bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Facile Room‐Temperature Anion Exchange Reactions of Inorganic Perovskite Quantum Dots Enabled by a Modular Microfluidic Platform
Authors: Abdel‐Latif Kameel , Epps Robert W. , Kerr Corwin B. , Papa Christopher M. , Castellano Felix N. , Abolhasani Milad 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn an effort to produce the materials of next‐generation photoelectronic devices, postsynthesis halide exchange reactions of perovskite quantum dots are explored to achieve enhanced bandgap tunability. However, comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted halide exchange reactions is inhibited by their vast relevant parameter space and complex reaction network. In this work, a facile room‐temperature strategy is presented for rapid halide exchange of inorganic perovskite quantum dots. A comprehensive understanding of the halide exchange reactions is provided by isolating reaction kinetics from precursor mixing rates utilizing a modular microfluidic platform, Quantum Dot Exchanger (QDExer). The effects of ligand composition and halide salt source on the rate and extent of the halide exchange reactions are illustrated. This fluidic platform offers a unique time‐ and material‐efficient approach for studies of solution phase‐processed colloidal nanocrystals beyond those studied here and may accelerate the discovery and optimization of next‐generation materials for energy technologies.
Photonic Microcapsules Containing Single‐Crystal Colloidal Arrays with Optical Anisotropy
Authors: Choi Tae Min , Lee Gun Ho , Kim Young‐Seok , Park Jin‐Gyu , Hwang Hyerim , Kim Shin‐Hyun 
Published: March 2019

AbstractColloidal particles with a repulsive interparticle potential spontaneously form crystalline lattices, which are used as a motif for photonic materials. It is difficult to predict the crystal arrangement in spherical volume as lattices are incompatible with a spherical surface. Here, the optimum arrangement of charged colloids is experimentally investigated by encapsulating them in double‐emulsion drops. Under conditions of strong interparticle repulsion, the colloidal crystal rapidly grows from the surface toward the center of the microcapsule, forming an onion‐like arrangement. By contrast, for weak repulsion, crystallites slowly grow and fuse through rearrangement to form a single‐crystal phase. Single‐crystal structure is energetically favorable even for strong repulsion. Nevertheless, a high energy barrier to colloidal rearrangement kinetically arrests the onion‐like structure formed by heterogeneous nucleation. Unlike the isotropic onion‐shaped product, the anisotropic single‐crystal‐containing microcapsules selectively display—at certain orientations but not others—one of the distinct colors from the various crystal planes.
Assembly of the Actin Catalyst WASP by Giant SALR Cluster Formation
Authors: Sweatman Martin B. , Insall Robert 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSome structures in living cells behave like organelles, but lack individual membranes. The mechanisms that produce such "membraneless organelles" are not understood, but are commonly thought to involve the formation of separate phases via liquid–liquid phase separation. Here, an alternative mechanism is investigated involving short‐range attraction, long‐range repulsion (SALR) fluids, applied at model biological membrane–cytoplasm interfaces. Using Monte Carlo simulations, it is found that giant SALR clusters can form at the membrane surface even when they are unstable in the bulk, for suitably chosen model parameters. It is also found that the formation and location of giant SALR clusters at the interface can be controlled by a third protein species confined to the membrane surface. This behavior mimics that of WASP puncta at the cell membrane, thought to involve WASP and Nck protein aggregates controlled by clathrin. The SALR mechanism is thus a good model for this system, and for membraneless organelles more generally.
Simulation Study of Nanoparticle–Polymer Organic Suspension Stability
Authors: Lu Kathy , Gervasio Michelle 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis study uses a Monte Carlo simulation method to evaluate the agglomeration behaviors of different ZnO nanoparticle and polymethacrylate hybrid suspensions in an organic solvent. Interaction energies are primarily from the steric layer on the particle surfaces. The effects of nanoparticle size, steric layer thickness, particle content, and total solids loading are evaluated based on the average agglomerate size and agglomeration rate. Smaller particle, thicker steric layer, lower particle content, and higher solids loading are desirable factors to stabilize a suspension. Agglomerate size and agglomeration rate increase continuously with increasing particle content in the hybrids from 1 to 50 vol%. A drastic transition from an unstable suspension to a stable suspension occurs when the total solids loading of the suspension increases to greater than 10 vol%. This work provides important guidance for co‐dispersing nanoparticles and dissolved polymer chains in organic solvents.
Computational Modeling of Nanoparticle Coalescence
Authors: Grammatikopoulos Panagiotis , Sowwan Mukhles , Kioseoglou Joseph 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe coalescence of nanoclusters fabricated in the gas phase is a fundamental growth mechanism determining cluster shapes, sizes, compositions, and structures, with resultant effects on practically all of their physical and chemical properties. Furthermore, coalescence can affect properties of larger structures that consist of nanoparticles as their elementary building blocks, such as the fractal dimension of cluster aggregates and the porosity and conductance of thin films. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that a great body of research, both experimental and theoretical, has focused on nanoparticle coalescence over the course of the past few decades. This review attempts to summarize the most important recent results from computational studies on nanoparticle coalescence and draw parallels between theoretical and experimental findings. The approach used here aspires to explain nanoparticle coalescence within the framework of a single intuitive narrative by integrating previous results obtained using various methods by the authors and others. Simultaneously, it is discussed where understanding and controlling (i.e., enhancing or inhibiting) nanoparticle coalescence can have great technological interest.
Design and synthesis of a new fluorescent probe for cascade detection of Zn2+ and H2PO4− in water and targeted imaging of living cells
Authors: Du Kui , Liu Jian , Shen Runpu , Zhang Pengfei 
Published: March 2019

AbstractDesign and synthesis of new fluorescence probes with good water‐solubility is of great importance to better understanding the significant role of ions which are related to biology and the environment. As important ions, zinc ion (Zn2+) and dihydrogen phosphate ion (H2PO4−) display essential roles in living systems, and quantitative detection of these ions in water is still a challenge. In order to consider the significant role of the galactose moiety in the design of a water‐soluble fluorescence sensor, herein, we have developed a novel probe, Gal‐AQTF, for the cascade detection of Zn2+ and H2PO4− with excellent selectivity in water. Through the introduction of the galactose moiety onto the sensor AQTF, which has been reported earlier by us, the water‐solubility, cell compatibility and targeting ability were enhanced. Gal‐AQTF has been successfully applied in the imaging of the living cells of HepG2 and A549, and illustrated good selectivity for the HepG2 cells which overly express the asialoglycoprotein (ASGP) receptor.
One‐Pot Synthesis and Formation Mechanism of Hollow ZSM‐5
Authors: Zhang Yunjuan , Che Shunai 
Published: March 2019

AbstractCoffin‐shaped hollow ZSM‐5 zeolite (HZZ) particles with shell thickness of about 200 nm and hollow diameter of approximately 1.5 μm were synthesized in one pot by using tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPABr), aluminum triisopropoxide Al[OCH(CH3)2]3 and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as the structure‐directing agent (SDA), aluminum and silica source, respectively. The appropriate molar ratios of TPABr/SiO2 and Si/Al as well as suitable crystallization temperature are the key factors for the formation of HZZ. The formation of the HZZ can be attributed to the existence of intrinsic density variation inside the initial amorphous aggregates and the Al zoning in the outer surface of the ZSM‐5 particles. Amorphous silica with low crystallinity formed at early stages and low Al concentration, which has been subsequently dissolved and recrystallized on the ZSM‐5 particle surface through Ostwald ripening, leading to the formation of HZZ. This approach, which uses a high concentration of SDA, will provide new possibilities and insight into the prospective fabrication of hollow zeolites.
Development of a vector‐based 3D grain entrainment model with application to X‐ray computed tomography scanned riverbed sediment
Authors: Voepel Hal , Leyland Julian , Hodge Rebecca A. , Ahmed Sharif , Sear David 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSediment transport equations typically produce transport rates that are biased by orders of magnitude. A causal component of this inaccuracy is the inability to represent complex grain‐scale interactions controlling entrainment. Grain‐scale incipient motion has long been modelled using geometric relationships based on simplified particle geometry and two‐dimensional (2D) force or moment balances. However, this approach neglects many complexities of real grains, including grain shape, cohesion and the angle of entrainment relative to flow direction. To better represent this complexity, we develop the first vector‐based, fully three‐dimensional (3D) grain rotation entrainment model that can be used to resolve any entrainment formulation in 3D, and which also includes the effect of matrix cohesion. To apply this model we use X‐ray computed tomography to quantify the 3D structure of water‐worked river grains. We compare our 3D model results with those derived from application of a 2D entrainment model. We find that the 2D approach produces estimates of dimensionless critical shear stress (
) that are an order of magnitude lower than our 3D model. We demonstrate that it is more appropriate to use the c‐axis when calculating 2D projections, which increases values of
to more closely match our 3D estimates. The 3D model reveals that the main controls on critical shear stress in our samples are projection of grains, cohesive effects from a fine‐grained matrix, and bearing angle for the plane of rotation (the lateral angle of departure from downstream flow that, in part, defines the grain's direction of pivot about an axis formed by two contact points in 3D). The structural precision of our 3D model demonstrates sources of geometric error inherent in 2D models. By improving flow properties to better replicate local hydraulics in our 3D model, entrainment modelling of scanned riverbed grains has the potential for benchmarking 2D model enhancements. © 2019 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Can urban coffee consumption help predict US inflation?
Authors: Salisu Afees A. , Swaray Raymond , Adediran Idris A. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMotivated by the importance of coffee to Americans and the significance of the coffee subsector to the US economy, we pursue three notable innovations. First, we augment the traditional Phillips curve model with the coffee price as a predictor, and show that the resulting model outperforms the traditional variant in both in‐sample and out‐of‐sample predictability of US inflation. Second, we demonstrate the need to account for the inherent statistical features of predictors such as persistence, endogeneity, and conditional heteroskedasticity effects when dealing with US inflation. Consequently, we offer robust illustrations to show that the choice of estimator matters for improved US inflation forecasts. Third, the proposed augmented Phillips curve also outperforms time series models such as autoregressive integrated moving average and the fractionally integrated version for both in‐sample and out‐of‐sample forecasts. Our results show that augmenting the traditional Phillips curve with the urban coffee price will produce better forecast results for US inflation only when the statistical effects are captured in the estimation process. Our results are robust to alternative measures of inflation, different data frequencies, higher order moments, multiple data samples and multiple forecast horizons.
Geochronological and geochemical data for Late Palaeozoic–Mesozoic intrusive rocks in the Wenkutu area, northeastern China: New constraints on the tectonic evolution of the Great Xing'an Range
Authors: Lu Sheng , Wang Ke‐Yong , Liu Yang , Deng Chang‐Zhou , Jing Bo‐yu 
Published: March 2019

The occurrence of igneous rocks within the Wenkutu area, northeastern China, allows the Late Palaeozoic–Mesozoic geodynamic setting of the Great Xing'an Range to be investigated. Here, we present petrographic, geochemical, and geochronological data for intrusive rocks within the Wenkutu area. Zircon U–Pb geochronology reveals that magmatism occurred during the Early Carboniferous (ca. 334 Ma), Early Permian (ca. 296 Ma), Middle Jurassic (ca. 170 Ma), and Early Cretaceous (ca. 130 Ma). The Early Carboniferous intrusive rocks are intermediate–mafic, metaluminous, and medium‐K calc‐alkaline, have low SiO2 (49.57–55.00 wt.%) and high MgO (3.00–4.77 wt.%), Cr (average 60.64 ppm), and Ni (average 24.73 ppm) contents, and high Mg# (average 45.1) values. These features, together with their significant depletion in Nb, Ta, and Ti, and their enriched Sr–Nd isotopic compositions, suggest that these Early Carboniferous rocks were derived from the mantle and subsequently contaminated by crustal material. The Early Permian, Middle Jurassic, and Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks are intermediate–acidic, peraluminous, and high‐K calc‐alkaline, enriched in light rare‐earth elements, Rb, Th, U, K, P, and Hf, relatively depleted in heavy rare‐earth elements, Nb, Ta, and Ti, and have Eu/Eu* values of 0.05–0.86. These features indicate that the rocks were derived by the partial melting of lower crust. Our results, together with those of previous studies, suggest that the Late Palaeozoic intrusive rocks formed during collision between the Songnen and Xing'an massifs. The Early Permian intrusive rocks formed during the transition from an orogenic to a non‐orogenic environment. The Middle Jurassic intrusive rocks formed during the closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean (MOO) and were emplaced along the western part of the suture zone. The Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks formed during non‐orogenic extension and were related to the final closure of the MOO or to rollback of the Palaeo‐Pacific Plate.
Autologous transobturator sling as an alternative therapy for stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Laufer Joel , Scasso Santiago , Bentancor Valeria , Bertoche Cecilia , Sosa Claudio G. , Elliott Daniel S. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate efficacy and outcomes of the autologous transobturator midurethral sling for treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).MethodsIn a prospective cohort study, an autologous transobturator mid‐urethral sling was used to treat SUI among women attending a university hospital in Montevideo, Uruguay, from June 2017 to July 2018. In the first phase, autologous tissue of the abdominis rectus fascia was collected. In the second phase, the midurethral sling was placed via the transobturator approach. Outcomes were measured every 3 months by the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ‐FLUTS) Score. Preoperative and postoperative results were compared by Wilcoxon test.ResultsEighteen women with a median age of 51 years were enrolled. The median follow‐up was 9 months (range 6–15 months). Overall, 17 women showed symptomatic improvement after the procedure. In a comparison of preoperative versus postoperative ICIQ‐FLUTS questionnaires, improvement in the incontinence subscore was observed at 3 (P<0.001), 6 (P<0.001), and 12 (P=0.008) months. No severe complications were observed.ConclusionUse of an autologous transobturator urethral sling was found to be technically feasible and safe for SUI, with good short‐term outcomes. Longer follow up and larger series are needed to validate the procedure.
Ureteric bud remnant with renal agenesis
Authors: Chen Cheng‐Che , Lai Gu Shun , Yang Chii‐Shuenn 
Published: March 2019

IntroductionUreteric bud remnant with renal agenesis is a rare disorder when urogenic system develops. Because of no obvious symptoms, it is usually explored incidentally.Case presentationA 41‐year‐old male presented with intermittent discharge of turbid fluid from his scrotum. A pinhole was noted in his left scrotum, and an infectious sinus or fistula was impressed. After serial studies, computed tomography revealed agenesis of his left kidney and a cystic lesion over his left scrotum. He underwent resection of the infectious sinus. Near the tail of the sinus, a connection was found to a channel‐like structure. Contrast medium was injected which showed a blind end of this channel‐like structure. The tube was ligated, and the cut end was sent for surgical pathology, which confirmed a left ureteric bud remnant.ConclusionComplete imaging studies make this diagnosis clearly.
Endothelial HNF4α potentiates angiogenic dysfunction via enhancement of vascular endothelial growth factor resistance in T2DM
Authors: Chai Xubing , Yan Jun , Gao Yaya , Jin Jing 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAlthough both hyperprocoagulant status, characterized by elevated thrombin levels, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) resistance, marked by attenuated expression of VEGFR2 (also called FLK1 or KDR), are known to contribute importantly to an increased risk of vascular events in diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM), it remains obscure whether these two biological events regulate angiogenic response in a coordinated manner. We show here that endothelial expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) was significantly upregulated in rodents and humans with T2DM, and HNF4α upregulation by thrombin was dependent on activation of multiple pathways, including protein kinase B, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase, p38, oxidative stress, protein kinase C, and AMPK (5′‐adenosine monophosphate (AMP)‐activated protein kinase). Functionally, HNF4α inhibited VEGF‐mediated endothelial proliferation and migration, and blunted VEGF‐stimulated in vitro angiogenesis, thus rendering endothelial cells unresponsive to established angiogenic VEGF stimulation. Mechanistically, HNF4α potentiated the endothelial VEGF resistance through the direct transcriptional repression of FLK1 gene. From a therapeutic standpoint, overexpression of the exogenous FLK1 successfully rescued HNF4α‐inhibited angiogenic response to VEGF and potentiated VEGF‐stimulated in vitro tube formation. Considering a strong association between HNF4A deregulation and increased risk of T2DM, our findings suggest that HNF4α may act as a critical converging point linking hyperprocoagulant condition to VEGF resistance in diabetic ECs, and repression of FLK1 expression by thrombin‐induced HNF4α mediates, at least partially, the vascular dysfunction caused by T2DM.
Investigating the expression and promoter methylation of RET gene in patients with medullary thyroid cancer with unmutated RET
Authors: Shakiba Elham , Movahedi Monireh , Majd Ahmad , Hedayati Mehdi 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjectiveThyroid cancer is one of the most common endocrine malignancies. Mutations in the rearranged during transfection (RET) gene, especially in exon 10, 11, and 16, as well as epigenetic modifications, constitute the major underlying molecular events leading to medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). There are few studies on the mutations and epigenetic changes of RET gene in Iranian patients with MTC. In the present study, we aimed to address this question and explore the clinical relevance of such genetic alternations in an Iranian population.MethodsThirty‐three patients with confirmed MTC who underwent thyroidectomy surgery in Imam Khomeini Hospital (Tehran, Iran) were enrolled. DNA extracted from cancerous tissues was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then was sequenced for identification of RET mutations. In patients with no identified mutations, the methylation status of RET promoter and its expression were further investigated using methylation‐specific PCR and real‐time PCR methods, respectively.ResultsIn MTC patients with no RET mutations, the promoter of the proto‐oncogene was hypomethylated. Furthermore, RET gene expression was elevated in patients who revealed no mutations in neither of exon 10, 11, or 16 of the RET gene.ConclusionHypomethylation of RET promoter may contribute to MTC pathogenesis. The methylation status of RET promoter could be a new potential prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic marker in MTC.
Construction of immobilized CuS/TiO2 nanobelts heterojunction photocatalyst for photocatalytic degradation of enrofloxacin: synthesis, characterization, influencing factors and mechanism insight
Authors: Jiang Yan , Zhang Mengmeng , Xin Yanjun , Chai Chao , Chen Qinghua 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDNumerous antibiotics are consumed and excreted to the natural environment by humans and animals, which can cause considerable water pollution. There is strong demand to find an efficient and inexpensive photocatalyst to remove antibiotics effectively from contaminated water.RESULTSHere, CuS/TiO2 nanobelts (NBs) heterojunction photocatalyst immobilized on a titanium foil substrate was constructed. The morphology, structure, composition, optical, and electrochemistry characteristics were explored by corresponding characterization methods. The CuS/TiO2 NBs exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity for the photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic enrofloxacin (ENR) under simulated solar light illumination. The outstanding photocatalytic performance of as‐prepared composite is attributed to not only the improvement of visible light harvest but also the enhanced separation and transfer efficiency of photoinduced charge carriers. Results showed that the presence of some anions produced a negative effect on the photocatalytic degradation of ENR. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of ENR followed the order: no anion > Cl− = HCO3− > SO42− > NO3−. The photocatalytic degradation of ENR was restrained in the presence of HA, however, the addition of hydrogen peroxide (0.05 mmol L−1) or application of extra electric field (1.5 V) resulted in an improvement in degradation of ENR. Active species trapping experiments confirmed that the superoxide radical (•O2−) is the major oxidant species and the holes (h+) and hydroxyl radical (•OH) are the minor active species. A possible heterojunction photocatalytic mechanism was proposed. Furthermore, CuS/TiO2 NBs heterojunction photocatalyst has excellent photocatalysis stability.CONCLUSIONSThis novel visible‐light responding CuS/TiO2 NBs heterojunction photocatalyst would be a promising candidate material for antibiotic elimination from water. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry