A novel hierarchical porous biochar based on ZIF-8 volatile hard template with high-efficiency electrochemical sensing performance for trace determination of Ponceau 4R.

A convenient method is proposed using a heat-treatable volatile template to prepare hierarchical porous biochar (HPB). Litsea cubeba leaves and ZIF-8 served as carbon source and volatile hard template, respectively. The good compatibility between ZIF-8 and biomass facilitated their uniform dispersion, and the thermal decomposition of ZIF-8 created abundant pores in the HPB.

Low molecular weight galactomannan alleviates diarrhea induced by senna leaf in mice intestinal barrier improvement and gut microbiota modulation.

Low molecular weight galactomannan (LMGM), a soluble dietary fibre derived from guar gum, is recognized for its prebiotic functions, including promoting the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria and the production of short-chain fatty acids, but the mechanism of alleviating diarrhea is not fully understood. This study established an acute diarrhea mouse model using senna leaf decoction and evaluated the therapeutic effects of LMGM by monitoring diarrhea scores, loose stool prevalence, intestinal tissue pathology and gene expression, and gut microbiota composition and metabolisms. The results indicated that LMGM significantly reduced diarrhea scores and loose stool prevalence within two hours post-treatment.

Modular Engineering of Lysostaphin with Significantly Improved Stability and Bioavailability for Treating MRSA Infections.

Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) is a refractory pneumonia-causing pathogen due to the antibiotic resistance and the characteristics of persisting inside its host cell. Lysostaphin is a typical bacteriolytic enzyme for degrading bacterial cell walls via hydrolysis of pentaglycine cross-links, showing potential to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria. However, there are still grand challenges for native lysostaphin because of its poor shelf stability and limited bioavailability.

Topologically Engineered High- Quasi-BIC Metasurfaces for Enhanced Near-Infrared Emission in PbS Quantum Dots.

Enhancing photoluminescence (PL) efficiency in colloidal quantum dots is pivotal for next-generation near-infrared photodetectors, imaging systems, and photonic devices. Conventional methods, especially metal-based plasmonic structures, suffer from large optical losses, which limits their practical use. Here, we introduce a quasi-bound state in the continuum (quasi-BIC) metasurface on a silicon-on-insulator platform, tailored to provide high-quality factor resonances with minimized losses.

Recent transformations of vinylidene cyclopropanes (VDCPs).

Methodological studies on the transformations of vinylidene cyclopropanes (VDCPs) have been substantially developed in the past few decades, and significant progress has been achieved in visible light-mediated, non-metal-related, and transition metal-catalyzed processes. In particular, when reactive functional groups are introduced into the backbone of VDCPs, a variety of cascade or sequential transformations can take place to produce more complex cyclic or polycyclic compounds. This review describes the recent advancements in this field.

ControllableSynthesis of Heterogeneous ZnS/SnS2 Encapsulated in Hollow Nitrogen-doped Carbon Microcubes as Anode for High-performance Li-ion Capacitors.

Li-ion capacitors (LICs) integrate the desirable features of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and supercapacitors (SCs), but the kinetic imbalance between the both electrodes leads to inferior electrochemical performance. Thus, constructing an advanced anode with outstanding rate capability and terrific redox kinetics is crucial to LICs. Herein, heterostructured ZnS/SnS2 nanosheets encapsulated into N-doped carbon microcubes (ZnS/SnS2@NC) are successfully fabricated.

Understanding the Needs of Young and Middle-Aged Chinese People Who Have Experienced a Stroke Who Have Not Successfully Returned to Work: A Qualitative Study.

Objectives: The study aims to understand the return to work (RTW) needs of young and middle-aged people who have experienced a stroke and to contribute to the development of supportive RTW services.

Design: A qualitative study employing the phenomenological method.

Participants: Eleven young and middle-aged people who have experienced a stroke participated in the study.

Position Optimization of Bulky Tetraphenylsilane in Multiple Resonance Molecules for Highly Efficient Narrowband OLEDs.

Multiple resonance (MR)-type thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters have garnered significant interest due to their narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM) and high electroluminescence efficiency. However, the planar structures and large singlet-triplet energy gaps (ΔEs) characteristic of MR-TADF molecules pose challenges to achieving high-performance devices. Herein, two isomeric compounds, p-TPS-BN and m-TPS-BN, are synthesized differing in the connection modes between a bulky tetraphenylsilane (TPS) group and an MR core.

Leaf nitrogen and phosphorus are more sensitive to environmental factors in dicots than in monocots, globally.

Leaf nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) levels provide critical strategies for plant adaptions to changing environments. However, it is unclear whether leaf N and P levels of different plant functional groups (e.g.

The Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot for ferns: Updated phylogeny, hidden diversity, and biogeography of the java fern genus (Polypodiaceae).

The Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including that of vascular plants. However, the fern diversity and its endemism in this hotspot have not been well understood and so far, the diversity of very few groups of ferns in this region has been explored using combined molecular and morphological approaches. Here, we updated the plastid phylogeny of the Java fern genus with 226 (115% increase of the latest sampling) samples across the distribution range, specifically those of three phylogenetically significant species, , .

AmelOBP4: an antenna-specific odor-binding protein gene required for olfactory behavior in the honey bee (Apis mellifera).

Background: Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) initiate the process of odorant perception. Numerous investigations have demonstrated that OBPs bind a broad variety of chemicals and are more likely to carry pheromones or odor molecules with high binding affinities. However, few studies have investigated its effects on insect behavior.

Distinct detection and discrimination sensitivities in visual processing of real versus unreal optic flow.

We examined the intricate mechanisms underlying visual processing of complex motion stimuli by measuring the detection sensitivity to contraction and expansion patterns and the discrimination sensitivity to the location of the center of motion (CoM) in various real and unreal optic flow stimuli. We conducted two experiments (N = 20 each) and compared responses to both "real" optic flow stimuli containing information about self-movement in a three-dimensional scene and "unreal" optic flow stimuli lacking such information. We found that detection sensitivity to contraction surpassed that to expansion patterns for unreal optic flow stimuli, whereas this trend was reversed for real optic flow stimuli.

Recent changes in ENSO's impacts on the summertime circumglobal teleconnection and mid-latitude extremes.

The boreal summer circumglobal teleconnection (CGT) provides a primary predictability source for mid-latitude Northern Hemisphere climate anomalies and extreme events. Here, we show that the CGT's circulation structure has been displaced westward by half a wavelength since the late 1970s, more severely impacting heatwaves and droughts over East Europe, East Asia, and southwestern North America. We present empirical and modelling evidence of the essential role of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in shaping this change.

Proximal Oblique-Packing of Heptamethine Cyanines through Spiro-Connection Boosts Triplet State Generation in Near-Infrared.

Near-infrared (NIR) triplet dyes are the cornerstones of cutting-edge biomedical and material applications. The difficulty in rational development of triplet dyes increases exponentially as the absorption wavelength shifts deeper into the NIR range. Although classical H-/J-typed packing of NIR dyes has the potential to enhance intersystem crossing (ISC) compared with that in single-chromophore dyes, the triplet state quantum yields remain limited in such strategy.

In-Plane Polarization-Triggered WS-Ferroelectric Heterostructured Synaptic Devices.

To date, various kinds of memristors have been proposed as artificial neurons and synapses for neuromorphic computing to overcome the so-called von Neumann bottleneck in conventional computing architectures. However, related working principles are mostly ascribed to randomly distributed conductive filaments or traps, which usually lead to high stochasticity and poor uniformity. In this work, a heterostructure with a two-dimensional WS monolayer and a ferroelectric PZT film were demonstrated for memristors and artificial synapses, triggered by in-plane ferroelectric polarization.

A self-aggregated thermally activated delayed fluorescence nanoprobe for HClO imaging and activatable photodynamic therapy.

Hypochlorous acid (HClO/ClO) is a common ROS that exhibits elevated activity levels in cancer cells. In this study, an ClO-triggered TADF probe, PTZ-MNI, was designed based on a naphthalimide core. PTZ-MNI self-assemble in aqueous environments, exhibiting significantly enhanced fluorescence that demonstrated typical aggregation-induced delayed fluorescence (AIDF) characteristics.

Multi-Scale Pyramid Squeeze Attention Similarity Optimization Classification Neural Network for ERP Detection.

Event-related potentials (ERPs) can reveal brain activity elicited by external stimuli. Innovative methods to decode ERPs could enhance the accuracy of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology and promote the understanding of cognitive processes. This paper proposes a novel Multi-Scale Pyramid Squeeze Attention Similarity Optimization Classification Neural Network (MS-PSA-SOC) for ERP Detection.

Kinetic Control of Self-Assembly Pathway in Dual Dynamic Covalent Polymeric Systems.

Kinetically controlled self-assembly is garnering increasing interest in the field of supramolecular polymers and materials, yet examples involving dynamic covalent exchange remain relatively unexplored. Here we report an unexpected dynamic covalent polymeric system whose aqueous self-assembly pathway is strongly influenced by the kinetics of evaporation of water. The key design is to integrate dual dynamic covalent bonds-including disulfide bonds and boroxine/borate-into a dynamic equilibrium system of monomers, polymers, and materials.

Variations in wheat water requirement and climatic causes in arid regions of northwest China.

Analysis of crop water requirement and its influencing factors are important for optimal allocation of water resources. However, research on variations of climatic factors and their contribution to wheat water requirement in Xinjiang is insufficient. In our study, daily meteorological data during 1961‒2017 in Xinjiang was collected.

Exploring the synergistic effect of NaOH/NaClO absorbent in a novel wet FGD scrubber to control SOx/NOx emissions.

Escalating SOx and NOx emissions from industrial plants necessitates customized scrubbing solutions to improve removal efficiency and tackle cost limitations in existing wet FGD units. This work investigates the real-time intensified removal pathways via an innovative two-stage countercurrent spray tower configuration strategically integrating NaOH (M) and NaOH/NaClO (M/M) to remove SOx and NOx emissions simultaneously from the industrial stack through a comprehensive parametric study of absorbents concentration, reaction temperature, gas flow rate, liquid to gas ratio (F/F), and absorbent showering head. Flue gas stream comprising SO bearing 4500 ppm, SO bearing 300 ppm, 70 ppm NO, and 50 ppm NO brought into contact with two scrubbing solutions as M, and a complex absorbent of M/M at varying respective ratios.

Copper-catalysed radical cascade reaction of -(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl) substituted 2-pyridones with styrene to access 1,6-carboannulated 2-pyridone scaffolds.

Herein, we present that treating -(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl) substituted 2-pyridones with styrenes in DMSO/HO at 120 °C affords 1,6-carboannulated 2-pyridone scaffolds with up to 79% yield. This protocol provides a simple and efficient method for obtaining complicated bicyclic 2-pyridones through a radical cascade reaction. Additionally, we have successfully synthesized 27 target compounds, which confirms the practicality and wide applicability of the proposed reaction.

Comparison of chemical constituents in species and their antimicrobial activity for extending the shelf life of foods.

Food spoilage causes significant economic losses and endangers human health. Developing novel antimicrobial agents and preservatives is urgently needed for anti-foodborne diseases and improving food storage. Zhen Zhu Cai () species are well-known edible plants among the East Asian populace that clear heat and anti-aging.

Ultramicroporous Tröger's Base Framework Membranes With Ionized Sub-nanochannels for Efficient Acid/Alkali Recovery.

Membrane technology holds significant potential for the recovery of acids and alkalis from industrial wastewater systems, with ion exchange membranes (IEMs) playing a crucial role in these applications. However, conventional IEMs are limited to separating only monovalent cations or anions, presenting a significant challenge in achieving concomitant H⁺/OH⁻ permselectivity for simultaneous acid and alkali recovery. To address this issue, the charged microporous polymer framework membranes are developed, featuring rigid Tröger's Base network chains constructed through a facile sol-gel process.

Advanced Solid Lubrication with COK-47: Mechanistic Insights on the Role of Water and Performance Evaluation.

Metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles have attracted widespread attention as lubrication additives due to their tunable structures and surface effects. However, their solid lubrication properties have been rarely explored. This work introduces the positive role of moisture in solid lubrication in the case of a newly described Ti-based MOF (COK-47) powder.

Metallic vanadium activated by an dissolution-deposition process for a superior aqueous zinc ion battery cathode.

Metallic vanadium is innovatively introduced for a superior aqueous zinc-ion battery cathode material, which is activated through dissolution-deposition transition to amorphous VO·3HO and delivers an excellent capacity of 610 mA h g at 0.1 A g and remarkable capacity retention rate of 80.3% after 1000 cycles at 1 A g.