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The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 sparked the global COVID-19 pandemic, leading to varied vaccine policies worldwide. The evolving patterns of respiratory pathogens, aside from SARS-CoV-2, during the pandemic have had a significant impact on the development of vaccine strategies.

Benzodipyrrole-2,6-dione-3,7-diylidenedimalononitriles (BDPMs) were synthesized as active materials for the use in air-stable n-type organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), whose optical and electrochemical properties were examined. BDPM-based small molecules exhibit deep lowest unoccupied molecular orbital levels, which are required in air-stable n-type OFETs. An OFET device that was based on BDPM-Butand fabricated by vapor deposition provided a maximum electron mobility of 0.131 cm2V–1s–1under ambient conditions.

Dengue virus (DENV) infection causes dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). DHF/DSS patients have been reported to have increased levels of urinary histamine, chymase, and tryptase, which are major granule-associated mediators from mast cells. Previous studies also showed that DENV-infected human mast cells induce production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, suggesting a role played by mast cells in vascular perturbation as well as leukocyte recruitment. In this study, we show that DENV but not UV-inactivated DENV enhanced degranulation of mast cells and production of chemokines (MCP-1, RANTES, and IP-10) in a mouse model. We have previously shown that antibodies (Abs) against a modified DENV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1), designated DJ NS1, provide protection in mice against DENV challenge. In the present study, we investigate the effects of DJ NS1 Abs on mast cell-associated activities. We showed that administration of anti-DJ NS1 Abs into mice resulted in a reduction of mast cell degranulation and macrophage infiltration at local skin DENV infection sites. The production of DENV-induced chemokines (MCP-1, RANTES, and IP-10) and the percentages of tryptase-positive activated mast cells were also reduced by treatment with anti-DJ NS1 Abs. These results indicate that Abs against NS1 protein provide multiple therapeutic benefits, some of which involve modulating DENV-induced mast cell activation.

Dengue virus (DENV) infection causes dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). DHF/DSS patients have been reported to have increased levels of urinary histamine, chymase, and tryptase, which are major granule-associated mediators from mast cells. Previous studies also showed that DENV-infected human mast cells induce production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, suggesting a role played by mast cells in vascular perturbation as well as leukocyte recruitment. In this study, we show that DENV but not UV-inactivated DENV enhanced degranulation of mast cells and production of chemokines (MCP-1, RANTES, and IP-10) in a mouse model. We have previously shown that antibodies (Abs) against a modified DENV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1), designated DJ NS1, provide protection in mice against DENV challenge. In the present study, we investigate the effects of DJ NS1 Abs on mast cell-associated activities. We showed that administration of anti-DJ NS1 Abs into mice resulted in a reduction of mast cell degranulation and macrophage infiltration at local skin DENV infection sites. The production of DENV-induced chemokines (MCP-1, RANTES, and IP-10) and the percentages of tryptase-positive activated mast cells were also reduced by treatment with anti-DJ NS1 Abs. These results indicate that Abs against NS1 protein provide multiple therapeutic benefits, some of which involve modulating DENV-induced mast cell activation.

Bacteremia is a life-threatening complication of infectious diseases. Bacteremia can be predicted using machine learning (ML) models, but these models have not utilized cell population data (CPD).

The Food and Drug Administration in Taiwan is responsible for the quality regulation and control of cosmetics. In order to have a clear understanding of the trends in the product quality monitoring outcomes and the regulatory control measures over the past years, this study has put together the reports of nine cosmetic surveillance projects conducted between 1982 and 2012. The findings can be used as a reference in developing a more solid quality monitoring plan and management system for cosmetic products. Results show that permanent wave products, hair dye products, and phthalate esters in cosmetic products have the highest average noncompliance rates at 39.2%, 14.2%, and 11.2%, respectively. These are followed by the average noncompliance rates of mercury in products, sunscreen products, and microorganisms in products, at 8.5%, 7.1%, and 5.5%, respectively, and the remaining three projects averaging below 4.1%. Since 1997, when new standards were announced and assistance to manufacturers was reinforced, the noncompliance rates of permanent wave products decreased annually, until 2007, when it was fully qualified for the standards. Overall, the study showed that the noncompliance rates of permanent wave products and for levels of phthalate esters, mercury, and hydroquinone in cosmetic products have all decreased in the previous years. The results of surveillance projects conducted after 2005 revealed only one noncompliance sample with lead, arsenic, and cadmium, whereas the surveillance projects on permanent wave products and chloroform- and 1,4-dioxane-containing products revealed full compliance with regulation standards. However, the noncompliance rates for microorganisms in cosmetics and the ingredients in hair dye products and sunscreen products were still high. These high-risk products must be monitored. These surveillance projects are conducted to ensure the safety of cosmetics in the market.

The energy in rechargeable batteries of robots was restricted by its capacity and chemistry combination. Since the energy was limited, the way to manage batteries charging/discharging characteristic and how it applies on robots load become crucial to prolong robots working hours and life. Phase Plane Analysis of Battery Series Balancing on Robot is proposed by switching super capacitor according voltage and current in need for batteries with matrix connection. To take servo motors frequently load shock characteristic in concern, the proposed structure able to absorb and release power instantly since the characteristic of super capacitor has a better performance than Lithium batteries.

The mesostructured materials MCM-41 and SBA-15 were studied as possible supports of bromocresol green (BG) dye impregnation for the ammonia gas detection because of their large surface area, high regenerative property, and high thermal stability. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscope, and N2adsorption analysis were used to characterize the prepared materials. These materials could sense ammonia via visible color change from yellowish-orange to blue color. The color change process of the nanostructured materials was fully reversible during 10 cyclic tests. The results indicated that the ammonia absorption responses of the two nanostructured materials were both very sensitive, and high linear correlation and high precision were achieved. As the gaseous ammonia concentrations were 50 and 5 ppmv, the response times for the SBA-15/BG were only 1 and 5 min, respectively. Moreover, the BG dye-impregnated SBA-15 was less affected by the variation in the relative humidity. It also had faster response for the detection of NH3, as well as lower manufacturing price as compared to that of the dye-impregnated MCM-41. Such feature enables SBA-15/BG to be a very promising material for the detection of ammonia gas.Implications:The detector tube is a convenient ambient ammonia detection device. However, almost all the commercial detector tubes can be used once only, which not only increases the purchase cost but also produces lots of waste. In this study, we developed two sensing materials that are sensitive for repeated usage. The two mesoporous silica-based materials, MCM-41 and SBA-15, are impregnated by an organic dye of bromocresol green to induce color change behavior that can be easily observed by the naked eye, and it is concluded that dye-impregnated SBA-15/BG is a very promising material for the detection of ammonia gas.

In an air-stable n-channel organic field-effect transistor (OFET), the charge carrier (i.e., the radical anion of an organic semiconductor (OSC)) has to be stable enough against ambient oxidants such as O2and H2O. It has been suggested that OSCs with large enough electron affinity (EA) will possess air-stable charge carriers, but extensive correlation between air stability and EA has not been established. We have studied 47 existing n-channel OSCs with different molecular core structures and device configurations. A correlation between calculated adiabatic EA and air stability was established, and the threshold value found at the B3LYP/6-31+G*//B3LYP/6-31G** level for air stability was ca. 2.8 eV. This information provides a foundation for theoretical screening of potential n-channel OFETs before their synthesis and facilitates the discussion of the complex device degradation mechanism. Analysis of EAs of derivatives of perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PDI) and naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide (NDI) also sheds light on the roles of various substituents.

5,7,12,14-Tetrachloro-6,13-diaza-6,13-dihydropentacene (TCDAHP) and 5,7,12,14-tetrachloro-6,13-diazapentacene (TCDAP) were synthesized and assessed as the active channel materials for thin-film transistor applications. Analyses of the crystal structures of these molecules revealed that both exhibited slipped π−π stacking of the long and fused aromatic moiety. Although the packing features of the two compounds are basically identical, their highest occupied molecular orbitals, which are relevant to hole transport, are very different. Better mobility was predicted for TCDAHP over TCDAP based on the dimeric structure in the X-ray coordinates. The morphologies of thin films of TCDAHP and TCDAP prepared by thermal evaporation depend critically on the substrate on which the molecules were deposited: from the amorphous state on a SiO2/Si surface to the crystalline state on a pentacene buffer layer surface. The performance of thin-film transistors prepared on various substrate surfaces was studied. While no field-effect mobility was observed for these films deposited on SiO2/Si, a high mobility of 1.4 cm2/(V s) for the TCDAHP film was achieved when deposited on a pentacene buffer layer prepared on a rubbed monolayer of n-nonyltrichlorosilane on a SiO2/Si surface. A similar device prepared from TCDAP gave a mobility of 0.13 cm2/(V s).

Aeromonads possess an array of virulence factors and are causative agents of a number of human infections. Among them, genes of one cytotoxic (Act) and two cytotonic (Alt, Ast) enterotoxins are implicated in a human diarrheal disease. A rapid, specific, simultaneous detection of these enterotoxin genes in suspected food poisoning samples is not yet reported. Hence, a multiplex PCR assay was designed to amplify the cytotoxic (act), heat-labile cytotonic (alt), and heat-stable cytotonic (ast) enterotoxin genes of aeromonads. The PCR assay was tested with 133 Aeromonasspp. isolated from suspect food poisoning samples and retail samples of poultry and fish from wet markets in and around Taipei, Northern Taiwan. The Aeromonasspp. isolates were divided into six genotypes based on absence or presence of one or more enterotoxin genes. Of these 133 isolates, Aeromonas caviae(52.5%) and Aeromonas hydrophila(43.4%) were the most frequently isolated species from food poisoning samples and retail samples, respectively. Among the species, A. hydrophilahad a significantly higher proportion for harboring three enterotoxin genes than had the others, whereas Aeromonas encheleia, considered a nonpathogen, was found harboring three enterotoxin genes. The multiplex PCR assays are rapid and specific, and provide a useful tool for the detection and genotyping of enterotoxin genes of aeromonads.

Computational methods employing the Kohn–Sham description of density functional theory with the hybrid B3LYP-DFT means were used to investigate the nature of the metal–metal interactions of [{Mo(?5-Cp)(CO)2}2(µ-H)(µ-PMe2)] 1and its deprotonated form, [{Mo(?5-Cp)(CO)2}2(µ-PMe2)]-4as well as a dimeric compound, [{Mo(?5-Cp)(CO)3}2] 3. Both the Boys localization procedures as well as NBO analysis were performed to probe the character of the localized orbitals for all the three compounds. Consequently, a direct molybdenum–molybdenum bond was found in compound 3and 4. However, there is neither a direct metal–metal bond found in 1at its singlet ground state nor any unpaired electron around each metal center.

The reaction of 3-cyano-4,6-dimethyl-pyridine-2-thiol with Ru3(CO)12in toluene at 55 °C for 20 h gave three complexes: [Ru3(CO)10(µ-H)(µ-4,6-CH3-3-CN-2-S-py)] 5, [Ru(4,6-CH3-3-CN-py-?N-thiol-?S)2(CO)2] 7and presumably [Ru3(CO)9(µ-H)(µ-4,6-CH3-3-CN-2-S-py)] 6. The deprotonated mercaptopyridine acts either as a bridging ligand in 5and 6or as a chelating ligand in 7. Further reaction of 7with a novel cobalt-containing diphosphine ligand, [Co2(CO)4{µ-PPh2CH2PPh2}{µ-PPh2C=CPPh2}] 8,1probably resulted in the formation of probably a 8-chelated complex, [Ru(µ-4,6-CH3-3-CN-2-S-py)(4,6-CH3-3-CN-2-S-py-?S)(PPh2CH2PPh2)({µ-PPh2CH2PPh2}Co2(CO)4{µ-PPh2C=CPPh2})] 10. All the compounds were characterized by spectroscopic means; furthermore, compounds 5and 7were studied by X-ray diffraction methods.

A small quantity of the tricobalt methylidyne cluster [Co3(CO)9(µ3‐CCH2CH3)] (2) was obtained, along with the major product, [{[Co2(CO)6(µ‐HCC)]CH2NH}2CO] (1), from the reaction of HCCCH2NH2with Co2(CO)8in tetrahydrofuran at 45 °C for 5 h. The crystal structure of 2showed that the amino group was unexpectedly detached from the propargylamine. The reactions of two related amines, HCCC6H4NH2and HCCC(O)NH2, with Co2(CO)8gave two tricobalt methylidyne clusters, [Co3(CO)9(µ3‐CCH2C6H4NH2)] (5) and [Co3(CO)9(µ3‐CCH2C(O)NH2)] (7), respectively. Further reaction of 5with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (DPPM) resulted in the formation of the DPPM‐bridged tricobalt methylidyne cluster [Co3(CO)7(µ‐P,P‐PPh2CH2PPh2)(µ3‐CCH2C6H4NH2)] (6). Similar procedures were followed for the reaction of HCCC(O)CH3with Co2(CO)8; two compounds, [Co3(CO)9(µ3‐CCH2C(O)CH3)] (8) and [Co2(CO)6(µ2‐η2‐HCCC(O)CH3)] (9), were obtained. All these compounds were characterized by spectroscopic means; the crystal structures of 2, 5, 6, and 7were also determined. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A small quantity of the tricobalt methylidyne cluster [Co3(CO)9(µ3-CCH2CH3)] (2) was obtained, along with the major product, [{[Co2(CO)6(µ-HC&tbond;C&bond;)]&bond;CH2NH}2C&dbond;O] (1), from the reaction of HC&tbond;CCH2NH2 with Co2(CO)8 in tetrahydrofuran at 45 °C for 5 h. The crystal structure of 2 showed that the amino group was unexpectedly detached from the propargylamine. The reactions of two related amines, HC&tbond;CC6H4NH2 and HC&tbond;CC(&dbond;O)NH2, with Co2(CO)8 gave two tricobalt methylidyne clusters, [Co3(CO)9(µ3-CCH2C6H4NH2)] (5) and [Co3(CO)9(µ3-CCH2C(&dbond;O)NH2)] (7), respectively. Further reaction of 5 with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (DPPM) resulted in the formation of the DPPM-bridged tricobalt methylidyne cluster [Co3(CO)7(µ-P,P-PPh2CH2PPh2)(µ3-CCH2C6H4NH2)] (6). Similar procedures were followed for the reaction of HC&tbond;C&bond;C(&dbond;O)CH3 with Co2(CO)8; two compounds, [Co3(CO)9(µ3-CCH2C(&dbond;O)CH3)] (8) and [Co2(CO)6(µ2-η²-HC&tbond;CC(&dbond;O)CH3)] (9), were obtained. All these compounds were characterized by spectroscopic means; the crystal structures of 2, 5, 6, and 7 were also determined. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Treatment of a cobalt-containing diphosphine ligand, [{μ-P,P-PPh₂CH₂PPh₂}Co₂(CO)₄{μ-PPh₂C&z.tbd;CPPh₂}] 1 with metal complexes W(CO)₆, Ru₃(CO)₁₂, AuCl(tht) (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) and (COD)PdCl₂ (COD = 1,5-cycloctadiene) gave 1-chelated metal complexes [(1)W(CO)₄] 3, [(μ-1)Ru₃(CO)₁₀] 4, [(1)(AuCl)₂] 5 and [(1)PdCl₂] 6, respectively. All these compounds were characterized by spectroscopic means whereas 3, 4 and 6 were also studied by X-ray diffraction. These compounds display chelating and bridging modes of metal–phosphine complexation. Variable-temperature 1H and 31P NMR experiments were carried out for 3–6 and revealed that the fluxional behavior of each individual bridging dppm fragment was affected greatly by the bite angle of 1 in each metal complex. Suzuki cross-coupling reactions were satisfactorily catalyzed by 6 under mild conditions. The reactions of aryl halides or iodothiophenes with chloroform and alkali in biphasic solution utilizing a catalytic amount of 6 result into the formation of benzoic and thiophenic acids, respectively.

The reaction of a bulky phosphine, Co2CO5μ-P,P-μ-PPh2CCPPh2Co2CO4μ-P-μ-PPh2CCPPh21with POMe3gave a phosphite substituted tetracobalt-complex, Co2CO4POMe3μ-P,P-μ-PPh2CCPPh2Co2CO4μ-P-μ-PPh2CCPPh25. Further reaction of 5with CODPdCl2yielded a 5-coordinated palladium complex, Co2CO4POMe3μ-P,P-μ-PPh2CCPPh2Co2CO3μ-COμ-P-μ-PPh2CCPPh2PdCl27. Similar results were obtained for the reaction of 1with CODPdCl2, which yielded Co2CO5μ-P,P-μ-PPh2CCPPh2Co2CO3μ-COμ-P-μ-PPh2CCPPh2PdCl26. Likewise, reaction of another bulky phosphine μ-Ph2PCH2PPh2Co2CO4μ-PPh2CCPOPh23with CODPdCl2yielded μ-P,P-PPh2CH2PPh2Co2CO3μ-COμ-PPh2CCPOPh2PdCl28. The X-ray structural studies of 6, 7and 8reveal that unusual palladium–cobalt bonds were formed. A Suzuki type reaction employing complexes 6, 7and 8, as catalysts in the reaction of 2-bromothiophene with boronic acid did not show encouraging signs.

Treatment of a cobalt-containing diphosphine ligand, μ-P,P-PPh2CH2PPh2Co2CO4μ-PPh2CCPPh21with metal complexes WCO6, Ru3CO12, AuCltht tht tetrahydrothiophene and CODPdCl2COD 1,5-cycloctadiene gave 1-chelated metal complexes (1)WCO43, μ-1Ru3CO104, (1)AuCl25and (1)PdCl26, respectively. All these compounds were characterized by spectroscopic means whereas 3, 4and 6were also studied by X-ray diffraction. These compounds display chelating and bridging modes of metal–phosphine complexation. Variable-temperature 1H and 31P NMR experiments were carried out for 3–6and revealed that the fluxional behavior of each individual bridging dppm fragment was affected greatly by the bite angle of 1in each metal complex. Suzuki cross-coupling reactions were satisfactorily catalyzed by 6under mild conditions. The reactions of aryl halides or iodothiophenes with chloroform and alkali in biphasic solution utilizing a catalytic amount of 6result into the formation of benzoic and thiophenic acids, respectively.

The reaction of a bulky phosphine, [Co₂(CO)₅{μ-P,P-(μ-PPh₂C&z.tbd;CPPh₂)}][Co₂(CO)₄{μ-P-(μ-PPh₂C&z.tbd;CPPh₂)}] 1 with P(OMe)₃ gave a phosphite substituted tetracobalt-complex, [Co₂(CO)₄{P(OMe)₃}{μ-P,P-(μ-PPh₂C&z.tbd;CPPh₂)}][Co₂(CO)₄{μ-P-(μ-PPh₂C&z.tbd;CPPh₂)}] 5. Further reaction of 5 with (COD)PdCl₂ yielded a 5 -coordinated palladium complex, [Co₂(CO)₄{P(OMe)₃}}{μ-P,P-(μ-PPh₂C&z.tbd;CPPh₂)}][Co₂(CO)₃(μ-CO){μ-P-(μ-PPh₂C&z.tbd;CPPh₂)}]PdCl₂ 7. Similar results were obtained for the reaction of 1 with (COD)PdCl₂, which yielded [Co₂(CO)₅{μ-P,P-(μ-PPh₂C&z.tbd;CPPh₂)}][Co₂(CO)₃(μ-CO){μ-P-(μ-PPh₂C&z.tbd;CPPh₂)}]PdCl₂ 6. Likewise, reaction of another bulky phosphine [(μ-Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂)Co₂(CO)₄(μ-PPh₂C&z.tbd;CP(&z.dbd;O)Ph₂)] 3 with (COD)PdCl₂ yielded [{μ-P,P-PPh₂CH₂PPh₂}Co₂(CO)₃(μ-CO){μ-PPh₂C&z.tbd;CP(&z.dbd;O)Ph₂}]PdCl₂ 8. The X-ray structural studies of 6, 7 and 8 reveal that unusual palladium–cobalt bonds were formed. A Suzuki type reaction employing complexes 6, 7 and 8, as catalysts in the reaction of 2-bromothiophene with boronic acid did not show encouraging signs.

Objective:Spontaneous electrical activity [SEA] can be recorded electrophysiologically from an active locus in a myofascial trigger point [MTrP] region. Recent studies on humans and rabbits suggest that the MTrP region is always in the endplate zone. The purpose of this study is to map the distribution of active loci in rat skeletal muscle in order to further confirm that SEAs are also primarily found in the endplate zone.Methods:The biceps femoris muscles of 12 Sprague-Dawley albino rats were studied. Under general anesthesia, the biceps femoris muscle was exposed and electrically stimulated with a threshold current of 0.5–1.0 mA to identify the endplate zone. A monopolar needle was inserted into one end of the muscle and slowly advanced following the direction of the muscle fiber until it reached the other end. Totally, 9–13 tracks [1 mm apart] were searched for each muscle. Each track was mapped for a total length of 14–18 mm, with the endplate sites in the middle of the fiber.Results:It was found that SEAs were recorded mainly in the end-plate zone.Conclusion:The findings of this study are consistent with those of previous studies on humans and rabbits, and further suggested that SEA is dysfunctional endplate potentials. Furthermore, the rat can be a potential animal model for the study of MTrP mechanism.

Reaction of Co₂(CO)₈ with HC&z.tbd;CC₆H₄NH₂ in THF at 55 °C for 4 hours gave an unusual complex {[Co₂(CO)₆(μ-HC&z.tbd;C)]C₆H₄N&z.dbd6;}₂ 2 in reasonable yield; the crystal structure of 2 reveals that it can be regarded as two alkyne-bridged dicobalt fragments joined by a diazene-based ligand; a mechanism for the formation of 2 is proposed.

A cyclic compound, [Co2(CO)4(µ2-HC≡CSiMe3)(PPh2C≡CPPh2)]22, was identified from the reaction of bis(diphenylphosphino)acetylene with an alkyne-bridged dicobalt complex, (µ2-HC≡CSiMe3)Co2(CO)61. Crystal structure of 2shows that it is a twelve-membered ring complex comprised of two DPPA coordinated pseudo-tetrahedral Co2C2units. Further reaction of 2with two equivalents of Co2(CO)8resulted in the conversion of 2into [Co2(CO)6{µ-P, P-(µ-PPh2C≡CPPh2)}] [Co2(CO)4(µ-HC≡CSiMe3)] 3.