than half of the patients in clinical staging.
Trends in colorectal cancer incidence among younger adults—Disparities by age, sex, race, ethnicity, and subsite
Authors: Crosbie Amanda B. , Roche Lisa M. , Johnson Linda M. , Pawlish Karen S. , Paddock Lisa E. , Stroup Antoinette M. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractMillennials (ages 18‐35) are now the largest living generation in the US, making it important to understand and characterize the rising trend of colorectal cancer incidence in this population, as well as other younger generations of Americans. Data from the New Jersey State Cancer Registry (n = 181 909) and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program (n = 448 714) were used to analyze invasive CRC incidence trends from 1979 to 2014. Age, sex, race, ethnicity, subsite, and stage differences between younger adults (20‐49) and screening age adults (≥50) in New Jersey (NJ) were examined using chi‐square; and, we compared secular trends in NJ to the United States (US). Whites, men, and the youngest adults (ages 20‐39) are experiencing greater APCs in rectal cancer incidence. Rates among younger black adults, overall, were consistently higher in both NJ and the US over time. When compared to older adults, younger adults with CRC in NJ were more likely to be: diagnosed at the late stage, diagnosed with rectal cancer, male, non‐white, and Hispanic. Invasive CRC incidence trends among younger adults were found to vary by age, sex, race, ethnicity, and subsite. Large, case‐level, studies are needed to understand the role of genetics, human papillomavirus (HPV), and cultural and behavioral factors in the rise of CRC among younger adults. Provider and public education about CRC risk factors will also be important for preventing and reversing the increasing CRC trend in younger adults.