Search

Operator training and development of performance metrics are simultaneously implemented by a novel program for microwave nondestructive testing (NDT) of composite ceramic armor. A Portable Automated Microwave Scanning System (PAMSS) and accompanying Hand-Held Tool (HHT) were developed for efficient condition assessment of composite ceramic armor, in-situ on vehicles. Operator training for the simpler, HHT will be based on a self-study course available on the tool's operator interface computer. The course includes a library of examination samples, created using the more operator-controllable PAMSS, and validated by digital x-ray NDT. Operators will be able to study examples from the library on their own, and take a performance test using the operator interface computer. Using analysis of variance gauge repeatability and reproducibility techniques, the overall performance and performance of individual operators can be characterized by use of Cohen's kappa coefficient. The microwave interference scanning technique can image the volume of most dielectric parts, including those with complex structure and complex materials. This work is supported by the US Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), the US Army Research Laboratory who provided test panels and Evisive, Inc. internal development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing interest in physically deposited model catalysts for uncovering complex structure‐activity relationships is spurred by the possibility of depositing nanoparticles of precise atomic structure and composition using cluster‐beam sources. However, the limitations accompanying these synthesis techniques, such as low deposition rates and flat sample geometry, present a challenge for in situ structural characterization using bulk‐sensitive methods, such as X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), especially at elevated pressures (1–100 bar). To overcome this challenge, we constructed an in situ XAS cell operating in a grazing incidence (GI) geometry. The GIXAS cell was used to investigate the structure of cluster‐beam‐generated Pd and Au0.3Ag0.7 nanoparticles under CO2‐to‐methanol hydrogenation conditions (230 °C, 20 bar, CO2:H2=1 : 3). These nanoparticles, with metal loading of 0.96–10 μg cm−2, demonstrated stability and resistance to sintering upon activation in H2 at 120 °C and catalytic conditions, revealed by in situ XAS. The promising results from our work will help bridge the gap in the investigation of model catalytic materials produced by gas‐phase cluster deposition at industrially relevant pressures and temperatures, which is vital for a mechanistic understanding of catalytic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are vesicular structures comprised of a bilayer lipid membrane, released by living cells. There is a growing body of evidence for their functionality, indicating that small EVs (sEVs) can mediate specific forms of intercellular communication. The future applications of sEVs hold great promise, not only as diagnostic markers but also as therapeutic agents. However, the greatest difficulty in the clinical translation of sEVs is that they are currently poorly understood, especially concerning their in vivo behaviour. In this study, we provide a novel method for monitoring sEVs in blood circulation based on in vivo flow cytometry (IVFC). We have demonstrated that the height of the IVFC signal baseline is proportional to the concentration of sEVs. Moreover, we have found out that the peaks in the IVFC signal are generated by the aggregation or cellular uptake of sEVs. In vivo monitoring of sEVs clearance from the blood indicates that PEGylated sEVs have a longer residence time and exhibit less aggregation in circulation compared to non‐PEGylated sEVs. These studies reveal that IVFC enables real‐time in vivo monitoring of circulating sEVs, which can provide valuable insights into the pharmacokinetics and cellular targeting capabilities of sEVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid nanoparticles and play an important role in cell‐cell communications, making them potential therapeutic agents and allowing to engineer for targeted drug delivery. The expanding applications of EVs in next generation medicine is still limited by existing tools for scaling standardized EV production, single EV tracing and analytics, and thus provide only a snapshot of tissue‐specific EV cargo information. Here, we present the Snorkel‐tag, for which we have genetically fused the EV surface marker protein CD81, to a series of tags with an additional transmembrane domain to be displayed on the EV surface, resembling a snorkel. This system enables the affinity purification of EVs from complex matrices in a non‐destructive form while maintaining EV characteristics in terms of surface protein profiles, associated miRNA patterns and uptake into a model cell line. Therefore, we consider the Snorkel‐tag to be a widely applicable tool in EV research, allowing for efficient preparation of EV standards and reference materials, or dissecting EVs with different surface markers when fusing to other tetraspanins in vitro or in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can be loaded with therapeutic cargo and engineered for retention by specific body sites; therefore, they have great potential for targeted delivery of biomolecules to treat diseases. However, the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of EVs in large animals remain relatively unknown, especially in primates. We recently reported that when cell culture‐derived EVs are administered intravenously to Macaca nemestrina (pig‐tailed macaques), they differentially associate with specific subsets of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). More than 60% of CD20+ B cells were observed to associate with EVs for up to 1 h post‐intravenous administration. To investigate these associations further, we developed an ex vivo model of whole blood collected from healthy pig‐tailed macaques. Using this ex vivo system, we found that labelled EVs preferentially associate with B cells in whole blood at levels similar to those detected in vivo. This study demonstrates that ex vivo blood can be used to study EV‐blood cell interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant progress has been made in recent years in the development of liquid metal alloy catalysts. This article provides an overview of the state‐of‐the‐art research pertaining to liquid metal alloy catalysis, including alloy synthesis, reactor design, and theoretical calculations. Different alloy synthesis methods are discussed with a focus on strategies that can achieve colloidal intermetallic structures in liquid metal alloys. Current reactors for liquid metal‐based electrocatalytic and thermochemical processes are summarized. The application of theoretical tools, such as machine learning and computational chemistry to further liquid metal alloy design, is discussed. Finally, an outlook on the technological challenges and our perspective on future research opportunities for liquid metal alloy catalysis are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interlude of dark exposure for about 1 week is known to shift excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance of the mammalian visual cortex, promoting plasticity and accelerating visual recovery in animals that have experienced cortical lesions during development. However, the translational impact of our understanding of dark exposure from animal studies to humans remains elusive. Here, we used magnetic resonance spectroscopy as a probe for E/I balance in the primary visual cortex (V1) to determine the effect of 60 min of dark exposure, and measured binocular combination as a behavioural assay to assess visual plasticity in 14 normally sighted human adults. To induce neuroplastic changes in the observers, we introduced 60 min of monocular deprivation, which is known to temporarily shift sensory eye balance in favour of the previously deprived eye. We report that prior dark exposure for 60 min strengthens local excitability in V1 and boosts visual plasticity in normal adults. However, we show that it does not promote plasticity in amblyopic adults. Nevertheless, our findings are surprising, given the fact that the interlude is very brief. Interestingly, we find that the increased concentration of the excitatory neurotransmitter is not strongly correlated with the enhanced functional plasticity. Instead, the absolute degree of change in its concentration is related to the boost, suggesting that the dichotomy of cortical excitation and inhibition might not explain the physiological basis of plasticity in humans. We present the first evidence that an environmental manipulation that shifts cortical E/I balance can also act as a metaplastic facilitator for visual plasticity in humans. Key points: A brief interlude (60 min) of dark exposure increased the local concentration of glutamine/glutamate but not that of GABA in the visual cortex of adult humans.After dark exposure, the degree of the shift in sensory eye dominance in favour of the previously deprived eye from short‐term monocular deprivation was larger than that from only monocular deprivation.The neurochemical and behavioural measures were associated: the magnitude of the shift in the concentration of glutamine/glutamate was correlated with the boost in perceptual plasticity after dark exposure.Surprisingly, the increase in the concentration of glutamine/glutamate was not correlated with the perceptual boost after dark exposure, suggesting that the physiological mechanism of how E/I balance regulates plasticity is not deterministic. In other words, an increased excitation did not unilaterally promote plasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The remarkable control function over the functional material formation process enabled by droplet microfluidic emulsification approaches can lead to the efficient and one‐step encapsulation of active substances in microparticles, with the microparticle characteristics well regulated. In comparison to the conventional fabrication methods, droplet microfluidic technology can not only construct microparticles with various shapes, but also provide excellent templates, which enrich and expand the application fields of microparticles. For instance, intersection with disciplines in pharmacy, life sciences, and others, modifying the structure of microspheres and appending functional materials can be completed in the preparation of microparticles. The as‐prepared polymer particles have great potential in a wide range of applications for chemical analysis, heavy metal adsorption, and detection. This review systematically introduces the devices and basic principles of particle preparation using droplet microfluidic technology and discusses the research of functional microparticle formation with high monodispersity, involving a plethora of types including spherical, nonspherical, and Janus type, as well as core–shell, hole–shell, and controllable multicompartment particles. Moreover, this review paper also exhibits a critical analysis of the current status and existing challenges, and outlook of the future development in the emerging fields has been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurons decline in their functionality over time, and age‐related neuronal alterations are associated with phenotypes of neurodegenerative diseases. In nonneural tissues, an infolded nuclear shape has been proposed as a hallmark of aged cells and neurons with infolded nuclei have also been reported to be associated with neuronal activity. Here, we performed time‐lapse imaging in the visual cortex of Nex‐Cre;SUN1‐GFP mice. Nuclear infolding was observed within 10 min of stimulation in young nuclei, while the aged nuclei were already infolded pre‐stimulation and showed reduced dynamics of the morphology. In young nuclei, the depletion of the stimuli restored the nucleus to a spherical shape and reduced the dynamic behavior, suggesting that nuclear infolding is a reversible process. We also found the aged nucleus to be stiffer than the young one, further relating to the age‐associated loss of nuclear shape dynamics. We reveal temporal changes in the nuclear shape upon external stimulation and observe that these morphological dynamics decrease with age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White matter deficits are a common neuropathologic finding in neurologic disorders, including HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). In HAND, the persistence of white matter alterations despite suppressive antiretroviral (ARV) therapy suggests that ARVs may be directly contributing to these impairments. Here, we report that a frontline ARV, bictegravir (BIC), significantly attenuates remyelination following cuprizone‐mediated demyelination, a model that recapitulates acute demyelination, but has no impact on already formed mature myelin. Mechanistic studies utilizing primary rat oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) revealed that treatment with BIC leads to significant decrease in mature oligodendrocytes accompanied by lysosomal deacidification and impairment of lysosomal degradative capacity with no alterations in lysosomal membrane permeability or total lysosome number. Activation of the endolysosomal cation channel TRPML1 prevents both lysosomal deacidification and impairment of oligodendrocyte differentiation by BIC. Lastly, we show that deacidification of lysosomes by compounds that raise lysosomal pH is sufficient to prevent maturation of oligodendrocytes. Overall, this study has uncovered a critical role for lysosomal acidification in modulating oligodendrocyte function and has implications for neurologic diseases characterized by lysosomal dysfunction and white matter abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decades, there has been an escalating rise in the need for chemicals and catalytic materials to keep up with global demands. Addressing those issues by conventional methods often becomes inefficient, with myriad operational risks. Process intensification methods through procedural and equipment‐based modifications have been considered greener, have higher heat and mass transfer rates, and operate with lower costs. In this review, research using ultrasonic reactors and microreactors, along with developments through an integrated external energy source, for synthesizing acrylic microspheres is covered extensively. Acrylic microspheres have garnered much interest for their biocompatibility, affinity toward functionalization, and wide range of applications. Core–shell, composite, functional‐group modified, and porous acrylic microspheres are used for enzyme immobilization and as catalyst carriers. The use of acrylic support has provided huge improvements in catalytic activity, reusability, recyclability, and overall stability. Finally, various other process intensification methods and alternate support materials are covered to help enhance future developments in the field of catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visible‐light photocatalysis provides numerous useful methodologies for synthetic organic chemistry. However, the mechanisms of these reactions are often not fully understood. Common mechanistic experiments mainly aim to characterize excited state properties of photocatalysts and their interaction with other species. Recently, in situ reaction monitoring using dedicated techniques was shown to be well‐suited for the identification of intermediates and to obtain kinetic insights, thereby providing more holistic pictures of the reactions of interest. This minireview surveys these technologies and discusses selected examples where reaction monitoring was used to elucidate the mechanism of photocatalytic reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiesel is produced on a large scale as an eco‐friendly substitute and additive to fossil fuels. Catalytic homogeneous processes using strong acids, alkalis, and natural oils have been realized in industry. However, these traditional methods have several disadvantages, such as the generation of large volumes of waste, high water and reagent needs, use of hazardous reagents, high operation costs, and utilization of valuable feedstocks and catalysis, respectively. Different solutions have subsequently been investigated, such as cheap alternative feedstocks, co‐solvents and catalysts, sustainable operational conditions, advanced reactor designs and scales, and advantageous pre‐ and post‐reaction treatments. This review explores and analyzes the main aspects of current biodiesel technologies and opportunities. It also describes some advanced improvement strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscle deconditioning and impaired vascular function in the lower extremities (LE) are among the long‐term symptoms experienced by COVID‐19 patients with a history of severe illness. These symptoms are part of the post‐acute sequelae of Sars‐CoV‐2 (PASC) and currently lack evidence‐based treatment. To investigate the efficacy of lower extremity electrical stimulation (E‐Stim) in addressing PASC‐related muscle deconditioning, we conducted a double‐blinded randomized controlled trial. Eighteen (n = 18) patients with LE muscle deconditioning were randomly assigned to either the intervention (IG) or the control (CG) group, resulting in 36 LE being assessed. Both groups received daily 1 h E‐Stim on both gastrocnemius muscles for 4 weeks, with the device functional in the IG and nonfunctional in the CG. Changes in plantar oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb) and gastrocnemius muscle endurance (GNMe) in response to 4 weeks of daily 1 h E‐Stim were assessed. At each study visit, outcomes were measured at onset (t0), 60 min (t60), and 10 min after E‐Stim therapy (t70) by recording ΔOxyHb with near‐infrared spectroscopy. ΔGNMe was measured with surface electromyography at two time intervals: 0–5 min (Intv1) and: 55–60 min (Intv2). Baseline OxyHb decreased in both groups at t60 (IG: p = 0.046; CG: p = 0.026) and t70 (IG = p = 0.021; CG: p = 0.060) from t0. At 4 weeks, the IG's OxyHb increased from t60 to t70 (p < 0.001), while the CG's decreased (p = 0.003). The IG had higher ΔOxyHb values than the CG at t70 (p = 0.004). Baseline GNMe did not increase in either group from Intv1 to Intv2. At 4 weeks, the IG's GNMe increased (p = 0.031), whereas the CG did not change. There was a significant association between ΔOxyHb and ΔGNMe (r = 0.628, p = 0.003) at 4 weeks in the IG. In conclusion, E‐Stim can improve muscle perfusion and muscle endurance in individuals with PASC experiencing LE muscle deconditioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Teflon AF‐2400 based tube‐in‐tube device was used to generate flow streams of CO2 in acetonitrile and a computer‐vision based 'bubble counting' technique was used to estimate the amount of CO2 that had passed into solution whilst in the tube‐in‐tube device by quantifying the amount of CO2 that left solution (forming separate gas‐phase segments) downstream of the back‐pressure regulator. For both CO2 pressures used, there appeared to be a minimum residence time below which no CO2 was observed to leave solution. This was assumed to be due to residual CO2 below (or close to) the saturation concentration at atmospheric pressure and, by taking this into account, we were able to fit curves corresponding to simple gradient‐driven diffusion and which closely matched previously obtained colorimetric titration data for the same system. The estimated value for the residual concentration of CO2 (0.37 M) is higher than, but in reasonable general correspondence with, saturation concentrations previously reported for CO2 in acetonitrile (0.27 M). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition from batch catalytic processes to continuous flow processes requires highly active and stable catalysts that still need to be developed. The preparation and characterization of catalysts where palladium single atoms and nanoparticles are simultaneously present on carbon nanotubes were recently reported by us. These catalysts are considerably more active than commercial or previously described catalysts for the liquid phase hydrogenation of terpenes. Herein is shown that under solvent‐free conditions, squalene (SQE) could be converted into squalane (SQA,>98 %) using only 300 ppm of Pd in less than 1.4 h at 20 bar H2 and 120 °C. Catalyst stability was assessed in a lab‐scale flow reactor, and long‐term experiments led to turnover number (TON) higher than 300000 without any detectable loss in the activity. Then, the implementation of this catalyst in a commercial intensified continuous‐flow milli‐reactor pilot was achieved. High purity SQA (>98 %) could be obtained by continuous hydrogenation of solvent‐free SQE at 180 °C and 30 bar H2 with a contact time below 15 min. A production capacity of 3.6 kg per day of SQA could be obtained with an effective reactor volume (VR) of 43.2 mL for this complex 3 phase reaction. Large‐scale production can now be foreseen thanks to seamless scale‐up provided by the continuous flow pilot supplier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel nanocarriers such as multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs) have recently attracted attention due to their various applications, specifically in medicine and treatment. However, it is vital that these particles be synthesized with meticulous control of different structural, chemical, and physical properties. In response to this demand, microfluidic (MF) technology as a reliable procedure can provide promising results in the development of desired NPs and efficient drug delivery systems. By controlling the flow rates of multiphase fluids and conditions of chemical reactions, MF technology enables the fabrication of uniform and highly stable particles with enhanced surfaces, higher encapsulation efficiency, and controlled release of therapeutic agents compared with conventional bulk methods. This review article investigates the MF‐based methods utilized in the synthesis of NPs and their advantages in developing novel drug delivery systems. It also provides a comprehensive comparison with conventional methods from a different point of view, emphasizing a novel category of nanocarriers' critical characteristics. In addition, a summary of the most recent representative works on NPs fabrication by MF procedures is presented, and their potential and applications in drug delivery are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the clinical decision support system (CDSS) has been gradually improved, which effectively reduces the probability of doctors' misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis. Therefore, the clinical decision support system has always been a research hotspot, deep learning and collaborative filtering technologies are developing rapidly, and more and more are applied to different fields. Based on the deep learning technology, this paper conducts in-depth research on the methods of assisted diagnosis of clinical diseases and prediction of clinical high-risk diseases in the field of CDSS. Aiming at the problem of clinical decision support system, this article analyzes the deep learning identification method in depth and is committed to applying machine deep learning to clinical decision-making, changing the lack of information and its challenges to clinical decision-making. Based on previous studies, two unsupervised learning methods based on machine learning are proposed, namely user collaborative filtering and RBM, to improve CDSS. The experimental results show that the overall performance of the RBM-based method is the best. When the missing degree of the two data sets is 30.6%, the classification accuracy rate is still more than 92.8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterogeneous reactions are considered the heart of chemical synthesis with numerous industrial applications due to their high conversion rates and low reaction time. On the other hand, the performance of heterogeneous reactions suffers from several drawbacks such as lower product selectivity and high mass transfer resistance that, in many cases, reduce the reaction rate. The efficiency of various conventional mixing techniques in heterogeneous reactors is believed to play a critical role in controlling the product quality and mass transfer rates besides other essential factors. Microfluidics technology provides a unique opportunity to revisit many established heterogeneous reaction processes to optimize and understand the reaction mechanisms. The unique flow conditions in microflow systems provide an excellent platform for exploring the effect of high‐precision micromixing techniques on reaction rates and productivities. Recent advances in microreactor technology in general and specifically heterogeneous reactions in microflow systems with an insight on the enzymatic reactions in microreactors are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of electron beam (EB) radiation in thermoplastic elastomers based on SEBS/TPU and SEBS‐g‐MA/TPU are evaluated. 60/40 blend of both the systems were subjected to EB using an ILU type industrial accelerator. Radiation dose was varied from 0 to 100 kGy, and the sol–gel content evaluation along with detailed analysis of mechanical, thermal, rheological, and morphological implications was conducted. The interplay between crosslinking and chain scission was quantified using the Charlesby‐Pinner equation. Both the blends showed the presence of a three‐dimensional cross‐linked network in them after the irradiation. The tensile strength of SEBS/TPU was found to deteriorate with an increase in radiation dose, but an opposite trend was observed in SEBS‐g‐MA/TPU. Improvement in interfacial adhesion between SEBS‐g‐MA and TPU was confirmed. The morphological analysis through atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy clearly showed the appearance of rough ridges and pits due to irradiation along with the cross‐linked networks. From differential scanning calorimetry analysis, the changes in glass transitions and melting endotherm were assessed. Thermogravimetric analysis results indicated an improvement in the thermal stability of the blends. The storage modulus and complex viscosity of the samples enhanced as perceived from the rheological measurements. X‐ray diffraction patterns of the blends also showed considerable variation after irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxide nanoparticles (oxide NPs) are advanced materials with a wide variety of applications in different fields. The use of continuous flow methods is particularly appealing for their synthesis due to the high control achieved over the reaction conditions and the easy process scalability. The present review focuses on the preparation of oxide NPs using microfluidic setups at low temperature (≤80 °C), since the employment of mild reaction conditions is crucial for developing sustainable and cost‐effective processes. A particular emphasis will be put on the improvement over the final product features (e. g. size, shape, and size distribution) given by flow methods with respect to conventional batch procedures. The main issues that arise by treating NPs suspensions in microfluidic systems are product deposition or channel clogging; mitigation strategies to overcome these drawbacks will also be presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The retina has the highest relative energy consumption of any tissue, depending on a steady supply of glucose from the bloodstream. Glucose uptake is mediated by specific transporters whose regulation and expression are critical for the pathogenesis of many diseases, including diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. Here, we used immunofluorescence to show that glucose transporter‐2 (GLUT2) is expressed in horizontal cells of the mouse neuroretina in proximity to inner retinal capillaries. To study the function of GLUT2 in the murine retina, we used organotypic retinal explants, cultivated under entirely controlled, serum‐free conditions and exposed them to streptozotocin, a cytotoxic drug transported exclusively by GLUT2. Contrary to our expectations, streptozotocin did not measurably affect horizontal cell viability, while it ablated rod and cone photoreceptors in a concentration‐dependent manner. Staining for poly‐ADP‐ribose (PAR) indicated that the detrimental effect of streptozotocin on photoreceptors may be associated with DNA damage. The negative effect of streptozotocin on the viability of rod photoreceptors was counteracted by co‐administration of either the inhibitor of connexin‐formed hemi‐channels meclofenamic acid or the blocker of clathrin‐mediated endocytosis dynasore. Remarkably, cone photoreceptors were not protected from streptozotocin‐induced degeneration by neither of the two drugs. Overall, these data suggest the existence of a GLUT2‐dependent glucose transport shuttle, from horizontal cells into photoreceptor synapses. Moreover, our study points at different glucose uptake mechanisms in rod and cone photoreceptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a new method for studying stereoselective catalyzed reactions at a small scale. For this purpose, a micro‐sized chemical reactor and a chiral chromatographic column were integrated on a single microfluidic chip hyphenated to mass spectrometry. By running the integrated reactor in truly continuous‐flow operation with an automated injection strategy, catalytic processes and their stereoselectivity can be observed over an extended range of time with significantly small consumption of samples, solvents, and catalytic material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main observation and conclusion: Amines are among the most fundamental motifs in chemical synthesis, and the introduction of amine building blocks via selective C—C bond cleavage allows the construction of nitrogen compounds from simple hydrocarbons through direct skeleton modification. Herein, we report a novel method for the preparation of anilines from alkylarenes via Schmidt‐type rearrangement using redox‐active amination reagents, which are easily prepared from hydroxylamine. Primary amines and secondary amines were prepared from corresponding alkylarenes or benzyl alcohols under mild conditions. Good compatibility and valuable applications of the transformation were also displayed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over four decades, point‐of‐care (POC) technologies and their pivotal applications in the biomedical arena have increased irrepressibly and allowed to realize the potential of portable and accurate diagnostic strategies. Today, in the light of these advances, POC systems dominate the medical inventions and bring the diagnostics to the bedside settings, potentially minimizing the workload in the centralized laboratories, as well as remarkably reducing the associated‐cost and time. In contrast to the conventional technologies, microfluidics paves the way to create more efficient and applicable POC diagnostic devices through their inherent fashions such as minute volume of samples, easy manipulations, shorter assay time, and low‐cost production. In this review, the current status and advancements of microfluidic systems along with the current limitations in the aspect of POC diagnostic strategies are elaborated. Further, the integration of novel materials and innovative sensing platforms to the microfluidic systems are comprehensively evaluated to address the real‐world challenges for diagnosing various maladies at the POC settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superficial interneurons, SINs, of the zebrafish tectum, have been implicated in a range of visual functions, including size discrimination, directional selectivity, and looming‐evoked escape. This raises the question if SIN subpopulations, despite their morphological similarities and shared anatomical position in the retinotectal processing stream, carry out diverse, task‐specific functions in visual processing, or if they have simple tuning properties in common. Here we have further characterized the SINs through functional imaging, electrophysiological recordings, and neurotransmitter typing in two transgenic lines, the widely used Gal4s1156t and the recently reported LCRRH2‐RH2‐2:GFP. We found that about a third of the SINs strongly responded to changes in whole‐field light levels, with a strong preference for OFF over ON stimuli. Interestingly, individual SINs were selectively tuned to a diverse range of narrow luminance decrements. Overall responses to whole‐field luminance steps did not vary with the position of the SIN cell body along the depth of the tectal neuropil or with the orientation of its neurites. We ruled out the possibility that intrinsic photosensitivity of Gal4s1156t+ SINs contribute to the measured visual responses. We found that, while most SINs express GABAergic markers, a substantial minority express an excitatory neuronal marker, the vesicular glutamate transporter, expanding the possible roles of SIN function in the tectal circuitry. In conclusion, SINs represent a molecularly, morphologically, and functionally heterogeneous class of interneurons, with subpopulations that detect a range of specific visual features, to which we have now added narrow luminance decrements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collybistin (CB) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) selectively localized at GABAergic and glycinergic postsynapses. Analysis of mRNA shows that several isoforms of collybistin are expressed in the brain. Some of the isoforms have a SH3 domain (CBSH3+) and some have no SH3 domain (CBSH3−). The CBSH3+ mRNAs are predominantly expressed over CBSH3−. However, in an immunoblot study of mouse brain homogenates, only CBSH3+ protein isoforms were detected, proposing that CBSH3− protein might not be expressed in the brain. The expression or lack of expression of CBSH3− protein is an important issue because CBSH3− has a strong effect in promoting the postsynaptic clustering of gephyrin and GABA‐A receptors (GABAARs). Moreover CBSH3− is constitutively active; therefore lower expression of CBSH3− protein might play a relatively stronger functional role than the more abundant but self‐inhibited CBSH3+ isoforms, which need to be activated. We are now showing that: (a) CBSH3− protein is expressed in the brain; (b) parvalbumin positive (PV+) interneurons show higher expression of CBSH3− protein than other neurons; (c) CBSH3− is associated with GABAergic synapses in various regions of the brain and (d) knocking down CBSH3− in hippocampal neurons decreases the synaptic clustering of gephyrin and GABAARs. The results show that CBSH3− protein is expressed in the brain and that it plays a significant role in the size regulation of the GABAergic postsynapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocular dominance plasticity (ODP) is a type of cortical plasticity operating in visual cortex of mammals that are endowed with binocular vision based on the competition‐driven disparity. Earlier, a molecular mechanism was proposed that catecholamines play an important role in the maintenance of ODP in kittens. Having survived the initial test, the hypothesis was further advanced to identify noradrenaline (NA) as a key factor that regulates ODP in the immature cortex. Later, the ODP‐promoting effect of NA is extended to the adult with age‐related limitations. Following the enhanced NA availability, the chain events downstream lead to the β‐adrenoreceptor‐induced cAMP accumulation, which in turn activates the protein kinase A. Eventually, the protein kinase translocates to the cell nucleus to activate cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB). CREB is a cellular transcription factor that controls the transcription of various genes, underpinning neuronal plasticity and long‐term memory. In the advent of molecular genetics in that various types of new tools have become available with relative ease, ODP research has lightly adopted in the rodent model the original concepts and methodologies. Here, after briefly tracing the strategic maturation of our quest, the review moves to the later development of the field, with the emphasis placed around the following issues: (a) Are we testing ODP per se? (b) What does monocular deprivation deprive of the immature cortex? (c) The critical importance of binocular competition, (d) What is the adult plasticity? (e) Excitation–Inhibition balance in local circuits, and (f) Species differences in the animal models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlled synthesis of semiconductor nano/microparticles has attracted substantial attention for use in numerous applications from photovoltaics to photocatalysis and bioimaging due to the breadth of available physicochemical and optoelectronic properties. Microfluidic material synthesis strategies have recently been demonstrated as an effective technique for rapid development, controlled synthesis, and continuous manufacturing of solution‐processed semiconductor nano/microparticles, due to enhanced parametric control enabling precise tuning of material properties, size, and morphologies. In this review, the basics of microfluidic material synthesis approaches complemented with recent advances in the flow fabrication of metal oxide, chalcogenide, and perovskite semiconductor particles are discussed. Furthermore, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI)‐driven materials–space exploration and accelerated formulation optimization using modular microfluidic reactors are outlined. Finally, future directions for the fabrication of semiconducting materials in flow and the implementation of AI with automated microfluidic reactors for accelerated material discovery and development are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles have become a vital part of a vast number of established processes and products; they are used as catalysts, in cosmetics, and even by the pharmaceutical industry. Despite this, however, the reliable and reproducible production of functional nanoparticles for specific applications remains a great challenge. In this respect, reticular chemistry provides methods for connecting molecular building blocks to nanoparticles whose chemical composition, structure, porosity, and functionality can be controlled and tuned with atomic precision. Thus, reticular chemistry allows for the translation of the green chemistry principle of atom economy to functional nanomaterials, giving rise to the multifunctional efficiency concept. This principle encourages the design of highly active nanomaterials by maximizing the number of integrated functional units while minimizing the number of inactive components. State-of-the-art research on reticular nanoparticles--metal-organic frameworks, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, and covalent organic frameworks--is critically assessed and the beneficial features and particular challenges that set reticular chemistry apart from other nanoparticle material classes are highlighted. Reviewing the power of reticular chemistry, it is suggested that the unique possibility to efficiently and straightforwardly synthesize multifunctional nanoparticles should guide the synthesis of customized nanoparticles in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Continuous flow reactors form part of a rapidly growing research area that has changed the way synthetic chemistry is performed not only in academia but also at the industrial level. This Review highlights the most recent advances in cycloaddition reactions performed in flow systems. Cycloadditions are atom‐efficient transformations for the synthesis of carbo‐ and heterocycles, involved in the construction of challenging skeletons of complex molecules. The main advantages of translating these processes into flow include using intensified conditions, safer handling of hazardous reagents and gases, easy tuning of reaction conditions, and straightforward scaling up. These benefits are especially important in cycloadditions such as the copper(I)‐catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), Diels‐Alder reaction, ozonolysis and [2+2] photocycloadditions. Some of these transformations are key reactions in the industrial synthesis of pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles have become a vital part of a vast number of established processes and products; they are used as catalysts, in cosmetics, and even by the pharmaceutical industry. Despite this, however, the reliable and reproducible production of functional nanoparticles for specific applications remains a great challenge. In this respect, reticular chemistry provides methods for connecting molecular building blocks to nanoparticles whose chemical composition, structure, porosity, and functionality can be controlled and tuned with atomic precision. Thus, reticular chemistry allows for the translation of the green chemistry principle of atom economy to functional nanomaterials, giving rise to the multifunctional efficiency concept. This principle encourages the design of highly active nanomaterials by maximizing the number of integrated functional units while minimizing the number of inactive components. State‐of‐the‐art research on reticular nanoparticles—metal‐organic frameworks, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, and covalent organic frameworks—is critically assessed and the beneficial features and particular challenges that set reticular chemistry apart from other nanoparticle material classes are highlighted. Reviewing the power of reticular chemistry, it is suggested that the unique possibility to efficiently and straightforwardly synthesize multifunctional nanoparticles should guide the synthesis of customized nanoparticles in the future.The discovery of reticular chemistry has unexpectedly shifted the focus of functional nanoparticle design away from size, shape, and surface characteristics toward straightforward direct integration of functional building units into the nanomaterial. The realization of this potential together with systematic material characterization can revolutionize nanoscience to enable groundbreaking advances in different areas of the life sciences and catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An improved pulse‐chemisorption technique is presented, which is proven to be independent of the strength of interaction between adsorptive and catalyst material. The methodology is based on the transient mass balance of the adsorptive, allowing for quantitative evaluation of the pulse‐signal obtained from the experiment. Two experimental strategies for determination of the adsorption capacity are introduced, with and without using an internal standard. The methodology is illustratively discussed based on simulation results and verified by chemisorption experiments of hydrogen and carbon dioxide on a supported nickel catalyst. In addition, temperature and dosing effects are examined and benchmarked with volumetric measurements of the adsorption capacity. The proposed mathematical evaluation method of the measured data can be applied directly to experiments performed in standard equipment for pulse‐chemisorption or in modified catalyst test rigs to measure adsorption capacity before and after reaction experiments. The technique shows potential for determination of sorption kinetics and combination with operando spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microfluidic approaches to nanomaterial synthesis provide an effective means of making high quality products, with exquisite control over electronic, optical, and structural properties. Furthermore, microfluidic reactors integrating analytics and real‐time reaction control have recently emerged as powerful tools in automating materials exploration and reaction parameter mapping, with a rapidity and efficiency that is inaccessible to traditional flask‐based methods. Herein, the recent innovations in the microfluidic synthesis of photonic nanoparticles, whose varied luminescent and plasmonic properties have found great application in the biomedical and optoelectronic sciences, are presented. Special attention is placed on the achievements and promise of microfluidic approaches in automated multidimensional reaction parameter screening employing in situ optical characterization. In an extended outlook, the future of the field is explored, looking toward the integration of smart control systems and machine learning algorithms, and demonstrating how maximal positive impact can be achieved. Far from degrading or replacing the ingenuity of the experimentalist, these tools will provide new powers of exploration, augmenting the discovery process. Further, through automation and miniaturization, it is expected that such approaches will fulfill the moral imperative of maximizing the benefit derived from the natural resources consumed in conducting research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several experimental manipulations, including visual deprivation, are able to induce critical period‐like plasticity in the visual cortex of adult animals. In this regard, many studies have analyzed the effects of dark exposure in adult animals, but still little is known about the role of interneurons and plasticity‐related molecules on such mechanisms. In this study, we analyzed the effects of 10 days of dark exposure on the connectivity and structure of interneurons, both in the primary visual cortex and in the rest of cerebral regions implicated in the transmission of visual stimulus. We found that this environmental manipulation induces changes in the expression of synaptic molecules throughout the visual pathway and in the structure of interneurons in the primary visual cortex. Moreover, we found altered expression in the polysialylated form of the neural cell adhesion molecule and in perineuronal nets surrounding parvalbumin expressing interneurons, suggesting that these plasticity‐related molecules may be involved in the changes produced by dark exposure. Together, our findings indicate that dark exposure produces an important alteration of inhibitory circuits and molecules related to their plasticity, not only in the visual cortex but throughout the visual pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mono‐ and multimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) have diverse and tunable physicochemical properties that arise from their compositions as well as crystallite size and shape. The ability to control precisely the composition and structure of NPs through synthesis is central to achieving state‐of‐the‐art designer metal NPs for use as catalysts and electrocatalysts. However, a major limitation to the use of designer metal NPs as catalysts is the ability to scale their syntheses while maintaining structural precision. To address this challenge, continuous flow routes to metal NPs involving the use of droplet microreactors are being developed, providing the synthetic versatility necessary to achieve known and completely new nanostructures. This progress report outlines how the chemistry and process parameters of droplet microreactors can be used to achieve high performing nanocatalysts through control of NP composition, size, shape, and architecture and outlines directions toward previously unimaginable nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]