Supramolecular Assembly, Solvent-Induced, and Mechanochromic Luminescence of Au(I) Quinoline-8-thiolates.

AuCl(PMe) and AuCl(PEt) were used to react with quinoline-8-thiolate (8-QNS) to give three Au(I) complexes, i.e., [8-QNS(AuPMe)]ClO (), [(8-QNS)Ag(AuPMe)]ClO (), and [8-QNS(AuPEt)]ClO (), which have been structurally determined by X-ray diffraction to show various intra- and intermolecular metal···metal contacts (i.

Evaluation and mitigation of potentially toxic elements contamination in mangrove ecosystem: Insights into phytoremediation and microbial perspective.

Mangroves, essential coastal ecosystems, are threatened by human-induced Potentially-toxic-elements (PTEs) pollution. This study analyzed PTEs distribution, phytoremediation potential, and rhizosphere microbial communities in Taiwan's Xinfeng mangrove forest. Significant variations in physicochemical and PTEs concentrations were observed across adjacent water bodies, with moderate contamination in the river, estuary, and overlying water of mangroves sediment.

Mechanochromic and Solvent-Induced Luminescence of a Supramolecular Pt(II)-Bipyridine Complex with Di(4-pyridylmethyl)aminedithiocarbamate.

[Pt(bpy)(DPMACS)]Cl•3HO (•3HO) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, DPMACS = di(4-pyridylmethyl)aminedithiocarbamate) was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction studies, and its crystal structure displayed intermolecular Pt(II)···Pt(II) contacts of 3.471 and 5.065 Å.

Noninvasive Prenatal Genetic Screening of Cell-Free Fetal DNA for Early Prediction of β-Thalassemia Using Fiber Optic Nanogold-Linked Sorbent Assay.

β-Thalassemia is a prevalent type of severe inherited chronic anemia, primarily identified in developing countries. The identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) plays a vital role in the early diagnosis of genetic diseases. Here, we reported the development of an amplification-free fiber optic nanogold-linked sorbent assay method using a fiber optic particle plasmon resonance (FOPPR) biosensor for rapid and ultrasensitive detection of SNPs.

CVD Grown CNTs-Modified Electrodes for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries.

Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) are of considerable importance in large-scale energy storage systems due to their high efficiency, long cycle life and easy scalability. In this work, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) grown carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-modified electrodes and Nafion 117 membrane are utilised for formulating a vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). In a CVD chamber, the growth of CNTs is carried out on an acid-treated graphite felt surface.

Binder-Free CNT-Modified Excellent Electrodes for All-Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries.

Electrodes are one of the key components that influence the performance of all-vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). A porous graphite felt with modified fiber surfaces that can provide a high specific activation surface is preferred as the electrode of a VRFB. In this study, a simple binder-free approach is developed for preparing stable carbon nanotube modified graphite felt electrodes (CNT-GFs).

Establishing psychometric properties of the older volunteer competency scale in the community.

Aim(s): To investigate the factorial structure, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency of the Older Volunteer Competency Scale and establish its psychometric properties.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Methods: A total of 1,000 older volunteers were recruited through random sampling and asked to complete the Older Volunteer Competency Scale.

Efficient thermal treatment of radish () for enhancing its bioactive compounds.

Old preserved radish (OPR), a traditional pickled-food of Asia, contains the healthy bioactive compounds, such as phenols and flavonoids. To preserve the phenols levels in radish by thermal treatment, which are decreased due to the polyphenol oxidase activity during long storage. Range of thermal processing evaluated to retain the maximum phenols level in the radish while processed at temperatures of 70 °C, 80 °C and 90 °C for 30 days.

Effects of Platinum Nanoparticles on Rice Seedlings ( L.): Size-dependent Accumulation, Transformation, and Ionomic Influence.

Platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) are increasing in the environment largely due to their wide use and application in automobile and medical industries. The mechanism of uptake behavior of different-sized PtNPs and their association with PtNPs-induced phytotoxicity to plants remains unclear. The present study investigated PtNP uptake mechanisms and phytotoxicity simultaneously to further understand the accumulation and transformation dynamics.

Using Response Surface for Searching the Nearly Optimal Parameters Combination of the Foam Concrete Muffler.

A car muffler is a device to improve car noise emission. Some conventional mufflers use layers of glass fiber as a material to absorb noise. However, filling glass fiber is an environmentally unfriendly work, mainly manually filling with chop strand fiber.

Assessment and optimization of As(V) adsorption on hydrogel composite integrating chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol and FeO nanoparticles and evaluation of their regeneration and reusable capabilities in aqueous media.

A modified chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel was developed by incorporating FeO nanoparticles. Four chitosan-FeO (ChFe) hydrogel types were developed based on chitosan:FeO ratio as 1:0, 1:1, 1:0.5 and 1:0.

Global arsenic dilemma and sustainability.

Arsenic (As) is one of the most prolific natural contaminants in water resources, and hence, it has been recognized as an emerging global problem. Arsenic exposure through food exports and imports, such as As-contaminated rice and cereal-based baby food, is a potential risk worldwide. However, ensuring As-safe drinking water and food for the globe is still not stated explicitly as a right neither in the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) nor the global UNESCO priorities.

New insight into chronic pruritus' characteristics and association with the demographic characteristics and sleep of community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan.

This study aimed to understand the characteristics of chronic pruritus (CP), its correlations with sleep quality and demographic characteristics, and its impacts on sleep of older adults. This study used convenience sampling to recruit adults aged 65 or older and living at home. The prevalence rate of CP in older adults was 25.

Toward Heteronuclear Molecular Re(I)-Cu(II) Boxes: Structural, Luminescent, and Magnetic Properties.

The bifunctional ligands of isonicotinic acid (Py-4-COOH) and 4-pyrid-4-ylbenzoic acid (Pybz-4-COOH) instead of polypyridines were therefore reacted with (Re(CO))(CNS) (CNS = cyanurate trianion), resulting in the formation of two trinuclear [(Re(CO))(CNS)(Py-4-COOH)] () and [(Re(CO))(CNS)(Pybz-4-COOH)] (), respectively. In the meantime, both complexes and are connected by three bifurcated hydrogen bonds between their carboxylic acid moieties Py-4-COOH and Pybz-4-COOH to form the supramolecular trigonal-prismatic and -antiprismatic structures, respectively. It is noted that complex can further react with copper(II) nitrate upon deprotonation to give nonanuclear [(Re(CO))(CNS)(Py-4-COO)]Cu(HO) (), where two trinuclear [(Re(CO))(CNS)(Py-4-COO)] moieties are connected by three penta-coordinate copper(II) ions, each coordinating to two carboxylates and three water molecules, to form the trigonal-prismatic structure.

Root locus-based stability analysis for biological systems.

The first objective for realizing and handling biological systems is to choose a suitable model prototype and then perform structure and parameter identification. Afterwards, a theoretical analysis is needed to understand the characteristics, abilities, and limitations of the underlying systems. Generalized Michaelis-Menten kinetics (MM) and S-systems are two well-known biochemical system theory-based models.

Reduction of 3-Deoxyglucosone by Epigallocatechin Gallate Results Partially from an Addition Reaction: The Possible Mechanism of Decreased 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural in Epigallocatechin Gallate-Treated Black Garlic.

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) is a harmful substance generated during the processing of black garlic. Our previous research demonstrated that impregnation of black garlic with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) could reduce the formation of 5-HMF. However, there is still a lack of relevant research on the mechanism and structural identification of EGCG inhibiting the production of 5-HMF.

Development of Active Packaging to Extend the Shelf Life of by Using Plasma Technology.

In this study, a preservation package that can extend the shelf life of was developed using plasma modification combined with low-density polyethylene (LDPE), collagen (COL), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Out results showed that the selectivity of LDPE to gas can be controlled by plasma modification combined with coating of different concentrations of CMC and COL. Packaging test results applied to showed that 3% and 5% of CMC and COL did not significantly inhibit polyphenol oxidase and β-1,3-glucanase, indicating no significant effect on structural integrity and oxidative browning.

Use of the plasma-treated and chitosan/gallic acid-coated polyethylene film for the preservation of tilapia (Orechromis niloticus) fillets.

In this study, a polyethylene (PE) film coated with chitosan (CS) and gallic acid (GA) was prepared using plasma modification technology and applied for the preservation of tilapia fillets. Based on the analysis of surface morphology and surface functional groups, it was shown that plasma modification allowed CS and GA coating on PE. And GACS/PE demonstrated better antioxidant ability than CS/PE and GA/PE individually.

Effect of Rice Protein Hydrolysates as an Egg Replacement on the Physicochemical Properties of Flaky Egg Rolls.

Eggs are linked to some health-related problems, for example, allergy, and religious restrictions, thus the food manufacturer is challenged to find egg replacements and include the physicochemical properties of egg in food. In this study, enzymatic hydrolysis of rice protein was used to produce rice protein hydrolysates (RPHs) for use as an egg replacement in flaky egg rolls. Formulations were control (A), rice protein isolate (B), RPH15 (C), RPH30 (D), and RPH60 (E), respectively.

A strategy for promoting γ-glutamyltransferase activity and enzymatic synthesis of S-allyl-(L)-cysteine in aged garlic via high hydrostatic pressure pretreatments.

S-allyl-(L)-cysteine (SAC) is a bioactive compound within garlic. Its level is low since SAC formation is impeded by the cellular structure of garlic. This study investigates the effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) pretreatment on SAC formation in garlic aged at 40 °C for 10 days.

Toward a dodecanuclear molecular Re(i) box: structural and spectroscopic properties.

Two tetrapyridyl ligands of 1,2,4,5-tetraethynyl(4-pyridyl)benzene (tpeb) and tetra(4-pyridyl)-tetrathiafulvalene (TTF(py)) were used to react with trinuclear (Re(CO))(CNS) (CNS = cyanurate trianion) moieties to afford hexanuclear [(Re(CO))(tpeb)(CNS)]·4CHCN·toluene (1) and dodecanuclear [(Re(CO))(TTF(py))(CNS)]·8CHCN·12DMF (2) boxes, respectively, under solvothermal conditions. Surprisingly, similar tetrapyridyl ligands with different core units (i.e.

Crystal-engineering and luminescence studies of 1,3,5-tris(3-pyridylethynyl)benzene or 1,3,5-tris(4-pyridylethynyl)benzene with copper(i) iodides.

Two isomeric C3-symmetric ligands, 1,3,5-tris(3-pyridylethynyl)benzene (L1) and 1,3,5-tris(4-pyridylethynyl)benzene (L2), were used to react with CuI to give a series of coordination frameworks containing various CuI clusters, {[(Cu2I2)2(L1)2]·C6H5CH3}n (1), {[(Cu2I2)1.5(L1)2]·1.5C6H6·CH3CN}n (2), [(Cu2I2)0.

Enhanced exopolysaccharide production by Cordyceps militaris using repeated batch cultivation.

Cordyceps militaris exo-polysaccharides (EPS) have been reported to possess many benefits, such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In this study, the production of EPS via cultivation in a bioreactor was investigated. Glucose and yeast extract were determined to be the most suitable carbon and nitrogen sources for EPS production.

Early identification of esophageal squamous neoplasm by hyperspectral endoscopic imaging.

Esophageal squamous neoplasm presents a spectrum of different diatheses. A precise assessment for individualized treatment depends on the accuracy of the initial diagnosis. Detection relies on comprehensive and accurate white-light, iodine staining, and narrow-band imaging endoscopy.

Light extraction efficiency enhancement of flip-chip blue light-emitting diodes by anodic aluminum oxide.

We produced an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) structure with periodic nanopores on the surface of flip-chip blue light-emitting diodes (FC-BLEDs). The nanopores had diameters ranging from 73 to 85 nm and were separated by distances ranging from approximately 10 to 15 nm. The light extraction efficiency enhancement of the FC-BLEDs subjected to different durations of the second pore-widening process was approximately 1.