Stiff Hydrogel Encapsulation Retains Mesenchymal Stem Cell Stemness for Regenerative Medicine.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) stands as a prominent choice in regenerative medicine, yet their therapeutic potential remains controversial due to challenges in maintaining lineage and viability. As directly injected MSCs are quickly cleared by the host immune system, entrapping viable cells in a 3D semi-permeable hydrogel matrix extends cell retention, showing great promise in enhancing therapeutic effect. However, the effects of hydrogel encapsulation on MSC subpopulations are not fully understood.

Heterogenous Chemistry of IO as a Critical Step in Iodine Cycling.

Global iodine emissions have been increasing rapidly in recent decades, further influencing the Earth's climate and human health. However, our incomplete understanding of the iodine chemical cycle, especially the fate of higher iodine oxides, introduces substantial uncertainties into atmospheric modeling. IO was previously deemed a "dead end" in iodine chemistry; however, we provide atomic-level evidence that IO can undergo rapid air-water or air-ice interfacial reactions within several picoseconds; these reactions are facilitated by prevalent chemicals on seawater such as amines and halide ions, to produce photolabile reactive iodine species such as HOI and IX (X = I, Br, and Cl).

An Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Flexible and Wearable Mechanoluminescent Strain Sensor System.

The complex wiring, bulky data collection devices, and difficulty in fast and on-site data interpretation significantly limit the practical application of flexible strain sensors as wearable devices. To tackle these challenges, this work develops an artificial intelligence-assisted, wireless, flexible, and wearable mechanoluminescent strain sensor system (AIFWMLS) by integration of deep learning neural network-based color data processing system (CDPS) with a sandwich-structured flexible mechanoluminescent sensor (SFLC) film. The SFLC film shows remarkable and robust mechanoluminescent performance with a simple structure for easy fabrication.

Preprocessed Monomer Interfacial Polymerization for Scalable Fabrication of High-Valent Cluster-Based Metal-Organic Framework Membranes.

Current research on emergent membrane materials with ordered and stable nanoporous structures often overlooks the vital facet of manufacturing scalability. We propose the preprocessed monomer interfacial polymerization (PMIP) strategy for the scalable fabrication of high-valent cluster-based metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes with robust structures. Using a roll-to-roll device on commercial polymer supports, Zr-fum-MOF membranes are continuously processed at room temperature through the PMIP approach.

Tandem indium oxide-boron nitride catalysts for oxidative dehydrogenation of propane.

This study introduces a novel approach of precisely depositing InO nanoislands on the edges of BN sheets using selective atomic layer deposition. The modified catalysts demonstrated a significant improvement and characterization results revealed that the presence of InO nanoislands, when free of BO overlayers, is crucial in mitigating side reactions.

Boosting lithium/magnesium separation performance of selective electrodialysis membranes regulated by enamine reaction.

Monovalent cation exchange membranes (MCEMs) have progressively played an important role in the field of ion separation. However, according to transition state theory (TST), synchronously tuning the enthalpy barrier (△H) and entropy barrier (△S) for cation transport to improve ion separation performance is challenging. Here, the enamine reaction between the -NH- and -CHO groups is applied to regulate the subsequent Schiff-base reaction between the -CHO and -NH groups, which reduces the positive charges of the selective layer but increases the steric hindrance.

Small-sized starch nanoparticles for efficient penetration of plant cells.

Starch nanoparticles (sNPs) are considered ideal materials for applications in plant and agricultural sciences aiming at increasing crop yields, and improving resilience due to their non-toxicity, global availability, hydrophilicity, and biodegradability. However, the lack of research on the interaction between sNPs and plant cell walls has limited their application in these fields. Here, we designed Nile blue A-based sNPs (NB@G50-NPs) to investigate the penetration of small-sized sNPs (G50-NPs) through the plant cell wall.

Pressure Analysis of Vertical-Wells with the Hydraulic Fracturing Assisted Water Injection in Low-Permeability Hydrogen and Carbon Reservoirs.

Enhancing the energy of hydrogen and carbon reservoirs is crucial for the extraction of these resources. Currently, the conventional water-flooding technology faces challenges in replenishing the energy of hydrogen and carbon reservoirs due to the low injection rates caused by their low-permeability properties. To address this, hydraulic fracturing-assisted water injection technology has been employed to enhance the energy of these reservoirs.

Two amino-functionalized metal-organic frameworks with different topologies for CH/CH separation.

The rational design of metal-organic framework adsorbents is crucial for target gas separation. Herein, we report two three-dimensional MOFs with different topologies by regulating metal ions with amino-functionalized V-type ligands. Adsorption isotherms and Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulation reveal that UPC-122 with channel-cavity structure has the potential to separate CH/CH at room temperature with a separation ratio of 2.

Yolk-shelled MoS/C@Void@C@MoS nanospheres as a stable and high-rate anode in sodium/potassium ion batteries.

We report a yolk-shelled anode material with an MoS/C core, large inner void and C@MoS shell (MoS/C@Void@C@MoS). This design could accelerate Na/K reaction kinetics and endure volume changes. Based on the kinetics analysis and calculations based on density functional theory, this structure could effectively enhance the high-rate sodium/potassium storage capability.

Design of Ligand-Nonbridging Sites in Metal-Organic Frameworks for Boosting Lithium Storage Capacity.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are lagging in the use of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), ascribing to full coordination between metal nodes and organic ligands, to a large extent. By integrating a modulator into a ligand with missing bridging functionality, this study elucidates the role of non-bridging defect sites in MOFs in tailoring lithium storage performance. A fully bridged pristine MOF (p-MOF) utilizing the meso-tetra(4-carboxylphenyl) porphyrin ligand is compared with a modified MOF containing non-bridging defects (d-MOF) introduced by a homologous ligand, tris(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin.

Carbon microspheres prepared from soluble starch hydrothermal carbonization for extending thermal stability of water-based drilling fluid.

This study employed hydrothermal carbon microspheres (HCMs) as high-temperature stabilizers in drilling fluids. The HCMs were synthesized through a green hydrothermal carbonization method, using soluble starch as the precursor. The impact of HCMs on the thermal stability of xanthan, polyanionic cellulose and synthetic polymer solutions was assessed by comparing their rheological changes before and after thermal aging.

The Molecular Design of a Macrocycle Descaling Agent Based on Azacrown and the Mechanism of Barium Sulfate Scale Removal.

The formation of barium sulfate scale is a persistent and formidable challenge across various industrial processes. In order to effectively mitigate this problem, this study proposed the development of an innovative azacrown ether-based macrocycle descaling agent. Using density functional theory, an in-depth analysis of the surface energy of different barium sulfate crystal facets was carried out, together with a detailed investigation into the adsorption properties of the functional groups on the (001) surface.

Evaluation and Optimization of Cement Slurry Systems for Ultra-Deep Well Cementing at 220 °C.

With the depletion of shallow oil and gas resources, wells are being drilled to deeper and deeper depths to find new hydrocarbon reserves. This study presents the selection and optimization process of the cement slurries to be used for the deepest well ever drilled in China, with a planned vertical depth of 11,100 m. The bottomhole circulating and static temperatures of the well were estimated to be 210 °C and 220 °C, respectively, while the bottomhole pressure was estimated to be 130 MPa.

Study on Wear and Corrosion Resistance of Ni60/WC Coating by Laser Cladding on Reciprocating Pump Plunger: Comparison with Flame-Sprayed Plungers.

Reciprocating pumps are widely used in the current oil extraction process, and the plunger is a vulnerable part of these pumps that directly determines the service life of the reciprocating pump. To improve the service life of plungers, Ni60/WC coatings were applied to the surface of 45-steel plungers via laser cladding technology to improve wear and corrosion resistance. Defect-free and dense Ni60/WC coatings were successfully applied to the plunger surface with strong metallurgical bonding between the coating and the substrate.

Promoting ClO Generation from the HOCl + HOCl Reaction on Aqueous/Frozen Air-Water Interfaces.

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is considered a temporary reservoir of dichlorine monoxide (ClO). Previous studies have suggested that ClO is difficult to generate from the reaction of HOCl + HOCl in the gas phase. Here, we demonstrate that ClO can be generated from the HOCl + HOCl reaction at aqueous/frozen air-water interfaces, which is confirmed by ab initio molecular dynamic calculations.

Pd Nanoparticles Immobilized on Pyridinic N-Rich Carbon Nanosheets for Promoting Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reactions.

Palladium (Pd) catalysts play a crucial role in facilitating Suzuki cross-coupling reactions for the synthesis of valuable organic compounds. However, conventional heterogeneous Pd catalysts often encounter challenges such as leaching and deactivation during reactions, leading to reduced catalytic efficiency. In this study, we employed an innovative intercalation templating strategy to prepare two-dimensional carbon nanosheets with high nitrogen doping derived from petroleum asphalt, which were utilized as a versatile support for immobilizing Pd nanoparticles (Pd/N-CNS) in efficient Suzuki cross-coupling reactions.

Distance-Dependent Symmetry-Breaking Charge Transfer in 9,10- Bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene Dimers.

To investigate the effect of the through-bond coupling strength on the symmetry-breaking charge separation (SB-CS) dynamics and mechanism, three 9,10-bis((4-hexylphenyl)ethynyl)anthracene dimers with varying distances, viz., a single-bond linked dimer (0-dimer), a phenylene linked dimer (1-dimer) and a para-biphenylene linked dimer (2-dimer), were synthesized and studied systematically using steady-state and transient spectroscopy. Steady-state absorption spectra revealed that the electronic coupling strength decreased gradually with the increase of the inter-chromophore distance, and the transition of S→S includes the dark charge transfer (CT) excitation.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with different degrees of amination to enhance tolerance to Fe (III) and enhance oil displacement performance.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have been widely concerned in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) due to their abundant resources, small size and easy modification. In crude oil extraction, Fe (III) is increasingly produced. However, CNCs are very sensitive to Fe (III) and easy to aggregate, which brings obstacles to the application of CNCs.

Multifunctional Ru(III)/FeO/DNA nanoplatform for photothermal-enhanced photodynamic and chemodynamic cancer therapy.

Among the many cancer treatment methods, there have been many reports on the use of nanoplatforms with single treatment methods such as photothermal, photodynamic or chemodynamic for cancer treatment. In this study, Ru(III) with photodynamic effect and FeO nanoparticles with photothermal and chemodynamic effects are connected through long DNA chains with efficient active targeting rolling circle amplification to construct Ru(III)/FeO/DNA nano-platform realizes the combination of photothermal, photodynamic and chemodynamic treatment, which significantly improves the therapeutic effect of the nano-platform. Its multiple active targeting capabilities reduce the damage to normal cells.

Autonomous self-healing and superior tough polyurethane elastomers enabled by strong and highly dynamic hard domains.

Self-healing materials show exceptional application potential for their high stability and longevity. However, a great challenge of the application of self-healing materials is the tradeoff between mechanical robustness and room temperature self-healing. In order to address this tradeoff, inspired by the characteristic that small molecules of living organisms self-assemble into large protein molecules by non-covalent interactions, we constructed polyurethane with highly dynamic and strong hard domains composed of dense hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions between the phenylurea groups at the end of the side chain.

A magnetic epitope-imprinted microsphere used for selective separation and rapid detection of SHV-type β-lactamases in bacteria: a novel strategy of antimicrobial resistance detection.

Background: The production of β-lactamases is the most prevalent resistance mechanism for β-lactam antibiotics in Gram-negative bacteria. Presently, over 4900 β-lactamases have been discovered, and they are categorized into hundreds of families. In each enzyme family, amino acid substitutions result in subtle changes to enzyme hydrolysis profiles; in contrast, certain conserved sequences retained by all of the family members can serve as important markers for enzyme family identification.