Autonomous nanomanufacturing of lead-free metal halide perovskite nanocrystals using a self-driving fluidic lab.

Lead-based metal halide perovskite (MHP) nanocrystals (NCs) have emerged as a promising class of semiconducting nanomaterials for a wide range of optoelectronic and photoelectronic applications. However, the intrinsic lead toxicity of MHP NCs has significantly hampered their large-scale device applications. Copper-base MHP NCs with composition-tunable optical properties have emerged as a prominent lead-free MHP NC candidate. However, comprehensive synthesis space exploration, development, and synthesis science studies of copper-based MHP NCs have been limited by the manual nature of flask-based synthesis and characterization methods. In this study, we present an autonomous approach for the development of lead-free MHP NCs via seamless integration of a modular microfluidic platform with machine learning-assisted NC synthesis modeling and experiment selection to establish a self-driving fluidic lab for accelerated NC synthesis science studies. For the first time, a successful and reproducible in-flow synthesis of Cs3Cu2I5 NCs is presented. Autonomous experimentation is then employed for rapid in-flow synthesis science studies of Cs3Cu2I5 NCs. The autonomously generated experimental NC synthesis dataset is then utilized for fast-tracked synthetic route optimization of high-performing Cs3Cu2I5 NCs.

Transcriptional co-repressor function of the hippo pathway transducers YAP and TAZ.

YAP (yes-associated protein) and TAZ are oncogenic transcriptional co-activators downstream of the Hippo tumor-suppressor pathway. However, whether YAP and/or TAZ (YAP/TAZ) engage in transcriptional co-repression remains relatively unexplored. Here, we directly demonstrated that YAP/TAZ represses numerous target genes, including tumor-suppressor genes such as DDIT4 (DNA-damage-inducible transcript 4) and Trail (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand). Mechanistically, the repressor function of YAP/TAZ requires TEAD (TEA domain) transcription factors. A YAP/TAZ-TEAD complex recruits the NuRD complex to deacetylate histones and alters nucleosome occupancy at target genes. Functionally, repression of DDIT4 and Trail by YAP/TAZ is required for mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1) activation and cell survival, respectively. Our demonstration of the transcriptional co-repressor activity of YAP/TAZ opens a new avenue for understanding the Hippo signaling pathway.

A highly crystalline manganese-doped iron oxide nanocontainer with predesigned void volume and shape for theranostic applications.

Hollow Mn-doped iron oxide nanocontainers, formed by a novel one-pot synthetic process, fulfill the dual requirements of delivering an effective dose of an anticancer drug to tumor tissue and enabling image-contrast monitoring of the nanocontainer fate through T2 -weighted magnetic resonance imaging, thereby determining the optimal balance between diagnostic and therapeutic moieties in an all-in-one theranostic nanoplatform.

Quantitative assessment of nanoparticle single crystallinity: palladium-catalyzed splitting of polycrystalline metal oxide nanoparticles.

Crystal gazing: A simple Pd-catalyzed site-specific nanoetching method was developed to visualize the polycrystalline nature of Fe(3)O(4) (see picture), Fe(2)O(3), MnFe(2)O(4), CoFe(2)O(4), and MnO nanoparticle systems. The technique relies on the very fast etching speed of the grain interface within bi- or polycrystalline nanocrystals.

Ambient pressure syntheses of size-controlled corundum-type In2O3 nanocubes.

Hydrolysis of In(O-iPr)3 by 10 molar excess of water at 90 degrees C in a surfactant/solvent mixture of oleylamine/oleic acid/trioctylamine provides very small nanoparticles (<5 nm in diameter) of In(O)(OH). Subsequent in situ thermolysis of the formed In(O)(OH) nanoparticles at 350 degrees C and ambient pressure produces monodisperse h-In2O3 nanocubes, which can form an extended two-dimensional array on a flat surface. The size of the In2O3 nanocubes (8, 10, and 12 nm) could be easily controlled by the simple change in the amounts of employed surfactants. The h-In2O3 nanocube samples show blue PL emissions at room temperature due to, presumably, systematic oxygen vacancy.

Laparoscopic transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage during pregnancy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and describe our experience in the management of recurrent second-trimester miscarriage and preterm delivery by laparoscopic transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage (LTCC), after failure of transvaginal cervical cerclage. DESIGN: Retrospective review (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: Tertiary care teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty women in whom it was not technically possible to perform transvaginal cerclage. INTERVENTION: LTCC. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Mean operating time was 55 minutes (range 40-75 min). There were no operative or immediate postoperative complications. Mean gestational age at the time of cerclage placement was 12.1 weeks (range 11-14 wks). Nineteen women successfully delivered 21 live babies (2 sets of twins; live birth rate 95%). One loss occurred after rupture of membrane at 19 weeks' after cerclage. CONCLUSION: LTCC during pregnancy can be safe and effective treatment for well-selected patients with cervical incompetence, and eliminates the need for open laparotomy.