Electrosynthesis of Mussel-inspired Adhesive Polymers as a Novel Class of Transient Enzyme Stabilizers.

Multifunctional ortho-quinones are required for the formation of thiol-catechol-connectivities (TCC) but can be delicate to handle. We present the electrochemical oxidation of the dipeptide DiDOPA, achieving up to 92 % conversion efficiency of the catechols to ortho-quinones. Graphite and stainless steel could be employed as cost-efficient electrodes.

Advances in the molecular mechanism of grapevine resistance to fungal diseases.

Grapevine is an important economic fruit tree worldwide, but grape production has been plagued by a vast number of fungal diseases, which affect tree vigor and the quality and yield of berries. To seek remedies for such issues, researchers have always been committed to conventional and biotechnological breeding. In recent years, increasing progress has been made in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of grape-pathogenic fungi interactions and resistance regulation.

Elucidation of the Off-Center Displaced Mo in Octahedral Coordination in BaMoO.

The detailed crystal structure as well as the heat capacity at low temperature and standard entropy of BaMoO are reported for the first time. High-resolution X-ray and neutron diffraction were employed to reveal the structural features of this compound. BaMoO has a six-coordinated Mo and a strongly negative excess volume with respect to the binary oxides.

Portable astronomical observation system based on large-aperture concentric-ring metalens.

The core advantage of metalenses over traditional bulky lenses lies in their thin volume and lightweight. Nevertheless, as the application scenarios of metalenses extend to the macro-scale optical imaging field, a contradiction arises between the increasing demand for large-aperture metalenses and the synchronous rise in design and processing costs. In response to the application requirements of metalens with diameter reaching the order of 10λ or even 10λ, this paper proposes a novel design method for fixed-height concentric-ring metalenses, wherein, under the constraints of the processing technology, a subwavelength 2D building unit library is constructed based on different topological structures, and the overall cross-section of the metalens is assembled.

Spongy-looking microfabrics in the earliest named stromatolite represent deep burial alteration and incipient metamorphism.

The earliest named stromatolite Cryptozoon Hall, 1884 (Late Cambrian, ca. 490 Ma, eastern New York State), was recently re-interpreted as an interlayered microbial mat and non-spiculate (keratosan) sponge deposit. This "classic stromatolite" is prominent in a fundamental debate concerning the significance or even existence of non-spiculate sponges in carbonate rocks from the Neoproterozoic (Tonian) onwards.

Calcium-organic matter fouling in nanofiltration: Synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence and absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy for speciation.

Calcium (Ca)-enhanced organic matter (OM) fouling of nanofiltration (NF) membranes leads to reduced flux during desalination and requires frequent cleaning. Fouling mechanisms are not fully understood, which limits the development of targeted fouling control methods. This study employed synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy to quantify the spatial distribution and mass of Ca deposition as well as changes in the Ca coordination environment characteristic of specific fouling mechanisms, respectively.

Toward Closing the Loop in Image-to-Image Conversion in Radiotherapy: A Quality Control Tool to Predict Synthetic Computed Tomography Hounsfield Unit Accuracy.

In recent years, synthetic Computed Tomography (CT) images generated from Magnetic Resonance (MR) or Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) acquisitions have been shown to be comparable to real CT images in terms of dose computation for radiotherapy simulation. However, until now, there has been no independent strategy to assess the quality of each synthetic image in the absence of ground truth. In this work, we propose a Deep Learning (DL)-based framework to predict the accuracy of synthetic CT in terms of Mean Absolute Error (MAE) without the need for a ground truth (GT).

Crown-Ether Coordination Compounds of Europium and 24-Crown-8.

Crown-ether coordination compounds of europium(II/III) and the crown ether (CHO) (24-crown-8, 24c8) are prepared, aiming at novel compounds, structures, and coordination modes as well as potential luminescence properties. By reacting EuCl, EuI, or EuCl with 24c8 or its derivatives in ionic liquids, the novel compounds [BuMeN][Eu(II)(NTf)] (), [BMIm][EuI] (), [EuCl(dibenzo-18c6)] (), [EuI(dibenzo-24c8)] (), [(Eu(III)Cl)(CHO)](24c8) (), and [Eu(III)Cl(24c8)]I () are obtained (BMIm: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium; EMIm: 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium). Based on different reaction conditions, different coordinative modes including the absence of the crown ether in the product (, ), splitting of the crown ether (), and coordination of 24c8 via six of eight oxygen atoms () and, finally, via all oxygen atoms () are observed.

Dual-Stage Cross-Flow Filtration: Integrated Capture and Purification of Virus-Like Particles.

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are a versatile technology for the targeted delivery of genetic material through packaging and potential surface modifications for directed delivery or immunological issues. Although VLP production is relatively simple as they can be recombinantly produced using microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, their current downstream processing often relies on individually developed purification strategies. Integrating size-selective separation techniques may allow standardized platform processing across VLP purification.

A cross-shaped organic framework: a multi-functional template arranging chromophores.

This work explores the use of a cross-shaped organic framework that is used as a template for the investigation of multi-functionalized chromophores. We report the design and synthesis of a universal cross-shaped building block bearing two bromines and two iodines on its peripheral positions. The template can be synthesized on a gram scale in a five-step reaction comprising an oxidative homo-coupling macro-cyclization.

Advances in lanthanide cyclononatetraenyl chemistry.

Cyclononatetraenyl (Cnt) is a nine-membered monoanionic aromatic ligand. Despite its early discovery in 1963, it has been rarely utilised in coordination chemistry, which is mainly due to its large diameter and easy skeletal rearrangement. Only in 2017, the first lanthanide Cnt complex was synthesised, marking the beginning of a new era in organolanthanide chemistry.

Detection of an internal density change in an anthropomorphic head phantom via tracking of charged nuclear fragments in carbon-ion radiotherapy.

Background: Carbon-ion radiotherapy provides steep dose gradients that allow the simultaneous application of high tumor doses as well as the sparing of healthy tissue and radio-sensitive organs. However, even small anatomical changes may have a severe impact on the dose distribution because of the finite range of ion beams.

Purpose: An in-vivo monitoring method based on secondary-ion emission could potentially provide feedback about the patient anatomy and thus the treatment quality.

Dinuclear Rare-Earth β-Diketiminates with Bridging 3,5-Di-butyl-catecholates: Synthesis, Structure, and Single-Molecule Magnet Properties.

The dinuclear β-diketiminato complex [LClDy(μ-Cl)DyL(THF)] () (L = {2,6-PrCH-NC(Me)CHC(Me)N-2,6-PrCH}) was obtained by reaction of DyCl with KL in a molar ratio of 1:1 and used for the preparation of the mixed-ligand complex [LDy(μ-3,5-Cat)] () by salt metathesis reaction with 3,5-CatK (3,5-Cat -3,5-di--butyl-catecholate). Reactions of 3,5-CatNa with [LLnCl(THF)] (Ln = Dy, Y) ligated with the less bulky ligand L = {2,4,6-MeCH-NC(Me)CHC(Me)N-2,4,6-MeCH} afforded the mixed-ligand THF-containing complexes [LLn(μ-3,5-Cat)(THF)] (Ln = Dy (), Y ()). All new complexes were fully characterized, and the solid-state structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Causal effects of sedentary breaks on affective and cognitive parameters in daily life: a within-person encouragement design.

Understanding the complex relationship between sedentary breaks, affective well-being and cognition in daily life is critical as modern lifestyles are increasingly characterized by sedentary behavior. Consequently, the World Health Organization, with its slogan "every move counts", emphasizes a central public health goal: reducing daily time spent in sedentary behavior. Previous studies have provided evidence that short sedentary breaks are feasible to integrate into daily life and can improve affective and cognitive parameters.

A General and Transferable Local Hybrid Functional for Electronic Structure Theory and Many-Fermion Approaches.

Density functional theory has become the workhorse of quantum physics, chemistry, and materials science. Within these fields, a broad range of applications needs to be covered. These applications range from solids to molecular systems, from organic to inorganic chemistry, or even from electrons to other Fermions, such as protons or muons.

A Comparative Pharmacokinetics Study of Orally and Intranasally Administered 8-Nitro-1,3-benzothiazin-4-one (BTZ043) Amorphous Drug Nanoparticles.

BTZ043 is an 8-nitro-1,3-benzothiazin-4-one with potency against multidrug-resistant . Low solubility and hepatic metabolism are linked to poor oral bioavailability. Amorphous drug nanoparticles (ADN) were formulated to improve the bioavailability.

Kinetic Modeling of the Antibody Disulfide Bond Reduction Reaction With Integrated Prediction of the Drug Load Profile for Cysteine-Conjugated ADCs.

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) constitute a groundbreaking advancement in the field of targeted therapy. In the widely utilized cysteine conjugation, the cytotoxic payload is attached to reduced interchain disulfides which involves a reduction of the native monoclonal antibody (mAb). This reaction needs to be thoroughly understood and controlled as it influences the critical quality attributes (CQAs) of the final ADC product, such as the drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) and the drug load distribution (DLD).

Eyelid Dynamics Characterization with 120 GHz mmW Radar.

This paper presents a new approach to measuring eyelid movement using millimeter wave (mmW) radar technology. A two-step method is proposed, involving the observation of a small resolution cell corresponding to the monitored eye and the evaluation of the phase evolution over the measurement period. Simulations are conducted to support radar system optimization and data interpretation with a focus on detecting eyelid movement patterns and compensating for interference from other parts of the body.

Physical One-Way Functions for Decentralized Consensus Via Proof of Physical Work.

Decentralized consensus on the state of the Bitcoin blockchain is ensured by proof of work. It relies on digital one-way functions and is associated with an enormous environmental impact. This paper conceptualizes a physical one-way function that aims to transform a digital, electricity-consuming consensus mechanism into a physical process.

Tin-Chelated Trisphosphineoxide Scorpionate Rare-Earth Porphyrinate Complexes: Synthesis and Photophysical Properties.

A series of seven-coordinated monoporphyrinate rare-earth(III) complexes featuring a novel tripodal tin-chelated trisphosphineoxide scorpionate ligand with the general formula [(TPP)Ln(PPhO)Sn] (Ln = Y, La, Dy, Er, Ho, Yb; TPP = 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrinate) were synthesized by reactions of the potassium tripodal scorpionate ligand [Sn(PPhO)K] with porphyrinate rare-earth metal chlorides [(TPP)LnCl(dme)] (Ln = Y, Dy, Er, Ho, Yb) or porphyrinate lanthanum borohydride [(TPP)LaBH(thf)]. The complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, and ion mobility mass spectrometry. All complexes emit weak red TPP-based fluorescence, accompanied by near-infrared emission of Er, Ho (rather weak), and Yb (relatively intense with a quantum yield of 1% in dichloromethane solution) of the corresponding complexes.

Low-Temperature Lithium Metal Batteries Achieved by Synergistically Enhanced Screening Li Desolvation Kinetics.

Lithium metal anode is desired by high capacity and low potential toward higher energy density than commercial graphite anode. However, the low-temperature Li metal batteries suffer from dendrite formation and dead Li resulting from uneven Li behaviors of flux with huge desolvation/diffusion barriers, thus leading to short lifespan and safety concern. Herein, differing from electrolyte engineering, a strategy of delocalizing electrons with generating rich active sites to regulate Li desolvation/diffusion behaviors are demonstrated via decorating polar chemical groups on porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).

Calcium Chemistry as A New Member of Post-Lithium Battery Family: What Can We Learn from Sodium and Magnesium Systems.

The development of next-generation battery technologies needs to consider their environmental impact throughout the whole cycle life, which has brought new chemistries based on earth-abundant elements into the spotlight. Rechargeable calcium batteries are such an emerging technology, which shows the potential to provide high cell voltage and high energy density close to lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, the use of Ca as a charge carrier renders significant sustainable values.

Spin-bearing molecules as optically addressable platforms for quantum technologies.

Efforts to harness quantum hardware relying on quantum mechanical principles have been steadily progressing. The search for novel material platforms that could spur the progress by providing new functionalities for solving the outstanding technological problems is however still active. Any physical property presenting two distinct energy states that can be found in a long-lived superposition state can serve as a quantum bit (qubit), the basic information processing unit in quantum technologies.