Anchorable Polymers Enabling Ultra-Thin and Robust Hole-Transporting Layers for High-Efficiency Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells.

Currently, the development of polymeric hole-transporting materials (HTMs) lags behind that of small-molecule HTMs in inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs). A critical challenge is that conventional polymeric HTMs are incapable of forming ultra-thin and conformal coatings like self-assembly monolayers (SAMs), especially for substrates with rough surface morphology. Herein, we address this challenge by designing anchorable polymeric HTMs (CP1 to CP5).

Intermittent Fasting Enhances Motor Coordination Through Myelin Preservation in Aged Mice.

Integrating dietary interventions have been extensively studied for their health benefits, such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and aging. However, it is necessary to fully understand the mechanisms of long-term effects and practical applications of these dietary interventions for health. A 10-week intermittent fasting (IMF) regimen was implemented on the aging animals in the current study.

Stroke phase differences in the linear relationship between swimming velocity and vertical body position during front crawl.

We aimed to investigate whether a linear relationship exists between swimming velocity and vertical body position for each stroke phase in front crawl, and to determine whether there are differences in the velocity effect among the stroke phases. Eleven male swimmers performed a 15 m front crawl at various swimming velocities. The whole-body centre of mass (CoM) was estimated from individual digital human models using inverse kinematics.

Advancements in Passive Wireless Sensing Systems in Monitoring Harsh Environment and Healthcare Applications.

Recent advancements in passive wireless sensor technology have significantly extended the application scope of sensing, particularly in challenging environments for monitoring industry and healthcare applications. These systems are equipped with battery-free operation, wireless connectivity, and are designed to be both miniaturized and lightweight. Such features enable the safe, real-time monitoring of industrial environments and support high-precision physiological measurements in confined internal body spaces and on wearable epidermal devices.

Polymeric saccharides: Effect on physical characteristics and creaminess perception of non-fat whipped cream analogue.

In this study, the improvement effects of different polymeric saccharides, including native starch, maltodextrin and inulin, replacing 10 % sucrose on the physical characteristics and creaminess perception of non-fat whipped cream system were investigated. Systems containing maltodextrin had more uniform particle size and bubble distribution. This resulted in higher whipping performance and lower friction characteristics.

Highly accurate Korean draft genomes reveal structural variation highlighting human telomere evolution.

Given the presence of highly repetitive genomic regions such as subtelomeric regions, understanding human genomic evolution remains challenging. Recently, long-read sequencing technology has facilitated the identification of complex genetic variants, including structural variants (SVs), at the single-nucleotide level. Here, we resolved SVs and their underlying DNA damage-repair mechanisms in subtelomeric regions, which are among the most uncharted genomic regions.

Anion-Responsive π-Conjugated Macrocycles That Form Ordered Structures.

In this study, anion-responsive π-conjugated macrocycles were synthesized to demonstrate anion-binding and ion-pairing properties along with the ordered structures. Ion-pairing charge-by-charge assembly of a [1+2]-type complex of a macrocycle as a pseudo π-electronic anion and a countercation was revealed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Further, two-dimensional (2D) arrays of the macrocycles bearing alkoxy chains, exhibiting anion-driven disordered structures, were constructed on a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) substrate as observed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM).

Systematic searches for new inorganic materials assisted by materials informatics.

We introduce our proprietary Materials Informatics (MI) technologies and our chemistry-oriented methodology for exploring new inorganic functional materials. Using machine learning on crystal structure databases, we developed 'Element Reactivity Maps' that displays the presence or the predicted formation probability of compounds for combinations of 80 × 80 × 80 elements. By analysing atomic coordinates with Delaunay tetrahedral decomposition, we established the concept of Delaunay Chemistry.

Effect of the surface morphology of alkaline-earth metal oxides on the oxidative coupling of methane.

Alkaline-earth metal oxides with the rocksalt structure, which are simple ionic solids, have attracted attention in attempts to gain fundamental insights into the properties of metal oxides. The surfaces of alkaline-earth metal oxides are considered promising catalysts for the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM); however, the development of such catalysts remains a central research topic. In this paper, we performed first-principles calculations to investigate the ability of four alkaline-earth metal oxides (MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO) to catalyze the OCM.

Integrating natural product research laboratory with artificial intelligence: Advancements and breakthroughs in traditional medicine.

The Natural Product Research Laboratory (NPRL) of China Medical University Hospital (CMUH) was established in collaboration with CMUH and Professor Kuo-Hsiung Lee from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The laboratory collection features over 6000 natural products worldwide, including pure compounds and semi-synthetic derivatives. This is the most comprehensive and fully operational natural product database in Taiwan.

Optical molecular imaging technology and its application in precise surgical navigation of liver cancer.

Recent innovations in medical imaging technology have placed molecular imaging techniques at the forefront of diagnostic advancements. The current research trajectory in this field aims to integrate personalized molecular data of patients and diseases with traditional anatomical imaging data, enabling more precise, non-invasive, or minimally invasive diagnostic options for clinical medicine. This article provides an in-depth exploration of the basic principles and system components of optical molecular imaging technology.

Withaferin A inhibits Chikungunya virus nsP2 protease and shows antiviral activity in the cell culture and mouse model of virus infection.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted alphavirus causing fever, myalgia, and debilitating joint swelling and pain, which in many patients becomes chronic. The frequent epidemics of CHIKV across the world pose a significant public health burden necessitating the development of effective antiviral therapeutics. A cellular imaging-based high-content screening of natural compounds identified withaferin A (WFA), a steroidal lactone isolated from the plant Withania somnifera, as a potent antiviral against CHIKV.

Optoelectronic device library containing multiple Verilog-A models.

The advancement of the optoelectronic fusion industry has escalated the demands for optoelectronic simulation, yet a comprehensive model library remains unavailable for chip designers. We have utilized the hardware description language Verilog-A to develop an extensive optoelectronic device model library, featuring a full range of device types, unified interfaces, and the capability to simulate the physical effects of devices. Establishing this model library is intended to alleviate the workload of chip designers and reduce development costs.

Advancing Natural Killer Cell Therapy: Genetic Engineering Strategies for Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy.

Natural killer (NK) cells are pivotal innate immune system components that exhibit spontaneous cytolytic activity against abnormal cells, such as infected and tumor cells. NK cells have shown significant promise in adoptive cell therapy because of their favorable safety profiles and minimal toxicity in clinical settings. Despite their advantages, the therapeutic application of unmodified NK cells faces challenges, including limited in vivo persistence, particularly in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

Complete genome sequence of M72/1.

We describe a complete genome sequence of strain M72/1 (= JCM 17581 = DSM 16840 = NCIMB 14031). The genome assembly consists of a single circular chromosome with a length of 3,385,415 base pairs and was predicted to contain 3,338 genes and encode for 3,180 proteins.

Lattice-guided growth of dense arrays of aligned transition metal dichalcogenide nanoribbons with high catalytic reactivity.

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) exhibit unique properties and potential applications when reduced to one-dimensional (1D) nanoribbons (NRs), owing to quantum confinement and high edge densities. However, effective growth methods for self-aligned TMD NRs are still lacking. We demonstrate a versatile approach for lattice-guided growth of dense, aligned MoS NR arrays via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on anisotropic sapphire substrates, without tailored surface steps.

Thickness-dependent polaron crossover in tellurene.

Polarons, quasiparticles from electron-phonon coupling, are crucial for material properties including high-temperature superconductivity and colossal magnetoresistance. However, scarce studies have investigated polaron formation in low-dimensional materials with phonon polarity and electronic structure transitions. In this work, we studied polarons of tellurene, composed of chiral Te chains.

Atomic Observation on Diamond (001) Surfaces with Near-Contact Atomic Force Microscopy.

Achieving atomic-level characterization of the diamond (001) surface has been a persistent goal over recent decades. This pursuit aims to understand the smooth growth of diamonds and investigate surface defects and adsorbates relevant to applications. However, the inherently low conductivity and the short C-C bonds present significant challenges for atomic resolution imaging.

A Subunit Vaccine Harboring the Fusion Capsid Proteins of Porcine Circovirus Types 2, 3, and 4 Induces Protective Immune Responses in a Mouse Model.

Coinfections with porcine circovirus types 2, 3, and 4 (PCV2, PCV3, and PCV4) are increasingly being detected in the swine industry. However, there is no commercially available vaccine which prevents coinfection with PCV2, PCV3, and PCV4. The development of a vaccine expressing capsid (Cap) fusion proteins of multiple PCVs represents a promising approach for broadly preventing infection with PCVs.

Cellulose Acetate Butyrate-Based In Situ Gel Comprising Doxycycline Hyclate and Metronidazole.

Cellulose acetate butyrate is a biodegradable cellulose ester bioplastic produced from plentiful natural plant-based resources. Solvent-exchange-induced in situ gels are particularly promising for periodontitis therapy, as this dosage form allows for the direct delivery of high concentrations of antimicrobial agents to the localized periodontal pocket. This study developed an in situ gel for periodontitis treatment, incorporating a combination of metronidazole and doxycycline hyclate, with cellulose acetate butyrate serving as the matrix-forming agent.

Untargeted Mutation Triggered by Ribonucleoside Embedded in DNA.

DNA polymerases frequently misincorporate ribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates into nascent DNA strands. This study examined the effects of an incorporated ribonucleoside on untargeted mutations in human cells. Riboguanosine (rG) was introduced into the downstream region of the gene to preferentially detect the untargeted mutations.

An Advanced Sensing Approach to Biological Toxins with Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Spectroscopy Based on Their Unique Protein Quaternary Structures.

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), ricin, and many other biological toxins are called AB toxins possessing heterogeneous A and B subunits. We propose herein a quick and safe sensing approach to AB toxins based on their unique quaternary structures. The proposed approach utilizes IgG antibodies against their A-subunits in combination with those human cell-membrane glycolipids that act as the natural ligands of B-subunits.

Progresses and Prospects on Glucosinolate Detection in Cruciferous Plants.

This review provides a comprehensive summary of the latest international research on detection methods for glucosinolates in cruciferous plants. This article examines various analytical techniques, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and capillary electrophoresis (CE), while highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. Additionally, this review delves into recent advancements in sample preparation, extraction, and quantification methods, offering valuable insights into the accurate and efficient determination of glucosinolate content across diverse plant materials.

Eggshell Quality Traits and Transcriptome Gene Screening Between Yunnong and Jingfen Chicken Breeds.

The eggshell quality traits in avian species, including Yunnong chickens (YN), are crucial for commercial and breeding purposes. The use of advanced biotechnologies, such as gene sequencing, has become increasingly common for identifying genetic markers and comparing specific traits in livestock. However, genetic markers related to eggshell traits in YN chickens remain unexplored.

Exploration of magnetic zeolite thin film derived from coal fly ash an efficient sorbent: Application to water treatment.

Fly ash, produced during coal combustion for energy making, which is recognized as an industrial by-product, could lead to environmental health hazards. Subsequently, fly ash found that an exceptional adsorption performance for the removal of various toxic pollutants, the adsorption capacity of fly ash might be altered by introducing physical/chemical stimulation. Successfully converting fly ash into zeolites not only recovers their disposal difficulties but also transforms unwanted materials into merchandisable products for various industrial applications.