Modulating synaptic plasticity with metal-organic framework for information-filterable artificial retina.

Neuroprosthetics equipped with artificial synapses hold promise to address some most intricate medical problems, such as human sensory disorders. Yet, it is necessitated and of paramount importance for neuroprosthetics to be able to differentiate significant and insignificant signals. Here, we present an information-filterable artificial retina system that integrates artificial synapses with a signal-integration device for signal perception and processing with attention.

N-Carbon-Doped Binary Nanophase of Metal Oxide/Metal-Organic Framework for Extremely Sensitive and Selective Gas Response.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are highly ordered structures exhibiting sub-nanometer porosity, possess significant potential for diverse gas applications. However, their inherent insulative properties limit their utility in electrochemical gas sensing. This investigation successfully modifies the electrical conductivity of zeolitic imidazolte framework-8 (ZIF-8) employing a straightforward surface oxidation methodology.

Metal-Organic Framework Membrane Hybridized with Graphitic Materials for Gas Separation.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are an exceptional class of crystalline materials that have been extensively used to fabricate membranes for various applications such as gas separation, ion transport, and desalination due to their well-defined pore structure, chemical features, and simple synthesis process. The incorporation of graphitic carbon materials in MOFs has garnered significant attention as it can provide abundant nucleation sites and modulate gas transport by influencing the orientation or rigidity of MOF crystals without changing their porous structure. This review insights of previous studies utilizing graphene, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, and graphene nanoribbons for MOF-based gas separation membranes, particularly focusing on polycrystalline MOF membrane hybridization with graphitic materials.

Effective single web-structured electrode for high membrane electrode assembly performance in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell.

To achieve a sustainable society, CO emissions must be reduced and efficiency of energy systems must be enhanced. The polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has zero CO emissions and high effectiveness for various applications. A well-designed membrane electrolyte assembly (MEA) composed of electrode layers of effective materials and structure can alter the performance and durability of PEMFC.

Microwave-assisted design of nanoporous graphene membrane for ultrafast and switchable organic solvent nanofiltration.

Layered two-dimensional materials can potentially be utilized for organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) membrane fabrication owing to their precise molecular sieving by the interlayer structure and excellent stability in harsh conditions. Nevertheless, the extensive tortuosity of nanochannels and bulky solvent molecules impede rapid permeability. Herein, nanoporous graphene (NG) with a high density of sp carbon domain was synthesized via sequential thermal pore activation of graphene oxide (GO) and microwave-assisted reduction.

Graphene Nanoribbon Hybridization of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework Membranes for Intrinsic Molecular Separation.

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are promising for gas separation membrane, but their molecular cut-off differs from that expected from its intrinsic aperture structure because of their flexibility. Herein, we introduced graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) to rigidify the ZIF framework. Because the sp edge of the GNRs induces strong anchoring effects, the modified layer can be rigidified.

Therapeutic functions of astrocytes to treat α-synuclein pathology in Parkinson's disease.

Intraneuronal inclusions of misfolded α-synuclein (α-syn) and prion-like spread of the pathologic α-syn contribute to progressive neuronal death in Parkinson's disease (PD). Despite the pathologic significance, no efficient therapeutic intervention targeting α-synucleinopathy has been developed. In this study, we provide evidence that astrocytes, especially those cultured from the ventral midbrain (VM), show therapeutic potential to alleviate α-syn pathology in multiple in vitro and in vivo α-synucleinopathic models.

Graphene Nanoribbon/Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Hydrogel: Rheology and Membrane for Ultrafast Molecular Diafiltration.

Hybrids based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are expected to have synergistic effects for various applications. Herein, we demonstrate a simple one-pot synthesis of a CNT/GNR hybrid material by adjusting the oxidation and unzipping conditions of multi-walled CNTs (MWNTs). The MWNT/graphene oxide nanoribbon (GONR) hybrid was dispersed in various solvents, particularly showing the hybrid hydrogel phase in water at a concentration of 40 mg mL.

High-aspect ratio zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) nanoplates for hydrocarbon separation membranes.

Metal-organic frameworks with high aspect ratios have the potential to yield high-performance gas separation membranes. We demonstrate the scalable synthesis of high–aspect ratio zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)–8 nanoplates via a direct template conversion method in which high aspect ratio–layered Zn hydroxide sheets [Zn(NO)(OH)] were used as the sacrificial precursor. Successful phase conversion occurs as a result of the collaboration of low template stability and delayed delivery of 2-methylimidazole in weakly interacting solvents, particularly using acetone.

Ultrafast H-selective nanoporous multilayer graphene membrane prepared by confined thermal annealing.

H selective dense pores are generated in a graphene oxide (GO) layer by thermal-decomposition of oxygen-functional groups under high pressure. The nanoporous GO membrane shows H/CO selectivity of 12.1 and H permeability of 10360 Barrer.

Diamine vapor treatment of viscoelastic graphene oxide liquid crystal for gas barrier coating.

A layered graphene oxide/ethylenediamine (GO/EDA) composite film was developed by exposing aqueous GO liquid crystal (GOLC) coating to EDA vapor and its effects on the gas barrier performance of GO film were systematically investigated. When a GO/EDA coating with a thickness of approximately 1 μm was applied to a neat polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, the resultant film was highly impermeable to gas molecules, particularly reducing the gas permeance up to 99.6% for He and 98.

Large-Area TiCT-MXene Coating: Toward Industrial-Scale Fabrication and Molecular Separation.

Large-scale fabrication of MXene films is in high demand for various applications, but it remains difficult to meet industrial requirements. In this study, we develop a slot-die coating method for the preparation of large-area MXene membranes. The technique allows the fabrication of continuous and scalable coatings with a rapid coating speed of 6 mm s.

Fabrication Techniques for Graphene Oxide-Based Molecular Separation Membranes: Towards Industrial Application.

Graphene oxide (GO) has been a prized material for fabricating separation membranes due to its immense potential and unique chemistry. Despite the academic focus on GO, the adoption of GO membranes in industry remains elusive. One of the challenges at hand for commercializing GO membranes lies with large-scale production techniques.

SGK1 inhibition in glia ameliorates pathologies and symptoms in Parkinson disease animal models.

Astrocytes and microglia are brain-resident glia that can establish harmful inflammatory environments in disease contexts and thereby contribute to the progression of neuronal loss in neurodegenerative disorders. Correcting the diseased properties of glia is therefore an appealing strategy for treating brain diseases. Previous studies have shown that serum/ glucocorticoid related kinase 1 (SGK1) is upregulated in the brains of patients with various neurodegenerative disorders, suggesting its involvement in the pathogenesis of those diseases.

Tuning the hierarchical pore structure of graphene oxide through dual thermal activation for high-performance supercapacitor.

Herein, we introduce a simple method to prepare hierarchical graphene with a tunable pore structure by activating graphene oxide (GO) with a two-step thermal annealing process. First, GO was treated at 600 °C by rapid thermal annealing in air, followed by subsequent thermal annealing in N. The prepared graphene powder comprised abundant slit nanopores and micropores, showing a large specific surface area of 653.

Graphene Oxide Nanoribbon Hydrogel: Viscoelastic Behavior and Use as a Molecular Separation Membrane.

The preparation of carbon materials based hydrogels and their viscoelastic properties are essential for their broad application and scale-up. However, existing studies are mainly focused on graphene derivatives and carbon nanotubes, and the behavior of graphene nanoribbon (GNR), a narrow strip of graphene, remains elusive. Herein, we demonstrate the concentration-driven gelation of oxidized GNR (graphene oxide nanoribbon, GONR) in aqueous solvents.

Evaluation of morphokinetic characteristics of zona pellucida free mouse pre-implantation embryos using time-lapse monitoring system.

The mammalian zygote cleaves and develops to blastocyst within the zona pellucida (ZP) in vivo. The presence or absence of ZP may affect the characteristics of the embryo, including blastomere alignment, cell-cell junction, and compaction. This study aimed to compare the morphokinetic characteristics of ZP intact and ZP free mouse pre-implantation embryos with time-lapse monitoring system.

LIN28A loss of function is associated with Parkinson's disease pathogenesis.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by degeneration of midbrain-type dopamine (mDA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). The RNA-binding protein Lin28 plays a role in neuronal stem cell development and neuronal differentiation. In this study, we reveal that Lin28 conditional knockout (cKO) mice show degeneration of mDA neurons in the SN, as well as PD-related behavioral deficits.

Transparent Bendable Secondary Zinc-Air Batteries by Controlled Void Ionic Separators.

First ever transparent bendable secondary zinc-air batteries were fabricated. Transparent stainless-steel mesh was utilized as the current collector for the electrodes due to its reliable mechanical stability and electrical conductivity. After which separate methods were used to apply the active redox species.

Effects of dispersed copper nanoparticles on Ni-ceria based dry methanol fuelled low temperature solid oxide fuel cells.

Methanol is an attractive energy source due to its portability and thermodynamic coke resistance by its oxygen content. In order to operate dry methanol fuel low temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs), it is important to solve the problems of carbon formation and its low performance. In this study, copper impregnation was selected to decrease the carbon deposition and enhance the performance at low temperature.

Cografting astrocytes improves cell therapeutic outcomes in a Parkinson's disease model.

Transplantation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) is a potential therapy for treating neurodegenerative disorders, but this approach has faced many challenges and limited success, primarily because of inhospitable host brain environments that interfere with enriched neuron engraftment and function. Astrocytes play neurotrophic roles in the developing and adult brain, making them potential candidates for helping with modification of hostile brain environments. In this study, we examined whether astrocytic function could be utilized to overcome the current limitations of cell-based therapies in a murine model of Parkinson's disease (PD) that is characterized by dopamine (DA) neuron degeneration in the midbrain.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a reliable marker of treatment response in rheumatoid arthritis patients during tocilizumab therapy.

Objective: To investigate the reliable markers reflecting treatment response better than the traditional inflammatory indices in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving tocilizumab therapy.

Methods: A total of 58 RA patients treated with tocilizumab for more than six months from January 2013 to December 2014 were initially included. Flares were defined as events that required steroid dose escalation, intra-articular steroid injections, or switching tocilizumab to other biologic agents.

Selective Ion Transporting Polymerized Ionic Liquid Membrane Separator for Enhancing Cycle Stability and Durability in Secondary Zinc-Air Battery Systems.

Rechargeable secondary zinc-air batteries with superior cyclic stability were developed using commercial polypropylene (PP) membrane coated with polymerized ionic liquid as separators. The anionic exchange polymer was synthesized copolymerizing 1-[(4-ethenylphenyl)methyl]-3-butylimidazolium hydroxide (EBIH) and butyl methacrylate (BMA) monomers by free radical polymerization for both functionality and structural integrity. The ionic liquid induced copolymer was coated on a commercially available PP membrane (Celguard 5550).

Synthesis and application of hexagonal perovskite BaNiO3 with quadrivalent nickel under atmospheric and low-temperature conditions.

A hexagonal perovskite BaNiO3 with unusually high-valence nickel(iv) was synthesized under atmospheric and low-temperature conditions by an ethylenediamine-derived wet-chemical route. Secondary phases disappeared with increase in the pH value, and the single-phase BaNiO3 was successfully synthesized at pH 10. The specific surface area was ∼32 m(2) g(-1), which is significantly enhanced compared to the BaNiO3 (0.