Evaluating the Structural Response of Amphiphilic Monolayers to Environmental Stimuli.

Amphiphilic monolayers composed of end groups with distinct polar and nonpolar functional groups offer rapid and reversible interfacial adaptation in response to environmental stimuli such as a change in interfacial medium polarity. We have synthesized and characterized a suite of monolayers with functional groups of competing polarity designed to reconfigure their interfacial chemical composition in response to solvent polarity. In these films, the end group is designed to be able to reorient and expose the functional groups that minimize the interfacial free energy between the film and the environment.

Synthesis of Urea-Containing Derivatives and their Application as Potential Anti-Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Agents.

We describe the synthesis and activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) of a collection of urea-containing amides. The approach considered the ureido group as a bioisoster of known FabI inhibitors. NMR characterization and density functional theory studies demonstrated the presence of s-cis and s-trans rotamers in the N-benzyl examples (series 2).

SmartHypnos eXpert: A MATLAB toolbox for sleep experts supporting sleep staging and respiratory event detection.

Background And Objective: Sleep is a biological process of fundamental importance to physical and mental health. Sleep staging and respiratory event detection are lengthy, error prone and tiresome procedures conducted by sleep experts. Computerized tools would potentially reduce the time needed for sleep staging.

Self-sorting and co-assembly control in multicomponent supramolecular hydrogels with dual monomer and polymer statistical distribution.

Multicomponent supramolecular polymer gels are a class of soft matter materials which form via the assembly of two or more small molecules. Different structures can be generated with interesting potential functions and applications. Insight into the assembly mechanism is key in the design of these systems for specific applications.

A Cost-Effective 3D-Printed Conductive Phantom for EEG Sensing System Validation: Development, Performance Evaluation, and Comparison with State-of-the-Art Technologies.

This paper presents the development and validation of a cost-effective 3D-printed conductive phantom for EEG sensing system validation that achieves 85% cost reduction (48.10 vs. 300-500) and 48-hour fabrication time while providing consistent electrical properties suitable for standardized electrode testing.

Pyrolysis of Polypropylene and Nitrile PPE Waste: Insights into Oil Composition, Kinetics, and Steam Cracker Integration.

In this study, non-isothermal pyrolysis of a mixture of disposable surgical face masks (FMs) and nitrile gloves (NGs) was conducted, using a heating rate of 100 °C/min, N flowrate of 100 mL/min, and temperatures between 500 and 800 °C. Condensable product yield peaked at 600 °C (76.9 wt.

Exploring the effects of a multicomponent phytoceutical health product in a Drosophila melanogaster ageing and repetitive concussion model.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the long-term effects of multiple concussions on physical function and oxidative stress, as well as the potential protective effects of a novel phytoceutical product (CONKA1) on ageing and brain health of Drosophila melanogaster.

Methods: Adult female D. melanogaster flies were exposed to repeated concussive events using a high-impact trauma (HIT) device.

Is there anybody out there? Ultrafast Rydberg-valence interactions in the photodissociation of trimethylamine.

Trimethylamine (TMA) is a tertiary aliphatic amine that stands as a potential marker for life beyond Earth due to only being naturally produced via biotic means. However, its propensity to undergo photodissociation in the gas phase when excited by a deep ultraviolet photon means that its amine daughter product could serve as an additional biomarker and confirmational spectral signature of TMA in exoplanetary atmospheres. The photochemistry of TMA is dominated by strong Rydberg-valence state interactions.

Larger rock extraction sites could improve the efficiency of enhanced rock weathering in the United Kingdom.

Large-scale removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is required to meet net-zero targets. Enhanced rock weathering, in which crushed silicate minerals are spread on cropland soils, is a promising approach, but the logistics of its supply chain are poorly understood. Here, we use a numerical spatio-temporal allocation model that links potential rock extraction sites in the United Kingdom with croplands, modelling deployment pathways over the period 2025-2070.

Temperature impact on thermo-electrochemical behavior of silicon-based photoelectrochemical flow cells.

Increased attention has been focused on photoelectrochemical redox flow cell systems as a potential integrated technology for simultaneously converting and storing intermittent solar energy. Photoelectrochemical voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy tests were conducted using a single-junction c-Si photoelectrode immersed in Fe(CN)63-/4- under thermal load to evaluate the temperature effect on the thermo-electrochemical performance of silicon-based photoelectrochemical cells. It was observed that the current density significantly increased with temperature as a consequence of enhanced kinetics and electrolyte characteristics, while a detriment to the potential output was identified and predominantly attributed to variations of photovoltaic characteristics.

Autoinduction through the coupling of nucleation-dependent self-assembly of a supramolecular gelator and a reaction network.

Autocatalytic and/or self-replicating systems are important aspects of understanding the link between living systems (origins of life) and chemical networks. As a result, many scientists around the world are attempting to better understand these phenomena by producing chemical networks and linking them to self-assembly and pathway complexity (systems chemistry). We present here a superficially autocatalytic, self-replicating system that utilises dynamic imine chemistry coupled with self-assembling supramolecular hydrogelation kinetics driven by a nucleation autocatalytic cycle (autoinduction).

Bibliometric survey of starch-based flocculant research for wastewater treatment.

This bibliometric survey explores the applications of starch-based agents in flocculation processes by analyzing 387 documents retrieved from Scopus database spanning the years 2000 to 2024. The data reveals a significant upswing in research on this topic in 2013, evident from a notable increase in citations. Key scientific contributions are found predominantly in Carbohydrate Polymers and the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.

Electronic and structural properties of magnesium-doped platinum clusters: superatomic features of the MgPt complex.

We address herein a theoretical study of gas phase magnesium-doped platinum clusters (MgPt, = 2-12) using density functional theory, genetic algorithms and the quantum theory of atoms in molecules method of wavefunction analyses. The Mg atom consistently donates electron density to the Pt framework. This electronic charge depletion increases with size before it reaches an asymptotic limit.

Appraisal of the composition, structure, diversity, and functioning of bacterial and fungal communities in drinking water systems: A case study in the developing world.

Bacterial and fungal communities' successions were examined in a typical drinking water system in South Africa (Global South) using metagenomic sequencing. Bacterial taxa abundance was similar in water matrices but not in biofilm samples with Bacteroidota being higher in tap water and Actinobacteriota, Firmicutes, and Chloroflexi in biofilms. Fungal taxa abundance varied less, with Rozellomycota and Basidiomycota being interchangeably abundant.

A dual In vitro and In silico approach to evaluate 1,4-naphthoquinone-1,2,3-triazole hybrids against atovaquone-resistant malaria.

Malaria continues to pose a major global health burden affecting millions annually. Despite advancements in treatment, the emergence of drug-resistant Plasmodium strains has undermined current treatment strategies, including atovaquone. Atovaquone is a key mitochondrial inhibitor targeting the cytochrome bc (cyt bc) complex, with resistance primarily driven by mutation in the cytochrome b gene.

From Narratives to Diagnosis: A Machine Learning Framework for Classifying Sleep Disorders in Aging Populations: The Platform.

: Sleep disorders are prevalent among aging populations and are often linked to cognitive decline, chronic conditions, and reduced quality of life. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as polysomnography, are resource-intensive and limited in accessibility. Meanwhile, individuals frequently describe their sleep experiences through unstructured narratives in clinical notes, online forums, and telehealth platforms.

Assessing Antibacterial Properties of Copper Oxide Nanomaterials on Gut-Relevant Bacteria In Vitro: A Multifaceted Approach.

Due to the growth in the application of antibacterial nanomaterials (NMs), there is an increased potential for ingestion by humans. Evidence shows that NMs can induce dysbiosis in the gut microbiota in vivo. However, in vitro investigation of the antibacterial activity of NMs on gut-relevant, commensal bacteria has been neglected, with studies predominantly assessing NM toxicity against pathogenic bacteria.

Physicochemical Properties of Runner Bean and Their Starch, With a Comparison to Corn Starch.

The growing demand for sustainable and plant-based ingredients in the food and non-food industries has driven interest in alternative starch and protein sources. Runner beans, a lesser known legume, offer a promising but underexplored source of starch with unique functional properties. This study aims to evaluate the physical, physicochemical, and functional properties of starch from two distinct varieties of runner beans (Scarlet Emperor and White Swan), which exhibit notable phenotypic differences in appearance.

Robotics Use in the Care and Management of People Living With Diabetes Mellitus: A Scoping Review.

Background: Diabetes prevalence is rising and projected to affect 783 million globally by 2045. Effective diabetes self-management relies on diabetes knowledge, lifestyle modifications, and health care support; yet global health care workforce shortages hinder the provision of adequate care. Socially assistive technologies, such as robots or artificial intelligence, are proposed as potential solutions to meet rising demands.

SuperMetal: a generative AI framework for rapid and precise metal ion location prediction in proteins.

Metal ions, as abundant and vital cofactors in numerous proteins, are crucial for enzymatic activities and protein interactions. Given their pivotal role and catalytic efficiency, accurately and efficiently identifying metal-binding sites is fundamental to elucidating their biological functions and has significant implications for protein engineering and drug discovery. To address this challenge, we present SuperMetal, a generative AI framework that leverages a score-based diffusion model coupled with a confidence model to predict metal-binding sites in proteins with high precision and efficiency.

Application of transgenic zebrafish for investigating inflammatory responses to nanomaterials: Recommendations for new users.

Despite the increasing exploitation of nanomaterials (NMs) in an array of consumer products, there are uncertainties regarding their potential adverse impact on human health. Investigation of whether NMs activate a pro-inflammatory response is routinely used to assess their toxicity in and (rodent) studies. The use of zebrafish ( ) to investigate inflammatory responses to chemicals, pathogens and injury has increased considerably over recent years.

Stem Cell for Cancer Immunotherapy: Current Approaches and Challenges.

Stem cell-based immunotherapy represents a groundbreaking advancement in cancer treatment, leveraging the immune system's inherent capacity to target and eradicate cancer cells. This review explores some of the examples of stem cells used in cancer immunotherapy, including hematopoietic, mesenchymal, and induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs). It also describes stem cell functionalities like modifying tumor microenvironment (TME) and developing engineered immune cells like chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells and natural killer (NK) cells.

Impact of Chemicals and Processing Treatments on Thermo-Mechanical Recycling of Polyester Textiles.

The textile industry is among the world's largest, producing an estimated 124 million tonnes of fibres in 2023, with more than half of these being made from virgin polyester. Less than 0.1% of polyester fibres are recycled into new textiles at the end of their lives.

Quorum sensing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae brewing strains: effects of 2-phenylethanol on proteomic, lipidomic, and metabolomic profile.

Quorum sensing (QS) is a known mechanism by which microbial populations adjust gene expression and coordinate community-wide social behaviors based on the proximate population density. This regulatory system has garnered significant interest in both scientific research and the food industry. However, a central question remains whether industrial strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the yeast species predominantly utilized in brewing, employ quorum signalling mechanisms similar to those observed in laboratory strains and other fungi.

Structural and mechanical scaling law behaviour in folded protein hydrogel networks.

Folded protein hydrogels are generating significant interest for their potential as functional biomaterials with tuneable properties. A detailed understanding of the relationship between their mechanics and structure would reveal their hierarchical design principles and provide rich opportunities for the design of biomaterials for specific medical and healthcare applications. Inspired by theories from soft matter physics, we have investigated the scaling behaviour of the protein volume fraction (ϕ) and its relationship to the underlying structure and mechanics of the protein network through a combination of rheology and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS).