5-Hydroxymethylfurfural derivatives with NO production inhibitory activity from the fruits of .

Five previously unreported 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) derivatives, including chinenfurfurals A () and B () as 5-HMF-citric acid hybrids and chinenfurfurals C-E (-) as 5-HMF oligomers, as well as four known analogues (-), were isolated from the fruits of a well-known Chinese herbal species . The structures of these furfural compounds were established by detailed analyses of spectroscopic data especially HRMS and NMR, and it is the first report of furfural type constituents from the title species. The anti-inflammatory property of them was further evaluated by testing their inhibition against the production of nitric oxide in lipopolysaccharide-activated murine RAW264.

Quantitative profiling and mapping of small molecules by laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: combinations of carbon-based nano-matrices and sample preparation protocols.

The choices of matrices and protocols for sample deposition are critical factors, which impact each other in the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI). Previous reports on MALDI MS matrices have only compared their performances in terms of their MS signal intensities and provided optical microphotos or MALDI MS images of sample spots but typically lacked quantitative evaluation. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a multivariate model to evaluate the performance of different combinations of matrices and sample protocols.

Local Polarization Piezoelectric Electric Field Promoted Water Dissociation for Hydroxyl Radical Generation under Ambient Humidity Condition.

Combining piezocatalysts with mechanical ball milling for dissociating water to generate hydroxyl radicals (·OH) offers unprecedented opportunities for energy conversion and environmental remediation. However, the in-depth insights into the relationship between water and local polarization piezoelectric electric field (LPPEF) are currently lacking, in particularly, the ·OH formation mechanism in ball milling driven piezocatalyst system is not systematically elucidated. To this end, the present work constructs a ball milling driven piezoelectric solid/liquid interface between piezoelectric PbBOCl (PBOC) and different contents of water to investigate LPPEF initiated catalytic reaction.

Crown ether functionalization boosts CO electroreduction to ethylene on copper-based MOFs.

The electroconversion of CO into ethylene (CH) offers a promising solution to environmental and energy challenges. Crown ether (CE) modification significantly enhances the CH selectivity of copper-based MOFs, improving CH faradaic efficiency (FE) in CuBTC, CuBDC, and CuBDC-NH by 3.1, 1.

Robust Mechanically Interlocked Network Ionogels.

Ionogels have attracted considerable attention as versatile materials due to their unique ionic conductivity and thermal stability. However, relatively weak mechanical performance of many existing ionogels has hindered their broader application. Herein, we develop robust, tough, and impact-resistant mechanically interlocked network ionogels (IGMINs) by incorporating ion liquids with mechanical bonds that can dissipate energy while maintain structural stability.

Deep eutectic solvent-assisted recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries into electrocatalysts for polyethylene terephthalate upcycling.

We propose an effective method for selectively extracting the valuable metals from the spent LiNiCoMnO cathode material using an oxalic acid-based deep eutectic solvent. Through regulation of the coordination environment, NiO, CoO, and MnO are stepwise separated and further applied in the electrochemical conversion of raw PET bottles to high-purity formic acid.

tDDA: A Targeted Data-Dependent Acquisition Mode for Rapid Screening of Targets in Complex Matrices.

Miniaturized mass spectrometers offer significant potential for in situ analysis due to their high specificity and portability. In traditional data-dependent acquisition (DDA) mode, precursor ions for tandem analysis are selected based on the full-scan mass spectrum. However, in situ applications often require the direct analysis of complex samples without extensive sample pretreatment, making them susceptible to chemical noise that can result in false negatives.

2D Nanochannel Interlayer Realizing High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Commercialization of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries is largely limited by polysulfide shuttling and sluggish kinetics. Herein, 2D nanochannel interlayer composed of alternatively-stacked porous silica nanosheets (PSN) and TiCT-MXene are developed. The 2D nanochannels with selective cation transport characteristics facilitate lithium ion rapid transport, while reject the translocation of polysulfide anions across the separator.

Water-Deficient Interface Induced via Hydrated Eutectic Electrolyte with Restrictive Water to Achieve High-Performance Aqueous Zinc Metal Batteries.

The development of aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) is hampered by dendrites and side reactions induced by reactive HO. In this study, a hydrated eutectic electrolyte with restrictive water consisting of zinc trifluoromethanesulfonate (Zn(OTf)), 1,3-propanediol (PDO), and water is developed to improve the stability of the anode/electrolyte interface in AZMBs via the formation of a water-deficient interface. Additionally, PDO participates in the Zn solvation structure and inhibits the movement of water molecules.

Rapid Charge Transfer Endowed by Heteroatom Doped Z-Scheme Van Der Waals Heterojunction for Boosting Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.

Constructing heterojunctions between phase interfaces represents a crucial strategy for achieving excellent photocatalytic performance, but the absence of sufficient interface driving force and limited charge transfer pathway leads to unsatisfactory charge separation processes. Herein, a doping-engineering strategy is introduced to construct a In─N bond-bridged InS nanocluster modified S doped carbon nitride (CN) nanosheets Z-Scheme van der Waals (VDW) heterojunctions (InS/CNS) photocatalyst, and the preparation process just by one-step pyrolysis using the pre-coordination confinement method. Specifically, S atoms doping enhances the bond strength of In─N and forms high-quality interfacial In─N linkage which serves as the atomic-level interfacial "highway" for improving the interfacial electrons migration, decreasing the charge recombination probability.

A Fully Integrated ICP-Enriched and Nanozyme-Catalyzed Lateral Flow Assay for cfDNA Detection in Whole Blood.

Rapid and sensitive detection of Epstein-Barr virus cell-free DNA (EBV cfDNA) is crucial for early diagnosis and monitoring of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but accessibility to screening is limited by complicated and costly conventional DNA isolation and purification approaches. Here, a fully integrated ion concentration polarization (ICP)-enriched and nanozyme-catalyzed lateral flow assay (ICP-cLFA) is developed, enabling total analysis of EBV cfDNA in whole blood samples, with DNA isolation, pre-concentration, and amplification performed on a microfluidic chip, consequently providing the signal readout within 75 min. Specifically, ICP preconcentration and amplification steps, together with target recognition catalyzed by a platinum-decorated mesoporous gold nanosphere (MGNS@Pt) nanozyme, result in an ultralow detection limit of 4 aM in standard cfDNA samples and 100 aM in whole blood from NPC-bearing rats.

TiO/CoO heterostructure decorated MIL-100(Fe) by atomic layer deposition for enhanced photocatalytic oxygen production.

Efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers is essential for maximizing the photocatalytic efficiency of semiconductor materials in oxygen evolution reactions (OER). This study presents a novel trimetallic photocatalyst, MIL-100(Fe)/TiO/CoO, synthesized through a facile microwave-assisted hydrothermal method followed by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The porous MIL-100(Fe) serves as a support for the sequential deposition of TiO and CoO layers ALD, which enhances electron-hole pair separation and minimizes their recombination.

Thermal management broadband-emitting device based on VO applied in the mid-infrared band.

Mid-infrared thermal radiation has attracted attention due to its wide range of applications. Compared to the static process of thermal emission, if thermal radiation can be dynamically controlled, it would be more suitable for practical applications. Herein, we designed a controllable thermal emitter based on phase change materials.

Noncollinear Magnetic Configurations in Frustrated Magnets.

The exploration of materials with nanoscale noncollinear configurations has been continuously attracting attention due to the prospective applications in high-performance magnetic devices. Compared to ferromagnetic materials, noncollinear structures in frustrated magnets hold greater research value due to their smaller sizes and unique properties. However, an effective description of the nanoscale noncollinear domain structures in frustrated magnets is lacking.

Hydrogel Strain Sensors for Integrating Into Dynamic Organ-on-a-Chip.

Current hydrogel strain sensors have never been integrated into dynamic organ-on-a-chip (OOC) due to the lack of sensitivity in aqueous cell culture systems. To enhance sensing performance, a novel strain sensor is presented in which the MXene layer is coated on the bottom surface of a pre-stretched anti-swelling hydrogel substrate of di-acrylated Pluronic F127 (F127-DA) and chitosan (CS) for isolation from the cell culture on the top surface. The fabricated strain sensors display high sensitivity (gauge factor of 290.

Precise Electron-Withdrawing Strength Regulation of π-Conjugate Bridge-Boosted Specific Detection toward α-Methyltryptamine.

The specific fluorescent detection of α-methyltryptamine (AMT) presents a great challenge because similar amine groups and benzene rings exist in a variety of amines. Here, we show the precise modulation of the electron-withdrawing strength of the π-conjugate bridge in aldehyde-containing Schiff base-based fluorescent probes for ultratrace AMT discrimination. It is found that different electron-withdrawing groups -CH, -CHN, and -CHBr as the π-conjugate bridge of the 2-dicyanomethylidene-3-cyano-4,5,5-trimethyl-2,5-dihydrofuran (TCF)-based probes can classify and identify organic amines with different amine nucleophilicities.

Intact N-glycopeptide analysis of human platelets reveals a Glycostructure important for platelet function.

Glycosylation is an important posttranslational modification in platelets, and the glycosylation pattern is critical for platelet function. To date, the exploration of the roles of various glycoforms in specific platelet functions is largely lacking. In this study, a global analysis of intact N-glycopeptides in human platelets was performed to map all the glycopeptides, glycosites and glycans of platelets.

FPGA acceleration of tensor network computing for quantum spin models.

Increasing the degree of freedom for quantum entanglement within tensor networks can enhance the depiction of the essence in many-body systems. However, this enhancement comes with a significant increase in computational complexity and critical slowing down, which drastically increases time consumption. This work converts a quantum tensor network algorithm into a classical circuit on the Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and arranges the computing unit with a dense parallel design, efficiently optimizing the time consumption.

Miniaturized inertial sensor based on high-resolution dual atom interferometry.

Atom interferometry shows high sensitivity for inertial measurements in the laboratory, but it faces difficulties in field applications because of a trade-off between sensitivity and size. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a small sensor with high resolution for measuring acceleration and rotation in inertial navigation applications. Presented here is a miniaturized inertial sensor capable of measuring acceleration and rotation simultaneously based on high-resolution dual atom interferometers.

The effectiveness of sequential afatinib and furmonertinib in an advanced lung adenocarcinoma with rare compound EGFR mutation (L833V/H835L).

Uncommon atypical mutations account for 10-15% of all epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activating mutations in nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tumors harboring rare EGFR mutations show highly heterogeneous responses to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). There is insufficient clinical evidence for uncommon types of EGFR mutations, especially those with compound EGFR mutations.

How to correct Ehrenfest nonadiabatic dynamics in open quantum systems: Ehrenfest plus random force (E + σ) dynamics.

One key challenge in the study of nonadiabatic dynamics in open quantum systems is to balance computational efficiency and accuracy. Although Ehrenfest dynamics (ED) is computationally efficient and well-suited for large complex systems, ED often yields inaccurate results. To address these limitations, we improve the accuracy of the traditional ED by adding a random force (E + σ).

Multiple and transforming vibrational identities of atoms in amorphous solids.

Identifying the diverse roles of disorderly packed atoms inside an amorphous solid has been a highly pursued but daunting task in glass physics. By analyzing the full-frequency vibrational modes of a model Cu50Zr50 glass, here, we classify the internal atoms into low-, subhigh-, and high-frequency ones that have different tendencies for rearrangements upon excitations. We find that low-frequency atoms are structurally unfavored and tend to aggregate.

Forward‒ and Retro‒Vapofluorochromism of Sponge‒Like Macrocycle Crystals.

Achieving dynamic multicolor emission through solid-state molecular motion is of significant importance for advancing applications in organic solid-state luminescent materials. Herein, we report macrocycle crystals with unique forward‒ and retro‒vapofluorochromic behavior, which is realized by reversible amine vapor uptake and amine‒"squeeze" induced guest release. The forward‒vapofluorochromism occurs when aliphatic amines penetrate guest-free macrocycle crystals to form host‒guest complex crystals.

Organometallic-Polypeptide Block Copolymers: Synthesis and Crystallization-Driven Self-Assembly in Aqueous Solutions to Rod-like and Plate-like Micelles with Polypeptide Coronas.

The synthesis of polyferrocenyldimethylsilane-b-poly(L-glutamic acid) block copolymers was systematically explored. Rod-like and plate-like micelles were prepared from self-assembly of the block copolymers in aqueous solution with two different approaches. In a dissolution-dialysis approach, micelles were prepared by dissolving a block copolymer sample in excess aqueous base followed by the dialysis of the solution against water.

Intrinsic Mechanical Effects on the Activation of Carbon Catalysts.

The mechanical effects on carbon-based metal-free catalysts (C-MFCs) have rarely been explored, despite the global interest in C-MFCs as substitutes for noble metal catalysts. Stress is ubiquitous, whereas its dedicated study is severely restricted due to its frequent entanglement with other structural variables, such as dopants, defects, and interfaces in catalysis. Herein, we report a proof-of-concept study by establishing a platform to continuously apply strain to a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) lamina, simultaneously collecting electrochemical signals.