Computer simulations of entropic cohesion in reversibly crosslinked polymers.

Reversibly crosslinked polymer networks - polymer networks that can undergo bond association and dissociation reactions - rearrange their structures while maintaining their overall integrity, thus resulting in unique properties such as self-healing, reprocessability, shape memory and adaptability. Here, we show that the introduction of crosslinks, whether reversible or permanent, directly impacts the equilibrium polymer density and hence the material's surface tension. For a limiting case where the bonds are the same size as the polymer chain bonds, simulations, Flory hypotheses and thermodynamic calculations show that the crosslinks induce an increased entropic cohesion in the liquid.

From single atoms to nanoparticles: size effect on Pd/C-catalyzed hydrogenation of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid.

In this study, five catalysts with Pd particle sizes ranging from single atoms to nanoclusters and nanoparticles were synthesized by controlling the Pd loading amount and preparation methods, and applied in the hydrogenation of FDCA to THFDCA. Furthermore, kinetic models were established. Notably, the nanocluster catalyst demonstrated relatively high hydrogenation activity.

Direct covalent attachment of fluorescent molecules on plasma polymerized nanoparticles: a simplified approach for biomedical applications.

Polymeric nanoparticles surface functionalised with fluorescent molecules hold significant potential for advancing diagnostics and therapeutic delivery. Despite their promise, challenges persist in achieving robust attachment of fluorescent molecules for real-time tracking. Weak physical adsorption, pH-dependent electrostatic capture, and hydrophobic interactions often fail to achieve stable attachment of fluorescent markers.

Analysis of Major Chemical Constituents in Jiuwei Decoction Based On Capillary Electrophoresis Coupled With Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.

An analytical method for identifying the chemical constituents in the Chinese herbal combination Jiuwei decoction was established using capillary electrophoresis coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Nine herbs were extracted with a 60:40 (v/v) ethanol/water solution to prepare the Jiuwei decoction. Electrophoretic separation was carried out using a 50 µm i.

Accurate predictions of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity from comprehensive analysis.

An unprecedented amount of SARS-CoV-2 data has been accumulated compared with previous infectious diseases, enabling insights into its evolutionary process and more thorough analyses. This study investigates SARS-CoV-2 features as it evolved to evaluate its infectivity. We examined viral sequences and identified the polarity of amino acids in the receptor binding motif (RBM) region.

Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Novel 2,4-disubstituted Pyrimidine Derivatives as Double Mutant Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-L858R/T790M Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors.

A series of 2,4-disubstituted pyrimidine derivatives bearing 5-substituted-1,3,4 thidiazole were devised and synthesized based on the binding mode of the approved drug Osimertinib with the ATP competitive site of EGFR-L858R/T790M in order to increase selectivity towards double mutant EGFR and potent antitumor activity. Their cellular bioactivity and corresponding enzyme inhibition were studied, and it was revealed that several compounds had significant biological activity and selectivity when compared to the control compounds. One of the most promising compound 8, substantially suppressed the proliferation of H1975 cells and showed significant inhibition of double mutant EGFR-L858R/T790M TK with IC values of 0.

Influence of the glycocalyx on the size and mechanical properties of plasma membrane-derived vesicles.

Recent studies have reported that the overexpression of MUC1 glycoproteins on cell surfaces changes the morphology of cell plasma membranes and increases the blebbing of vesicles from them, supporting the hypothesis that entropic forces exerted by MUC1 change the spontaneous curvature of cell membranes. However, how MUC1 is incorporated into and influences the size and biophysical properties of plasma-membrane-blebbed vesicles is not understood. Here we report single-vesicle-level characterization of giant plasma membrane vesicles (GPMVs) derived from cells overexpressing MUC1, revealing a 40× variation in MUC1 density between GPMVs from a single preparation and a strong correlation between GPMV size and MUC1 density.

Dual-purpose elemental sulfur for capturing and accelerating biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in anaerobic environment.

Hydrophobic organic pollutants in aqueous environments are challenging to biodegrade due to limited contact between microorganisms, the pollutants and the electron acceptor, particularly under anaerobic or anoxic conditions. Here, we propose a novel strategy that uses inexpensive, dual-function elemental sulfur (S) to enhance biodegradation. Using petroleum hydrocarbons as the target pollutants, we demonstrated that hydrophobic and nonpolar S° can concentrate hydrocarbons while simultaneously serving as an electron acceptor to enrich hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria.

Cognitive-enhancing effect of fruit on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in rats: metabolite profiling, , and investigations.

Many plants are reported to enhance cognition in amnesic-animal models. The metabolite profile of fruit methanolic extract (CDFME) was characterized by LC-QTOF-MS/MS, and its total phenolics content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC) were determined. In parallel, its cognitive-enhancing effect on scopolamine (SCOP)-induced AD in rats was evaluated.

Beyond templates: exploring uncharted territory in anisotropic gold nanostructure-oligomer composites synthesis and electrocatalytic performance towards environmental pollutants.

The synthesis of polymer/oligomer-stabilized metal nanostructures (MNS) opens up a wide range of possibilities, from fundamental materials science to practical applications in domains such as medicine, catalysis, sensing, and energy. Because of the versatility of this synthetic approach, it is a dynamic and ever-changing field of study. These polymers/oligomers have precise control over the nucleation and growth kinetics, allowing the production of mono-disperse MNS with well-defined properties.

Trace amount of taurine leveling agent for stable Zn anode.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are highly praised for their cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and high safety, making them an ideal choice for next-generation energy storage systems. However, the practical application of Zn metal anodes is constrained by well-known challenges such as dendrite growth and significant interfacial side reactions. This study introduces a trace amount of taurine (TAU) as a leveling additive into the electrolyte to optimize the microstructure of the electrolyte and the anode interface chemistry.

Hierarchical NiCoO@CuS composite electrode with enhanced surface area for high-performance hybrid supercapacitors.

Hierarchical binder-free NiCoO@CuS composite electrodes have been successfully fabricated on a nickel foam surface using a facile hydrothermal method and directly used as a battery-type electrode material for supercapacitor applications. The surface morphological studies reveal that the composite electrode exhibited porous NiCoO nanograss-like structures with CuS nanostructures. The surface area of the composite is significantly enhanced (91.

Strong electronic interaction enhanced electrocatalysis of copper phthalocyanine decorated Co-MOF-74 toward highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been identified as promising electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, most of the reported MOFs have low electrical conductivity and poor stability, and therefore addressing these problems is crucial for achieving higher electrocatalytic performance. Meanwhile, direct observations of the electrocatalytic behavior, which is of great significance to the understanding of the electrocatalytic mechanism, remain highly challenging.

Towards green, scalable peptide synthesis: leveraging DEG-crosslinked polystyrene resins to overcome hydrophobicity challenges.

Diethylene glycol dimethacrylate (DEG)-crosslinked polystyrene (PS) resin offers a promising alternative to traditional divinyl benzene (DVB)-PS resin for solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), particularly for challenging sequences with hydrophobic or bulky amino acids. DEG-PS resin's reduced hydrophobicity and enhanced flexibility improve synthesis efficiency, yielding peptides up to 28 residues with higher purities and yields compared to DVB-PS. In various syntheses, DEG-PS outperformed DVB-PS resin, with higher purities and yields for challenging peptides such as ABC analogue (73.

Solution-processed nickel oxide passivation on large-area silicon electrodes for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting.

Photoelectrochemical water splitting is a promising technology for converting solar energy into chemical energy. For this system to be practically viable, the materials and processes employed for photoelectrode fabrication should be cost-effective and scalable. Herein, we report the large-scale fabrication of nickel oxide-coated n-type silicon (n-Si) photoanodes chemical bath deposition for efficient photoelectrochemical water oxidation.

Polyacrylamide-based hydrogel electrolyte for modulating water activity in aqueous hybrid batteries.

While zinc-ion and hybrid aqueous battery systems have emerged as potential substitutes for expensive lithium-ion batteries, issues like side reactions, limited electrochemical stability, and electrolyte leakage hinder their commercialization. Due to their low cost, high stability, minimal leakage risks, and a wide variety of modification opportunities, hydrogel electrolytes are considered the most promising solution compared to liquid or solid electrolytes. Here, we synthesized a dual-function hydrogel electrolyte based on polyacrylamide and poly(ethylene dioxythiophene):polystyrene (PPP).

Antibacterial activity of copper-decorated CeO nanoparticles and preparation of antifouling polyethersulfone surface.

Cerium oxide NPs (-CeO), with notable performance in various biological tests like redox activity, free radical scavenging, and biofilm inhibition, emerge as significant candidates to address issues in related areas. In this research, copper-decorated -CeO (Cu@-CeO) were first synthesized and then characterized using advanced techniques such as SEM-EDX, XRD, XPS, BET, and ICP-OES. The biochemical properties of the obtained Cu@-CeO nanostructure and its performance in polyethersulfone (PES) membranes were thoroughly investigated in this research study.

The isolation, bioactivity, and synthesis of natural products from with anti-HIV activities.

Natural products isolated from have attracted considerable attention from the chemical community due to their unique structures and promising anti-HIV activities. Recent progresses in the isolation and bioactivity studies for these natural molecules were summarized comprehensively. From the 23 previously uncharacterized compounds isolated from the plant , litseaverticillol B demonstrated the most potent anti-HIV activity , with IC ranging from 2 to 3 μg/mL.

Physicochemical properties and fermentation characteristics of a novel polysaccharide degraded from residues polysaccharide.

() residues polysaccharide (FVRP) is a high molecular weight polysaccharide with diverse bioactivities extracted from residues (FVR). However, high molecular weight polysaccharides have been shown to face significant challenges in crossing the cell membrane barrier, thereby limiting their absorption and application in the body. Therefore, an ultrasonic-assisted HO-Fe method was employed for the first time to degrade FVRP, resulting in the production of a new polysaccharide, FVRPF.

Characterization of key off-odor compounds in grass carp cube formed during room temperature storage by molecular sensory science approach.

Flavor is a significant factor in determining the popularity of freshwater fish. However, freshwater fish can easily spoil during storage, producing an unpleasant odor. Little research has determined the changes in key off-odor compounds (OOCs) in freshwater fish during storage.

Low intensity mechanical signals promote proliferation in a cell-specific manner: Tailoring a non-drug strategy to enhance biomanufacturing yields.

Biomanufacturing relies on living cells to produce biotechnology-based therapeutics, tissue engineering constructs, vaccines, and a vast range of agricultural and industrial products. With the escalating demand for these bio-based products, any process that could improve yields and shorten outcome timelines by accelerating cell proliferation would have a significant impact across the discipline. While these goals are primarily achieved using or strategies, harnessing cell mechanosensitivity represents a promising - albeit less studied - pathway to promote bioprocessing endpoints, yet identifying which mechanical parameters influence cell activities has remained elusive.

Ergothioneine biosynthesis: The present state and future prospect.

Ergothioneine (ERG), a rare natural thio-histidine derivative with potent antioxidant properties and diverse biological functions, is widely utilized in food processing, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and nutritional supplements. Current bioproduction methods for ERG primarily depend on fermenting edible mushrooms. However, with the advancement in synthetic biology, an increasing number of genetically engineered microbial hosts have been developed for ERG production, including , , and .

Antimicrobial Feature of Nanoparticles in the Antibiotic Resistance Era: From Mechanism to Application.

The growth of nanoscale sciences enables us to define and design new methods and materials for a better life. Health and disease prevention are the main issues in the human lifespan. Some nanoparticles (NPs) have antimicrobial properties that make them useful in many applications.

The 2023 report of the synergetic roadmap on carbon neutrality and clean air for China: Carbon reduction, pollution mitigation, greening, and growth.

The response to climate change and air pollution control demonstrates strong synergy across scientific mechanisms, targets, strategies, and governance systems. This report, based on a monitoring indicator system for coordinated governance of air pollution and climate change, employs an interdisciplinary approach combining natural and social sciences. It establishes 20 indicators across five key areas: air pollution and climate change, governance systems and practices, structural transformation and technologies, atmospheric components and emission reduction pathways, and health impacts and co-benefits.

Assessment of Sub-micrometer-Sized Particles with Practical Activities in an Underground Coal Mine.

Unlabelled: This assessment was designed to explore and characterize the airborne particles, especially for the sub-micrometer sizes, in an underground coal mine. Airborne particles present in the breathing zone were evaluated by using both (1) direct reading real-time instruments (RTIs) to measure real-time particle number concentrations in the workplaces and (2) gravimetric samplers to collect airborne particles to obtain mass concentrations and conduct further characterizations. Airborne coal mine particles were collected via three samplers: inhalable particle sampler (37 mm cassette with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) filter), respirable dust cyclone (10 mm nylon cyclone with 37 mm Zefon cassette and PVC filter), and a Tsai diffusion sampler (TDS).