A hyperelastic torque-reversal mechanism for soft joints with compression-responsive transient bistability.

Snap-through, a rapid transition of a system from an equilibrium state to a nonadjacent equilibrium state, is a valuable design element of soft devices for converting a monolithic stimulus into systematic responses with impulsive motions. A common way to benefit from snap-through is to embody it within structures and materials, such as bistable structures. Torque-reversal mechanisms discovered in nature, which harness snap-through instability via muscular forces, may have comparative advantages.

Exploring the Chemical Complexity and Sources of Airborne Fine Particulate Matter in East Asia by Nontarget Analysis and Multivariate Modeling.

The complex and dynamic nature of airborne fine particulate matter (PM) has hindered understanding of its chemical composition, sources, and toxic effects. In the first steps of a larger study, here, we aimed to elucidate relationships between source regions, ambient conditions, and the chemical composition in water extracts of PM samples ( = 85) collected over 16 months at an observatory in the Yellow Sea. In each extract, we quantified elements and major ions and profiled the complex mixtures of organic compounds by nontarget mass spectrometry.

Biology-inspired dynamic microphysiological system approaches to revolutionize basic research, healthcare and animal welfare.

The regular workshops held by the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) on biology-inspired microphysiological systems (MPS) taking place every four years, have become a reliable measure to assess fundamental scientific, industrial and regulatory trends for translational science in the MPS-field from a bird's eye view. The 2023 workshop participants at that time concluded that the technology as used within academia has matured significantly, underlined by the broad use of MPS and the steadily increasing number of high quality research publications - yet, broad industry adoption of MPS has been slow, despite strong interest. Academic research using MPS primarily aims to accurately recapitulate human biology in MPS-based organ models in areas where traditional models have been lacking key elements of human physiology, thereby enabling breakthrough discoveries for life sciences.

MOGrip: Gripper for multiobject grasping in pick-and-place tasks using translational movements of fingers.

Humans use their dexterous fingers and adaptable palm in various multiobject grasping strategies to efficiently move multiple objects together in various situations. Advanced manipulation skills, such as finger-to-palm translation and palm-to-finger translation, enhance the dexterity in multiobject grasping. These translational movements allow the fingers to transfer the grasped objects to the palm for storage, enabling the fingers to freely perform various pick-and-place tasks while the palm stores multiple objects.

Genetically Engineered Filamentous Bacteriophages Displaying TGF-β1 Promote Angiogenesis in 3D Microenvironments.

Combined 3D cell culture in vitro assays with microenvironment-mimicking systems are effective for cell-based screening tests of drug and chemical toxicity. Filamentous bacteriophages have diverse applications in material science, drug delivery, tissue engineering, energy, and biosensor development. Specifically, genetically modified bacteriophages have the potential to deliver therapeutic molecules or genes to targeted tumor tissues.

New Redox Chemistries of Halogens in Aqueous Batteries.

Halogen-based redox-active materials represent an important class of materials in aqueous electrochemistry. The existence of versatile halogen species and their rich bonding coordination create great flexibility in designing new redox couples. Novel redox reaction mechanisms and electrochemical reversibility can be unlocked in specifically configurated electrolyte environments and electrodes.

RETRACTED: Lee et al. Myogenesis Effects of RGX365 to Improve Skeletal Muscle Atrophy. 2023, , 4307.

The journal retracts the article, "Myogenesis Effects of RGX365 to Improve Skeletal Muscle Atrophy" [...

Exploring the potential of laser-textured metal alloys: Fine-tuning vascular cells responses through and analysis.

Medical stents are vital for treating vascular complications and restoring blood flow in millions of patients. Despite its widespread effectiveness, restenosis, driven by the complex interplay of cellular responses, remains a concern. This study investigated the reactions of vascular cells to nano/microscale wrinkle (nano-W and micro-W) patterns created on laser-textured nitinol (NiTi) surfaces by adjusting laser processing parameters, such as spot overlap ratio and line overlap ratio.

Ultra-uniform perovskite crystals formed in the presence of tetrabutylammonium bistriflimide afford efficient and stable perovskite solar cells.

Compositional engineering of organic-inorganic metal halide perovskite allows for improved optoelectrical properties, however, phase segregation occurs during crystal nucleation and limits perovskite solar cell device performance. Herein, we show that by applying tetrabutylammonium bistriflimide as an additive in the perovskite precursor solution, ultra-uniform perovskite crystals are obtained, which effectively increases device performance. As a result, power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 24.

Novel mycophenolic acid precursor-based fluorescent probe for intracellular HO detection in living cells and Daphnia magna and Zebrafish model systems.

Innovative for the scientific community and attracting attention in the extensive biomedical field are novel compact organic chemosensing systems built upon unique core molecular frameworks. These systems may demonstrate customized responses and may be adaptable to analytes, showing promise for potential applications. Our recent investigation focuses on a precursor of Mycophenolic acid, resulting in the development of LBM (LOD = 13 nM) - a specialized probe selective for HO.

Construction of a Synergy Combination Model for Turmeric ( L.) and Black Pepper ( L.) Extracts: Enhanced Anticancer Activity against A549 and NCI-H292 Human Lung Cancer Cells.

Extensive research on medicinal herbs for bioactive compounds proposes that they could replace synthetic drugs, reducing side effects and economic burdens. Especially, interest in the synergistic benefits of natural products is increasing, implying that their combined use may enhance therapeutic effectiveness. This study aimed to explore the synergetic effects of turmeric ( L.

Reprogramming Filamentous fd Viruses to Capture Copper Ions.

C-terminal truncated variants (A, VA, NVA, ANVA, FANVA and GFANVA) of our recently identified Cu(II) specific peptide "HGFANVA" were displayed on filamentous fd phages. Wild type fd-tet and engineered virus variants were treated with 100 mM Cu(II) solution at a final phage concentration of 10 vir/ml and 10 vir/ml. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging before Cu(II) exposure showed ≈6-8 nm thick filamentous virus layer formation.

A combined in vitro-in silico method for assessing the androgenic activities of bisphenol A and its analogues.

Interactions between endocrine-disruptor chemicals (EDCs) and androgen receptor (AR) have adverse effects on the endocrine system, leading to human reproductive dysfunction. Bisphenol A (BPA) is an EDC that can damage both the environment and human health. Although numerous BPA analogues have been produced as substitutes for BPA, few studies have evaluated their endocrine-disrupting abilities.

Korea4K: whole genome sequences of 4,157 Koreans with 107 phenotypes derived from extensive health check-ups.

Background: Phenome-wide association studies (PheWASs) have been conducted on Asian populations, including Koreans, but many were based on chip or exome genotyping data. Such studies have limitations regarding whole genome-wide association analysis, making it crucial to have genome-to-phenome association information with the largest possible whole genome and matched phenome data to conduct further population-genome studies and develop health care services based on population genomics.

Results: Here, we present 4,157 whole genome sequences (Korea4K) coupled with 107 health check-up parameters as the largest genomic resource of the Korean Genome Project.

Probing Local pH Change during Electrode Oxidation of TEMPO Derivative: Implication of Redox-Induced Acidity Alternation by Imidazolium-Linker Functional Groups.

The chemical degradation of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-based aqueous energy storage and catalytic systems is pH sensitive. Herein, we voltammetrically monitor the local pH (pH) at a Pt ultramicroelectrode (UME) upon electro-oxidation of imidazolium-linker functionalized TEMPO and show that its decrease is associated with the greater acidity of the cationic (oxidized) rather than radical (reduced) form of TEMPO. The protons that drive the decrease in pH arise from hydrolysis of the conjugated imidazolium-linker functional group of 4-[2-(-methylimidazolium)acetoxy]-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl chloride (MIMAcO-T), which was studied in comparison with 4-hydroxyl-TEMPO (4-OH-T).

Cell-homing and immunomodulatory composite hydrogels for effective wound healing with neovascularization.

Wound healing in cases of excessive inflammation poses a significant challenge due to compromised neovascularization. Here, we propose a multi-functional composite hydrogel engineered to overcome such conditions through recruitment and activation of macrophages with adapted degradation of the hydrogel. The composite hydrogel (G-TSrP) is created by combining gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and nanoparticles (TSrP) composed of tannic acid (TA) and Sr.

ACHIEVE conference proceedings: implementing action plans to reduce and control hypertension burden in Africa.

The prevalence of hypertension, the commonest risk factor for preventable disability and premature deaths, is rapidly increasing in Africa. The African Control of Hypertension through Innovative Epidemiology, and a Vibrant Ecosystem [ACHIEVE] conference was convened to discuss and initiate the co-implementation of the strategic solutions to tame this burden toward achieving a target of 80% for awareness, treatment, and control by the year 2030. Experts, including the academia, policymakers, patients, the WHO, and representatives of various hypertension and cardiology societies generated a 12-item communique for implementation by the stakeholders of the ACHIEVE ecosystem at the continental, national, sub-national, and local (primary) healthcare levels.

Multifunctional sulfonium-based treatment for perovskite solar cells with less than 1% efficiency loss over 4,500-h operational stability tests.

The stabilization of grain boundaries and surfaces of the perovskite layer is critical to extend the durability of perovskite solar cells. Here we introduced a sulfonium-based molecule, dimethylphenethylsulfonium iodide (DMPESI), for the post-deposition treatment of formamidinium lead iodide perovskite films. The treated films show improved stability upon light soaking and remains in the black phase after two years ageing under ambient condition without encapsulation.

Steamed Ginseng Berry Powder Ameliorates Skeletal Muscle Atrophy via Myogenic Effects.

Sarcopenia is an age-related loss of muscle mass and function for which there is no approved pharmacological treatment. We tested direct efficacy by evaluating grip strength improvement in a sarcopenia mouse model rather than drug screening, which inhibits specific molecular mechanisms. Various physiological functions of ginseng berries are beneficial to the human body.

Aggregation-induced emission carbon dots as Al-mediated nanoaggregate probe for rapid and selective detection of tetracycline.

Worldwide abuse of tetracycline (TC) seriously threatens environmental safety and human health. Metal-TC complexes formed by residual TC in the environment can also contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, monitoring of TC residues is still required.

Phase of Topological Lattice with Leaky Guided Mode Resonance.

Topological nature in different areas of physics and electronics has often been characterized and controlled through topological invariants depending on the global properties of the material. The validity of bulk-edge correspondence and symmetry-related topological invariants has been extended to non-Hermitian systems. Correspondingly, the value of geometric phases, such as the Pancharatnam-Berry or Zak phases, under the adiabatic quantum deformation process in the presence of non-Hermitian conditions, are now of significant interest.

Nanopore surface engineering of molecular imprinted mesoporous organosilica for rapid and selective detection of L-thyroxine.

To develop a biosensing platform for precise diagnosis and management of thyroid-related diseases, the sensitive and selective recognition and identification of L-thyroxine (T4), a thyroid hormone, remains challenging. We herein introduce T4-imprinted mesoporous organosilica (T4-IMO) for sensitive and specific detection of T4 via the sophisticated engineering of pore surfaces using additives with different polarities. The pore surface of T4-IMO emitting a stable fluorescence signal is simply modified by fixed additives.