The magneto-structural correlations of ferric and ferrous neutral complexes with the pyruvic acid thiosemicarbazone ligand.

Neutral iron(III) and iron(II) complexes based on the pyruvic acid thiosemicarbazone (Hthpy) ligand [Fe(Hthpy)(thpy)] (1) and [Fe(Hthpy)] (2) were synthesized, and deeper insights into magneto-structural correlation were gained by FT-IR spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray crystallography, dc magnetic characterization, Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. The X-ray structures of complex 1 were established for the HS ( = 5/2) state at 295 K and the LS ( = 1/2) state at 150 K. The crystal packing of 1 at these temperatures corresponds to the triclinic 1̄ symmetry and contains pairs of [Fe(Hthpy)(thpy)] complexes interconnected by a shortened S⋯S contact.

Basic features of Pt/C catalysts synthesised the non-isothermal decomposition of platinum acetylacetonate.

Pt nanoparticles supported onto carbon black were synthesized the non-isothermal decomposition of platinum acetylacetonate. The Pt loading of the as-synthesised Pt/C varied within the range of 10%-25%. Based on the refinement of X-ray patterns using the Rietveld method, it was shown that the average size of Pt nanocrystallites increased in the range of 1.

The Influence of Concentration and Type of Salts on the Behaviour of Linear Actuators Based on PVA Hydrogel Activated by AC Power.

The creation of quick-reacting electrically conductive polymers for use as actuators driven by low electrical currents is now seen as an important issue. Enhancing the electrical conductivity of hydrogels through the incorporation of conductive fillers, like salts, can reduce the necessary actuating voltage. However, several important questions arise about how the type of salt chosen and its concentration will affect not only the activation efficiency of the actuators but also the structure of the hydrogels utilized.

Sb, an Unusual Player in 2D Spintronic Devices.

We present a first-principles study of ultrathin films of the perovskite RbSbCl. Density-functional theory calculations combined with Bader charge analysis show that antimony adopts the Sb oxidation state, and density-functional perturbation theory confirms structural stability for multilayer configurations. The Rb-terminated bilayer displays nodal-line semimetal behavior, characterized by an "egg-shaped" valence- and conduction-band topology that permits sign-reversal doping.

Dialectics of Antimicrobial Peptides II: Theoretical Models of Pore Formation and Membrane Protection.

Amphipathic peptides are considered promising antibiotics due to their ability to form pores in bacterial membranes. In two companion papers, we analyzed both experimentally and theoretically the mechanisms and consequences of the interaction of two types of amphipathic peptides (magainin and melittin) with lipid membranes. In the companion paper, we experimentally studied this interaction for different peptide concentrations: low or high concentration, and a combination of low concentration followed by the addition of peptides in high concentration.

Composition-dependent thermoelectric properties of hybrid tin perovskites (CHNH)CsSnI: insights into electrical and thermal transport performance.

This work presents a comprehensive investigation of the thermoelectric properties of bulk hybrid perovskites with the general formula MACsSnI (0 ≤ ≤ 1). A series of bulk samples were synthesized and systematically characterized to explore the relationship between composition, microstructure, and thermoelectric performance. Compositions with intermediate MA content ( = 0.

Low-Temperature Uniaxial Orientation Effect on the Structure and Piezoelectric Properties of the Vinylidene Fluoride-Tetrafluoroethylene Copolymer Films.

This paper considers the uniaxial orientation effect on the structure and piezoelectric properties of vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer ferroelectric films. The films were exposed to uniaxial orientation stretching in a temperature range from 20 °C to 60 °C; then, they were contact polarized under normal conditions. The temperature dependence of the electric strength was determined.

Wet Chemical-Synthesized Low-Loss Dielectric Composite Material Based on CuCl-CuS Nanoparticles and PVDF Copolymer.

Polymer composites with high dielectric permittivity (>10) and low dielectric loss are critical for energy storage and microelectronic applications. This study reports on a semi-transparent composite of a PVDF copolymer filled with CuS nanoparticles synthesized via a wet chemical route. Only a small content (6%) of copper sulfide increases the dielectric permittivity of the material from 10.

Exploring the potential of a bioassembler for protein crystallization in space.

Protein crystallization holds paramount significance in structural biology, serving as a pivotal technique for unveiling the three-dimensional (3D) architecture of proteins. While microgravity conditions in space offer distinct advantages for high-quality protein crystal growth by mitigating the influences of gravity and convection, the development of reliable techniques for protein crystallization in space with precise control over the crystallization process and its meticulous inspections remains a challenge. In this study, we present an innovative bioassembler-specifically, the 'Organ.

Retraction: Biocompatible dextran-coated gadolinium-doped cerium oxide nanoparticles as MRI contrast agents with high relaxivity and selective cytotoxicity to cancer cells.

Retraction of 'Biocompatible dextran-coated gadolinium-doped cerium oxide nanoparticles as MRI contrast agents with high relaxivity and selective cytotoxicity to cancer cells' by A. L. Popov , , 2021, , 6586-6599, https://doi.

Scalable synthesis of millimeter-long single crystal TaNiSe Van der Waals nanowires.

One-dimensional (1D) van der Waals (vdW) nanowires, formed from molecular chains bonded through weak interactions, represent a significant departure from traditional nanowires by offering the potential to miniaturize functional devices to the molecular scale while maintaining crystallinity, a feature attributable to their exfoliable nature and chemically inert surfaces. However, the lack of efficient synthesis methods has hindered the exploration of their intrinsic properties and potential applications. The production of vdW nanowires has predominantly relied on the exfoliation of bulk crystals, leaving their direct synthesis largely unexplored.

Liquid Humins: A Sustainable Carbonaceous Feedstock for Pd/C Catalysts Design with a Reduced "Dead" Metal Effect.

Humins, a by-product of biomass-to-furanics processing, are sustainable and underutilized carbonaceous feedstock. This study introduces liquid humins as precursors for synthesizing innovative carbon materials tailored for Pd/C catalysts. These materials mitigate the "dead" metal issue, where inaccessible Pd particles hinder catalytic efficiency.

The Issue on Dualistic Role of Neutrophils in Carcinogenesis and Their Possible Use for Treatment of Malignant Neoplasms.

Neutrophils are phagocytic leukocytes of the myeloid series, which are the most common myeloid cells in human blood, normally accounting from 65 to 80% of all circulating leukocytes. Over the years of investigation of these cells, more and more evidence has emerged indicating functional plasticity of neutrophils and their ambiguous role in the tumor development. Similarly to the M1/M2 classification of macrophages, the N1/N2 paradigm could be applied to neutrophils, where N1-neutrophils exhibit tumor-suppressive properties, and N2-neutrophils contribute to tumor development and immune suppression.

Crystal Structure and Low-Dimensional Magnetism in CsNiVOCl.

Single crystals of CsNiVOCl were grown hydrothermally. Its crystal structure (space group 2̅) is based on vertex-sharing twisted chains of NiOCl octahedra and edge-sharing chains of VO tetragonal pyramids. These chains running along the and -axes, respectively, link, forming an open framework with Cs ions in the voids.

Unlocking the Potential of 1D MXY Ternary Transition Metal Chalcogenides: A Review.

One-dimensional (1D) ternary transition metal chalcogenides (MXY) have emerged as a promising class of materials for advanced electronic and optoelectronic applications. This Mini-Review comprehensively explores recent advancements in their synthesis, characterization, and integration into functional devices. The studied nanowires display exceptional performance as semiconductor 1D nanostructures in photodetection, field-effect transistors, and gas sensing.

Molecular dynamics simulation and analysis of pre-crystallization layer between liquid and solid states.

Microscopic mechanisms of the crystallization from the melt provide for conversion of short-range order of a liquid state into the long-range order of a solid crystalline state and determine in much the primary microstructure. The "choice" of proper crystalline structure is not a trivial process that is ruled by thermodynamics. On the other hand from the microscopic point of view it takes time for atoms to be incorporated into ordered structure that leads to formation of some intermediate region between disordered liquid and crystal.

Stabilization of lead-free bulk CsSnI perovskite thermoelectrics incorporation of TiS nanoribbon clusters.

The intense research for efficient low-temperature thermoelectric materials drives the exploration of innovative compounds and composite systems. This study investigates the effects of integrating low-dimensional titanium trisulfide (TiS) into bulk tin-based halide perovskites (CsSnI) for thermoelectric applications. The incorporation of small amounts of two-dimensional titanium trisulfide (TiS) into CsSnI not only significantly enhanced the structural stability of the composite material and suppressed oxidation processes but also ensured that its initial electrical properties, including conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient, remained stable for at least 24 hours-unlike the pristine CsSnI sample.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Fe-30Mn-10Al-3.3Si-1C Light-Weight Steel.

The development of new materials with low weight for the transport industry is required for the saving of natural resources and protection of the environment from carbon dioxide pollution. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the Fe-30Mn-10Al-3.3Si-1C steel in as-cast, quenched, aged, and hot-deformed states were investigated.

The Composition of the Dispersion Medium Determines the Antibacterial Properties of Copper (II) Oxide Nanoparticles Against Bacteria.

Copper (II) oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) attract much attention as a promising antimicrobial agent. We studied the antibacterial properties of three types of CuO NPs against bacteria: flake-shaped particles with a diameter of 50-200 nm and a thickness of 10-20 nm (CuO-CD synthesized by chemical deposition), spherical particles with a size of 20-90 nm (CuO-EE obtained by electrical explosion), and rod-shaped particles with a length of 100-200 nm and a diameter of 30 × 70 nm (CuO-CS commercial sample). We tested how the shape, size, and concentration of the NPs, and composition of the dispersion medium affected the properties of the CuO NPs.

Study of Brain Cells in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Raman Microspectroscopy and Scanning Ion-Conductance Microscopy.

Unlabelled: was to identify differences in the structure of the neuronal process network as well as the composition and functional state of cells by studying the bodies and processes of rat brain neurons and astrocytes obtained from pluripotent stem cells of healthy donors and patients with hereditary Parkinson's disease by using a complex of modern high-precision methods such as Raman microspectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman microspectroscopy, and scanning ion-conductance microscopy.

Materials And Methods: By using Raman spectroscopy and scanning ion-conductance microscopy, the researchers studied the morphology and state of molecules in rat brain neurons and astrocytes induced from pluripotent stem cells of healthy donors and patients with hereditary Parkinson's disease.

Results: The researchers established that typical bands of Raman and surface-enhanced Raman spectra of neurons and astrocytes allowed studying the distribution and conformation of a series of biological molecules (proteins, lipids, cytochromes) in healthy and unhealthy states.

Crystal structure and ferrimagnetism of AgCoCr(MoO) with mixed occupation of the transition metal sites.

We prepared a new compound, AgCoCr(MoO), and characterized its crystal structure and physical properties. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group 1̄ with mixed occupation of the transition-metal sites M = (Co and Cr). The Ag site is split into three close positions.

Recent advances in development of glucose nanosensors for cellular analysis and other applications.

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that affects a large number of people around the world. There are no effective methods to completely cure diabetes, and patients have to constantly monitor their blood sugar levels, so there is still a need for improved sensors. In addition to diabetes, quantitative values of glucose levels affect the development of some endocrine diseases and problems with nervous tissue.

Effect of C- and N-Terminal Polyhistidine Tags on Aggregation of Influenza A Virus Nuclear Export Protein.

Nuclear export protein (NEP) of the influenza A virus, being one of the key components of the virus life cycle, is a promising model for studying characteristics of formation of amyloids by viral proteins. Using atomic force microscopy, comparative study of aggregation properties of the recombinant NEP variants, including the protein of natural structure, as well as modified variants with N- and C-terminal affinity His-tags, was carried out. All protein variants under physiological conditions are capable of forming aggregates of various morphologies: micelle-like nanoparticles, flexible protofibrils, rigid amyloid fibrils, etc.

The design of the spheroids-based in vitro tumor model determines its biomimetic properties.

Cancer, one of the world's deadliest diseases, is expected to claim an estimated 16 million lives by 2040. Three-dimensional (3D) models of cancer have become invaluable tools for the study of tumor biology and the development of new therapies. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a determinant of tumor progression and has implications for clinical therapies.

Effect of Selenium, Copper and Manganese Nanocomposites in Arabinogalactan Matrix on Potato Colonization by Phytopathogens and .

The effect of chemically synthesized nanocomposites (NCs) of selenium (Se/AG NC), copper oxide (Cu/AG NC) and manganese hydroxide (Mn/AG NC), based on the natural polymer arabinogalactan (AG), on the processes of growth, development and colonization of potato plants in vitro was studied upon infection with the causative agent of potato blackleg-the Gram-negative bacterium -and the causative agent of ring rot-the Gram-positive bacterium (). It was shown that the infection of potatoes with reduced the root formation of plants and the concentration of pigments in leaf tissues. The treatment of plants with Cu/AG NC before infection with stimulated leaf formation and increased the concentration of pigments in them.