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Discoveries and technological innovations over the past decade are transforming our understanding of the properties of ceramics, such as ‘hard’, ‘brittle’, and ‘homogeneous’. For example, inorganic crystals containing molecular anions exhibit excellent secondary battery characteristics, and the fusion of inorganic solids and molecules results in innovative catalytic functions and physical properties. Different from the conventional ceramics such as metal oxides that are formed by monatomic cations and anions, unique properties and functions can be expected in molecular-incorporated inorganic solids, due to the asymmetric and dynamic properties brought about by the constituent molecular units. We name the molecular-incorporated inorganic materials that produce innovative properties and functions as supra-ceramics. In this article, we describe various kinds of supra-ceramics from the viewpoint of synthesis, analysis and physical properties/functions for a wide range of applications.

Developments in Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) have centred solely on their crystalline state. Here, the authors describe the preparation of the glassy state of PBAs via a mechanically induced crystal-to-glass transformation and explore their properties.

Background: Large-scale clinical trials have analyzed risk factors for any ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the risk factors for cardioembolic stroke (CES), specifically, have not been reported. To clarify the risk factors for CES and clinically significant cardioembolic infarction, we examined the incidence of CES and larger infarct volume (IV) (> 30 mL) CES, employing the Fushimi AF Registry, a community-based prospective cohort of AF patients in the Fushimi ward, Kyoto, Japan. Methods: A total of 4,182 Fushimi AF patients were enrolled from March 2011 to December 2014. The risk factors for CES were evaluated using multivariate analysis. Results: Of 4,182 patients enrolled, 3,749 patients were observed for ≥1 year. During the follow-up period (mean duration, 979 ± 7.7 days), 91/3,749 patients experienced a CES (2.43%). Significant risk factors associated with CES were older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.72; p = 0.046), low body weight (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.03–1.65; p = 0.033), sustained AF (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.05–2.71; p = 0.034), and previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.22–3.06; p = 0.004). Predictors of a large IV were chronic kidney disease (CKD) (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.09–4.05; p = 0.027) and previous stroke/TIA (OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.19–4.24; p = 0.011). Conclusions: In this population-based cohort of Japanese patients with AF, in addition to previous stroke/TIA and older age, sustained AF and low body weight emerged as risk factors for CES, as opposed to any stroke, which may have a different risk profile. Patients with CKD or previous stroke/TIA who developed cardioembolic infarction exhibited more advanced severity. There is a need for direct oral anticoagulants that can be used safely in patients with comorbid AF and CKD.

The title complex, [Ni(C20H14ClN3O)], with an asymmetrically chloride-appended Schiff base ligand has been synthesized and structurally characterized at 100 K. In the compound, the central nickel(II) ion has a square-planar coordination geometry with N3O donors of the π-conjugated tetradentate Schiff base ligand. In the crystal, the complexes are connected into an inversion dimer via an Ni...Ni interaction [3.1753 (5) Å] and a pair of π–π interactions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.8416 (16) Å]. The dimers are linked via a C—H...Cl hydrogen bond, forming a chain along the c-axis direction. The dimer chains interact with each other through π–π interactions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.8736 (16) Å], forming a layer expanding parallel to the ac plane.

Graphene oxide (GO) shows high proton conductivity (≈10−4 Scm−1), excellent mechanical stability, and electrical insulation property, which makes it an ideal candidate for use as a proton conducting solid state electrolyte. The prospects of using GO as single phase solid electrolyte in an all solid battery is presented herein. A battery with the cell configuration: Zn + ZnSO4•7H2O + graphite (anode) || GO (electrolyte) || MnO2 + graphite (cathode) is fabricated. Cyclic voltammetry confirms its rechargeable nature. The respective discharge capacity and power density of the cell are 360 μAh and 19.5 mW kg−1 at a constant current drain of 3 μA under the experimental conditions employed. GO based proton conductors are cleaner and cheaper than other solid electrolytes. The current study strongly suggests that GO can be used as a practical and beneficial component in solid state battery applications with low energy feedback.

In the title compound, [Co(C25H30N4O4)2](ClO4)3·CH3OH·H2O, the metal atom is coordinated by two tridentate crown ether terpyridine ligands, forming a distorted CoN6 octahedron. The three pyridine rings in each crown–terpyridine ligand are approximately coplanar [maximum deviations = 0.088 (12) and 0.102 (15) Å] and the mean planes through the three pyridine rings are perpendicular to each other, making a dihedral angle of 89.95 (17)°. An intramolecular C—H...π interaction is observed between the two terpyridine ligands. In the crystal, O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, a π–π stacking interaction [centroid–centroid distance = 3.923 (7) Å] and a C—H...π interaction connect the complex cation, the perchlorate anions and the two types of solvent molecules, forming a three-dimensional network.

The aging effect on the proton conductivity of graphene oxide (GO) is investigated. Characterizations of oxygenated functional groups and measurement of the proton conductivity have been performed using freshly prepared GO and the same sample after preserving for three years under ambient conditions. Although GO retains its layered structure, a slight deviation in its powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) pattern and Raman spectra upon aging implies some changes in the interlayer distance and functional groups. Decomposition of epoxy groups on aging has been recognised by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The proton conductivity was found to be reduced by 25% after three years of aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cobalt(II) complexes with terpyridine-type ligands, [Co(n-pyterpy)2](ClO4)2 (n=3 (1), 4 (2)), were prepared and characterised. Different positions of the nitrogen atom in the terpyridine ligands influenced their assembly properties in the crystal structures. Complex 1 showed a 2D network structure consisting of 1D chains connected by intermolecular N ⋯HC interactions. On the other hand, complex 2 consisted of two different cobalt ion sites (Co1 and Co2) with slightly different coordination environments. Complex 2 showed 1D chains with no interchain interactions. Such differences are discussed with the cooperativities estimated by their spin crossover behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The title complex, [Ni(C20H14ClN3O)], with an asymmetrically chlorideappended Schiff base ligand has been synthesized and structurally characterized at 100 K. In the compound, the central nickel(II) ion has a square-planar coordination geometry with N3O donors of the π-conjugated tetradentate Schiff base ligand. In the crystal, the complexes are connected into an inversion dimer via an Ni⋯Ni interaction [3.1753 (5) Å] and a pair of π-π interactions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.8416 (16) Å]. The dimers are linked via a C-H⋯Cl hydrogen bond, forming a chain along the c-axis direction. The dimer chains interact with each other through π-π interactions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.8736 (16) Å], forming a layer expanding parallel to the ac plane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine whether output from the forebrain (termed central command) may descend early enough to increase cardiac and renal sympathetic outflows at the onset of voluntary exercise, we examined the changes in regional tissue blood flows of bilateral prefrontal cortices with near-infrared spectroscopy, precisely identifying the onset of voluntary ergometer 30-s exercise at 41 ± 2% of the maximal exercise intensity in humans. Prefrontal oxygenated-hemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) concentration was measured as index of regional blood flow unless deoxygenated-hemoglobin concentration remained unchanged. Pre-frontal Oxy-Hb concentration increased significantly (P < 0.05) 5 s prior to the onset of exercise with arbitrary start, whereas such increase in prefrontal Oxy-Hb was absent before exercise abruptly started by a verbal cue. Furthermore, the increase in prefrontal Oxy-Hb observed at the initial 15-s period of exercise was greater with arbitrary start than cued start. The prefrontal Oxy-Hb, thereafter, decreased during the later period of exercise, irrespective of either arbitrary or cued start. The reduction in prefrontal Oxy-Hb had the same time course and response magnitude as that during motor-driven passive exercise. Cardiac output increased at the initial period of exercise, whereas arterial blood pressure and total peripheral resistance decreased. The depressor response was more pronounced (P < 0.05) with arbitrary start than cued start. Taken together, it is suggested that the increase in prefrontal Oxy-Hb observed prior to the onset of voluntary exercise may be in association with central command, while the later decrease in the Oxy-Hb during exercise may be in association with feedback stimulated by mechanical limb motion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A graphene oxide (GO) and ruthenium(II) complex with bromine-substituted terpyridine ligand, [Ru(Br-terpy)2]Cl2 (Br-terpy: 4'-bromo-2,2':6',2"-terpyridine), reacts to form a GO-Ru(Br-terpy)2]2+ hybrid, which after photoreduction turns to the reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based hybrid rGO-Ru(Br-terpy)2]2+. The hybrids were characterized by UV, IR, and XPS spectra. rGO-Ru(Br-terpy)2]2+ exhibits excellent photocurrent generation through the cathodic photoreduction process. This observation indicates the possibility of designing an rGO-based energy generating material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]