bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From Salt to Electronics: Heteroepitaxy and GaAs Solar Cells
Authors: Sharma Sahil , Favela Carlos A. , Yu Bo , Galstyan Eduard , Sun Sicong , Terlier Tanguy , Selvamanickam Venkat 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThis paper presents work on the heteroepitaxy of salts, specifically fluorides, on semiconductors and heteroepitaxy of semiconductors on salts. Fluorides layers are deposited on commercial Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) wafers followed by the heteroepitaxial growth of GaAs using metal‐organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The fluoride layers consist of 2 lattice‐engineered layers of alkaline‐earth compounds to match with GaAs, and are used to sandwich another alkaline‐earth compound with higher water‐solubility as a sacrificial layer. The triple fluoride layers enable liftoff of free‐standing semiconductor films which can be further transferred to desirable substrates. 2D‐X‐ray Diffraction (2D‐XRD) measurements confirm epitaxial growth of both the fluorides and the subsequently grown GaAs films. Single junction (SJ) solar cell devices based on thus prepared films show a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.3% under 1 sun illumination. After the completion of device fabrications, the GaAs film is lifted off from the substrate by a novel water‐assisted epitaxial liftoff (H2O‐ELO) technique and transferred to a cheaper substrate. The original GaAs wafer is recycled and reused twice. Devices based on reused substrates show no significant degradation in performance. The semiconductor‐salt‐semiconductor scheme has great implications in high‐performance, flexible, and large‐area electronics.
Mass Diffusion Metamaterials with “Plug and Switch” Modules for Ion Cloaking, Concentrating, and Selection: Design and Experiments
Authors: Li Yang , Yu Chengye , Liu Chuanbao , Xu Zhengjiao , Su Yanjing , Qiao Lijie , Zhou Ji , Bai Yang 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe outstanding abilities of metamaterials to manipulate physical fields are extensively studied in both wave‐based and diffusion‐based fields. However, mass diffusion metamaterials, with the ability to manipulate diffusion with practical applications associated with chemical and biochemical engineering, have not yet been experimentally demonstrated. In this work, ion cloaking, concentrating, and selection in liquid solvents are verified by both simulations and experiments, and the concept of a “plug and switch” metamaterial is proposed based on scattering cancellation (SC) to achieve switchable functions by plugging modularized functional units into a functional motherboard. Plugging in any module barely affects the environmental diffusion field, but the module choice impacts different diffusion behaviors in the central region. Cloaking strictly hinds ion diffusion, and concentrating increase diffusion flux, while cytomembrane‐like ion selection permits the entrance of some ions but blocks others. In addition, these functions are demonstrated in special applications like the catalytic enhancement by the concentrator and the protein protection by the ion selector. This work not only experimentally demonstrates the effective manipulation of mass diffusion by metamaterials, but also shows that the “plug and switch” design is extensible and reconfigurable. It facilitates novel applications including sustained drug release, catalytic enhancement, bioinspired cytomembranes, etc.
APAF1‐Binding Long Noncoding RNA Promotes Tumor Growth and Multidrug Resistance in Gastric Cancer by Blocking Apoptosome Assembly
Authors: Wang Qiang , Chen Chen , Xu Xiao , Shu Chuanjun , Cao Changchang , Wang Zhangding , Fu Yao , Xu Lei , Xu Kaiyue , Xu Jiawen , Xia Anliang , Wang Bo , Xu Guifang , Zou Xiaoping , Su Ruibao , Kang Wei , Xue Yuanchao , Mo Ran , Sun Beicheng , Wang Shouyu 
Published: August 2022

AbstractChemotherapeutics remain the first choice for advanced gastric cancers (GCs). However, drug resistance and unavoidable severe toxicity lead to chemotherapy failure and poor prognosis. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in tumor progression in many cancers, including GC. Here, through RNA screening, an apoptotic protease‐activating factor 1 (APAF1)‐binding lncRNA (ABL) that is significantly elevated in cancerous GC tissues and an independent prognostic factor for GC patients is identified. Moreover, ABL overexpression inhibits GC cell apoptosis and promotes GC cell survival and multidrug resistance in GC xenograft and organoid models. Mechanistically, ABL directly binds to the RNA‐binding protein IGF2BP1 via its KH1/2 domain, and then IGF2BP1 further recognizes the METTL3‐mediated m6A modification on ABL, which maintains ABL stability. In addition, ABL can bind to the WD1/WD2 domain of APAF1, which competitively prevent cytochrome c from interacting with APAF1, blocking apoptosome assembly and caspase‐9/3 activation; these events lead to resistance to cell death in GC cells. Intriguingly, targeting ABL using encapsulated liposomal siRNA can significantly enhance the sensitivity of GC cells to chemotherapy. Collectively, the results suggest that ABL can be a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in GC.
BNIP‐2 Activation of Cellular Contractility Inactivates YAP for H9c2 Cardiomyoblast Differentiation
Authors: Wong Darren Chen Pei , Xiao Jingwei , Chew Ti Weng , Pan Meng , Lee Chang Jie Mick , Ang Jing Wen , Yow Ivan , Thivakar T. , Ackers‐Johnson Matthew , Lee Nicole Jia Wen , Foo Roger Sik‐Yin , Kanchanawong Pakorn , Low Boon Chuan 
Published: August 2022

AbstractRho GTPases and Hippo kinases are key regulators of cardiomyoblast differentiation. However, how these signaling axes are coordinated spatiotemporally remains unclear. Here, the central and multifaceted roles of the BCH domain containing protein, BNIP‐2, in orchestrating the expression of two key cardiac genes (cardiac troponin T [cTnT] and cardiac myosin light chain [Myl2]) in H9c2 and human embryonic stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes are delineated. This study shows that BNIP‐2 mRNA and protein expression increase with the onset of cTnT and Myl2 and promote the alignment of H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Mechanistically, BNIP‐2 is required for the inactivation of YAP through YAP phosphorylation and its cytosolic retention. Turbo‐ID proximity labeling corroborated by super‐resolution analyses and biochemical pulldown data reveals a scaffolding role of BNIP‐2 for LATS1 to phosphorylate and inactivate YAP in a process that requires BNIP‐2 activation of cellular contractility. The findings identify BNIP‐2 as a pivotal signaling scaffold that spatiotemporally integrates RhoA/Myosin II and LATS1/YAP mechanotransduction signaling to drive cardiomyoblast differentiation, by switching the genetic programming from YAP‐dependent growth to YAP‐silenced differentiation. These findings offer insights into the importance of scaffolding proteins in bridging the gap between mechanical and biochemical signals in cell growth and differentiation and the prospects in translational applications.
Soft Microdenticles on Artificial Octopus Sucker Enable Extraordinary Adaptability and Wet Adhesion on Diverse Nonflat Surfaces
Authors: Hwang Gui Won , Lee Heon Joon , Kim Da Wan , Yang Tae‐Heon , Pang Changhyun 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBioinspired soft devices, which possess high adaptability to targeted objects, provide promising solutions for a variety of industrial and medical applications. However, achieving stable and switchable attachment to objects with curved, rough, and irregular surfaces remains difficult, particularly in dry and underwater environments. Here, a highly adaptive soft microstructured switchable adhesion device is presented, which is inspired by the geometric and material characteristics of the tiny denticles on the surface of an octopus sucker. The contact interface of the artificial octopus sucker (AOS) is imprinted with soft, microscale denticles that interact adaptably with highly rough or curved surfaces. Robust and controllable attachment of the AOS with soft microdenticles (AOS‐sm) to dry and wet surfaces with diverse morphologies is achieved, allowing conformal attachment on curved and soft objects with high roughness. In addition, AOS‐sms assembled with an octopus‐arm‐inspired soft actuator demonstrate reliable grasping and the transport of complex polyhedrons, rough objects, and soft, delicate, slippery biological samples.
Periplasmic Bacterial Biomineralization of Copper Sulfide Nanoparticles
Authors: Park Yeseul , Eyal Zohar , Pekker Péter , Chevrier Daniel M. , Lefèvre Christopher T. , Arnoux Pascal , Armengaud Jean , Monteil Caroline L. , Gal Assaf , Pósfai Mihály , Faivre Damien 
Published: August 2022

AbstractMetal sulfides are a common group of extracellular bacterial biominerals. However, only a few cases of intracellular biomineralization are reported in this group, mostly limited to greigite (Fe3S4) in magnetotactic bacteria. Here, a previously unknown periplasmic biomineralization of copper sulfide produced by the magnetotactic bacterium Desulfamplus magnetovallimortis strain BW‐1, a species known to mineralize greigite (Fe3S4) and magnetite (Fe3O4) in the cytoplasm is reported. BW‐1 produces hundreds of spherical nanoparticles, composed of 1–2 nm substructures of a poorly crystalline hexagonal copper sulfide structure that remains in a thermodynamically unstable state. The particles appear to be surrounded by an organic matrix as found from staining and electron microscopy inspection. Differential proteomics suggests that periplasmic proteins, such as a DegP‐like protein and a heavy metal‐binding protein, could be involved in this biomineralization process. The unexpected periplasmic formation of copper sulfide nanoparticles in BW‐1 reveals previously unknown possibilities for intracellular biomineralization that involves intriguing biological control and holds promise for biological metal recovery in times of copper shortage.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for local ice cream: Consumer preferences for locally processed foods
Authors: Dong Xiao , Klaiber H. Allen , Plakias Zoë 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThis study investigates consumer preferences for local brands of consumer packaged goods. Using a structural model of consumer demand for ice cream and data on retail ice cream sales from multiple locations of a large food retailer, we estimate consumer demand for local brands of ice cream and the willingness to pay for the local attribute. Using fixed and random coefficients logit models of product choice with cost shifters as instruments, we find that Ohio consumers are willing to pay, on average, an additional $0.13 per serving for local brands of ice cream. In counterfactual simulations, we estimate that replacing local brands of ice cream would reduce welfare by $2.78 million dollars annually for consumers in Ohio. For policymakers seeking to maintain and attract new local food producers, these results provide new insights into the potential gains that could result from increased local consumer packaged goods entrants [EconLit Citations: D12, D61, Q11, Q18].
Polyphthalamide polymers: A review on synthesis, properties, and advance manufacturing and emerging applications
Authors: Gonzalez de Gortari Mateo , Misra Manjusri , Mohanty Amar K. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe focus of this review is on the family of polymers commonly known as polyphthalamide (PPA), employed in the automotive industry along with other industries. This includes electrical parts, manufacturing or oil extraction because of PPAs chemical resistance, high strength, stiffness at high temperature, and dimensional stability. A significant amount of research was found and was divided into two main sections: first, PPA and its blends, and second, PPA composites. A consistent notation was devised to aid the understanding of older sources and enhance the comparison between different materials, increasing comprehension. Undiscovered or unpublished properties of PPAs means that there is a rich vein of opportunity, and many studies yet to be performed. This will open up a plethora of breakthrough research in electrical vehicle and aerospace applications.
Tailor‐made iron‐organic molecular cage embedded polydimethylsiloxane membranes via emulsion casting technique for efficient VOCs removal
Authors: Qu Zheng , Huang Jiamin , Wu Guoliang , Dong Liangliang , Zhang Chunfang , Bai Yunxiang 
Published: August 2022

AbstractUrgent needs for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from gas streams has stimulated a vigorous research for high‐performance separation membranes. Herein, porous iron‐organic molecular cage (Fe‐cage) embedded polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mixed miatrix membranes (MMMs) were fabricated through emulsion casting method for efficient VOCs removal. The membrane separation performance was systematically investigated by separating VOC/N2 gas mixtures under various operating conditions (e.g., feed concentration, operating temperature) using n‐hexane, n‐heptane, and cyclohexane as model organic vapors. It was found that the resultant membranes demonstrated homogeneous Fe‐cage dispersion and intimate interfacial adhesion. With the increase of the Fe‐cage loading, the MMMs demonstrated obviously improved permselectivity for the separation of n‐hexane/N2 and n‐heptane/N2. The MMM containing 4 wt% Fe‐cage showed a n‐heptane permeability of 1657 × 10−8 mol μm m−2 s−1 Pa−1 and a n‐heptane/N2 selectivity of 145 at 25°C when the feed concentration is 4.3 mol%. These values were 231% and 158% of those for the pristine PDMS membrane, respectively. Furthermore, the VOC permeability and VOC/N2 selectivity of the membranes increased with decreasing operating temperature or increasing feed concentration. Because of its excellent mixed‐gas VOC/N2 permselectivity, the Fe‐cage embedded PDMS membrane could find use in petrochemical applications such as gasoline vapor recovery.
Associations Between Low Serum Urate, Body Composition, and Mortality
Authors: Baker Joshua F. , Weber David R. , Neogi Tuhina , George Michael D. , Long Jin , Helget Lindsay N. , England Bryant R. , Mikuls Ted R. 
Published: August 2022

ObjectiveControversy remains as to whether low serum urate or uric acid (UA) levels contribute to adverse outcomes. We evaluated the relation between low serum UA levels and sarcopenia and assessed whether sarcopenia confounds associations between these low levels and mortality.MethodsWe utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2006). Participants with available whole‐body dual x‐ray absorptiometry body composition measurements and serum UA concentrations were included. Body composition assessments included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, maximum lifetime BMI, and age‐, sex‐, and race‐specific appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) and fat mass index (FMI) Z scores. We also calculated Z scores for ALMI relative to FMI (ALMIFMI). We evaluated associations between serum UA levels and body composition using logistic regression and assessed associations between serum UA levels and mortality before and after adjusting for differences in body composition using Cox proportional hazards regression.ResultsAmong the 13,979 participants, low serum UA concentrations (<2.5 mg/dl in women, <3.5 mg/dl in men) were associated with low lean mass (ALMI and ALMIFMI Z scores), underweight BMI (<18.5 kg/m2), and higher rates of weight loss. The proportion of patients with low ALMI Z scores was 29% in the low serum UA group and 16% in the normal serum UA group (P = 0.001). Low serum UA levels were associated with increased mortality before we adjusted for body composition (hazard ratio 1.61 [95% confidence interval 1.14–2.28]; P = 0.008) but was attenuated and not significant after adjustment for body composition and weight loss (hazard ratio 1.30 [95% confidence interval 0.92–1.85], P = 0.13).ConclusionSarcopenia and weight loss are more common among patients with low serum UA concentrations. Differences in body composition may help to explain associations between low levels of serum UA and higher mortality.
Evaluating the knowledge acquisition of lower limb anatomy among medical students during the post‐acute COVID‐19 era
Authors: Cuschieri Sarah , Narnaware Yuwaraj 
Published: August 2022

AbstractAnatomy is the foundation of many medical and surgical specialties yet knowledge acquisition and retention among medical students is questionable. Over the years the anatomy teaching environment and teaching modalities have changed, even more so with the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic and the shift to a virtual environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge acquisition of applied musculoskeletal lower limb clinical anatomy among first year medical students in Malta following the transition back to face‐to‐face lectures. The Kahoot online game‐based quiz platform was used through a best out of four multiple‐choice setting across four sessions. Scores generated by the platform along with frequencies of correctly answered questions were utilized to measure knowledge acquisition. The average scores for each question across sessions were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and student's t‐test accordingly. Across the four sessions, the positive percentage response for clinical based questions remained higher than for pure anatomy questions. Anatomy knowledge acquisition appears to be subjective to clinical based knowledge rather than pure anatomy. There may be a plethora of reasons as to this outcome including the misconception that anatomy is not essential for clinical practice as well as the potential aftermath of the COVID‐induced virtual learning environment. Further research is merit to ensure that students are provided with the best tools to enhance their knowledge acquisition, both as students and as future doctors.
Selective sulfur conversion with surface engineering of electrocatalysts in a lithium–sulfur battery
Authors: Zhu Yuejin , Zuo Yinze , Jiao Xuechao , Manjunatha Revanasiddappa , Ezeigwe Ejikeme Raphael , Yan Wei , Zhang Jiujun 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe sluggish kinetics of multiphase sulfur conversion with homogeneous and heterogeneous electrochemical processes, causing the “shuttle effect” of soluble polysulfide species (PSs), is the challenges in terms of lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs). In this paper, a Mn3O4−x catalyst, which has much higher activity for heterogeneous reactions than for homogeneous reactions (namely, preferential‐activity catalysts), is designed by surface engineering with rational oxygen vacancies. Due to the rational design of the electronic structure, the Mn3O4−x catalyst prefers to accelerate the conversion of Li2S4 into Li2S2/Li2S and optimize Li2S deposition, reducing the accumulation of PSs and thus suppressing the “shuttle effect.” Both density functional theory calculations and in situ X‐ray diffraction measurements are used to probe the catalytic mechanism and identify the reaction intermediates of MnS and LiyMnzO4−x for fundamental understanding. The cell with Mn3O4−x delivers an ultralow attenuation rate of 0.028% per cycle over 2000 cycles at 2.5 C. Even with sulfur loadings of 4.93 and 7.10 mg cm−2 in a lean electrolyte (8.4 µL mg s−1), the cell still shows an initial areal capacity of 7.3 mAh cm−2. This study may provide a new way to develop preferential‐activity heterogeneous‐reaction catalysts to suppress the “shuttle effect” of the soluble PSs generated during the redox process of LSBs.
Conversion electrochemistry of copper selenides for robust and energetic aqueous batteries
Authors: Wang Yichun , Wang Boya , Zhang Jinshu , Chao Dongliang , Ni Jiangfeng , Li Liang 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe development of highly safe and low‐cost aqueous batteries is of great significance in the background of carbon neutrality. However, the practical deployment of aqueous batteries has been plagued due to their relatively low capacity and poor cycling stability. Herein, we propose unique conversion electrochemistry of copper selenides for robust and energetic aqueous charge storage. In situ X‐ray diffraction and operando Raman techniques reveal a reversible transformation from CuSe to Cu2Se through the intermediates of Cu3Se2 and Cu1.8Se. Such a conversion process activates the redox carrier of Cu2+ ion and delivers a remarkable rate capability of 285 mAh g−1 at 20 A g−1 and electrochemical durability up to 30,000 cycles. Furthermore, Cu2+ and H+ coinsertion chemistry is proposed to facilitate the conversion process. As a proof‐of‐concept, a hybrid aqueous pouch cell coupling CuSe//Zn is capable of affording maximum energy and power densities of 190 Wh kg–1 and 1366 W kg−1, respectively.
Open removal models with temporary emigration and population dynamics to inform invasive animal management
Authors: Udell Bradley , Martin Julien , Waddle Hardin , Johnson Fred , Falk Bryan , Yackel Adams Amy , Funck Sarah , Ketterlin Jennifer , Suarez Eric , Mazzotti Frank , Romagosa Christina 
Published: August 2022

AbstractRemoval sampling data are the primary source of monitoring information for many populations (e.g., invasive species, fisheries). Population dynamics, temporary emigration, and imperfect detection are common sources of variation in monitoring data and are key parameters for informing management. We developed two open robust‐design removal models for simultaneously modeling population dynamics, temporary emigration, and imperfect detection: a random walk linear trend model (estimable without ancillary information), and a 2‐age class informed population model (InfoPM, closely related to integrated population models) that incorporated prior information for age‐structured vital rates and relative juvenile availability. We applied both models to multiyear, removal trapping time‐series of a large invasive lizard (Argentine black and white tegu,Salvator merianae) in three management areas of South Florida to evaluate the effectiveness of management programs. Although estimates of the two models were similar, the InfoPMs generally returned more precise estimates, partitioned dynamics into births, deaths, net migration, and provided a decision support tool to predict population dynamics under different effort scenarios while accounting for uncertainty. Trends in tegu superpopulation abundance estimates were increasing in two management areas despite generally high removal rates. However, tegu abundance appeared to decline in the Core management area, where trapping density was the highest and immigration the lowest. Finally, comparing abundance predictions of no‐removal scenarios to those estimated in each management area suggested significant population reductions due to management. These results suggest that local tegu population control via systematic trapping may be feasible with high enough trap density and limited immigration; and highlights the value of these trapping programs. We provided the first estimates of tegu abundance, capture probabilities, and population dynamics, which is critical for effective management. Furthermore, our models are applicable to a wide range of monitoring programs (e.g., carcass recovery or removal point‐counts).