Fluorescent carbon dots (C-dots) were synthesized by one pot hydrothermal treatment of garlic juice at 180 °C for 7h. The as-prepared C-dots with an average diameter of 2.13±0.71 nm can be well dispersed, and show absinthe fluorescence with a quantum yield of 8.9% in water. The C-dots were fully characterized by TEM, XPS, XRD, and FTIR, respectively. Additionally, the as-prepared C-dots reveal nearly nontoxic to SW480 cells and can be used for cell imaging. The water solution of C-dots show sensitivity to pH values and metal ions, and also have a high selectivity to the Hg²⁺ ion among other transition metal ions, and achieve a high sensitive detection with the detection limit of 0.45 μM. The fluorescent C-dots are expected to be useful for the evaluation of mercury ions in environmental water system.

Fluorescent bioprobes are invaluable tools for visualizing live cells and deciphering complex biological processes by targeting intracellular biomarkers without disrupting cellular functions. In addition to protein-binding concepts, fluorescent probes utilize various mechanisms, including membrane, metabolism, and gating-oriented strategies. This study introduces a novel fluorescent mechanism distinct from existing ways. Here, we developed a B-cell selective probe, CDrB, with unique transport mechanisms. Through SLC-CRISPRa screening, we identified two transporters, SLCO1B3 and SLC25A41, by sorting out populations exhibiting higher and lower fluorescence intensities, respectively, demonstrating contrasting activities. We confirmed that SLCO1B3, with comparable expression levels in T and B cells, facilitates the transport of CDrB into cells, while SLC25A41, overexpressed in T lymphocytes, actively exports CDrB. The observation suggests that SLC25A41 plays a crucial role in discriminating between T and B lymphocytes. Furthermore, it reveals the potential for reversible localization of SLC25A41 to demonstrate its distinct activity. This study is the first report to unveil a novel strategy of SLC by exporting the probe. We anticipate that this research will open up new avenues for developing fluorescent probes.

Whole cell biosensors could serve as eco-friendly and cost-effective alternatives for detecting potentially toxic bioavailable heavy metals in aquatic environments. However, they often fail to meet practical requirements due to an insufficient limit of detection (LOD) and high background noise. In this study, we designed a synthetic genetic circuit specifically tailored for detecting ionic mercury, which we applied to environmental samples collected from artisanal gold mining sites in Peru. We developed two distinct versions of the biosensor, each utilizing a different reporter protein: a fluorescent biosensor (Mer-RFP) and a colorimetric biosensor (Mer-Blue). Mer-RFP enabled real-time monitoring of the culture’s response to mercury samples using a plate reader, whereas Mer-Blue was analysed for colour accumulation at the endpoint using a specially designed, low-cost camera set up for harvested cell pellets. Both biosensors exhibited negligible baseline expression of their respective reporter proteins and responded specifically to HgBr2 in pure water. Mer-RFP demonstrated a linear detection range from 1 nM to 1 μM, whereas Mer-Blue showed a linear range from 2 nM to 125 nM. Our biosensors successfully detected a high concentration of ionic mercury in the reaction bucket where artisanal miners produce a mercury-gold amalgam. However, they did not detect ionic mercury in the water from active mining ponds, indicating a concentration lower than 3.2 nM Hg2+ -a result consistent with chemical analysis quantitation. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of Mer-Blue as a practical and affordable monitoring tool, highlighting its stability, reliance on simple visual colorimetry, and the possibility of sensitivity expansion to organic mercury.

A fluorescent probe, N'-((3-methyl-5-oxo-1-phenyl-4, 5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl) methylene)-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carbohydrazide (MPMC), was synthesized and characterized. Characterizations of the synthetic MPMC were conducted by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR) spectroscopy and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C NMR). The fluorescence emission behaviors of probe MPMC towards diverse metal ions were detected and the probe exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity towards Cu2+ over other metal ions via quenching of its fluorescence. Furthermore, the existence of other metal actions made no difference on the fluorescence intensity of the MPMC-Cu2+ system apparently, that is, MPMC displayed a good anti-interference ability. Job’s plot of MPMC and copper ions indicated the detection limit was 15.16 nM (R2=0.9612) for the assayed actions, with a stoichiometric ratio of 1:1 for MPMC and Cu2+. Additionally, the color of MPMC probe solution changed from nearly colorless to yellow in the presence of Cu2+ in visible light, which the color change could be observed by the naked eye. Similarly, the color resolved bright yellow into blue in ultraviolet light. Also reusability studies indicated that MPMC probe was reusable. The pH effect of probe MPMC to Cu2+ had a broad range of pH detection 4.0 to 11.0. The response time of MPMC probe for determining Cu2+ was within 1 min. The recognition of Cu2+ by MPMC performed on pre-treated paper under sunlight and UV light both had a distinct colour change. Thus, the solid-state method for detecting Cu2+ with the naked-eye, was both economical and convenient.

Uniform water soluble MoS2 quantum dots (WS-MSQDs) are synthesized via a sequential combination of sintering/etching/exfoliation method and solvothermal route. The obtained WS-MSQDs with average size of approximately 3.4 nm exhibit sufficient water solubility and remarkable fluorescence properties. The WS-MSQDs have been utilized as a probe for detection of Fe3+ ions with high selectivity and specificity. Furthermore, the WS-MSQDs exhibit high fluorescence stability under different conditions. Finally, the WS-MSQDs are successfully applied for the fluorescence imaging of Fe3+ in living cells, which exhibited practical potential for biomedical applications.

Biomass-derived carbon dots (CDs) are gaining much interest in recent times as it is a sustainable option with abundant availability, low cost, and tunable luminescence. Herein, we report a simple green synthesis method to produce highly fluorescent CDs from Eucalyptus globulus leaves using the one-pot hydrothermal approach. The fabricated CDs exhibit strong blue fluorescence with an excitation and emission maxima of 340 nm and 442 nm respectively. The highest quantum yield (QY) obtained was 60.7%. Due to its promising optical properties and biocompatibility, CDs can be a potential candidate for biosensing applications. Moreover, we employed a life cycle assessment (LCA) cradle-to-gate approach to study the environmental impacts of the synthesis strategy used for the fabrication of CDs. The results point out that citric acid is a main hotspot in CDs synthesis, regarding environmental impacts in most categories. This justifies the introduction of biomass, which reduces the amount of citric acid, thus leading to a more sustainable synthesis strategy for fabricating CDs.

The emission of mercury (II) from coal combustion and other industrial processes continues to be a concern and have local impact on water resources. The detection of these ions in water with sensitive but rapid testing methods is desirable for environmental screening and fieldwork. Nanoparticles of various chemistries have shown promise for this purpose, as they can be used in simple colorimetric analyses. Silver nanoprisms were chemically synthesized resulting in a blue reagent solution, that transitioned towards yellow and colorless solutions when exposed to Hg²⁺ ions at various concentrations. A rapid galvanic reduction of Hg²⁺ onto the nanoprism surfaces is apparently responsible for a change in shape towards spherical nanoparticles, leading to the change in color. There were no interferences by other metal ions in solution, and pH had minimal effect in the range of 6.5 to 9.8. The silver nanoprism reagent provided a detection limit of approximately 0.5 µM (100 µg/L) for mercury (II), which compares favorably with other nanoparticle-based techniques. Further optimization may reduce this detection limit.

Drowsiness is a main factor for various costly defects, even fatal accidents in areas such as construction, transportation, industry and medicine, due to the lack of monitoring vigilance in the mentioned areas. The implementation of a drowsiness detection system can greatly help to reduce the defects and accident rates by alerting individuals when they enter a drowsy state. This research proposes an Electroencephalography (EEG) based approach for detecting drowsiness. EEG signals are passed through a preprocessing chain composed of artifact removal and segmentation to ensure accurate detection followed by different feature extraction methods to extract the different features related to drowsiness. This work explores the use of various machine learning algorithms such as Support Vector Machine (SVM) the K Nearest Neighbor (KNN) the Naive Bayes (NB) the Decision Tree (DT) and the Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) to analyze EEG signals sourced from the DROZY database, carefully labeled into two distinct states of alertness (awake, and drowsy). Segmentation into 10-second intervals ensures precise detection, while a relevant feature selection layer enhances accuracy and generalizability. The proposed approach achieves high accuracy rates of 99.84% and 96.4% for intra (subject by subject) and inter (cross-subject) modes, respectively. SVM emerges as the most effective model for drowsiness detection in the intra mode, while MLP demonstrates superior accuracy in the inter mode. This research offers a promising avenue for implementing proactive drowsiness detection systems to enhance occupational safety across various industries.

Highly photoluminescent C-Dots are prepared by hydrothermal reaction of citric acid and piperazine as dual reason in both hydrolysis and surface passivation agent along with the N-doping agent. The resulting C-Dots without external passivation showed PL enhancement by electron transfer from C-Dots-donor to piperazine-acceptor with the maximum emission yields of more than 84%. After mixing the prepared C-Dots with the mixture of EtOH and acetone (1:1 vol %), a novel washing process was performed by centrifugation to remove the precursors and by-products. The resulting C-Dots showed much better stability than dialysis. For evaluating the possible application of the C-Dots as a fluorescent biological probe which possess the wide dosing window and multicolor properties. The C-Dots were localized in perinuclear vacuole-like structures with granular pattern in cytoplasm sparing the nucleus. No signs of any morphological deterioration like nuclear shrinkage were observed.

Composite membranes formed by sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) with embedded carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were used for detection and removal of heavy metal ions, such as lead and cadmium, from water. SPEEK is responsible for the capture of heavy metals based on the cation exchange mechanism, while CQDs detect their contamination by exhibiting changes in fluorescence. Water-insoluble “red” carbon quantum dots (rCQDs) were synthesized from p-phenylenediamine so that their photoluminescence was shifted from that of the polymer matrix. CQDs and the composites were characterized by several techniques: FTIR, Raman, UV/VIS, photoluminescence, XPS spectroscopies and AFM microscopy. The heavy metal ion concentration was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The concentration ranges were 10.8 - 0.1 mM for Pb2+ and 10.0 - 0.27 mM for Cd2+. The composite achieved 100% removal efficiency for lead and cadmium if the concentration was below a half of the ion exchange capacity of SPEEK. The regeneration of membranes in 1 M NaCl was also studied. SPEEK/rCQDs showed a turn-off effect more pronounced for lead. A second order law was effective to describe the kinetics of the process.

As a member of smart materials, electrorheological elastomers (EREs) formed by pre-treating active electrorheological particles are attracting more and more attention. In this work, four Mg-doped strontium titanate particles with spherical, dendritic, flake-like and pinecone-like morphorlogies were obtained by hydrothermal and low-temperature co-precipitation. XRD, SEM, Raman and FT-IR were used to characterize the obtained products. The results showed that the sizes of Mg-doped strontium titanates are about 1.5‒2.0 μm, and the phase structure are dominated by cubic crystal. These Mg-doped strontium titanates were dispersed in a hydrogel composite elastic medium. Then, Mg-doped strontium titanate/glycerol/gelatin electrorheological composite hydrophilic elastomers were obtained with or without electric field. The electric field response properties of Mg-doped strontium titanate composite elastomers were investigated. It concluded that dendritic Mg-doped strontium titanate composite elastomers is high-performance EREs. And the maximum value of energy storage modulus of Mg-doped strontium titanate composite elastomers has achieved 8.70 MPa. This high electrorheological performance of the products is helpful for their applications in vibration control, force transducers, smart structures, dampers, and other fields.

Epilepsy is a common neurological condition, typically diagnosed using Electroencephalogram (EEG). Large scale EEG datasets have recently been made publicly available, allowing the use of advanced Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to analyze EEG patterns associated with epilepsy. While most existing studies focus on identifying seizures in the EEG, few have tried to identify preictal EEG segments. Identifying preictal EEG segments are not only useful in developing early warning systems but also helps inform the course of treatment for the patient. In this study, we propose to represent EEG segments as images, instead of time-series data, and identify preictal EEG segments using a preexisting ML algorithm (YOLOv8) designed for image processing. Multiplexed images (containing the original EEG signal represented on a 2D grid, kurtosis, and spectral entropy) achieve the best accuracy of 95.75% on the dataset while images just containing the EEG signal result in an accuracy of 91.25%. Using only spectrograms, generated from the original EEG signal, results in an accuracy of 90.15%.

We report the detection of live Escherichia coli (E. coli) in liquid samples using a biosensor based on a field effect transistor (FET) biosensor with B/N co-coped graphene oxide (GO) gel (BN-GO) as the transducer material. The FET was functionalized with antibodies to detect E. coli K12 O-antigens in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The biosensor detected the presence of planktonic E. coli bacterial cells within a mere 2 minutes. The biosensor exhibited a limit of detection (LOD) of 10 cells per sample, which can be extrapolated to a limit of detection at the level of a single cell per sample and a detection range of at least 10– 108 CFU/mL. The selectivity of the biosensor for E. coli was demonstrated using Bacillus thuringiensis (B. thuringiensis) as a sample contaminant. We also present a comparison of our functionalized BN-GO FET biosensor with established detection methods of E. coli k12 bacteria, as well as with state-of-the-art detection mechanisms.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold immense therapeutic potential due to their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. However, to utilize this potential, it is crucial to optimize their in vitro cultivation conditions. Three-dimensional (3D) culture methods using cell-laden hydrogels aim to mimic the physiological microenvironment in vitro, thus preserving MSC biological functionalities. Cellulosic hydrogels are particularly promising due to their biocompatibility, sustainability, and tunability in terms of chemical, morphological, and mechanical properties. This study investigated the impact of (1) two physical crosslinking scenarios for hydrogels derived from anionic cellulose nanofibers (CNF) used to encapsulate adipose-derived MSCs (adMSCs) and (2) physiological culture conditions on the in vitro proliferation, differentiation, and extracellular vesicle (EV) production of these adMSCs. Our results revealed that additional Ca2+-mediated crosslinking, intended to complement self-assembly and gelation of aqueous to-CNF in the adMSC cultivation medium, adversely affected both the mechanical properties of the hydrogel spheres and the growth of the encapsulated cells. However, cultivation under dynamic and hypoxic conditions significantly improved the proliferation and differentiation of the encapsulated adMSCs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that adMSCs in CNF hydrogel spheres exhibited potential for scalable EV production with potent immunosuppressive capacities in a bioreactor system. These findings underscore the importance of physiological culture conditions and the suitability of cellulosic materials for enhancing the therapeutic potential of MSCs. Overall, our study provides valuable insights for optimizing the in vitro cultivation of MSCs for various applications, including tissue engineering, drug testing, and EV-based therapies.

Against the background of the sky, imaging and perception of aircraft are cru- cial. Among these, the location of aircrafts is not a very difficult problem in general, because that deep learning algorithms and object detection models based on convolutional neural network(CNN) are ever-evolving. In order to have a better identification of various aircrafts, or to accurately locate different types of flying targets in the sky, it becomes significant to distinguish and recognize different types of aircrafts. One question is that, distinguishing and recognizing between sub-categories of aircrafts pose great challenges. Although fine-grained recognition focuses on exploring and studying such problems, aircrafts under different sub-categories and granularities lead us to rethink the application of features. We noticed that features in swin-transformer demonstrates the under- standing and processing of images, fully showcasing the encoding and indexing of information. Through this research and proposed approach, we discovered a better understanding of features encoding and use, which are inspired by the feature encoding and computation in swin-transformer. In our paper, our ap- proach has achieved effects on features encoded graphically, manifested from the architecture design and convolutional neural network computation, and outper- forms other famous fine-graiend classification models on this issue. Not only approach we proposed has demonstrated superior performance in fine-grained aicraft classification, but also the mechanisms of the feature encoding under different sample space partitions is revealed for this issue, which provides a re- search for the representation of aircraft fineness characteristics. The relationship between representation orientation of aircraft feature information under various grained divisions, shows that the recognition of different categories according to man-made, such as aircraft, can be achieved by means of the feature represen- tations studied in this paper, for more specific defined classification tasks and various man-made targets partition criteria, which may influences the princi- ple of design for calculation and feature extraction in fine-grained classification models.

Issues presented by the application of monoclonal antibodies in diagnostic assays and as curative agents can make the use of such molecules cost-prohibitive and sometimes even unsafe. This has warranted the development of short single-stranded oligonucleotides known as Aptamers. The structural malleability of these short DNA or RNA nucleotide segments allows them to exist in distinct conformations. SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment) is a multi-step process for synthesis of aptamers. Each step of this procedure is governed by a diverse set of factors that influence production efficiency, binding affinity, and specificity of the oligonucleotides. Headway in aptamer research has been made in recent years by the introduction of newer iterations of the SELEX process. A greater number of studies are now being carried out to incorporate aptamers into existing disease detection tools and therapies. An overview has been given first on the key aptamer properties and the process of their production (with its newer iterations), contrasting each of them with that of monoclonal antibodies. Possible manifold applications afforded due to unique aptamer characteristics are also discussed. A keen review is further provided on the design, development and use of fluorescent aptamers in bioimaging, sequencing or profiling, and treatment of pathogenic bacteria and tumor cells.

A time-sequential working, spatially multiplexed autostereoscopic 3D display design consisting of a fast switchable RGB-color filter array is presented. The wavelength-selective filter barrier emits the light from a display over a larger active area than common autostereoscopic barrier displays. An optical modelling of wavelength-selective barriers has been used for instance to calculate the light ray distribution properties of that arrangement. To find well working display designs, automated searches by simulation and computational evaluation has been proceeded. Wavelength-selective filter barrier arrangements exhibit characteristics different from common barrier displays with similar barrier pitch and ascent. In particular, these constructions show strong angular luminance dependency under barrier inclination specified by correspondent slant angle. In time-sequential implementation it is important to avoid that quick eye or eyelid movement lead to visible color artifacts. In the millisecond regime tunable liquid crystal Fabry-Pérot color filters for the colors red, green and blue are presented. They consist of a sub-micrometer thick nematic layer sandwiched between dielectric mirrors and ITO-electrodes. These cells shall switch narrow-banding light of red, green or blue. An array for a glasses-free 3D display has to be equipped with several thousand switchable filter elements having different color apertures. The newly introduced design is usable as a multi user display as well as a single user system with user adaptive control.

To obtain carbon dots (CDs) with narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM) and long-wavelength emission, carbon sources with high conjugate sizes and abundant functional groups can be employed to synthesis CDs. In this study, orange-emissive carbon dots (OCDs) were synthesized with phloroglucinol and rhodamine B as precursors. When the molar ratio of them was 30:1 and ethanol was served as solvent, OCDs with optimized emission wavelength at approximately 580 nm, an FWHM of 30 nm and a quantum yield (QY) of 27.31% were obtained. Subsequently, the OCDs were incorporated into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to fabricate solid-state OCDs/PVA fluorescent films, which exhibited an FWHM of 47 nm. The PVA matrix facilitated the dispersion of OCDs, thereby suppressing non-radiative energy transfer among the OCDs and enhancing luminescence efficiency. Consequently, compared with OCDs, the OCDs/PVA film exhibited significant luminescent enhancement, and the QY of the composite film was increased to 84.74%. Moreover, OCDs/PVA film show good transmittance and thermal stability. This research offers a solid theoretical and experimental foundation for the potential applications of CDs in the fields of solid-state lighting.

A biomimetic, ion-imprinted polymer (IIP) was prepared by electropolymerization of pyrrole at the surface of gold electrodes decorated with vertically grown ZnO nanorods. The vertical growth of the nanorods was achieved via an ultrathin aryl monolayer grafted by reduction of diazonium salt precursor. Pyrrole was polymerized in the presence of L-cysteine as chelatant agent and Hg(II) (template). Hg(II)-imprinted polypyrrole (PPy) was also prepared on bare gold electrode in order to compare the two methods of sensor design (Au-ZnO-IIP vs Au-IIP). Non-imprinted PPy was prepared in the same conditions, however in the absence of any Hg2+ template. The strategy combining diazonium salt modification and ZnO nanorod decoration of gold electrodes permitted to increase considerably the specific surface and thus to improve the sensor performances. The limit of detection (LOD) of the designed sensor was ~1 pM, the lowest value ever reported in literature. The dissociation constants between PPy and Hg2+ were estimated at [Kd1 = (7.89 ± 3.63) mM and Kd2 = (38.10 ± 9.22) pM]. The sensitivity of the designed sensor was found to be 0.692 ± 0.034 μA/pM. The Au-ZnO-IIP was found to be highly selective towards Hg(II) compared to cadmium, lead and copper ions. This sensor design strategy could open up new horizons in monitoring toxic heavy metal ions in water and therefore contribute to enhance environmental quality.

Heavy metal contaminants have serious consequences for the environment and human health. Consequently, effective methods for detecting their presence, particularly in water and food, are urgently required. Accordingly, the present study proposes a sensor for the detection of mercury Hg(II) and lead Pb(II) ions using graphene oxide (GO) as a quenching agent and aptamer solu-tion as a reagent. In the proposed device, the aptamer sequences are labeled by FAM and HEX fluorescent dyes, respectively, and are mixed with 500 ppm GO solution in a microfluidic device. The presence of Hg(II) and Pb(II) ions is then detected by measuring the change in the fluores-cence intensity of the GO/aptamer suspension as the aptamer molecules undergo fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The experimental results show that the aptamer sensors have a linear range of 10~250 nM (i.e., 2.0~50 ppb) for Hg(II) ions and 10~100 nM (i.e., 2.1~20.7 ppb) for Pb(II) ions. Furthermore, the limit of detection is around 2 ppb for both metals, which is signifi-cantly lower than the maximum limits of 6 ppb and 10 ppb prescribed by the World Health Or-ganization (WHO) for Hg(II) and Pb(II) in drinking water, respectively.

Despite the existing effective treatment methods, tuberculosis (TB) is the second most deadly infectious disease globally, its carriers in the latent and active phases accounting for more than 20% of the world population. An effective method to control TB and reduce the mortality is regular population screening and diagnosis of the latent form of TB in order to take preventive and curative measures. Numerous methods allow diagnosing TB and directly detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) biomarkers, including M.tb DNA, proteins, and specific metabolites, as well as antibodies produced by the host immune system in response to M.tb. PCR, ELISA, immunofluorescence and immunochemical analyses, flow cytometry, and other methods allow the detection of M.tb biomarkers or the host immune response to M.tb by recording the optical signal of fluorescent or colorimetric dyes included in the diagnostic tools. Current research in biosensors is aimed at increasing the sensitivity of detection, which can be achieved by using brighter and more photostable optical tags containing fluorescent quantum dots. Here, we review current methods for detection of M.tb biomarkers using optical sensor systems, primarily quantum dot–based nanosensors, and summarize M.tb biomarkers whose detection can be made significantly more sensitive by using quantum dot–based nanosensors.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a major concern in public healthcare, leading to increased morbidity, pro-longed hospital stays length, and significant economic costs. Understanding the epidemiology and risk fac-tors of SSIs is crucial for developing effective prevention and management strategies. In the last century, CDC ‘s HICPAC improved a bundle for prevention of HAIs based on the use of aseptic procedures, disin-fection of the skin and correct use of antibiotics for SSIs. In our country, Gelli-Bianco law introduced the national health guidelines system that include the prophylaxis antibiotic therapy pre- and post-surgery. The aim of our study is to evaluate adherence and appropriateness of the use of antibiotic-preoperative prophylaxis in a province of southern Italy and to identify risk factors that may influence the development of an SSI. The study found many statistically significant associations among the factors examined, i.e. the timing of administration adherent to guidelines, with 47% of the analyzed files administering antibiotics within 60 min before the intervention and 62.7% using intravenous administration.

A Zn(II) perchlorate complex has been prepared and characterized by single X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c (Z = 4) with a pentacoordinated zinc center. Interestingly, the Zn complex was found be to a potential fluorophore that could sense acetone and other ketones with high selectivity and sensitivity.

Mitochondrial hypochlorite (ClO-) plays important and often contradictory roles in maintaining the redox balance of mitochondria. Abnormal ClO- levels can induce mitochondrial inactivation and further cause cell apoptosis. Herein. we have developed an anthracene carboxyimide-based fluorescent probe mito-ACS for imaging mitochondrial ClO- in living cells. This probe exhibits some distinctive features as excellent resistance to photobleaching, high selectivity and sensitivity, as well as good water solubility. Mito-ACS showed a noticeable fluorescence response toward ClO-with a fast response (within 6 s) and a low detection limit (23 nM). Moreover, the introduction of triphenylphosphonium makes the probe soluble in water and selectively localizes to mitochondria. Furthermore, mito-ACS was successfully applied to image mitochondria ClO- in living cells with low toxicity. Remarkably. the less used fluorophore anthracene carboxyimide exhibiting excellent photostability and desirable optical properties provides a promising application prospect in biological systems.

The growing expansion of the economy and population has resulted in an increased inclination towards the utilization of groundwater resources. Conducting a geophysical survey is a widely employed method for subsurface mapping and the detection of groundwater. A geophysical study was conducted in Nanshan township, Huarong County, located in the Hunan province of the South-Central region of China. The investigation involved the utilization of a 2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging technique employing forward and inverse pole-dipole electrode array. A total of six survey lines were established, each with an electrode distance from the nearest measuring point to exceeding 800 m. The maximum current electrode separation was utilized in this setup. The spacing between the electrical resistivity sounding points was established at regular intervals. The findings from the exploration indicate the existence of multiple faults within the surveyed region. The study additionally identified two regions of structural failure, which occurred due to the convergence of faults oriented in different directions. This convergence led to the fracturing of rocks, an increase in water content, and a decrease in resistivity. The findings from the exploration were utilized in the formulation of five verification target boreholes. The results of this study offer significant insights that can inform future investigations into groundwater exploration endeavors within the region.

Proper blood-brain barrier (BBB) function is essential to maintain homeostasis keeping the central nervous system healthy. Disruption of the BBB has been described in nearly all neurological disease and injury contexts. Given the various physical and metabolic roles of the BBB and gliovascular unit (GVU), dysfunction should be assessed across multiple levels to pinpoint the exact nature of the impairment. Here we describe imaging techniques for evaluating various aspects of BBB and GVU integrity and function, tailored for use in mouse models with protocols for quantitative image analysis. These imaging techniques complement classical dye tracer experiments and reveal underlying molecular causes of BBB dysfunction.

This study explores fault-tolerant consensus in leader-following heterogeneous multi-agent systems, focusing on actuator failures in uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs). An optimization-based fault-tolerant consensus algorithm is proposed. The algorithm utilizes the Euler-Lagrange formula to ensure system consistency under actuator failures, with the Lyapunov stability theory proving the asymptotic stability of the consistency error. The algorithm is applied to heterogeneous multi-agent systems of UAVs and UGVs to derive optimal fault-tolerant consensus control laws for each vehicle type. Simulation experiments give evidence for the feasibility of the proposed control strategy.

A novel metal-doped carbon quantum dot, zinc-chlorine co-doped carbon quantum dots (Zn/Cl-CQDs), has been developed for the fluorescent probe detection of vitamin B2 and the analysis of the correlation properties of this carbon quantum dot and vitamin B2. Stability experiments demonstrate that Zn/Cl-CQDs possess good fluorescence properties under alkaline conditions. However, when vitamin B2 is added into Zn/Cl-CQDs, the fluorescence intensity decreases sharply, indicating that a fluorescence quenching phenomenon occurs between vitamin B2 and Zn/Cl-CQDs. Lastly, the use of Zn/Cl-CQDs in the detection of vitamin B2 tablets and vitamin B2-rich fruits resulted in recovery rates of 98.2% and 100.6%, respectively. Therefore, this method can be well applied to the detection and analysis of vitamin B2, and has great development prospects in the pharmaceutical industry and food monitoring fields.

Lake sediment records are of great importance for understanding the evolution of watershed environments. Various studies have been carried out to constrain the depositional ages of lake sediments and examine their physical, chemical, and biological characteristics, aiming to construct historical vegetation, environment and climate patterns in Chinese lake watersheds. In this study, we obtained relevant literature on lake sediment records by searching the key word 'age-depth' from the databases – Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI, the largest Chinese academic database). We analyzed the literature based on its type (published in a Chinese/English journal or as a Master’s/PhD thesis), period of publication, journal (if published in a journal), key authors, study area, dating scale, and main aims. The results suggest that the lakes in the plateau regions are the most popular research topic typically covering 100–200 years (short-term) and 500–30,000 years (long-term). The literature focuses on a wide range of topics, from past environmental evolution in the watershed to lake ecology, and provides a solid foundation for better understanding regional climate change and the preservation of lake environments and ecosystems. In the future, resulting data from environmental reconstruction with lake sediments will be needed to integrate with emerging information processing technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence and meta-analysis), to disentangle the complex interplay between Earth surface processes and global climate change; furthermore, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration will deepen our comprehension of man-land relationship and promote the sustainable management of lake ecosystems in the context of global climate change.

In this work, we firstly explored a mild, clean, and highly efficient approach for the synthesis of graphene quantum dots (GQDs). GQDs with carboxyl groups or amino groups, were prepared from one-pot environmentally friendly method assisted by hydrogen peroxide, respectively. It was proved that carboxyl groups played an important role in the fluorescence quenching. Based on these findings, we developed a novel fluorescent nanosensor by combining molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with carboxyl functionalized GQDs for the determination of tetracycline (TC) in aqueous samples. The nanocomposite was prepared using a sol-gel process. GQDs-MIPs showed strong fluorescent emission at 410 nm when excited at 360 nm, which was subsequently quenched in the presence of TC. Under optimum conditions, the fluorescence intensity of GQDs-MIPs decreased in response to the increase of TC concentration with good linearity rage of 1.0-104 µg L-1. The limit of detection was determined to be 1 µg L-1. The fluorescence intensity of GQDs-MIPs was more strongly quenched by TC compared to the corresponding non-imprinted polymers, GQDs-NIPs. With the high sensitivity, the material was also successfully worked for the detection of TC in real spiked milk samples.

Cholesterol homeostasis is pivotal for cellular function. Acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1), also abbreviated as SOAT1, is an enzyme catalyzing the storage of excess cholesterol to cholesteryl esters. ACAT1 is an emerging target to treat diverse diseases including atherosclerosis, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. F12511 is a high affinity ACAT1 inhibitor. Previously, we developed a stealth liposome-based nanoparticle to encapsulate F12511 to enhance its delivery to the brain and showed its efficacy in treating a mouse model for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, we introduce F26, a close derivative of F12511 metabolite in rats. F26 was encapsulated in the same DSPE-PEG2000/phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposome-based nanoparticle system. We employed various in vitro and in vivo methodologies to assess F26's efficacy and toxicity compared to F12511. Results demonstrate that F26 is more effective and durable than F12511 in inhibiting ACAT1, in both mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and in multiple mouse tissues including the brain tissues, without exhibiting any overt systemic or neurotoxic effects. This study demonstrates the superior pharmacokinetic and safety profile of F26 in wild-type mice, and suggests its therapeutic potential against various neurodegenerative diseases including AD.

The article offers a comprehensive overview of recent breakthroughs in eco-friendly polymers and polymer composites, underscoring their pivotal role in addressing sustainability challenges across diverse industrial sectors. Despite encountering obstacles related to performance and processability, biopolymers sourced from renewable materials emerge as promising alternatives for the plastics that are currently used by human beings. Natural fillers are highlighted as a strategic avenue for crafting sustainable composites, with residual natural fillers being particularly explored. Heightened environmental concerns propel discussions on the criticality of integrating biodegradable materials with natural fillers, underlining the urgency for clear frameworks and financial incentives to support adoption of these materials. Additionally, the article examines the potential of biodegradable polymers and polymer composites, with a specific emphasis on the utilization of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) in composite materials and its market prospects. Moreover, it emphasizes the indispensable need for ongoing research and development endeavors to address environmental challenges within the polymer sector, reflecting a mounting interest in sustainable materials across industries.

Preventing the occurrence of secondary caries serves as one of the significant issues in dental clinic, thus make it indispensable to improving the properties of conventional composite resin (CR) by developing a novel CR. In present study, two groups of experimental CRs loaded with different contents of fluoride-doped nano-zirconia fillers (25 wt% and 50 wt%) were fabricated. The surface topography, mechanical performance, fluoride release, antibacterial effect, aging property and cytotoxicity of the experimental CRs were evaluated subsequently. A uniform distribution of the F-zirconia fillers over the whole surface of resin matrix could be observed. The experimental CRs showed continuous fluoride release within 28 days, which was positively correlated with the content of F-zirconia fillers. Moreover, the amount of fluoride release increased in the acidic buffer. Addition of F-zirconia fillers could improve the color stability, wear resistance and microhardness of the experimental CRs, without reducing the flexure strength. Furtherly, the fluoride ions released continuously from the experimental CRs resulted in effective contact and antibacterial properties, while they showed no cytotoxicity. As a consequence, considerations can be made to employ this new kind of composite resin loaded with fluoride-doped nano-zirconia fillers to meet clinical requirements when the antimicrobial benefits are desired.

Livestock farming plays a crucial role in agriculture and is important in meeting people's needs for a better life in the new era. However, due to China's "double carbon" target, the development of animal husbandry has been affected by the level of carbon emissions. To study the spatial dis-tribution and dynamic evolution of livestock carbon emissions in Shandong Province, we used panel data from 16 prefecture-level cities in Shandong Province from 2001 to 2022 to determine the spatial differentiation of livestock carbon emissions in Shandong Province and their dynamic evolution by combining spatial and non-parametric estimation methods based on livestock carbon emissions and livestock emission intensity measured by city. The results of the study show that the distribution of carbon emissions from animal husbandry in Shandong Province is in a "dis-persed-aggregated" pattern, and the intensity of carbon emissions shows a gradual downward trend, with a ladder-like distribution characterized by high in the west and low in the east. Through the analysis of the dynamic evolution of nuclear density, we observe that the regional differences of animal husbandry carbon emissions in Shandong Province are expanding, showing the characteristics of polarization. The difference of carbon emissions in the peninsula is gradually narrowing, and the phenomenon of polarization is weakening. The carbon emissions of animal husbandry in the central and western regions of Shandong are polarized.

MIPs inspired by antigen-antibody interactions have received substantial interest as a biomimetic artificial receptor system in environmental applications. Herein, we present a molecularly imprinted surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor integrated with Au nanoparticles for the identification of bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical. The synthetic wastewater samples were analyzed to ensure the method's reliability and feasibility. Under ideal conditions, the suggested approach performed well in terms of analytical performance to BPA, with a wide linear range of 0.1 to 10 ppb and LOD of 10 ng/L. The sensor results and the Langmuir adsorption model have good agreement. It has also been shown that repeated use of the biosensor can be achieved. According to selectivity studies, BPA adsorbed within the imprinted cavities favorably compared to 4-nitrophenol and phenol. The produced BPA-imprinted SPR sensor provides improved sensitivity based on the signal amplification strategy, unconjugated sensing without the need for labeling, real-time sensing, low sample consumption rates, quantifiable assessment, and very good kinetic rate constant calculation in actual samples. Also, because the produced sensor is reusable with relative standard deviations (RSD)<1.25, indicating the sensor's accuracy, the SPR-based biomimetic BPA sensor is simple to practice and may be an economical option.

Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) is an imaging technique that provides information on the microstructural organization of biological tissue. dMRI allows for non-invasive visualization and quantitative assessment of white matter architecture in the brain by characterizing restrictions on the random motion of water molecules. Ultra-high field MRI scanners, such as those operating at 7 Tesla (7T) or higher, can boost signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to improve dMRI compared with what is attainable at conventional field strengths such as 3T or 1.5T. However, at 7T wavelength effects cause lower transmit magnetic field efficiency in the human brain, mainly in the posterior fossa region, manifesting as signal dropouts in this region. Recently, we reported a simple approach of using a wireless radiofrequency (RF) surface array to improve transmit efficiency and signal sensitivity at 7T. Here we demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of using this RF enhancer for in-vivo dMRI at 7T. The use of the RF enhancer can effectively recover signal dropouts in the regions with intrinsically lower SNR such as cerebellum, leading to a better depiction of principal fiber orientations and enhanced visualization of extended tracts to the brainstem and pons enabling more comprehensive delineation of the full white matter architecture.

Dynamic optical structural color is always desired in various display applications and usually involves active materials. Full-color generation, especially bi-directional full-color generation in both reflective and transmissive modes, without any active materials included has been rarely investigated. Herein, we demonstrate a scheme of bi-directional full-color generation based on a plasmonic metasurface modulated by rotation of the polarization angle of the incident light without varying the geometry and the optical properties of the materials and the environment where the metasurface resides. The metasurface unit cell consists of plasmonic modules aligning in three directions and is patterned in a square array. The metasurface structural color device generates full colors in both reflection and transmission. Based on the proposed polarization-dependent structural color, information encoding of three multiplexed animal images and quick-responsive (QR) codes is demonstrated to verify the efficient information encoding and decoding of the proposed scheme. The animals can be seen under different polarization incidence and the QR codes can be successfully decoded by the polarization rotation in transmission. The proposed bi-directional full-color generation metasurface has great potential in applications such as kaleidoscope generation, anti-counterfeiting, dynamic color display, and optical information encoding.

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) are ubiquitous in industrial-11 ized environments due to the continuous use of electrical devices. Our previous studies demon-12 strated ELF-EMF affects muscle cells by modulating oxidative stress and enhancing myo-genesis. 13 This pilot study investigated these effects on skeletal muscles of sedentary adult mice, assessing 14 physiological responses to ELF-EMF exposure and potential modulation by antioxidant supplemen-15 tation. Male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to ELF-EMF (0.1 or 1.0 mT) 1 hour/day up to 5 weeks, and 16 fed a standard diet without or with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). Results showed transient increases in 17 muscle strength (after 2-weeks’ exposure at 1.0 mT), potentially linked to muscle fiber recruitment 18 and activation, revealed by higher PAX7 and MyH expression levels. After ELF-EMF exposure, ox-19 idative status assessment revealed transient increases in expression levels of SOD1 and catalase en-20 zymes, in total antioxidant capacity and in protein carbonyl levels, marker of oxidative damage. 21 These effects were partially reduced by NAC. In conclusion, ELF-EMF exposure affects skeletal 22 muscle physiology and NAC supplementation partially mitigates these effects, highlighting the 23 complex interactions between ELF-EMF and antioxidant pathways in vivo. Further investigations 24 on ELF-EMF as a therapeutic modality for muscle health are necessary.

Optical tissue imaging has several advantages over the routine clinical imaging methods, including non-invasiveness (does not change the structure of tissues), remote operation (avoids infection) and ability to quantify the tissue condition by means of specific image parameters. Dermatologists and other skin experts need compact (preferably pocket-size), self-sustained and easy-to-use imaging devices. The operational principles and designs of ten portable in-vivo skin imaging prototypes developed at the Biophotonics Laboratory of Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, University of Latvia during the recent five years are presented in this paper. Four groups of imaging devices are considered. Multi-spectral imagers offer possibilities for distant mapping of specific skin parameters, so facilitating better diagnostics of skin malformations. Autofluorescence intensity and photobleaching rate imagers show a promising potential for skin tumor identification and margin delineation. Photoplethysmography video-imagers ensure remote detection of cutaneous blood pulsations and can provide real-time information on cardiovascular parameters and anesthesia efficiency. Multimodal skin imagers perform several of the above-mentioned functions by taking a number of spectral and video images with the same image sensor. Design details of the developed prototypes and results of clinical tests illustrating their functionality are presented and discussed.

Plant cells' ability to withstand abiotic stress is strongly linked to modifications in their mechanical characteristics. Nevertheless, the lack of a workable method for consistently tracking plant cell mechanical properties severely restricts our comprehension of the mechanical alterations in plant cells under stress. With Polyethylene Glycol (PEG6000), we created a drought-like environment, and we used the Double Resonator Piezoelectric Cytometry (DRPC) method to dynamically and non-invasively track changes in the stress (ΔS) created and viscoelasticity (storage modulus G' and loss modulus G") of protoplasts and suspension cells of rice during drought stress. The findings demonstrate that, rice suspension cells and protoplasts react mechanically differently to 5%–15% PEG6000 stress, implying distinct resistance mechanisms. However, neither of them can withstand 25% PEG6000 stress, they respond mechanically similarly to 25% PEG6000 stress. The results of DRPC are further corroborated by the morphological alterations of rice cells and protoplasts observed under an optical microscope. To sum up, the DRPC technique functions as a precise cellular mechanical sensor and offers novel research tools for the evaluation of plant cell adversity and differentiating between the mechanical reactions of cells and protoplasts under abiotic stress.

The G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER; G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 30, also known as GPR30) is a novel estrogen receptor and has emerged as a promising target for ovarian cancer. GPER, a seven-transmembrane receptor, suppresses cellular viability and migration in studied ovarian cancer cells. However, its impact on the fallopian tube, which is the potential origin of high-grade serous (HGSC) ovarian cancer, has not been addressed. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship of GPER, ovarian cancer subtypes, i.e., high-grade serous cell lines (OV90 and OVCAR420), as well as potential HGSC ovarian cancer origin (i.e., the fallopian tube cell line FT190). The selective ligand assessed here is the agonist G-1, which was utilized in an in vitro study to characterize its effects on cellular viability and migration. As a result, this study has addressed the effect of a specific GPER antagonist in combination with an agonist on cell viability, providing a better understanding of the effects of these compounds on our diverse group of studied cell lines. Strikingly, attenuated cell proliferation and migration behaviors were observed in the presence of G-1. Thus, our in vitro study reveals the impact of the origin of HGSC ovarian cancers and highlights the GPER agonist G-1 as a potential therapy for ovarian cancer.

Heavy metals are dangerous contaminants constituting a threat to human health because they persist in soils and are easily transferred into the food chain, causing damages to human health. Among heavy metals, nickel appears to be one of the most dangerous responsible for different disorders. Public health protection requires nickel detection in environment and food chains; a simple, rapid and sensitive method to detect nickel contamination is represented by biosensors. In this paper we report the setup of a whole-cell based system, in which protoplasts, obtained from Nicotiana tabacum leaves, were used as transducers to detect the presence of heavy metal ions and, in particular, nickel ions. Protoplasts were genetically modified with a plasmid containing the GFP reporter gene under the promoter region of a sunflower small HSP gene control. By this device the presence of heavy metal ions was detected. Thus, the possibility to use this whole-cell system as a novel tool to detect the presence of nickel ions in food matrices was assessed.

Nose mask is a fomite and its usage was mandatory during the COVID-19 outbreak. Its effectiveness has been established; however, as a fomite, it can harbor opportunistic respiratory pathogens such as Streptococcus spp., which could complicate COVID-19 infections. This study profiled Streptococcus species resident on nose masks obtained from consenting participants. Phenotypic assays and 16S rRNA sequencing were used to identify Streptococcus spp. resident on the interior and exterior of 100 nose masks analyzed. Antibiotic resistance (AMR) was determined with disc diffusion and broth microdilution assays. AMR and virulence makers were profiled with primer-specific PCR amplification. 23% of the analyzed samples had Streptococcus isolates. The isolates were highly resistant to the antimicrobials, including conventional, last-resort antibiotics, disinfectants and antiseptics. All the isolates are multidrug resistant with 80-100% levels of AMR to the 16 antibiotics tested with a Multiple-Antibiotic Resistance index greater than 0.2, indicative of potential pathogens. The isolates harbored tetB, ermB, pbp2B, pbp2b1 (resistance) and lytA, lytA1, ply1, cbpA, lytA, pavA (virulence) markers, which might constitute a serious public health risk. Overall, the study emphasizes the need to assess mask usage and the risks associated with opportunistic pathogens that are resident on frequently used nose masks in the COVID-19 era.

The substrate N1, N3, N5 -tris(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (Sensor A) was prepared in the reaction of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (trimesic acid) and o-aminophenol in ethanol. The prepared organic sensor fulfills the chemiluminescent requirements including luminophore, spacer, and suitable binding receptor that distress the probe's luminescent features, providing selective and sensitive detection of mercury and iron ions in aqueous solutions. The sensor selectively detects mercury and iron ions in a water matrix containing various metal ions including sodium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and nickel. Strong and immediate binding was observed between mercury ions and the substrate at pH 7.0 with a binding affinity toward Hg (II) enhanced by nine folds higher than that observed for iron sensor binding affinity, which makes the substrate a distinctive luminescence sensor for mercury detection at ambient conditions. The sensor shows a linear response toward Hg (II) in the concentration range from 4.2 x 10-5 to 2.0 x 10-8 M with a limit of detection of 1.0 x 10-8 M. Further, Sensor A provides linear detection for iron ions in the range from 1.5 x 10-3 to 1.5 x 10-8 M. The measured adsorption capacity of Sensor A toward mercury ions ranged from 1.25 to 1.97 mg/g and the removal efficiency from water samples reached 98.8% at pH 7.0. The data demonstrate that Sensor A is an excellent probe for detecting and removing mercury ions from water bodies.

The aim of this work is research dedicated to the search for new bactericidal systems for use in cosmetic formulations, dermocosmetics, or the production of wound dressings. Over the last two decades chitosan due to its special biological activity, has become a highly indispensable biopolymer with very wide application possibilities. Literature reports on the antibacterial effects of chitosan are very diverse, but our research has shown that they can be successfully improved through chemical modification. Therefore, in this study, results on the synthesis of new Schiff bases chitosan – dCsSB-SFD and dCsSB-PCA obtained using two aldehydes: sodium 4-formylbenzene-1,3-disulfonate (SFD) and 2-pyridine carboxaldehyde (PCA) respectively. Chitosan derivatives synthesized in this way demonstrate stronger antimicrobial activity. Carrying out the procedure of grafting chitosan with a caproyl chain allowed obtaining compatible blends of chitosan derivatives with κ-carrageenan, which are stable hydrogels with a high swelling coefficient. Furthermore, covalently bounded PCL improved the solubility of obtained polymers in organic solvents. With this respect, the Schiff base-containing polymers obtained in this study, with special hydrogel and antimicrobial properties are very promising materials for the potential use as a controlled-release formulation of both, hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs in cosmetic products for skin health.

Acute and chronic graft versus host disease (a/cGVHD) are major complications of allogeneic stem cell transplantation and a frequent cause of non relapse-mortality. The treatment of a/cGVHD consists of steroid administration at full dose. In the case of aGVHD, around 60 % of patients with grade III/IV fails to respond (steroid-resistant, SR), requiring a second line therapy. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) represents a good option for second line treatment, leading to multiorgan response in several patients. Here, we have evaluated the performances of a cytofluorimetric quality control of the first ECP procedure in 29 patients with severe SR aGVHD who underwent ECP. The quality control represents a check control of in vitro cell apoptosis/death induction in collected and irradiated CD3+ cells by ECP. Our analysis shows that in more than 70 % quality controls a relevant apoptotosis/death of CD3+ cells was observed after cell irradiation, as compared to non-irradiated controls. Albeit observed in a small patients’ series, the occurrence of relevant in vitro effect after ECP relates to less procedures and/or to a better survival on ECP. Age, disease, gender, aGVHD grade and time from transplant to the first ECP had not impact on ECP efficacy in this patients’ series.

This investigation explores the potential of enhancing aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) through the introduction of a novel cathode material, NH4V4O10 (NVO), combined with reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Utilizing Density Functional Theory (DFT), it was hypothesized that the incorpora-tion of rGO would increase the interlayer spacing of NVO and diminish the charge transfer in-teractions, thus promoting enhanced diffusion of Zn2+ ions. These theoretical predictions were substantiated by experimental data acquired from hydrothermal synthesis, which indicated a marked increase in interlayer spacing. Significantly, the NVO-rGO composite exhibits remarkable cyclic durability, maintaining 95% of its initial specific capacity of 507 mAh g−1 after 600 cycles at a current density of 5 A g−1. The electrochemical performance of NVO-rGO not only surpasses that of pristine NVO but also outperforms the majority of existing vanadium oxide cathode materials reported in the literature. This study underscores the effective integration of theoretical insights and experimental validation, contributing to the advancement of high-performance energy storage technologies.

This study explores the enhancement of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) using ammonium-enhanced vanadium oxide cathodes. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations reveal that NH₄⁺ incorporation into V₆O₁₆ lattices significantly facilitates Zn²⁺ ion diffusion by reducing electrostatic interactions, acting as a structural lubricant. Subsequent experimental validation using (NH₄)₂V₆O₁₆ cathodes synthesized via a hydrothermal method corroborates the DFT findings, demonstrating remarkable electrochemical stability with a capacity retention of 90% after 2000 cycles at 5 A g⁻¹. These results underscore the potential of NH₄⁺ in improving the performance and longevity of AZIBs, providing a pathway for sustainable energy storage solutions.

Conventional plaque assays rely on the use of overlays to restrict viral infection allowing the formation of distinct foci that grow in time as the replication cycle continues leading to counta-ble plaques that are visualized with standard techniques such as crystal violet, neutral red or immunolabeling. This classical approach takes several days until large enough plaques can be visualized and counted with some variation due to subjectivity in plaque recognition. Since plaques are clonal lesions produced by virus-induced cytopathic effect, we applied DNA fluores-cent dyes with differential cell permeability to visualize them by live cell imaging. We could observe different stages of that cytopathic effect corresponding to an early wave of cells with chromatin-condensation followed by a wave of dead cells with membrane permeabilization within plaques generated by different animal viruses. This approach enables an automated plaque identification using image analysis to increase single plaque resolution compared to crystal violet counterstaining and allows its application to plaque tracking and plaque reduction assays to test compounds for both antiviral and cytotoxic activities. This fluorescent real-time plaque assay sums to those next-generation technologies by combining this robust classical method with modern fluorescence microscopy and image analysis approaches for future applica-tions in virology.

Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome triggered by infection and accompanied by high mortality, with antimicrobial resistances (AMRs) further escalating clinical challenges. Rapid and reliable detection of causative pathogens and AMRs are key factors for fast and appropriate treatment, in order to improve outcome in septic patients. However, current sepsis diagnostics based on blood culture is limited by low sensitivity and specificity while current molecular approaches fail to enter clinical routine. Therefore, we developed a Suppression PCR-based selective enrichment sequencing approach (SUPSETS), providing a molecular method combining multiplex suppression PCR with Nanopore sequencing to identify most common sepsis-causative pathogens and AMRs using plasma cell-free DNA. Applying only 1 mL of plasma, we target eight pathogens across three kingdoms and ten AMRs in a proof-of-concept study. SUPSETS was successfully tested on first ten clinical samples and revealed comparable results to clinical metagenomics while clearly outperforming blood culture. Several clinically relevant AMRs could be detected additionally. Furthermore, SUPSETS provided first pathogen and AMR-specific sequencing reads within minutes of starting sequencing, thereby potentially decreasing time to results to 11 - 13 hours and suggesting diagnostic potential in sepsis.

This study presents the first genome assembly of the freshwater saprobe fungus Neonectria lugdunensis and a comprehensive phylogenomics analysis of the Nectriaceae family, examining genomic traits according to fungal lifestyles. The Nectriaceae family, one of the largest in Hypocreales, includes fungi with significant ecological roles and economic importance as plant pathogens, endophytes, and saprobes. The phylogenomics analysis identified 2684 single-copy orthologs, providing a robust evolutionary framework for the Nectriaceae family. We analyzed the genomic characteristics of 17 Nectriaceae genomes, focusing on their carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), and adaptations to environmental temperatures. Our results highlight the adaptation mechanisms of N. lugdunensis, emphasizing its capabilities for plant-litter degradation and enzyme activity in varying temperatures. Comparative genomics of different Nectriaceae lifestyles revealed significant differences in genome size, gene content, repetitive elements, and secondary metabolite production. Endophytes exhibited larger genomes, more effector proteins, and BGCs, while plant pathogens had higher thermo-adapted protein counts, suggesting greater resilience to global warming. In contrast, the freshwater saprobe shows less adaptation to warmer temperatures and is important for conservation goals. This study underscores the importance of understanding fungal genomic adaptations to predict ecosystem impacts and conservation targets in the face of climate change.

Adjunctive treatment of periodontitis lacks solutions allowing enough time for wound healing in the periodontal pockets by avoiding a fast re-colonization. Such a solution might be an antibiotic containing formulation with a controlled release over weeks. Here, a recently described minocycline containing approach is qualified for further clinical development by focusing on proof-of-concept, systemic burden, resistance development and degradation studies. Animal studies were done in two different (mouse-chamber, rat Porphyromonas gingivalis challenging) models, including effects on inflammation markers, bone loss and bone structure. Also, serum concentrations of minocycline after local application were determined by HPLC-MS/MS. The resistance status of bacterial clinical isolates against minocycline was investigated and the degradation of the formulation was characterized by laser scanning- and scanning electron microscopy. Animal studies clearly demonstrated the applicability of the new formulation in the investigated models. Inflammation markers decreased dosage dependent and reduced bone loss compared to non-treated group was observed. Thereby, the systemic burden of the antibiotic was neglectable. Minocycline is still effective against oral pathogens; resistance development was not seen. The biodegradable thread was first swollen and subsequently degraded over weeks. The results support the continued clinical development of this new formulation. A phase I clinical trial is planned to further evaluate its safety and efficacy.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive impairment and memory loss. Oxidative stress (OS) has emerged as a central element in the pathophysiology of AD, linking various pathological features including amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque formation, tau hyperphosphorylation, and synaptic dysfunction. This review comprehensively examines the role of OS in AD, focusing on the mechanisms of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial dysfunction, and their impact on neuronal integrity. Additionally, the review highlights recent advances in antioxidant therapy. Elevated ROS levels in the aging brain exacerbate oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA, contributing to neuronal atrophy and synaptic loss. Mitochondrial dysfunction further amplifies OS, disrupting cellular energy metabolism and promoting neurodegeneration. Despite the strong association between OS and AD, antioxidant therapies have shown inconsistent clinical outcomes. Emerging strategies targeting offer promising avenues for therapeutic intervention. This review highlights the need for a multifaceted approach in understanding and mitigating OS-related damage in AD, aiming to pave the way for more effective treatments and improved patient outcomes.

Shigella and Salmonella have been implicated in neonatal sepsis, food poisoning, and bacteremia. Their increasing resistance to antibiotics has undermined treatment options, constituting a public health crisis. Also, the scarcity of new antibiotics in the development pipeline compounds multidrug-resistance (MDR). Hence, there is a need to potentiate antibiotics to mitigate resistance. This study leveraged riboflavin to re-sensitize fluoroquinolones and carbapenems against MDR Shigella and Salmonella spp. Disk diffusion, microbroth-dilution, chequerboard, and time-kill assays were used to determine resistance profiles and riboflavin-antibiotic activity. Biofilm-formation and bacterial viability (after riboflavin-antibiotic challenge) was determined with crystal-violet and Macrophage infection assays, respectively. Strains exhibited &gt;80% resistance to fluoroquinolones and carbapenems, with 160–320 µg MIC ranges and 0.5–2 FIC, indicating no synergy. At 40–80 µg riboflavin, there was two-fold reduction in bacterial survival, with meropenem-riboflavin exhibiting significant reduction and FIC of 0.075 indicating high synergistic activity. Biofilm-formation was altered (from strong to weak phenotype) with 40 µg riboflavin-antibiotic treatment. There was a 40–70% reduction in bacterial survival in THP-1 cells treated with meropenem-riboflavin after 3 hours, and complete clearance between 24-48 hpi. Riboflavin potentiated fluoroquinolones and meropenem, leading to modulation of the host immune response for the clearance of the strains.

Members of the genus Armillaria are widespread forest pathogens against which effective protection has not yet been developed. Due to their longevity and the creation of large-scale cloning of Armillaria individuals, the use of mycoviruses as biocontrol agents (BCAs) against these pathogens could be an effective alternative. This work describes the screening of double-stranded RNA banding patterns as a first approach for potential virus discovery and the use of stranded total RNA-seq for viral detection and characterization in Armillaria spp. collected in the Czech Republic. A total of five single-stranded RNA viruses were detected in Armillaria ostoyae and A. cepistipes, including the first virus of the family Tymoviridae found infecting a member the genus Armillaria and four viruses belonging to the recently described virus group "ambiviruses" with circular ambisense genome organization. Both hammerhead (HHRz) and hairpin (HpRz) ribozymes were detected in all the ambiviricot sequences. Armillaria viruses were compared by phylogenetic analysis and confirmed their specific host by direct RT-PCR, which showed the occurrence of interspecies transmission.

Reconstructing the Tree of Life remains a central goal in biology. Early methods, relying on small numbers of morphological or genetic characters, often yielded conflicting evolutionary histories, undermining confidence in the results. Investigations based on phylogenomics, which use hundreds to thousands of loci for phylogenetic inquiry, have provided a clearer picture of life's history, but certain branches remain problematic. To resolve difficult nodes on the Tree of Life, two recent studies tested the utility of synteny, the conserved collinearity of orthologous genetic loci in two or more organisms, for phylogenetics. Synteny exhibits compelling phylogenomic potential while also raising new challenges. We identify and discuss specific opportunities and challenges that bear on the value of synteny data and other rare genomic changes for phylogenomic studies. Synteny-based analyses of highly contiguous genome assemblies mark a new chapter in the phylogenomic era and the quest to reconstruct the Tree of Life.

Carotid atherosclerotic lesions are a major cause of cerebrovascular disease (CVD). Identification and quantification of carotid plaques are important for categorizing the vulnerability of plaques for rupture and assessing the impact of treatments. The irregularity of plaque surface is associated with previous plaque rupture and plays an important role in the risk of stroke. Thus, the aim of this study is to develop and validate novel vulnerability biomarkers from three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) images by analyzing the surface morphological characterization of carotid plaque using fractal geometry features. 3D box-counting and 3D blanket are the two types of 3D fractal dimension that were employed to describe the smoothness of plaques. This fractal dimension analysis tool was used to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin using 3DUS carotid images, which were acquired from 6 patients treated with atorvastatin with 80 mg daily and 5 patients with placebo. The Student's T Test results showed that those two fractal features were effective for detecting the statin-related changes in carotid atherosclerosis with p<0.0068 and p<0.015 respectively, suggesting that 3D fractal dimension measurements can be used effectively to analyze the surface characteristics of carotid plaques, especially for evaluating the impact of the treatment.

This study presents the synthesis and electrochemical evaluation of nitrogen-doped vanadium oxide (N-V2O3/C) as a cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs), using a hydrothermal method. Compared to undoped V2O3/C, N-V2O3/C exhibits enhanced electrical conductivity, capacity, and electrochemical kinetics, attributed to the incorporation of pyridinic and pyrrolic nitrogen. Initial charge-discharge cycles indicate phase transitions to amorphous vanadium oxides, enhancing conductivity. N-V2O3/C shows a high specific capacity of 168.4 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1 and remarkable reversibility, highlighted by the transient existence of intermediate species during cycling. Optimal electrochemical performance is achieved with a vanadium to nitrogen molar ratio of 2:3, indicating the significant impact of nitrogen doping concentration on the material’s efficiency. This work underscores the potential of N-V2O3/C as a superior cathode material for AZIBs.

Using density functional theory (DFT), the density of states of NH4V3O8 (NVO) was analyzed pre and post-oxygen defects (Od) formation. The findings revealed a reduced bandgap in NVO after Od introduction, emphasizing the role of Od in enhancing conductivity of the material, thus improving its electrochemical attributes. Through the water bath method, both NVO and its oxygen-deficient counterpart, (NH4)2V10O25⸱8H2O (NVOd), were synthesized as potential cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). Experimental outcomes resonated with DFT predictions, highlighting the beneficial role of oxygen defects in boosting electrical conductivity. Notably, the refined material displayed a remarkable capacity of 479.3 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1, underscoring its promise for advanced energy storage solutions.

To enhance the applicability of dual-phase high-entropy alloys (HEAs) like Fe32Cr33Ni29Al3Ti3, fabricated via selective laser melting (SLM), a focus on improving their mechanical properties is essential. As part of this effort, heat treatment was explored. This study compares the microstructure and mechanical properties of the as-printed sample with those cooled in water after undergoing heat treatment at temperatures ranging from 1000 to 1200 ℃ for 1 hour. Both pre- and post-treatment samples reveal a dual-phase microstructure comprising FCC and BCC phases. Although heat treatment led to a reduction in tensile and yield strength, it significantly increased ductility compared to the as-printed sample. This strength-ductility trade-off is related to changes in grain sizes with ultrafine grains enhancing strength and micron grains optimizing ductility, also the influence of the content of FCC/BCC phases and dislocation density. In particular, the sample heat-treated at 1000 °C for 1 hour and then water-cooled exhibited a better combination of strength and ductility, a yield strength of 790 MPa, and an elongation of 13%. This research offers innovative perspectives on crafting dual-phase HEA of Fe32Cr33Ni29Al3Ti3, allowing for tailorable microstructure and mechanical properties through a synergistic approach involving SLM and heat treatment.

Vegetative desiccation tolerance has evolved within the genus Craterostigma and Lindernia. A centre of endemism and diversification for these plants appears to occur in ancient tropical montane rainforests of east Africa in Kenya and Tanzania. Lindernia subracemosa, a desiccation-sensitive relative of C. plantagineum, occurs in these rainforests and experiences adequate rainfall and thus does not require desiccation tolerance. However, sharing this inselberg habitat, another species Lindernia brevidens does retain vegetative desiccation tolerance and is also related to the resurrection plant C. plantagineum found in South Africa. Leaf material was collected from all three species at different stages of hydration: fully hydrated, half-dry (ca. 45% relative water content), and fully desiccated. Cell wall monosaccharide datasets were collected from all three species. Comprehensive microarray polymer profiling (CoMPP) was performed using ca. 27 plant cell wall specific antibody and carbohydrate binding module probes. Global datasets do not show significant differences between the selected species suggesting that cell wall modifications in response to vegetative desiccation involve subtle cell wall remodelling not reflected by compositional analysis and that the plants and their walls are constitutively protected against desiccation.

A novel type of graphene-like quantum dots, synthesized by oxidation and cage-opening of C60 buckminsterfullerene, has been studied as a fluorescent and absorptive probe for heavy-metal ions. The lattice structure of such unfolded fullerene quantum dots (UFQDs) is distinct from that of graphene since it includes both carbon hexagons and pentagons. The basic optical properties, however, are similar to those of regular graphene oxide quantum dots. On the other hand, UFQDs behave quite differently in the presence of heavy-metal ions, in that multiple sensitivity to Cu2+, Pb2+ and As(III) was observed through comparable quenching of the fluorescent emission and different variations of the transmittance spectrum. By dynamic light scattering measurements we confirmed, for the first time in metal sensing, that this response is due to multiple complexation and subsequent aggregation of UFQDs. Nonetheless, the explanation of the distinct behaviour of transmittance in the presence of As(III) and the formation of precipitate with Pb2+ require further studies. These differences, however, also make it possible to discriminate between the three metal ions in view of the implementation of a selective multiple sensor.

To address the requirements of sonar imaging, such as high receiving sensitivity, wide bandwidth, wide receiving angle, an AlN PMUT with an optimized ratio of 0.6 for the piezoelectric layer diameter to backside cavity diameter is proposed in this paper. A sample AlN PMUT is designed and fabricated with SOI substrate-based bulk MEMS process. The characterization test result of the sample demonstrates a -6 dB bandwidth of approximately 500 kHz and a measured receiving sensitivity per unit area of at 1.37 V/μPa/mm2, which significantly surpasses the performance of previously reported PMUTs. The -6 dB horizontal angles of the AlN PMUT at 300 kHz and 500 kHz are measured 68.30° and 54.24°, respectively. To achieve an accurate prediction of its characteristics when being packaged and assembled in a receive array, numerical simulations with the consideration of film stress are conducted. The numerical result shows a maximum deviation of ±7% in the underwater receiving sensitivity across the frequency range of 200 kHz to 1000 kHz and a deviation of about 0.33% in the peak of underwater receiving sensitivity comparing to the experimental data. By such good agreement, the simulation method reveals its capability of providing theoretical foundation for enhancing the uniformity of the AlN PMUTs in future studies.

Asymmetric lithium salts, such as Lithium (difluoromethanesulfonyl)(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiDFTFSI), have been demonstrated to surpass traditional symmetric lithium salts with improved Li+ conductivity and the capacity to generate stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) while maintaining compatibility with aluminum (Al0) current collector. However, the intrinsic reductive mechanism through which LiDFTFSI influences battery performance remains unclear and under debate. Herein, the detailed SEI reactions of LiDFTFSI-based electrolytes were investigated by combining density functional theory and molecular dynamics, aiming to clarify the formation process and atomic structure of SEI. Our results show that asymmetric DFTFSI– weakens the interaction between carbonate solvents and Li+, and substantially alter the solvation structure, exhibiting a well-balanced coordination capacity to bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI–). Nanoseconds hybrid molecular dynamics simulation further reveals that the preferential decomposition of LiDFTFSI produces sufficient LiF and Li2O to facilitate a robust SEI. Moreover, the abundant F– generated from LiDFTFSI decomposition accumulates on the Al surface and subsequently combines with Al3+ from the current collector to form AlF3, potentially inhibiting corrosion of the current collector. Overall, these findings elucidate how LiDFTFSI regulates the solvation sheath and SEI structure, advancing the development of high-performance electrolytes compatible with current collector.

Cell-culture meat is a novel concept to replace traditional meat produced from animals, and to satisfy rising food demands due to the world population growth. It is still a young field and requires to solve technical issues including cell sources and types, efficient culture for large scale production, taste and texture for customer satisfaction. The current review summarized traditional beef meat production and evaluation methods for customer satisfaction. In particular, serum biomarkers for beef meat evaluation are discussed, which can be applicated for cell-culture meat production.

Backyard chickens often suffer from foot pad dermatitis (FPD), a condition exacerbated by poor husbandry, nutritional deficiencies, and obesity. Pressure-relieving bandages, commonly used in treatment of FPD, are impractical for outdoor chickens as they quickly become wet and dirty, necessitating daily changes which are often unfeasible. This retrospective study explores the use of custom-fit silicone shoes, created via 3D-printed molds, as an alternative to traditional bandages. CT scans were used to design shoes, adapted from a design used for birds of prey. Over three years, 16 chickens with varying degrees of FPD were treated. The results demonstrated that sili-cone shoes were an effective treatment for FPD, allowing outdoor activity, and facilitated daily lesion care without frequent bandage changes. The median shoe-wearing period was 14 days, and most owners provided positive feedback. Despite some attachment issues, the occurrence of sec-ondary pressure marks and feather regrowth challenges, the silicone shoes offered better ventila-tion, reusability, and consistent pressure relief compared to traditional bandages. This study con-cludes that silicone shoes are a viable solution for managing FPD in backyard chickens, promoting faster healing and improved owner compliance.

Adenomyosis, a benign gynecological condition characterized by the infiltration of endometrial tissue into the myometrium, poses significant challenges to women's reproductive health. Recently, the landscape of adenomyosis diagnosis transformed significantly, thanks to advancements in imaging technologies such as transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. This lead to a noticeable shift in the demographic profile of patients diagnosed with adenomyosis, including younger women of reproductive age who frequently present with a diverse array of symptoms. Approximately 20% of women are affected by adenomyosis. Adenomyosis manifests with various subtypes, distinct epidemiological profiles, symptomatology, and treatment responses, necessitating tailored approaches for optimal management. Despite its clinical significance, adenomyosis remains understudied, resulting in a significant disparity in research and literature compared to other gynecological conditions. The severity of adenomyosis is compounded when coexisting with endometriosis, particularly deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), leading to exacerbated fertility issues and severe symptomatology. The wide range of symptoms, including adverse pregnancy outcomes such as pre-eclampsia, highlights its wider impact and emphasizes the need for increased awareness of the condition. Furthermore, Adenomyosis is frequently associated with treatment failure in endometriosis, contributing to dienogest resistance, elevated discontinuation rates, and persistent pain post endometriosis surgery. Additionally, the lack of specific treatments tailored to adenomyosis poses a considerable challenge in clinical management.

The study of underwater vehicle wake detection is of significant importance within the field of target detection, localisation and tracking of underwater vehicles. Given that propellers are the propellers of modern ships and underwater vehicles, the propeller wake field represents the principal target source for wake detection in underwater vehicles. The objective of this paper is to propose a method for measuring the wake of an underwater propeller based on a position-sensitive detector. A theoretical model of the relationship between the laser spot displacement and the change of refractive index of the wake field is established on the basis of the principle of laser beam deflection. A prototype experimental setup for underwater propeller wake measurement was constructed based on the aforementioned optical measurement method. Furthermore, the simulation of the propeller wake flow field with strong density stratification and linear density stratification was conducted based on the experimental setup. In the experiment, a three-bladed propeller with a diameter of 39mm was selected, the water tank size was 980mm×380mm×380mm, and the laser acted at a distance of 550 mm from the propeller. The experimental results indicate that the wake dissipation time of the propeller in a strong density-stratified water environment is approximately 800s. Following the stabilization of the wake field density, the laser spot position is observed to be stable at 0.341 mm, with a corresponding refractive index change of 2.99×10-6 RIU. The wake dissipation time of the propeller in a linear density-stratified water environment is approximately 750 s. Once the wake field density has reached a stable state, the laser spot position is found to be 0.441mm, corresponding to a refractive index change of 3.87×10-6 RIU. These experimental results are found to be in general agreement with the simulation results of the propeller wake field. A comparison of the experimental device-based wake measurements with the CTD-based wake measurements reveals a consistent trend.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are a class of cognitive and motor disorders that include Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and others. They are caused by lesions in cells and tissues of the central nervous system, resulting in corresponding dysfunctions and consequent decline in cognitive and motor functions. Neural tissues are extremely vulnerable to oxidative stress, which plays critical biological roles in NDDs. Aromatic compounds are found extensively in natural plants and have substantial effects of anti-oxidative stress damage, which not only have a wide range of research applications in cosmetics, foods, etc., but are also frequently utilized in the treatment of various central nervous system diseases. This review summarizes the relevant oxidative stress mechanisms in NDDs (AD, PD, HD, and ALS) and reviews aromatic compounds such as polyphenols, terpenoids, and flavonoids that can be used in the management of neurodegenerative diseases, as well as their specific mechanisms of antioxidant action. This review will serve as a reference for future experimental studies on neurodegenerative illnesses while also offering fresh insights into clinical therapy.

Phylogenomics has enriched our understanding that the Tree of Life can have network-like or reticulate structures among some taxa and genes. Non-vertical modes of evolution—such as hybridization/introgression and horizontal gene transfer—deviate from a strictly bifurcating tree model, causing non-treelike patterns. Here, we present a brief overview of a phylogenomic workflow for inferring organismal histories and compare methods for detecting reticulate evolution. We discuss how the timing of coalescent events can help disentangle introgression from incomplete lineage sorting and how horizontal gene transfer events can help determine the relative timing of speciation events. In doing so, we identify pitfalls of certain methods and discuss how to extend their utility across the Tree of Life. Workflows, methods, and future directions discussed herein underscore the need to embrace reticulate evolutionary patterns for understanding the timing and rates of evolutionary events, providing a clearer understanding of life’s history.

Achieving the thermal conductivity required for efficient heat management in semiconductors and other devices requires the integration of thermally conductive ceramic fillers at concentrations of 60 vol% or higher. However, the increased filler content often negatively affects the mechanical properties of the composite matrix, limiting its practical applicability. To address this issue, in this paper, we present a new strategy to reduce the required ceramic filler content: the use of a thermally conductive ceramic composite filler with carbon nanotubes (CNT) grown on aluminum nitride (AlN). We have combined catalyst coating technology with vacuum filtration to ensure that the catalyst is uniformly applied to micrometer-sized AlN particles, followed by efficient and uniform synthesis of CNTs using a water-assisted process in a vertical furnace. By carefully controlling the number of vacuum filtration cycles and the growth time of the CNTs, we demonstrate precise control over the number and length of the CNT layers, thereby adjusting the properties of the composite to the intended specifications. When AlN/CNT hybrid fillers are incorporated into silicone rubber, while maintaining the mechanical properties of rubber, the thermal diffusivity achieved at reduced filler levels exceeds that of composites using AlN-only or simultaneous AlN and CNTs formulations. This demonstrates the critical role of CNTs on AlN surfaces. Our study represents a significant advancement in the design of thermally conductive materials with potential implications for a wide range of applications.

A key component of nanomaterials, carbon dots (CDs) are zero-dimensional solids, smaller than 10 nm in size that include carbon as their backbone structure. Herbal medicine carbon dots (HM-CDs) are nanoparticles developed from medicinal plants. Owing to their advantageous properties, they are extensively employed in biological domains such as drug administration, bio-imaging, biosensors, and DNA interactions. It's interesting to note that, carbon dots pro-duced from herbal medicines as a raw material have surfaced as the most recent addition to the CD family. This article provides an overview of the several sources of green precursor, preparation tech-niques, characterization, and applications of CDs. It reviews recent advancements in synthe-sizing CDs made from green carbon materials and their potential uses as bioimaging, catalysts and sensing. Furthermore, several difficult issues and future directions for this potent and amazing content are also covered.

Sentinel eggs used to monitor field parasitism of stink bug pests (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) can only be deployed for a few days to avoid releasing the pest in the monitored area. Using sterile eggs removes the risk of accidental pest introduction and extends deployment time. Freezing the eggs before deployment is one common method for sterilizing sentinel eggs. However, some egg parasitoid species have lower to no parasitism on frozen eggs. In this study, x-ray irradiation was used to sterilize Bagrada hilaris sentinel eggs intended for monitoring parasitism by Gryon aetherium (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), the most promising biological control candidate. In this case, freezing sentinel eggs is not recommended because G. aetherium has low levels of parasitism on frozen eggs. Doses as low as 10 Gy induced 100% sterility. Irradiated eggs successfully sustained the development of G. aetherium and Ooencyrtus californicus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), another egg parasitoid attacking B. hilaris, and parasitism levels were comparable to fresh eggs up to seven days. In addition, G. aetherium showed no preference for fresh non-irradiated over seven-day-old irradiated eggs. Our results indicate that x-ray irradiation is a suitable alternative to produce safe and reliable sentinel eggs to monitor egg parasitism of B. hilaris and possibly other species.

Cellulose-based carbon (CBC) has been widely concerned with its porous structure, high specific surface area, and is liable to adsorb gas molecules and macromolecular pollutants. However, the application of CBC in gas sensing has been little studied. In this paper, ZnO/CBC heterojunction was formed by means of simple co-precipitation and high temperature carbonization. As a new ammonia sensor, the prepared ZnO/CBC sensor can detect ammonia compared with that of the previous pure ZnO ammonia sensor can not at room temperature. It has great gas sensing response, stability and selectivity to ammonia concentration at 200 ppm. This study provides a new idea for the design and synthesis of biomass carbon-metal oxide composites.

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that can adjust and respond to different stimuli within a cell. This plastic ability allows them to effectively coordinate several cellular functions in cells and becomes particularly relevant in highly complex cells such as neurons. An imbalance in mitochondrial dynamics can disrupt mitochondrial function, leading to abnormal cellular function and ultimately to a range of diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders. Regulation of mRNA transport and local translation inside neurons is crucial for maintaining the proteome of distal mitochondria, which is vital for energy production and synaptic function. A significant portion of the axonal transcriptome is dedicated to mRNAs for mitochondrial proteins, emphasizing the importance of local translation in sustaining mitochondrial function in areas far from the cell body. In neurons, local translation and the regulation of mRNAs encoding mitochondrial-shaping proteins could be essential for synaptic plasticity and neuronal health. The dynamics of these mRNAs, including their transport and local translation, may influence the morphology and function of mitochondria, thereby affecting the overall energy status and responsiveness of synapses. Comprehending the mitochondria-related mRNAs regulation and local translation, as well as its influence on mitochondrial morphology near the synapses will help to better understand neuronal physiology and neurological diseases where mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired synaptic plasticity play a central role.

We present a simple strategy to generate a family of carbon dot/iron oxide nanoparticles (C/Fe-NPs) that relies on the thermal decomposition of iron (III) acetylacetonate in the presence of a highly fluorescent carbon-rich precursor, while polyethylene glycol serves as the passivation agent. By varying the molar ratio of the reactants, a series of C/Fe-NPs have been synthesized with tuneable elemental composition in terms of C, H, O, N, Fe. The quantum yield is enhanced from 6% to 9% as the carbon content increases from 27% to 36%, while the room temperature saturation magnetization is improved from 4.1 emu/g to 17.7 emu/g as the iron content is enriched from 17 to 31%. In addition, the C/Fe-NPs show excellent antimicrobial properties, minimal cytotoxicity and demonstrate promising bioimaging capabilities, thus showing great potential for the development of advanced diagnostic tools.

Mercury (Hg) analyses in species of fish are performed for two reasons 1) to safeguard human health, 2) to assess environmental quality, since different environmental changes may increase the Hg concentrations in fish. These analyses are important since both natural and human activities can increase these Hg concentrations, which can vary extensively, depending on the species, age and catching location. Unfortunately, humans consuming Hg contaminated fish or other marine foodstuffs cannot taste Hg contamination; this can be only detected by chemical analysis. If the aim of Hg analysis is to protect the health of marine-food consumers, researchers workers must consider the location where the fish were caught and interpret the results accordingly. Health and environmental officials must appreciate that in specific places many local people may have a daily diet almost entirely consisting of fish or other marine foods, and these individuals should not be exposed to high concentrations of Hg. Regional and national health and environmental officials should follow the guidance of international organizations when drawing their final conclusions about whether or not the products are safe to eat.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive and potentially fatal complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) affecting 6-10% of adult SCD patients. Various mechanisms and theories have been evaluated to explain the pathophysiology of the disease. However, questions remain, particularly regarding the clinical heterogeneity of the disease in terms of symptoms, complications, and survival. Beyond the classical mechanisms that have been thoroughly investigated and include hemolysis, nitric oxide availability, endothelial disorders, thrombosis, and left heart failure, attention is focused nowadays on the potential role of the genes involved in such processes. Potential candidate genes are investigated through next-generation sequencing, with the TGF-β pathway being the initial target. This field of research may also provide novel targets for pharmacologic agents in the future as is already the case with idiopathic PH. The collection and processing of data and samples from multiple centers can yield safe results that will allow a better understanding of SCD-related PH as a part of the disease’s clinical spectrum. The following review attempts to capture the most recent findings of studies on gene polymorphisms that have been associated with PH in SCD patients.

Music has the innate potential to reach all parts of the brain, stimulates certain brain areas which are not achievable through other modalities. Music Therapy (MT) is being used for more than a century to treat individuals who needs personalized care. MT optimizes motor, speech and language responsibilities of the brain and improves cognitive performance. Pervasive developmentdisorder (PDD) is a multifaceted, neuro developmental disorder and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comes under PDD, which is defined by deficiencies in three principal spheres: social connection with others, communicative and normal movement skills. The conventional imaging studies illustrate reduced brain area connectivity in people with ASD, involving selected parts of the brain cortex. People with ASD express much interest in musical activities which engages the brain network areas and improves communication and social skills.The main objective of this review is to analyze the potential role of MT in treating the neurological conditions, particularly ASD. Evidence based studies have reported the extensive therapeutic application of music on various part of the brain in a nonverbal child with autism through hearing or making music.Hence we hypothesized that MT intervention can improve the communication capacity in people with ASD, than customary neurorestoration therapy alone.

This study investigates the adoption of ecological innovations and management of occupational health hazards among Nigerian paddy rice farmers in response to field contamination and climate risks. Conducted across four major rice-producing states—Ekiti, Kwara, Edo, and Ogun—the research employed a semi-structured questionnaire developed from a comprehensive literature review and validated through peer review. Data were collected from 192 farmers through face-to-face interviews and guided dialogues, focusing on ecological innovations, vulnerability assessments, satisfaction with implemented methods, occupational health hazards, and perceptions of sustainable rice cultivation. Findings reveal that only 29.69% of farmers have adopted new measures to address contamination and climate risks, while 70.31% have not. Work-related injuries, such as cuts and abrasions, affected 28% of farmers, with minimal participation (3.1%) in safety training and support from agricultural or government agencies (1%). Correlation analysis demonstrated weak relationships among variables such as farmers' education, adoption of ecological innovations, satisfaction with results, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Importantly, farmers who adopted ecological innovations expressed significantly higher satisfaction (odds ratio = 11.613), as did those with prior exposure to pesticides and chemicals (odds ratio = 4.084) regarding safety practices. The study emphasizes the critical need for increased awareness, training, and support to promote sustainable farming practices and improve occupational health outcomes among paddy rice farmers in Nigeria.

The prospect of drinking water serving as a conduit for gut bacteria, artificially selected by disinfection strategies and lack of monitoring at the point of use, is concerning. Certain opportunistic pathogens, notably some nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), often exceed coliform bacteria levels in drinking water, posing safety risks. NTM and other microbiota resist chlorination and thrive in plumbing systems. When inhaled, opportunistic NTM can infect the lungs of immunocompromised or chronically ill patients, and the elderly, primarily postmenopausal women. When ingested with drinking water, NTM often survive stomach acidity, reach the intestines, migrate to other organs using immune cells as vehicles, potentially colonizing tumor tissue, including in breast cancer. The link between the microbiome and cancer is not new, yet the recognition of intratumoral microbiomes is a recent development. Breast cancer risk rises with age, and NTM infections emerged as a concern among breast cancer patients. In addition to studies hinting at a potential association between chronic NTM infections and lung cancer, NTM have also been detected in breast tumors at levels higher than normal adjacent tissue. Evaluating the risks of continued ingestion of contaminated drinking water is paramount, especially given the ability of various bacteria to migrate from the gut to breast tissue via entero-mammary pathways. This underscores a pressing need to revise water safety monitoring guidelines and delve into hormonal factors, which includes addressing the disproportionate impact of NTM infections and breast cancer on women and examining the potential health risks posed by the cryptic and unchecked microbiota from drinking water.

This study introduces a novel and sustainable method of producing graphene from coconut shells and investigates its application in Graphene, Ni/Graphene, and Zn/Graphene electrodes for advanced energy storage devices. The graphene was synthesized scalably using a pyrolysis and impregnation technique, with its successful synthesis verified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and electrical conductivity measurements characterizations. The study highlights the enhanced performance of Zn/Graphene electrodes, which outperform both pure graphene and Ni/Graphene variants. This superior performance is attributed to the smaller particle size of Zn (mean = 2.356 µm) compared to Ni (mean = 3.09 µm), and Zn’s more favorable electron configuration for electron transfer. These findings demonstrate the potential of bio-derived graphene composites as efficient, high-performance electrodes, paving the way for more sustainable and cost-effective energy storage solutions.

Background: Despite advances in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) over the last few decades, treatment opportunities for patients with HCC remain limited. HCC is the most common form of liver cancer, accounting for approximately 90% of all cases worldwide. Moreover, apart from the current pharmacological interventions, hepatic resection and liver transplantation are the mainstay curative approaches for patients with HCC. Methods: This systematic review included phase I, II, III, and IV clinical trials (CTs) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on current treatments for patients with HCC in an Asian population (2013–2023). A total of 427 articles were screened, and 184 non-duplicate publications were identified. After screening titles and abstracts, 96 publications were excluded, and another 28 were excluded after full-text screening. The remaining 60 eligible RCTs/CTs were finally included. Results: Sixty clinical trials fulfilled our inclusion criteria and screened 36 drugs as monotherapy or combination therapy for HCC. Most studies used sorafenib alone or in combination with any of the treatment regimens. Lenvatinib or atezolizumab with bevacizumab was used for HCC after initial sorafenib treatment. Eighteen studies compared the efficacy of sorafenib with that of other drugs, including lenvatinib, cabozantinib, tepotinib, tigatuzumab, linifanib, erlotinib, resminostat, brivanib, tislelizumab, selumetinib, and refametinib. Conclusion: This study provides comprehensive insights into effective treatment interventions for HCC in Asian populations. The overall assessment indicated that sorafenib alone or in combination with atezolizumab and bevacizumab has been the first treatment choice in the past decade to achieve better outcomes in patients with HCC in an Asian population

Amuyo Ponds (AP) are a group of three hydrothermal lagoons located at 3,700 m above sea level, in a pre-Andean setting at the Atacama Desert. Each pond shows a conspicuous green, red, or yellow coloration, and discharge waters rich in arsenic and boron into the Caritaya River (Camarones Basin, Arica and Parinacota Region, in northern Chile). Microorganisms at these ponds are subjected to harsh environmental conditions, and microbial composition and diversity in Amuyo Ponds sediments are unknown. Then, microbial life colonizing AP sediments was explored by metagenomics analyses. This approach showed a highly diverse microbial life dominated by members of the Bacterial Domain (nearly 800 bacterial genome sequences) and includes sequences associated to Archaea, Eukarya, and viruses. We also report putative functional capabilities related to virulence and defense genes, and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Thirteen bacterial and fourteen virus metagenome-assembled genomes were reconstructed and are here informed. This work expands our knowledge on the richness of microorganisms in AP and open further studies on the ecology and genomics of this striking Andean geosite.

Seeing atomic configuration of single organic nanoparticles at sub-Å spatial resolution by transmission electron microscopy has been so far prevented by the high sensitivity of soft matter to radiation damage. The difficulty is related to the need to irradiate the particle with a total dose of few electrons/Å2, not compatible with the electron beam density necessary to search the low-contrast nanoparticle, to control its drift, to finely adjust the electro-optical conditions and particle orientation, and to finally acquire an effective atomic resolution image. On the other hand, the capability to study individual pristine nanoparticles, such as proteins, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and polymers, with peculiar sensitivity to the variation of the local structure, defects, and strain, would provide advancements in many fields, including materials science, medicine, biology, and pharmacology. Here we report direct sub-ångström resolution imaging at room temperature of pristine unstained crystalline polymer-based nanoparticles. This result is obtained by combining low-dose in-line electron holography and phase-contrast imaging on state-of-the-art equipment, providing an effective tool for the quantitative sub-angstrom imaging of soft matter.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor 1 (PAC1-R) has a higher affinity for pituitary adenylate cyclase- activating polypeptide (PACAP) than for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). PACAP exerts its neuroprotective effects through PAC1-R. PAC1-R has become a target for drug development, and we targeted PAC1-R to screen small positive allosteric modulator 1 (SPAM1). SPAM1 has a neuroprotective effects, and in the D-galactose (D-gal) mouse model, SPAM1 improved the structure of the hippocampal dentate gyrus and restored the number of neurons. Compared with D-gal model mice, SPAM1 treatment upregulated the expression of Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) and Lamin B1, and downregulated the expression of YinYang 1 (YY1) and p16. Consistent with this, the same results were obtained in senescent RGC-5 cells. Meanwhile, SPAM1 was also found to up-regulate SIRT6 and down-regulate YY1 expression in normal RGC-5 cells. Then, we further explored the mechanism of SPAM1 neuroprotection by whole transcriptome sequencing and proteomic analysis, and found that SPAM is involved in the longevity regulating pathway, and confirmed the up-regulation of neurofilament light polypeptide and neurofilament medium polypeptide by western blot, thus laying a pharmacological foundation for SPAM1 as a therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases. polypeptide and neurofilament medium polypeptide. Thus, it lays a pharmacological foundation for SPAM1 as a therapeutic drug for neurodegenerative diseases.

Treating central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is challenging due to high recurrence rates and variable therapy responses. This study examines the efficacy of various treatments in reducing CGCG recurrence. A literature review explored outcomes of surgical excision, curettage, intralesional corticosteroid injection, and adjuvant therapy, considering factors like lesion location, size, and histological features. Aggressive surgical techniques such as en bloc resection were found to potentially lower recurrence rates compared to conservative approaches. However, treatment should be tailored to individual patient needs. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and improve treatment strategies. A concise literature review was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar, focusing on papers published from 1986 to 2024. Search terms included "central giant cell granuloma," "recurrence," "treatment modalities," and "surgical excision". Studies reporting recurrence rates and treatment outcomes for CGCG were analyzed. Twenty-nine studies were reviewed, including six studies on surgical excision and curettage, eight studies on intralesional corticosteroid injections, six studies on calcitonin therapy, five studies on interferon alpha therapy and four studies on the therapy with denosumab. Analysis indicated that aggressive surgical treatments like en bloc resection were associated with lower recurrence rates compared to conservative methods. Predictors of recurrence included lesion size (&gt;3 cm), location (mandible), and aggressive histopathological features. Aggressive surgical excision combined with nonsurgical methods may lower recurrence rates, while conservative techniques remain viable in some cases. Further prospective research is needed to validate these findings and enhance CGCG treatment options.

Here, we present a staged approach for an innovative repurposing of a portable infant humidicrib into a live cell growth, observation, and imaging system. Furthmore, humidicrib can support different variations of “umbilical” bioreactors, and can be used to conduct electrophysiology experiments and in situ immunohistochemistry. Modifications incorporate a closed loop carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration control system with umbilical CO₂ and heating support for tailored bioreactors. The repurposing cost is inexpensive and allows for the continued observation and imaging of cells. This prototype unit has been used to continuously observe and image live primary neurons for up to 21 days. This demonstrates the repurposed units’ suitability for use in tissue culture based research, particularly where modifications to microscopes are required or where sensitive manipulation outside of a standard incubator is needed.

We have designed cell penetrating peptides that target the leucine zipper transcription factors ATF5, CE-BPB and CEBPD and that promote apoptotic death of a wide range of cancer cell types, but not normal cells, in vitro and in vivo. While such peptides have the potential for clinical application, their mechanisms of action are not fully understood. Here, we show that one such peptide, Dpep, compromises glucose uptake and glycolysis in a cell-context-dependent manner (in about 2/3 of cancer lines assessed). These actions are dependent on induction of tumor suppressor TXNIP (thioredoxin interacting protein) mRNA and protein. Knockdown studies show that TXNIP significantly contributes to apoptotic death in those cancer cells in which it is induced by Dpep. The metabolic actions of Dpep on glycolysis led us to explore combinations of Dpep with clinically approved drugs metformin and atovaquone that inhibit oxidative phosphorylation and that are in trials for cancer treatment. Dpep showed additive to synergistic activities in all lines tested. In summary, we find that Dpep induces TXNIP in a cell-context-dependent manner that in turn sup-presses glucose uptake and glycolysis and contributes to apoptotic death of a range of cancer cells.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) play a significant role in the aging processes, further regarding as a hallmark of aging. Despite the importance, a lack of monitoring tools has hampered the study of relationship between AGEs and aging. Here, we firstly report a novel AGEs-selective probe, AGO. AGO presented its ability to detect AGEs more sensitively than a conventional approach of measuring autofluorescence from AGEs. In addition, we confirmed that AGO can detect AGEs depending on kinetics, reflecting by a preference to ribose-derived AGEs. Finally, AGO revealed its competence to visualize glycation products in glycation mimicking model, made by collagen framework. We believe that this study will enrich molecular toolboxes to understand physiological processes of AGEs during aging processes.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising chemotherapeutic agent because of its selective apoptotic action on cancer cells. However, resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis remains a challenge in many cancers. The gintonin-enriched Panax ginseng extract fraction (GEF) has diverse pharmacological benefits. We explored the combined efficacy of GEF and TRAIL in inducing apoptosis in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells. The effect of GEF treatment on viability, clonogenic potential, wound healing, and TRAIL-induced apoptotic signaling of RCC cells was studied in vitro. Our investigation revealed that GEF pre-treatment sensitized RCC cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis, as evidenced by DNA fragmentation and cell proliferation, colony formation, and migration inhibition. This sensitization was linked to the upregulation of death receptors 4 and 5 and alterations in apoptotic protein expression; notably, decreased expression of Mu-2-related death-inducing gene, a novel anti-apoptotic protein. Our findings underscore the necessity of caspase activation for GEF/TRAIL-induced apoptosis using the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. It demonstrates that GEF sensitizes human RCC cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis by upregulating DR4/5 and modulating apoptotic protein expression. These findings suggest a promising strategy for overcoming TRAIL resistance in cancer therapy and highlight the potential of GEF as a valuable adjunct to TRAIL-based treatments.

Carbon dots are carbon based nanoparticles, which have the characteristics of simple preparation process, photoluminescence, biocompatibility, adjustable surface function, water solubility, and low toxicity. They are widely used in biological applications such as imaging, biosensing, photocatalysis, and molecular transfer. It has also aroused great interest among researchers in agriculture and has made significant progress in improving crop growth and production. This review presents the physiological functions of carbon dots for crop growth and development, photosynthesis, water and nutrient absorption, and abiotic stress resistance and their applications in improving ecological environment and agriculture as biosensors, and the future application prospects and research directions of carbon dots in agriculture were prospected.

Background: Studies have tried to identify predictors of functional markers of keratoconus progression, whereas structural outcomes of collagen cross-linking have not been properly investigated. Objective: find and set up a combination of diagnostic modalities and measurements to reliably reflect CXL efficiency. Material and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical histories of 107 KC patients (131 eyes) who underwent CXL in a medical center from January 2018 to December 2022. The dataset included preoperative examinations and follow-up results, which provided a total of 796 observations. The cases of other corneal diseases, repeated CXL, pregnancy, and observations without follow-up examinations were excluded. Results: The study findings revealed a significant drop in the central and corneal thickness during 14.01±9.98 months of observations. Linear and polynomial equations suggested different trends in pachymetry change after CXL. The linear model showed corneal thinning, and according to the polynomials, pachymetry findings return to baseline values two years after CXL. Conclusion: The most reliable prognosis of postoperative corneal thickness is achieved with the models trained on keratometry readings and topography indices. BAD indices are also reliable predictors of the corneal thickness after CXL. A combination of the aforementioned structural parameters and their derivatives can reliably predict CXL efficiency.

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is a causal agent of severe emergent diseases in Solanaceae hosts with agronomic relevance, such as tomato and pepper. Herein, we analyzed the seed transmission rate and efficacy of different seed disinfection treatments and performed a comparison of molecular biology techniques seeking rapid and sensitive detection in seed lots. We evaluated several total RNA extraction and RT-PCR protocols using a distinct combination of PCR primers to test for the presence of the ToBRFV Mexican strain in tobacco host. Our results showed that the percentage of seed and seedlings transmission was less than 1% and that a 3% sodium hypochlorite solution was effective as a seed disinfection treatment. Finally, the most sensitive molecular method identified for virus detection consisted of a CTAB-Trizol RNA extraction followed by nested PCR using primers reported by Dovas et al. (2004). Additionally, we tested potential natural hosts in selected Cucurbitaceae and Solanaceae species. Our results showed that the ToBRFV Mexican strain is capable of experimentally infecting eggplant (Solanum melongena), tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa), and tobacco (Nicotiana rustica).

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) have great potential as a useful, value-added biological material. In this context, activated carbon (AC) was prepared from SCG by an activation process using H3PO4 at 600°C in air and used as an adsorbent for the azo dye AO7, a model molecule for dye colorants found in textile industry effluents. X-ray diffraction, SEM and BET revealed that the AC was predominantly amorphous, consisting of a powder of 20-100 µm particles with mesopores averaging 5.5 nm in pore size. Adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order law, while the Langmuir model best fitted experimental isotherm data (maximum capacity of 119.5 mg AO7 per AC g). Thermodynamic parameters revealed that adsorption was endothermic and spontaneous. All the characterizations indicated that adsorption occurred by physisorption via mainly - interactions. The best experimental removal efficiency optimized by means of a Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology was 98% for an initial AO7 concentration of 20 mg.L-1 at pH 7.5 with a dose of 0.285 g.L-1 of AC and a contact time of 40 min. These results clearly show that activated carbon prepared from SCG can be a useful material for efficiently removing organic matter from aqueous solutions.

Novel multifunctional fluorescent chemosensors composed of electrospun (ES) nanofibers with high sensitivity toward pH, mercury ions (Hg²⁺), and temperature were prepared from poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide-co-N-methylolacrylamide-co-rhodamine derivative) (poly(NIPAAm-co-NMA-co-RhBN2AM)) by employing electrospinning process. NIPAAm and NMA moieties provide hydrophilic and thermo-responsive properties (absorption of Hg²⁺ in aqueous solutions), and chemical cross-linking sites (stabilization of the fibrous structure in aqueous solutions), respectively. The fluorescent probe, RhBN2AM is highly sensitive toward pH and Hg²⁺. Synthesis of poly(NIPAAm-co-NMA-co-RhBN2AM) with different compositions were carried on via free-radical polymerization. ES nanofibers prepared from sensory copolymers with a 71.1:28.4:0.5 NIPAAm: NMA: RhBN2AM ratio (P3 ES nanofibers) exhibited significant color change from nonfluorescent to red fluorescence while sensing pH or Hg²⁺, and high reversibility of on/off switchable fluorescence emission when Hg²⁺ and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) were sequentially added. The P3 ES nanofibrous membranes had a higher surface-to-volume ratio to enhance their performance than did the corresponding thin films. In addition, the fluorescence emission of P3 ES nanofibrous membranes exhibited second enhancement above the lower critical solution temperature. Thus, the ES nanofibrous membranes prepared from P3 with on/off switchable capacity and thermo-responsive characteristics can be used as multifunctional sensory devise for specific heavy transition metal (HTM) in aqueous solutions.

Polyphenols are the most common organic compounds in wine. They improve both the sensory aspects of wine and human health by activating antioxidant systems. Therefore, there is a great need for a simple, fast and accessible method to determine the polyphenol content of wine. The aim of this study is to characterize polyphenolic compounds in natural wine samples using an electrochemical method and a modified carbon paste electrode with TiO2 nanoparticles. This work is motivated by the promising improvement of the sensing properties of a TiO2 nanoparticle-modified carbon paste electrode observed in the electrooxidation of different polyphenols. Since the voltammetric response of wine is largely irreversible, another motivation was the possibility of improving the processing of voltammograms to obtain data indicative of wine polyphenols, based on the approach described in the seminal work by Espinoza et al. The modified electrode studied provides an improved and reproducible voltammetric response of gallic acid in wine samples and provides a good basis for further development of an integrated sensor/data system with the possibility of wider application for the quantification of gallic acid as a flavor and visually relevant parameter in winemaking.

The development of a rapid, sensitive, specific method for detecting foodborne pathogens is paramount in supplying safe food to enhance public health safety. Despite the significant improvement in pathogen detection methods, key issues are still associated with rapid methods, such as distinguishing living cells from dead, pathogenic potential or health risk of the analyte at the time of consumption, detection limit, and sample-to-result. The mammalian cell-based assays analyze pathogens' interaction with the host cells and are responsive to only live pathogens or active toxins. In this study, a human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cell line expressing Toll-Like Receptor 5 (TLR-5) and chromogenic reporter system (HEK dual hTLR5) was used for the detection of viable Salmonella in a 96-well tissue culture plate. This cell line responds to low concentrations of TLR5 agonist flagellin. Stimulation of TLR5 ligand activates nuclear factor-kB (NF-κB) - linked alkaline phosphatase (AP-1) signaling cascade inducing the production of secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase (SEAP). With the addition of a ρ-nitrophenyl phosphate as a substrate, a colored end product representing a positive signal is quantified. The assay's specificity was validated with the top 20 Salmonella enterica serovars and 19 non-Salmonella spp. The performance of the assay was also validated with spiked food samples. The total detection time (sample-to-result), including shortened pre-enrichment (4 h) and selective enrichment (4 h) steps with artificially inoculated outbreak-implicated food samples (chicken, peanut kernel, peanut butter, black pepper, mayonnaise, and peach) was 15 h when inoculated at 1–100 CFU/25 g sample. These results show the potential of HEK-DualTM hTLR5 cell-based functional biosensors for rapid screening of Salmonella.

In the present work report, the MgAl₂O₄and the Ag/MgAl₂O₄ samples were successfully synthesized by the modified hydrothermal and the isovolumetric impregnation methods, respectively. The structural properties of the prepared samples were systematically characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, DRS, XPS and et al techniques. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue by the Ag/MgAl₂O₄ and MgAl₂O₄ samples was comparatively studied under UV lamp irradiation. The results revealed that the prepared Ag/MgAl₂O₄ (pH=6) samples were the most active among the samples in photocatalytic of methylene blue. Under UV lamp irradiation, the Ag/MgAl₂O₄ (pH=6) photodegradation of methylene blue reached to 89.6% within 120 min. And the Ag/MgAl₂O₄ (pH=6) complex photocatalysts displayed a high photochemical stability under repeated irradiation. Repeated irradiate the Ag/MgAl₂O₄ (pH=6) compound, which indicated it had a high photochemical stability.

Ammonium ion is a chemical species that is found in abundance in natural waters, whether underground or surface, but also in wastewater resulting from agricultural and industrial activities. Even if the removal of the ammonium ion from water has been studied for a very long time, it has been found that its removal is far from being solved. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the ammonium ions adsorption process on two adsorbents, zeolite clinoptilolite, ZR, (manufacturer Zeolite Develop-ment SRL, Rupea, Brasov, Romania) and the other granular activated carbon type Norit GAC 830 W. In the first step the paper presents the mineralogical (XRD) and structural (SEM and EDX) characterization of the ZR and determination of the pH zero-point charge, pHZPC, for all the adsorbents. Studies were carried out in equilibrium and kinetic conditions. The efficiency of the adsorbent was investigated in different experimental conditions by varying the initial concentration, particle size, temperature, pH, ionic strength and contact time. The mathematical models and parameters specific to the adsorption isotherms that best describe the experimental results were identified. Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich mathematical models were used for comparison. The Langmuir isotherm proved to be the most appropriate to describe the adsorption of ammonium ions on all types of adsorbents used. The adsorption capacity of ammonium ion from synthetic solutions, at 20 °C, pH = 6.09, for the range of initial concentrations 0 - 50 mg/L for Rupea Zeolite is in the range of 10.46 mg/g -12.34 mg/g and for granular activated carbon GAC W830 is 16.64 mg/g. It was found that the increase in temperature and pH have a positive effect on the adsorption capacity of the ammonium ion on the studied adsorbents, and the ionic strength determines the decrease in the adsorption capacity. Kinetic models were also identified that best describe the experimental processes. In this sense, pseudo first order, pseudo second order, intraparticle diffusion and the Elovich model were used. The results of the investigation showed that second-order kinetics governs the adsorption process on ZR zeolites and pseudo-first order for activated carbon.