Visualizing Molecular-Scale 3D Distributions of Ionic Liquids in Electric Double-Layer Capacitor by 3D Scanning Force Microscopy with Variable Tip/Sample Bias Voltages.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging of ionic liquid (IL) distribution in electric double-layer (EDL) devices has been actively explored to understand the origin of their excellent performance. However, this has been impeded by insufficient resolution or a poor understanding of the mechanisms of 3D IL imaging. Here, we overcome these difficulties using 3D scanning force microscopy (3D-SFM) with variable tip/sample bias voltages for visualizing 3D ,-diethyl--methyl--(2-methoxyethyl)ammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (DEME-TFSI) distributions on a Au electrode in EDL capacitors.

Preparation of Bifunctional Orthosilicophosphate MgO-CaO-ZnO-PO-SiO Glasses: in vitro Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity and Osteoblast Gene Expression Behavior.

Phosphate and phosphate invert glasses contain various elements, with a wide range of compositions. Recently, our group reported orthosilicophosphate glasses (SPGs) and the glass network structure composed of orthophosphates and orthosilicates crosslinked by cations. ZnO is an intermediate oxide that improves the chemical durability of glass.

Inhibition of chitin synthesis by 5-benzoylamino-3-phenylisoxazoles with various substituents at two benzene rings and their larvicidal activity.

-(3-Phenylisoxazol-5-yl)benzamides (5-benzoylamino-3-phenylisoxazoles: IOXs) with various substituents at two benzene rings were synthesized, and the chitin synthesis inhibition was measured in the cultured integumentary system of . Larvicidal effects against and were also examined, and the larvicidal activity in terms of the 50% lethal dose (LD) was determined for some compounds. Among IOXs with various substituents at the benzoyl moiety, 2,6-difluoro-substituted (2,6-F) benzoyl analogs showed the highest chitin synthesis activity.

sp. nov. NIT-TF6 Isolated from Trichloroethene-Dechlorinating Culture with Formate.

A strictly anaerobic bacterium denoted as strain NIT-TF6 of the genus was isolated from a trichloroethene-dechlorinating culture with formate. Cells were straight rods of 1.6-6 µm long and 0.

Hydrothermal Carbonization of Pruned Persimmon Tree Branches: Optimization of Process Conditions for Enhanced Energy Recovery.

Pruned branches from persimmon trees are a largely untapped agricultural waste resource. This study explores the conversion of these branches into an enhanced fuel source through hydrothermal carbonization. The branches were subjected to hydrothermal treatment under various conditions to identify the optimal parameters.

Focused light birefringence for three-dimensional observation of dislocations in silicon carbide wafers.

We report a novel method known as focused light birefringence for the three-dimensional observation of dislocations in silicon carbide (SiC) wafers. Dislocations in SiC wafers can adversely affect device performance and production yield, which necessitates their characterization. The existing methods for observing dislocations have some limitations such as sample destruction and the need for sophisticated x-ray facilities.

National trends in child and adolescent psychological therapy combined with pharmacotherapy in Japan from 2015 to 2022: A retrospective claims analysis.

Despite growing attention to youth mental health, national-level data on psychotherapy and its pharmacological co-treatment among children and adolescents in Japan are limited. Using a 1 % age- and sex-stratified sample of the National Database of Health Insurance Claims, outpatient records from October 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 were analysed for individuals aged 0-19 years. Children and adolescents with claims for any psychological therapy service were identified, together with concomitant psychotropic prescriptions.

Improved Strain Engineering of Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenides via Van der Waals Epitaxy on Graphene/SiC(0001).

Engineering thermal strain is crucial for tuning the properties and functionalities of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Thermal strain arises from the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) mismatch between TMDs and substrates, but conventional substrates often induce inhomogeneous broadening in the electronic structure, mainly due to surface roughness and charged impurities. Here, we demonstrate uniform thermal strain in monolayer WSe via van der Waals epitaxy on graphene/SiC(0001) substrates.

Recent Advances on Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Molecules Bearing a Fluorine-Containing Stereogenic Carbon Center (2015-2024).

Fluorine, due to its unique ability to modify the physicochemical and biological properties of parent molecules, has found wide applications as pharmacological modulators in drug development research. Consequently, the portion of fluorine-containing drugs has increased to about 20% in recent years. Among these, fluorine-containing drugs with aromatic fluoro-substitutions are more common than those with fluoro-substitutions at stereogenic centers.

Classical periodic orbits in extended phase space for spherical harmonic oscillator with spin-orbit coupling.

A complete analysis of classical periodic orbits (POs) and their bifurcations was conducted in spherical harmonic oscillator system with spin-orbit coupling. The motion of the spin is explicitly considered using the spin canonical variables derived by semiclassical approximation to the spin coherent state path-integral representation. In addition to the diametric and two circular PO families with frozen spin, solutions that bridge two circular POs are found in which orbital motion is coupled to spin precession.

Orientation control of sub-10-nm lamellar structures in amphiphilic copolymer films water annealing.

The fabrication of polymer lamellar films with sub-10 nm periodicity and perpendicularly aligned structures is essential for applications in lithography and separation membranes. In this study, annealing an amphiphilic statistical copolymer, poly(-octadecyl acrylamide--(2-hydroxyethyl acrylamide)), in water induces the formation of perpendicularly oriented lamellae, where the lamellar planes align perpendicular to the substrate. The statistical copolymer with a 1 : 1 comonomer composition is synthesized free-radical polymerization, and thin films are prepared by spin coating.

AI-Driven Comprehensive SERS-LFIA System: Improving Virus Automated Diagnostics Through SERS Image Recognition and Deep Learning.

Highly infectious and pathogenic viruses seriously threaten global public health, underscoring the need for rapid and accurate diagnostic methods to effectively manage and control outbreaks. In this study, we developed a comprehensive Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering-Lateral Flow Immunoassay (SERS-LFIA) detection system that integrates SERS scanning imaging with artificial intelligence (AI)-based result discrimination. This system was based on an ultra-sensitive SERS-LFIA strip with SiO-Au NSs as the immunoprobe (with a theoretical limit of detection (LOD) of 1.

Electrolyte Evolution for Flexible Energy Storage Systems: From Liquid to Solid, from Rigid to Soft, and from Organic to Aqueous.

With the rapid development of modern electronic devices and the diversification of use scenarios, flexible energy storage systems (FESS) have gained widespread attention as an inseparable part of electronic devices. Electrolyte is considered as one of the most influential components of tremendous scientific and commercial interest in the performance of FESS. Electrolytes are undergoing tremendous structural variations from liquid to solid, rigid to flexible, and organic to aqueous to meet the evolving requirements for FESS.

X-ray fluorescence holography under high-pressure conditions.

This study reports the first application of X-ray fluorescence holography (XFH) under high-pressure conditions. We integrated XFH with a diamond anvil cell to investigate the local structure around Sr atoms in single-crystal SrTiO under high pressure. By utilizing nano-polycrystalline diamond anvils and a yttrium filter, we effectively eliminated significant background noise from both the anvils and the gasket.

Front-biased activation of the Ras-Rab5-Rac1 loop coordinates collective cell migration.

Collective cell migration is coordinated by the front-to-rear intercellular propagation of EGFR-Ras-ERK pathway activation. However, the molecular mechanisms integrating front-to-rear information into this intercellular signaling cascade, particularly the determinants of cellular front-side specification, remain elusive. We visualized the activity of EGFR, Ras, Rac1 and Rab5A (hereafter Rab5) by using FRET biosensors and chemogenetic tools.

Room-temperature defluorination of PTFE and PFAS via sodium dispersion.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and other fluoropolymers are widely used because of their exceptional chemical resistance and thermal stability. However, their disposal poses a significant environmental challenge. Conventional methods for degrading PTFE either require high temperatures or rely on complex reagents and often neglect efficient fluorine recovery.

Activation of Anionic Redox for Stoichiometric and Li-Excess Metal Sulfides through Structural Disordering: Joint Experimental and Theoretical Study.

Extensive research efforts have been dedicated to Li-excess compounds with anionic redox reaction as potential high-capacity positive electrode materials for Li-ion battery applications. The origin of activation on anionic redox is still under debate, and a unified understanding is necessary, especially for sulfide-based compounds without conductive d electrons. Herein, joint experimental and theoretical study is conducted for Li-excess and stoichiometric compounds with different crystal structures, cation-disordered rocksalt, and cation-ordered layered structures.

Coconut Residue-Derived Nanoporous Carbon via Hydrothermal Carbonization for Nanoporous Carbon-Based Supercapacitor Electrodes.

The increasing demand for sustainable and cost-effective energy storage solutions has driven interest in biomass-derived carbon materials for supercapacitor electrodes. This study explores the valorization of coconut residue (CR), an abundant agricultural waste, as a carbon precursor for nanoporous carbon (NPC) production. NPC was synthesized via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of CR, followed by chemical activation using potassium hydroxide (KOH) at varying temperatures (700, 800, and 900 °C).

Cartilaginous fish and mammalian connectin evolved independently from an ancestral bony fish-like structure.

Connectin, also known as titin, is the largest protein that connects the Z-line to M-line of the sarcomere, functioning as a molecular spring to regulate muscle extensibility. While comparative studies have illuminated vertebrate muscle evolution, connectin structure in cartilaginous fishes remains unexplored. Here, we investigated the connectin gene and domain structure in the elephant shark (Callorhinchus milii), revealing a 238 kb gene with 300 exons, with an overall domain structure similar to that of mammalian connectin.

Regioselective Halogenation at the γ-Position of β-Diketones Using Their BF Complexes.

Regioselective halogenation of β-diketones at the γ-methyl groups was achieved by using their BF complexes. γ-Halogenation was performed using -halosuccinimide (NXS) in dichloromethane with catalytic triethylamine. These reactions produced a series of mono-, di-, and trihalogenated compounds depending on the NXS reactivity and the BF complex structure.

From 18- to 20-electron ferrocene derivatives via ligand coordination.

The 18-electron rule is a fundamental rule in coordination chemistry on which several revolutionary discoveries in catalysis and materials science are founded. This rule has classes of exceptions; however, it is widely taught and accepted that diamagnetic 18-electron complexes do not coordinate to a ligand to form a 20-electron complex even as a reaction intermediate. Here, based on tunable ligand design, we report the formation of 20-electron ferrocene derivatives through reversible nitrogen coordination to 18-electron analogs.

Catalytic diazene synthesis from sterically hindered amines for deaminative functionalization.

Primary amines are highly ubiquitous functional groups found in diverse natural products and building blocks. Despite their widespread application as nucleophiles, the potential for facile deaminative functionalization utilizing primary amines, particularly sterically hindered α-tertiary amines, has remained less explored. Herein, we report catalytic direct synthesis of aliphatic diazenes from sterically hindered α-tertiary amines.

Cerebellum Involvement in Visuo-vestibular Interaction for the Perception of Gravitational Direction: A Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Study.

Accurate perception of the direction of gravity relies on the integration of multisensory information, particularly from the visual and vestibular systems, within the brain. Although a recent study of patients with cerebellar degeneration suggested a cerebellar role in visuo-vestibular interaction in the perception of gravitational direction, direct evidence remains limited. To address this gap, we conducted two experiments with 42 healthy participants to evaluate the impact of repetitive 1 Hz transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the posterior cerebellar vermis on visual dependency, quantified by the subjective visual vertical bias induced by rotating optokinetic stimulation (OKS).

Orthogonal alignment of multilayered MC3T3-E1 cells induced by cyclic stretch.

When cyclic stretch is applied to a monolayer of cells cultured on an elastic substrate, many types of cells align in the direction perpendicular to the stretch or along the direction of minimal substrate strain. However, the behavior of multilayer cells under cyclic stretch remains unclear. In this study, we cultured MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells at high density to form multilayer cells and subjected them to cyclic stretch with an amplitude of 10% at 1 Hz.