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Reproducing neural functions with artificial nanofluidic systems has long been an aspirational goal for neuromorphic computing. In this study, neural functions, such as neural activation and synaptic plasticity, are successfully accomplished with a polarity-switchable nanofluidic memristor (PSNM), which is based on the anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) nanochannel array. The PSNM has unipolar memristive behavior at high electrolyte concentrations and bipolar memristive behavior at low electrolyte concentrations, which can emulate neural activation and synaptic plasticity, respectively. The mechanisms for the unipolar and bipolar memristive behaviors are related to the polyelectrolytic Wien (PEW) effect and ion accumulation/depletion effect, respectively. These findings are beneficial to the advancement of neuromorphic computing on nanofluidic platforms.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising candidates for electrochemical energy storage and conversion due to their high specific surface areas, abundant active sites, and excellent chemical and structural tunability. However, the direct utilization of MOFs as electrochemical materials is a challenge because of the poor electroconductivity induced by the insulating nature of most organic linkers. Herein, a conjugated three-dimensional Ni-MOF {Ni(HBTC)(BPE)} n ( Ni-BPE ) with a 2-fold interpenetrating structure was developed via the coordination polymerization of Ni 2+ , a H 3 BTC ligand (1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid), and a vinyl-functionalized bipyridine linker (1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene, BPE). Ni-BPE displayed an enhanced conjugation system compared to analogous and insulated Ni-BPY that is constructed by the Ni-BTC layer and ordinary bipyridine linker (4,4'-bipyridine, BPY). Notably, upgrading structural conjugation promoted a dramatical ∼204 times increase in the electroconductivity of Ni-BPE compared to Ni-BPY . More importantly, Ni-BPE displayed a higher specific capacitance of 633.2 F g -1 (316.6 C g -1 ) at 1 A g -1 , which exhibited a significant ∼1.5-fold enhancement than Ni-BPY . Furthermore, the asymmetric supercapacitor can reach a good energy density of 25.2 Wh kg -1 with a reasonable cycle stability of 71.0% over 5000 cycles. This work provides an effective method for optimizing the structure of insulating MOFs to enhance the electroconductivity and specific capacitance.

Lithium (Li) metal batteries hold significant promise in elevating energy density, yet their performance at ultralow temperatures remains constrained by sluggish charge transport kinetics and the formation of unstable interphases. In conventional electrolyte systems, lithium ions are tightly locked in the solvation structure, thereby engendering difficulty in the desolvation process and further exacerbating solvent decomposition. Herein, we propose a new push-pull electrolyte design strategy, utilizing molecular electrostatic potential (ESP) screening to identify 2,2-difluoroethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (DTF) as an optimal cosolvent. Importantly, DTF exhibits a moderate ESP minimum (-21.0 kcal mol -1 ) to strike a balance between overly strong and overly weak Li ion affinity, which allows the sulfonyl group to effectively pull Li ions without disrupting the anion-rich solvation structure. Simultaneously, the difluoromethyl group, with a high ESP maximum (37.3 kcal mol -1 ), pushes solvent molecules via competitive hydrogen bonding. This design reconstructs existing solvation structures and expedites Li ion desolvation. Furthermore, fluorinated DTF demonstrates excellent stability at elevated voltage and facilitates the formation of robust inorganic-rich interphases. Impressively, rapid charge transfer kinetics can be achieved employing designed electrolyte, and the LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 (NMC811)||Li cells demonstrate excellent charge-discharge cycling stability with a high capacity exceeding 153 mAh g -1 even at -40 °C, retaining over 93% of initial capacity after 100 cycles under a 4.8 V charging cutoff. This work provides insights into the design of low-temperature electrolytes with a wide electrochemical window, advancing the development of batteries for extreme conditions.

Numerous effective bioisosteric replacements have been identified through substituting scaffolds and functional groups in lead molecules with alternative ones that preserve or enhance the desired biological activity of the original compound. Here, a copper-catalyzed nucleophilic cycloisomerization was developed to access potential bioisosteric replacements of azepinoindole. In this process, "tetra-alkene" characteristic of indolizine undergoes a 12π electrocyclization, offering a complementary method to obtain azepinoindolizine derivatives that are otherwise challenging to prepare through conventional means.

Domain boundaries (DBs) in charge density wave (CDW) systems not only are important for understanding the mechanism of how CDW interplays with other quantum phases but also have potential for future CDW-based nanodevices. However, current research on DBs in CDW materials has been mainly limited to those between homochiral CDW domains, whereas DBs between heterochiral CDW domains, especially in the atomic layers, remain largely unexplored. Here, we have studied the geometric and electronic states of heterochiral DBs in single-layer and bilayer 1T-NbSe 2 using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy. We observe the existence of diverse CDW configurations in a single heterochiral CDW DB with atomic resolution and reveal the corresponding electronic states. In addition, interlayer stacking further enriches the electronic properties of the DB. Our results offer deep insights into the relationship between the detailed CDW nanostructures and electronic behaviors, which has significant implications for DB engineering in strongly correlated CDW systems and related nanodevices.

High-entropy materials (HEMs) have recently emerged as a prominent research focus in materials science, gaining considerable attention because of their complex composition and exceptional properties. These materials typically comprise five or more elements mixed approximately in equal atomic ratios. The resultant high-entropy effects, lattice distortions, slow diffusion, and cocktail effects contribute to their unique physical, chemical, and optical properties. This study reviews the electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of HEMs and explores their potential applications. Additionally, it discusses the theoretical calculation methods and preparation techniques for HEMs, thereby offering insights and prospects for their future development.

Receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) has emerged as an important regulator of pathologic cell death and inflammation and is implicated in the pathologies of various central nervous system diseases. In this study, we reported the development of three potent dihydropyrazole-cored RIPK1 positron emission tomography (PET) ligands [ 18 F] WL1 - 3 . Among these, [ 18 F] WL1 showed specific binding to RIPK1 in mouse brain sections in vitro through autoradiography and exhibited favorable brain kinetics in mice, characterized by a high initial uptake (brain 2 min = 4.89% ID/g) and rapid washout (brain 60 min = 0.21% ID/g). PET studies in rat brains revealed that [ 18 F] WL1 could readily penetrate the brain with specific binding confirmed by inhibition effects of unlabeled WL1 and GSK'547. Notably, [ 18 F] WL1 showed significant potential in imaging the alterations of RIPK1 in a rat brain of tumor necrosis factor α-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome model. These findings may pave the way for the future design of potent RIPK1 PET ligands.

Developing nanozyme-based free radical scavenging is a promising signal modulation approach for ECL sensing. Nevertheless, the relatively low antioxidant activity and inherent pro-oxidant activity of numerous nanozymes have significantly hindered the development of this strategy. Here a biofunctional copper-based metal-organic framework (CuMOF) with multiple enzyme-mimicking activities was employed for the modulation of the ECL immunosensor, guided by the self-cascade antioxidant reaction. The inherent SOD, CAT, and the capacity to eliminate ·OH endow CuMOF with powerful synergistic antioxidant effects while little pro-oxidant activities were displayed, enabling efficient scavenging of the O 2 ·- produced during the electrochemical oxidation of H 2 O 2 . Subsequently, the nanoconfinement effect of the layered double hydroxide was introduced to ensure a steady ECL signal. The suggested ECL immunosensor, using aflatoxin B 1 as a proof-of-concept target, demonstrated a detection range spanning from 0.001 pg/mL to 10 ng/mL, with the detection limit calculated to be 0.18 fg/mL. This exceptional achievement greatly broadens the range of possible uses for nanozyme-based radical scavenging modulated ECL analysis.

Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) show promise in tumor treatment. However, the E3 ligases VHL and CRBN, commonly used in PROTAC, are highly expressed in only a few tumors, thus limiting the application scope and efficacy of PROTAC drugs. Furthermore, the lack of tumor specificity in PROTAC drugs can result in toxic side effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop tumor-selective PROTAC drugs that do not rely on endogenous E3 ligases. In this study, we introduce the ClickRNA-PROTAC system, which involves the expression of a fusion protein of the E3 ubiquitin ligase SIAH1 and SNAPTag through mRNA transfection and recruits the protein of interest (POI) using bio-orthogonal click chemistry. ClickRNA-PROTAC can effectively degrade various proteins such as BRD4, KRAS, and NFκB simply by replacing the warhead molecules. By employing a tumor-specific mRNA-responsive translation strategy, ClickRNA-PROTAC can selectively degrade POIs in tumor cells. Furthermore, ClickRNA-PROTAC demonstrated strong efficacy in targeted cancer therapy in a xenograft mouse model of adrenocortical carcinoma. In conclusion, this approach offers several advantages, including independence from endogenous E3 ubiquitin ligases, tumor specificity, and programmability, thereby paving the way for the development of PROTAC drugs.

In recent years, more and more organic π-conjugated moieties have been screened out to create excellent ultraviolet (UV) and deep-UV nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal materials. However, NLO crystals with organic groups usually exhibit poor thermal stability compared with those of traditional inorganic NLO materials. Herein, the organic group [HCOO], which is similar to traditional planar trigonal π-conjugated anionic groups, was employed to successfully build three UV NLO crystals RE (HCOO) 3 ( RE = Eu, Gd, and Dy) and two centrosymmetric compounds RE (HCOO) 2 (OH) ( RE = Eu, and Gd) with superior thermal stability. Their structures and properties were further studied and characterized, especially the structure evolutions between noncentrosymmetric RE (HCOO) 3 ( RE = Eu, Gd, and Dy) and centrosymmetric RE (HCOO) 2 (OH) ( RE = Eu, and Gd), as well as the NLO properties of the three crystals RE (HCOO) 3 ( RE = Eu, Gd, and Dy).

Observing a single biomolecule performing its function is fundamental in biophysics as it provides important information for elucidating the mechanism. High-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) is a unique and powerful technique that allows the observation of biomolecular motion in a near-native environment. However, the spatial resolution of HS-AFM is limited by the physical size of the cantilever tip, which restricts the ability to obtain atomic details of molecules. In this study, we propose a novel computational algorithm designed to derive atomistic models of conformational dynamics from AFM images. Our method uses normal-mode analysis to describe the expected motions of the molecule, allowing these motions to be represented with a limited number of coordinates. This approach mitigates the problem of overinterpretation inherent in the analysis of AFM images with limited resolution. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm, NMFF-AFM, using synthetic data sets for three proteins that undergo significant conformational changes. NMFF-AFM is a fast and user-friendly program that requires minimal setup and has the potential to be a valuable tool for biophysical studies using HS-AFM.

Acetochlor residues can contaminate anoxic habitats where anaerobic microbial transformation dominates. Herein, a highly efficient anaerobic acetochlor-degrading consortium ACT6 was enriched using sulfate and acetochlor as selection pressures. The acclimated consortium ACT6 showed an 8.7-fold increase in its ability to degrade acetochlor compared with the initial consortium ACT1. Two degradation pathways of acetochlor were found: reductive dechlorination and thiol-substitution dechlorination in the chloroacetyl group, in which the latter dominated. Acclimation enhanced the abundances of Desulfovibrio , Proteiniclasticum , and Lacrimispora from 0.7 to 28.0% (40-fold), 4.7 to 18.1% (4-fold), and 2.3 to 12.3% (5-fold), respectively, which were positively correlated with sulfate concentrations and acetochlor degradation ability. Three acetochlor-degrading anaerobes were isolated from the acclimated consortium ACT6, namely Cupidesulfovibrio sp. SRB-5, Proteiniclasticum sp. BAD-10, and Lacrimispora sp. BAD-7. This study provides new insights into the anaerobic catabolism of acetochlor and the anaerobic treatment of acetochlor in wastewater.

Effective, precise, and controllable oxygen delivery is crucial for regulating the oxygenation balance of brain tissue at the early stages of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) because the absence of oxygen may result in a series of highly interconnected vascular-neural pathological events, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuroapoptosis. In this study, platelet membrane-reassembled oxygen nanobubbles (PONBs) were constructed for oxygen delivery to protect AIS. Benefiting from the preserved natural targeting ability of platelet membranes, oxygen can be controlled release into the hypoxia lesion at the preperfusion stage due to vascular injury targeting and oxygen sustained diffusion capability after PONBs administration. Furthermore, synergizing with bioactive components carried by platelet membranes, PONBs can inhibit post-AIS vascular occlusion and maintain blood-brain barrier integrity, thereby facilitating enhanced oxygen delivery of PONBs, establishing a positive feedback loop between oxygen delivery and AIS protection. Additionally, the accumulation of PONBs enhances the ultrasound imaging contrast, enabling precise localization and dynamic monitoring of AIS lesions. Thus, PONBs represent a promising strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of AIS.

A multiplex assay of mycotoxins in food and medicine is urgently needed and challenging due to synergistic hazards of trace mycotoxins and a lack of sensitive and user-friendly detection approaches. Herein, a cobalt DNA-inorganic hybrid superstructure (Co@DS) was developed through isothermal rolling circle amplification (RCA) for an ultrasensitive chemiluminescence (CL) imaging assay of multiple mycotoxins. Cobalt ions were enriched in the RCA product, endowing the Co@DS with a high CL catalytic property. Experimental studies elucidated the formation and CL catalytic mechanism of Co@DS. Co@DS was facilely integrated with biotinylated DNA to function as a universal platform and combined with a disposable immunosensor array chip. After a competitive immunoassay and biotin-avidin recognition, the CL signals of luminol and hydrogen peroxide, catalyzed by Co@DS captured on each testing zone of the array chip, were imaged simultaneously. Target mycotoxins can be quantitated by CL intensities. To validate the concept, the CL imaging approach was employed for joint determination of aflatoxin B 1 , ochratoxins A, and zearalenone. Under optimal conditions, it showed advantages including simple sample pretreatment, acceptable throughput, high accuracy, minimal sample consumption, broad linear ranges, and detection limits as low as 0.75, 0.62, and 0.61 pg mL -1 , respectively. Furthermore, the approach was applied in analyzing real coix seed samples, showcasing excellent performance in effectively distinguishing qualified and contaminated medicine, revealing the great potential in managing the complex issue of mycotoxins cocontamination in food and medicine.

Exploring the relationship between semiconductor structure and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity was essential for the development of ultrasensitive SERS substrates. Herein, we report an ytterbium atomic doping strategy to render TiO 2 (Yb-TiO 2 ) highly SERS sensitive superior to pure TiO 2 , with a detection limit as low as 1 × 10 -9 M for 4-mercaptobenzoic acid. First-principles density functional theory calculations reveal that ytterbium doping leads to high electrostatic properties, allowing for significant charge transfer from molecules to semiconductors. Theoretical and experimental results indicate that Yb-TiO 2 has a smaller band gap and higher density of states, which effectively enhance charge transfer between molecules and substrates, resulting in significant SERS activity. More importantly, Yb-TiO 2 was particularly stable in air and acid solution and can be used for trace molecule detection in extreme environments. We demonstrate a promising approach to construct ultrasensitive SERS by optimizing the electronic structure induced by geometric structures.

The utilization of MnO 2 /Mn 2+ chemistry in near-neutral pH acetate aqueous electrolytes provides an opportunity to achieve a higher energy density (theoretical capacity 616 mA h/g, discharge platform >1.5 V). However, this Zn-MnO 2 aqueous battery suffers from inevitable "dead Mn" and proton corrosion. In this study, we discover that the diffusion of the cathode reaction intermediate Mn 3+ is intrinsic for the generation of "dead Mn", and the accumulation of "dead Mn" increases the H + which shuttles to the anode, inducing serious corrosion. A pH-neutral hydrogel ion-anchored strategy is proposed here not only to restrict the diffusion of Mn 3+ but also to suppress the proton transference. This hydrogel ion anchor is designed by deprotonating a series of monomers undergoing in situ free radical polymerization at the cathode interface. The anionic monomer with a moderate binding energy to manganese ions is screened to anchor Mn 3+ , which enhances the reversibility of the MnO 2 /Mn 2+ reaction. Simultaneously, a substantial amount of anionic groups and hydrophilic functional groups in the hydrogel effectively constrains the proton shuttle to corrode the anode. Consequently, the Zn/MnO 2 battery achieves exceptional cyclic stability of the MnO 2 /Mn 2+ reaction, sustaining 8500 cycles even at a relatively low current density and discharge current density of 1 mA/cm 2 . Our findings highlight the importance of anchoring Mn 3+ at the cathode interface and offer valuable insights for advancing practical applications of MnO 2 /Mn 2+ reactions.

Herein, we report the enantioselective phosphine-catalyzed β,γ-annulation of electron-poor allenes with bifunctional malonates. The reaction exploits a 2C phosphonium synthon that when accessed using ( R )-SITCP gives 23 cyclopentanes with high stereoselectivity (most >95:5 er and >9:1 dr) and yield. In addition to the (3+2) annulation, a one-pot three-component variant to give the same cyclopentanes and a (3+2) annulation/Dieckmann cyclization cascade, along with mechanistic studies, are reported.

Immobilizing catalysts and photosensitizers on an electrode surface is crucial in interfacial energy conversion. However, their combination for optimizing catalytic performance is an unpredictable challenge. Herein, we report that catalyst and photosensitizer monomers are selectively grafted one-by-one addition onto the electrode surface by interfacial electrosynthesis to achieve composition and sequence-controlled oligomer photoelectrocatalytic monolayers. This electrosynthesis relies on the oxidative coupling reaction of carbazole and the reductive coupling reaction of vinyl on the catalyst and photosensitizer monomers, and it initiates on self-assembled monolayers and propagates with alternating positive and negative potentials. Each addition and completion of the target monomer can be quantitatively identified and monitored by optical and electrical responses and their linear coefficients as a function of reaction steps. The resulting composition and sequence-controlled monolayers exhibit tuning electrocatalytic behaviors including water splitting and CO 2 reduction, indicating an efficient way to optimize the electro- and photocatalytic functions and performance of molecular materials.

The highly efficient synthesis of chiral indolines fused with an azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanone moiety is achieved by an asymmetric dearomatization reaction of indoles with cyclobutanones. A new chiral imidodiphosphorimidate (IDPi) catalyst is synthesized and exhibits extraordinary activity in promoting a cascade Friedel-Crafts/semipinacol rearrangement. Target molecules are prepared in good yields (up to 95%) with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 98% ee) with operational convenience. Combined experimental and computational studies provide detailed mechanistic insights into the energy landscape and origin of the stereochemical induction of the reaction.

Flexible strain sensors have been widely used in wearable electronics. However, the fabrication of flexible strain sensors with a large strain detection range, high sensitivity, and negligible hysteresis remains a formidable challenge, even after enormous advancements in the field. Herein, a flexible microfluidic strain sensor was fabricated by filling poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate-MXene-gold (PEDOT:PSS-MXene-Au) nanocomposites into microchannels in an elastic matrix. Owing to the unique properties of the nanofiller and Ecoflex elastomer microchannel, the microfluidic strain sensor detected a strain of 0%-500% with low hysteresis (2.4%), high sensitivity (guage factor = 25.4), short response times (∼86 ms), and good durability. Moreover, the flexible microfluidic sensor was used to detect various physiological signals and human activities, control a mechanical hand, and capture hand motions in real time. As demonstrated by its good performance, the proposed flexible microfluidic sensor holds great potential in applications such as wearable electronics, physiological signal monitoring and human-machine interactions.

PD-L1-positive extracellular vesicles (PD-L1 + EVs) play a pivotal role as predictive biomarkers in cancer immunotherapy. These vesicles, originating from immune cells (I-PD-L1 + EVs) and tumor cells (T-PD-L1 + EVs), hold distinct clinical predictive values, emphasizing the importance of deeply differentiating the PD-L1 + EV subtypes for effective liquid biopsy analyses. However, current methods such as ELISA lack the ability to differentiate their cellular sources. In this study, a novel step-wedge microfluidic chip that combines magnetic microsphere separation with single-layer fluorescence counting is developed. This chip integrates magnetic microspheres modified with anti-PD-L1 antibodies and fluorescent nanoparticles targeting EpCAM (tumor cell marker) or CD45 (immunocyte marker), enabling simultaneous quantification and sensitive analysis of PD-L1 + EV subpopulations in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients' saliva without background interference. Analysis results indicate reduced levels of I-PD-L1 + EVs in OSCC patients compared to those in healthy individuals, with varying levels of heterogeneous PD-L1 + EVs observed among different patient groups. During immunotherapy, responders exhibit decreased levels of total PD-L1 + EVs and T-PD-L1 + EVs, accompanied by reduced levels of I-PD-L1 + EVs. Conversely, nonresponders show increased levels of I-PD-L1 + EVs. Utilizing the step-wedge microfluidic chip allows for simultaneous detection of PD-L1 + EV subtypes, facilitating the precise prediction of oral cancer immunotherapy outcomes.

In conventional metal-organic framework (MOF) luminophore-involved electrochemiluminescence (ECL) systems, the aggregation-caused quenching commonly exists for the organic luminescent ligands, limiting the ECL efficiency and detection sensitivity. Herein, by employing the aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen) 1,1,2,2-tetra(4-carboxylbiphenyl)ethylene (H 4 TCBPE) as a ligand, one high-efficiency ECL emitter (Zr-MOF) was synthesized through a simple hydrothermal reaction. Compared with H 4 TCBPE monomers and their aggregates, the resultant Zr-MOF possesses the strongest ECL emission, which is mainly attributed to the framework-induced ECL enhancement. Specifically, the heterostructure was prepared by the deposition of silver nanoparticles on TiO 2 microflowers and utilized as an efficient coreaction accelerator. Remarkably, the formative heterojunction can increase the interfacial charge transfer efficiency and promote the carrier separation, facilitating the oxidation of coreactant tripropylamine. In this way, a novel aptamer-mediated ECL sensing platform is constructed, achieving the sensitive analysis of adenosine triphosphate with a low detection limit of 0.17 nM. As a proof-of-concept study, this work may enlighten the rational design of new-type MOF-based ECL materials and expand the application scope of the ECL technology.

Greatly improving the sensitivity and detection range of lateral flow immunoassays (LFAs) by at least 100 times without using additional instruments remains challenging. Herein, we develop a three-dimensional (3D) film-like nanozyme (GO-Pt 30 -AuPt 5 ) by ordered assembly of one layer of 30 nm Pt nanoparticles (NPs) and one layer of small Au@Pt satellites (5 nm) onto a two-dimensional (2D) graphene oxide (GO) nanofilm, in which GO greatly increased the interface area and stability of the nanozyme whereas Pt and Au@Pt NPs synergistically enhanced colorimetric/catalytic activities. The grafting of outer Au@Pt satellites converted the 2D nanofilm into a 3D flexible nanozyme with numerous catalytic sites for enzymatic deposition signal amplification and binding sites for target capture. The introduction of GO-Pt 30 -AuPt 5 into multiplex LFA achieved the ultrasensitive and simultaneous detection of two important respiratory viruses with sensitivity of 1 pg/mL level, which was about 100 times higher than that without signal enrichment and at least 20 and 1900 times higher than those of traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and AuNP-based LFA, respectively. The clinical utility of the proposed assay was validated through the diagnosis of 49 real clinical respiratory tract specimens. Our proposed LFA shows great potential for the ultrasensitive screening of pathogens in the field.

Metallic biomaterials, including traditional bioinert materials (such as stainless steel, cobalt-chromium alloys, pure titanium, and titanium alloys), novel biodegradable metals (such as pure magnesium and magnesium alloys, pure zinc and zinc alloys, and pure iron and iron alloys), and biomedical metallic glasses, have been widely used and studied as various biomedical implants and devices. Many scientists and researchers have investigated their superior biomechanical properties, corrosion behavior, and biocompatibility. However, their surface characteristics are of extreme importance due to continuing interactions between the surface/interface of an implanted metallic biomaterial and the surrounding physiological environment. Surface morphologies on these metallic biomaterials can modulate their in vitro and in vivo biological responses. In this review, we have summarized and investigated the effect of various surface morphologies on the corrosion behavior, cellular response, antibacterial activity, and osteogenesis of biomedical metallic materials. In addition, future research directions and challenges of surface morphologies on biomedical metallic materials have been elaborated. This review can lay a theoretical and practical foundation for further research and development on biomedical metallic materials.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) are heterogeneous cancers that still require better and less toxic treatments. SIRT3, a member of the sirtuin family of NAD + -dependent protein deacylase, is critical for DLBCL growth and survival. A mitochondria-targeted SIRT3 small-molecule inhibitor, YC8-02, exhibits promising activity against DLBCL. However, YC8-02 has several limitations including poor solubility. Here, we report our medicinal chemistry efforts that led to an improved mitochondria-targeted SIRT3 inhibitor, SJ-106C, achieved by using a triethylammonium group, which helps to increase both solubility and SIRT3 inhibition potency. SJ-106C, while still inhibiting SIRT1 and SIRT2, is enriched in the mitochondria to help with SIRT3 inhibition. It is more active against DLBCL than other solid tumor cells and effectively inhibits DLBCL xenograft tumor growth. The findings provide useful insights for the development of SIRT3 inhibitors and mitochondrial targeting agents and further support the notion that SIRT3 is a promising druggable target for DLBCL.

CCNE1 amplification occurs in breast cancer and currently lacks effective therapies. PKMYT1 as a synthetic lethal target for CCNE1 amplification holds promise for the treatment of CCNE1 -amplified breast cancer. Herein, we discover a series of 2-amino-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide derivatives as potent and selective PKMYT1 inhibitors using structure-based drug design. The representative compound 8ma exhibited excellent potency against PKMYT1, while sparing WEE1. It also suppressed proliferation of the CCNE1 -amplified HCC1569 breast cancer cell line and showed synergistic cytotoxicity in combination with gemcitabine. PKMYT1 X-ray cocrystallography confirmed that introduction of key binding interactions between the inhibitors and residues Asp251 and Tyr121 of PKMYT1 greatly enhanced the potency and selectivity of the compounds.

The nonlinear electric field dependence of particle electrophoresis has been demonstrated to occur in Newtonian fluids for highly charged particles under large electric fields. It has also been predicted to arise from the rheological effects of non-Newtonian fluids even at small electric fields. We present in this work an experimental verification of nonlinear electrophoresis in shear thinning xanthan gum solutions through a straight rectangular microchannel. The addition of polymer into a Newtonian buffer solution is found to change the electric field dependence from linear to superlinear for electroosmotic, electrokinetic, and electrophoretic velocities. The nonlinear index of each of these electrokinetic phenomena increases with the increasing polymer or buffer concentration, among which electrophoresis exhibits the strongest nonlinearity. Both these observed trends are captured by a dimensionless electrokinetic shear thinning number that depends on the power-law index of fluid viscosity and the Debye length.

Deformation of sessile droplets under shear flow is widespread in both nature and industry. Previous research focuses on the shedding process of sessile droplets under shear airflow, with insufficient attention paid to the droplet deformation before shedding. In this work, experimental studies on the deformation behaviors of sessile droplets under shear airflow are conducted to investigate the effects of airflow velocity and droplet volume on the tangential and normal droplet deformations. Scaling laws of the droplet deformations are established. The results show that the profile of sessile droplets changes under shear airflow with the topmost point exhibiting periodic oscillations in both tangential and normal directions. The oscillation period of the tangential deformation exceeds that of the normal deformation. The average tangential deformation of droplets increases with the increasing airflow velocity and droplet volume. The average normal deformation of droplets increases with the increasing airflow velocity and is influenced by the droplet volume at a higher airflow velocity. The contact angle on the windward side oscillates periodically, and its average value significantly decreases. The contact angle of droplets on the windward side decreases as the airflow velocity and droplet volume increase, while the contact angle on the leeward side remains almost unchanged. The average deformation of droplets in the tangential and normal directions is linearly related to the effective Weber number and the square of the effective Weber number. These findings could be used to predict the deformation of sessile droplets under shear airflows.

Two-dimensional materials, owing to their unique physical properties and high surface area, play a crucial role in intelligent sensing, particularly in the domain of atmospheric pollutant monitoring. In this work, we have extensively investigated the gas-sensing capabilities of the HfNBr monolayer for ammonia detection by introducing point defects, utilizing density functional theory and nonequilibrium Green's function calculations. Upon the introduction of point defects, the adsorption energy of HfNBr monolayers for ammonia significantly increased (from -0.162 to -1.257 eV), indicating a markedly strengthened affinity. To further elucidate the sensing mechanism, we conducted an in-depth investigation into the charge transfer dynamics, the density of states, and the charge density difference between the adsorbent and the adsorbate. Besides, we employed the NEGF method to evaluate the changes in the current-voltage characteristics of the HfNBr monolayer before and after adsorption, which revealed a remarkable change in the apparent resistance, thereby demonstrating excellent sensitivity. The exceptional performance of the HfNBr monolayer toward NH 3 demonstrates its significant value in practical applications for ammonia detection.

A metal-free method is developed to perform the synthesis of urea derivatives utilizing CO 2 as the C1 building block at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. In addition to diverse symmetric and dissymmetric ureas, benzimidazolones and quinazolinone can also be easily prepared using this protocol. Most importantly, the gram-scale preparation of fungicide pencycuron and antipsychotic drug pimavanserin proceeded smoothly under the mild conditions.

A chiral W-shaped fully π-extended double [7]helicene ( ED7H ) has been synthesized and fully characterized. It displays fluorescence emission (λ em = 636 nm) with a quantum yield (Φ f ) of 0.10. In comparison to its X-shaped and monomict π-extended [7]helicene analogues, enantiopure W-shaped ED7H exhibited superior chiral optical characteristics, including distinct circular dichroism signals from 400 to 650 nm, a good dissymmetric emission factor | g lum | of 4 × 10 -3 , and a circularly polarized luminescence brightness value B CPL of 42 M -1 cm -1 .

With their fascinating properties, emerging two-dimensional (2D) materials offer innovative ways to prepare high-performance infrared (IR) detectors. However, the current performance of 2D IR photodetectors is still below the requirements for practical application owing to the severe interfacial recombination, sharply raised contact resistance, and deteriorated metal conductivity at nanoscale. Here, we introduce a vertical barrier heterojunction with a structure of PtSe 2 /GaAs that combines the excellent optoelectronic properties of transition metal sulfides with topological semi-metals, which allows for an adjustable bandgap and high carrier mobility. The heterojunction was fabricated using the wet transfer method. The heterostructures show significant rectification behaviors and photovoltaic effects, which allow it to operate as a self-driven photodetector at zero bias. The photoresponse parameters at 850 nm with zero bias voltage are 67.2 mA W -1 , 6.7 × 10 12 Jones, 9.8%, 3.8 × 10 5 , 164 μs, and 198 μs for the responsivity, specific detectivity, external quantum efficiency, I light / I dark ratio, rise time, and fall time, respectively. Moreover, the heterojunction is highly sensitive to a wide spectral band from ultraviolet to near-infrared (360-1550 nm). At the same time, this heterostructure demonstrates significant potential for applications in IR polarized light detection and room-temperature high-resolution IR imaging. The excellent properties of the heterojunction make it well-suited for high-performance, self-powered IR detection.

The regulation solutions and mechanisms of reducing pesticide phytotoxicity to nontarget plants are not well-defined and detailed. Here, we have proposed a new detoxification strategy to control the toxic effects of herbicide imazethapyr (IM) induced in wheat seedlings from the perspective of the plasma membrane (PM) H + -ATPase. We found that the changes in PM H + -ATPase activity have a regulatory effect on the phytotoxic effects induced by IM in plants. Treatment with PM H + -ATPase activators restored the reduced auxin content and photosynthetic efficiency caused by IM, thereby promoting plant growth. Application of a PM H + -ATPase inhibitor further reduced phosphorus content and significantly increased 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2 H ,1,4-benzoxazin-3(4 H )one (DIMBOA) and jasmonic acid levels. These effects indicate that auxin and DIMBOA may regulate plant growth trends and detoxification effects mediated by PM H + -ATPase. This work opens a new strategy for regulating herbicide toxicity to nontarget plants from the PM H + -ATPase.

Layered P2-type sodium manganese oxide has emerged as a promising cathode candidate for sodium-ion batteries due to its appealing cost-effectiveness and high discharge voltage. However, its practical capacity within the voltage range of 2.0-4.0 V (vs Na + /Na) is relatively low, and its rate capability is hampered by the adverse charge/vacancy ordering during charge/discharge. In this study, a layered P'2/P3 mixed-phase Na 0.8- a Mn 0.675 Ni 0.225 Li 0.1 O 2- x cathode with high (003) crystal plane intensity was designed by introducing oxygen vacancies to P2-structured materials. Aided by these advantages, the hybrid cathode material demonstrates impressive structural and thermal stability and faster Na-ion diffusion kinetics compared to a regular P2 material. Half-cell shows an initial discharge capacity retention of 101 mA h/g at 12 mA/g and 92.25% retention after 500 cycles at 120 mA/g. In combination with a hard carbon anode, the 0.5 A h pouch cell achieved a prevailing capacity retention of 95.2% after 2600 cycles at 36 mA/g. This work opens new dimensions for layered cathode materials with the aim of achieving superior cyclabilities.

All-solid-state batteries with oxide electrolytes and high-nickel layered oxide cathodes (LiNi x Co y Mn z O 2 and LiNi x Co y Al z O 2 , x + y + z = 1, x ≥ 60%) have received widespread attention owing to their high energy density and high safety. However, they generally suffer from interfacial structural instability when coupled with solid-state electrolytes, which strongly diminishes the longevity of the battery. In this work, we propose adding a sacrificial additive C 60 to the catholyte buffer layer between Li 1.4 Al 0.4 Ti 1.6 (PO 4 ) 3 (LATP) and LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2 (NCM811) to enhance the electrochemical stability under high-voltage operating conditions. A uniform and robust cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI) film enriched with Li x PO y F z , LiP x F y , and C 60 F n is spontaneously formed on the surface of the cathode particles. In addition, the NCM811/Li solid-state battery delivers a discharge capacity of 150.3 mAh g -1 with a retention of 85% after 200 charge-discharge cycles at 0.5 C. This study offers a practical approach toward realizing LATP-based all-solid-state high-voltage batteries characterized by exceptional cycling stability.

High-fat diet (HFD) feeding is known to cause intestinal barrier disruption, thereby triggering severe intestinal inflammatory disease. Indole-3-aldehyde (IAld) has emerged as a potential candidate for mitigating inflammatory responses and maintaining intestinal homeostasis. However, the role of IAld in the HFD-related intestinal disruption remains unclear. In this study, 48 7 week-old male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to four groups: the normal chow diet (NCD) group received a NCD; the HFD group was fed an HFD; the HFD + IAld200 group was supplemented with 200 mg/kg IAld in the HFD; and the HFD + IAld600 group was supplemented with 600 mg/kg IAld in the HFD. The results showed that dietary IAld supplementation ameliorated fat accumulation and metabolic disorders, which are associated with reduced intestinal permeability. This reduction potentially led to decreased systemic inflammation and enhanced intestinal barrier function in HFD-fed mice. Furthermore, we found that IAld promoted intestinal stem cell (ISC) proliferation by activating aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AHRs) in vivo and ex vivo. These findings suggest that IAld restores the HFD-induced intestinal barrier disruption by promoting AHR-mediated ISC proliferation.

Reversible lysine acetylation is an important post-translational modification (PTM). This process in cells is typically carried out enzymatically by lysine acetyltransferases and deacetylases. The catalytic lysine in the human kinome is highly conserved and ligandable. Small-molecule strategies that enable post-translational acetylation of the catalytic lysine on kinases in a target-selective manner therefore provide tremendous potential in kinase biology. Herein, we report the first small molecule-induced chemical strategy capable of global acetylation of the catalytic lysine on kinases from mammalian cells. By surveying various lysine-acetylating agents installed on a promiscuous kinase-binding scaffold, Ac4 was identified and shown to effectively acetylate the catalytic lysine of >100 different protein kinases from live Jurkat/K562 cells. In order to demonstrate that this strategy was capable of target-selective and reversible chemical acetylation of protein kinases, we further developed six acetylating compounds on the basis of VX-680 (a noncovalent inhibitor of AURKA). Among them, Ac13 / Ac14 , while displaying excellent in vitro potency and sustained cellular activity against AURKA, showed robust acetylation of its catalytic lysine (K162) in a target-selective manner, leading to irreversible inhibition of endogenous kinase activity. The reversibility of this chemical acetylation was confirmed on Ac14 -treated recombinant AURKA protein, followed by deacetylation with SIRT3 (a lysine deacetylase). Finally, the reversible Ac13 -induced acetylation of endogenous AURKA was demonstrated in SIRT3-transfected HCT116 cells. By disclosing the first cell-active acetylating compounds capable of both global and target-selective post-translational acetylation of the catalytic lysine on kinases, our strategy could provide a useful chemical tool in kinase biology and drug discovery.

Atomic-scale insights into the interactions between metals and supports play a crucial role in optimizing catalyst design, understanding catalytic mechanisms, and enhancing chemical conversion processes. The effects of oxide support on the dynamic behavior of supported metal species during pretreatments or reactions have been attracting a lot of attention; however, very less systematic integrations are carried out experimentally using real catalysts. In this study, we here utilized facet-controlled CeO 2 as examples to explore their influence on the supported Pt species (1.0 wt %) during the reducing and oxidizing pretreatments that are typically applied in heterogeneous catalysts. By employing a combination of microscopy, spectroscopy, and first-principles calculations, it is demonstrated that the exposed crystal facets of CeO 2 govern the evolution behavior of supported Pt species under different environmental conditions. This leads to distinct local coordinations and charge states of the Pt species, which directly influence the catalytic reactivity and can be leveraged to control the catalytic performance for CO oxidation reactions.

Monotherapy, especially the use of antibodies targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), has shown limitations in treating choroidal neovascularization (CNV) since reactive oxygen species (ROS) also exacerbate CNV formation. Herein, we developed a combination therapy based on a DNA origami platform targeting multiple components of ocular neovascularization. Our study demonstrated that ocular neovascularization was markedly suppressed by intravitreal injection of a rectangular DNA origami sheet modified with VEGF aptamers (Ap) conjugated to an anti-VEGF antibody (aV) via matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-cleavable peptide linkers in a mouse model of CNV. Typically, the DNA origami-based therapeutic platform selectively accumulates in neovascularization lesions owing to the dual-targeting ability of the aV and Ap, followed by the cleavage of the peptide linker by MMPs to release the antibody. Together, the released antibody and Ap inhibited VEGF activity. Moreover, the residual bare DNA origami could effectively scavenge ROS, reducing oxidative stress at CNV sites and thus maximizing the synergistic effects of inhibiting neovascularization.

Surface charge is an important property of particles. It has been utilized to separate particles in microfluidic devices, where dielectrophoresis (DEP) is often the driving force. However, current DEP-based particle separations based on the charge differences work only for particles of similar sizes. They become less effective and may even fail for a mixture of particles differing in both charge and size. We demonstrate that our recently developed AC insulator-based dielectrophoresis (AC iDEP) technique can direct microparticles toward charge-dependent equilibrium positions in a ratchet microchannel. Such charge-based particle separation is controlled by the imposed AC voltage frequency and amplitude but is nearly unaffected by the size of either type of particle in the mixture except for the time required to achieve an effective separation. This AC iDEP technique may potentially be used to focus and separate submicron or even nanoparticles because of its virtually "infinite" channel length.

The interlayer strategy has emerged as an effective approach for modulating the interfacial polymerization process and improving the permeability and selectivity of polyamide membranes. However, the underlying mechanisms by which charged interlayers influence the interfacial polymerization process remain inadequately understood. In this study, we utilized two distinct charged cellulose nanofibers, namely, carboxylated cellulose (⊖-CNF) and quaternized cellulose ([Formula: see text]-CNF), as interlayers to regulate the interfacial polymerization process. Through simulation results, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and UV tests, we demonstrated that the [Formula: see text]-CNF interlayer, which possesses stronger hydration capability and better piperazine affinity, enhanced the diffusion of piperazine across the reaction interface compared with the ⊖-CNF interlayer. This led to an acceleration of the interfacial polymerization process and the formation of a denser membrane structure. Further investigation revealed that the charged interlayers significantly influenced the surface charging properties of the resulting nanofiltration membranes within a 30 nm range of electrostatic effects. Specifically, the ⊖-CNF interlayer conferred a higher negative charge to the membrane surface, while the [Formula: see text]-CNF interlayer endowed the membranes with a lower surface negative charge. Leveraging these differences, the ⊖-i-TFC membranes exhibited exceptional separation performance for divalent anions, achieving a SO 4 2- /Cl - selectivity of 136. Conversely, the [Formula: see text]-i-TFC membrane demonstrated an enhanced separation of divalent cations, displaying a Mg 2+ /Na + selectivity of 3.5. This study lays the groundwork for regulating the surface charging properties of polyamide membranes, offering potential advancements in nanofiltration applications.

Inflammation caused by a bacterial infection and the subsequent dysregulation of the host immune-inflammatory response are detrimental to periodontal regeneration. Herein, we present an infection-sensitive scaffold prepared by layer-by-layer assembly of Feraheme-like superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) on the surface of a three-dimensional-printed polylactic- co -glycolic acid (PLGA) scaffold. The SPION/PLGA scaffold is magnetic, hydrophilic, and bacterial-adhesion resistant. As indicated by gene expression profiling and confirmed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry analysis, the SPION/PLGA scaffold facilitates macrophage polarization toward the regenerative M2 phenotype by upregulating IL-10, which is the molecular target of repair promotion, and inhibits macrophage polarization toward the proinflammatory M1 phenotype by downregulating NLRP3, which is the molecular target of anti-inflammation. As a result, macrophages modulated by the SPS promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) in vitro . In a rat periodontal defect model, the SPION/PLGA scaffold increased IL-10 secretion and decreased NLRP3 and IL-1β secretion with Porphyromonas gingivalis infection, achieving superior periodontal regeneration than the PLGA scaffold alone. Therefore, this antibacterial SPION/PLGA scaffold has anti-inflammatory and bacterial antiadhesion properties to fight infection and promote periodontal regeneration by immunomodulation. These findings provide an important strategy for developing engineered scaffolds to treat periodontal defects.

Quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) layered perovskites with mixed dimensions offer a promising avenue for stable and efficient solar cells. However, randomly distributed three-dimensional (3D) perovskites near the film surface limit the device performance of quasi-2D perovskites due to increased nonradiative recombination and ion migration. Herein, we construct a 2D ( n = 4 top)-3D-2D ( n = 2 bottom) heterostructure of quasi-2D perovskites by using 3-chlorobenzylamine iodine, which can effectively reduce defect density and restrain ion migration. A champion efficiency of 22.22% for quasi-2D perovskite solar cells is achieved due to remarkably reduced nonradiative voltage loss and increased electron extraction. Additionally, the 2D-3D-2D perovskite solar cells also exhibit excellent thermal and humidity stabilities, retaining over 90 and 85% of the initial efficiencies after 2000 h under a heat stress of 65 °C and at air ambient of ∼50% humidity, respectively. Our results provide a general approach to tune perovskite films for suppressing ion migration and achieving high-performance perovskite solar cells.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex process that plays a critical role in tumor progression. In this study, we present an EMT sensing panel for the classification of cancer cells at different EMT stages. This sensing panel consists of three types of fluorescent probes based on boronic acid-functionalized carbon-nitride nanosheet (BCN) derivatives. The selective response toward different EMT-associated biomarkers, namely, EpCAM, N-cadherin, and sialic acid (SA), was achieved by conjugating the corresponding antibodies to each BCN derivative, whereas the rare-earth-doping ensures simultaneous sensing of the three biomarkers with fluorescent emission of the three probes at different wavelengths. Sensitive sensing of the three biomarkers was achieved at the protein level with LODs reaching 1.35 ng mL -1 for EpCAM, 1.62 ng mL -1 for N-cadherin, and 1.54 ng mL -1 for SA. The selective response of these biomarkers on the cell surface also facilitated sensitive detection of MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells with LODs of 2 cells/mL and 2 cells/mL, respectively. Based on the simultaneous sensing of the three biomarkers on cancer cells that underwent different extents of EMT, precise discrimination and classification of cells at various EMT stages were also achieved with an accuracy of 93.3%. This EMT sensing panel provided a versatile tool for monitoring the EMT evolution process and has the potential to be used for the evaluation of the EMT-targeting therapy and metastasis prediction.

The small molecule epiberberine (EPI) is a natural alkaloid with versatile bioactivities against several diseases including cancer and bacterial infection. EPI can induce the formation of a unique binding pocket at the 5' side of a human telomeric G-quadruplex (HTG) sequence with four telomeric repeats (Q4), resulting in a nanomolar binding affinity ( K D approximately 26 nM) with significant fluorescence enhancement upon binding. It is important to understand (1) how EPI binding affects HTG structural stability and (2) how enhanced EPI binding may be achieved through the engineering of the DNA binding pocket. In this work, the EPI-binding-induced HTG structure stabilization effect was probed by a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) invasion assay in combination with a series of biophysical techniques. We show that the PNA invasion-based method may be useful for the characterization of compounds binding to DNA (and RNA) structures under physiological conditions without the need to vary the solution temperature or buffer components, which are typically needed for structural stability characterization. Importantly, the combination of theoretical modeling and experimental quantification allows us to successfully engineer Q4 derivative Q4-ds-A by a simple extension of a duplex structure to Q4 at the 5' end. Q4-ds-A is an excellent EPI binder with a K D of 8 nM, with the binding enhancement achieved through the preformation of a binding pocket and a reduced dissociation rate. The tight binding of Q4 and Q4-ds-A with EPI allows us to develop a novel magnetic bead-based affinity purification system to effectively extract EPI from Rhizoma coptidis (Huang Lian) extracts.

A fundamental understanding of the fluid flow mechanism during CH 4 hydrate dissociation in nanoscale clayey sediments from the molecular perspective can provide invaluable information for macroscale natural gas hydrate (NGH) exploration. In this work, the fluid flow behaviors of the decomposed gas from CH 4 hydrate within clayey nanopores under different temperature conditions are revealed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The simulation results indicate that the key influencing factors of gas-water flow in nanoscale clayey sediments include the diffusion and the random migration of gas molecules. The influencing mechanisms of fluid flow in nanopores are closely related with the temperature conditions. Under a low temperature condition, the gas diffusion process is impeded by the secondary hydrate formation, leading to the decline in gas transport velocity within nanopores. However, it is still noteworthy that the gas-water fluid flow channels are not completely blocked by the occurrence of secondary hydrate. Under a high temperature condition, the significant phenomenon of water migration during gas flow is observed, which can be ascribed to the gas-liquid entrainment effect in nanopores of the clayey sediment. These results may provide valuable implications and fundamental evidence for improving gas production efficiency in future field tests of NGH exploitation in marine sediments.

Intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation is a leading cause of disability and lower back pain, causing enormous socioeconomic burdens. The standard of care for disc herniation is nucleotomy, which alleviates pain but does not repair the annulus fibrosus (AF) defect nor recover the biomechanical function of the disc. Existing bioadhesives for AF repair are limited by insufficient adhesion and significant mechanical and geometrical mismatch with the AF tissue, resulting in the recurrence of protrusion or detachment of bioadhesives. Here, we report a composite hydrogel sealant constructed from a composite of a three-dimensional (3D)-printed thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) mesh and tough hydrogel. We tailored the fiber angle and volume fraction of the TPU mesh design to match the angle-ply structure and mechanical properties of native AF. Also, we proposed and tested three types of geometrical design of the composite hydrogel sealant to match the defect shape and size. Our results show that the sealant could mimic native AF in terms of the elastic modulus, flexural modulus, and fracture toughness and form strong adhesion with the human AF tissue. The bovine IVD tests show the effectiveness of the composite hydrogel sealant for AF repair and biomechanics recovery and for preventing herniation with its heightened stiffness and superior adhesion. By harnessing the combined capabilities of 3D printing and bioadhesives, these composite hydrogel sealants demonstrate promising potential for diverse applications in tissue repair and regeneration.

The enhancement of piezoelectricity without compromising the Curie temperature of a piezoelectric is challenging due to phenomenological incompatibility. In the present work, the phase diagram of (0.68- x )BiFeO 3 - x BiScO 3 -0.32PbTiO 3 , with varied addition of BiScO 3 ( x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20), was constructed through systematic studies of the dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties. A rhombohedral-tetragonal phase boundary was observed near x = 0.10 BiScO 3 addition, of which the piezoelectricity was found to be seven times larger than that without BiScO 3 (∼208 pm/V vs ∼38 pm/V). Most importantly, a high Curie temperature of 430 °C is successfully inherited from binary 0.68BiFeO 3 -0.32PbTiO 3 . This is explained by optimized Bi compensation, which is observed critical regulating Curie temperature in BFO-based binary and ternary systems. These results open up a paradigm for collaboratively optimizing the Curie temperature and piezoelectric response for a number of ferroelectrics and provide a promising BiFeO 3 -BiScO 3 -PbTiO 3 film with integrated prominent performance for potential applications at elevated temperatures.

Low-cost sodium-ion batteries have demonstrated great prospects in energy storage, among which layered transition metal oxides hold great potential as a cathode material. However, the notorious phase transition in layered cathode materials has greatly hampered their cycle life due to large volume changes upon desodiation/sodiation. In this study, by adopting an O3-type NaNi 1/3 Fe 1/3 Mn 1/3 O 2 (NFM) with controlled synthesis temperatures, we have revealed that the grain size is closely related to its phase transition behaviors. The layered material with a smaller grain size and more distorted lattice tends to experience a shorter plateau of the O3-P3-O3 phase transitions during the charge/discharge process. Despite having a lower nominal discharge capacity without the phase transition plateau, its cycling stability increases from 77.4% to 96.2% after 100 cycles with greatly reduced intragranular cracks. The smaller grain size and lattice distortion act as a barrier that prevents the smooth layer from gliding upon sodium intercalation and deintercalation. This study focuses on the influence of grain size on battery cycle stability and provides a basis for future analysis of the structural instability of layered materials.

Odorant receptors (ORs) play a crucial role in insect chemoreception. Here, a female-biased odorant receptor MmedOR48 in parasitoid Microplitis mediator was fully functionally characterized. The qPCR analysis suggested that the expression level of MmedOR 48 increased significantly after adult emergence and was expressed much more in the antennae. Moreover, an in situ hybridization assay showed MmedOR 48 was extensively located in the olfactory sensory neurons. In two-electrode voltage clamp recordings, recombinant MmedOR48 was broadly tuned to 23 kinds of volatiles, among which five plant aldehyde volatiles excited the strongest current recording values. Subsequent molecular docking analysis coupled with site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that key amino acid residues Thr142, Gln80, Gln282, and Thr312 together formed the binding site in the active pocket for the typical aldehyde ligands. Furthermore, ligands of MmedOR48 could stimulate electrophysiological activities in female adults of the M. mediator . The main aldehyde ligand, nonanal, aroused significant behavioral preference of M. mediator in females than in males. These findings suggest that MmedOR48 may be involved in the recognition of plant volatiles in M. mediator , which provides valuable insight into understanding the olfactory mechanisms of parasitoids.