3D Nanoprinting of Multifunctional MgO Transparent Ceramics.

Transparent ceramics face fabrication challenges in achieving high-resolution 3D architectures with optical isotropy and thermal/mechanical stability. While two-photon lithography (TPL) enables nanoscale 3D printing, existing inorganic TPL materials suffer from opacity, big shrinkage, and costly postprocessing. Here, we report a solvent-free, high-loading Mg-cross-linked photoresist for TPL fabrication of sub-200 nm 3D MgO transparent ceramics with high fidelity via two-step sintering.

Multifunctional Flexible Hard Coatings with Weathering Resistance and Heat-Shielding Properties.

Hard, flexible, transparent, and hydrophobic multifunctional coatings have a wide range of applications, but they do not adequately protect against harsh conditions, especially photoaging. In this study, SiO and AlO nanoparticles were first modified by silazane and epoxy-functionalized silanes and then reacted with a polyetheramine curing agent to prepare highly crosslinked multifunctional hybrid coatings at room temperature. Due to the integration of siloxane nanoparticles and a polymer network, the multifunctional coatings presented outstanding hardness (4H), flexibility (bending diameter of 10 mm), and transmittance (>97%).

Wood aerogels decorated amino-functionalized MIL-101(Cr) as efficient filter for multistage purification of wastewater.

Exploring novel water purifier to efficiently remove heavy metal ions from the wastewater is of vital importance. Inspired by the hierarchical structure of natural wood and the chelation of amino group, a high-efficiency water purifier with ethylenediamine functionalized MIL-101(Cr) octahedrons anchored on the wood aerogel (MIL-101(Cr)-ED/WA) was constructed. Benefiting from the two-pronged approach with the hierarchical structure of the wood aerogel frame for multistage filtration and the -NH that capable of chelation with metal ions, the fabricated MIL-101(Cr)-ED/WA exhibits excellent water purification performances, and its adsorption capacity of toxic Pb ions could reach up to 6.

Computer vision-assisted smartphone microscope imaging digital immunosensor based on click chemistry-mediated microsphere counting technology for the detection of aflatoxin B in peanuts.

Aflatoxin B is a carcinogenic contaminant in food or feed, and it poses a serious health risk to humans. Herein, a computer vision-assisted smartphone microscope imaging digital (SMID) immunosensor based on the click chemistry-mediated microsphere counting technology was designed for the detection of aflatoxin B in peanuts. In this SMID immunosensor, the modified polystyrene (PS) microspheres were used as the signal probes and were recorded by a smartphone microscopic imaging system after immunoreaction and click chemistry reaction.

Preparation and Properties of Highly Transparent SiO Aerogels for Thermal Insulation.

SiO aerogels have attracted extensive attention due to their unique structural characteristics, which exhibit many special properties, especially good optical transparency. As far as we know, the sol-gel stage during the synthesis of aerogel plays an important role in the construction of the gel skeleton. In this study, we adjusted the amount of silicon source and catalyst to explore the best scheme for preparing highly transparent SiO aerogels, and further clarify the effects of both on the properties of SiO aerogels.

Liquid Oxygen Compatibility and Ultra-Low-Temperature Mechanical Properties of Modified epoxy Resin Containing Phosphorus and Nitrogen.

Endowing epoxy resin (EP) with prospective liquid oxygen compatibility (LOC) as well as enhanced ultra-low-temperature mechanical properties is urgently required in order to broaden its applications in aerospace engineering. In this study, a reactive phosphorus/nitrogen-containing aromatic ethylenediamine (BSEA) was introduced as a reactive component to enhance the LOC and ultra-low-temperature mechanical properties of an EP/biscitraconimide resin (BCI) system. The resultant EP thermosets showed no sensitivity reactions in the 98J liquid oxygen impact test (LOT) when the BSEA content reached 4 wt% or 5 wt%, indicating that they were compatible with liquid oxygen.

Characterization of the structural and dynamic changes of cell wall obtained by ultrasound-water and ultrasound-alkali treatments.

It is well-known that ultrasound has been studied for its cavitation, mechanical and thermal effects. As a pretreatment technology, ultrasonic alkali treatment has attracted much attention in the field of biomass biochemical transformation. In this study, the structural and dynamic changes of wood cell walls during ultrasound-water, alkali, and ultrasound-alkali treatments were investigated by stereoscopic microscopy, confocal Raman microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction.

Aberrant activity within auditory network is associated with psychiatric comorbidities in interictal migraineurs without aura.

The present study aimed to explore associations between brain activity in the auditory cortex and clinical and psychiatric characteristics in patients with migraine without aura (MwoA) during interictal periods. Resting-state data were acquired from patients with episodic MwoA (n = 34) and healthy controls (n = 30). Independent component analysis was used to extract and calculate the resting-state auditory network.

Dual responsive oligo(lysine)-modified Pluronic F127 hydrogels for drug release of 5-fluorouracil.

Peptide-containing hydrogels have become a research hotspot due to their unique secondary structure and biocompatibility. Herein, we used amino-terminated F127 as a macroinitiator to initiate the ring-opening polymerization of l-lysine(z)-CA, and the obtained oligo(lysine)-modified F127 (FL) had degrees of polymerization of lysine of 2, 5, and 8. The results showed that the FL hydrogels had reversible temperature-dependent sol-gel transitions, and the introduction of lysine increased the critical gel temperature.

Effects of Combined Acid-alkali and Heat Treatment on the Physiochemical Structure of Moso Bamboo.

To improve the performance of bamboo and increase its utilization value, this study aimed at investigating the effects of impregnation pretreatment and thermal treatment on the structural changes of bamboo. The samples were pretreated in sodium hydroxide or zinc chloride solution, and then treated at 160 °C. The pretreated and control samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Covalently functionalized graphene oxide wrapped by silicon-nitrogen-containing molecules: preparation and simultaneous enhancement of the thermal stability, flame retardancy and mechanical properties of epoxy resin nanocomposites.

A novel functionalized graphene oxide (FGO) wrapped with Si-N-containing flame retardant (FR-fGO) was successfully synthesized a chemical modification process and applied to enhance the thermal stability, fire resistance, and mechanical properties of epoxy resin (EP). Herein, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to explore the structure and morphology of FR-fGO to overcome the fact that the FGO cannot strongly bond with the polymer matrix. With the incorporation of FR-fGO into EP, the thermal stability improved and the total heat release decreased compared with pure EP.

A green self-assembled organic supermolecule as an effective flame retardant for epoxy resin.

Toxicity and environmental issues have elicited research attention regarding the need to prepare a green flame retardant with high flame retardancy. Here, a supermolecular self-assembly technology was used to prepare nickel phytate as shell materials aggregated on aminated silica nanotemplates through electrostatic interactions as a green novel flame retardant (Ni@SiO-PA). After incorporating the obtained core-shell structured Ni@SiO-PA into epoxy resin (EP), the supermolecular shell effectively enhanced the adhesive property between the nanoparticles and the EP matrix.

Impaired intrinsic functional connectivity between the thalamus and visual cortex in migraine without aura.

Background: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has confirmed disrupted visual network connectivity in migraine without aura (MwoA). The thalamus plays a pivotal role in a number of pain conditions, including migraine. However, the significance of altered thalamo-visual functional connectivity (FC) in migraine remains unknown.

Disrupted Intraregional Brain Activity and Functional Connectivity in Unilateral Acute Tinnitus Patients With Hearing Loss.

Purpose: The present study combined fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), and functional connectivity (FC) to explore brain functional abnormalities in acute tinnitus patients (AT) with hearing loss.

Methods: We recruited twenty-eight AT patients and 31 healthy controls (HCs) and ran resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans. fALFF, ReHo, and FC were conducted and compared between AT patients and HCs.

Injectable hydrogel composed of hydrophobically modified chitosan/oxidized-dextran for wound healing.

An injectable hydrogel dressing with multifunctional properties of superior hemostasis, antibacterial activity, tissue adhesive and cytocompatibility is desirable candidate in wound healing. In this study, we developed a novel hydrogel dressing composed of hydrophobically modified chitosan (hmCS) and oxidized dextran (OD). The gelation time, microstructure, injectability, self-healing and rheological properties were characterized.

Impaired functional connectivity of limbic system in migraine without aura.

Aberrant functional connectivity of brain networks has been demonstrated in migraine sufferers. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) may illustrate altered connectivity in patients suffering from migraine without aura (MwoA). Here, we applied a seed-based approach based on limbic regions to investigate disrupted functional connectivity between spontaneous migraine attacks.

Multifunctional Hydrogel Patch with Toughness, Tissue Adhesiveness, and Antibacterial Activity for Sutureless Wound Closure.

A multifunctional hydrogel patch with a combination of high toughness, superior adhesion, and good antibacterial effect is a highly desired surgical material. In this study, we developed a novel hydrogel patch composed of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate/quaternized chitosan/tannic acid (PEGDA/QCS/TA) based on mussel-inspired chemistry. The physical and biological properties of the hydrogel patch were systematically evaluated in vitro and in vivo.

Effects of zinc chloride-silicone oil treatment on wood dimensional stability, chemical components, thermal decomposition and its mechanism.

The hygroexpansion and anisotropy of wood limit its application in construction and wood products industry. Zinc chloride-silicone oil was use to decrease the hygroscopicity and improve the dimensional stability of wood at 80 °C, 140 °C, 160 °C and 180 °C. The effects of the treatment on the dimensional stability, chemical structure, thermal degradation, morphology of wood were evaluated, and the mechanism was determined.

Multiple Physically Cross-Linked F127-α-CD Hydrogels: Preparation, Sol-Gel Transformation, and Controlled Release of 5-Fluorouracil.

Pluronic F127 is a thermosensitive polymer that has been extensively studied and utilized in biomedicine. To improve the gelation properties of F127, α-cyclodextrin was introduced by physical interactions, such as forming inclusion complexes, hydrogen bond self-assembly, and hydrophobic interactions, to prepare F127-α-CD hydrogels. This study explored the temperature-dependent sol-gel transition behavior, gelation mechanism, interior morphology, and controlled release of the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil.

Effects of the ultrasound-assisted pretreatments using borax and sodium hydroxide on the physicochemical properties of Chinese fir.

This work investigated the physicochemical properties of Chinese fir after ultrasound-assisted pretreatments with borax and sodium hydroxide additives in an aqueous solution. TGA, FTIR, and XRD were used to analyze the thermal degradation processes, changes in chemical structures, and crystallinity of the treated samples, respectively. Additionally, the release of volatiles from wood pyrolysis was measured on-line by the TG-FTIR apparatus.

Improved thermal properties of epoxy resin modified with polymethyl methacrylate-microencapsulated phosphorus-nitrogen-containing flame retardant.

Epoxy resin (EP) composites with improved thermal resistance were fabricated. To solve the problem of low thermal resistance derived from phosphazene flame-retardant additives, we designed a system based on flame-retardant microcapsules P(H), with hexaphenoxycyclotriphosphazene as the core and polymethyl methacrylate as the shell. The core-shell structure was characterized and confirmed.

Thermal insulation and stability of polysiloxane foams containing hydroxyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxanes.

An effective method was described here to improve the thermal insulation and stability of polysiloxane foam (SIF) by controlling the chain length of hydroxyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (OH-PDMS). A series of SIFs were prepared through foaming and cross-linking processes with different cross-linking densities. The morphology of SIF was investigated by environmental scanning electron microscopy.

PNIPAM-MAPOSS Hybrid Hydrogels with Excellent Swelling Behavior and Enhanced Mechanical Performance: Preparation and Drug Release of 5-Fluorouracil.

Poly(-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) is a widely-studied polymers due to its excellent temperature sensitivity. PNIPAM-MAPOSS hybrid hydrogel, based on the introduction of acrylolsobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (MAPOSS) into the PNIPAM matrix in the presence of polyethylene glycol, was prepared via radical polymerization. The modified hydrogels exhibited a thick, heterogeneous porous structure.

Intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging for the assessment of renal fibrosis of chronic kidney disease: A preliminary study.

Purpose: To investigate the potential of Intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging(IVIM-DWI) for the assessment of renal fibrosis in chronic kidney disease (CKD), using histopathology as a reference standard.

Methods: Eighty-five CKD patients and twenty healthy volunteers were recruited in this study. IVIM-DWI was performed in all of the participants, and all of the CKD patients underwent renal biopsy.