A one-pot strategy for the synthesis and functionalization of hyperbranched polytriazoles.

Herein we report a one-pot strategy for the synthesis and functionalization of hyperbranched polytriazoles by means of the Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of an AB-type monomer containing an alkyne and two azide groups. The AB monomer is synthesized starting from dimethyl 5-hydroxyisophthalate in four steps with an overall yield of 58%, and the synthesis and purification are straightforward. The synthesis of end-capped hyperbranched polytriazoles (HBPTs) can be achieved via the Huisgen cycloaddition of the AB monomer using only heat, followed by functionalization with either sulfonic acid (-SOH) or pentafluorophenyl (-Ph-F) end groups.

Nucleation at solid-liquid interfaces is accompanied by the reconfiguration of electrical double layers.

In electrochemical systems, the structure of electrical double layers (EDLs) near electrode surfaces is crucial for energy conversion and storage functions. While the electrodes in real-world systems are usually heterogeneous, to date the investigation of EDLs is mainly limited to planar, homogeneous substrates. To bridge this gap, here we image the EDL structure of an ionic liquid/graphite battery anode system in the initial stage of interfacial nucleation and growth using our recently developed electrochemical 3D atomic force microscopy.

Novel Gas Sensor Signal Acquisition Method: Amplifying Sensor Signals and Enabling Efficient Gas Identification.

Enhancing sensor sensitivity and gas identification capabilities is essential for the broad application of gas sensors. Developing efficient transducing methods for sensors can be applied to a wide range of sensors. However, developing such methods for resistive sensors remains challenging.

Study Models for Infection of the Female Reproductive Tract.

(Ct) is a leading cause of sexually transmitted infections globally, often resulting in inflammatory disorders, ectopic pregnancies, and infertility. Studying Ct's pathogenesis remains challenging due to its unique life cycle and host-specific interactions, which require diverse experimental models. Animal studies using mouse, guinea pig, pig, and non-human primate models provide valuable insights into immune responses, hormonal influences, and disease progression.

Endoscopic Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy through a fiber microprobe.

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is a powerful analytical method not only for the chemical identification of solid, liquid, and gas species but also for the quantification of their concentration. However, the chemical quantification capability of FTIR is significantly hindered when the analyte is surrounded by a strong IR absorbing medium, such as liquid solutions. To overcome this limit, here we develop an IR fiber microprobe that can be inserted into a liquid medium and obtain full FTIR spectra at points of interest.

Delayed progression of prion disease in mice by polyarginine-facilitated prevention of PrP propagation in the spleen.

Prions are infective agents composed of abnormally folded prion proteins (PrP), which are pathogenic isoforms of normal cellular prion proteins (PrP) that cause incurable, transmissible, neurodegenerative conditions in mammals called prion diseases. The spread of PrP within a host is facilitated by the lymphoreticular system, which uptakes and propagates PrP in the periphery and transmits them to the central nervous system. Our previous study showed that poly-l-arginine (PLR), a cationic amino acid polymer, inhibits PrP accumulation in neuroblastoma cells with persistent prion infection (ScN2a).

Comprehensive molecular analysis of 26 newly established human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell lines reveals two clusters with variating drug sensitivities.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a malignant form of cancer with the worst survival rate and an extremely low rate of response to treatments. The development and molecular characterization of pancreatic cancer cell lines (PCCLs) are essential for studying the biology of highly aggressive pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Methods: We applied whole exome sequencing (WES) and RNA-seq to identify molecular characteristics of 26 newly established PCCLs.

Architecting Sturdy Si/Graphite Composite with Lubricative Graphene Nanoplatelets for High-Density Electrodes.

Densification of the electrode by calendering is essential for achieving high-energy density in lithium-ion batteries. However, Si anode, which is regarded as the most promising high-energy substituent of graphite, is vulnerable to the crack during calendering process due to its intrinsic brittleness. Herein, a distinct strategy to prevent the crack and pulverization of Si nanolayer-embedded Graphite (Si/G) composite with graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) is proposed.

Beyond the limiting gap length: peripheral nerve regeneration through implantable nerve guidance conduits.

Peripheral nerve damage results in the loss of sensorimotor and autonomic functions, which is a significant burden to patients. Furthermore, nerve injuries greater than the limiting gap length require surgical repair. Although autografts are the preferred clinical choice, their usage is impeded by their limited availability, dimensional mismatch, and the sacrifice of another functional donor nerve.

Necking Reduction at Low Temperature in Aspect Ratio Etching of SiO at CF/H/Ar Plasma.

This study investigated the effect of temperature on the aspect-ratio etching of SiO in CF/H/Ar plasma using patterned samples of a 200 nm trench in a low-temperature reactive-ion etching system. Lower temperatures resulted in higher etch rates and aspect ratios for SiO. However, the plasma property was constant with the chuck temperature, indicated by the line intensity ratio from optical emission spectroscopy monitoring of the plasma.

Gel Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries Enabled by Photo Crosslinked Polymer Network.

We demonstrate a gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) featuring a crosslinked polymer matrix formed by poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) and dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (DPHA) using the radical photo initiator via ultraviolet (UV) photopolymerization for lithium-ion batteries. The two monomers with acrylate functional groups undergo chemical crosslinking, resulting in a three-dimensional structure capable of absorbing liquid electrolytes to form a gel. The GPE system was strategically designed by varying the ratios between the main polymer backbone (PEGDA) and the crosslinker (DPHA) to achieve an optimal gel polymer electrolyte network.

Kinetics of severe dengue virus infection and development of gut pathology in mice.

Dengue virus, an arbovirus, causes an estimated 100 million symptomatic infections annually and is an increasing threat as the mosquito range expands with climate change. Dengue epidemics are a substantial strain on local economies and health infrastructure, and an understanding of what drives severe disease may enable treatments to help reduce hospitalizations. Factors exacerbating dengue disease are debated, but gut-related symptoms are much more frequent in severe than mild cases.

Energy Efficient Artificial Olfactory System with Integrated Sensing and Computing Capabilities for Food Spoilage Detection.

Artificial olfactory systems (AOSs) that mimic biological olfactory systems are of great interest. However, most existing AOSs suffer from high energy consumption levels and latency issues due to data conversion and transmission. In this work, an energy- and area-efficient AOS based on near-sensor computing is proposed.

Reconfigurable Manipulation of Oxygen Content on Metal Oxide Surfaces and Applications to Gas Sensing.

Oxygen vacancies and adsorbed oxygen species on metal oxide surfaces play important roles in various fields. However, existing methods for manipulating surface oxygen require severe settings and are ineffective for repetitive manipulation. We present a method to manipulate the amount of surface oxygen by modifying the oxygen adsorption energy by electrically controlling the electron concentration of the metal oxide.

A three-dimensional spheroid co-culture system of neurons and astrocytes derived from Alzheimer's disease patients for drug efficacy testing.

Cell culture systems derived from the progenitor cells of human patients have many advantages over animal models for therapeutic drug testing and studies of disease pathogenesis. Here we describe a three-dimensional (3D) spheroid co-culture system of neurons and astrocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells-neural precursor cells (iPSCs-NPCs) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients or healthy individuals that can provide information on drug efficacy unobtainable by 2D co-culture or monoculture approaches. iPSCs-NPCs of healthy controls or AD patients were seeded onto 96-well U-bottom plates and incubated with neuronal differentiation medium for one week and with astrocytic medium for two weeks to replicate the temporal order of cell maturation during brain development.

Graph Learning-Based Blockchain Phishing Account Detection with a Heterogeneous Transaction Graph.

Recently, cybercrimes that exploit the anonymity of blockchain are increasing. They steal blockchain users' assets, threaten the network's reliability, and destabilize the blockchain network. Therefore, it is necessary to detect blockchain cybercriminal accounts to protect users' assets and sustain the blockchain ecosystem.

The Effect of Valeton (Zingiberaceae) Extract on Prion Propagation in Cell-Based and Animal Models.

Prion diseases are neurodegenerative disorders in humans and animals for which no therapies are currently available. Here, we report that Valeton (Zingiberaceae) () extract was partly effective in decreasing prion aggregation and propagation in both in vitro and in vivo models. extract inhibited self-aggregation of recombinant prion protein (PrP) in a test tube assay and decreased the accumulation of scrapie PrP (PrP) in ScN2a cells, a cultured neuroblastoma cell line with chronic prion infection, in a concentration-dependent manner.

Molecular Pincers Using a Combination of N-H and C-H Donors for Anion Binding.

A naphthalene imide () and a naphthalene () bearing two pyrrole units have been synthesized, respectively, as anion receptors. It was revealed by H NMR spectral studies carried out in CDCN that receptors and bind various anions via hydrogen bonds using both C-H and N-H donors. Compared with receptor , receptor shows higher affinity for the test anions because of the enhanced acidity of its pyrrole NH and naphthalene CH hydrogens by the electron-withdrawing imide substituent.

Synergistic improvement of sensing performance in ferroelectric transistor gas sensors using remnant polarization.

Gaseous pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, pose a severe threat to ecosystems and human health; therefore, developing reliable gas-sensing systems to detect them is becoming increasingly important. Among the various options, metal-oxide-based gas sensors have attracted attention due to their capability for real-time monitoring and large response. In particular, in the field of materials science, there has been extensive research into controlling the morphological properties of metal oxides.

Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase Protects Dopaminergic Neurons from Oxidative Stress in Null Mutants.

DJ-1 is one of the causative genes of early-onset familial Parkinson's disease (PD). As a result, DJ-1 influences the pathogenesis of sporadic PD. DJ-1 has various physiological functions that converge to control the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS).