Synthesis, Characteristics, and Thermodynamic Properties of the Ionic Liquid [Na][TOTO] and Its Binary Mixtures with Different Solvents.

The ionic liquid (IL) of [Na][2,5,8,11-tetraoxatridecan-13-oate] ([Na][TOTO]) was synthesized and characterized, and its physicochemical properties, including density, viscosity, and conductivity, were experimentally determined. The structural characteristics of [Na][TOTO] via NMR, IR, and TGA techniques confirmed the successful synthesis of the target IL with high purity, demonstrating the validity of the proposed synthetic route. The binary mixtures of [Na][TOTO] with common solvents (water, methanol, and ethanol) were then investigated over the temperature range of 298.

Dimensional Engineering of 1D/2D Covalent Organic Framework Isomers for Enhanced CO₂ Photoreduction.

The rigorous topologic 1D covalent organic frameworks (1D-COFs) require highly anisotropic and aligned connectivity, making their synthesis as isomers with low-dimensional structures challenging, let alone understanding the long-sought consensus regarding the structure-property relationship. Here, a feasible dimensional engineering strategy is demonstrated to construct 1D/2D COF isomers, revealing their dimensional contributions on the photocatalytic CO reduction reaction (CO-RR) performance. By leveraging the cis/trans conformational flexibility of 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxaldehyde (BPY) under acidity regulation, this study successfully constructs 1D/2D BPY-COF dimensional isomers for the first time.

Genomic insights into evolution of parthenogenesis and triploidy in the flowerpot snake.

The flowerpot snake () is the only known parthenogenetic and triploid species within Serpentes. However, the genetic basis underlying this phenomenon remains unresolved. We investigated the genomic complexities of this rare all-female triploid reptile.

The Interaction of Ether-Based Functionalized Ionic Liquids in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: A First-Principles Study.

Ionic liquids (ILs) as electrolytes in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries effectively mitigate the shuttle effect. Solvated cationic ether-based ILs, comprising [Li(G1)], [Li(G2)], [LiG3], [LiG4], or [LiG6] paired with bis(trifluoromethyllsulfonyl)imide ([TFSA]) anions, are evaluated for their ability to suppress short-chain lithium polysulfide (LiPS: LiS, LiS, LiS) adsorption on lithium metal. The chelating capacity of solvated cations governs interactions with LiPSs and anions.

The Interactions between Ionic Liquids and Lithium Polysulfides in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: A Systematic Density Functional Theory Study.

Ionic liquids (ILs) based on hybrid anions have recently garnered attention as beguiling alternative electrolytes for energy storage devices. This attention stems from the potential of these asymmetric anions to reduce the melting point of ILs and impede the crystallization of ILs. Furthermore, they uphold the advantages associated with their more conventional symmetric counterparts.

Ionic liquids intercalation in titanium carbide MXenes: A first-principles investigation.

Herein, we present a density functional theory with dispersion correction (DFT-D) calculations that focus on the intercalation of ionic liquids (ILs) electrolytes into the two-dimensional (2D) TiCT MXenes. These ILs include the cation 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium (Emim), accompanied by three distinct anions: bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (TFSA), (fluorosulfonyl)imide (FSA) and fluorosulfonyl(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (FTFSA). By altering the surface termination elements, we explore the intricate geometries of IL intercalation in neutral, negative, and positive pore systems.

Multifunctional Deep Eutectic Solvent-Based Microemulsion for Transdermal Delivery of Artemisinin.

As a serious public health issue, malaria threatens the health of millions of people. Artemisinin, a gift from traditional Chinese medicine, has been used in the treatment of malaria and has shown good therapeutic efficiency. However, due to its low solubility, poor bioavailability, and short half-life time, some smart delivery strategies are still required.

Large-scale snake genome analyses provide insights into vertebrate development.

Snakes are a remarkable squamate lineage with unique morphological adaptations, especially those related to the evolution of vertebrate skeletons, organs, and sensory systems. To clarify the genetic underpinnings of snake phenotypes, we assembled and analyzed 14 de novo genomes from 12 snake families. We also investigated the genetic basis of the morphological characteristics of snakes using functional experiments.

Developmental regulation of conserved non-coding element evolution provides insights into limb loss in squamates.

Limb loss shows recurrent phenotypic evolution across squamate lineages. Here, based on three de novo-assembled genomes of limbless lizards from different lineages, we showed that divergence of conserved non-coding elements (CNEs) played an important role in limb development. These CNEs were associated with genes required for limb initiation and outgrowth, and with regulatory signals in the early stage of limb development.

Genetic mapping and molecular mechanism behind color variation in the Asian vine snake.

Background: Reptiles exhibit a wide variety of skin colors, which serve essential roles in survival and reproduction. However, the molecular basis of these conspicuous colors remains unresolved.

Results: We investigate color morph-enriched Asian vine snakes (Ahaetulla prasina), to explore the mechanism underpinning color variations.

One-Dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks for the 2e Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D COFs) are often employed for electrocatalytic systems because of their structural diversity. However, the efficiency of atom utilization is still in need of improvement, because the catalytic centers are located in the basal layers and it is difficult for the electrolytes to access them. Herein, we demonstrate the use of 1D COFs for the 2e oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).

The structural and functional divergence of a neglected three-finger toxin subfamily in lethal elapids.

Bungarus multicinctus is a widely distributed and medically important elapid snake that produces lethal neurotoxic venom. To study and enhance existing antivenom, we explore the complete repertoire of its toxin genes based on de novo chromosome-level assembly and multi-tissue transcriptome data. Comparative genomic analyses suggest that the three-finger toxin family (3FTX) may evolve through the neofunctionalization of flanking LY6E.

Efficient adsorption of methyl orange and methyl blue dyes by a novel triptycene-based hyper-crosslinked porous polymer.

It is still a great challenge to develop new materials for the highly efficient entrapment of organic dyes from aqueous solution. Herein, a novel triptycene-based hyper-crosslinked porous polymer (TPP-PP) was designed and synthesized by a simple Friedel-Crafts reaction. The obtained polymer TPP-PP has a high surface area, abundant pore structure and stable thermal performance.

Construction of Covalent Organic Frameworks with Crown Ether Struts.

Crown ethers are a class of macrocyclic molecules with unique flexible structures but they are rarely integrated in covalent organic frameworks (COFs). To date, employing flexible organic units such as crown ethers to construct COFs with high crystallinity and surface area are still a challenge. In this work, two new COFs with different flexible crown ethers as backbone rather than side chains are synthesized and further employed for alkali metal ions separation.

Investigations of CO Capture from Gas Mixtures Using Porous Liquids.

Porous liquids, a new porous material with fluidity, can be applied in numerous fields, such as gas storage and/or separation. In this work, the separation of binary gas mixtures CO/N and CO/CH with porous liquids was examined by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The pure gas adsorption capacity was analyzed with different concentrations of porous liquids.

The Genome of Shaw's Sea Snake (Hydrophis curtus) Reveals Secondary Adaptation to Its Marine Environment.

The transition of terrestrial snakes to marine life ∼10 Ma is ideal for exploring adaptive evolution. Sea snakes possess phenotype specializations including laterally compressed bodies, paddle-shaped tails, valvular nostrils, cutaneous respiration, elongated lungs, and salt glands, yet, knowledge on the genetic underpinnings of the transition remains limited. Herein, we report the first genome of Shaw's sea snake (Hydrophis curtus) and use it to investigate sea snake secondary marine adaptation.

pH Responsiveness of Hexosomes and Cubosomes for Combined Delivery of Oil and Doxorubicin.

We report pH-responsive liquid crystalline lipid nanoparticles, which are dual-loaded by oil (BJO) and doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) and display a pH-induced inverted hexagonal (pH = 7.4) to cubic (pH = 6.8) to emulsified microemulsion (pH = 5.

Theoretical and experimental investigations of BiOCl for electrochemical adsorption of cesium ions.

BiOCl was found to have excellent electrochemical adsorption properties for cesium ions (Cs) in electrochemically switched ion exchange (ESIX). In this work, BiOCl nanosheets were synthesized by a hydrothermal method and used for electrochemical adsorption of Cs. The experimental results showed that BiOCl exhibited higher electrochemical adsorption selectivity for Cs than Li and Na.

Rational design of functionalized covalent organic frameworks and their performance towards CO capture.

We describe the design and synthesis of two new functionalized covalent organic frameworks, named Cz-COF and Tz-COF, by using monomers containing carbazole and benzobisthiazole as building blocks. The resultant materials possess high crystallinity, permanent porosities as well as abundant heteroatom activated sites in the framework. As solid adsorbents, both COFs exhibit excellent CO uptake (11.

Comparative Genomics Reveals the Genetic Mechanisms of Musk Secretion and Adaptive Immunity in Chinese Forest Musk Deer.

The Chinese forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii; FMD) is an artiodactyl mammal and is both economically valuable and highly endangered. To investigate the genetic mechanisms of musk secretion and adaptive immunity in FMD, we compared its genome to nine other artiodactyl genomes. Comparative genomics demonstrated that eight positively selected genes (PSGs) in FMD were annotated in three KEGG pathways that were related to metabolic and synthetic activity of musk, similar to previous transcriptome studies.

Comparative genomics sheds light on the predatory lifestyle of accipitrids and owls.

Raptors are carnivorous birds including accipitrids (Accipitridae, Accipitriformes) and owls (Strigiformes), which are diurnal and nocturnal, respectively. To examine the evolutionary basis of adaptations to different light cycles and hunting behavior between accipitrids and owls, we de novo assembled besra (Accipiter virgatus, Accipitridae, Accipitriformes) and oriental scops owl (Otus sunia, Strigidae, Strigiformes) draft genomes. Comparative genomics demonstrated four PSGs (positively selected genes) (XRCC5, PRIMPOL, MDM2, and SIRT1) related to the response to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in accipitrids, and one PSG (ALCAM) associated with retina development in owls, which was consistent with their respective diurnal/nocturnal predatory lifestyles.

Fast adsorption of methylene blue, basic fuchsin, and malachite green by a novel sulfonic-grafted triptycene-based porous organic polymer.

In this study, a novel triptycene-based porous polymer grafted with sulfonic acid (TPP-SOH) was successfully synthesized by the post-synthetic modification of the non-functionalized polymer TPP. The polymer TPP-SOH was well-characterized and was found to be a fast and effective absorbent for the cationic dyes methylene blue (MEB), basic fuchsin (BF), and malachite green (MG), with over 95% removal being observed within 10 min from initial concentrations of 100 mg L, 100 mg L, and 300 mg L, respectively. The adsorption process for MEB, BF, and MG was pH-dependent.