Switching porosity of stable triptycene-based cage solution-state assembly processes.

It is a great challenge to tune the porosity of porous materials. As most porous organic cages are soluble, solution processability can be a possible way to regulate the porosity of such materials. Herein, a triptycene-based cage (TC) is demonstrated to be stable in acid, base or boiling water.

Type I photosensitizers based on phosphindole oxide for photodynamic therapy: apoptosis and autophagy induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is considered a pioneering and effective modality for cancer treatment, but it is still facing challenges of hypoxic tumors. Recently, Type I PDT, as an effective strategy to address this issue, has drawn considerable attention. Few reports are available on the capability for Type I reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation of purely organic photosensitizers (PSs).

Preparation of activated carbon nanofibers using degradative solvent extraction products obtained from low-rank coal and their utilization in supercapacitors.

In this study, low-rank coal was separated into three solid fractions by a degradative solvent extraction method. The high-molecular-weight extract (termed Deposit) had some outstanding properties such as high carbon content, almost no ash, high aromaticity, good thermoplasticity and high solubility in DMF. Therefore, Deposit with some proportion of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was used to prepare activated carbon nanofibers by electrospinning and CO activation.

Fast, 3D Isotropic Imaging of Whole Mouse Brain Using Multiangle-Resolved Subvoxel SPIM.

The recent integration of light-sheet microscopy and tissue-clearing has facilitated an important alternative to conventional histological imaging approaches. However, the in toto cellular mapping of neural circuits throughout an intact mouse brain remains highly challenging, requiring complicated mechanical stitching, and suffering from anisotropic resolution insufficient for high-quality reconstruction in 3D. Here, the use of a multiangle-resolved subvoxel selective plane illumination microscope (Mars-SPIM) is proposed to achieve high-throughput imaging of whole mouse brain at isotropic cellular resolution.

Engineered Cell-Derived Microparticles BiSe/DOX@MPs for Imaging Guided Synergistic Photothermal/Low-Dose Chemotherapy of Cancer.

Cell-derived microparticles, which are recognized as nanosized phospholipid bilayer membrane vesicles, have exhibited great potential to serve as drug delivery systems in cancer therapy. However, for the purpose of comprehensive therapy, microparticles decorated with multiple therapeutic components are needed, but effective engineering strategies are limited and still remain enormous challenges. Herein, BiSe nanodots and doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) co-embedded tumor cell-derived microparticles (BiSe/DOX@MPs) are successfully constructed through ultraviolet light irradiation-induced budding of parent cells which are preloaded with BiSe nanodots and DOX via electroporation.

Voltage-controlled skyrmion-based nanodevices for neuromorphic computing using a synthetic antiferromagnet.

Spintronics exhibits significant potential for a neuromorphic computing system with high speed, high integration density, and low dissipation. In this article, we propose an ultralow-dissipation skyrmion-based nanodevice composed of a synthetic antiferromagnet (SAF) and a piezoelectric substrate for neuromorphic computing. Skyrmions/skyrmion bubbles can be generated in the upper layer of an SAF with a weak anisotropy energy ( ).

Novel mesoporous bismuth oxyiodide single-crystal nanosheets with enhanced catalytic activity.

A simple one-step approach was employed to fabricate novel BiOI nanosheets and mesoporous BiOI single-crystal nanosheets. The formation mechanism of the as-prepared two-dimensional mesoporous sheet-like structure and photocatalytic activities were systematically discussed. The stripping effect of I vapor generated in the calcination process was concluded to be responsible for the formation of this two-dimensional mesoporous structure.

Reversible photo-responsive gel-sol transitions of robust organogels based on an azobenzene-containing main-chain liquid crystalline polymer.

Stimuli-responsive supramolecular gels have been widely investigated, but the construction of a liquid crystalline gel with a high mechanical property and reversible photo-response still remains a challenge. This is due to the difficulty of designing gelators with liquid crystal properties and gelation abilities in organic solvents simultaneously. In this study, an azobenzene-containing main-chain polyester (Azo-mLCP) with a pendant amide group was synthesized.

Mechanistic study of N-H- and H-N-codoping of a TiO photocatalyst for efficient degradation of benzene under visible light.

Non-metal codoping including nitrogen (N) and hydrogen (H) codoping has been emerging as an effective way to improve the performance of anatase TiO in solar cell, fuel conversion and pollutant degradation. However, the mechanism of the synergistic effect of N doping and H doping on TiO is still far from thorough. In this paper, N and H codoped TiO nanoparticles are obtained by N doping in ammonia and then H doping in hydrogen gas, which achieves substantially boosted efficiency and reaction rate in the photocatalytic degradation of benzene under visible light excitation.

Studies on the effects of different multiwalled carbon nanotube functionalization techniques on the properties of bio-based hybrid non-isocyanate polyurethane.

A novel synthesis method for multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) modified bio-based hybrid non-isocyanate polyurethane (HNIPU) is proposed in this paper. Modification methods for several properties of MWCNTs-HNIPU were systematically studied. MWCNTs were grafted with carboxyl and amino groups using a condensation reflux device.

USP37 is a SNAI1 deubiquitinase.

SNAI1, an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-inducing transcription factor, promotes tumor metastasis and resistance to apoptosis and chemotherapy. SNAI1 protein levels are tightly regulated by proteolytic ubiquitination. Here, we identified USP37 as a SNAI1 deubiquitinase that removes the polyubiquitination chain from SNAI1 and prevents its proteasomal degradation.

Calculating the absolute binding free energy of the insulin dimer in an explicit solvent.

Insulin is a significant hormone in the regulation of glucose level in the blood. Its monomers bind to each other to form dimers or hexamers through a complex process. To study the binding of the insulin dimer, we first calculate its absolute binding free energy by the steered molecular dynamics method and the confinement method based on a fictitious thermodynamic cycle.

Efficient polymerase chain reaction assisted by metal-organic frameworks.

As a powerful tool for obtaining sufficient DNA from rare DNA resources, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been widely used in various fields, and the optimization of PCR is still in progress due to the dissatisfactory specificity, sensitivity and efficiency. Although many nanomaterials have been proven to be capable of optimizing PCR, their underlying mechanisms are still unclear. So far, the scientifically compelling and functionally evolving metal-organic framework (MOF) materials with high specific surface area, tunable pore sizes, alterable surface charges and favourable thermal conductivity have not been used for PCR optimization.

A Lithium-Ion Pump Based on Piezoelectric Effect for Improved Rechargeability of Lithium Metal Anode.

Lithium metal is widely studied as the "crown jewel" of potential anode materials due to its high specific capacity and low redox potential. Unfortunately, the Li dendrite growth limits its commercialization. Previous research has revealed that the uniform Li-ion flux on electrode surface plays a vital role in achieving homogeneous Li deposition.

High frequency, calibration-free molecular measurements in the living body.

Abolition of the need for end-users to perform sensor calibration proved key to the widespread use of home-glucose monitors. Motivated by this observation here we have adapted electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) sensors, a sensing technology that is far more general than the glucose monitor, to the problem of performing calibration-free measurements of molecules other than glucose. Specifically, we first demonstrate the ability of E-AB sensors to achieve the accurate and precise measurement of cocaine, ATP and kanamycin in undiluted whole blood, achieving clinically relevant accuracy (better than ±20%) in this sample matrix without the need to calibrate individual sensors.

Elevated glutamate, glutamine and GABA levels and reduced taurine level in a schizophrenia model using an in vitro proton nuclear magnetic resonance method.

Accumulating evidence suggests that brain metabolic changes may be associated with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Both and studies have found glutamatergic and GABAergic abnormalities in different brain regions of individuals with schizophrenia. We report a longitudinal behavioral study in a methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) rat model of schizophrenia at three different age periods: prepuberty, late-puberty and early-adulthood.

Porous carbon from tobacco stalk for removal of organic dyes from water.

Tobacco stalk, a kind of agricultural residue, will cause environmental pollution because it contains some harmful substances such as nicotine. To realize the high-value utilization of this agricultural residue, we prepared porous carbon (TS-C) by high temperature carbonization using tobacco stalk as a precursor. It was found that TS-C displays a hierarchical pore structure and high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 1416 m g.

A cobalt(ii) chain based on pymca generated from the hydrolysis of 2-cyanopyrimidine: spin canting and magnetic relaxation.

A one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymer, [{Co(pymca)·(HO)}SO·2HO] (1) (pymca = 2-carboxypyrimidine), was solvothermally synthesized the reaction of 2-cyanopyrimidine and Co(SCN). A bidentate pymca ligand was formed by the hydrolysis of 2-cyanopyrimidine. Furthermore, in this study, the magnetic properties of complex 1 were investigated in detail.

Efficient electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide by metal-doped β-borophene monolayers.

Electrochemical reduction of CO to value-added chemicals and fuels shows great promise in contributing to reducing the energy crisis and environment problems. This progress has been slowed by a lack of stable, efficient and selective catalysts. In this paper, density functional theory (DFT) was used to study the catalytic performance of the first transition metal series anchored TM-B monolayers as catalysts for electrochemical reduction of CO.

Lithiated NiCoO Nanorods Anchored on 3D Nickel Foam Enable Homogeneous Li Plating/Stripping for High-Power Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Anode.

Lithium (Li) metal is one of the promising anode materials in the next-generation high-energy batteries, but Li dendrite growth and a big volume change during cycling result in low Coulombic efficiency (CE), short lifespan, and safety hazards, thereby impeding practical implementation of Li in rechargeable batteries. Herein, we report a highly stable and dendrite-free Li metal anode based on a three-dimensional (3D) conductive and lithiophilic scaffold comprising lithiated NiCoO nanorods grown on nickel foam (LNCO/Ni). The nanorods grown on 3D Ni foam with a large surface area effectively reduce the averaged electrical current in the electrode, and the conformal LiO coating produced in situ on the lithiated NiCoO nanorods provides the surface lithiophilicity enabling stable Li plating/stripping without Li dendrite growth even at a high current density of 5 mA cm.

Rapid preparation of polydopamine coating as a multifunctional hair dye.

Dyeing of hair is an interesting research field within the cosmetics industry due to the increasingly aging population worldwide. In order to reduce the toxicity of hair dye materials and improve the speed of hair dyeing, we developed an polymerization of dopamine catalyzed by copper sulfate and hydrogen peroxide on the hair surface to form a polydopamine (PDA) coating for hair dyeing. The morphology and elements of polydopamine on hair were characterized.

Monochromatic "Photoinitibitor"-Mediated Holographic Photopolymer Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

A new polymer electrolyte based on holographic photopolymer is designed and fabricated. Ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC) are introduced as the photoinert substances. Upon laser-interference-pattern illumination, photopolymerization occurs within the constructive regions which subsequently results in a phase separation between the photogenerated polymer and unreacted EC-PC, affording holographic photopolymer electrolytes (HPEs) with a pitch of ≈740 nm.

Scalable Wire-Type Asymmetric Pseudocapacitor Achieving High Volumetric Energy/Power Densities and Ultralong Cycling Stability of 100 000 Times.

Wire-shaped asymmetric pseudocapacitors with both pseudocapacitive cathode and anode are promising in facilitating device assembly and provide highly efficient power sources for wearable electronics. However, it is a great challenge to simultaneously obtain high energy and power as well as ultralong cycling life for practical demands of such devices. Herein, a device design with new cathode/anode coupling is proposed to achieve excellent comprehensive performance in a wire-type quasi-solid-state asymmetric pseudocapacitor (WQAP).

Shape transformation and self-alignment of Fe-based nanoparticles.

New types of functional material structures will emerge if the shape and properties are controlled in three-dimensional nanodevices. Possible applications of these would be nanoelectronics and medical systems. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are especially important in electronics such as magnetic storage, sensors, and spintronics.

Evaluation of non-targeting, C- or N-pH (low) insertion peptide modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoclusters for selective MRI of liver tumors and their potential toxicity in cirrhosis.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoclusters (SPIONs) modified with pH (low) insertion peptide (pHLIP) could be advantageous for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnosis of liver tumors at the early stage due to their unique responsiveness to the tumor acidic microenvironment when tumor markers are unknown. However, many critical aspects including the effectiveness of selective MRI in liver tumors, types of delivery and the potential safety profile in cirrhosis need to be fully evaluated. In this study, we report the evaluation of non-targeting, C- or N-pHLIP modified SPIONs as the contrast agent for selective MRI of liver tumors and their potential toxicity profile in cirrhosis.