Optimized virtual reality-based memorization techniques through increased immersion and effective memory palace designs: a feasibility study.

For most, an improvement in memory would always be desirable, whether from the point of view of an aging individual with declining memory, or from the perspective of someone seeking to memorize large amounts of information in the shortest period of time. One way for people to improve upon their memory performance is by using the (MoL), a famously complex, ancient memorization technique for non-spatial information recall. With the use of virtual reality technology, this technique can finally be easily taught to individuals for use in their daily lives.

Near-infrared (NIR) surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) study of novel functional phenothiazines for potential use in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC).

Phenothiazines are of potential use as dye sensitizers in Grätzel-type dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Plasmonic nanoparticles like gold nanoparticles can enhance the power conversion efficiency of these solar cells. In this work near-infrared surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (NIR-SERS) is used to investigate the interaction between six novel phenothiazine-merocyanine dyes containing the three different functional groups rhodanine, 1,3-indanedione and cyanoacylic acid with plasmonic nanomaterials, to decide if the incorporation of plasmonic nanoparticles could enhance the efficiency of a Grätzel-type solar cell.

The Low Toxicity of Graphene Quantum Dots is Reflected by Marginal Gene Expression Changes of Primary Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are a promising next generation nanomaterial with manifold biomedical applications. For real world applications, comprehensive studies on their influence on the functionality of primary human cells are mandatory. Here, we report the effects of GQDs on the transcriptome of CD34 hematopoietic stem cells after an incubation time of 36 hours.

Acetylenedicarboxylate and In Situ Generated Chlorofumarate-Based Hafnium(IV)-Metal-Organic Frameworks: Synthesis, Structure, and Sorption Properties.

New acetylenedicarboxylate (ADC) and chlorofumarate (Fum-Cl) based hafnium-metal-organic frameworks have been synthesized by alternatively reacting acetylenedicarboxylic acid in DMF or water with appropriate hafnium salt, in the presence of acetic acid modulator. The two materials of respective ideal formulas [HfO(OH)(ADC)] (Hf-HHU-1) and [HfO(OH)(Fum-Cl)] (Hf-HHU-2) have been structurally characterized by powder X-ray diffraction to be UiO-66 isostructural, consisting of octahedral [HfO(OH)] secondary building units each connected to other units by 12 ADC or Fum-Cl linkers into a microporous network with topology. This structure was confirmed by Rietveld refinement.

Ni-Catalyzed Reductive Coupling of Electron-Rich Aryl Iodides with Tertiary Alkyl Halides.

This work illustrates the reductive coupling of electron-rich aryl halides with tertiary alkyl halides under Ni-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling conditions, which offers an efficient protocol for the construction of all carbon quaternary stereogenic centers. The mild and easy-to-operate reaction tolerates a wide range of functional groups. The utility of this method is manifested by the preparation of cyclotryptamine derivatives, wherein successful incorporation of 7-indolyl moieties is of particular interest as numerous naturally occurring products are composed of these key scaffolds.