Foci-Xpress: Automated and Fast Nuclear Foci Counting Tool.

In the nucleus, distinct, discrete spots or regions called "foci" have been identified, each harboring a specific molecular function. Accurate and efficient quantification of these foci is essential for understanding cellular dynamics and signaling pathways. In this study, we present an innovative automated image analysis method designed to precisely quantify subcellular foci within the cell nucleus.

Nicotinamide enhances osteoblast differentiation through activation of the mitochondrial antioxidant defense system.

Although the normal physiological level of oxidative stress is beneficial for maintaining bone homeostasis, imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defense can cause various bone diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine whether nicotinamide (NAM), an NAD precursor, can support the maintenance of bone homeostasis by regulating osteoblasts. Here, we found that NAM enhances osteoblast differentiation and mitochondrial metabolism.

Optimal Energetic-Trap Distribution of Nano-Scaled Charge Trap Nitride for Wider Window in 3D NAND Flash Using a Machine-Learning Method.

A machine-learning (ML) technique was used to optimize the energetic-trap distributions of nano-scaled charge trap nitride (CTN) in 3D NAND Flash to widen the threshold voltage () window, which is crucial for NAND operation. The energetic-trap distribution is a critical material property of the CTN that affects the window between the erase and program . An artificial neural network (ANN) was used to model the relationship between the energetic-trap distributions as an input parameter and the window as an output parameter.

Fabrication of cylindrical 3D cellulose nanofibril(CNF) aerogel for continuous removal of copper(Cu) from wastewater.

Heavy metal contamination in wastewater is a serious problem due to its high toxicity. In this study, three-dimensional porous and flexible polyethylene imine grafted cellulose nanofibril aerogel (PEI@CNF aerogel) is synthesized as a highly efficient biosorbent for continuous treatment of wastewater containing copper (Cu). The synthesized PEI@CNF aerogel efficiently separates Cu from wastewater and exhibits outstanding selectivity for Cu in the presence of other metal ions.

Modified tunicate nanocellulose liquid crystalline fiber as closed loop for recycling platinum-group metals.

Rising demand and elemental rarity requires the recycling of precious metals such as platinum group elements (PGMs). Recently, biosorption has been focused on the capability of recovering precious metals, but in practice, recycling is inefficient or far away from a closed-loop material system. Here we use a polyethylenimine (PEI)-grafted spun-fiber made of cellulose nanofibril (CNF) extracted from a tunicate as a biosorbent for PGMs.

Tailoring of Aqueous-Based Carbon Nanotube⁻Nanocellulose Films as Self-Standing Flexible Anodes for Lithium-Ion Storage.

An easy and environmentally friendly method was developed for the preparation of a stabilized carbon nanotube-crystalline nanocellulose (CNT-CNC) dispersion and for its deposition to generate self-standing CNT-CNC composite films. The composite films were carbonized at different temperatures of 70 °C, 800 °C, and 1300 °C. Structural and morphological characteristics of the CNT-CNC films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which revealed that the sample annealed at 800 °C (CNT-CNC) formed nano-tree networks of CNTs with a high surface area (1180 m·g) and generated a conductive CNC matrix due to the effective carbonization.

Carboxymethlyated cellulose nanofibrils(CMCNFs) embedded in polyurethane foam as a modular adsorbent of heavy metal ions.

Polyurethane (PU) foam was utilized as an efficient and durable template to immobilize surface-functionalized nanocellulose, carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibrils (CMCNFs), to address some of the challenges for the application of nanocellulose to industrial water purification, such as its agglomeration, difficulties in separation from effluent, and regeneration. The composite foams exhibited well dispersed CMCNFs in PU matrices with open pore structure; the hydrogen bonds result in the enhancement of mechanical strength, which is another requirement of ideal adsorbents for wastewater treatment. The composite foams show high adsorption capacity and the potential for recyclability.

Raman scattering study of phase biaxiality in a thermotropic bent-core nematic liquid crystal.

Polarized Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the development of orientational order and the degree of phase biaxiality in a bent-core mesogenic system. The values of the uniaxial order parameters and , and biaxial order parameters , , and , and their evolution with temperature were determined. The temperature dependence of almost all order parameters reveals a second order transition from the uniaxial to biaxial nematic phase with increasing to ∼0.