Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xiaomeng Chu, Jiaye Liu, Shasha Miao, Lei Liu, Yingda Huang, Erjun Tang, Shaojie Liu, Xuteng Xing, Nanwen Li
Summary: The functionality of side-chains plays a critical role in the performance of anion exchange membrane (AEM) materials, with longer side-chains enhancing alkali stability and conductivity, while side-chains containing triazole groups can promote the formation of hydrogen-bond networks to improve ion transport. The AEMs with longer side-chains showed excellent stability under alkaline conditions, and the AEMFC using these side-chain type AEMs achieved a peak power density of 141.3 mW cm(-2) at a current density of 320 mA cm(-2).
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Abdo A. Elfiky, Ibrahim M. Ibrahim, Ahmed M. Elghareib, Yousef S. Bashandy, Ahmed Samir, Mayar M. Hamdy, Rana T. Kamal, Fatma G. Amin, Yomna Elkaramany, Anan M. Rashad, Youssef S. Abdelaziz, Mohamed M. Fathey
Summary: This study constructs normal and cancer cell membranes to investigate the penetration process of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) and their effects. Molecular dynamics simulation is used to analyze the stability of the membranes and the behavior of Au-NPs. The results indicate that normal cell membranes are more stable than cancer cell membranes, and Au-NPs form pores in the lipid bilayer region, facilitating the entry of water and ions and enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents in cancer treatment.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Yiping Feng, Yijian Zhang, Guoguang Liu, Xitong Liu, Shixiang Gao
Summary: The study found that an increase in anionic lipid content on simulated cell membranes decreases the attachment efficiency of GO, while cholesterol content has no significant effect on attachment efficiency; in addition, a decrease in solution ionic strength can make the attachment of GO partially reversible. The fluorescent dye leakage technique shows a linear correlation between GO attachment and vesicle disruption.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Shiyan Zhong, Shuo Li, Peter Berczik, Rainer Spurzem
Summary: We study the tidal disruption of stars in dense nuclear star clusters containing supermassive central black holes (SMBH) using high-accuracy direct N-body simulation. Tidal disruption events (TDEs) are used to probe the properties of SMBHs, their accretion disks, and the surrounding nuclear stellar cluster. We compare the rates of full tidal disruption events (FTDEs) with partial tidal disruption events (PTDEs). Two novel effects, variation of the leftover star's mass and radius, and variation of its orbital energy, are observed in the simulation. The number of FTDEs is reduced by 28% after incorporating these effects, mainly due to ejection of leftover stars from PTDEs. The number of PTDEs is 75% higher than the simple estimation, primarily due to multiple PTDEs produced by leftover stars in the diffusive regime. The peak mass fallback rate for PTDEs and FTDEs is computed, with 58% of PTDEs exceeding the Eddington limit and the number of super-Eddington PTDEs being 2.3 times the number of super-Eddington FTDEs.
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Laura Woythe, Pranav Madhikar, Natalia Feiner-Gracia, Cornelis Storm, Lorenzo Albertazzi
Summary: This study developed a labeling approach using dSTORM to accurately quantify the number of functional antibodies on the surface of nanoparticles and the density of receptors on target cells. The single-molecule resolution of dSTORM provided detailed insights into the distribution of ligands and receptors. Furthermore, the study identified the highest cell uptake selectivity regimes by correlating nanoparticle functionality, cell receptor density, and nanoparticle uptake.
Article
Polymer Science
Mohammad Raef, Jose-Ramon Sarasua, Agustin Etxeberria, Jone M. Ugartemendia
Summary: This review summarizes recent advances in stereocomplexation of advanced polylactide (PLA)-based systems. PLA, a widely-used biodegradable polymer, can form a highly-packed 31 crystalline structure known as stereocomplex through the blending of its enantiomeric counterparts, poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(D-lactide) (PDLA), due to mutual diffusion, hydrogen bonding, and/or Van der Waals interactions. These stereocomplex crystals (SCCs) enable the modulation and adjustment of material properties for biomedical applications. Factors such as molecular weight, processing methods, nucleating agents/nanoparticles, and copolymerization play important roles in SCCs formation and enhancement. The mechanisms governing SCC formation and the prospects in PLA multifunctional systems and advanced engineering applications are also discussed in detail.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gerard M. Leteba, Yi-Chi Wang, Thomas J. A. Slater, Rongsheng Cai, Conor Byrne, Christopher P. Race, David R. G. Mitchell, Pieter B. J. Levecque, Neil P. Young, Stuart M. Holmes, Alex Walton, Angus Kirkland, Sarah J. Haigh, Candace Lang
Summary: This study reports a rapid synthesis strategy to produce alloyed PtNi nanoparticles with outstanding functionality for the oxygen reduction reaction. The modified atomic nanostructures outperform the original PtNi particles by more than two-fold in catalytic performance and demonstrate improved cycling durability. These modified PtNi nanoparticles also exhibit significantly higher specific activities and intrinsic area-specific activities for the ORR compared to commercially available Pt/C nanoparticle electrocatalysts.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jaime L. Korner, Katherine S. Elvira
Summary: The study examines the role of temperature in the formation of DIBs using naturally derived phospholipids, finding that it is a key parameter for DIB formation. Phospholipids abundant in mammalian cell membranes only form DIBs when the temperature is above the phase transition temperature.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mohd Rafie Bin Shaharudin, Christopher D. Williams, Paola Carbone
Summary: This work investigates the hydration and swelling mechanism of graphene oxide (GO) membranes using simulations. The results show that the degree of ionisation of functional groups affects water adsorption and swelling. Higher surface charge increases internal pressure, while the number of ionised groups affects water adsorption. These findings are crucial for the future development and application of GO membranes.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Brianna Duncan-Lowey, Nora K. McNamara-Bordewick, Nitzan Tal, Rotem Sorek, Philip J. Kranzusch
Summary: CBASS is an antiviral defense operon in bacteria, with transmembrane effector proteins responding to antiviral nucleotide signals by disrupting cell membranes to limit phage replication. The structure and function of the TM effector protein Cap15 have been studied, revealing a common mechanism of defense through disruption of inner membrane integrity.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Zahra Allahyari, Thomas R. Gaborski
Summary: Porous membranes play a crucial role in microphysiological systems, controlling cellular responses and interactions. However, the influence of pore characteristics is not fully understood.
Article
Cell Biology
Leixin Ouyang, Rubia Shaik, Ruiting Xu, Ge Zhang, Jiang Zhe
Summary: This article presents a method of mapping cell surface charge distribution via electrostatic cell-nanoparticle interactions, using fluorescent nanoparticles as markers. By establishing a relationship between fluorescent light intensity and number of nanoparticles, cells' surface charge distribution can be quantified. This method can be used for rapid surface charge mapping of single particles or cells, and yields results in good agreement with standard electrophoretic light scattering measurements.
Article
Thermodynamics
Yen-Wei Lai, Kuo-Long Pan
Summary: This study investigates the control of microexplosion occurrence by adding nanoparticles in alcohol fuel, without the usual effects of surfactant and ignitable particles. The study discusses the essential characteristics and differences between different particles on combustion. The addition of nanoparticles causes deformation of droplets and differences in heat absorption, which are key factors in microexplosion formation.
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Matheus A. S. Santos, Paula K. Okuro, Larissa R. Fonseca, Rosiane L. Cunha
Summary: The current trend in the food and pharmaceutical industries is the use of colloidal structures to stabilize emulsions, focusing on the potential of protein-polysaccharides, protein-phenolic compounds, and protein-polysaccharides-phenolic compounds complexes. The review addresses the formation of non-covalent or covalent binary and ternary complexes, processes involved in modifying molecules or complex formation, and different strategies of colloidal structures at the water-oil interface, aiming to inspire further research and rational design of novel complexes.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hang Liu, Yun Zhang, Junbing Zhang, Yong Xiong, Shengfeng Peng, David Julian McClements, Liqiang Zou, Ruihong Liang, Wei Liu
Summary: Norbixin, a natural plant-based pigment, has the potential to replace synthetic yellow colorants in foods. This study showed that biopolymer nanoparticles assembled from food proteins can successfully encapsulate and protect norbixin, enhancing its water-solubility and stability for a wider range of applications.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Junli Wang, Zunhui Lin, Xuexiang He, Mingrui Song, Paul Westerhoff, Kyle Doudrick, David Hanigan
Summary: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a type of fluorinated organic chemicals that pose environmental and human health risks. Efficient and cost-effective treatment solutions are needed for remediation of PFAS contamination and waste streams with high concentrations of PFASs. Conventional and physical separation processes are not effective in defluorinating PFASs, and the degradation mechanisms and pathways of thermal treatment processes remain unclear. This review critically evaluates the thermal decomposition mechanisms, pathways, and byproducts of PFASs to improve the understanding and application of thermal treatment as an end-of-life process for PFAS destruction.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yu Lei, Xin Lei, Paul Westerhoff, Xingyu Tong, Jianing Ren, Yangjian Zhou, Shuangshuang Cheng, Gangfeng Ouyang, Xin Yang
Summary: Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays a crucial role in scavenging bromine radicals, preventing the production of free bromine and subsequent brominated byproducts. The reaction rate constants between bromine radicals and DOM were determined to be comparable to those of hydroxyl radicals, with higher values for Br• compared to Br2•-. These reactions predominantly result in bromine release from DOM via electron transfer mechanism.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Amber Wutich, Wendy Jepson, Carmen Velasco, Anais Roque, Zhining Gu, Michael Hanemann, Mohammed Jobayer Hossain, Laura Landes, Rhett Larson, Wen Wen Li, Olga Morales, Nargish Patwoary, Sarah Porter, Yu-shiou Tsai, Madeleine Zheng, Paul Westerhoff
Summary: This article discusses the water insecurity issue in U.S. colonias and its causes, and presents several possible approaches to improving water security.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-WATER
(2022)
Editorial Material
Engineering, Environmental
Miriam L. Diamond, Fernando Rosario-Ortiz, Jennifer Field, Fred Leusch, Greg Lowry, Margaret Mills, Peng Wang, Paul Westerhoff, Julie Zimmerman
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Onur G. Apul, Sarah Arrowsmith, Caitlyn A. Hall, Evelyn M. Miranda, Fabiha Alam, Paul Dahlen, Kanwartej Sra, Roopa Kamath, Sara J. McMillen, Natasha Sihota, Paul Westerhoff, Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown, Anca G. Delgado
Summary: This study assessed the efficacy of H2O2 oxidation on biodegradation in field-contaminated and weathered soil containing high concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons. The results showed that the addition of oxidants removed some organic carbon but had limited effect on the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons. Moreover, the addition of oxidants limited the viable concentration of microorganisms, altered the composition of soil microbial communities, and created inhibitory conditions in soil.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Partho Das, Kelsie Davis, C. Ryan Penton, Paul Westerhoff, Yuqiang Bi
Summary: Graphene nanofertilizers can potentially suppress nitrification and reduce nitrate leaching in agricultural soils, affecting soil microbial communities and N cycle.
JOURNAL OF NANOPARTICLE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Burcu Yavuz, Brielle Januszewski, Tengfei Chen, Anca G. Delgado, Paul Westerhoff, Bruce Rittmann
Summary: The concentration-response relationship between the germination outcome of radish and ozonated petroleum residuals was experimentally determined. A risk assessment model was developed based on the outcomes to predict the additional risk of adverse effects. Different doses of ozone gas were used to treat a test soil mixed with raw crude oil, and the measurements of total petroleum hydrocarbons and dissolved organic carbon were taken. The logistic regression model showed that the variables controlling germination were DOC, TREATMENT, and b-ORGANIC.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Naushita Sharma, Chao Zeng, Andrew Eaton, Tanju Karanfil, Amlan Ghosh, Paul Westerhoff
Summary: This study investigates the concentrations of bromine and iodine species in drinking water sources and wastewater effluents in the United States. The results show that bromide and iodide were present in both surface water and groundwater samples, with higher concentrations in groundwater. Inorganic iodine species were predominant in groundwater samples, while organic iodine species contributed to a significant portion of total iodine in surface water samples. The study also observed seasonal cycling of iodine species in lakes. There was a strong correlation between bromine and iodine in surface water samples.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rachelle D. Arcega, Rong-Jane Chen, Pei-Shan Chih, Yi-Hsuan Huang, Wei-Hsiang Chang, Ting-Khai Kong, Ching-Chang Lee, Trias Mahmudiono, Chun-Chih Tsui, Wen-Che Hou, Hsin-Ta Hsueh, Hsiu-Ling Chen
Summary: In this study, a combination of chemical analysis, cell-based high throughput screening, and ToxPi computational toxicology tool was used to identify and rank the priority groundwater sites in a contaminated petrochemical district. By integrating the bioactivity data of the groundwater samples with the pollutant information, an evidence-based ranking for future remediation was established using ToxPi analysis. The presented approach can be further refined by including relevant parameters to enhance its utility for groundwater screening and future remediation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Vytas Reipa, Nam Wong Song, Minjeong Kwak, Min Beom Heo, Tae Geol Lee, Paul Westerhoff, Yuqiang Bi, Blaza Toman, Vincent A. Hackley, Haruhisa Kato, Yosuke Tabei, Kanokwan Nontapot, Yonghyun Choi, Jonghun Choi
Summary: A new International Standard for testing nanomaterial photocatalytic activity under physiological conditions has been issued, providing a high throughput assay using a bio-compatible indicator NAD. This standard offers a screening tool to determine nanomaterial potency for phototoxicity and has been validated through an interlaboratory comparison study.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yong-Gu Lee, Jaegwan Shin, Seung Joon Kim, Kyung Hwa Cho, Paul Westerhoff, Hojung Rho, Kangmin Chon
Summary: This study systematically investigated the organic fouling characteristics of hollow fiber ultrafiltration (HFUF) and multibore ultrafiltration (MBUF) membranes from long-term ultrafiltration (UF) membrane systems. The results showed that hydrophobic dissolved organic matter (DOM) controlled the fouling of HFUF membranes, while hydrophilic DOM, including polysaccharide-like and protein-like matter, promoted fouling of MBUF membranes. The decline in performance of MBUF membranes due to fouling layer formation was more severe than that of HFUF membranes. Alkaline-based cleaning agent was found to be more efficient in recovering the performance of fouled MBUF membranes, highlighting the importance of adequate cleaning strategies for preventing performance deterioration in the p-UHMS.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Alireza Farsad, Ken Niimi, Mahmut Selim Ersan, Jose Ricardo Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Kiril D. Hristovski, Paul Westerhoff
Summary: Millions of households still rely on drinking water with high levels of arsenic, a potent carcinogen. Point-of-use treatment systems are a promising option, but the commonly used activated carbon block filter is ineffective in removing arsenic. This study explores the potential of impregnating carbon blocks with amorphous titanium (hydr)oxide to improve arsenic removal without introducing titanium into the treated water.
ACS ES&T ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
P. W. Barnes, T. M. Robson, R. G. Zepp, J. F. Bornman, M. A. K. Jansen, R. Ossola, Q. -W. Wang, S. A. Robinson, B. Foereid, A. R. Klekociuk, J. Martinez-Abaigar, W. -C. Hou, R. Mackenzie, N. D. Paul
Summary: In this Quadrennial Assessment, the interactive effects of changes in stratospheric ozone, UV radiation, and climate on terrestrial ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles were examined. The assessment highlights the importance of protecting the ozone layer through the Montreal Protocol in maintaining healthy and diverse terrestrial ecosystems. It also emphasizes the role of UV radiation and climate in altering the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems.
PHOTOCHEMICAL & PHOTOBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Sayalee Joshi, Rain Richard, Carlos Levya, Joanna Ciol Harrison, Daniella Saetta, Naushita Sharma, Lucas Crane, Noelle Mushro, Lucien Dieter, Grace V. Morgan, Ashley Heida, Bennett Welco, Treavor H. Boyer, Paul Westerhoff, Kerry A. Hamilton
Summary: In this study, sampling was conducted in a LEED-certified commercial building, and it was found that the concentration of L. pneumophila in the water increased as the distance from the building entrance increased. Factors conducive to microbial growth, such as fluctuating water temperatures, lack of chlorine residual, and colonized water-saving fixtures, were identified. Flushing and thermal disinfection alone were not effective in resolving the issue.
FRONTIERS IN WATER
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jung Yang, Wen-Che Hou
Summary: This study investigated the uptake and depuration processes of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and silver ions (Ag+) by zebrafish. It was found that AgNPs were partially transformed into dissolved Ag, while Ag+ was converted to Ag2S and zerovalent AgNPs. Both particulate and dissolved Ag were involved in the uptake and depuration of Ag by zebrafish, explaining the similar toxicokinetic profiles observed for AgNP and Ag+ exposure.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2022)