Laser-Regulated Iridium-Diffused Nitrogen-Carbon Sites for Enhanced Hydrazine-Assisted Alkaline Seawater Splitting and Zinc-Hydrazine Batteries.

The current study presents a quick and simple method for synthesizing Ir nanoclusters decorated on an N-doped carbon (NC) matrix via pulsed laser ablation in liquid, followed by pyrolysis. The resulting Ir-NC material acts as a dual-functional electrocatalyst, efficiently facilitating hydrogen generation through the hydrazine oxidation reaction (HzOR) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline seawater. The optimized Ir-NC-2 catalyst exhibits a low operating potential of 23 mV versus the reversible hydrogen electrode for HzOR and a remarkably low overpotential of 24 mV for HER, achieving a current density of 10 mA cm in alkaline seawater, surpassing the performance of the Pt/C catalyst.

Deciphering the Electronic Coupling Dynamics of Laser-induced Ru/Cu Electrocatalyst for Dual-Side Hydrogen Production and Formic Acid Co-synthesis via DFT Analysis.

Herein, a straightforward approach using pulsed laser technology to synthesize selective hexagonal-close-packed (hcp) Ru nanoparticles attached to Cu nanospheres (Ru/Cu) as bifunctional electrocatalyst for catalyzing the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and formaldehyde oxidation reaction (FOR) are reported. Initially, Ru-doped CuO flakes are synthesized using a coprecipitation method followed by transformation into Ru/Cu composites through a strategy involving pulsed laser irradiation in liquid. Specifically, the optimized Ru/Cu-4 composite not only demonstrates a low overpotential of 182 mV at 10 mA·cm for the HER but also an ultralow working potential of 0.

Intraphase Switching of Hollow CoCuFe Nanocubes for Efficient Electrochemical Nitrite Reduction to Ammonia.

This study addresses the urgent need to focus on the nitrite reduction reaction (NORR) to ammonia (NH). A ternary-metal Prussian blue analogue (CoCuFe-PBA) was utilized as the template material, leveraging its tunable electronic properties to synthesize CoCuFe oxide (CoCuFe-O) through controlled calcination. Subsequently, a CoCuFe alloy (CoCuFe-A) was obtained via pulsed laser irradiation in liquids.

Accelerating the Hydrogen Evolution Kinetics with a Pulsed Laser-Synthesized Platinum Nanocluster-Decorated Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Electrocatalyst for Alkaline Seawater Electrolysis.

Efficient and durable electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline seawater environments are essential for sustainable hydrogen production. Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) is synthesized through pulsed laser ablation in liquid, followed by pyrolysis, producing N-doped porous carbon (NC). NC matrix serves as a self-template, enabling Pt nanocluster decoration (NC-Pt) via pulsed laser irradiation in liquid.

Mitigating Intraphase Catalytic-Domain Transfer via CO Laser for Enhanced Nitrate-to-Ammonia Electroconversion and Zn-Nitrate Battery Behavior.

Developing sustainable energy solutions is critical for addressing the dual challenges of energy demand and environmental impact. In this study, a zinc-nitrate (Zn-NO ) battery system was designed for the simultaneous production of ammonia (NH) via the electrocatalytic NO reduction reaction (NORR) and electricity generation. Continuous wave CO laser irradiation yielded precisely controlled CoFeO@nitrogen-doped carbon (CoFeO@NC) hollow nanocubes from CoFe Prussian blue analogs (CoFe-PBA) as the integral electrocatalyst for NORR in 1.

Infrared spectroscopy of isomers of C3H4+ in superfluid helium droplets.

Superfluid helium nanodroplets are unique nanomatrices for the isolation and study of transient molecular species, such as radicals, carbenes, and ions. In this work, isomers of C3H4+ were produced upon electron ionization of propyne and allene molecules and interrogated via infrared spectroscopy inside He nanodroplet matrices. It was found that the spectrum of C3H4+ has at least three distinct groups of bands.

Laser-Synthesized Co-Doped CuO Electrocatalyst: Unveiling Boosted Methanol Oxidation Kinetics for Enhanced Hydrogen Production Efficiency by In Situ/Operando Raman and Theoretical Analyses.

The present study details the strategic development of Co-doped CuO nanostructures via sophisticated and expedited pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLAL) technique. Subsequently, these structures are employed as potent electrocatalysts for the anodic methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), offering an alternative to the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Electrochemical assessments indicate that the Co-CuO catalyst exhibits exceptional MOR activity, requiring a reduced potential of 1.

Laser-Synthesized Ru-Anchored Few-Layer Black Phosphorus for Superior Hydrogen Evolution: Role of Acoustic Levitation.

Electrochemical water splitting, driven by processed catalysts, is the most reasonable method for hydrogen production. This study demonstrates an activation phenomenon with ruthenium (Ru) nanoclusters on few-layered black phosphorus (BP), greatly enhancing the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Efficient BP exfoliation was achieved using acoustic levitators and pulsed laser irradiation in liquids (PLIL), yielding charge-transfer Ru-nanoclusters on modulated surfaces.

Exploring antibiotic resistance mechanisms in for enhanced therapeutic approaches.

, a leading cause of severe lung infections in immunocompromised individuals, poses significant challenges for current therapeutic strategies due to resistance mechanisms. Therefore, understanding the intrinsic and acquired antibiotic resistance of is crucial for effective treatment. This review highlights the mechanisms employed by to sustain antibiotic resistance, encompassing not only conventional drugs but also newly discovered drug candidates.

In-situ monitoring of thiazine molecular aggregation in various solvents via a free-standing acoustic levitator.

In this work, we explored the in-situ reaction modeling of the molecular self-aggregation of methylene blue (MB), which is a cationic thiazine dye, in different solvents via a container-less acoustic levitator by floating of a single droplet. Our in-situ spectroscopic study revealed that the dimer essentially has a sandwich structural geometry with a deviation from parallel stacking and horizontal arrangements in the molecular planes. The real time conversion of the monomer in MB into a dimer and their dynamics in water and ethanol media were monitored using a free-standing acoustic levitator droplet system.

Formation of the C4Hn+ (n = 2-5) ions upon ionization of acetylene clusters in helium droplets.

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy using ultracold helium nanodroplet matrices has proven to be a powerful method to interrogate encapsulated ions, molecules, and clusters. Due to the helium droplets' high ionization potential, optical transparency, and ability to pick up dopant molecules, the droplets offer a unique modality to probe transient chemical species produced via photo- or electron impact ionization. In this work, helium droplets were doped with acetylene molecules and ionized via electron impact.

DS86760016, a Leucyl-tRNA Synthetase Inhibitor, Is Active against Mycobacterium abscessus.

Benzoxaboroles are a new class of leucyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitors. Epetraborole, a benzoxaborole, is a clinical candidate developed for Gram-negative infections and has been confirmed to exhibit favorable activity against a well known pulmonary pathogen, Mycobacterium abscessus. However, according to ClinicalTrials.

CRISPR Interference-Based Inhibition of MAB_0055c Expression Alters Drug Sensitivity in Mycobacterium abscessus.

There is an unmet medical need for effective treatments against Mycobacterium abscessus infections. Although advanced molecular genetic tools to validate drug targets and resistance of M. abscessus exist, the practical design and construction of plasmids are relatively laborious and time-consuming.

Synergistic Effect of Q203 Combined with PBTZ169 against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Q203 is a first-in-class drug candidate against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In its recently completed phase 2 clinical trial, Q203 reduced the number of live M. tuberculosis cells in a dose-dependent manner.

Infrared spectroscopy of ions and ionic clusters upon ionization of ethane in helium droplets.

Helium droplets are unique hosts for isolating diverse molecular ions for infrared spectroscopic experiments. Recently, it was found that electron impact ionization of ethylene clusters embedded in helium droplets produces diverse carbocations containing three and four carbon atoms, indicating effective ion-molecule reactions. In this work, similar experiments are reported but with the saturated hydrocarbon precursor of ethane.

Effects of larval extracts from identified against benign prostatic hyperplasia induced by testosterone in rats.

is an animal-based medicine used traditionally in China, Japan, and Korea to treat hepatic disorders; it has been shown to possess various pharmacological effects such as antibacterial and antioxidant activities. In this study, we investigated the effects of .  on a testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) rat model.

BSA/Silver Nanoparticle-Loaded Hydrogel Film for Local Photothermal Treatment of Skin Cancer.

Purpose: To develop a hydrogel film containing bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated silver nanoparticles (BSA/AgNP) and evaluate its applicability for topical photothermal treatment (PTT) of skin cancer.

Methods: BSA/AgNP-loaded hydrogel films were prepared and their swelling, bioadhesive, mechanical, and photothermal properties were characterized in vitro and in vivo.

Results: The synthesized BSA/AgNP exhibited a narrow size distribution with good size stability and, notably, possessed great photothermal activity that could stably maintain through repetitive laser irradiation.

Synthesis, crystal structure and photophysical properties of chlorido-[2-(2',6'-di-fluoro-2,3'-bipyri-din-6-yl-κ )-6-(pyridin-2-yl-oxy-κ)phenyl-κ ]platinum(II).

The title compound, [Pt(CHFNO)Cl], crystallizes with two crystallographically independent mol-ecules ( and ) in the asymmetric unit, which adopt similar conformations. The Pt atoms in both mol-ecules adopt distorted square-planar geometries, coordinated by one C and two N atoms from the tridentate 2',6'-di-fluoro-6-[3-(pyridin-2-yl-oxy)phen-yl]-2,3'-bi-pyridine ligand and a chloride anion: the C and Cl atoms are . In the crystal, C-H⋯Cl/F hydrogen bonds, F⋯π and weak π-π stacking inter-actions between adjacent and mol-ecules and between pairs of inversion-related B mol-ecules lead to the formation of a two-dimensional supra-molecular network lying parallel to the plane.

ICG-Loaded PEGylated BSA-Silver Nanoparticles for Effective Photothermal Cancer Therapy.

Purpose: Indocyanine green (ICG), a near infrared (NIR) dye clinically approved in medical diagnostics, possesses great heat conversion efficiency, which renders itself as an effective photosensitizer for photothermal therapy (PTT) of cancer. However, there remain bottleneck challenges for use in PTT, which are the poor photo and plasma stability of ICG. To address these problems, in this research, ICG-loaded silver nanoparticles were prepared and evaluated for the applicability as an effective agent for photothermal cancer therapy.

Development and characterization of a superabsorbing hydrogel film containing var. root bark and pullulan for skin wound healing.

var. (UD) has widely been used in Korean traditional medicine for the treatment of various types of diseases including inflammation and skin wounds. The UD root bark powders possess gelling activity with an excellent capacity for absorbing water.

Drug Delivery Strategies for Enhancing the Therapeutic Efficacy of Toxin-Derived Anti-Diabetic Peptides.

Toxin peptides derived from the skin secretions of amphibians possess unique hypoglycemic activities. Many of these peptides share cationic and amphipathic structural similarities and appear to possess cell-penetrating abilities. The mechanism of their insulinotropic action is yet not elucidated, but they have shown great potential in regulating the blood glucose levels in animal models.

Induced Circular Dichroism of Jet-Cooled Phenol Complexes with ()-(-)-2-Butanol.

The induced circular dichroism (ICD) of phenol complexed with ()-(-)-2-butanol [PhOH-(-)BOH] in a supersonic jet is investigated using resonant two-photon ionization circular dichroism (R2PICD) spectroscopy. The R2PICD spectrum of PhOH-(-)BOH exhibits nonzero ICD bands near the absorption region of bare PhOH, where (-)BOH is transparent. Two different conformers containing a single hydrogen bond between PhOH and (-)BOH are identified using ultraviolet-ultraviolet hole-burning and infrared ion-dip spectroscopy combined with quantum theoretical calculations.

Crystal structure of ,'-bis-[3-(methyl-sulfan-yl)prop-yl]-1,8:4,5-naphthalene-tetra-carb-oxy-lic di-imide.

The title compound, CHNOS, was synthesized by the reaction of 1,4,5,8-naphthalene-tetra-carb-oxy-lic dianhydride with 3-(methyl-sulfan-yl)propyl-amine. The whole mol-ecule is generated by an inversion operation of the asymmetric unit. This mol-ecule has an form with the terminal methyl-thio-propyl groups above and below the aromatic di-imide plane, where four intra-molecular C-H⋯O and C-H⋯S hydrogen bonds are present and the O⋯H⋯S angle is 100.