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The electrochemical deposition of iron hexacyanoruthenate (Fe−HCR) on gold electrodes was studied in electrolytes prepared with light and heavy water. Cyclic voltammetry of the material during preparation and after transfer to a precursor‐free solution exhibits two reductions peaks in H2O‐based electrolytes but only one reduction peak in D2O‐based electrolytes. The voltammetric behavior changes reversibly upon transfer of the material between D2O‐based and H2O‐based 1 mol L−1 KCl solutions. No clear structural differences between samples prepared in D2O and H2O were detected by means of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM IRRAS). We noted a relatively slow exchange of coordinated water and a fast exchange of zeolitic water. Using voltammetric experiments we could rule out simple effects of solution conductivity for K+, participation of H+/D+ in the charge compensation and surface effects on the observed dependence of the peak splitting on the isotopic composition of the solvent. The most likely reason for the observed behavior is the different structure of the H‐bonded water network of coordinated H2O and zeolitic H2O/D2O which is supported by the PM IRRAS data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regulation of glial cell activation is a critical step for the treatment or prevention of neuroinflammation‐based brain diseases. However, the development of therapeutic drugs that pass the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and inhibit the glia cell activation remains a significant challenge. Herein, an ultrasmall 2D vanadium carbide quantum dots (V2C QDs) that are capable of crossing the BBB are prepared, and the admirable anti‐neuroinflammatory effects are presented. The prepared 2D V2C QDs with an average size of 2.54 nm show good hydrophilicity, physiological stability, and effective BBB‐crossing ability. The biological effect of V2C QDs on inflammatory reactions demonstrates fascinating results in preventing the impairment of learning and memory in BALB/c mice stimulated by lipopolysaccharide. Investigation of molecular mechanism reveals that V2C QDs not only inhibit the toll‐like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor 88‐mediated nuclear factor kappa B and mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathways, but also prevent eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α/activating transcription factor 4/C/EBP homologous protein‐signaling pathway and reduce oxidative stress via activating the NF‐E2‐related factor‐2/heme oxygenase‐1‐signaling pathway, leading to greatly inhibited activation of microglia and astrocytes and weakened production of inflammatory cytokines. In summary, V2C QDs exert potent anti‐inflammatory effects through multiple pathways, thus offer great potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the comprehensive understanding of microorganisms and the rapid advances of physiochemical engineering and bioengineering technologies, scientists are advancing rationally‐engineered bacteria as emerging drugs for treating various diseases in clinical disease management. Engineered bacteria specifically refer to advanced physiochemical or genetic technologies in combination with cutting edge nanotechnology or physical technologies, which have been validated to play significant roles in lysing tumors, regulating immunity, influencing the metabolic pathways, etc. However, there has no specific reviews that concurrently cover physiochemically‐ and genetically‐engineered bacteria and their derivatives yet, let alone their distinctive design principles and various functions and applications. Herein, the applications of physiochemically and genetically‐engineered bacteria, and classify and discuss significant breakthroughs with an emphasis on their specific design principles and engineering methods objective to different specific uses and diseases beyond cancer is described. The combined strategies for developing in vivo biotherapeutic agents based on these physiochemically‐ and genetically‐engineered bacteria or bacterial derivatives, and elucidated how they repress cancer and other diseases is also underlined. Additionally, the challenges faced by clinical translation and the future development directions are discussed. This review is expected to provide an overall impression on physiochemically‐ and genetically‐engineered bacteria and enlighten more researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been widely reported that obesity adversely impacts reproductive performance of females. However, the effects of maternal obesity on fetal germ cells remain poorly understood. In the present study, by employing a high‐fat diet (HFD)‐based mouse model, it is discovered that maternal obesity disrupts the chromosomal synapsis and homologous recombination during fetal oogenesis. Moreover, transcriptomic profiling reveales the potential molecular network controlling this process. Of note, the global hypermethylation of genomic DNA in fetal oocytes from obese mouse is detected. Importantly, time‐restricted feeding (TRF) of obese mice not only ameliorate the meiotic defects, but also partly restore the epigenetic remodeling in fetal oocytes. In sum, the evidence are provided showing the deficit fetal oogenesis in obese mother, implicating a mechanism underlying the intergenerational effects of environmental insults. TRF may represent a potentially effective approach for mitigating fertility issues in obese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All‐solid‐state batteries (ASSB) are currently developed at high pace and show a strong potential for market introduction within the next years. Though their performance has improved considerably over the last years, investigation of their sustainability and the development of suitable recycling strategies have received less attention. However, their potential for efficient circular processes must be accessed comprehensively. In this article, the separation of the solid electrolyte β‐Li3PS4 from different lithium transition metal oxide electrode materials (LiCoO2, LiMn2O4, LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2, LiFePO4, LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2, and Li4Ti5O12) are investigated via an approach based on the dissolution and subsequent precipitation of the thiophosphate using N‐methylformamide as solvent. A combination of X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, iodometric titration, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electrochemical characterization is used to characterize the electrolyte and electrode materials before and after separation. Herein, it is found that the presence of electrode materials in the dissolution process can lead to significant chemical reactions. These interactions can (but most not) lead to strong alteration of the electrochemical characteristics of the individual compounds. Thus, it is shown that an efficient recovery of materials likely depends on the precise material combination within an ASSB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density‐functional theory (DFT) has proven to be invaluable for investigating the physical properties of perovskite materials under varying pressure conditions to uncover potential applications in the field of optoelectronics. Herein, lead‐free XSrI3 (X = FA+, MA+, and DMA+ [formamidinium (FA+), methylammonium (MA+), and dimethylammonium (DMA)]) perovskites are designed and utilized using DFT calculations for promising solar cell applications. The application of pressure to these perovskites leads to a reduction in their lattice parameters, thereby enhancing atom interactions within the material. This compression of the crystal lattice also exerts a significant influence on the electronic band structure and the number of available electronic states, providing valuable insights into their semiconducting properties. Moreover, applying pressure results in a narrower bandgap in the perovskite halides, thus broadening the range of light absorption and potentially increasing light‐absorption efficiency. In this work, the feasibility of employing XSrI3 perovskites for enhanced optical performance is highlighted and valuable directions for further exploration in this field are offered. The insights gained from this theoretical study may hold the potential to advance the development of perovskite‐based materials for various optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geometrical regioselective E→Z isomerization of a conjugated alkene under thermal activation pose a challenge due to microscopic reversibility. Herein we report that such reversibility issues can be circumvented by integrating E→Z isomerization with subsequent cyclization cascade, particularly in the absence of commonly employed light, acids, or metal‐catalysts. Thus, linearly conjugated dienals in a mixture of toluene‐alcohol (2 : 1) solvents or only with alcohol at 60–70 °C can be converted to γ‐alkoxybutenolides in moderate to good yields. The intermediary 2Z,4E‐isomer can be isolated, which includes the first example of isolating the regioselective isomerization product under thermal conditions. Density functional theory (DFT) studies have been employed to shed light on the feasibility of geometrical alkene isomerization and ensuing cascade sequences. It has been observed that the regioselective 2E,4E→2Z,4E isomerization of dienal is a thermodynamically facile (ΔG <0) process. Structural elucidation further reveals that the presence of a certain charge transfer and a non‐covalent interaction may be the primary reasons for the enhanced stability of the 2Z,4E‐isomer. The thermodynamic plausibility of the subsequent cascade reaction from the Z‐isomer to the anticipated product in the presence of a polar protic solvent (here MeOH) is also explicated. Out of the two probable pathways, the "hemiacetal pathway" involving a relay proton transfer is kinetically more feasible due to the diminished activation barrier than the "conjugate addition pathway". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors present an overview of the academic literature on charity advertising. Through systematically reviewing 63 empirical studies on charity advertising, a synthesis of the body of work is framed in a general model. Predominant antecedents in the charity advertising literature include various appeal tactics and victim portrayals. Research streams on moderators and mediators include various ad characteristics and audience characteristics. The audience's intentions to donate were the most used outcome variable. Recommendations for continuing theoretical advancement in the field are presented. Managerial implications are also presented. This literature review contributes a knowledge base to guide future charity advertising research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modification of nickel titanate nanocubes with metal nanocrystals is a viable approach to build a Schottky heterojunction for efficient hydrogen generation. The deconvoluted XPS spectrum of Pt 4 f (peaks at 72.0 and 75.5 eV corresponding to Pt° and Pt2+) and Pd 3d3/2 (335.4 and 336.7 eV corresponding to Pd° and Pd2+) and presence of lattice fringes in HRTEM at 2.19 Å of Pd°, reveal the formation of heterojunction in Pd−NiTiO3 and Pt−NiTiO3 nanocubes. The solar hydrogen generation investigation exhibits 2‐fold enhancement in HER (130 and 165 μmol g−1 h−1 while using Pt−NiTiO3 and Pd−NiTiO3, respectively) than that of bare NiTiO3 (88 μmol g−1 h−1). The creation of heterojunctions between titanates and metal nanoparticles, facilitating efficient transport of photo‐generated electron to empty or partially filled d or f orbitals of metals, thereby lowering electron‐hole recombination rate, as revealed by shorter average lifetime 29 ns (Pd−NiTiO3) than 64 ns (NiTiO3). Further, the unison of faster charge transfer kinetics as revealed by the Nyquist plot, more negative flatband potential (Efb −0.3 vs. RHE) leading to appropriate band bending, reduced overpotential requirement, higher oxygen vacancies (19.46 %) and uniform dispersion of metal atoms on NiTiO3 surfaces that are acting as trapping centers etc. are enabling improved hydrogen generation in the case of Pd−NiTiO3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multistimuli‐responsive fluorescent materials have garnered great research interest benefited from their practical applications. Two twisted‐structure compounds containing tetraphenylethylene (TPE) as the aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) group and a pyridine unit as the acid reaction site to obtain new multistimuli‐responsive fluorescent compounds (namely, TPECNPy: TPECNPy‐2 and TPECNPy‐3) were successfully synthesized through a one‐step Knoevenagel condensation reaction. The multiple‐stimuli response process of TPECNPy was investigated by means of photoluminescence (PL) spectra and emission colour. The results showed that both TPECNPy compounds with excellent AIE abilities displayed reversible emission wavelength and colour changes in response to multiple external stimuli, including grinding–fuming by CH2Cl2 or annealing and HCl‐NH3 vapour fuming. More importantly, fluorescent nanofibre films were prepared by electrospinning a solution of TPECNPy mixed with cellulose acetate (CA), and these exhibited reversible acid‐induced discolouration, even with only 1 wt% TPECNPy. The results of this study may inspire strategies for designing multistimuli‐responsive materials and preparing fluorescent sensing nanofibre films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein‐nanoparticle conjugation, or protein‐corona, is important for nanomedicine, nano diagnostic, and nano therapy applications. α‐Bismuth oxide nanoparticles (α‐Bi2O3 NPs) were prepared from bismuth nitrate powder using the sol‐gel method and characterized using various techniques, including Energy Dispersive X‐Ray Spectroscopy (EDS), X‐ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), UV‐VIS‐NIR Spectroscopy, and Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET). X‐ray diffraction studies revealed that NPs are in the alpha phase with a monoclinic structure. The energy band gap, average surface area and crystallite size are 2.81 eV, 2.42 m2, and 15–106 nm, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy revealed particle size is 32.21 nm, with a d‐spacing of 2.529 Å. The surface‐to‐volume ratio is calculated and found to be 2.553×106 m−1. For the first time, a direct protein interaction with NPs was examined with standard proteins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA), carbonic anhydrase, phosphorylase b, and total human serum proteins and analyzed using mass spectroscopy. Proteomic analysis showed that proteins such as BSA, phosphorylase b, and carbonic anhydrase exhibited a strong affinity with Bi2O3 NPs. However, it was found that there was less or no association between Annexin A6, human serum albumin, Zinc finger protein, and Bestrophin‐2 with Bi2O3 NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium, originally described as a toxin, turns out to be a crucial trace element for life that appears as selenocysteine and its dimer, selenocystine. From the point of view of drug developments, selenium‐containing drugs are isosteres of sulfur and oxygen with the advantage that the presence of the selenium atom confers antioxidant properties and high lipophilicity, which would increase cell membrane permeation leading to better oral bioavailability. In this article, we have focused on the relevant features of the selenium atom, above all, the corresponding synthetic approaches to access a variety of organoselenium molecules along with the proposed reaction mechanisms. The preparation and biological properties of selenosugars, including selenoglycosides, selenonucleosides, selenopeptides, and other selenium‐containing compounds will be treated. We have attempted to condense the most important aspects and interesting examples of the chemistry of selenium into a single article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the basic principles, methodological features, instrumental characteristics, and practical applications of X‐ray techniques in cultural heritage. X‐ray techniques are a set of well‐defined methods for determining the chemical composition and properties of samples. In the field of cultural heritage, material characterization provides valuable information on archaeological materials for understanding heritage assets and ensuring their sustainability. X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) is a versatile method for qualitative and semi‐quantitative elemental analysis. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) is a characterization method to define the properties of the crystal structure of materials. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is a chemical tool for understanding the surface chemistry of materials. X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) is a powerful probe for determining the local atomic environment of individual atomic species. X‐ray imaging methods are used for visualization and examination of the objects under study, including X‐ray radiography (XRR) for the non‐destructive inspection of objects, X‐ray computed tomography (XCT) for revealing the internal structure of materials, and dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for the diagnosis of bone health. X‐ray techniques represent key analytical techniques in archaeometric investigations and provide valuable insights into the cultural significance of artifacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the effect of prebake temperature on the surface structure of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowrinkle structures formed in a sol–gel growth process for UV photodetection is demonstrated. The sol–gel solutions are spin‐coated on glass and c‐plane sapphire substrates, and the resulting ZnO films are subjected to prebake and crystallization processes at 800 °C for an hour. In the sol–gel process, the prebake process is crucial in forming the nanowrinkle structure on the surface of the ZnO film. The maximum nanowrinkle structure of ZnO film is achieved at the prebake temperature of 150 °C. In addition to the formation of the optimized nanowrinkle structure, the UV response of the photodetector is further enhanced through the prebake temperature control. The nanowrinkle network structure significantly improves the optical absorbance and photoluminescence characteristics of the ZnO film, leading to high photocurrent, photoresponsivity, and external quantum efficiency for UV light. The results demonstrate the potential of sol–gel‐derived ZnO photodetectors with nanowrinkle network structures for UV sensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The industrialization of perovskite solar cells requires adequate materials and processes to make them economically viable and environmentally sustainable. Despite promising results in terms of power conversion efficiency and operational stability, several hole‐transport layers currently in use still need to prove their industrial feasibility. This work demonstrates the use of nanocrystalline nickel oxide produced through flash infrared annealing (FIRA), considerably reducing the materials cost, production time, energy, and the amount of solvents required for the hole transport layer. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals a better conversion to nickel oxide and a higher oxygen‐to‐nickel ratio for the FIRA films as compared to control annealing methods, resulting in higher device efficiency and operational stability. Planar inverted solar cells produced with triple cation perovskite absorber result in 16.7% power conversion efficiency for 1 cm2 devices, and 15.9% averaged over an area of 17 cm2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the extensive use of hydrogen energy, hydrogen separation membranes with proton–electron mixed conductors have broad application prospects in hydrogen separation and purification. Herein, La1.85M0.15Ce2O7−δ (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs; LMC) proton conductors are prepared. The electron paramagnetic resonance, Raman, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicate that the proposed method of replacing part of the La3+ in La2Ce2O7−δ with alkali metal ions produces more oxygen vacancies, which provides more possibilities for ion transport. Among them, La1.85Rb0.15Ce2O7−δ (LRC) exhibits the highest oxygen vacancy concentration. In addition, as the radius of the alkali metal doping ions increases, the corresponding LMC grains also increase. However, an excessively large ionic radius (Cs+) can hinder grain growth. LRC has the largest ionic radius, indicating that it has a smaller grain boundary resistance. This results in the maximum conductivity of the LRC (2.99 × 10−2 S cm−2) in the atmosphere of wet 20% H2 + 80% N2 at 900 °C. Similarly, in the hydrogen permeability test, the LRC exhibits the highest hydrogen flux (2.74 × 10−9 mol cm−2 s−1) at 900 °C. Moreover, an increase in temperature and hydrogen partial pressure on the feed side can promote hydrogen permeability. Therefore, it is a potential material for ceramic hydrogen separation membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing concern about photothermal tumor therapy (PTT) as a promising alternative to conventional liver cancer treatment, which is a treatment strategy that utilizes near‐infrared (NIR) light‐induced photothermal agents (PTAs) to yield photothermal effects to localize thermal damage for tumors. Herein, given the gap between experimental research and clinical application, this review seeks to timely summarize and highlight the recent progress of PTAs used for photothermal treatment of liver cancer in vivo and in vitro in the last five‐year. The implications of various PTAs on the multifunctional photothermal conversion capability, the structure‐performance correlations of PTT, together with the evaluation of their potential in application are systematically dissected to further dig out what the buried mechanism is. Besides, higher requirements are put forward for the discrepancies and crucial issues faced by different PTAs in PTT with related medical technical obstacles being conquered, which lays a solid theoretical foundation for the medical field of oncology treatment as a whole, especially liver cancer. Finally, it is expected that this review can present valuable guidance for the design of efficient, photostability, and biosafety‐aware PTAs for anticancer therapy while stepping into the fast traffic lane for the conversion from bench to bedside in the foreseeable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constructing nanostructures that fully boost the performance of all metals while offering a positive inter‐particle effect among frameworks is an efficient approach for enhancing electrochemical effectiveness. Elongated In : SnO2/La4NiS7 structure is created using diethyl dithiocarbamate complex. Investigations were done on the material's surficial, crystallographical and electrochemical characters. The direct optical band gap as determined by UV‐visible analysis was 2.9 eV. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy presented La3d and Ni2p core level. Electrical investigations of the transparent photoactive electrode in a photoelectrochemical cell showed an exceptional specific capacity of 906 F ⋅ g−1 at 5 mV ⋅ s−1 under illumination. Transient chronoamperometric response of the photoelectrode presented 35.3 mA photocurrent generation. Greater photocurrents were achieved at all scan rates in the existence of light indicating that the exposure to light positively impacted the electrode's performance. Undoubtedly, this work proposed a beneficial photoelectrode that's applicable to systems that generate electricity from renewable sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pure MgAl2O4 and a series of Dysprosium (Dy3+) doping in MgAl2O4 nanoparticles has synthesized using wet chemical sol‐gel method and prepared samples were sintered at 1100 °C. X‐ray diffraction analysis confirms the cubic phase of MgAl2O4 spinel without any impurity in phase even with different doping concentrations of Dy3+ (0.2–1.8 mol %). Under ultraviolet irradiation (283 nm) the fluorescence spectrum of pure MgAl2O4 shows maximum emission in the green‐yellow region. On Dy3+ doping in MgAl2O4, broad emission spectra have been observed due to energy transition that takes place between the host and dopant. To explore the nanophosphor for white light, chromaticity coordinates (CIE), color temperature (CCT), color rendering index (CRI) and color purity were analyzed and at 1.4 mol % doping concentration of Dy3+ in MgAl2O4 got best results i. e. CIE co‐ordinates (0.3326, 0.3334), CCT (5487), CRI (95) and minimum value of color purity (0.20 %). It is observed that emission shifts from yellow‐green to nearly white light emission as the doping is incorporated into the host. It is found that the prepared nanophosphors are energy efficient white light material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supramolecular chemistry has become an interdisciplinary discipline of chemistry, physics, and biology. As a huge subunit of supramolecular compounds, the functional metal–organic supramolecular systems with well‐defined cavities which are able to accommodate size‐suitable guests via benign host‐guest behavior, have been known as "metal–organic molecular containers" (MOMCs) and attracted much attentions for their rich chemical properties and wide potential applications in molecular recognition, catalysis, bio‐medical and other fields. In particular, the MOMCs with flexible backbones exhibit a unique feature both in the aspect of structural construction and applications, due to the free rotation and self‐adaptively of the specific functional groups in the skeletons. In this paper, we review several selected examples of the coordination‐driven metal–organic supramolecular systems from the aspects of self‐assembly construction to the various applications. The self‐assembly strategies, especially the different choice of organic ligands with flexible backbones during the construction, leading to quite diverse configurations compared to the rigid ligands, have been also discussed to show a different perspective of metal–organic system construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal macrocyclic complexes, which are formed through a self‐assembly process due to the presence of several coordinating sites in the metal and ligand source, represent an interesting class of complexes due to their intriguing structures and functionalities. Although spectral characterization of metal macrocyclic complexes is reported, elucidation of their exact structure at the molecular level remains challenging. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (SCXRD) is a non‐destructive analytical technique that can provide detailed information about the internal lattice of crystalline structure. However, it requires the growth of single crystals of suitable sizes and quality. This study provides an overview of methods that are most useful for developing single crystals of metal macrocyclic complexes, particularly when the macrocycle of interest is present in extremely low quantities (a few milligrams). The reproducibility of previous methods reporting the crystal growth of different metal macrocycles is also investigated. A review highlighting and summarizing the most common tips to grow single crystals for metal macrocyclic complexes can help in understanding and optimizing the growth of crystals suitable for SCXRD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spin coating from a single source precursor is used to produce a transparent conductive electrode for a photoelectrochemical cell. Yb2S3:Cu2S:ZnS is discovered in the composite using X‐ray diffraction analysis with a crystallite size of 44 nm. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveal that the composite comprises Yb, Cu, Zn, and S with an optical bandgap of 2.49 eV. Electrical investigations in a photoelectrochemical cell are measured using cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, transient chronoamperometry (CA), and electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Every experiment shows that the photocurrent density of the electrode is higher than when it is in the light. At all scan rates, light causes the photoelectrode's specific capacitance to increase. Specific capacitance is found to have a maximum value under illumination of 789 Fg−1 as opposed to 745 Fg−1 in the absence of a light source. The highest photocurrent density achieved by the electrode through CA is 23.5 mA. Rs value of 23.4 Ω is subsequently obtained by the EIS investigation. It might be stated that this work introduces a useful photoelectrode that can be used in renewable energy systems such as photovoltaics, supercapacitors, and photoelectrochemical solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyetherimides (PEI) are high‐performance thermoplastic polymers featuring a high dielectric constant and excellent thermal stability. In particular, PEI thin films are of increasing interest for use in solid‐state capacitors and membranes, yet the cost and thickness are limited by conventional synthesis and thermal drawing techniques. Here, a method of synthesizing ultrathin PEI films and coatings is introduced based on interfacial polymerization (IP) of poly(amic acid), followed by thermal imidization. Control of transport, reaction, and precipitation kinetics enables tailoring of PEI film morphology from a nanometer‐scale smooth film to a porous micrometer‐scale layer of polymer microparticles. At short reaction times (≈1 min) freestanding films are formed with ≈1 µm thickness, which to our knowledge surpass commercial state‐of‐the‐art films (3–5 µm minimum thickness) made by thermal drawing. PEI films synthesized via the IP route have thermal and optical properties on par with conventional PEI. The use of the final PEI is demonstrated in structurally colored films, dielectric layers in capacitors, and show that the IP route can form nanometer‐scale coatings on carbon nanotubes. The rapid film formation rate and fine property control are attractive for scale‐up, and established methods for roll‐to‐roll processing can be applied in future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing fluorosensors for the efficient detection of aluminium (Al3+) ions and electron‐deficient nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) is in high demand but challenging. This report introduces a benzoxazole‐based off‐on‐off fluorosensor for the cascade detection of Al3+ ions and electron‐deficient NACs. Upon addition of Al3+ ions, the probe BPMP displays a bright blue fluorescence under the exposure of 365 nm UV light radiation in an H2O/DMSO (1 : 1 v/v) medium due to the chelation of Al3+ ions disrupting the ESIPT process involved in probe BPMP. The detection limit for Al3+ ions is found to be 13 nM, which is significantly lower than many chemosensors available in the literature. The 1 : 1 stoichiometry of the chelated complex between BPMP and Al3+ ions is confirmed by Job′s plot and also by 1H NMR titration investigation. More importantly, the Al3+ ions chelated BPMP complex is further used as a fluorescent turn‐off probe for the detection of electron‐deficient NACs with the detection as low as 10−7 M. Based on these chemically encoded inputs and the corresponding optical output, we have constructed one input and one output based YES, and NOT logic gate with BPMP and BPMP‐Al3+ complex as input respectively and also dual inputs and single optical output‐based INHIBIT logic gates. Also, BPMP‐doped paper strips‐based test kit analysis has been demonstrated as a displayable photonic device for on‐spot detection. The performance of BPMP and Al3+ ions chelated BPMP complex toward Al3+ ions and electron‐deficient NACs demonstrated that BPMP could be served as a sensitive probe and could be employed for real sample analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gut microbiota‐derived metabolites are key hubs connecting the gut microbiome and cancer progression, primarily by remodeling the tumor microenvironment and regulating key signaling pathways in cancer cells and multiple immune cells. The use of microbial metabolites in radiotherapy and chemotherapy mitigates the severe side effects from treatment and improves the efficacy of treatment. Immunotherapy combined with microbial metabolites effectively activates the immune system to kill tumors and overcomes drug resistance. Consequently, various novel strategies have been developed to modulate microbial metabolites. Manipulation of genes involved in microbial metabolism using synthetic biology approaches directly affects levels of microbial metabolites, while fecal microbial transplantation and phage strategies affect levels of microbial metabolites by altering the composition of the microbiome. However, some microbial metabolites harbor paradoxical functions depending on the context (e.g., type of cancer). Furthermore, the metabolic effects of microorganisms on certain anticancer drugs such as irinotecan and gemcitabine, render the drugs ineffective or exacerbate their adverse effects. Therefore, a personalized and comprehensive consideration of the patient's condition is required when employing microbial metabolites to treat cancer. The purpose of this review is to summarize the correlation between gut microbiota‐derived metabolites and cancer, and to provide fresh ideas for future scientific research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural, electronic, optical, and semiconducting properties of monoclinic KCa2Nb3O10 layered perovskite at pressures ranging from 0 to 400 GPa are investigated using a first‐principles method based on density functional theory (DFT). The calculated lattice parameters and other properties are compared with available experimental values, and good agreement with them is found. The investigation of the electronic properties demonstrates that the compound's direct bandgap nature at the Z‐point appears for all pressure and the compound becomes metallic at 400 GPa. The most influential contribution to the total and partial density of states comes from Nb‐4d and O‐2p states at the Fermi level under applied pressure. The study of optical functions displays that, at 400 GPa pressure, the material is particularly reflective, with the maximum absorption in the infrared band. The outcomes of this study suggest that pressure has a significant effect on the structural, electronic, and optical properties of KCa2Nb3O10 perovskite that may be promising for optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empirical likelihood is widely used in many statistical problems. In this article, we provide a review of the empirical likelihood method, due to its significant development in recent years. Since the introduction of empirical likelihood, variants of empirical likelihood have been proposed, and the applications of empirical likelihood in high dimensions have also been studied. It is necessary to summarize the new development of empirical likelihood. In this article, we give a review of the Bayesian empirical likelihood, the bias‐corrected empirical likelihood, the jackknife empirical likelihood, the adjusted empirical likelihood, the extended empirical likelihood, the transformed empirical likelihood, the mean empirical likelihood, and the empirical likelihood with high dimensions. Finally, we have a brief survey of the computation and implementation for empirical likelihood methods. This article is categorized under:Applications of Computational Statistics > Education in Computational Statistics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global threat from emerging contaminants to human health has pushed researchers to develop pollutant removal technologies including those based on biocatalytic degradation. Laccase, a multicopper enzyme, is reported for its applicability in treating wastewater and industrial effluent by catalyzing reduction of O2 to H2O in the presence of substrates (phenolic or non‐phenolic compounds). Scientific papers have discussed the ability of this enzyme to breakdown hazardous contaminants ranging from azo dyes, antibiotics, and up to hormones. Nonetheless, the cost production of this enzyme is high, hence the importance of the immobilization into solid supports. Polymers are considered suitable for the immobilization because they are easy for modification and have adjustable characteristics. This review discusses the immobilization of laccase into polymers via various techniques (adsorption, cross‐linking, covalent binding, encapsulation, and entrapment) and its implications on the pollutant removal performance. In addition, bibliometric analysis is performed and summarized the advantages and disadvantages of each immobilization technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible electromagnetic devices are an important area of research in the twentyfirst century. Although polymer substrates are the most commonly used transparent flexible substrates, they have certain disadvantages like lowtemperature resistance and a high thermal expansion coefficient, limiting the preparation conditions of flexible devices and diminishing their performance. Herein, the characteristics and research status of inorganic flexible transparent fluorphlogopite are summarized. Herein, the structure, properties, and applications of fluorphlogopite are primarily discussed. Finally, the application of fluorphlogopite in flexible electromagnetic devices is envisioned so as to provide a novel idea for the development of high-performance flexible electromagnetic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photocatalytic performance of TiO2 and ZnO was comparatively studied for photocatalytic degradation of reactive black 5 (RB5) under artificial UVC irradiation. The effect of initial solution pH, catalyst concentration, initial RB5 concentration, purging oxygen rate, stirring rate, and process temperature on the degradation process by TiO2 and ZnO was investigated. In addition, total organic carbon (TOC) analysis has been employed for each parameter to detect the presence of organic intermediates and the photodegradation performance of catalysts simultaneously with the photocatalytic degradation process. The RB5 photodegradation was more rapid in the aqueous medium by TiO2 under UVC irradiation compared to the catalysis by ZnO. On the other hand, the slower photocatalysis by ZnO resulted in generating more organic intermediates. The structural and morphological analyses of photocatalysts TiO2 and ZnO were performed using XRD and FE‐SEM techniques. The UV‐vis spectroscopy measurements supported that the TiO2 demonstrated evidently better photocatalytic activity than ZnO for RB5 degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constructing predictive models to simulate complex bioprocess dynamics, particularly time‐varying (i.e., parameters varying over time) and history‐dependent (i.e., current kinetics dependent on historical culture conditions) behavior, has been a longstanding research challenge. Current advances in hybrid modeling offer a solution to this by integrating kinetic models with data‐driven techniques. This article proposes a novel two‐step framework: first (i) speculate and combine several possible kinetic model structures sourced from process and phenomenological knowledge, then (ii) identify the most likely kinetic model structure and its parameter values using model‐free Reinforcement Learning (RL). Specifically, Step 1 collates feasible history‐dependent model structures, then Step 2 uses RL to simultaneously identify the correct model structure and the time‐varying parameter trajectories. To demonstrate the performance of this framework, a range of in‐silico case studies were carried out. The results show that the proposed framework can efficiently construct high‐fidelity models to quantify both time‐varying and history‐dependent kinetic behaviors while minimizing the risks of over‐parametrization and over‐fitting. Finally, the primary advantages of the proposed framework and its limitation were thoroughly discussed in comparison to other existing hybrid modeling and model structure identification techniques, highlighting the potential of this framework for general bioprocess modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proton transfer reactions are advantageously investigated in low-dielectric-constant apolar aprotic solvents where specific solute-solvent interactions are greatly minimized, if not eliminated, and proton transfer occurs directly. An intriguing feature of these reactions is their general acid/base-catalyzed kinetics with a timescale over microseconds to minutes. Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET), a great promise in the development of renewable energy sources, is an emerging application of the reactions. This article is an updated review of the post-1980 developments in understanding the mechanism of proton transfer reactions, quantitative structure-reactivity relationships, acid/base-catalyzed molecular rearrangements, reverse trends between acidity parameters and 13C δco (a measure of electron population at the carboxyl carbon) in aromatic carboxylic acids, coupling of proton transfer with electron transfer, and PCET reactions in suitably designed model systems in apolar aprotic solvents for renewable energy devices. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1,3‐Dienes are prevalent substructures in biologically active molecules and versatile building blocks in synthetic chemistry. Herein, using Lewis acids promoted dual 1,3‐sulfur rearrangements, we developed an approach for the direct synthesis of 1,3‐dithianyl substituted dienes. This method enabled the synthesis of tri‐ and tetra‐substituted 1,3‐dienes with high stereoselectivity and good yield under mild reaction conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a component of Gram‐negative bacteria's outer membrane that, when released into aqueous solutions, can have devastating consequences for human health. In this study, sulfonic acid‐functionalized mesoporous silica nanocomposites bound to polymixin‐B was synthesized and their functionality to absorb the bacterial LPS from human serum was investigated. Briefly, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from burn wounds and its LPS was extracted. Then, Mesoporous MCM‐41 nanocomposites were fabricated and functionalized with the sulfonic acid groups. Finally, nanocomposites were used to extract LPS from human serum and statistical data were analyzed using the Taguchi method. Extraction of bacterial LPS with a modified method, optimization of factors affecting the extraction of endotoxin using Taguchi method, introduction of new nano‐composites with nanometer pores and obtaining results with 96 % effectiveness in removing LPS in LAL and MTT tests were the most important findings. The obtained calibration curve was linear in the ranges of 1–300 μg L‐1 with reasonable linearity (r2>0.998). The limit of detection (LOD) based on S/N=3 was 0.03 μg L‐1 for 10 mL sample volumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar steam generator (SSG) systems have attracted increasing attention, owing to its simple manufacturing, material abundance, cost‐effectiveness, and environmentally friendly freshwater production. This system relies on photothermic materials and water absorbing substrates for a clean continuous distillation process. To optimize this process, there are factors that are needed to be considered such as selection of solar absorber and water absorbent materials, followed by micro/macro‐structural system design for efficient water evaporation, floating, and filtration capability. In this contribution, we highlight the general interfacial SSG concept, review and compare recent progresses of different SSG systems, as well as discuss important factors on performance optimization. Furthermore, unaddressed challenges such as SSG's cost to performance ratio, filtration of untreatable micropollutants/microorganisms, and the need of standardization testing will be discussed to further advance future SSG studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we present the formation of nitrogen (N) doped graphene oxide nanospheres (N‐GONs) and investigate their applicability for photocatalytic water splitting. We chose a simple "bottom‐up" method for synthesizing N‐GONs. Dibenzopyrrole as a basic structural unit was used for constructing N‐GONs. Nitration is an intermediate step, subsequent hydrothermal treatment of nitro derivatives imparted oxygen functionalities, which was well proved via CHNS and XPS analysis. ∼14 % and 39 % of nitrogen and oxygen were present inside N‐GONs. The average size of N‐GONs is in‐between 30–80 nm. N‐GONs typically have a band gap of nearly 2.61 eV. The valance and the conduction bands alignments of N‐GONs w.r.t to standard hydrogen electrode were evaluated through UPS and XPS studies. The alignments were found to be well suited for H2O splitting applications. N‐GONs have n‐type semiconductor features and a charge carrier density of 1.12×1022 cm−3. While studying photocatalytic dissociation of water we identified oxygen as the only product. Significantly, 1 g of N‐GONs produced ∼1.3 mmol of oxygen over the course of 1 h. These backgrounds clearly suggest the possibilities of ongoing oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions simultaneously. No‐significant traces of H2O2 were observed which suggested immediate H2O2 disproportionation to O2 and H2O on N‐GONs. The proposed photocatalytic activity of N‐GONs is also confirmed by RRDE method for ORR catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A promoter‐free chalcogenophosphorylation reaction between diverse P(O)−H reagents and chalcogenosulfonates has been developed. In the absence of metal or any other additives, these transformations proceed through a spontaneous process at room temperature, which provide a convenient and compatible approach to a broad range of selenophosphates and thiophosphates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminium is the most abundant metal in the earth crust and so far, there is no evidence on an important role in the human body. However, the relation of aluminium exposure on human health and aluminium‐related diseases is well known. The aim of this review is to summarize the most recent advances on multidentate organic compounds such as naphthalene, coumarin, quinoline, Schiff bases, benzothiazole, benzimidazole, rhodamine, pyrene carbazole, and julolidine derivatives as Al3+ fluorescent sensor starting from an analytical viewpoint (sensibility, selectivity), their application in fluorescent bioimaging in vitro or/and in vivo, and photophysical mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonia (NH3) detection has gained considerable attention in agricultural and environmental monitoring, chemical and pharmaceutical processing, and disease diagnosis, which requires the development of sensors with high sensitivity. Herein, we propose a novel gas sensor based on nanocomposites of TiO2 hollow nanofibers and polyaniline (PANI) for the sensitive detection of ammonia at room temperature. TiO2 nanostructures in anatase phase were prepared by the combination of coaxial electrospinning and calcination treatment. The resulting material was mixed with PANI and deposited onto gold interdigitated electrodes (IDEs). The hybrid platforms exhibited superior sensing performance compared to the platform based on their individual phases, which is ascribed to a synergistic effect from p‐n heterojunction formation. Specifically, the platforms based on TiO2/PANI nanocomposite showed a fast response towards NH3 (e. g., 55 s at 10 ppm) at room temperature (25 °C). Additionally, the platform demonstrated the ability to detect NH3 at low concentrations (10–30 ppm) and a detection mechanism was proposed to explain the results. Overall, these results show the promise of electrospun TiO2 hollow nanofibers/PANI composites for the development of high‐performance room temperature ammonia sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most used resins in the plastics industry is polyethylene (PE). Although PE has good impact resistance and ductility, its low maximum use temperature and mechanical strength limit some commercial development, especially for load‐bearing applications. To get better overall performances, crosslinking is performed to improve the chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of PE. Although PE can be crosslinked by using various chemical and physical methods, this makes the resulting polymers more difficult to recycle since a three‐dimensional (3D) network is created. In this review, we first describe the different crosslinking techniques for PE to manufacture crosslinked PE (XLPE) parts. Then, as more than half of the XLPE‐based products are disposed directly after use, we present several options to reuse and recycle these products to overcome this environmental issue and find a sustainable solution. A focus is made on mechanical recycling and de‐crosslinking techniques for XLPE to generate recycled‐XLPE (r‐XLPE). Finally, a conclusion is presented on the current situation and research gaps that must be filled by future works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholestatic drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) induced by drugs or other xenobiotics is a severe and even fatal clinical syndrome. Here, living materials of hierarchy‐assembled dual probiotics system are fabricated by sequentially encapsulating probiotic Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (LDB) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) into Ca2+‐complexed polymer microspheres for effective prevention of cholestatic DILI. Upon entering intestinal tract of the constructed living materials, LGG is released because of pH‐triggered dissolution of outer enteric polymer coating. The released LGG can inhibit hepatic bile acids (BAs) synthesis by activating intestinal farnesoid X receptor‐fibroblast growth factor 15（FGF‐15) signaling pathway. BAs excretion is also facilitated by LGG through increasing the abundance of bile salt hydrolase (BSH)‐active gut commensal bacteria. Furthermore, exposed positively‐charged chitosan shell can absorb the excessive BAs via electrostatic interaction, which leads to steady BAs fixation by the imprisoned LDB, decreasing the total BAs amounts in enterohepatic circulation. Together, the fabricated living materials, obtained here, can effectively prevent cholestatic DILI through dredging cholestasis via gut‐liver axis modulation. The therapeutic effect is demonstrated in α‐naphthylisothiocyanate and clinical antiepileptic drug valproate acid‐induced cholestatic DILI mouse models, which reveal the great potential for effective cholestatic DILI management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]