Photochromic Color Tuning of Copper-doped Zinc Sulfide Nanocrystals by Control of Local Dopant Environments.

Inorganic photochromic materials offer several advantages over organic compounds, including relatively inexpensive and higher thermal stability. However, tuning their color with the same component has remained a significant challenge. In this study, we demonstrate that the photochromic color of Cu-doped ZnS nanocrystals (NCs), which is initially pale yellow before light irradiation, can be tuned from gray to brown by adjusting the surface stoichiometry of Zn and S, which is controlled through the use of thiol and non-thiol ligands.

Multifunctional DNA-Collagen Biomaterials: Developmental Advances and Biomedical Applications.

The complexation of nucleic acids and collagen forms a platform biomaterial greater than the sum of its parts. This union of biomacromolecules merges the extracellular matrix functionality of collagen with the designable bioactivity of nucleic acids, enabling advances in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, gene delivery, and targeted therapy. This review traces the historical foundations and critical applications of DNA-collagen complexes and highlights their capabilities, demonstrating them as biocompatible, bioactive, and tunable platform materials.

KOBu-Promoted [3 + 2] Cycloaddition of Dimethyl Sulfoxide with Fullerenes.

KOBu-promoted [3 + 2] cycloaddition of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with fullerenes has been developed for facile and efficient one-pot synthesis of 1,2,3,4-cyclic sulfoxide-fused [60]/[70]fullerene dihydrides, which offers a versatile platform for the site-selective preparation of various fullerene multiadducts with a wide range of functional groups. The utility of these tetra-functionalized fullerenes is demonstrated by the successful application as electron-transport materials in perovskite solar cells.

Entomopathogenic Nematode Species Vary in Their Behavior and Virulence in Response to Cardiac Glycosides Within and Around Insect Hosts.

Plants produce defensive toxins to deter herbivores. In response, some specialized herbivores evolved resistance and even the capacity to sequester toxins, affecting interactions at higher trophic levels. Here, we test the hypothesis that potential natural enemies of specialized herbivores are differentially affected by plant toxins depending on their level of adaptation to the plant-herbivore system.

Molecular Mechanism Behind the Capture of Fluorinated Gases by Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Fluorinated gases (F-gases) play a vital role in the chemical industry and in the fields of air conditioning, refrigeration, health care, and organic synthesis. However, the direct emission of waste gases containing F-gases into the atmosphere contributes to greenhouse effects and generates toxic substances. Developing porous materials for the energy-efficient capture, separation, and recovery of F-gases is highly desired.

Varenicline Attenuates Memory Impairment in Amyloid-Beta-Induced Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline. Despite extensive research, therapeutic options remain limited. Varenicline, an αβ nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, shows promise in enhancing cognitive function.

Rare-earth oxide promoted Pd electrocatalyst for formic acid oxidation.

The development of Pd-based materials with high activity and long-term stability is crucial for their practical applications as an anode catalyst in direct formic acid fuel cells. Herein, we reveal that the catalytic activity of Pd towards formic acid oxidation can be enhanced by incorporation of a series of rare-earth oxides, including ScO, CeO, LaO, and PrO. For example, Pd nanoparticles incorporated with ScO supported on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (Pd-ScO/N-rGO-, = 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1, and 3/2; "" denotes the molar ratio of Pd : Sc) can be obtained using a sodium borohydride reduction method.

Fuzzy logic modelling of the pollution pattern of potentially toxic elements and naturally occurring radionuclide materials in quarry sites in Ogun State, Nigeria.

The accumulation pattern of some inorganic pollutants in quarry sites around Ogun State was modeled using a Fuzzy comprehensive assessment (FCA). Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and naturally occurring radionuclides materials (NORMs) were assessed from soil samples collected from ten quarry sites in three districts (Odeda, Ajebo, and Ijebu Ode) in Ogun State. Three (3) NORMs ( K, U, Th) were assessed using gamma spectrometer with a NaI detector while ten (10) PTEs (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were determined by digestion method using Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometer.

Host Plant Odour and Sex Pheromone are Integral to Mate Finding in Codling Moth.

The great diversity of specialist plant-feeding insects suggests that host plant shifts may initiate speciation, even without geographic barriers. Pheromones and kairomones mediate sexual communication and host choice, and the response to these behaviour-modifying chemicals is under sexual and natural selection, respectively. The concept that the interaction of mate signals and habitat cues facilitates reproductive isolation and ecological speciation is well established, while the traits and the underlying sensory mechanisms remain unknown.

Exploring van der Waals Cuprate Superconductors Using a Hybrid Microwave Circuit.

The advent of two-dimensional van der Waals materials is a frontier of condensed matter physics and quantum devices. However, characterizing such materials remains challenging due to the limitations of bulk material techniques, necessitating the development of specialized methods. Here, we investigate the superconducting properties of BiSrCaCuO flakes by integrating them with a hybrid superconducting microwave resonator.

Super-Resolved Mapping of Electrochemical Reactivity in Single 3D Catalysts.

Crystals with three-dimensional (3D) stereoscopic structures, characterized by diverse shapes, crystallographic planes, and morphologies, represent a significant advancement in catalysis. Differentiating and quantifying the catalytic activity of specific surface facets and sites at the single-particle level is essential for understanding and predicting catalytic performance. This study employs super-resolution radial fluctuations electrogenerated chemiluminescence microscopy (SRRF-ECLM) to achieve high-resolution mapping of electrocatalytic activity on individual 3D CuO crystals, including cubic, octahedral, and truncated octahedral structures.

Photochemical Evolution of Alanine in Association with the Martian Soil Analog Montmorillonite: Insights Derived from Experiments Conducted on the International Space Station.

The (PSS) experiment was part of the European Space Agency's mission and was conducted on the International Space Station from 2014 to 2016. The PSS experiment investigated the properties of montmorillonite clay as a protective shield against degradation of organic compounds that were exposed to elevated levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in space. Additionally, we examined the potential for montmorillonite to catalyze UV-induced breakdown of the amino acid alanine and its potential to trap the resulting photochemical byproducts within its interlayers.

Cholesterol-terminated cationic lipidated oligomers (CLOs) as a new class of antifungals.

Infections caused by fungal pathogens are a global health problem, and have created an urgent need for new antimicrobial strategies. This report details the synthesis of lipidated 2-vinyl-4,4-dimethyl-5-oxazolone (VDM) oligomers an optimized Cu(0)-mediated reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) approach. Cholesterol-Br was used as an initiator to synthesize a library of oligo-VDM (degree of polymerisation = 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25), with an α-terminal cholesterol group.

Spontaneous Transformation from Lung Adenocarcinoma to MYC-amplified Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma.

Recent studies suggest that lung adenocarcinoma cells are closely associated with the tumorigenesis of large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma via cellular transformation. However, morphological evidence, along with genetic abnormalities before, during, and after transformation, is quite limited. We present here a case of combined large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and adenocarcinoma exhibiting acinar and solid patterns.

Understanding the effects of adduct functionalization on C nanocages for the hydrogen evolution reaction.

In this work, we use experimental and theoretical techniques to study the origin of the boosted hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalytic activity of two pyridyl-pyrrolidine functionalized C fullerenes. Notably, the mono-(pyridyl-pyrrolidine) penta-adduct of C has exhibited a remarkable HER catalytic activity as a metal-free catalyst, delivering an overpotential () of 75 mV RHE and a very low onset potential of -45 mV RHE. This work addresses fundamental questions about how functionalization on C changes the electron density on fullerene cages for high-performance HER electrocatalysis.

Realizing zero-threshold population inversion plasmonic doping.

Lowering the population inversion threshold is key to leveraging quantum dots (QDs) for nanoscale lasing and laser miniaturization. However, optical realization of population inversion in QDs has an inherent limitation: the number of excited electrons per QD is bound by the absorbed photons. Here we show that one can break this population limit and realize near-zero threshold inversion plasmonic doping.

Nature and stability of the chemical bond in H3C-XHn (XHn = CH3, NH2, OH, F, Cl, Br, I).

We have quantum chemically analyzed the trends in bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) of H3C-XHn single bonds (XHn = CH3, NH2, OH, F, Cl, Br, I) along three different dissociation pathways at ZORA-BLYP-D3(BJ)/TZ2P: (i) homolytic dissociation into H3C∙ + ∙XHn, (ii) heterolytic dissociation into H3C+ + -XHn, and (iii) heterolytic dissociation into H3C- + +XHn. The associated BDEs for the three pathways differ not only quantitatively but, in some cases, also in terms of opposite trends along the C-X series. Based on activation strain analyses and quantitative molecular orbital theory, we explain how these differences are caused by the profoundly different electronic structures of, and thus bonding mechanisms between, the resulting fragments in the three different dissociation pathways.

Nanoencapsulated Optical Fiber-Based PEC Microelectrode: Highly Sensitive and Specific Detection of NT-proBNP and Its Implantable Performance.

Microelectrodes offer exceptional sensitivity, rapid response, and versatility, making them ideal for real-time detection and monitoring applications. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensors have shown great value in many fields due to their high sensitivity, fast response, and ease of operation. Nevertheless, conventional PEC sensing relies on cumbersome external light sources and bulky electrodes, hindering its miniaturization and implantation, thereby limiting its application in real-time disease monitoring.

Clinical Outcomes and Safety Profiles of Generic Versus Brand-Name Clopidogrel in Patients Following Coronary Artery Stent Placement.

Coronary artery disease remains a significant global health issue and is a leading cause of mortality. Dual antiplatelet therapy, including clopidogrel, is essential for preventing stent thrombosis after coronary artery stenting. This study assessed the comparative efficacy and safety of generic versus brand-name clopidogrel in a large Taiwanese cohort.

Thermodynamic regulation of carbon dioxide capture by functionalized ionic liquids.

Carbon dioxide capture has attracted worldwide attention because CO emissions cause global warming and exacerbate climate change. Ionic liquids (ILs) have good application prospects in carbon capture due to their excellent properties, which provide a new chance to develop efficient and reversible carbon capture systems. This paper reviews the recent progress in CO chemical absorption by ILs, such as N-site, O-site, C-site, and multi-site functionalized ILs.

Pharmacological Dissection Identifies Retatrutide Overcomes the Therapeutic Barrier of Obese TNBC Treatments through Suppressing the Interplay between Glycosylation and Ubiquitylation of YAP.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in obese patients remains challenging. Recent studies have linked obesity to an increased risk of TNBC and malignancies. Through multiomic analysis and experimental validation, a dysfunctional Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 3 Subunit H (EIF3H)/Yes-associated protein (YAP) proteolytic axis is identified as a pivotal junction mediating the interplay between cancer-associated adipocytes and the response to anti-cancer drugs in TNBC.

Diet quality indicators and organic food consumption in mothers of young children.

Background: The health benefits of organic food provide one reason for consuming it. Various studies have shown that regular organic food consumers (REG eco-con) follow a healthier diet. However, this topic has not been explored in Poland.

The role of N-methyladenosine (mA) mRNA modifications in herpesvirus infections.

Herpesviruses, a family of large enveloped DNA viruses, establish persistent infections in a wide range of hosts. This characteristic requires an intricate network of interactions with their hosts and host cells. In recent years, the interplay between herpesviruses and the epitranscriptome-chemical modifications in transcripts that may affect mRNA biology and fate-has emerged as a novel aspect of herpesvirus-host interactions.

Bioenergetic trade-offs can reveal the path to superior microbial CO fixation pathways.

A comprehensive optimization of known prokaryotic autotrophic carbon dioxide (CO) fixation pathways is presented that evaluates all their possible variants under different environmental conditions. This was achieved through a computational methodology recently developed that considers the trade-offs between energy efficiency (yield) and growth rate, allowing us to evaluate candidate metabolic modifications for microbial conversions. The results revealed the superior configurations in terms of both yield (efficiency) and rate (driving force).

Interfacial Adsorption Interactions of Dyes and Chitosan/Activated Carbon@Curcumin Derivatives in Single-Component and Binary Solutions.

The remediation of wastewaters contaminated with dyes (discharged mainly from industry) is very important for preserving environmental quality and human health. In this study, a new composite chitosan (CS)-based adsorbent combined with activated carbon (AC) and curcumin (Cur) (abbreviated hereafter as CS/AC@Cur) in three different ratios (12.5%, 25%, and 50%) was synthesized for the removal of anionic [reactive black 5 (RB5)] and cationic [methylene blue (MB)] dyes in single-component or binary systems.