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Modern research technology's goal is to produce multifunctional materials that require low energy. In this work, we have applied polypyrrole (PPy) doped with dodecyl benzenesulfonate (DBS-) with the addition of polyoxometalates (POM) such as phosphotungstic acid (PTA) forming PPyDBS-PT composites. Two different PTA concentrations (4 mM and 8 mM) were used to form PPyDBS-PT4 and PPyDBS-PT8. The higher concentration of PTA created a highly dense and compact film which can be observed from scanning electron microscopy (SEM cross-section image), and also contains fewer phosphotungstate anions (PT3−) inclusion (via energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, EDX). Three different aqueous electrolytes, LiCl (lithium chloride), NaCl (sodium chloride), and KCl (potassium chloride), were applied to investigate how those alkali metal ions perform as typical cation-driven actuators. Cyclic voltammetry with linear actuation revealed the tendency LiCl > NaCl > KCl in view of better strain, charge density, electronic conductivity, and Young's modulus of PPyDBS-PT4 outperformed PPyDBS-PT8. Chronopotentiometric measurements showed high specific capacitance for PPyDBS-PT4 at 260.6 ± 21 F g−1 with capacity retention after 5000 cycles of 88.5%. The sensor calibration of PPyDBS-PT4 revealed that the alkali cations (Li+, Na+, and K+) can be differentiated from each other. The PPyDBS-PT4 has multifunctional applications such as actuators, sensors, and energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, various methods for cellulose dissolution without derivatization pretreatment have garnered attention for measuring the molecular weight of cellulose using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). However, conventional methods require complex pretreatment procedures or use substantial quantities of ionic liquids, which are expensive and exhibit high viscosities. Herein, we report a GPC method for the successful dissolution of cellulose in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) containing 1 wt% 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EmimOAc). The GPC method is simple, does not require special pretreatment steps, and dissolves cellulose at room temperature. Moreover, as the concentration of the ionic liquid was as low as 1 wt%, the method was robust at low pressures in the GPC system and had low operating costs for the ionic liquid. We demonstrate the applicability of this GPC method to various types of cellulose, including cotton, pulp, and rayon. The GPC profiles of EmimOAc/DMSO were comparable to those of the conventional GPC systems using lithium chloride/dimethyl acetamide in terms of the peak top molecular weight (and shoulder peak in the low-molecular-weight region). Therefore, this GPC method can contribute to the high-throughput evaluation of the molecular weights of native and regenerated cellulose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to screen key target genes of osteoarthritis associated with aging and to preliminarily explore the associated immune infiltration cells and potential drugs. Differentially expressed senescence-related genes (DESRGs) selected from Cellular senescence-related genes (SRGs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed using Gene Ontology enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways and protein–protein interaction networks. Hub genes in DESRGs were selected based on degree, and diagnostic genes were further screened by gene expression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. CIBERSORTx and ssGSEA algorithms were then used to assess immune cell infiltration and to analyse the correlation between key DESRGs and immune infiltration. Finally, a miRNA-gene network of diagnostic genes was constructed and targeted drug prediction was performed. Combined with the DEGs and SRGs, we screened 19 DESRGs for further study. Five diagnostic genes were ultimately identified: CDKN1A, VEGFA, MCL1, SNAI1 and MYC. ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC). Correlation analysis showed that the five hub genes were closely associated with neutrophil, plasmacytoid dendritic cell, activated CD4 T-cell and type 2 T-helper cell infiltration in the development of Osteoarthritis (OA). Finally, we found that drugs such as lithium chloride, acetaminophen, curcumin, celecoxib and resveratrol could be targeted for the treatment of senescence-related OA. The results of this study indicate that CDKN1A, VEGFA, MCL1, SNAI1, and MYC are key biomarkers that can be used to predict and prevent early aging-related OA. Lithium chloride, acetaminophen, curcumin, celecoxib, and resveratrol can be used for personalized treatment of aging-related OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractChitin hydrogel and hydrogel-based products are some of the frequently reported biomaterials for biomedical applications. Yet there is a void in understanding chitin’s dissolution mechanism and its most suitable solvent system(s). Chitin is a natural polysaccharide polymer which can be dissolved in solvents such as calcium chloride- methanol, sodium hydroxide/urea (NaOH/urea), lithium chloride diacetamide (LiCl/DMAc), ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents. Among the alkali/urea dissolution systems such as NaOH/urea, KOH/urea, LiOH/urea for dissolution of chitin we will be focussing on NaOH-based system here for ease of comparison with the other systems. Chitin has been used for decades in the biomedical field; however, new solvent systems are still being explored even to this day to identify the most suitable chemical(s) for dissolving it. Chitin, due to its biocompatibility, allows us to use it for multifaceted purposes. Hence, it is important to consolidate the available studies for better understanding about the most sought-after biomaterial. This overview deeply delves into the mechanism of action of the existing solvent systems and highlights its merits and demerits. It discusses the rheological properties of the chitin gel from different solvent systems and puts forth the current biomedical applications of chitin gel in areas such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, biosensing, hemostasis and wound healing. It also outlines recent advances and highlights the potential gaps which need to be addressed in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have synthesized a new ion pair receptor (2) consisting of a cone‐calix[4]arene bearing a combination of ethyl esters and ethers as a cation binding site and a calix[4]pyrrole subunit acting as an anion binding site. Ion pair receptor 2 complexes LiCl, NaCl, and CsCl among alkali metal chloride salts with distinct complexation modes and affinities in 10 % methanol‐d4 in chloroform‐d. For instance, relatively small Li+ and Na+ cations are bound to the oxygen atoms of the functionalized calix[4]arene lower rim with Cl− being hydrogen bonded to the calix[4]pyrrole NHs while the larger Cs+ cation is bound to the cone‐shaped calix[4]pyrrole cavity via a π‐cation interaction. By contrast, in the co‐presence of all MCl salts (M=Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs), receptor 2 binds LiCl with complete selectivity. Besides, receptor 2 is capable of extracting LiCl selectively into a chloroform or a dichloromethane organic phase from its solid source containing all other MCl salts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyvinyl alcohol/lithium chloride hydrogel (PVA/LiCl) is one of the most used electrolyte in supercapacitors. Increasing the ionic conductivity and operating temperature range of PVA/LiCl would greatly boost the electrochemical performance of supercapacitors and enhance the devices’ environmental adaptability. This is of great significance yet rarely concerned about in energy communities. In this work, SiO2 functionalized PVA/LiCl (PVA‐SiO2/LiCl) is experimentally realized with high ionic conductivity and wide operating temperature range. The spectroscopic and theoretical experiments prove that SiO2 significantly regulates cation solvation structure to promote cation‐anion pair dissociation and diminish coagulation of PVA chains, increasing ionic conductivity from 19.01 mS cm−1 of PVA/LiCl to 56.17 mS cm−1 of the new electrolyte. SiO2 can also prevent cation‐anion association as temperature decreases, and the abundant hydroxyl groups on the SiO2 and the stretched PVA chains tune hydrogen bonds among dipolar water molecules. They effectively expand the operating temperature range of PVA‐SiO2/LiCl. PVA‐SiO2/LiCl greatly boosts the electrochemical performance of MnO2‐based supercapacitor. The design concept developed here opens up a way toward high‐performance hydrogel electrolyte development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Isoorientin (ISO), a flavone C-glycoside, is a glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) substrate-competitive inhibitor. ISO has potential in treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). An excessive activation of GSK3β can lead to neuroinflammation causing neuronal damage. Microglia cells, as resident immune cells of the central nervous system, mediate neuroinflammation. Here, we studied the effects of ISO on microglial activation to alleviate neuroinflammation. Methods: Effects of ISO were observed upon the stimulation of mouse microglia BV2 or SIM-A9 cells by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Lithium chloride (LiCl) was the positive control as a GSK3β inhibitor. The release of TNF-α and NO were analyzed by ELISA and Griess assays, while expressions of COX-2, Iba-1, BDNF, GSK3β, NF-κB p65, IκB, Nrf2 and HO-1 were detected by Western blotting. In the co-culture model of SIM-A9 cells and differentiated SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, effects of ISO on microglia-mediated neuronal damage were evaluated with the MTS assay. Results: ISO significantly inhibited the production of TNF-α (p < 0.01), NO (p < 0.001) and the expression of COX-2 (p < 0.01) and Iba-1 (p < 0.05) induced by LPS, and increased BDNF. The cell viability of SH-SY5Y was inhibited by LPS in the co-culture, which was prevented by ISO pretreatment. ISO increased the expression of p-GSK3β (Ser9), IκB and HO-1 in the cytoplasm, decreased NF-κB p65 and increased Nrf2 in the nucleus compared with the LPS group. Conclusion: ISO attenuated the activation of microglia through regulating the GSK3β, NF-κB and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways to exert neuroprotection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we investigate the diffusion of LiCl electrolytes in 3D-nanoporous graphene structures (3D-NGSs) through molecular dynamics simulations. The diffusion coefficients, D, of water, Li+, and Cl− are calculated in 3D-NGSs with different LiCl concentrations, porosities, and surface charge densities under various temperatures. It is found that the diffusion coefficients follow the Arrhenius Equation and power laws for the dependence on the temperature and porosity, respectively. They decrease with increasing salt concentration. At high surface charge densities, the diffusion coefficients decrease with increasing charge density, which, however, plays a minor role in affecting the diffusion coefficients in the range of 0–0.2 C m−2. The mechanisms are investigated through the potential energy distribution in the 3D-NGSs. General scaling laws for the diffusion coefficients of water, Li+, and Cl− are proposed. The results in this work provide useful information for the design of electrodes and various energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas dehydration plays a critical role in gas refining processes due to the potential problems caused by the presence of water vapor. The inclusion of water vapor can lead to issues such as hydrate formation, pressure drop, and pipeline corrosion. In this research, a deep eutectic solvent (DES) absorbent was employed to absorb water vapor and subsequently, its absorption performance was compared with the absorption of tri-ethylene glycol (TEG) and lithium chloride, the most commonly used absorbents in water vapor separation processes. To do so, the influence of several effective parameters, including the inlet air flow rate, different ratios of choline chloride to urea (ChCl:Urea), the weight percentage of liquid water in the absorbent, and the viscosity of DES were investigated. The results demonstrated that DES is highly efficient for water vapor separation, outperforming both TEG and aqueous lithium chloride solutions. Moreover, increasing the inlet air flow rate was found to decrease absorption recovery due to reduced residence time. Additionally, a ChCl ratio of 1:2 yielded the highest absorption efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this study, we employ computational methods to identify genes that may influence the translation of structured mRNAs, namely PGM2 and other synthetic mRNAs. We found two candidates, CAF20 and ECM32 that when deleted affect the translation of PGM2 and synthetic mRNAs with structured 5'untranslated regions. These findings suggest that CAF20 and ECM32 have some involvement in the translation of structured mRNAs, expanding our understanding of mechanisms that influence gene regulation. Translation is a fundamental process in biology, and understanding its mechanisms is crucial to comprehending cellular functions and diseases. The regulation of this process is closely linked to the structure of mRNA, as these regions prove vital to modulating translation efficiency and control. Thus, identifying and investigating these fundamental factors that influence the processing and unwinding of structured mRNAs would be of interest due to the widespread impact in various fields of biology. To this end, we employed a computational approach and identified genes that may be involved in the translation of structured mRNAs. The approach is based on the enrichment of interactions and co-expression of genes with those that are known to influence translation and helicase activity. The in silico prediction found CAF20 and ECM32 to be highly ranked candidates that may play a role in unwinding mRNA. The activities of neither CAF20 nor ECM32 have previously been linked to the translation of PGM2 mRNA or other structured mRNAs. Our follow-up investigations with these two genes provided evidence of their participation in the translation of PGM2 mRNA and several other synthetic structured mRNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Owing to its systemic mode‐of‐action and ease of application, lithium chloride (LiCl) is an ideal varroacide for the control of Varroa destructor infestations in honey bee colonies. To better understand how LiCl functions within a colony, we screened different parts of honey bee anatomy for lithium accumulation. We wanted to elucidate the time‐dependent effects of LiCl on V. destructor and its metabolism within honey bees when they were fed continuous LiCl treatments, as well as evaluate potential adverse effects such as accumulation in the hypopharyngeal glands of nurse bees, which could negatively impact queens and larvae. RESULTS: Cage experiments reveal rapid acaricidal onset, with >95% mite mortality within 48 h of treatment. Bee hemolymph analysis supports these observations, showing a rapid increase in lithium concentration within 12 h of treatment, followed by stabilization at a constant level. Lithium accumulates in the rectum of caged bees (≤475.5 mg kg−1 after 7 days of feeding 50 mm LiCl), reflecting the bees' metabolic and excretion process. Despite concerns about potential accumulation in hypopharyngeal glands, low lithium levels of only 0.52 mg kg−1 suggest minimal risk to the queen and 1st‐ and 2nd‐instar larvae. Cessation of LiCl treatment results in a rapid decline in mite mortality in the first 5 days, which increases again thereafter, resulting in mite mortality of 77–90% after 10 days. CONCLUSION: These findings help optimize LiCl application in colonies to achieve high Varroa mortality without unwanted adverse effects and provide important baseline data for future registration. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating demand for lithium has intensified the need to process critical lithium ores into battery-grade materials efficiently. This review paper overviews the transformation processes and cost of converting critical lithium ores, primarily spodumene and brine, into high-purity battery-grade precursors. We systematically examine the study findings on various approaches for lithium recovery from spodumene and brine. Dense media separation (DMS) and froth flotation are the most often used processes for spodumene beneficiation. Magnetic separation (MS) and ore gravity concentration techniques in spodumene processing have also been considered. To produce battery-grade lithium salts, the beneficiated-concentrated spodumene must be treated further, with or without heat, in the presence of acidic or alkaline media. As a result, various pyro and hydrometallurgical techniques have been explored. Moreover, the process of extracting lithium from brine through precipitation, liquid–liquid extraction, and polymer inclusion membrane separation employing different organic, inorganic, and composite polymer sorbents has also been reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium ion conducting membrane has been prepared based on cellulose acetate and LiCl using the solution casting method. Amorphous/crystalline nature of the prepared membranes are analyzed using X-ray diffraction. The surface of the prepared membrane is analyzed using SEM. Complexation of cellulose acetate and LiCl is confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The ionic conductivity of the examined membranes is determined through AC impedance measurement. The membrane, comprising 1 g cellulose acetate with 0.8 weight% (wt%) of LiCl, exhibits the highest Li-ion conductivity of 7.1 × 10−3 S cm−1 among all prepared membranes. Thermal stability of the prepared membranes is analyzed using Differential scanning calorimetry and Thermogravimetric analysis. The electrochemical stability of the highest Li-ion conducting membrane has been analyzed using Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), and the potential window was found to be 1.76 V. Using the highest Li-ion conducting membrane, the primary Li-ion conducting battery and coin cell is constructed. Primary Li-ion conducting battery shows an Open-circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.8 V and its performance has been studied using various loads. The stability of the coin cell is analyzed using the Galvanostatic charge-discharge. The performance of the highest Li-ion conducting membrane as an electrolyte in an electrochemical storage device is analyzed in the present work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Transcriptomics studies speed up the basic and applied research on the identification of genes involved in the biosynthesis of medicinally significant primary and secondary metabolites as well as plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. The adequate quality and quantity of RNA are essential for successful transcriptomics investigations such as RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and microarrays. It is extremely difficult to isolate RNA from medicinal plants with high levels of polyphenols and polysaccharides, such as Borago officinalis. Moreover, isolating nucleic acids from tissues exposed to stressful conditions of heavy metal toxicity such as cadmium is challenging due to the increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and secondary metabolites. Any RNA-seq experiment requires high-quality RNA because the isolated RNA should meet stringent quality control requirements in order to be sequenced on the various platforms. In the present study, we evaluated different RNA extraction methods to obtain an efficient protocol for isolating high-quality total RNA from borage tissue exposed to cadmium stress. Materials and methods: The borage seedlings were grown in hydroponic containers containing half-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution in a growth chamber. Borage seedlings were exposed to 162 μM Cd using cadmium nitrate (Cd (NO3)2.4H2O) at 5-6 leaves stage and sampled at 48 h after treatment. The roots and leaves were subjected to five RNA isolation methods, including phenol/chloroform-based method, CTAB-based method, SDS-based method, RNX-plus protocol, and modified RNX-plus method to obtain an efficient protocol for isolating high-quality total RNA. The concentration and purity of the RNAs extracted using the abovementioned protocols were determined using gel electrophoresis and NanoDrop spectrophotometer. The quality and integrity of selected total RNA were approved with cDNA synthesis, RT-PCR, Bioanalyzer System, and transcriptome sequencing. After evaluating the extraction methods, a quick, simple and efficient instruction based on the modified RNX-Plus extraction method was afforded. Results and discussion: The results showed that the modified RNX-plus method was a fast and efficient protocol for the isolation of RNA from the borage leaf and root when compared with other methods. The method overcame the limitations posed by poor quality and low concentration of isolated RNA from borage samples exposed to cadmium stress. The A260/A280 and A260/A230 ratios of the RNA extracted using the modified RNX-plus method were 2.1 and 2.07, respectively, revealing its high purity. The key factors in the optimized protocol that resulted in removing the impurities were included the increasing ratio of extraction buffer to the amount of the powdered plant sample, using the optimized volume of chloroform, raising the RNA precipitation time at -20°C, washing RNA with lithium chloride and washing again with ethanol. Also, the yields of 333±15 and 463±43 ng μl-1 of RNA with RNA integrity (RIN) numbers of 8.6 and 9.05 were obtained from roots under cadmium stress and control conditions using the described optimized method, respectively. Conclusion: In general, the results of this study showed that the modified RNX-Plus method is convenient, fast, and effective for the isolation of total RNA from borage root and leaf tissues that contain different levels of polysaccharides, polyphenols, and secondary metabolites, and no solution is needed to be prepared before, except for ethanol and Lithium chloride. Since the RNA extracted from this procedure was successfully used for cDNA library construction, RT-PCR, and RNA sequencing, it can be considered as a simple and efficient method for the isolation of RNA from medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real‐time monitoring of respiration plays a very important role in human health assessment, especially in monitoring and analyzing respiration during exercise and sleep. However, traditional humidity sensors still have problems in flexibility, sensitivity, and durability, so there is an urgent need to develop humidity sensors with high sensitivity, stretchability, and environmental resistance as respiratory monitoring applications. Here, based on the double network hydrogel structure of polyvinyl alcohol and polyacrylamide, a highly sensitive, highly stretchable, and environmentally stable organic hydrogel humidity sensor has been manufactured by using the synergistic effect of lithium chloride and MXene. The hydrogel humidity sensor shows rapid response in the humidity range of 40–85% RH, and has a high sensitivity of −103.4%/% RH. In addition, it exhibits more than 3000% mechanical strain and excellent environmental resistance, which is attributed to the chemical cross‐linking in the hydrogel network and the synergistic effect of multiple hydroxyl groups in glycerol forming rich hydrogen bonds with water and polymer chains. The hydrogel humidity sensor is used for real‐time monitoring of breathing and sleep processes. This work provides a new strategy for preparing high‐performance, extensibility, and environmental stability hydrogel‐based sensors for respiratory monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium, a natural element, has been employed as a mental stabilizer in psychiatric treatments; however, some reports indicate it has an anticancer effect, prompting the consideration of repurposing lithium for cancer treatment. The potential anticancer use of lithium may depend on its form (salt type) and the type of cancer cells targeted. Little is known about the effects of Li2CO3 or LiCl on cancer cells, so we focused on exploring their effects on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and cell cycle as part of the hallmarks of cancer. Firstly, we established the IC50 values on HeLa, SiHa, and HaCaT cells with LiCl and Li2CO3 and determined by crystal violet that cell proliferation was time-dependent in the three cell lines (IC50 values for LiCl were 23.43 mM for SiHa, 23.14 mM for HeLa, and 15.10 mM for HaCaT cells, while the IC50 values for Li2CO3 were 20.57 mM for SiHa, 11.52 mM for HeLa, and 10.52 mM for HaCaT cells.) Our findings indicate that Li2CO3 and LiCl induce DNA fragmentation and caspase-independent apoptosis, as shown by TUNEL, Western Blot, and Annexin V/IP assay by flow cytometry. Also, cell cycle analysis showed that LiCl and Li2CO3 arrested the cervical cancer cells at the G1 phase. Moreover, lithium salts displayed an anti-migratory effect on the three cell lines observed by the wound-healing assay. All these findings imply the viable anticancer effect of lithium salts by targeting several of the hallmarks of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first heteroditopic [2]rotaxane host systems capable of strong and selective binding of lithium chloride ion-pair species are described. Importantly, a cooperative 'switch on' mechanism was found to operate, in which complexation of a lithium metal cation enhances the halide anion affinity of the rotaxanes via a combination of favourable proximal electrostatic and preorganised allosteric effects. The mechanically bonded rotaxane host design features a macrocycle component possessing a 2,6-dialkoxy pyridyl cation binding motif and an isophthalamide anion binding group, as well as an axle component functionalised with either a halogen bonding (XB) iodotriazole or hydrogen bonding (HB) prototriazole moiety. Extensive quantitative 1H NMR titration studies in CD3CN/CDCl3 solvent mixtures determined enhanced ion-pair binding affinities for lithium halides over the corresponding sodium or potassium halide salts, with the axle prototriazole-containing HB rotaxane in particular demonstrating a marked selectivity for lithium chloride. Solid-state X-ray crystallographic studies and computational DFT investigations provide evidence for a [2]rotaxane host axle-separated ion-pair binding mode, in which complementary cation and anion binding motifs from both the macrocycle and axle components act convergently to recognise each of the charged guest species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkenes are valuable feedstocks in organic synthesis. One effective method for synthesizing organic halides with functional groups in close proximity involves the direct difunctionalization of alkenes via three‐component reactions. This approach not only reduces the number of steps involved in the synthesis process, but also minimizes waste generation and enables the formation of complex molecules from simple starting materials. In this review, we mainly discuss decade developments (2013‐2023) in two categories: (1) halogenation via three‐membered ring intermediates, involving haliranium, thiiranium,seleniranium, aziridinium and epoxide species; (2) halogenation via a radical pathway. Reactions with I2, BiI3, NaI, Bu4N+[I(O2CAr)2]−, NIS, NBS, NCS, DBH, BsNMeBr, HBr, HCl, KI, NH4I, I2O5, Et3N ⋅ 3HF, Selectfluor, CuI, CuBr, CuCl, LiCl, KBr, NaCl, SOCl2, Py ⋅ 9HF, NFSI, TBSCl et al have been recorded and how the added reagents work will be discussed. We hope this review will do help for future research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-resolution solution-state 1H, 13C, and various 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of cellulose were obtained using cellulose oligomer dissolved in LiCl/dimethyl sulfoxide, which enabled the assignment of all 1H and 13C resonances. The observed resonances were classified into four groups of glucose rings, corresponding to internal residue, non-reducing end, and reducing ends with α- and β-anomeric configurations. This assignment included the OH protons, which are difficult to assign in cellulose using other solvent systems. NMR measurements and assignments were performed using different LiCl concentrations because information on the hydroxy protons is important for understanding the interaction between cellulose and the solvent. The resonances from the OH protons shifted downfield with increasing LiCl concentration, suggesting that LiCl was attracted to the hydroxy groups of cellulose in solution. Moreover, the magnitude of the shifts varied depending on the positions of the hydroxy groups, which indicated the regioselectivity of the interaction between LiCl and the cellulose hydroxy groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schizophrenia, a serious mental disorder, affects 1% to 2% of people globally and has a substantial financial impact on health and social services.

Apex predators play critical ecological roles, making their conservation a high priority. In tropical Australia, some populations of freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni) have plummeted by greater than 70% due to lethal ingestion of toxic invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina). Laboratory-based research has identified conditioned taste aversion (CTA) as a way to discourage consumption of toads. To translate those ideas into landscape-scale management, we deployed 2395 baits (toad carcasses with toxin removed and containing a nausea-inducing chemical) across four gorge systems in north-western Australia and monitored bait uptake with remote cameras. Crocodile abundance was quantified with surveys. Free-ranging crocodiles rapidly learned to avoid toad baits but continued to consume control (chicken) baits. Toad invasion at our sites was followed by high rates of crocodile mortality (especially for small individuals) at a control site but not at nearby treatment sites. In areas with high connectivity to other waterbodies, repeated baiting over successive years had continuing positive impacts on crocodile survival. In summary, we succeeded in buffering the often-catastrophic impact of invasive cane toads on apex predators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Running in an exercise wheel or swimming in a water pool endows rats with a conditioned aversion to a taste substance consumed before the activity. The present study explores the psychophysiological processes underlying these activity‐based taste aversions. Experiment 1 demonstrated that prior experience of running or swimming (i.e., familiarization) hinders subsequent taste aversion learning based on swimming in rats, implying a similar psychophysiological process between running and swimming in establishing taste aversion. Experiment 2 replicated the findings of Experiment 1 with rats obtained from another animal supplier. The running‐to‐swimming cross‐familiarization effect demonstrated in these experiments contrasts with a previous report in which prior swimming had no effect on subsequent running‐based taste aversion learning. Theoretical considerations regarding such asymmetrical cross‐familiarization effects extended to discussions on the similarities and differences in the psychophysiological states induced by running, swimming, and emetic lithium chloride injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic beads can be used to treat surgical infections. In this study, polylactide–polyglycolide (PLGA) was mixed with vancomycin, the osteogenic enhancer lithium chloride (LiCl), and hot compression to form PLGA-vancomycin-LiCl delivery beads to treat bone infection. An elution method was used to characterize in vitro release characteristics of vancomycin and Li over a 42-day period. The release profiles lasted for more than 42 days for vancomycin and 28 days for Li. The concentration of vancomycin in each sample was well above the breakpoint sensitivity. Lithium cotreatment enhanced the bactericidal effect of vancomycin. Released Li and vancomycin increased the mRNA or protein expressions of osteogenic markers of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In vivo, the PLGA delivery systems were implanted into the distal femoral cavities of rabbits, and the cavity fluid content was aspirated and analyzed at each time point. The released Li and vancomycin lasted more than 6 weeks, and the vancomycin concentrations were much greater than the breakpoint sensitivity. Four rabbits in each group were sacrificed at 8 weeks for histological observation. More mature bone tissue was observed in the Li treatment group. This study provides a PLGA drug delivery system to meet the requirements of patients with bone infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: One of the crucial issues related to machine learning potentials is the formation of representative dataset. For multicomponent systems, it is a general methodology to scan the composition range with a certain step. However, there is a lack of information on the compositional transferability of machine learning potentials. In this paper, we extend the knowledge in this area by studying the transferability of deep learning potential over the range of compositions of LiCl–KCl molten mixtures. The training dataset was formed using only the near-eutectic composition of 60% LiCl–40% KCl. Then, we tested the ability of the model to predict physicochemical properties of the melts far from the reference composition. It was found that for the composition range from 0 to 100% of LiCl, the calculated properties concur closely with those of other studies and ab initio calculations. Therefore, the model shows prominent non-intuitive compositional transferability. Moreover, the solid states and solid–liquid coexistence were reproduced. The calculated melting temperatures of LiCl and KCl show the errors of 6.6% and 0.4%, respectively. We argue that such good transferability stems from the local structure configurations that are typical both for pure LiCl and for pure KCl which are implicitly presented in the training dataset because of local fluctuations in composition. Methods: To collect the data for the initial dataset, density functional theory was employed. Then, the DeePMD package was used to train a neural network potential. To calculate the properties of the melts, standard equilibrium and non-equilibrium molecular dynamic approaches were utilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effects of lithium (Li) supplied as lithium chloride (LiCl) on the emergence of seeds and initial growth of chili (Capsicum annuum L.) var. Guajillo seedlings. Design/methodology/approach: Guajillo variety chili seeds were treated with five doses of Li chloride (0, 20, 50, 75, and 100 μm) during the germination phase. The treatments lasted 20 days. In this period, parameters related to seed germination and initial growth of seedlings were evaluated. With the data obtained, analysis of variance and comparison of means test (Duncan) were carried out with the SAS software. Results: The doses of LiCl evaluated did not affect the percentages of germination and relative germination, the coefficient of velocity of germination, the average velocity of germination, and the weights of fresh and dry seedling biomass. Doses of 25 and 50 μm LiCl favored the germination index and the seed vigor index. Likewise, they significantly increased the height of the stem. On the contrary, the 100 μm Li dose significantly reduced the relative radicle growth, the germination index and the stem height. Limitations on study/implications: This study used only a single Li source, so the effects that accompanying anions have, are unknown. Findings/conclusions: Low doses of LiCl have positive effects on shoot growth in the initial phase of seedling growth, without affecting germination parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The development of fast-responding electrically conductive polymers as actuators activated by low electrical current is now regarded as an urgent matter. Due to their limited electrical conductivity, actuators based on polymeric hydrogels must be activated using a high voltage (up to 200 V) and frequency (up to 500 Hz) when employing AC power. In this work, to improve the electrical conductivity of the hydrogel and decrease the required activation voltage of the hydrogel actuators, lithium chloride (LiCL) was added as a conductive filler to the polymer matrix of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). In order to ascertain the deformation of actuators, activation and relaxation times, actuator efficiencies, and generated force under the conditions of activation, linear actuators that can be activated by extension/contraction (swelling/shrinking) cycles were prepared and investigated depending on the LiCl content, applied voltage, and frequency. Under a load of approximately 20 kPa and using a 90 V AC power at a 50 Hz frequency with a 30 wt.% LiCl content, it was found that the actuators' total contraction, reinforced by a woven mesh braided material, was about 20% with a ~2.2 s activation time, while the actuators' total extension, reinforced by a spiral weave material, was about 52% with a ~2.5 s activation time, after applying a 110 V AC at a 50 Hz frequency with a 10 wt.% LiCl content. Furthermore, as the lowest voltage, a 20 V AC power can operate these actuators by increasing the LiCl weight content to the same PVA mass content. Moreover, the PVA/LiCl hydrogels' activation force can be greater than 0.5 MPa. The actuators that have been developed have broad applications in soft robotics, artificial muscles, medicine, and aerospace fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that leads to significant morbidity and mortality. The alteration in the signaling mechanism in diabetes leading to cardiomyopathy remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of tauopathy in myocardial dysfunction observed in T2DM. In that regard, diabetic Sprague Dawley rats were treated with intraperitoneal injections of lithium chloride (LiCl), inhibiting tau phosphorylation. Cardiac function was evaluated, and molecular markers of myocardial fibrosis and the TGF-β signaling were analyzed. T2DM rats exhibited a decline in ejection fraction and fractional shortening that revealed cardiac function abnormalities and increased myocardial fibrosis. These changes were associated with tau hyperphosphorylation. Treating diabetic rats with LiCl attenuated cardiac fibrosis and improved myocardial function. Inhibition of GSK-3β leads to the suppression of tau phosphorylation, which is associated with a decrease in TGF-β expression and regulation of the pro-inflammatory markers, suggesting that tau hyperphosphorylation is parallelly associated with fibrosis and inflammation in the diabetic heart. Our findings provide evidence of a possible role of tau hyperphosphorylation in the pathogenesis of DCM through the activation of TGF-β and by inducing inflammation. Targeting the inhibition of tau phosphorylation may offer novel therapeutic approaches to reduce DCM burden in T2DM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium chloride (LiCl) is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly salt abundant in the ocean. However, the insolubility of LiCl in conventional electrolyte solvents prevents the practical use of LiCl for lithium-ion batteries. Here, we report a novel method to increase the solubility of LiCl in a conventional electrolyte. The solubility of LiCl in ethylene carbonate (EC)/dimethyl carbonate (DMC) (1/1, v/v) is about quadrupled by adding a small amount of anion receptor with two urea moieties as recognition sites connecting with an ether chain. Anion receptor is an organic molecule that can associate with anions. Our anion receptor is able to associate with chloride anion. The ionic conductivity of LiCl in EC/DMC increased from 0.023 mS cm−1 (without an anion receptor) to 0.075 mS cm−1 (with a 0.05 M anion receptor). The electrolyte in the presence of a 0.05 M receptor exhibits higher ionic conductivity, rate capability, and cyclability than the electrolyte without the receptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, TiO2 was prepared via a solid-state chemical reaction and used as an anode for magnesium/lithium hybrid-ion batteries. The X-ray diffraction characterization of the synthesized titanium dioxide demonstrated that the material consists of 10% TiO2(B) and 90% anatase phases. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements showed the lowest charge transfer resistance and the highest capacity for batteries assembled with 9 mM LiCl because of the activation effect of the Cl− anion. In general, TiO2 as anode material in Mg2+/Li+-ion mixed solutions demonstrated sluggish electrochemical kinetics and a rate constant obtained from the EIS data of 1.05 × 10−8 cm s−1. From the cyclic voltammetry measurements, it was found that the capacity of the magnesium-lithium battery has more pseudocapacitance characteristics than the mixed-controlled process, as in other studies. The investigated TiO2||0.05 M Mg(ClO4)2 + 0.009 M LiCl/AN||Mg hybrid-ion battery demonstrated a capacity of approximately 25 mAh g−1 after 50 cycles at 35 mA g−1 current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The toughness and adhesiveness of composite hydrogels play an important role in the field of wearable sensors, where they are used due to their remarkable flexibility and diverse specialized properties. In this work, a composite hydrogel with strong toughness and high adhesion for human motion detection and wireless sensing was obtained. Polydopamine (PDA)-modified cellulose nanofibers (PCNFs) were introduced into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyacrylamide (PAM) network, resulting in the fabrication of a PCNF/PVA-PAM composite hydrogel. Lithium chloride served as a crosslinking agent and provided conductive ions, and the PCNFs provided the composite hydrogel with strong toughness and adhesion abilities. The compression strength of the obtained PCNF/PVA-PAM composite hydrogel was 1.1 MPa, and its adhesion strength to glass was 63.8 kPa. Moreover, the composite hydrogel exhibited good anti-freezing properties. The compression sensitivity of the composite hydrogel was 1.29, and it still maintained stability even after 500 testing cycles. The strain-sensing abilities of the composite hydrogel were satisfactory for different human body parts. This composite material holds great promise in the fields of wearable devices and wireless signal transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The construction of heterojunctions is challenging, requiring atomic-level contact and interface matching. Here, we have achieved atomic-level interfacial matching by constructing poly(heptazine imide)/poly(triazine imide) crystalline carbon nitride heterojunctions in an in-situ one-step method. The content of poly(triazine imide) in heterojunctions is positively related to the proportion of lithium chloride in potassium chloride and lithium chloride mixed-salts. The optimized heterojunction achieves an apparent quantum efficiency of 48.34% for photocatalytic hydrogen production at 420 nm, which is at a good level in polymeric carbon nitride photocatalysts. The proposed ion-thermal assisted heterojunction construction strategy contributes to the development of polymeric carbon nitride photocatalysts with high crystallization and high charge separation efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkaline earth (AE) metal complexes have garnered significant interest in various functional fields due to their nontoxicity, low density, and low cost. However, there is a lack of systematic investigation into the structural characteristics and physical properties of AE‐metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs). In this research, we synthesized isostructural MOFs consisting of AE4(μ4‐Cl) clusters bridged by benzo‐(1,2;3,4;5,6)‐tris(thiophene‐2′‐carboxylic acid) (BTTC3−) ligands. The resulting structure forms a truncated octahedral cage denoted as [AE4(m4‐Cl)]6(BTTC)8, which further linked to a porous three‐dimensional framework. Among the investigated AE ions (Ca, Sr, and Ba), the Ca4‐MOF demonstrated good chemical stability in water compared to Sr4‐MOF and Ba4‐MOF. The N2 adsorption and solid‐state UV‐vis‐NIR absorption behaviors were evaluated for all AE4‐MOFs, showing similar trends among the different metal ions. Additionally, the proton conduction study revealed that the Ca4‐MOF exhibited ultra‐high proton conductivity, reaching 3.52×10−2 S cm−1 at 343 K and 98 % RH. Notably, the introduction of LiCl via guest exchange resulted in an improved proton conduction of up to 6.36×10−2 S cm−1 under similar conditions in the modified LiCl@Ca4‐MOF. The findings shed light on the regulation of physical properties and proton conductivity of AE‐MOFs, providing valuable insights for their potential applications in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of addition of lithium chloride on the lateral diffusivity and internal motion of lipid in unilamellar dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) vesicles was investigated using elastic incoherent neutron scattering, quasielastic incoherent neutron scattering, and differential scanning calorimetry. A shift of the main phase transition to a higher temperature indicated a broader temperature range of the thermodynamic stability of the ordered phase resulting from the salt addition. A universal stiffening effect exerted by lithium chloride on the lipid membrane manifested itself in (1) lower mean-square displacement and (2) decreasing diffusivities, both lateral and localized, in both the ordered gel and the disordered fluid phase state. A strong reduction in the lateral lipid diffusivity was likely primarily due to the strong interaction of Li+ ions with the head group of the zwitterionic DMPC lipid and was consistent with the previous reports of the effect of a salt addition on the self-diffusivity of zwitterionic lipids in a membrane. Besides the whole lipid long-range diffusivity, quasielastic neutron scattering allowed measurements of the local internal motion of the lipid. Despite the weak interaction between the ions and the uncharged lipid tails, in both the ordered and the disordered phase states, the local diffusivity of the lipid tails decreased by a factor of 2.2 in the presence of the salt, which closely correlates with the decrease in the diffusivity (that is, an increase in viscosity) of water in the LiCl salt solution by a factor of 2.4. Regardless of the phase state of the membrane, the decrease in the local diffusivity of the lipid seems to mimic the decrease in the diffusivity (which is inverse of the increase of viscosity) of the solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrial fibrosis serves as an arrhythmogenic substrate in atrial fibrillation (AF) and contributes to AF persistence. Treating atrial fibrosis is challenging because atrial fibroblast activity is multifactorial. We hypothesized that the primary cilium regulates the profibrotic response of AF atrial fibroblasts, and explored therapeutic potentials of targeting primary cilia to treat fibrosis in AF. We included 25 patients without AF (non-AF) and 26 persistent AF patients (AF). Immunohistochemistry using a subset of the patients (non-AF: n = 10, AF: n = 10) showed less ciliated fibroblasts in AF versus non-AF. Acetylated α-tubulin protein levels were decreased in AF, while the gene expressions of AURKA and NEDD9 were highly increased in AF patients' left atrium. Loss of primary cilia in human atrial fibroblasts through IFT88 knockdown enhanced expression of ECM genes, including FN1 and COL1A1. Remarkably, restoration or elongation of primary cilia by an AURKA selective inhibitor or lithium chloride, respectively, prevented the increased expression of ECM genes induced by different profibrotic cytokines in atrial fibroblasts of AF patients. Our data reveal a novel mechanism underlying fibrotic substrate formation via primary cilia loss in AF atrial fibroblasts and suggest a therapeutic potential for abrogating atrial fibrosis by restoring primary cilia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An l-glutamic acid lithium chloride (LGLC) semi-organic nonlinear optical crystal has been grown using a slow evaporation process. Single-crystal XRD investigations confirmed the orthorhombic crystal system of the LGLC crystal. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to find and confirm the presence of important functional groups in the synthesized crystal. A UV–Vis–NIR transmission spectrum in the 200–1100 nm band was used to characterize the crystal. Compared to the standard reference crystal KDP, the LGLC crystal's SHG efficiency was 1.21 times greater. According to the TG–DTA results, the thermal stability of LGLC is 215 °C. A photoluminescence spectroscopy analysis documented the electron excitation in the grown crystal. The grown crystal surface characteristics were studied using scanning electron microscopy. Third-order nonlinear susceptibility χ(3) = 2.154 × 10–8 of LGLC grown crystal was utilized to estimate the values for third-order NLO characteristics and its suitability in NLO applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to further develop the commercial use of Melaleuca bracteata (F. Muell), this report studied the extraction of essential oil from Melaleuca bracteata (F. Muell) leaves using ultrasonic pretreatment, cellulase-inorganic salt soaked and combined with microwave-assisted hydrodistillation. To optimize the primary contributing parameters, the Box–Behnken design (BBD) was applied. The optimum yield of essential oil was 9.61 mL/kg DW at a microwave power of 510.77 W, lithium chloride dose of 63.56 μmol, and microwave irradiation period of 46.97 min. The essential oil included a total of 41 compounds, and methyl eugenol (76.53%) and methyl cinnamate (12.62%) were the main compounds. The inhibitory impact was notable when the essential oil concentration was 1.6 mg/mL. Therefore, it has the potential to replace chemical pesticides. When the concentration of the essential oil solution was 1.6 mg/mL, the three pathogenic species of fungus (Pseudocercospora psidii, Colletotrichum eriobotryae, and Colletotrichum siamense) were greatly affected; at this dose, the fungus was unable to develop and its growth diameter was 0 mm. Additionally, the fungus's inhibition rate reached 100%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional lithium hydroxide production techniques, like lithium sulfate and lithium carbonate causticizing methods, suffer from drawbacks including high specific energy consumption, time-consuming processes, and low recovery rates. The conversion of lithium chloride to lithium hydroxide using bipolar membrane electrodialysis is straightforward; however, the influence of operational parameters on bipolar membrane electrodialysis performance have not been investigated. Herein, the impact of the current density (20 mA/cm2~80 mA/cm2), feed concentration (0.5 M~2.5 M), initial feed pH (2.5, 3.5 and 4.5), and the volume ratio of the feed and base solution (1:1, 2:1 and 3:1) on the current efficiency and specific energy consumption in the bipolar membrane electrodialysis was systematically investigated. The bipolar membrane electrodialysis process showed promising results under optimal conditions with a current density of 50 mA/cm2 and an initial lithium chloride concentration of 1.5 M. This process achieved a current efficiency of 75.86% with a specific energy consumption of 3.65 kwh/kg lithium hydroxide while also demonstrating a lithium hydroxide recovery rate exceeding 90% with a purity of about 95%. This work will provide valuable guidance for hands on implementation of bipolar membrane electrodialysis technology in the production of LiOH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) plays a crucial role in advancing state‐of‐the‐art lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) for efficient energy storage. The primary source of lithium is lithium‐rich brines, which have complex compositions. Conventional extraction processes from brines involve cumbersome methods that often lead to emissions and/or large volumes of wastewater. To address these environmental challenges, a novel and eco‐friendly lithium extraction process under ambient pressure is necessary. In this project, we developed an electrolytic process utilizing a NASICON‐type solid‐state electrolyte (LATP) to extract lithium chloride from low‐purity sources at a temperature of 380 °C. To reduce the melting points of the lithium sources, ZnCl2 was introduced as a fluxing agent. The electrolytic process effectively separated Li+ from other coexisting ions, but resulted in their mixture with Zn2+. Subsequently, purification and carbonation processes were employed to produce high‐purity Li2CO3 (98.9 %). We also obtained high‐purity Zn(OH)2 (>99.9 %) as a value by‐product. Despite the formation of color centers that caused the LATP disk to change from white to black during the electrolytic process, it exhibited sufficient ionic conductivity for successful lithium extraction. Our environmentally friendly approach offers a promising pathway for efficient and sustainable lithium extraction, contributing to the advancement of LIB technology for energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]