Modularized synthetic biology enabled intelligent biosensors.

Biosensors that sense the concentration of a specified target and produce a specific signal output have become important technology for biological analysis. Recently, intelligent biosensors have received great interest due to their adaptability to meet sophisticated demands. Advances in developing standard modules and carriers in synthetic biology have shed light on intelligent biosensors that can implement advanced analytical processing to better accommodate practical applications.

Effect of High-Anisotropic Co Substitution for Ni on the Structural, Magnetic, and Magnetostrictive Properties of NiFeO: Implications for Sensor Applications.

This work reports on the effect of substituting a low-anisotropic and low-magnetic cation (Ni, 2μ) by a high-anisotropic and high-magnetic cation (Co, 3μ) on the crystal structure, phase, microstructure, magnetic properties, and magnetostrictive properties of NiFeO (NFO). Co-substituted NFO (NiCoFeO, NCFO, 0 ≤ ≤ 1) nanomaterials were synthesized using glycine-nitrate autocombustion followed by postsynthesis annealing at 1200 °C. The X-ray diffraction measurements coupled with Rietveld refinement analyses indicate the significant effect of Co-substitution for Ni, where the lattice constant () exhibits a functional dependence on composition ().

Are U-U Bonds Inside Fullerenes Really Unwilling Bonds?

Previous characterizations of diactinide endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) Th@C and U@C have shown that although the two Th ions form a strong covalent bond within the carbon cage, the interaction between the U ions is weaker and described as an "unwilling" bond. To evaluate the feasibility of covalent U-U bonds, which are neglected in classical actinide chemistry, we have first investigated the formation of smaller diuranium EMFs by laser ablation using mass spectrometric detection of dimetallic U@C species with 2 ≥ 50. DFT, CASPT2 calculations, and MD simulations for several fullerenes of different sizes and symmetries showed that thanks to the formation of strong U(5f)-U(5f) triple bonds, two U ions can be incarcerated inside the fullerene.

UScC and UScNC Clusters with U-C Triple Bond Character Stabilized Inside Fullerene Cages.

The chemistry of f-block metal-carbon multiple bonds is underdeveloped compared to well-established carbene complexes of the d-block transition metals. Herein, we report two new actinide-rare earth mixed metal carbides and nitrogen carbide cluster fullerenes, UScC@(6)-C and UScNC@(6)-C, which contain U-C bonds with triple bond character and were successfully synthesized and characterized by mass spectrometry, UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and DFT calculations. Crystallographic studies show that the two previously unreported clusters, UScC and UScNC, are stabilized in the (6)-C carbon cage and adopt unique trifoliate configurations, in which C/NC units are almost vertically inserted into the plane defined by the U and two Sc atoms.

[2,1,3]-Benzothiadiazole-Spaced Co-Porphyrin-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks for O Reduction.

Designing N-coordinated porous single-atom catalysts (SACs) for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a promising approach to achieve enhanced energy conversion due to maximized atom utilization and higher activity. Here, we report two Co(II)-porphyrin/ [2,1,3]-benzothiadiazole (BTD)-based covalent organic frameworks (COFs; Co@-PorBTD and Co@-PorBTD), which are efficient SAC systems for O electrocatalysis (ORR). Experimental results demonstrate that these two COFs outperform the mass activity (at 0.

Environmental assessment in fine jewelry in the U.S.-Mexico's Paso del Norte region: A qualitative study via X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy.

Heavy metal contamination in raw materials has spread widely in the United States. The high increased number of recalls in consumer products and the lack of stricter regulations in the raw materials to be used in the jewelry industry have raised concerns among consumers. Studies in low-cost jewelry have shown the presence and high content of heavy metals; this environmental problem led to a child's death after swallowing a charm containing elevated levels of lead (Pb).

Structural, Magnetic, and Magnetostriction Properties of Flexible, Nanocrystalline CoFeO Films Made by Chemical Processing.

We report on the simple, single-step, and cost-effective fabrication, characterization, and performance evaluation of cobalt ferrite (CoFeO; CFO) nanocrystalline (NC) thin films on a flexible mica substrate. The chemical solution-based drop-casting method employed to fabricate crystalline CFO films and their characterization was performed by studying the phase formation, surface morphology, and magnetic parameters, while sensor applicability was evaluated using combined magnetic and magnetostrictive properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates the single-phase and nanocrystalline nature of CFO films, where the crystallite size is ∼60 nm.

Disability and subsidized housing residency: The adverse impacts of Winter Storm Uri in metropolitan Texas.

Background: While natural disasters have been found to affect both disabled and subsidized rental housing residents negatively and disproportionately, previous studies have not examined if adverse disaster impacts experienced by disabled individuals in subsidized housing developments differ from those living in other housing.

Objective: We focused on Winter Storm Uri in Texas, USA, which lasted from February 10-20, 2021. We sought to: (1) compare differences in adverse impacts suffered by households with and without disabled persons; and (2) examine how residency in US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-assisted rental housing influences the severity of impacts for households with disabled persons.

Environmental implication of MoS nanosheets: Effects on maize plant growth and soil microorganisms.

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS) nanosheets have been used extensively in a variety of fields including medical and industrial. However, little is known about their toxicity effects, especially to edible plants. In this greenhouse study, maize (Zea mays) seedlings were exposed for 4 weeks, through the soil route, to 10 and 100 mg/kg of 2H MoS nanosheets.

Selenium nanoparticles reduce Ce accumulation in grains and ameliorate yield attributes in mung bean (Vigna radiata) exposed to CeO.

Exposure of crops to CeO nanoparticles (nCeO) in agricultural environments impact crop quality and human health. In this regard, the effects of selenium nanoparticles (nSe) on the yield and quality of Vigna radiata (L.) exposed to nCeO were investigated.

Surface Coated Sulfur Nanoparticles Suppress Disease in Field Grown Tomato: Increased Yield and Nutrient Biofortification.

Little is known about the effect of nano sulfur (NS) under field conditions as a multifunctional agricultural amendment. Pristine and surface coated NS (CS) were amended in soil at 200 mg/kg that was planted with tomato () and infested with f. sp.

Detection of Leptin Using Electrocatalyst Mediated Impedimetric Sensing.

Obesity is a complex disorder associated with immense health consequences including high risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Abnormality in the thyroid gland, genetics, less physical activity, uptake of excessive diet, and leptin resistance are critical factors in the development of obesity. To determine the treatment strategy, understanding the pathophysiology of obesity is crucial.

Cultural and psychosocial moderators of the association between adverse childhood experiences and alcohol and marijuana use among Latinx college students on the U.S./Mexico border.

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been historically associated with negative life outcomes among the general population.

Objective: With limited research among Latinx college students, this study assessed how specific constructs moderate the association between ACEs and alcohol and marijuana use.

Participants And Setting: Latinx participants recruited from a large U.

Tomato Fruit Nutritional Quality Is Altered by the Foliar Application of Various Metal Oxide Nanomaterials.

Carbohydrates and phytonutrients play important roles in tomato fruit's nutritional quality. In the current study, FeO, MnFeO, ZnFeO, ZnMnFeO, MnO, and ZnO nanomaterials (NMs) were synthesized, characterized, and applied at 250 mg/L to tomato plants via foliar application to investigate their effects on the nutritional quality of tomato fruits. The plant growth cycle was conducted for a total of 135 days in a greenhouse and the tomato fruits were harvested as they ripened.

A double-edged effect of manganese-doped graphene quantum dots on salt-stressed Capsicum annuum L.

The objective of the current study is to evaluate both the positive and negative effects of manganese-doped graphene quantum dots (GQD-Mn) on Capsicum annuum L. grown under salt stress. GQD-Mn was synthesized, characterized, and foliar-applied (250 mg/L, 120 mg/L, 60 mg/L) to C.

Therapeutic Delivery of Nanoscale Sulfur to Suppress Disease in Tomatoes: In Vitro Imaging and Orthogonal Mechanistic Investigation.

Nanoscale sulfur can be a multifunctional agricultural amendment to enhance crop nutrition and suppress disease. Pristine (nS) and stearic acid coated (cS) sulfur nanoparticles were added to soil planted with tomatoes () at 200 mg/L soil and infested with . Bulk sulfur, ionic sulfate, and healthy controls were included.

A comparative proteomics study of Arabidopsis thaliana responding to the coexistence of BPA and TiO-NPs at environmentally relevant concentrations.

Through the applications of recycling sewage sludge to soils as nutrients, bisphenol A (BPA) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO-NPs) are commonly found in the agricultural environment. Previous studies have reported that BPA and nanoparticles are harmful to the environment. However, the combined toxicity of both compounds is not yet understood.

Disparities in exposure to fine particulate air pollution for people with disabilities in the US.

Although chronic air pollution has been found to be disproportionately distributed with respect to race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status in the US, previous research on social disparities in air pollution exposure has not focused on persons with disabilities (PwDs). This gap is addressed here by conducting the first national-scale study of the relationship between outdoor exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) and disability status in the continental US. Census tract-level data on average annual PM concentrations (2011-2015) were linked with relevant variables from the 2015 American Community Survey five-year estimates.

Correction: Křížová et al. Fullerene Derivatives Prevent Packaging of Viral Genomic RNA into HIV-1 Particles by Binding Nucleocapsid Protein. 2021, , 2451.

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Silicon nanoforms in crop improvement and stress management.

Although, silicon - the second most abundant element in the earth crust could not supersede carbon (C) in the competition of being the building block of life during evolution, yet its presence has been reported in some life forms. In case of the plants, silicon has been reported widely to promote the plant growth under normal as well as stressful situations. Nanoform of silicon is now being explored for its potential to improve plant productivity and its tolerance against various stresses.

Immunotherapy discovery on tumor organoid-on-a-chip platforms that recapitulate the tumor microenvironment.

Cancer immunotherapy has achieved remarkable success over the past decade by modulating patients' own immune systems and unleashing pre-existing immunity. However, only a minority of cancer patients across different cancer types are able to benefit from immunotherapy treatment; moreover, among those small portions of patients with response, intrinsic and acquired resistance remains a persistent challenge. Because the tumor microenvironment (TME) is well recognized to play a critical role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and the suppression of the immune system and responses to immunotherapy, understanding the interactions between the TME and the immune system is a pivotal step in developing novel and efficient cancer immunotherapies.

Metabolomic analysis reveals dose-dependent alteration of maize (Zea mays L.) metabolites and mineral nutrient profiles upon exposure to zerovalent iron nanoparticles.

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) has been widely applied in the environmental field to degrade organic pollutants. The potential risk posed from nZVI on crop species is not well understood and is critical for sustainable application in the future. In this study, maize (Zea mays L.

The controlled synthesis and DFT investigation of novel (0D)-(3D) ZnS/SiO heterostructures for photocatalytic applications.

A ZnS/SiO photocatalyst was synthesized using a low-cost sol-gel wet chemical procedure. The as-synthesized ZnS/SiO nanocomposites with different molar ratios exhibited superior performance in the photodegradation of two organic dyes under UV irradiation, with complete degradation of both dyes after 2 hours of exposure to UV irradiation. The photocatalyst structure, microstructure, and surface area were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and nitrogen adsorption ( ) studies.

Phylogenomic Analyses of Alismatales Shed Light into Adaptations to Aquatic Environments.

Land plants first evolved from freshwater algae, and flowering plants returned to water as early as the Cretaceous and multiple times subsequently. Alismatales is the largest clade of aquatic angiosperms including all marine angiosperms, as well as terrestrial plants. We used Alismatales to explore plant adaptations to aquatic environments by analyzing a data set that included 95 samples (89 Alismatales species) covering four genomes and 91 transcriptomes (59 generated in this study).