Unlocking the adsorptive effectiveness of naturally occurring heulandite zeolite for the removal of PO and NO anions from wastewater.

The mitigation of high levels of phosphate (PO) and nitrate (NO) ions in water bodies, particularly in agricultural wastewater, holds paramount importance in curbing eutrophication within aquatic ecosystems. Herein, using experimental and computational techniques, the study explored the potential of naturally occurring South Africa heulandite (HEU) zeolite for the removal of PO and NO ions from synthetic wastewater in batch mode. The percentage removal of PO and NO was 59.

The development of multifunctional biochar with NiFeO for the adsorption of Cd (II) from water systems: The kinetics, thermodynamics, and regeneration.

High concentrations of Cd (II) in wastewater have been reported several times which attracted top research attention to mitigate the pollution impacts of the contaminant. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a Zn-doped NiFeO pinecone biochar composite (ZNiF@PB) for the adsorption of Cd (II) from wastewater. FTIR confirmed immobilization of PB on the surface of ZNiF by the presence of C = O at 1638 cm, COOH at 1385 cm, C-O at 1009 cm and Fe-O at 756 cm.

Innovative Silica Acorn Core-Shell Nanostructures: Morphological Control and Applications in Chromatography.

This study introduces the synthesis and characterization of advanced silica core-shell nanostructures, with an emphasis on the innovative Si-ACS (Silica Acorn Core-Shell) design and its modified counterparts. Employing the classic Stöber method, SiCore particles were first produced, followed by the creation of the acorn-like Si-ACS structures. A key aspect of this research is the exploration of the effects of CTAB and TEOS concentrations on the morphology and properties of the silica shells.

Exploiting the DCAF16-SPIN4 interaction to identify DCAF16 ligands for PROTAC development.

Traditional small molecule drugs often target protein activity directly, but challenges arise when proteins lack suitable functional sites. An alternative approach is targeted protein degradation (TPD), which directs proteins to cellular machinery for proteolytic degradation. Recent studies have identified additional E3 ligases suitable for TPD, expanding the potential of this approach.

Encapsulation and Delivery of the Kinase Inhibitor PIK-75 by Organic Core High-Density Lipoprotein-Like Nanoparticles Targeting Scavenger Receptor Class B Type 1.

PIK-75 (F7) is a potent multikinase inhibitor that targets p110α, DNA-PK, and p38γ. PIK-75 has shown potential as a therapy in preclinical cancer models, but it has not been used in the clinic, at least in part, due to limited solubility. We therefore developed a nanoparticle to encapsulate PIK-75 and enable targeted cellular delivery.

Thermoelectric Material Performance () Predictions with Machine Learning.

Research efforts using the tools in machine- and deep learning models have begun to show success in predicting target properties such as thermoelectric (TE) properties, including the figure of merit (). These models were trained on various data sources that used experimental, crystallographic, and density functional theory (DFT) data. We developed an interpretable model on a huge experimental data set of ∼160,000 data points to predict the performance of thermoelectric materials.

Review of the Integrated Approaches for Monitoring and Treating Parabens in Water Matrices.

Due to their antibacterial and antifungal properties, parabens are commonly used as biocides and preservatives in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Parabens have been reported to exist in various water matrices at low concentrations, which renders the need for sample preparation before their quantification using analytical techniques. Thus, sample preparation methods such as solid-phase extraction (SPE), rotating-disk sorptive extraction (RDSE), and vortex-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid extraction (VA-DLLE) that are commonly used for parabens extraction and preconcentration have been discussed.

Phonon-Induced Wake Potential in a Graphene-Insulator -Graphene Structure.

The aim of this study is to explore the potential which arises in a graphene-insulator-graphene structure when an external charged particle is moving parallel to it with a speed smaller than the Fermi speed in graphene. This is achieved by employing the dynamic polarization function of graphene within the random phase approximation, where its π electrons are modeled as Dirac fermions, and utilizing a local dielectric function for bulk insulators. Three different insulators are considered: SiO, HfO, and AlO.

Targeting Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) in Breast Cancer: In Silico Molecular Dynamics, Luminescence-Based In Vitro, and In Vivo Validation of Rauvolfia tetraphylla-Derived Inhibitors.

The study aims to elucidate the pharmacological mechanism of Rauvolfia tetraphylla against breast cancer through a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach. This includes molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and experimental validation. Initial screening via ADME analysis and network pharmacology identified key compounds and potential targets.

Harnessing the FBXW7 somatic mutant R465C for targeted protein degradation.

Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is a pharmacological strategy that eliminates specific proteins from cells by harnessing cellular proteolytic degradation machinery. In proteasome-dependent TPD, expanding the repertoire of E3 ligases compatible with this approach could enhance the applicability of this strategy across various biological contexts. In this study, we discovered that a somatic mutant of FBXW7, R465C, can be exploited by heterobifunctional compounds for targeted protein degradation.

Recent updates on drug delivery approaches for improved ocular delivery with an insight into nanostructured drug delivery carriers for anterior and posterior segment disorders.

Ocular diseases have a major impact on patient's vision and quality of life, with approximately 2.2 billion people have visual impairment worldwide according to the findings from the World Health Organization (WHO). The eye is a complex organ with unique morphology and physiology consisting of numerous ocular barriers which hinders the entry of exogenous substances and impedes drug absorption.

Mirror Symmetry in Three-Dimensional Multiple-Scattering Media.

We investigate the effect of a mirror-symmetry plane in multiple-scattering media under plane-wave illumination along the symmetry plane. Designed and fabricated samples' optical transport properties are compared quantitatively with three-dimensional modeling. Strong polarization-dependent deviations of the bulk speckle-averaged intensity distribution at the symmetry plane are observed, showing either up to a factor 2 enhancement or complete suppression of the ensemble-averaged intensities.

Kinetic Profiling of Oxidoreductase-Mimicking Nanozymes: Impact of Multiple Activities, Chemical Transformations, and Colloidal Stability.

In contrast to homogeneous enzyme catalysis, nanozymes are nanosized heterogeneous catalysts that perform reactions on a rigid surface. This fundamental difference between enzymes and nanozymes is often overlooked in kinetic studies and practical applications. In this article, using 14 nanozymes of various compositions (core@shell, metal-organic frameworks, metal, and metal oxide nanoparticles), we systematically demonstrate that nontypical features of nanozymes, such as multiple catalytic activities, chemical transformations, and aggregation, need to be considered in nanozyme catalysis.

Comparative Seasonal Trends and Potential Health Impacts of Arsenic and Chromium in Surface Water after Adsorption Using Highly Dispersed FeO Nanoparticles.

Surface water from springs, rivers, and dams is often used as an unconventional drinking water source in rural areas where potable water is often unavailable. However, this practice carries significant health risks due to potential contaminants. In this study, the concentrations of arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr) were assessed seasonally using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS).

Exploring sperm cell motion dynamics: Insights from genetic algorithm-based analysis.

Accurate analysis of sperm cell flagellar dynamics plays a crucial role in understanding sperm motility as flagella parameters determine cell behavior in the spatiotemporal domain. In this study, we introduce a novel approach by harnessing Genetic Algorithms (GA) to analyze sperm flagellar motion characteristics and compare the results with the traditional decomposition method based on Fourier analysis. Our analysis focuses on extracting key parameters of the equation approximating flagellar shape, including beating period time, bending amplitude, mean curvature, and wavelength.

Molecularly Imprinted Nanozymes with Substrate Specificity: Current Strategies and Future Direction.

Molecular imprinting technology (MIT) stands out for its exceptional simplicity and customization capabilities and has been widely employed in creating artificial antibodies that can precisely recognize and efficiently capture target molecules. Concurrently, nanozymes have emerged as promising enzyme mimics in the biomedical field, characterized by their remarkable stability, ease of production scalability, robust catalytic activity, and high tunability. Drawing inspiration from natural enzymes, molecularly imprinted nanozymes combine the unique benefits of both MIT and nanozymes, thereby conferring biomimetic catalysts with substrate specificity and catalytic selectivity.

Out-of-Plane Longitudinal Sound Speed Determination in GaS by Broadband Time-Domain Brillouin Scattering.

Two-dimensional semiconducting gallium sulfide (GaS) has garnered notable interest for its distinct structural and optical properties, which position it as a promising candidate material for various applications ranging from photodetection and photovoltaics to nonlinear frequency conversion. In this work, we determined the out-of-plane longitudinal sound velocity, , via impulsive time-domain femtosecond broadband Brillouin scattering measurements performed on a single flake-like GaS crystal. We obtained a value (3140 ± 20) m/s, which yields an out-of-plane compressive elastic constant, = (38.

Molecular-scale in-operando reconfigurable electronic hardware.

It is challenging to reconfigure devices at molecular length scales. Here we report molecular junctions based on molecular switches that toggle stably and reliably between multiple operations to reconfigure electronic devices at molecular length scales. Rather than static on/off switches that always revert to the same state, our voltage-driven molecular device dynamically switches between high and low conduction states during six consecutive proton-coupled electron transfer steps.

Roles of surfactants in perovskite solar cells.

In photovoltaics, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have shown efficiency improvement with scalable and low-cost fabrication. This work investigates the additions of surfactants to PSCs during and after cell fabrication, and how these surfactants enhance the performance of both PSCs and hybrid PSCs. Various types of surfactants were surveyed, including amphoteric, cationic, and non-ionic, in addition to other chemicals that are showing surfactant-like behavior.

Unveiling the potential of step-scheme and Type II photocatalysts in dinitrogen reduction to ammonia.

Innovative photocatalytic systems designed to enhance efficiency of nitrogen fixation processes, specifically focusing on sustainable ammonia (NH) production strategies via dinitrogen (N) reduction into ammonia (NH). This process is critical for sustainable agriculture and energy production. To improve photocatalyst activity, catalyst stability and reusability, reduction efficiency due to electron/hole recombination, and light-absorption efficiency has drawn extensive attention.

Tailoring graphitized cellulose nanocrystal morphologies for robust barrier and mechanical enhancement of PPC composites for green active packaging.

Both nanocellulose and graphene nanosheets serve as exceptional fillers for biopolymers. However, there are limited materials that effectively combine the properties of these two fillers in Poly (propylene carbonate) (PPC) to enhance their overall properties. This study presents a meticulous approach to producing graphitized nanocellulose (GCNC) with tailored rod-like (R-GCNC) and spheres-like (S-GCNC) under low-temperature and ambient-pressure conditions.

Toxic Effects of Synthesized Bismuth Oxide/Reduced Graphene Oxide (BiO/RGO) Nanocomposites in Two Distinct Mammalian Cell Lines: Role Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis.

Background: Researchers have shown substantial interest in bismuth oxide/reduced graphene oxide (BiO/RGO) nanocomposites due to their superior features that are not achievable by each material alone. The growing applications and manufacturing of BiO/RGO nanocomposites have raised concerns regarding their potential human health risks. This work was designed to explore the possible toxicity mechanisms of BiO/RGO nanocomposites in two distinct mammalian cell lines, normal rat kidney cells (NRK52E) and human liver cancer cells (HepG2).