Regio- and chemoselective catalytic partial transfer hydrogenation of quinolines by dinuclear aluminum species.

Catalytic reduction of quinolines has gained continuous interest in both academia and industry, providing direct and efficient access to tetrahydroquinolines or 1,2-dihydroquinolines. The catalytic preparation of tetrahydroquinolines has been extensively studied by transition metal complexes. By contrast, the related catalytic synthesis of 1,2-dihydroquinolines remains underdeveloped due to the difficulties in achieving precise control over both chemo- and regioselectivity.

Homogeneous FACsPbI Films via Sequential Deposition for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells.

Despite significant advancements in the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of FAPbI-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs), their commercialization remains hindered by stability issues. These challenges arise primarily from the phase transition of the α-phase to the δ-phase under operation. Alloying FAPbI with Cs to form FA-Cs perovskite (FACsPbI) emerged as a promising approach to enhance phase and thermal stability.

Studies on the impact of modifications at the Gln-Trp site in RM2-based GRPR ligands.

Background: One of the most studied, and preclinically as well as clinically applied gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) ligands represents the antagonist RM2 (DOTA-Pip-D-Phe-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Sta-Leu-NH). As an improved in vivo stability was observed for a RM2 analog comprising the unnatural amino acid α-methyl-L-tryptophan instead of L-Trp, we aimed to elucidate the impact of other unnatural amino acids (homoserine [Hse], β-(3-benzothienyl)alanine [Bta]) at the metabolically less stable Gln-Trp site. Furthermore, we conjugated either DOTA, NOTA or NODAGA to the RM2 peptide and its modified derivatives, and evaluated each analog preclinically using Ga and Cu, as well as Lu (only DOTA-comprising compounds).

Platinum-Doped Carbon Nitride-Loaded Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogel Thin Films for Green Hydrogen Production Systems: Morphological Study for Higher Efficiency.

Photocatalytic water splitting enables the generation of green hydrogen (H). In this framework, water and sunlight are the sustainable sources. Photocatalyst-loaded hydrogel materials have already shown their potential as a water storage and catalyst host matrix for H production.

Chiral Molecules Induce Enantiomorphic Lattice Helicity in Chiral 0D Tin Bromide Crystals.

Chiral organic-inorganic hybrid metal halides have emerged as a promising class of materials for spin-controlled optical and optoelectronic effects and related applications. Chiral hybrid metal halides generally crystallize in non-helical space groups. Herein, we report the discovery of zero-dimensional (0D) chiral (R/S-MBA)SnBr (MBA: methylbenzylammonium cation) single crystals with enantiomorphic lattice helicity.

Elucidating the Hydrogen Selectivity of Pt/TiO/C as a Fuel-Cell Catalyst by Operando Near-Ambient-Pressure XPS.

The long-term stability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) faces significant challenges, particularly during start-up and shut-down events, which lead to degradation of the cathode catalyst through the oxidation of its carbon support. To improve catalyst durability, an anode catalyst with a high selectivity toward the hydrogen oxidation/evolution reaction rather than the oxygen reduction reaction is necessary. Pt/TiO/C ( < 2) catalysts have been reported to provide excellent hydrogen selectivity due to its strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) between Pt particles and TiO support.

Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) Variant p.K709N Causes Hyper-IgE Syndrome Likely by Impaired STAT3-Dimer Formation.

STAT3-hyper-IgE syndrome (STAT3-HIES) is an inborn error of immunity caused by heterozygous dominant-negative mutations in the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). In this study, we evaluate the functional relevance of a previously undescribed heterozygous STAT3 variant in a patient with clinical findings of STAT3-HIES. Flow cytometry, quantitative real-time PCR, pull-down assays, native PAGE, DNA-binding ELISA, and 3D-structural data analysis were performed.

Tip-Induced Nitrene Generation.

We generated trinitreno--heptazine, a small molecule featuring three nitrene centers, by tip-induced chemistry from the precursor 2,5,8-triazido--heptazine on bilayer NaCl on Au(111). The precursor's azide groups were dissociated to form mono-, di- and trinitreno--heptazine, yielding molecules with one to three nitrene centers. The precursor and its products are characterized by atomic force microscopy and scanning tunnelling microscopy.

Ultra-Low-Dose CTPA Using Sparse Sampling CT Combined with the U-Net for Deep Learning-Based Artifact Reduction: An Exploratory Study.

This retrospective study evaluates U-Net-based artifact reduction for dose-reduced sparse-sampling CT (SpSCT) in terms of image quality and diagnostic performance using a reader study and automated detection. CT pulmonary angiograms from 89 patients were used to generate SpSCT data with 16 to 512 views. Twenty patients were reserved for a reader study and test set, the remaining 69 were used to train (53) and validate (16) a dual-frame U-Net for artifact reduction.

Roadmap for Photonics with 2D Materials.

Triggered by advances in atomic-layer exfoliation and growth techniques, along with the identification of a wide range of extraordinary physical properties in self-standing films consisting of one or a few atomic layers, two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and other van der Waals (vdW) crystals now constitute a broad research field expanding in multiple directions through the combination of layer stacking and twisting, nanofabrication, surface-science methods, and integration into nanostructured environments. Photonics encompasses a multidisciplinary subset of those directions, where 2D materials contribute remarkable nonlinearities, long-lived and ultraconfined polaritons, strong excitons, topological and chiral effects, susceptibility to external stimuli, accessibility, robustness, and a completely new range of photonic materials based on layer stacking, gating, and the formation of moiré patterns. These properties are being leveraged to develop applications in electro-optical modulation, light emission and detection, imaging and metasurfaces, integrated optics, sensing, and quantum physics across a broad spectral range extending from the far-infrared to the ultraviolet, as well as enabling hybridization with spin and momentum textures of electronic band structures and magnetic degrees of freedom.

Investigation of 6,7,8-trimethyllumazine and its radicals by NMR and photo-CIDNP spectroscopy.

6,7,8-Trimethyllumazine (TML) is a structural analog of the natural cofactor 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine. Under basic conditions, TML undergoes a distinctive disproportionation reaction upon photoexcitation. The transiently formed radical pair can be investigated by photo-chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (photo-CIDNP) spectroscopy.

Interplay of Energy and Charge Transfer in WSe/CrSBr Heterostructures.

van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) composed of transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and layered magnetic semiconductors offer great opportunities to manipulate the exciton and valley properties of TMDs. Here, we present magneto-photoluminescence (PL) studies in a WSe monolayer (ML) on a CrSBr crystal, an anisotropic layered antiferromagnetic semiconductor. Our results reveal the unique behavior of each of the ML-WSe PL peaks under a magnetic field that is distinct from the pristine case.

Cobalt-Based Catalyst Integration Into a Hierarchically Ordered Macro-Meso-microporous Carbon Cathode for High-performance Aqueous Zn-Sulfur Batteries.

The pyrolytic synthesis of an ordered macro-meso-micro porous carbon cathode material (OM-PC) with integration of a CoZnC/Co catalyst is reported. It is derived from a Co-doped ZIF-8 framework via a templated in situ growth within the interstitial spaces of a preformed self-assembled polystyrene monolith, followed by the template removal. The hierarchical 3D architecture facilitates Zn⁺ diffusion and enhances reaction kinetics during charge-discharge processes.

Inkjet-Printed 3D Sensor Arrays with FIB-Induced Electrode Refinement for Low-Noise Amperometric Recordings in hiPSC-Derived Brain Organoids.

Understanding the functional connectivity and behavior of 3D cell cultures and organoids requires monitoring electrical activity across multiple planes. However, traditional planar microelectrode arrays (MEAs) are limited to surface recordings and struggle to capture signals from deeper layers. Additionally, current fabrication methods face challenges such as prolonged production times and limited design flexibility, which hinder the development of high-precision 3D electrode arrays and affect the quality of cell-electrode coupling.

Accelerated maturation of branched organoids confined in collagen droplets.

Droplet-based organoid culture offers several advantages over conventional bulk organoid culture, such as improved yield, reproducibility, and throughput. However, organoids grown in droplets typically display only a spherical geometry and lack the intricate structural complexity found in native tissue. By incorporating singularised pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells into collagen droplets, we achieve the growth of branched structures, indicating a more complex interaction with the surrounding hydrogel.

CsPbBr Nanocrystals as Bottom Interface Nucleation Seeds for Printing Oriented FAPbI Thin Films: An In Situ Study.

The exceptional optoelectronic properties of lead halide perovskites are highly sensitive to processing conditions, as uncontrolled crystallization driven by random nucleation often results in defect-rich active layers that impair device performance. Achieving controlled and oriented crystallization in printed films remains a major challenge. To address this, we introduce a pre-deposited CsPbBr nanocrystal seed layer at the bottom interface to guide crystallization and suppress defect formation.

Flow cytometry for rapid analysis of bacteriostatic versus bactericidal effects in Legionella pneumophila disinfection.

Biocides, encompassing both oxidizing agents such as chlorine and non-oxidizing agents like quaternary ammonium compounds, are extensively employed to minimize the risk of Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila) outbreaks in evaporative cooling systems. Currently, biocide effectiveness to combat L.

Anchoring and Competition: Weakly Solvated Structure of Glymes Enhances Stability in Lithium Metal Batteries Operating under Extreme Conditions.

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) face challenges from unstable and fragile solid electrolyte interphases (SEIs). In this work, we successfully develop a novel electrolyte by effectively modulating the competitive solvation process in LMBs. In this formulation, the C─O─C motifs of glymes are competitively substituted by other anions and solvents to achieve single oxygen site coordination, thereby facilitating a weak solvation effect.

In Situ Single-Crystal X-ray Diffraction Studies of an Anomalous Nitric Oxide Adsorption in a Partially Activated Metal-Organic Framework.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), with their high porosities and surface areas, show great utility in the field of gas adsorption. To unlock this porosity, MOFs are generally fully activated by removing all adsorbed guests using high temperatures and low pressures. However, this is energy intensive and can be unfeasible if the MOF is part of a composite, where the maximum temperature of the composite is below the activation temperature.

Traffic-Emitted Amines Promote New Particle Formation at Roadsides.

New particle formation (NPF) is a major source of atmospheric aerosol particles, significantly influencing particle number concentrations in urban environments. High condensation and coagulation sinks at highly trafficked roadside sites should suppress NPF due to the low survival probability of clusters and new particles, however, observations show that roadside NPF is frequent and intense. Here, we investigate NPF at an urban background and roadside site in Central Europe using simultaneous measurements of sulfuric acid, amines, highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs), and particle number size distributions.

Deciphering the RNA recognition by Musashi-1 to design protein and RNA variants for in vitro and in vivo applications.

The Human Musashi-1 (MSI-1) is an RNA-binding protein that recognizes (G/A)U1-3AGU and UAG sequences in diverse RNAs through two RNA Recognition Motif (RRM) domains and regulates the fate of target RNA. Here, we have combined structural biology and computational approaches to analyse the binding of the RRM domains of human MSI-1 with single-stranded and structured RNA ligands. We have used our recently developed computational tool RRMScorer to design a set of substitutions in the MSI-1 protein and the investigated RNA strands to modulate the binding affinity and selectivity.

Strong Quantum Confinement of 2D Excitons in an Engineered 1D Potential Induced by Proximal Ferroelectric Domain Walls.

We investigate the confinement of neutral excitons in a one-dimensional (1D) potential engineered by proximizing hexagonal boron nitride (hBN)-encapsulated monolayer MoSe to ferroelectric domain walls (DWs) in periodically poled LiNbO. Our device exploits the nanometer scale in-plane electric field gradient at the DW to induce dipolar exciton confinement via the DC Stark effect. Spatially resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy reveals the emergence of narrow emission lines redshifted from the MoSe neutral exciton by up to ∼100 meV, depending on the sample structure.

Boosting the Lithium-Ion Conductivity in LiTaP by Aliovalent Li versus Ta Substitution by Three Orders of Magnitude.

Lithium-ion conductors are one of the key features of all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries. To modify their properties and enable their implementation in high-performance devices, an understanding of the relationship between the crystal structure and the transport properties of the mobile species is important. Lithium phosphidotetrelates and -trielates are classes of lithium-ion conductors reaching ionic conductivities of up to 4.

Efficient Electronic-Structure Methods Toward Catalyst Screening: Projection-Based Embedding Theory for CO Reduction Reaction Intermediates.

Catalyst screening is a demanding task for computational chemistry since the profound diversity of surface structures under operando conditions is accompanied by high demands on the accuracy to predict the relevant kinetics. Embedding approaches that allow researchers to focus the computational effort on the chemically active regions of interest are promising tools in the pursuit of balancing accuracy and efficiency. However, for metallic catalysts, the required separation of the system into an active part treated with highly accurate methods and an environment is technically hard to achieve due to the delocalization of electrons in the conducting surface.