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Piezoelectric responsive molecular ferroelectrics have become a research hotspot due to their advantages of simple fabrication, environmental friendliness, light weight and good mechanical flexibility. Here we proposed a new kind of multipole rare earth molecular ferroelectric, ((nBu)4N)3[Ce(NO3)4(SCN)2]((CH3CH2CH2CH2)4N = tetrabutylammonium) (1). Compound 1 undergoes a high temperature ferroelectric phase transition at 408 K. It is worth noting that compound 1 has a narrow band gap of 2.61 eV, flexible switchable SHG effect, moderate spontaneous polarization Ps = 3.6 μC cm−2, and piezoelectric constant = 3 pC N−1. The results show that these findings provide ideas for exploring multifunctional rare earth molecular ferroelectrics with a piezoelectric effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bistable switches (electrical switching between "ON" and "OFF" bistable states) have gradually developed into an ideal category of highly intelligent materials, due to their significant applications in optical technology, signal processors, data storage and other switchable media applications in the field of electrical devices. Here, we successfully designed and synthesized [(FC6H4C2H4NH3)2MCl4]n(FC6H4C2H4NH3+)=deprotonated 4‐fluoro‐ phenethylamine; M=Cd (1), Mn (2)), which realized the coupling of thermo‐dielectric switching characteristics, semi‐conductor characteristics and photo‐luminescent properties. DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) and dielectric measurements show that 1 is a sensitive dielectric bistable switch between the high dielectric (ON) and low dielectric (OFF) states. The temperature‐variable single crystal structure shows that the both 1 and 2 undergo a high‐temperature reversible phase transition around 383 K/380 K, which is caused by the order‐disordered transformation of organic cations and the slight distortion of the inorganic framework. In particular, 1 shows outstanding switchable dielectric behavior and semiconducting properties. Further, 1 and 2 emit strong green and yellow luminescence at 527 and 595 nm, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tetracyanopyridine (4-cyanopyridine and 3-cyanopyridine) was reacted with rare earth nitrates (Ln = La, Gd, Er) under hydrothermal conditions by the Demko-Sharpless method, and four rare earth tetrazolium ionic compound were synthesized safely and effectively, named [Ln(H2O)8 ⋅ 3(p-TPD) ⋅ 2(p-HTPD) ⋅ 7H2O], (Ln = La( 1), Gd(2), Er (3), p-TPD = 4-tetrazolpyridine), [Ln(H2O)8 ⋅ 3(m-TPD) ⋅ 6H2O], (m-TPD = 3-tetrazolpyridine, Ln = Er(4)). These four rare earth tetrazolium ionic compounds were characterized by the single crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, dielectric properties, X-ray powder diffraction. The X-ray single crystal structure analysis shows that the four rare earth tetrazolium compounds were all ionic, and the rare earth metal ions and ligands were in two different layers. The [Ln(H2O)8]3+ structure unit and p-TPD and water molecules formed a cationic layer through hydrogen bonding, while p-TPD and p-HTPD formed an anion layer through π-π stacking and hydrogen bonding. The cation layer and anion layer alternately form a regular network structure. Moreover, the dielectric properties tests indicate that the compounds 1, 2 have good dielectric properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens has been widely used in agriculture these years for its high efficiency in biological control of postharvest fruits. Aiming to look for efficient biopreservative of fruits and vegetables, a new strain PJ which isolated from Litopenaeus vannamei , was identified as B. amyloliquefaciens based on morphological, physiological, biochemical characteristics, and phylogenetic relationships. Subsequently, the antimicrobial peptide (termed PJAP) was isolated and purified. At last, the bioactivities and functional application of this peptide were evaluated through the determination of the antibacterial activity and the preservation effect on strawberries. Results indicated that the molecular mass of PJAP was approximately 3.3 kDa. PJAP had antagonistic effect on foodborne pathogens (minimal inhibitory concentrations, MIC values = 62.5–250 μg/mL), and electron microscopy and flow cytometry revealed that PJAP caused an increase of cell membrane permeability in Staphylococcus aureus. The rate of strawberry weight loss and titratable acid level during low temperature storage were delayed after strawberries were treated with PJAP. Consequently, this study indicated that B. amyloliquefaciens PJ and related bacteriostatic substance may have potential applications as the natural preservative for the storage of strawberry after harvest. • A strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens PJ isolated from Litopenaeus vannamei. • The strain PJ had antagonistic activity against pathogenic bacteria in food. • The strain PJ had a good effect on the preservation of strawberries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-flaccid facial palsy sequelae manifest as sequelae following Bell's palsy. Currently, there are no effective remedies for addressing this issue. In this study, we proposed a new surgical solution, epineurectomy of the extracranial facial nerve trunk, and assessed its safety and efficacy as a potential remedy.., Methods: In this single-arm trial, adult patients with non-flaccid facial palsy sequelae were enrolled and subjected to epineurectomy of the extracranial facial nerve trunk. The primary efficacy endpoint was the Sunnybrook scores at months 12 postoperatively. The secondary endpoints included non-flaccid facial palsy sequelae symptom scores, such as facial tightness or facial stiffness, facial synkinesis, eyefissures narrowing or difficulty in opening the eyes, House-Brackmann grade scale, and Facial Disability Index., Results: A total of 22 patients were enrolled between July 2020 and January 2021. One patient was lost to follow up. One year after surgery, the Sunnybrook score was 72.0 (63.0 - 75.0) at 12 months versus 68.0 (58.0 - 70.8) at baseline. The mean difference was -5.4 (-7.2 to -3.6). The scores of facial tightness or facial stiffness, synkinesis, eye fissures narrowing or difficulty in opening eyes were 0.0 (0.0 - 1.0), 1.0 (1.0 - 1.0), 1.0 (1.0 - 2.0) at 12 months versus 3.0 (1.3 - 3.0), 2.0 (1.0 - 2.8), 2.0 (2.0 - 3.0) at baseline, respectively. The median (IQR) values of the Facial Disability Index physical function were 92.0 (90.0 - 95.0) at months 12, and the mean difference (95% CI) was -32 (-38 to -26) compared to baseline. The mean difference (95% CI) in the Facial Disability Index social/well-being function between month 12 and baseline was -38 (-46 to -31)., Conclusions: Epineurectomy of the extracranial facial nerve trunk can effectively and safely alleviate the sequelae of non-flaccid facial palsy., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)