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Raman spectroscopy has become a popular analytical tool because of its ability to probe nondestructively and provide fingerprint information about materials. The advancements in the field of Raman spectroscopy and the expanding scope of applications warrant the introduction of the topic in the formal education curriculum. The introduction of Raman spectroscopy analysis in the educational curriculum helps the students learn the spectroscopy basics. Furthermore, component-wise familiarization and fabrication training will help the students to evolve their own methodologies to fabricate and customize the instrument for specific applications. Though many Raman spectrometers are commercially available, the high cost makes it unaffordable for most academic institutions. Herein, we describe an easy and cost-effective method to make a fully integrated portable Raman spectrometer and explain a few simple experiments which can be conducted at the classroom level using the fabricated device.

Although most instructors and institutions agree on its value, undergraduate research remains an underutilized pedagogical tool because it requires ample time, funding, and equipment. Various institutions feel these pressures differently, but for many small institutions, lack of laboratory equipment and financial support can hinder undergraduate research projects. However, these institutions have much to gain from undergraduate research, especially as it offers benefits not only for students but also for faculty. For small institutions, although the principle applies to larger institutions as well, green chemistry offers a promising way forward: undergraduate research projects focusing on green chemistry have all the benefits of other undergraduate research projects but can be undertaken with minimal infrastructure and reduced cost. As an added benefit, they can help to reinforce the values of safety and sustainability for future chemists. This paper offers an example of a successful undergraduate research project in chemistry in a small liberal arts university and demonstrates how a project in green chemistry can make research-based learning feasible even in institutions with limited resources. Specifically, this project focuses on the development of a bioinspired, environmentally friendly wound-care product derived from chitosan and two naturally occurring aldehydes, citronellal and cinnamaldehyde. In this project, the student researcher prepared two chitosan Schiff bases using citronellal and cinnamaldehyde and then characterized and evaluated the antimicrobial properties of these products. Results suggest that both Schiff bases are highly bioactive and could indeed have value in wound-care. This project has scientific benefit, of course, but it also has pedagogical merits, showing how green chemistry can enable institutions to offer valuable undergraduate research opportunities with limited funding and infrastructure. This paper concludes with suggestions for related (and feasible) undergraduate research projects in green chemistry.

This work covers a three-week program designed to provide undergraduate students with a background in structural chemistry and materials science. Sessions are based on the programming of regular polyhedra and their geometrical relationships by using an object-oriented language (i.e., POV-Ray). Three lectures introduce the basics of programming (syntax), Platonic solids, and the geometrical study of metal clusters and carbon structures. Students work with geometrical aspects of two-dimensional (2D) polygons and generate computer-based algorithms. Next, students study dual three-dimensional (3D) polyhedral shapes, where they adapt the written code to generate Cartesian coordinates of the Platonic solids. Materials to guide the students include an explanation of pseudocodes, tutoring to accompany the programming sessions, reviews of generated codes, and session exercises and challenges. All activities during each hands-on session aim to engage and maintain the initial expectations of the students. Students gain capabilities and knowledge allowing them to code final tests: the C[subscript 60] molecule; an icosahedral metal cluster; and a cuboctahedron.

An experiment for the calculation of the degree of double bond conversion, after a polymerization reaction, of photopolymerizable liquid monomers using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy is reported. The experiment was successfully conducted with undergraduate students in materials engineering during the Fundamentals of Polymeric Material course. Students synthesized a Bis-GMA and TEGDMA copolymer through radical chain polymerization using visible light as the energy source (photopolymerization). Through the quantitative analysis of two absorption bands in the FTIR spectra of the monomer and the polymer, the ?C-C of the alkene group at 1638 cm[superscript -1] and the ?C-C of the aromatic ring at 1610 cm[superscript -1], students calculated the degree of double bond conversion after the polymerization reaction. Students acquired competencies in the synthesis and qualitative and quantitative characterization of polymeric materials through FTIR spectroscopy.

Emulsion polymerization is a useful and cost-effective process that allows for easy creation of several commercially important polymers. Using emulsion polymerization, manufacturers produce nitrile rubber, acrylic rubber, PTFE, PVC, and [...]

Computer-based simulations can help students visualize chemical representations and understand chemistry concepts, but simulations at different levels of representation may vary in effectiveness on student learning. This study investigated the influence of computer activities that simulate chemical reactions at different levels of representation in students' conceptual understanding of the particulate nature of matter (PNM). The participants included 170 second semester general chemistry students and were divided into two groups: one interacting with computer simulations at the particulate level and one at the macroscopic level. Students' understanding of the PNM was measured using the Particulate Nature of Matter Assessment. In addition, factor analysis was performed to detect latent concepts in the instrument. Results showed that dynamic simulations at the particulate level helped students understand the PNM in chemistry involving particle motion.

A three-part experiment that leads to the synthesis of palladium(II) complex starting from a C[subscript 3]-symmetric triaminoguanidinium-based ligand is presented. In the first part, the preparation of tris-benzylidenetriaminoguanidinium chloride ([H[subscript 6]Br[subscript 3]L]Cl) by an acidic catalyzed 3-fold imine formation reaction of 5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and triaminoguanidinium chloride is described. Starting from the second part, the reaction procedures are performed under inert gas atmosphere. The conversion of PdCl[subscript 2] with acetonitrile to give [Pd(MeCN)[subscript 4]]Cl[subscript 2] as a precursor is performed at 80 °C. The third part of the experiment is a three-step procedure that begins with deprotonation of [H[subscript 6]Br[subscript 3]L]Cl, followed by transfer of [Pd(MeCN)[subscript 4]]Cl[subscript 2] to the reaction flask, where the chelation of Pd(II)-precursor leads to the in situ species [Pd(MeCN)H[subscript 3]Br[subscript 3]L]. Addition of PPh[subscript 3] as the final reaction step yields [Pd(PPh[subscript 3])H[subscript 3]Br[subscript 3]L]. This sequence of experiments provides an excellent example of ligand and transition metal preparation and its subsequent complexation to form an oxidant-sensitive organometallic species. Undergraduate students get the opportunity to learn Schlenk techniques and to investigate [superscript 1]H NMR spectra of organic and organometallic compounds starting from relatively simple to more advanced spectra. The distinct result of the chemical shift of the [superscript 4]J[subscript P-H]-affected doublet mirrors the preparative success of the student and demonstrates the utility of [superscript 1]H NMR experiments.

Environmental concerns linked to animal-based protein production have intensified interest in sustainable alternatives, with a focus on underutilized plant proteins. Faba beans, primarily used for animal feed, offer a high-quality protein source with promising bioactive compounds for food applications. This study explores the efficacy of ultrasound-assisted extraction under optimal conditions (123 W power, 1:15 g/mL solute/solvent ratio, 41 min sonication, 623 mL total volume) to isolate faba bean protein (U-FBPI). The ultrasound-assisted method achieved a protein extraction yield of 19.75 % and a protein content of 92.87 %, outperforming the control method’s yield of 16.41 % and protein content of 89.88 %. Electrophoretic analysis confirmed no significant changes in the primary structure of U-FBPI compared to the control. However, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed modifications in the secondary structure due to ultrasound treatment. The U-FBPI demonstrated superior water and oil holding capacities compared to the control protein isolate, although its foaming capacity was reduced by ultrasound. Thermal analysis indicated minimal impact on the protein’s thermal properties under the applied ultrasound conditions. This research highlights the potential of ultrasound-assisted extraction for improving the functional properties of faba bean protein isolates, presenting a viable approach for advancing plant-based food production and contributing to sustainable protein consumption.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was evaluated as a green procedure to produce faba beans protein isolates from faba beans. Magnetic stirring was performed as conventional extraction. A three-level five-factor Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was applied to obtain the optimal UAE conditions to concurrently maximize extraction yield and protein content. The response surface methodology (RSM) showed a quadratic curvature for extraction yield and protein. The optimal extraction conditions were determined as: Power of 123 W, solute/solvent ratio of 0.06 (1:15 g/mL), sonication time of 41 min, and total volume of 623 mL with a desirability value of 0.82. Under these conditions, the extraction yield of 19. 75 ± 0.87 % (Protein yield of 67.84 %) and protein content of 92.87 ± 0.53 % were obtained for optimum ultrasound extraction. Control samples using magnetic stirring under similar conditions without ultrasound treatment showed an extraction yield of 16.41 ± 0.02 % (Protein yield of 54.65 %) and a protein content of 89. 88 ± 0.40 %. This shows that BBD can effectively be used to optimize the extraction of proteins from faba beans using optimal extraction conditions, resulting in a higher extraction yield and protein purity.

Atmospheric hydrogen concentrations have been increasing in recent decades. Hydrogen is radiatively inert, but it is chemically reactive and exerts an indirect radiative forcing through chemistry that perturbs the concentrations of key species within the troposphere, including ozone. Using the atmospheric version of the United Kingdom Earth System Model, we analyse the impact of 10% increased surface concentrations of hydrogen on ozone production and loss. We also analyse the impact of this hydrogen in atmospheres with lower anthropogenic emissions of nitrogen oxides (80% and 30% of present-day anthropogenic surface emissions), as this is a likely outcome of the transition from fossil fuels towards cleaner technologies. In each case, we also assess the changes in hydroxyl radical concentration and hence methane lifetime and calculate the net impact on the hydrogen tropospheric global warming potential (GWP). We find that the hydrogen tropospheric GWP100 will change relatively little with decreases in surface anthropogenic NOx emissions (9.4 and 9.1 for our present day and 30% anthropogenic emissions, respectively). The current estimate for hydrogen GWP100 can therefore be applied to future scenarios of differing NOx, although this conclusion may be impacted by future changes in emissions of other reactive species.

Abstract The aim of this investigation was to explore the possibility to perform an asymmetric reduction, utilising a CBS‐type catalyst, of prochiral aryl methyl ketones under electrochemical conditions to generate the needed BH3 upon oxidation of NaBH4 with in situ generated I2 in the anode compartment. Therefore, various electrochemical parameters were optimised to conduct the desired formation of the chiral secondary alcohols in high to quantitative yields with a high stereochemical induction, although the catalyst loading had to be chosen relatively high to concur with the racemic reduction of the ketones by the electrogenerated BH3.

Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are essential components of electronic devices containing valuable silver metal. Using sustainable methods, silver recovery from electronic trash, like PCBs, demonstrates excellent promise. This research’s objective is to determine the optimum leaching time and solid-to-liquid (S/L) ratio for extracting silver from PCB using deep eutectic solvent (DES) composed of choline chloride and glycerol (glyceline DES). The binary DES’s leaching performance was then compared to choline chloride, glycerol, and citric acid ternary systems. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was carried out to analyze the bond interactions. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) was employed to determine the PCB’s metal concentration prior to and after the leaching process. Ternary DES was viscous, colorless, stable for 60 days, and less acidic than binary DES, with a 1.21 g/mL density. FTIR peak broadening and shifting indicated the formation of a new hydrogen bond and proved a successful synthesis of ternary DES. XRF result showed that PCB’s initial silver metal content was 2.32%. The optimal silver leaching from PCB using glyceline DES was achieved after 16 hours, with a 1/20 solid-to-liquid ratio. Ternary DES demonstrated a silver leaching efficiency of 93.65%, surpassing 86.77% of glyceline. Ternary DES synthesized in this study has the potential to serve as an efficient and environmentally friendly solvent for extracting silver from PCB, providing a sustainable approach to managing electronic waste.

An algorithm is developed to study and understand the behavior of chain copolymerization reactions. When a binary copolymerization reaction follows the terminal model, Conversion is able to predict the evolution of different parameters, such as instantaneous and cumulative copolymer molar fractions, or molar fractions of any sequence with the conversion.

Absences from school present a major obstacle to students gaining understanding of concepts developed in class. Investigates an alternative procedure for making up missed class work: viewing a quasi-interactive videotaped presentation of missed portions of a learning cycle in chemistry. (Author/SAH)

Purpose: Beyond the pains of pregnancy, miscarriages and other child-bearing risks associated with the pride of motherhood, Uterine fibroids (UFs) are another significant reproductive age detriment in women's health. These tumours are often challenging to detect in the early stage until they become large outgrowth which always requires surgical removal to mitigate risks. However, with the understanding of alteration in the complex signalling pathways, specific protein targets in UFs pathogenesis have been identified, and this study is directed to evaluate selected dietary phytochemicals for the remedy. Methods: Consequently, this computer-aided quantum study explores thirty-one phytochemicals for anti-fibroid agents through investigation of density functional theory, molecular docking, mechanics’ free energy, absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, toxicity, dynamic simulation and bioactivity properties towards some selected targets. Results: From the study, the gene-disease association revealed an evidence index between 0 and 1 for six reproductive conditions including UFs. The molecular docking shows capsaicin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, naringin and quercetin to interact with yes-associated protein 1 (-10.019 kcal/mol), insulin-like growth factor 1 (-14.224 kcal/mol), oestrogen receptor protein (-10.152 kcal/mol), epidermal growth factor receptor protein (-11.016 kcal/mol) and progesterone receptor (-12.462 kcal/mol), with highest affinity respectively. These interaction findings correlate with the molecular mechanics’ free energy combined with generalized born and surface area affinity obtained in the regression line of the dietary phytochemicals to the mapped proteins’ active site. In addition, 50 % of the phytochemicals, plus best-docked candidates exhibit good physicochemical, satisfy drug-likeness rules and medicinal chemistry as compared to the standard drugs and co-ligands. Hence, their bioactivity supports anti-cancer potential with a good Pa>Pi ratio, and with less electronic reactivity and stable interaction from the quantum mechanical calculation and simulation at 100 ns. Conclusion: Ultimately, these phytochemicals are proposed for further experimental evaluation for efficacy in managing and treating UFs.

Reports on misconceptions held by intermediate grade students concerning chemistry textbook concepts, on the relation of reasoning ability to those misconceptions, and on the extent that textbooks encourage misconceptions. Concludes that the level of understanding displayed for the selected concepts, in combination with the nature of students' misconceptions, signifies a general failure of textbook effectiveness. (37 references) (JJK)

Vicia sativa L., commonly known as the common vetch, is an annual, self-pollinating legume used primarily as fodder both by livestock and wildlife. Additionally, it contributes to environmental balance through nitrogen fixation and the improvement of soil properties. The phenotypic, genetic, and metabolite variability among four advanced lines (BK45, BK29, BK23, BK27) and two commercial varieties (M-6900, BI-65) of V. sativa were evaluated in order to be used for future breeding programs aimed at producing genetically improved varieties. BK45 was the most promising line due to its high genetic polymorphism, but also because it exhibited a significant amount of seed production and high seed quality based on its metabolomics profile. A stepwise multiple regression analysis (MRA) revealed a relationship between SCoT alleles, seed, and biomass yield. Additionally, several statistically significant marker bands linked to metabolites were found using the SCoT marker analysis. Hence, data assessed via MRA may be helpful in marker-assisted breeding programs. Finally, the two commercial varieties can be further exploited in breeding programs due to their high genetic diversity.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels have a wide range of applications in the pharmaceutical and biomedicine fields due to their exceptional biophysical properties. The study focuses on preparing and characterizing capsule-shaped PVA hydrogels to enhance their biocompatibility and porosity for controlled glucose release and cell proliferation. The hydrogels were prepared using different concentrations (Cs) and molecular weights (MWs) of PVA, with two different lengths, A (10 mm) and B (20 mm), to control glucose release over 60 min. The preparation process involved PVA gel preparation and PVA hydrogel formation. A total of 500 µL of glucose was injected into all dehydrated hydrogels in groups A and B. Glucose release was studied by immersing the hydrogels in saline at 37 °C with stirring at 500 rpm. The SUP-B15 cell line was grown in six A1 hydrogels for biocompatibility testing. The results indicate that all hydrogels remained stable at 37 °C without degrading. Those with a higher C and MW exhibited a denser and less porous structure, lower glucose storage capacity, and higher elongation at break. Significant differences in glucose release, diffusion speed, and flux were observed, which were more evident in A1 > A4, B1 > B4, and B1 > A1 over 60 min. A1 and B1 had higher values because their higher porosity distribution allowed glucose to diffuse more easily. B1, being larger, has more glucose due to its increased length. The cell growth response and viability at 48 h in contact with the hydrogels was similar to that of the control (4.5 × 105 cells/mL, 98.5% vs. 4.8 × 105 cells/mL, 99.7% viability), thus demonstrating biocompatibility. The hydrogels effectively released glucose over 60 min, with variations based on porosity, C, MW, and length, and demonstrated good biocompatibility with the cell line.

The role of ferroptosis and iron metabolism dysregulation in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases is increasingly recognized. Conditions such as hypertension, cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, heart failure, and cardiovascular complications associated with COVID-19 have been linked to these processes. Inflammation is central to these conditions, prompting exploration into the inflammatory and immunoregulatory molecular pathways that mediate ferroptosis and its contribution to cardiovascular disease progression. Notably, emerging evidence highlights interleukin-37 as a protective cytokine with the ability to activate the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathway, inhibit macrophage ferroptosis, and attenuate atherosclerosis progression in murine models. However, a comprehensive review focusing on interleukin-37 and its protective role against ferroptosis in CVD is currently lacking. This review aims to fill this gap by summarizing existing knowledge on interleukin-37, including its regulatory functions and impact on ferroptosis in conditions such as atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. We also explore experimental strategies and propose that targeting interleukin-37 to modulate ferroptosis presents a promising therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Here, we employ polymer physics models of chromatin to investigate the 3D folding of a 2 Mb wide genomic region encompassing the human LTN1 gene, a crucial DNA locus involved in key cellular functions. Through extensive Molecular Dynamics simulations, we reconstruct in silico the ensemble of single-molecule LTN1 3D structures, which we benchmark against recent in situ Hi-C 2.0 data. The model-derived single molecules are then used to predict structural folding features at the single-cell level, providing testable predictions for super-resolution microscopy experiments.

High school chemistry students' (n=183) applied and theoretical knowledge of dissolution, diffusion, effusion, and states of matter were compared. Study found that students' formal reasoning ability and their preexisting knowledge are associated with their conceptions and use of particulate theory. A significant difference between applied and theoretical knowledge was found. A copy of the application form test is provided. (Author/KR)

This research aims to study the extent of bioaccumulation of the heavy metal Pb by mangrove plants (Rhizopora apiculata) in the waters of Poka Village, Ambon Bay. Mangrove plants were chosen because they can naturally accumulate heavy metals around their roots. In this study, sediment grains were measured using a Sieve Shaker, the content of Pb metal in sediment and parts of mangrove plants was determined using AAS, while the bioaccumulation value of Lead metal (Pb) by mangrove plants was calculated using the BCF and TF formulas. The results showed that the particle size in gravel ranged between 0.00-0.13%, sand 20.44-66.35%, and mud 33.65-79.56%. Lead (Pb) levels in Poka Village waters in sediment ranged from 10,925-16,925 mg/kg, roots ranged from 0.5-21.35 mg/kg, and leaves ranged from 0-4,675 mg/kg. Meanwhile, the BCF value at sampling point 1 = 0.03, sampling point 2 = 1.40 and sampling point 3 = 0.56, the TF value at sampling point 1 = 7.8, sampling point 2 = 0.03 and sampling point 3 = 0.09. This shows that mangrove plants function as phytoextraction and can be used as phytoremediation agents to accumulate the heavy metal lead (Pd) from waters.

Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) is an important trace gas emitted from the ocean. The oxidation of DMS has long been recognised as being important for global climate through the role DMS plays in setting the sulfate aerosol background in the troposphere. However, the mechanisms in which DMS is oxidised are very complex and have proved elusive to accurately determine in spite of decades of research. As a result the representation of DMS oxidation in global chemistry–climate models is often greatly simplified. Recent field observations and laboratory and ab initio studies have prompted renewed efforts in understanding the DMS oxidation mechanism, with implications for constraining the uncertainty in the oxidation mechanism of DMS as incorporated in global chemistry–climate models. Here we build on recent evidence and develop a new DMS mechanism for inclusion in the UK Chemistry Aerosol (UKCA) chemistry–climate model. We compare our new mechanism (CS2-HPMTF) to a number of existing mechanisms used in UKCA (including the highly simplified three-reactions–two-species mechanism used in CMIP6 studies with the model) and to a range of recently developed mechanisms reported in the literature through a series of global and box model experiments. Global model runs with the new mechanism enable us to simulate the global distribution of hydroperoxylmethyl thioformate (HPMTF), which we calculate to have a burden of 2.6–26 Gg S (in good agreement with the literature range of 0.7–18 Gg S). We show that the sinks of HPMTF dominate uncertainty in the budget, not the rate of the isomerisation reaction forming it and that, based on the observed DMS / HPMTF ratio from the global surveys during the NASA Atmospheric Tomography mission (ATom), rapid cloud uptake of HPMTF worsens the model–observation comparison. Our box model experiments highlight that there is significant variance in simulated secondary oxidation products from DMS across mechanisms used in the literature, with significant divergence in the sensitivity of the rates of formation of these products to temperature exhibited; especially for methane sulfonic acid (MSA). Our global model studies show that our updated DMS scheme performs better than the current scheme used in UKCA when compared against a suite of surface and aircraft observations. However, sensitivity studies underscore the need for further laboratory and observational constraints. In particular our results suggest that as a priority long-term DMS observations be made to better constrain the highly uncertain inputs into the system and that laboratory studies be performed that address (1) the uptake of HPMTF onto aerosol surfaces and the products of this reaction and (2) the kinetics and products of the following reactions: CH3SO3 decomposition, CH3S + O2, CH3SOO decomposition, and CH3SO + O3.

In this study, opal–magnetite photocatalysts based on SiO2 artificial opal crystals infiltrated with different concentrations of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using a combination of lateral infiltration and co-assembly methods. By adjusting the concentration of Fe3O4 NPs in the SiO2 opal crystal, the energy band gap (Eg) was tuned to enable efficient degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light (410 nm and 575 nm). The photocatalytic process involved two stages: MB adsorption on the surface due to charge differences in the composite film and subsequent degradation through oxidative radicals on the catalyst’s surface. The developed material exhibited potential for applications in water remediation.

We investigated the effect of both electron donating group and e//lectron withdrawing group on biological activity of pyrimidine-based compounds as metalloproteinase-7 inhibitors and predicting a library of drug-like compounds with potent cytotoxicity using in silico approach. The selected compounds were optimized and subjected to both docking as well as absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) analyzes. We observed that the addition of electron withdrawing group (–CF3) to the predicted pyrimidine-based compound induced a radical improvement in the hydrogen bond strength with Leu181 and Ala182 in matrix metalloproteinase-7. Also, communal orientation of 2-mercapto-4-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-6-((4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)amino) pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile (PC10) and matrix metalloproteinase-7 showed improved binding tendency with calculated binding affinity value of -10.2 kcal mol−1 than other studied compounds. Our findings may open door for the design and development of library of efficient pyrimidine-based drug-like compounds as potential anti-cancer agents.

Human skin homeostasis is partly maintained by a complex microscopic ecosystem known as the microbiota. Together, the skin host and microbiota form a synergistic evolutionary unit referred to as ‘skin holobiont’, which can be modulated by various stresses. By extracting organic wild yellow gentian roots enhanced through fermentation of a rare and resistant bacterium, Sphingomonas faeni, a cosmetic active ingredient was developed to rebalance the holobiont functions as well as hydric and lipidic skin content. Indeed, gentian-fermented extract (GFE) boosts hyaluronic acid (HA) biosynthesis in vitro, stimulates the HA receptor, CD44, and allows water storage and retention through its signaling cascade by epidermal reinforcement. Importantly, GFE also increases lipid synthesis by +147% in vitro, which was confirmed clinically on volunteers with dehydrated and dry skin who presented an increase in hydration and skin surface lipids after 28 days of treatment. Furthermore, a metaproteomic study highlighted that there is a slow-down of skin barrier and antioxidant proteins from both human and microbial origins, with age and dehydration, that can be reversed by GFE after 56 days. In conclusion, acting on the HA metabolism and specific microbiota species, GFE rebalances the skin holobiont for a reinforced and rehydrated skin with optimal lipid content.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) can be complicated by pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for corrective surgery may cause endothelial dysfunction, involving endothelin-1 (ET-1), circulating endothelial cells (CECs), and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). These markers can gauge disease severity, but their levels in children’s peripheral blood still lack consensus for prognostic value. The aim of our study was to investigate changes in ET-1, cytokines, and the absolute numbers (Ɲ) of CECs and EPCs in children 24 h before and 48 h after CPB surgery to identify high-risk patients of complications. A cohort of 56 children was included: 41 cases with CHD-PAH (22 with high pulmonary flow and 19 with low pulmonary flow) and 15 control cases. We observed that Ɲ-CECs increased in both CHD groups and that Ɲ-EPCs decreased in the immediate post-surgical period, and there was a strong negative correlation between ET-1 and CEC before surgery, along with significant changes in ET-1, IL8, IL6, and CEC levels. Our findings support the understanding of endothelial cell precursors’ role in endogenous repair and contribute to knowledge about endothelial dysfunction in CHD.

In this study, the biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) was carried out using Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These PHAs were produced using reagent-grade glycerol and crude glycerol as the carbon sources. The objective was to compare the production of PHAs and to functionalize these polymers with silver nanoparticles to provide antibacterial properties for potential biomedical applications. The findings from the physical and chemical analyses confirmed the successful synthesis and extraction of PHAs, achieving comparable yields using both crude glycerol and reagent-grade glycerol as carbon sources across both strains. Approximately 16% higher PHAs production was obtained using Pseudomonas putida compared to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and no significant difference was observed in the production rate of PHAs between the two carbon sources used, which means that crude glycerol could be utilized even though it has more impurities. Notably, PHAs functionalized with silver nanoparticles showed improved antibacterial effectiveness, especially those derived from reagent-grade glycerol and the Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain.

Breast carcinoma is the most common cancer in women. Nineteen different subtypes of breast carcinomas are recognized in the current WHO classification of breast tumors. Except for these subtypes, there are a number of carcinomas with special morphologic and immunohistochemical features that are not included in the 5th WHO classification, while others are considered special morphologic patterns of invasive breast carcinoma of no special type. In this manuscript, we systematically review the literature on four different subtypes of invasive breast carcinoma, namely lymphoepithelioma-like breast carcinoma, breast carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells, signet-ring breast carcinoma, and metaplastic breast carcinoma with melanocytic differentiation. We describe their clinicopathological characteristics, focusing on the differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

Affective communication, encompassing verbal and non-verbal cues, is crucial for understanding human interactions. This study introduces a novel framework for enhancing emotional understanding by fusing speech emotion recognition (SER) and sentiment analysis (SA). We leverage diverse features and both classical and deep learning models, including Gaussian naive Bayes (GNB), support vector machines (SVMs), random forests (RFs), multilayer perceptron (MLP), and a 1D convolutional neural network (1D-CNN), to accurately discern and categorize emotions in speech. We further extract text sentiment from speech-to-text conversion, analyzing it using pre-trained models like bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT), generative pre-trained transformer 2 (GPT-2), and logistic regression (LR). To improve individual model performance for both SER and SA, we employ an extended dynamic Bayesian mixture model (DBMM) ensemble classifier. Our most significant contribution is the development of a novel two-layered DBMM (2L-DBMM) for multimodal fusion. This model effectively integrates speech emotion and text sentiment, enabling the classification of more nuanced, second-level emotional states. Evaluating our framework on the EmoUERJ (Portuguese) and ESD (English) datasets, the extended DBMM achieves accuracy rates of 96% and 98% for SER, 85% and 95% for SA, and 96% and 98% for combined emotion classification using the 2L-DBMM, respectively. Our findings demonstrate the superior performance of the extended DBMM for individual modalities compared to individual classifiers and the 2L-DBMM for merging different modalities, highlighting the value of ensemble methods and multimodal fusion in affective communication analysis. The results underscore the potential of our approach in enhancing emotional understanding with broad applications in fields like mental health assessment, human–robot interaction, and cross-cultural communication.

Diamond as a templating substrate is largely unexplored, and the unique properties of diamond, including its large bandgap, thermal conductance, and lack of cytotoxicity, makes it versatile in emergent technologies in medicine and quantum sensing. Surface termination of an inert diamond substrate and its chemical reactivity are key in generating new bonds for nucleation and growth of an overlayer material. Oxidized high-pressure high temperature (HPHT) nanodiamonds (NDs) are largely terminated by alcohols that act as nucleophiles to initiate covalent bond formation when an electrophilic reactant is available. In this work, we demonstrate a templated synthesis of ultrathin boron on ND surfaces using trigonal boron compounds. Boron trichloride (BCl3), boron tribromide (BBr3), and borane (BH3) were found to react with ND substrates at room temperature in inert conditions. BBr3 and BCl3 were highly reactive with the diamond surface, and sheet-like structures were produced and verified with electron microscopy. Surface-sensitive spectroscopies were used to probe the molecular and atomic structure of the ND constructs’ surface, and quantification showed the boron shell was less than 1 nm thick after 1–24 h reactions. Observation of the reaction supports a self-terminating mechanism, similar to atomic layer deposition growth, and is likely due to the quenching of alcohols on the diamond surface. X-ray absorption spectroscopy revealed that boron-termination generated midgap electronic states that were originally predicted by density functional theory (DFT) several years ago. DFT also predicted a negative electron surface, which has yet to be confirmed experimentally here. The boron-diamond nanostructures were found to aggregate in dichloromethane and were dispersed in various solvents and characterized with dynamic light scattering for future cell imaging or cancer therapy applications using boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). The unique templating mechanism based on nucleophilic alcohols and electrophilic trigonal precursors allows for covalent bond formation and will be of interest to researchers using diamond for quantum sensing, additive manufacturing, BNCT, and potentially as an electron emitter.

Topology optimization has become a popular tool for designing optimal shapes while meeting specific objectives and restrictions. However, the resulting shape from the optimization process may not be easy to manufacture using typical methods like machining and may require interpretation and validation. Additionally, the final shape depends on chosen parameters. In this study, we conduct a sensitivity analysis of the main parameters involved in 3D topology optimization—penalization and filter radius—focusing on the density-based method. We analyze the features and characteristics of the results, concluding that a machinable and low interpretable part is not an attainable result in by-default topology optimization. Therefore, we propose a new method for obtaining more manufacturable and easily interpretable parts. The main goal is to assist designers in choosing appropriate parameters and understanding what to consider when seeking optimized shapes, giving them a new plug-and-play tool for manufacturable designs. We chose the density-based topology optimization method due to its popularity in commercial packages, and the conclusions may directly influence designers’ work. Finally, we verify the study results through different cases to ensure the validity of the conclusions.