Single-molecule detection of modified amino acid regulating transcriptional activity.

Acetylation of lysine, a component of histones, regulates transcriptional activity. Simple detection methods for acetyl lysine are essential for early diagnosis of diseases and understanding of the physiological effects. We have detected and recognized acetyl lysine at the single-molecule level by combining MCBJ measurement and machine learning.

Time-resolved observation of DHR123 nano-clay radio-fluorogenic gel dosimeters by photoluminescence-detected pulse radiolysis.

The importance of real-time dose evaluation has increased for recent advanced radiotherapy. However, conventional methods for real-time dosimetry using gel dosimeters face challenges owing to the delayed dose response caused by the slow completion of radiation-induced chemical reactions. In this study, a novel technique called photoluminescence-detected pulse radiolysis (PLPR) was developed, and its potential to allow real-time dose measurements using nano-clay radio-fluorogenic gel (NC-RFG) dosimeters was investigated.

Nonfullerene Acceptors Bearing Spiro-Substituted Bithiophene Units in Organic Solar Cells: Tuning the Frontier Molecular Orbital Distribution to Reduce Exciton Binding Energy.

The development of nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs), represented by ITIC, has contributed to improving the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs). Although tuning the electronic structures to reduce the exciton binding energy (E) is considered to promote photocharge generation, a rational molecular design for NFAs has not been established. In this study, we designed and developed two ITIC-based NFAs bearing spiro-substituted bithiophene or biphenyl units (named SpiroT-DCI and SpiroF-DCI) to tune the frontier molecular orbital (FMO) distribution of NFAs.

Impact of LiBOB additive on cycle-performance degradation of lithium mono-chelated borate electrolytes: minimize the crosstalk-derived deterioration.

Novel electrolyte systems are required to further improve the performance and ensure the safety of lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-monochelated borates with trifluoromethylated ligands are used as electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with a lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB) additive. The capacity decay and extremely high resistance after the cycle test at 60 °C are dramatically suppressed by the addition of LiBOB.

Clearly transparent and air-permeable nanopaper with porous structures consisting of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers.

Optically transparent materials that are air permeable have potentially numerous applications, including in wearable devices. From the perspective of sustainable development, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-oxidized cellulose nanofibers with widths of 3-4 nm have attracted considerable attention as starting materials for the preparation of clearly transparent nanofiber paper (denoted as conventional nanopaper). However, conventional nanopaper that is prepared from a water dispersion of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers by direct drying exhibits poor air permeability owing to its densely packed layered structure.

Elucidation of Substituent-Responsive Reactivities via Hierarchical and Asymmetric Assemblies in Crystalline p-Quinodimethane Derivatives.

We propose a mechanism for substituent-responsive reactivities of p-quinodimethane derivatives with four ester groups through their hierarchical and asymmetric assembly modes. Four asymmetric 7,8,8-tris(methoxycarbonyl)-p-quinodimethanes with a 7-positioned ethoxycarbonyl (2 a(H)), 2'-fluoroethoxycarbonyl (2 b(F)), 2'-chloroethoxycarbonyl (2 c(Cl)), or 2'-bromoethoxycarbonyl (2 d(Br)) were synthesized and crystallized. 2 a(H), 2 b(F) and 2 d(Br) afforded only one shape crystal, while 2 c(Cl) did two polymorphic 2 c(Cl)-α and 2 c(Cl)-β.

CO-laser-induced carbonization of calcium chloride-treated chitin nanopaper for applications in solar thermal heating.

Remarkable progress has been made in the development of carbonized chitin nanofiber materials for various functional applications, including solar thermal heating, owing to their N- and O-doped carbon structures and sustainable nature. Carbonization is a fascinating process for the functionalization of chitin nanofiber materials. However, conventional carbonization techniques require harmful reagents, high-temperature treatment, and time-consuming processes.

A facile bottom-up method for synthesis of peroxo-potassium titanate nanoribbons and visible light photocatalytic activity derived from a peroxo-titanium bond.

Low-dimensional titanate nanostructures are gaining attention as a promising material for various photocatalytic applications. However, these conventional titanium oxide-based materials cannot utilize visible light because of their wide bandgap, and their synthesis generally requires high-alkali (10 mol L) and high-temperature (160-200 °C) conditions. Here, we report facile bottom-up synthesis for the visible light-activated peroxo-titanate nanoribbon (PTNR).

,-Dimethylformamide-stabilized ruthenium nanoparticle catalyst for β-alkylated dimer alcohol formation Guerbet reaction of primary alcohols.

,-Dimethylformamide-stabilized Ru nanoparticles (NPs) provide a highly efficient catalyst for the Guerbet reaction of primary alcohols. DMF-modified Ru NPs were synthesized, and characterized by transition electron microscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectronspectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The Ru NP catalyst was highly durable during catalytic reactions under external additive/solvent-free conditions.

Sr sorption property of seaweed-like sodium titanate mats: effects of crystallographic properties.

Layered sodium titanate is a typical ion-exchanger for water purification aimed at removing cationic heavy metals and radionuclides. The material design of an ion-exchanger is effective for cation removal. For that purpose, understanding the basic impacts of crystallographic properties such as crystal size, morphology, and phase is critical for developing highly functional nanoscale ion-exchangers.

Rational design of a photoswitchable DNA glue enabling high regulatory function and supramolecular chirality transfer.

Short, complementary DNA single strands with mismatched base pairs cannot undergo spontaneous formation of duplex DNA (dsDNA). Mismatch binding ligands (MBLs) can compensate this effect, inducing the formation of the double helix and thereby acting as a molecular glue. Here, we present the rational design of photoswitchable MBLs that allow for reversible dsDNA assembly by light.

Key aurophilic motif for robust quantum-tunneling-based characterization of a nucleoside analogue marker.

A quantum sequencer offers a scalable electrical platform for single-molecule analysis of genomic events. A thymidine (dT) analog exhibiting uniquely high single-molecule conductance is a key element in capturing DNA synthesis dynamics by serving as a decodable marker for enzymatic labeling of nascent strands. However, the current design strategies of dT analogs that focus on their molecular orbital energy levels require bulky chemical modifications to extend the π-conjugation, which hinders polymerase recognition.

Sorption capacity of seaweed-like sodium titanate mats for Co removal.

The development of new technologies for securing and recycling water resources are in high demand. A key focus of these technologies is the development of various ion exchangers or adsorbents that are used for the purification of aqueous solutions. Layered sodium titanate is one of the cation exchangers utilised in the removal of heavy metals and radionuclides from wastewater.

Unique protonation states of aspartate and topaquinone in the active site of copper amine oxidase.

The oxidative deamination of biogenic amines, crucial in the metabolism of a wealth of living organisms, is catalyzed by copper amine oxidases (CAOs). In this work, on the ground of accurate molecular modeling, we provide a clear insight into the unique protonation states of the key catalytic aspartate residue Asp298 and the prosthetic group of topaquinone (TPQ) in the CAO of (AGAO). This provides both extensions and complementary information to the crystal structure determined by our recent neutron diffraction (ND) experiment.

Cellulose paper support with dual-layered nano-microstructures for enhanced plasmonic photothermal heating and solar vapor generation.

Plasmonic nanoparticles, such as gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), have been actively applied in solar vapor generation for seawater desalination and water purification, owing to their photothermal heating performances. Such nanoparticles have been frequently anchored within porous supporting materials to ensure easy handling and water absorption. However, there has been limited progress in improving the transport efficiency of light to nanoparticles within porous supports to achieve more effective photothermal heating.

Redox-responsive supramolecular polymeric networks having double-threaded inclusion complexes.

Stimuli-responsive hydrogels have attracted attention as soft actuators that act similarly to muscles. In this work, hydrogel actuators controlled by host-guest interactions have been developed. The introduction of a 1:1 inclusion complex into a hydrogel is a popular design for achieving a change in cross-linking density.

Structural insights into synthetic ligands targeting A-A pairs in disease-related CAG RNA repeats.

The trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders (TREDs) constitute of a group of >40 hereditary neurodegenerative human diseases associated with abnormal expansion of repeated sequences, such as CAG repeats. The pathogenic factor is a transcribed RNA or protein whose function in the cell is compromised. The disorders are progressive and incurable.

Mechanical and self-recovery properties of supramolecular ionic liquid elastomers based on host-guest interactions and correlation with ionic liquid content.

Supramolecular materials have received considerable attention due to their higher fracture energy and self-recovery capability compared to conventional chemically cross-linked materials. Herein, we focus on the mechanical properties and self-recovery behaviours of supramolecular polymeric elastomers swollen with ionic liquid. We also gained insight into the correlation between ionic liquid content and mechanical properties.

Dimethylformamide-stabilised palladium nanoclusters catalysed coupling reactions of aryl halides with hydrosilanes/disilanes.

,-Dimethylformamide-stabilised Pd nanocluster (NC) catalysed cross-coupling reactions of hydrosilane/disilane have been investigated. In this reaction, the coupling reaction proceeds without ligands with low catalyst loading. ,Dimethylacetamide is a crucial solvent in these reactions.

Oxidation and hydrogenation of Pd: suppression of oxidation by prolonged H exposure.

We investigate the phase transition of a Pd surface in both oxidizing and reducing environments by environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM). ETEM allows us to study sequential exposure of Pd to O and H in the same TEM conditions. First, under ETEM observation, oxidation occurs at step edges but it can also occur at terraces.

,-Dimethylformamide-stabilized palladium nanoclusters as a catalyst for Larock indole synthesis.

We show that ,-dimethylformamide-stabilized Pd nanoclusters (NCs) have high catalytic activity in the reaction of substituted 2-iodoanilines with alkynes to give 2,3-disubstituted indoles. This indole synthesis does not require phosphine ligands and proceeds with low Pd catalyst loadings. The Pd NCs were separated from the mixture after the reaction, and recycled at least three times.

4π-periodic Josephson supercurrent in HgTe-based topological Josephson junctions.

The Josephson effect describes the generic appearance of a supercurrent in a weak link between two superconductors. Its exact physical nature deeply influences the properties of the supercurrent. In recent years, considerable efforts have focused on the coupling of superconductors to the surface states of a three-dimensional topological insulator.

Cooper pair splitting in parallel quantum dot Josephson junctions.

Devices to generate on-demand non-local spin entangled electron pairs have potential application as solid-state analogues of the entangled photon sources used in quantum optics. Recently, Andreev entanglers that use two quantum dots as filters to adiabatically split and separate the quasi-particles of Cooper pairs have shown efficient splitting through measurements of the transport charge but the spin entanglement has not been directly confirmed. Here we report measurements on parallel quantum dot Josephson junction devices allowing a Josephson current to flow due to the adiabatic splitting and recombination of the Cooper pair between the dots.