Rapid Amorphization in MOF/Metal Selenite Nanocomposites for Enhanced Capacity in Supercapacitors.

MOF/inorganic nanocomposites combine the advantages of each component. Herein, two MOF/metal selenite nanocomposites, Co-NH-BDC/CoSeO·HO and Co-BDC/CoSeO·HO, are prepared on nickel foam through a facile two-step hydrothermal method, which inherit the 2D morphology and porosity properties of their MOF precursors. Furthermore, during the electrochemical activation process, the crystallized nanocomposites can easily transform into amorphous structures in a short time of 20 min in the presence of an electric field, similar to CoSeO·HO.

A red light-responsive photoswitch for deep tissue optogenetics.

Red light penetrates deep into mammalian tissues and has low phototoxicity, but few optogenetic tools that use red light have been developed. Here we present MagRed, a red light-activatable photoswitch that consists of a red light-absorbing bacterial phytochrome incorporating a mammalian endogenous chromophore, biliverdin and a photo-state-specific binder that we developed using Affibody library selection. Red light illumination triggers the binding of the two components of MagRed and the assembly of split-proteins fused to them.

Polymerization shrinkage kinetics and degree of conversion of resin composites.

This study compared shrinkage strain, polymerization shrinkage kinetics, and degree of conversion (DC) of a set of resin composites and investigated their influencing factors. Ten commercial resin composites were assessed, and 5 specimens (n = 5) were developed for material and subjected to light curing using light emitting diode light at 650 mW/cm for 40 s. The laser triangulation method was adopted to assess the shrinkage strain, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to measure DC.

Synthesis, characterization, and aging resistance of the polyurethane dimethacrylate layer for dental restorations.

In this study, polyurethane dimethacrylate (PUDMA) was synthetized from different components and incorporated into a direct resin composite restoration system with the aim to buffer tooth-resin interfacial stresses and maintain the marginal adaptation. The tensile strength, elongation at fracture (ε), and thermal stability of the PUDMA layer were characterized, showing a tensile strength of 22 MPa, an ε of 112%, and a thermal decomposition temperature of about 282°C. In addition, the degree of conversion, water sorption/solubility, hydrophobicity, microtensile bond strength (μTBS), marginal leakage, and cytotoxicity in vitro were evaluated for the PUDMA layer.

The functions of hydrophobic elastic polyurethane combined with an antibacterial triclosan derivative in the dentin restoration interface.

Dentin restoration produces weak interfaces because of the effects of bacterial microflora, biofilms, and mechanical, thermal, and shrinkage stresses. This results in secondary caries. Therefore, hydrophobic elastic polyurethane (PU) containing different concentrations of triclosan derivatives was synthesized and applied to solve this problem.

Optical manipulation of the alpha subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins using photoswitchable dimerization systems.

Alpha subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins (Gα) are involved in a variety of cellular functions. Here we report an optogenetic strategy to spatially and temporally manipulate Gα in living cells. More specifically, we applied the blue light-induced dimerization system, known as the Magnet system, and an alternative red light-induced dimerization system consisting of Arabidopsis thaliana phytochrome B (PhyB) and phytochrome-interacting factor 6 (PIF6) to optically control the activation of two different classes of Gα (Gα and Gα).