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Ripples on graphene play a crucial role in manipulating its physical and chemical properties. However, producing ripples, especially at the nanoscale, remains challenging with current experimental methods. In this study, we report that tiny ripples in graphene can be generated by the adsorption of a single metal cation (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Fe3+) onto a graphene sheet, based on the density functional theory calculations. We attribute this to the cation–π interaction between the metal cation and the aromatic rings on the graphene surface, which makes the carbon atoms closer to metal ions, causing deformation of the graphene sheet, especially in the out-of-plane direction, thereby creating ripples. The equivalent pressures applied to graphene sheets in out-of-plane direction, generated by metal cation–π interactions, reach magnitudes on the order of gigapascals (GPa). More importantly, the electronic and mechanical properties of graphene sheets are modified by the adsorption of various metal cations, resulting in opened bandgaps and enhanced rigidity characterized by a higher elastic modulus. These findings show great potential for applications for producing ripples at the nanoscale in graphene through the regulation of metal cation adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-wear and anti-oxidation abilities are two key properties of lubricants that play a crucial role in ensuring long-term stable equipment operation. In this study, we aimed to develop a base oil with good anti-oxidation and anti-wear properties for use under extreme pressure. The as-prepared metallocene polyalphaolefin (mPAO) was chemically modified using the trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH) catalysis through an alkylating reaction with triphenyl phosphorothioate (TPPT). During the experiments, when the reaction temperature exceeded 70 °C or the concentration of TfOH exceeded 2.67%, the β -scission reaction in the alkylation process became significantly more pronounced. The physical and chemical properties of TPPT-modified mPAO (T-mPAO) were evaluated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier trans-form infrared spectroscopy, gel–permeation chromatography, and ASTM standards. T-mPAO showed significantly improved antioxidant capacity, with the initial oxidation temperature increasing by 32 °C compared to the base oil, and it exhibited the slowest increase in acid number in the 96-h oven oxidation test. The tribological tests showed that T-mPAO had the lowest friction coefficient, wear track, and wear rate (72.7% lower than that of mPAO) as well as the highest PB (238 kg) and PD (250 kg) among all tested samples. Compared to mPAO, the average friction coefficient of TPPT-modified mPAO in the four-ball friction test was reduced by 30.5%, and by 16.4% in the TE77 reciprocating friction test. Based on the experimental results, T-mPAO had strong anti-oxidation ability and excellent lubricating performance.The successful synthesis of multifunctional mPAO has enabled lubricant base oil additization, making it possible to use it in more demanding work scenarios, greatly broadening its application scope and making lubricant formulation blending more flexible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conducting polymers used in chemical sensors are attractive because of their ability to confer reversible properties controlled by the doping/de-doping process. Polyaniline (PANI) is one of the most prominent materials used due to its ease of synthesis, tailored properties, and higher stability. Here, PANI thin films deposited by the drop-casting method on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates were used in electrochemical and optical sensors for pH measurement. The response of the devices was correlated with the deposition parameters; namely, the volume of deposition solution dropped on the substrate and the concentration of the solution, which was determined by the weight ratio of polymer to solvent. The characterisation of the samples aimed to determine the structure–property relationship of the films and showed that the chemical properties, oxidation states, and protonation level are similar for all samples, as concluded from the cyclic voltammetry and UV–VIS spectroscopic analysis. The sensing performance of the PANI film is correlated with its relative physical properties, thickness, and surface roughness. The highest electrochemical sensitivity obtained was 127.3 ± 6.2 mV/pH, twice the Nernst limit—the highest pH sensitivity reported to our knowledge—from the thicker and rougher sample. The highest optical sensitivity, 0.45 ± 0.05 1/pH, was obtained from a less rough sample, which is desirable as it reduces light scattering and sample oxidation. The results presented demonstrate the importance of understanding the structure–property relationship of materials for optimised sensors and their potential applications where high-sensitivity pH measurement is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing environmental concerns and stringent regulations targeting emissions and energy efficiency necessitate innovative material solutions that not only comply with these standards but also enhance performance and sustainability. This study investigates the potential of heterojunction bilayer composites comprising stainless steel (SUS) and polyamide 66 (PA66), aiming to improve fuel efficiency and reduce harmful emissions by achieving lightweight materials. Joining a polymer to SUS is challenging due to the differing physical and chemical properties of each material. To address this, various surface treatment techniques such as blasting, plasma, annealing, and etching were systematically studied to determine their effects on the microstructural, chemical, and mechanical properties of the SUS surface, thereby identifying mechanisms that improve adhesion. Chemical etching using HNO3/HCl and CuSO4/HCl increased surface roughness and mechanical properties, but these properties decreased after annealing. In contrast, K3Fe(CN)6/NaOH treatment increased the lap shear strength after annealing. Blasting increased surface roughness and toughness with increasing spray pressure and further enhanced these properties after annealing. Contact angle measurements indicated that the hydrophilicity of the SUS surface improved with surface treatment and further improved due to microstructure formation after annealing. This study demonstrates that customized surface treatments can significantly enhance the interfacial adhesion and mechanical properties of SUS/polymer heterojunction bilayer composites, and further research is recommended to explore the long-term stability and durability of these treatments under various environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a meso-macroporous analcime/sodalite zeolite composite was produced by a hybrid synthesis process between a complex template method and hydrothermal treatment at 220 °C of naturally abundant kaolinitic-rich clay, using dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide as an organic soft template to enhance the mesoporous structure. The chemical and morphological properties of the developed zeolites composite were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), attenuated total Reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), N2 adsorption/desorption; and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) methods were used to study the morphology, chemical composition and structure of the product. Two types of zeolite particles were obtained:(1) hollow microsphere with an attached analcime icositetrahedron of 30–40 µm in size and (2) sodalite microsphere with a ball-like morphology of 3–4 µm in size. Both N2 adsorption/desorption and surface area data confirmed the high potentiality of the produced zeolite composite to act as an excellent adsorbent to remove inorganic pollutants such as Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Pb ions, organic pollutants such as dyes, phenolic compounds, and surfactants from water; and their high catalytic activity, especially in the oxidation reaction of volatile organic compounds. The catalytic activity and adsorption ability of the produced analcime/sodalite composite will be tested experimentally in future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to develop a technology for the production of plant-based burgers (PBBs) based on potato protein, also containing high content of iron and appropriately selected fats. The produced PBBs were characterized in terms of their nutritional and bioactive properties both before and after the in vitro digestion process. It was found that the produced burger was characterized by high protein content, ranging from 20.80 to 22.16 g/100 g. It was also shown to have a high dietary fiber content, ranging from 8.35 to 9.20 g/100 g. The main fraction of dietary fiber in the tested samples was insoluble fiber, which accounted for approximately 89% of the total fiber content. In addition, noteworthy is the high digestibility of the protein, reaching approximately 95% for the potato fiber used in the formulation, and about 85% for the oat fiber. Produced PBBs also provide significant amounts of iron, with the use of an organic iron source greatly increasing its quantity in the final product. The analyzed antioxidant properties before and after the digestion process showed a tenfold increase in biological activity after digestion, indicating that the examined PBBs may counteract oxidative stress. Analyzing the chemical and biological properties, it is impossible not to assess consumer attractiveness. It has been shown that PBB1, which contains potato fiber and powdered sprouts enriched with ferritin, received the highest attractiveness ratings among respondents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air frying as a new roasting technology has potential for roasted fish production. In this study, the changes in volatile compounds (VCs) during air frying of tilapia were studied by quantitative gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry, followed by the identification of key VCs based on their odor activity value (OAV). There were 34 verified VCs, of which 16 VCs were identified as the key VCs with OAV ≥ 1. Most of the VCs were improved by air frying and peaked at 20 min. During the air frying, the total sulfhydryl content markedly decreased, while the protein carbonyl and MDA content significantly increased, suggesting the enhancement in the oxidation of lipids and proteins. The correlation network among the chemical properties and key VCs was constructed. The change in total sulfhydryl, protein carbonyl, and MDA showed significant correlation with most of the key VCs, especially 2-methyl butanal, ethyl acetate, and propanal. The results indicated that the oxidation of lipids and proteins contributed the most to the flavor improvement in air-fried tilapia. This study provides a crucial reference for the volatile flavor improvement and pre-cooked product development of roasted tilapia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diesters of geminal diols (R-CH(O-CO-R′)2, RR′C(OCOR″)2, etc. with R = H, aryl or alkyl) are termed acylals according to IUPAC recommendations (Rule P-65.6.3.6 Acylals) if the acids involved are carboxylic acids. Similar condensation products can be obtained from various other acidic structures as well, but these related "non-classical acylals", as one might call them, differ in various aspects from classical acylals and will not be discussed in this article. Carboxylic acid diesters of geminal diols play a prominent role in organic chemistry, not only in their application as protective groups for aldehydes and ketones but also as precursors in the total synthesis of natural compounds and in a variety of organic reactions. What is more, acylals are useful as a key structural motif in clinically validated prodrug approaches. In this review, we summarise the syntheses and chemical properties of such classical acylals and show what potentially under-explored possibilities exist in the field of drug design, especially prodrugs, and classify this functional group in medicinal chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent advancements of ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) in the synthesis of cobalt-based catalysts for water splitting is reviewed. ILs and DESs possess unique physical and chemical properties, serving as solvents, templates, and reagents. Combined with calcination techniques, their advantages can be fully leveraged, enhancing the stability and activity of resulted catalysts. In these solvents, not only are they suitable for simple one-step calcination, but also applicable to more complex multi-step calcination, suitable for more complex reaction conditions. The designability of ILs and DESs allows them to participate in the reaction as reactants, providing metal and heteroatoms, simplifying the preparation system of cobalt phosphide, sulfide, and nitride. This work offers insights into design principles for electrocatalysts and practical guidance for the development of efficient and high-performance materials for hydrogen production and energy storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, in order to verify the effects due to the addition of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) in a food product, a wildflower honey was analyzed in terms of chemical composition, physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity before and after the addition of the spirulina. HS-SPME/GC–MS and HPLC/UV were applied to carry out the chemical analyses. The obtained results demonstrated that the volatile profile and also the sugar content were significantly influenced by the addition of spirulina, showing significant qualitative and quantitative differences compared to honey without spirulina. The increase in HMF in honey added with spirulina was significant, demonstrating that its presence could accelerate the Maillard reaction. Electrical conductivity measured by using a conductometer was also increased while the moisture content was reduced in honey enriched with spirulina. Instead, the pH value was similar between the two samples. On the other hand, honey fortification with spirulina determined a significant increase of 12.5% in the total phenolic content (TPC), and a 56.25% increase in protein content. Further, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was also evaluated and a significant increase was determined as a result of the addition of spirulina. In conclusion, honey enriched with A. platensis was found to be characterized by a high pool of bioactive metabolites as well as significant changes in almost all the measurements performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, silver nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted significant attention for being highly desirable nanomaterials in scientific studies as a result of their extraordinary characteristics. They are widely known as effective antibacterial agents that are capable of targeting a wide range of pathogens. Their distinct optical characteristics, such as their localized surface plasmon resonance, enlarge their utilization, particularly in the fields of biosensing and imaging. Also, the capacity to control their surface charge and modify them using biocompatible substances offers improved durability and specific interactions with biological systems. Due to their exceptional stability and minimal chemical reactivity, silver NPs are highly suitable for a diverse array of biological applications. These NPs are produced through chemical, biological, and physical processes, each of which has distinct advantages and disadvantages. Chemical and physical techniques often encounter issues with complicated purification, reactive substances, and excessive energy usage. However, eco-friendly biological approaches exist, even though they require longer processing times. A key factor affecting the stability, size distribution, and purity of the NPs is the synthesis process selected. This review focuses on how essential it is to choose the appropriate synthesis method in order to optimize the characteristics and use of silver NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our continuing search for new polymer composites with antimicrobial activity, we observed that even unmodified epoxy resins exhibit significant activity. Considering their widespread use as starting materials for the realization of multifunctional nanocomposites with excellent chemical and mechanical properties, it was deemed relevant to uncover these unexpected properties that can lead to novel applications. In fact, in places where the contact with human activities makes working surfaces susceptible to microbial contamination, thus jeopardizing the sterility of the environment, their biological activity opens the way to their successful application in minimizing healthcare-associated infections. To this end, three commercial and widely used epoxy resins (DGEBA/Elan-TechW 152LR, 1; EPIKOTETM Resin MGS®/EPIKURETM RIM H 235, 2 and MC152/EW101, 3) have been investigated to determine their antibacterial and antiviral activity. After 24 h, according to ISO 22196:2011, resins 1 and 2 showed a high antibacterial efficacy (R value > 6.0 log reduction) against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Resin 2, prepared according to the ratio epoxy/hardener indicated by the supplier (sample 2a) and with 10% w/w hardener excess (sample 2b), exhibited an intriguing virucidal activity against Herpes Simplex Virus type-1 and Human Coronavirus type V-OC43 as a surrogate of SARS-CoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effects of the co-combustion of coal and açai seed in circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boilers, highlighting the increase in thermal efficiency and relevance of a less-polluting source of energy. Using the computer software 1.5D CeSFaMB™® v4.3.0, simulations of the co-combustion process of coal and biomass were carried out in a CFB boiler, obtaining results such as the temperature profile, boiler efficiency and emissions. The work acquired data regarding the equipment in real operational conditions, consisting of the fundamental geometric and operational parameters used in the simulation campaign. The thermal and chemical properties of the fuels were analyzed by carrying out proximate, ultimate, heating value, particle size and specific mass analyses. The model validation was achieved by simulating the boiler in its real operating conditions and comparing the obtained results with the real data; the obtained error was below 10%. Simulations with different fractions of açai seed for energy replacement (10% and 30%) were carried out. As a result, an increase in the average temperature of the bed was observed, highlighting the region immediately above the dense bed. An increase in boiler efficiency was verified from 56% to 85% with 10% açai and to 83% with 30% açai seed. Decreases in SO2 and CO emissions with the insertion of açai were obtained, showing that co-combustion is more complete, while CO2 emissions were increased due to the higher quantity of fuel inserted into the equipment. The fossil CO2 emissions were reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review contains data on a wide class of microporous materials with frameworks belonging to the sodalite topological type. Various methods for the synthesis of these materials, their structural and crystal chemical features, as well as physical and chemical properties are discussed. Specific properties of sodalite-related materials make it possible to consider they as thermally stable ionic conductors, catalysts and catalyst carriers, sorbents, ion exchangers for water purification, matrices for the immobilization of radionuclides and heavy metals, hydrogen and methane storage, and stabilization of chromophores and phosphors. It has been shown that the diversity of properties of sodalite-type materials is associated with the chemical diversity of their frameworks and extra-framework components, as well as with the high elasticity of the framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhyzopertha dominica causes significant economic losses in stored cereals. Insects' digestive tract microbiome is crucial for their development, metabolism, resistance, and digestion. This work aimed to test whether the different chemical properties of different wheat and barley grain cultivars cause disturbances in insect foraging and rearrangements of the structure of the R. dominica microbiome. The results indicated that grain cultivars significantly influence the microbiome, metabolism, and insect foraging. Most observed traits and microbiome structures were not correlated at the species level, as confirmed by ANOSIM (p = 0.441). However, the PLS-PM analysis revealed significant patterns within barley cultivars. The study found associations between C18:2 fatty acids, entomopathogenic bacteria, an impaired nitrogen cycle, lysine production of bacterial origin, and insect feeding. The antioxidant effects also showed trends towards impacting the microbiome and insect development. The findings suggest that manipulating grain chemical properties (increasing C18:2 and antioxidant levels) can influence the R. dominica microbiome, disrupting their foraging behaviours and adaptation to storage environments. This research supports the potential for breeding resistant cereals, offering an effective pest control strategy and reducing pesticide use in food production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenocysteine (Sec) is an essential amino acid that distinguishes itself from cysteine by a selenium atom in place of a sulfur atom. This single change imparts distinct chemical properties to Sec which are crucial for selenoprotein (Sec-containing protein) function. These properties include a lower pKa, enhanced nucleophilicity, and reversible oxidation. However, studying Sec incorporation in proteins is a complex process. While we find Sec in all domains of life, each domain has distinct translation mechanisms. These mechanisms are unique to canonical translation and are composed of Sec-specific enzymes and an mRNA hairpin to drive recoding of the UGA stop codon with Sec. In this review, we highlight the obstacles that arise when investigating Sec insertion, and the role that Sec has in proteins. We discuss the strategic methods implemented in this field to address these challenges. Though the Sec translation system is complex, a remarkable amount of information has been obtained and specialized tools have been developed. Continued studies in this area will provide a deeper understanding on the role of Sec in the context of proteins, and the necessity that we have for maintaining this complex translation machinery to make selenoproteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cys is one of the least abundant amino acids in proteins. However, it is often highly conserved and is usually found in important structural and functional regions of proteins. Its unique chemical properties allow it to undergo several post-translational modifications, many of which are mediated by reactive oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, or carbonyl species. Thus, in addition to their role in catalysis, protein stability, and metal binding, Cys residues are crucial for the redox regulation of metabolism and signal transduction. In this review, we discuss Cys post-translational modifications (PTMs) and their role in plant metabolism and signal transduction. These modifications include the oxidation of the thiol group (S-sulfenylation, S-sulfinylation and S-sulfonylation), the formation of disulfide bridges, S-glutathionylation, persulfidation, S-cyanylation S-nitrosation, S-carbonylation, S-acylation, prenylation, CoAlation, and the formation of thiohemiacetal. For each of these PTMs, we discuss the origin of the modifier, the mechanisms involved in PTM, and their reversibility. Examples of the involvement of Cys PTMs in the modulation of protein structure, function, stability, and localization are presented to highlight their importance in the regulation of plant metabolic and signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the genome information of rice (Nipponbare), this study screened and identified six raffinose synthase (RS) genes and analyzed their physical and chemical properties, phylogenetic relationship, conserved domains, promoter cis-acting elements, and the function and genetic diversity of the gene-CDS-haplotype (gcHap). The results showed that these genes play key roles in abiotic stress response, such as OsRS5, whose expression in leaves changed significantly under high salt, drought, ABA, and MeJA treatments. In addition, the OsRS genes showed significant genetic variations in different rice populations. The main gcHaps of most OsRS loci had significant effects on key agronomic traits, and the frequency of these alleles varied significantly among different rice populations and subspecies. These findings provide direction for studying the RS gene family in other crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beet is a nutritious and health-promoting food with important bioactive compounds in its industrial by-products. The encapsulation of antioxidants from beet by-products has been proposed for valorization. For this, an ethanol–water extract was mixed with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) (used as a carrier agent) and then encapsulated. The encapsulation was performed by spray drying, where the effects of temperature (140–160 °C), extract input flow rate (10–30%), and extraction solvent (ethanol–water 50/50 v/v and ethanol) were evaluated for the total phenol content and the spray-drying yield. The yields obtained were between 60 and 89%, and total phenols were between 136 and 1026 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of encapsulated product. Both responses were affected (p < 0.05) by the extraction solvent. The optimal spray-drying conditions were determined by response surface methodology (RSM). The encapsulated product obtained at optimal conditions was characterized by infrared spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence, Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography, and scanning electron microscopy analysis. The results show that the encapsulated product has a high content of total phenols and compounds such as betanin, isobetanin, and neobetanin. Considering the results of physicochemical properties and the bioactive compounds, the optimized encapsulated product could be applied in the food industry as a bioactive ingredient or natural colorant. However, the further investigation of alternative carrier agents needs to be performed to reduce caking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertex-degree-based (VDB) topological indices have been applied in the study of molecular structures and chemical properties. At present, the exponential VDB index has been studied extensively. Naturally, we began to consider the logarithmic VDB index ln T f . In this paper, we first discuss the necessity of a logarithmic VDB index, and then present sufficient conditions so that P n and S n are the only trees with the smallest and greatest values of ln T f (T) . As applications, the minimal and maximal trees of some logarithmic VDB indices are determined. Through our work, we found that the logarithmic VDB index ln T f has excellent discriminability, but the relevant results are not completely opposite to the exponential VDB index. The study of logarithmic VDB indices is an interesting but difficult task that requires further resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead (Pb) is one of the most common environmental pollutants. Lead has an acute toxic effect on soil biotas and the enzymatic system of soils. The objective of this study is to carry out enzymatic diagnostics of soil health in the European part of Russia after Pb contamination. As a part of the simulation experiment, Pb (at maximum permissible concentrations (MPCs) of 1, 10, and 100) was used to contaminate 12 types of soils in the south and center of the European part of Russia, which differed in their physical and chemical properties. To assess soil health, the activity of oxidoreductases (catalase, dehydrogenases, and cysteine reductase) and hydrolases (invertase, urease, and phosphatase) was studied. Most enzymes were inhibited with increased Pb dosage. The most sensitive soils to Pb contamination, assessed by enzyme activity, are soils of semi-deserts and dry steppes. Cysteine reductase is considered the most sensitive enzyme to Pb contamination. The most informative indicators for Pb contamination were phosphatase, cysteine reductase, and invertase. The P (phosphatase) cycle and the redox enzyme (catalase) also have instability in Pb-contaminated soils. The C (invertase and dehydrogenases) and N (urease) cycles do not change significantly when contaminated with lead. The results of this study can be used for the diagnostics of the condition of soils in different natural areas after Pb contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this review was to collect current results on the effect of different plants grown as winter and summer cover crops (CC) on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil and on the yield of cereal crops grown in a site with CC, using conservation soil tillage. The analyzed studies indicate that CC usually have a positive impact on the physical and biological properties of the soil. Regardless of the plant species used as CC, we can expect an increase in the number of soil microorganisms and an improvement in the activity of soil enzymes. This effect is particularly beneficial in the case of reduced tillage systems. Mixing CC biomass with the topsoil loosens compacted soils and, in the case of light, sandy soils, increasing the capacity of the sorption complex. The size and composition of CC biomass and weather conditions during the vegetation period and during the covering of the soil with plant biomass are of great importance for improving the chemical properties of the soil. A beneficial effect of CC, especially legumes, on the content of the mineral nitrogen in the topsoil is usually observed. Sometimes, an increase in the content of available forms of potassium (K) and/or phosphorus (P) is also achieved. The effect of CC on the content of soil organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), or soil pH is less common. CC used in reduced tillage systems can significantly improve the yield and quality of cereal grain, especially when legumes are used as CC in low-fertility soil conditions and at low fertilization levels. However, non-legumes can also play a very positive role in shaping soil properties and improving cereal yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity represents an ever-challenging problem of agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions. This problem is considered a key limiting factor of agricultural production in the countries of Southwest Asia. In recent years, the use of alternative methods of chemical fertilizers has emerged as a promising approach to mitigate the negative effects of salinity on crop yield. In this research, the effect of Micrococcus yunnanensis and indole-3-acetic (IAA) acid on the growth and chemical composition of Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) under salt stress has been investigated. Based on the results, application of IAA, M. yunnanensis and their interaction significantly increased the average plant growth, fresh and dry weight of aerial parts and root dry weight. Considering chemical properties of the plant, interaction between IAA and M. yunnanensis significantly increased shoot phosphorus, potassium and sodium absorption. Proline content, catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activity were significantly influenced by application of IAA, M. yunnanensis and their interaction. Follow-up experiments after vetiver harvest showed that IAA and M. yunnanensis treatments improved soil microbial biomass and respiration. In total, plant biomass improved by 34% and the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase enzymes decreased by −20.61, −4.70 and −8.00%, respectively, which shows that the stress pressure on the plant has decreased. This study reinforces the previous literature on the positive effects of biological treatments to improve plant performance by providing new evidence of the positive effects of IAA and M. yunnanensis on mitigating the negative effects of salinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Furfural, an important biobased compound, can be synthesized through the chemocatalytic conversion of D-xylose and hemicelluloses from lignocellulose. It has widespread applications in the production of valuable furans, additives, resins, rubbers, synthetic fibers, polymers, plastics, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals. By using barley hulls (BHs) as biobased support, a heterogeneous biochar Sn-NUS-BH catalyst was created to transform corncob into furfural in cyclopentyl methyl ether–H2O. Sn-NUS-BH had a fibrous structure with voids, a large comparative area, and a large pore volume, which resulted in more catalytic active sites. Through the characterization of the physical and chemical properties of Sn-NUS-BH, it was observed that the Sn-NUS-BH had tin dioxide (Lewis acid sites) and a sulfonic acid group (Brønsted acid sites). This chemocatalyst had good thermostability. At 170 °C for 20 min, Sn-NUS-BH (3.6 wt%) was applied to transform 75 g/L of corncob with ZnCl2 (50 mM) to generate furfural (80.5% yield) in cyclopentyl methyl ether–H2O (2:1, v/v). This sustainable catalytic process shows great promise in the transformation of lignocellulose to furfural using biochar-based chemical catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snakebite is a serious health issue in tropical and subtropical areas of the world and results in various pathologies, such as hemotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and local swelling, blistering, and tissue necrosis around the bite site. These pathologies may ultimately lead to permanent morbidity and may even be fatal. Understanding the chemical and biological properties of individual snake venom toxins is of great importance when developing a newer generation of safer and more effective snakebite treatments. Two main approaches to ionizing toxins prior to mass spectrometry (MS) analysis are electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI). In the present study, we investigated the use of both ESI-MS and MALDI-MS as complementary techniques for toxin characterization in venom research. We applied nanofractionation analytics to separate crude elapid venoms using reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) and high-resolution fractionation of the eluting toxins into 384-well plates, followed by online LC-ESI-MS measurements. To acquire clear comparisons between the two ionization approaches, offline MALDI-MS measurements were performed on the nanofractionated toxins. For comparison to the LC-ESI-MS data, we created so-called MALDI-MS chromatograms of each toxin. We also applied plasma coagulation assaying on 384-well plates with nanofractionated toxins to demonstrate parallel biochemical profiling within the workflow. The plotting of post-column acquired MALDI-MS data as so-called plotted MALDI-MS chromatograms to directly align the MALDI-MS data with ESI-MS extracted ion chromatograms allows the efficient correlation of intact mass toxin results from the two MS-based soft ionization approaches with coagulation bioassay chromatograms. This facilitates the efficient correlation of chromatographic bioassay peaks with the MS data. The correlated toxin masses from ESI-MS and/or MALDI-MS were all around 6–8 or 13–14 kDa, with one mass around 20 kDa. Between 24 and 67% of the toxins were observed with good intensity from both ionization methods, depending on the venom analyzed. All Naja venoms analyzed presented anticoagulation activity, whereas pro-coagulation was only observed for the Pseudonaja textillis venom. The data of MALDI-MS can provide complementary identification and characterization power for toxin research on elapid venoms next to ESI-MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural carotenoids (CARs) such as β-carotene, astaxanthin, lutein, norbixin, bixin, capsanthin, lycopene, β-Apo-8-carotenal, canthaxanthin, β-apo-8-carotenal-ester, and zeaxanthin are being explored for possible applications in feed, food, cosmeceuticals, and nutraceuticals. Three primary areas of carotenoid research are emerging: (1) encapsulations for improved chemical and physical properties; (2) natural source carotenoid manufacturing; and (3) preclinical, epidemiological, and clinical studies of carotenoids' potential health benefits. The recent advancements in research on the chemistry and antioxidant activity, marketing strategies, dietary sources, bioavailability, and bioaccessibility, extraction, dietary consumption, encapsulating techniques, and health advantages of carotenoids are all extensively discussed in this review. Carotenoids are pigments found naturally in most fruits and vegetables, algae, plants, and photosynthetic bacteria. Carotenoids cannot be synthesized by humans and must be consumed in the form of food or supplements. There are several roles for carotenoids in human health. Although individual carotenoids may function in different ways, their main action is to act as antioxidants. There are validated techniques for separating and purifying carotenoids, yet, industrial production requires the development of economically viable techniques for larger-scale implementation. Carotenoids have been shown to boost cognitive performance and cardiovascular health, as well as help prevent some types of cancer. Despite evidence for carotenoids' health benefits, major population-based supplementation trials have yielded conflicting outcomes for several carotenoids. This review includes recent developments in carotenoid metabolism and nutritional and health advantages. It also offers an outlook on future directions in these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic pollution is a critical environmental issue due to the widespread use of plastic materials and their long degradation time. Hydrocracking (HDC) offers a promising solution to manage plastic waste by converting it into valuable products, namely chemicals or fuels. This work aims to investigates the effect of catalyst accessibility and acidity on the HDC reaction of high density polyethylene (HDPE). Therefore, a variety of materials with significant differences in both textural and acidic properties were tested as catalysts. These include H-USY and H-ZSM.5 zeolites with various Si/Al molar ratios (H-USY: Si/Al = 2.9, 15, 30 and 40; H-ZSM-5: Si/Al = 11.5, 40, 500) and mesostructured MCM-41 materials modified with Ga and Al, also with different Si/metal ratios (Si/Al = 16 and 30; Si/Ga = 63 and 82). Thermogravimetric analysis under hydrogen atmosphere was used as a preliminary screening tool to evaluate the potential of the various catalysts for this application in terms of energy requirements. In addition, batch autoclave reactor experiments (T = 300 °C, PH2 = 20 bar, t = 60 min) were conducted to obtain further information on conversion, product yields and product distribution for the most promising systems. The results show that the catalytic performance in HDPE hydrocracking is determined by a balance between the acidity of the catalyst and its structural accessibility. Accordingly, for catalyst series where the structural and textural properties do not vary with the Si/Al ratio, there is a clear correlation of the HDPE degradation temperature and of the HDPE conversion with the Si/metal ratio (which relates to the acidic properties). In contrast, for catalyst series where the structural and textural properties vary with the Si/Al ratio, no consistent trend is observed and the catalytic performance is determined by a balance between the acidic and textural properties. The product distribution was also found to be influenced by the physical and chemical properties of the catalyst. Catalysts with strong acidity and smaller pores were observed to favor the formation of lighter hydrocarbons. In addition to the textural and acidic properties of the catalyst, the role of coke formation should not be neglected to ensure a comprehensive analysis of the catalytic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review provides a summary of the existing literature on a crucial raw material for the production of isotopically pure semiconductors, which are essential for the development of second-generation quantum systems. Silicon-28-tetrafluoride (28SiF4) is used as an educt for several isotope-engineered chemicals, such as silane-28 (28SiH4) and silicon-28-trichloride (28SiHCl3), which are needed in the pursuit of various quantum technologies. We are exploring the entire chain from the synthesis of 28SiF4 to quantum applications. This includes the chemical properties of SiF4, isotopic enrichment, conversion to silanes, conversion to bulk 28Si and thin films, the physical properties of 28Si (spin neutrality, thermal conductivity, optical properties), and the applications in quantum computing, photonics, and quantum sensing techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radioactive iodine (131I) with a short half-life of ~8.02 days is one of the most commonly used nuclides in nuclear medicine. However, 131I easily poses a significant risk to human health and ecological environment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a secure and efficient strategy to capture and store radioactive iodine. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are a new generation of sorbents with outstanding physical and chemical properties, rendering them attractive candidates for the adsorption and immobilization of iodine. This review focuses on recent research advancements in mechanisms underlying iodine adsorption over MOFs and their derivatives, including van der Waals interactions, complexing interactions, and chemical precipitation. Furthermore, this review concludes by outlining the challenges and opportunities for the safe disposal of radioactive iodine from the perspective of the material design and system evaluation based on our knowledge. Thus, this paper aims to offer necessary information regarding the large-scale production of MOFs for iodine adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milk powders are becoming a major attraction for many industrial applications due to their nutritional and functional properties. Different types of powdered milk, each with their own distinct chemical compositions, can have different functionalities. Consequently, the development of rapid monitoring methods is becoming an urgent task to explore and expand their applicability. Lately, there is growing emphasis on the potential of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a rapid technique for the quality assessment of dairy products. In the present work, we explored the potential of NIRS coupled with chemometrics for the prediction of the main functional and chemical properties of three types of milk powders, as well as their important processing parameters. Mare, camel and cow milk powders were prepared at different concentrations (5%, 10% and 12%) and temperatures (25 °C, 40 °C and 65 °C), and then their main physicochemical attributes and NIRS spectra were analyzed. Overall, high accuracy in both recognition and prediction based on type, concentration and temperature was achieved by NIRS-based models, and the quantification of quality attributes (pH, viscosity, dry matter content, fat content, conductivity and individual amino acid content) also resulted in high accuracy in the models. R2CV and R2pr values ranging from 0.8 to 0.99 and 0.7 to 0.98, respectively, were obtained by using PLSR models. However, SVR models achieved higher R2CV and R2pr values, ranging from 0.91 to 0.99 and 0.80 to 0.99, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stimulus electro-responsive polymer materials can reversibly change their physical or chemical properties under various external stimuli such as temperature, light, force, humidity, pH, and magnetic fields. This review introduces typical conventional stimulus electro-responsive polymer materials and extensively explores novel directions in the field, including multi-stimuli electro-responsive polymer materials and humidity electro-responsive polymer materials pioneered by our research group. Despite significant advancements in stimulus electro-responsive polymer materials, ongoing research focuses on enhancing their efficiency, lifespan, and production costs. Interdisciplinary collaboration and advanced technologies promise to broaden the application scope of these materials, particularly in medical and environmental protection fields, ultimately benefiting society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morels (Morchella spp.) are a kind of rare and precious edible fungus and have been successfully cultivated in many places. Currently, the widespread cultivation of morels poses a significant challenge owing to their demanding environmental requirements. Soil properties and the soil microbiome are thought to play pivotal roles in morel growth. However, it remains unknown what factors exert a decisive influence on morel growth. In this study, soils with different morel yields were studied in nine sites from four locations. The basic soil physical and chemical properties were measured. In addition, the soil microbiome was analyzed using high-throughput metagenomic sequencing. We found that soil pH, nitrogen, carbon and conductivity were key indicators for the impact on microbial communities in soil for cultivating morels. Among these, nitrate was more positively associated with morel yield. The soil microbial diversity was more abundant in the soil with a high morel yield. Moreover, certain unknown archaea might be unfavorable to morel growth. The microbes that perform incomplete denitrification (no step of N2O reduction to N2) and nitrogen fixation were positively and negatively correlated with morel growth, respectively. In summary, morels prefer to live in nutrient-rich soils with a variety of microbes and are supported by nitrate and microbiome components involved in denitrification. The findings elucidate a pivotal mechanism in eliciting morel fructification and provide valuable insights for guiding production practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural activities produce large quantities of organic byproducts and waste rich in lignocellulosic materials, which are not sufficiently utilized. In this study, alternative agricultural waste products, namely, spent mushroom substrate (SMS) from the cultivation of edible Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms and the roots of leafy vegetables from hydroponic cultivation (HRL), were evaluated for their potential to be used as substrates for the cultivation of Pleurotus citrinopileatus and their effects on the quality, the nutritional value, the chemical properties (lipid, protein, carbohydrate, ash, fatty acid and carbohydrate composition) and the bioactive content (total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity) of produced mushrooms. SMS and HRL (in different ratios with and without additives) and wheat straw with additives (WS—control) were used. During incubation, the linear growth rate of the mycelium (Kr, mm/day) was measured and used for screening. Mushroom cultivation took place in bags, where several characteristics were examined: earliness (duration between the day of substrate inoculation and the day of first harvest) and biological efficiency (B.E. %, the ratio of the weight of fresh mushrooms produced per dry weight of the substrate × 100). Furthermore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of the protein extract (PE) and carbohydrate extract (CE) of P. citrinopileatus after in vitro digestion (fraction less than 3kDa: PE-DP-3; digestate fraction: CE-D, respectively) on the expression of antioxidant-related genes in the THP-1 cell line. The results showed that mushrooms grown on SMS 50%-HRL 40% had the fastest growth (6.1 mm/d) and the highest protein and lipid contents (34.7% d.w.; 5.1% d.w.). The highest B.E. (73.5%), total carbohydrate (65.7%) and total phenolic compound (60.2 mg GAE/g d.w.) values were recorded on the control substrate. Antioxidant activity was observed in all extracts; the total flavonoid content was low in the samples, and the maximum total triterpene value was detected in SMS 80%-HRL 20% (9.8 mg UA/g d.w.). In all mushrooms, linoleic acid (C18:2) was the main fatty acid (above 60%), and fructose was the dominant individual saccharide. In the investigation of the regulation pathway, NFE2L2 gene expression was upregulated only in the SMS 60%-HRL 40% intervention during incubation with CE-D samples. Additionally, the transcription levels of antioxidant-related genes, SOD1, CAT, HMOX1 and GSR, were increased in the SMS 60–30% intervention. Compared to WS, the alternative substrates are observed to trigger a pathway concerning CE that may resist oxidative stress. This study supports the utilization of agricultural byproducts through sustainable and environmentally friendly practices while simultaneously producing high-value-added products such as mushrooms. Therefore, alternative substrates, particularly those containing HRL, could serve as natural sources of antioxidant potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical and sensory properties of corn extrudates enriched with spray-dried tomato powder (TP) in 4, 6 and 8% ratios were researched. Two extrusion temperature regimes were used: 135/170/170 °C (E1) and 100/150/150 °C (E2). Ascorbic acid (AA) at levels of 0.5 and 1% was also added to the raw mixtures in order to prevent the undesirable oxidation of the constituents, primarily carotenoids. AA was especially efficient in the case of the lutein content and 1% AA, but lutein originating from TP was more sensitive to the extrusion conditions than corn lutein, and zeaxanthin was more sensitive than lutein. Lycopene, α-carotene, 13-cis-β carotene and 9-cis-β carotene degraded completely in all the samples, at both extrusion regimes. The proposed models for the color of the extrudates showed the significant influence of TP and AA. Extrudates obtained at the E1 temperature regime containing 4% TP and pure corn extrudate with 1% AA were the best-rated samples by the sensory panel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moringa oleifera leaves (MOLs) have gained significant attention due to their nutritional and biological activity. Therefore, this study aimed to examine its flavor characteristics and underlying compositions. In this study, we used ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), electronic nose, electronic tongue, and molecular docking to comprehensively investigate the chemical properties and flavor profiles of MOLs. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and GC-MS were instrumental in identifying the 20 non-volatile and 19 volatile constituents of MOLs, respectively. The electronic nose and electronic tongue systems provided an objective evaluation of the sweet, bitter, and spicy attributes and flavor characteristics of MOLs. Concurrently, molecular docking was employed to elucidate the material basis of flavor profiles. It revealed that glucosinolates and flavonoids are probably the key components for the bitter taste of MOLs. The sweet taste may be attributed to glucosinolates and flavonoids. The spicy scent appears to be linked to the presence of glucosinolates and alkaloids. The integration of these techniques confers a thorough understanding of the chemical composition and sensory properties of MOLs. These findings have significant implications for innovative applications in the food industry as well as pharmaceuticals and agriculture sectors; furthermore, they contribute towards enhancing the perception of Moringa oleifera as a valuable natural resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of catechin content stands as a pivotal determinant of tea quality. In tea production and quality grading, the development of accurate and non-destructive techniques for the accurate prediction of various catechin content is paramount. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has emerged as a widely employed tool for analyzing the chemical composition of tea. Nevertheless, the spectral information obtained from NIRS faces challenges when discerning different types of catechins in black tea, owing to their similar physical and chemical properties. Moreover, the vast number of NIRS wavelengths exceeds the available tea samples, further complicating the accurate assessment of catechin content. This study introduces a novel deep learning approach that integrates specific wavelength selection and attention mechanisms to accurately predict the content of various catechins in black tea simultaneously. First, a wavelength selection algorithm is proposed based on feature interval combination sensitivity segmentation, which effectively extracts the NIRS feature information of tea. Subsequently, a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (CNN) incorporating channel and spatial–sequential attention mechanisms is devised to independently extract the key features from the selected wavelength variables. Finally, a multi-output predictor is employed to accurately predict the four main catechins in tea. The experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed model over existing methods in terms of prediction accuracy and stability (R2 = 0.92, RMSE = 0.018 for epicatechin; R2 = 0.96, RMSE = 0.11 for epicatechin gallate; R2 = 0.97, RMSE = 0.14 for epigallocatechin; R2 = 0.97, RMSE = 0.32 for epigallocatechin gallate). This innovative deep learning approach amalgamates wavelength selection with attention mechanisms, provides a new perspective for the simultaneous assessment of the major components in tea, and contributes to the advancement of precision management in the tea industry's production and grading processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermal carbonation carbon (HTCC) is emerging as a promising material for the adsorption and photodegradation of environmental contaminants. However, the chemical and structural properties of HTCC derived from different lignocellulose biomass have obvious impacts on adsorption and photodegradation. This work employed three different lignocellulose components, including cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin to synthesize HTCC within a hydrothermal temperature range of 210~290 °C. In comparison to HTCC derived from cellulose and hemicellulose, HTCC derived from lignin (HTCC-L) demonstrated the optimal synergistic adsorption and photodegradation ability for TC degradation, achieving a 63.5% removal efficiency within 120 min. Characterization highlighted the crucial involvement of oxygenated functional groups, especially carboxyl groups, presented on the surface of HTCC-L in TC adsorption. Moreover, the photodegradation of HTCC-L was found to follow a non-radical mechanism, characterized by the charge transformation occurring between the excited unpaired electrons of HTCC-L and TC adsorbed on its surface. This work clarified the differences in HTCC derived from different lignocellulose components on the adsorption and photodegradation of organic pollutants, and provided a novel perspective on the application of HTCC in water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the application of machine learning techniques, specifically principal component analysis (PCA), to analyze the influence of silica content on the physical and chemical properties of aerogels. Silica aerogels are renowned for their exceptional properties, including high porosity, large surface area, and low thermal conductivity, but their mechanical brittleness poses significant challenges. The study initially utilized cross-correlation analysis to examine the relationships between key properties such as the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, pore volume, density, and thermal conductivity. However, weak correlations prompted the application of PCA to uncover deeper insights into the data. The PCA results demonstrated that silica content has a significant impact on aerogel properties, with the first principal component (PC1) showing a strong positive correlation (R2 = 94%) with silica content. This suggests that higher silica levels correspond to lower thermal conductivity, porosity, and BET surface area, while increasing the density and elastic modulus. Additionally, the analysis identified the critical role of thermal conductivity in the second principal component (PC2), particularly in samples with moderate to high silica content. Overall, this study highlights the effectiveness of machine learning techniques like PCA in optimizing and understanding the complex inter-relationships among the physio-chemical properties of silica aerogels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing the use of plant proteins in foods requires improving their physical and chemical properties, such as emulsification, gelation capacity, and thermal stability. These properties determine the acceptability and functionality of food products. Higher protein solubility significantly impacts these properties by affecting denaturation and the stability of emulsifiers or gels. Therefore, developing plant-based protein ingredients requires accurately and conveniently measuring their solubility. Colorimetric solubility methods overcome many issues of more robust combustion and titration methods, but complicated chemical mechanisms limit their applicability for certain proteins. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of four common colorimetric solubility measurement methods for pulse and non-pulse legume proteins and hydrolysates. Pea, chickpea, lentil, and soy protein isolates were made from defatted flour and their solubility at a range of pHs was measured using the Bradford, Lowry, bicinchoninic acid (BCA), and biuret methods. Solubility was also measured for chickpea and soy protein hydrolysates made using Alcalase and Flavourzyme. A comparison of the methods for solubility quantification revealed that the Bradford and Lowry methods most closely match the expected results for the unhydrolyzed protein, with the BCA and biuret methods underestimating solubility by 30%. The Lowry method was the preferred method for hydrolysate solubility measurement, with the Bradford method measuring 0% solubility at the isoelectric point due to an inability to interact with peptides that are soluble at this pH. This study identifies reliable methods for measuring plant protein solubility that establish uniform outcomes and enable a better comparison across studies, giving a consensus for key functional properties in food applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to their physical and chemical properties and stimuli-responsive nature, gels and hydrogels play vital roles in diverse application fields. The three-dimensional polymeric network structure of hydrogels is considered an alternative to many materials, such as conductors, ordinary films, constituent components of machines and robots, etc. The most recent applications of gels are in different devices like sensors, actuators, flexible screens, touch panels, flexible storage, solar cells, batteries, and electronic skin. This review article addresses the devices where gels are used, the progress of research, the working mechanisms of hydrogels in those devices, and future prospects. Preparation methods are also important for obtaining a suitable hydrogel. This review discusses different methods of hydrogel preparation from the respective raw materials. Moreover, the mechanism by which gels act as a part of electronic devices is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination has emerged as a significant environmental concern, necessitating the development of effective degradation technologies. Among these technologies, ultrasonication has gained increasing attention. However, there is still limited knowledge of its scale-up or on-site applications due to the complexity of real-world conditions and its high energy consumption. Herein, we provide an overview of recent advancements in the ultrasonic degradation of PFAS toward hybrid technologies. This review contains information regarding the physical and chemical properties of PFAS, followed by an exploration of degradation challenges, the mechanisms of ultrasonication, and recent experimental findings in this field. The key factor affecting ultrasonication is cavitation intensity, which depends on ultrasonic frequency, power density, and PFAS structure. Its main advantages include the generation of reactive species without chemicals and the compatibility with other degradation technologies, while its main disadvantages are high energy consumption and limited applications to liquid-based media. We also highlight the integration of ultrasonication with other advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) to create hybrid systems for enhanced degradation of PFAS in order to significantly improve PFAS degradation efficiency, with enhancement factors ranging between 2 and 12. Finally, we discuss prospects for scaling up the ultrasonic degradation of PFAS and address the associated limitations. This review aims to deepen the understanding of ultrasonication technology in addressing PFAS contamination and to guide future research and development efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of edaravone derivatives and the corresponding Cu(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic and analytical techniques such as IR, UV, NMR and elemental analysis. Antioxidant activities of all compounds were examined using free radical scavenging methods such as hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity (HPSA), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2-2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) assays. All of the tested compounds exhibited good antioxidant activity. Further, the frontier orbital energy levels, as well as various chemical properties, were determined using the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The MEP maps of all of the derivatives were plotted to identify the nucleophilic and electrophilic reactive sites. Further, binding energies of all of the organic compounds with the protein tyrosinase was investigated to determine their potential anti-melanogenic applications. The selected ligand, L6 was subjected to molecular dynamics simulation analysis to determine the stability of the ligand–protein complex. The MD simulation was performed (150 ns) to estimate the stability of the tyrosinase–L6 complex. Other key parameters, such as, RMSD, RMSF, Rg, hydrogen bonds, SASA and MMPBSA were also analyzed to understand the interaction of L6 with the tyrosinase protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the results of research work devoted to improving the characteristics of paint and varnish coatings based on aqueous dispersions of polyacrylates; it is proposed to modify them by introducing mineral raw materials as fillers and hydrated lime, with subsequent processing in a vortex layer apparatus. The introduction of activated diatomite does not cause the deterioration of covering power, adhesion or an increase in the porosity of the paint material. The modification of coatings contributes to an increase in their operational properties, which can be associated with a reduction in the free volume in the composite and the formation of polymer boundary layers with modified physical and chemical properties. The aim of this study is to obtain a water-dispersion paint and varnish composition containing modified diatomite on a polyacrylate basis and, subsequently, study its main physical and mechanical parameters. The work has been carried out by the following method: determination of porosity, adhesion, elasticity and covering power of the control composition; determination of porosity, adhesion, elasticity and covering power of the obtained composites using modified filler; investigation of the influence of radiation on the infrared spectrum of the paint coating surface using a FLIRB620 thermal imager. As a result of this research work, it was noticed that the modification of water dispersions with silica-activated diatomite helps to eliminate the main disadvantages of materials and coatings based on acrylate binders—low water resistance and low physical and mechanical characteristics. The introduction of modified diatomite into water-emulsion paint on an acrylate base does not lead to the deterioration of the main performance characteristics of paint coatings—porosity, adhesion, elasticity and covering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The activated carbons (ACs) derived from okara powder waste with high surface areas were modified with ammonia aqueous solution impregnation in an autoclave to enhance their CO2 adsorption properties. The impregnated ACs were characterized, where the chemical composition and properties of the ACs were analyzed by SEM-EDX and FTIR. Activated carbons were functionalized with ammonia aqueous solution (25%) through a hydrothermal process within 24, 48, and 72 h. The adsorption performance of CO2 onto carbon samples was experimentally evaluated through a TPD CO2 measurement. FTIR spectra confirm the N-containing in N-modified activated carbons and the presence of the –C=O stretch and N-H groups. CO2 uptakes of activated carbons are 0.24; 1.78; 2.24; and 1.26 mmol/g, which are relatively comparable with those of activated carbons studied in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzed the influence of the addition of Zn- and Se-fortified wheat flour to corn extrudates on viscosity, total starch content, starch damage, and bioavailability of zinc and selenium. Fortified wheat flour was added to corn grits in 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, and 60:40 ratios at three extrusion temperature profiles: 140/170/170 °C, 150/180/180 °C, and 160/190/190 °C. Viscosity values decreased significantly at different extrusion temperature profiles and at different proportions of wheat. The extrusion process increased the starch content, regardless of the extrusion temperature, and decreased it by adding different proportions of flour enriched with zinc and selenium. The starch damage increased with extrusion, without significant changes with extrusion temperature increment. The addition of different proportions of Zn- and Se-fortified wheat flour reduced starch damage values proportionally to the added content of enriched wheat. Increasing the temperature and the proportions, the total zinc content in the extrudates increased. Zinc bioavailability increased with increasing extrusion temperature. As for selenium, the total content increased by proportion increment but decreased with an increase in the extrusion temperature, though there were no significant differences in selenium bioavailability regardless of changes in extrusion temperature or the proportion of enriched wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The substitutional doping of nitrogen is an efficient way to modulate the electronic properties of graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Therefore, it could enhance their physical and chemical properties as well as offer potential applications. This paper provides an overview of the experimental and theoretical investigations regarding nitrogen-doped graphene and CNTs. The formation of various nitrogen defects in nitrogen-doped graphene and CNTs, which are identified by several observations, is reviewed. The electronic properties and transport characteristics for nitrogen-doped graphene and CNTs are also reviewed for the development of high-performance electronic device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was the characterization of polymer microspheres obtained by the suspension polymerization of divinylbenzene (DVB) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), depending on the pore-forming diluents and molar ratio of monomers. The assessed properties included the chemical and porous structure, thermal stability, and sorption capacity of the obtained polymers towards methylene blue. The abovementioned characteristic was carried out for two series of copolymers with molar ratios of monomers of 1:2, 1:1 and 2:1, synthetized with toluene and a mixture of decanol and benzyl alcohol. The structure of the polymers was confirmed by FTIR and elemental analysis. The results of TGA demonstrated the main influence on thermal stability was the composition of polymers, whereas the impact of porogens was negligible. The SBET varied in the range of 12–534 m2g−1 for polymers obtained with toluene and 0–396 m2g−1 with the mixture of alcohols. Toluene enhanced the formation of micro- and mesopores, while the mixture of alcohols enhanced the creation of meso- and macropores. For the polymers prepared with toluene, their effectiveness in water purification decreases in the following order: DVB-GMA 2:1 > DVB-GMA 1:1 > DVB-GMA 1:2, according to the decreasing values of porous structure parameters. In the case of a series obtained with a mixture of alcohols, such correlation was not observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were functionalized with Schiff base and reduced Schiff base. Covalent and non-covalent functionalized GO nanostructures have been tested for the removal of pesticides with different chemical structures and properties (e.g., Epoxiconazole, Dimethomorph, Cyprodinil, Chlorothalonil, Acetochlor, Trifluralin) from aqueous solutions. The structure and morphology characteristics of the prepared structures were analyzed using techniques such as solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results of the experiments showed that, although the non-covalent functionalization did not affect the adsorption properties of GO much, the covalent functionalization increased the adsorption capacity of GO against the mentioned pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By increasing the permeability of the cell membrane of the treated material, pulsed electric fields (PEF) enhance the internal transport of various chemical substances. Changing the distribution of these components can modify the chemical and thermal properties of the given material. This study aimed to analyze the impact of PEF (1 kV/cm; 1 and 4 kJ/kg) applied to strawberries prior to drying by various methods (convective, infrared-convective, microwave-convective, and vacuum) on the chemical and thermal properties of the obtained dried materials (sugars content, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity (ABTS and DPPH assays); thermal properties (TGA and DSC); and molecular composition (FTIR)). PEF could have induced and/or enhanced sucrose inversion because, compared to untreated samples, PEF-pretreated samples were characterized by a lower share of sucrose in the total sugar content but a higher share of glucose and fructose. Reduced exposure to oxygen and decreased drying temperature during vacuum drying led to obtaining dried strawberries with the highest content of antioxidant compounds, which are sensitive to these factors. All PEF-pretreated dried strawberries exhibited a lower glass transition temperature (Tg) than the untreated samples, which confirms the increased mobility of the system after the application of an electric field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient delivery of therapeutic agents to the lesion site or specific cells is an important way to achieve "toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement". Macrocycles have always provided many novel ideas for drug or gene loading and delivery processes. Specifically, macrocycles represented by crown ethers, cyclodextrins, cucurbit[n]urils, calix[n]arenes, and pillar[n]arenes have unique properties, which are different cavity structures, good biocompatibility, and good stability. Benefited from these diverse properties, a variety of supramolecular drug delivery systems can be designed and constructed to effectively improve the physical and chemical properties of guest molecules as needed. This review provides an outlook on the current application status and main limitations of macrocycles in supramolecular drug delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]