Amphiphilic Janus Graphene Oxide Acts as a Corrosion Inhibitor to Mitigate the Corrosion Caused by a 1 M HCl Solution on Mild Steel.

Great aqueous dispersibility, a large specific surface area, and high impermeability make graphene oxide (GO) the ideal candidate for a high-performance corrosion inhibitor. Numerous symmetrical modification methods have been reported to enhance the adsorption of GO on metal surfaces in various corrosive media. This work aims to investigate the enhancement and mechanism of unilateral hydrophobic modification on the corrosion inhibition performance of GO. In this study, amphiphilic Janus GO (JGO) was prepared by grafting hydrophobic alkyl chains on one side of GO, and its anticorrosion performance was evaluated via weight loss experiments and electrochemical tests. The results revealed that the corrosion inhibition efficiency for Q235 mild steel (MS) in a 1 M HCl aqueous solution of 25 ppm JGO (81.08%) was much higher than that of GO at the same concentration (22.12%). Furthermore, the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and computational study demonstrated that the synergistic effect of physical adsorption and chemical adsorption promoted the hydrophilic side of JGO close to the surface of the metal, and the dense protective layer was formed by the hydrophobic chains toward the corrosive medium, which effectively hindered the corrosion of MS by the acidic liquid. This study emphasizes the significant role of asymmetrically modified hydrophobic alkyl chains in improving the corrosion prevention performance of GO and provides a perspective for the structural design of GO-based corrosion inhibitors.

Radiomics Analysis of Pericoronary Adipose Tissue From Baseline Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Enables Prediction of Coronary Plaque Progression.

PURPOSE: The relationship between plaque progression and pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) radiomics has not been comprehensively evaluated. We aim to predict plaque progression with PCAT radiomics features and evaluate their incremental value over quantitative plaque characteristics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2009 and December 2020, 500 patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease who underwent serial coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) ≥2 years apart were retrospectively analyzed and randomly stratified into a training and testing data set with a ratio of 7:3. Plaque progression was defined with annual change in plaque burden exceeding the median value in the entire cohort. Quantitative plaque characteristics and PCAT radiomics features were extracted from baseline CCTA. Then we built 3 models including quantitative plaque characteristics (model 1), PCAT radiomics features (model 2), and the combined model (model 3) to compare the prediction performance evaluated by area under the curve. RESULTS: The quantitative plaque characteristics of the training set showed the values of noncalcified plaque volume (NCPV), fibrous plaque volume, lesion length, and PCAT attenuation were larger in the plaque progression group than in the nonprogression group ( P < 0.05 for all). In multivariable logistic analysis, NCPV and PCAT attenuation were independent predictors of coronary plaque progression. PCAT radiomics exhibited significantly superior prediction over quantitative plaque characteristics both in the training (area under the curve: 0.814 vs 0.615, P < 0.001) and testing (0.736 vs 0.594, P = 0.007) data sets. CONCLUSIONS: NCPV and PCAT attenuation were independent predictors of coronary plaque progression. PCAT radiomics derived from baseline CCTA achieved significantly better prediction than quantitative plaque characteristics.

Drop-On-Demand Microdroplet Generation under Charge Injection by Corona Discharge.

In printing, microreactors, and bioassays, the precise control of micrometer-scale droplet generation is essential but challenging, often restricted by the equipment and nozzles used in traditional methods. We introduce a needle-plate electrode corona discharge technique that injects charges into an oil layer, enabling the precise manipulation of droplet polarization and splitting. This method allows for meticulous adjustment of microdroplet formation regarding location, size, and quantity by modulating the discharge voltage, discharge time, and electrode positioning. It enables the immediate initiation and cessation of droplet production, thereby facilitating on-demand droplet generation. Our study on the voltage-dependent droplet stretch coefficient shows that as the voltage increases, the droplets transition from controlled splitting to regular Taylor cone-like ejections, eventually reaching the Rayleigh limit and fully breaking apart. These advancements significantly improve microfluidic droplet manipulation, offering considerable benefits for applications in targeted drug delivery, rapid disease diagnostics, and precise environmental monitoring.

α-ketoglutarate downregulates thiosulfate metabolism to enhance antibiotic killing.

Potentiation of the effects of currently available antibiotics is urgently required to tackle the rising antibiotics resistance. The pyruvate (P) cycle has been shown to play a critical role in mediating aminoglycoside antibiotic killing, but the mechanism remains unexplored. In this study, we investigated the effects of intermediate metabolites of the P cycle regarding the potentiation of gentamicin. We found that α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) has the best synergy with gentamicin compared to the other metabolites. This synergistic killing effect was more effective with aminoglycosides than other types of antibiotics, and it was effective against various types of bacterial pathogens. Using fish and mouse infection models, we confirmed that the synergistic killing effect occurred in vivo. Furthermore, functional proteomics showed that α-KG downregulated thiosulfate metabolism. Upregulation of thiosulfate metabolism by exogenous thiosulfate counteracted the killing effect of gentamicin. The role of thiosulfate metabolism in antibiotic resistance was further confirmed using thiosulfate reductase knockout mutants. These mutants were more sensitive to gentamicin killing, and less tolerant to antibiotics compared to their parental strain. Thus, our study highlights a strategy for potentiating antibiotic killing by using a metabolite that reduces antibiotic resistance.

Dynamical Janus-Like Behavior Excited by Passive Cold-Heat Modulation in the Earth-Sun/Universe System: Opportunities and Challenges.

The utilization of solar-thermal energy and universal cold energy has led to many innovative designs that achieve effective temperature regulation in different application scenarios. Numerous studies on passive solar heating and radiation cooling often operate independently (or actively control the conversion) and lack a cohesive framework for deep connections. This work provides a concise overview of the recent breakthroughs in solar heating and radiation cooling by employing a mechanism material in the application model. Furthermore, the utilization of dynamic Janus-like behavior serves as a novel nexus to elucidate the relationship between solar heating and radiation cooling, allowing for the analysis of dynamic conversion strategies across various applications. Additionally, special discussions are provided to address specific requirements in diverse applications, such as optimizing light transmission for clothing or window glass. Finally, the challenges and opportunities associated with the development of solar heating and radiation cooling applications are underscored, which hold immense potential for substantial carbon emission reduction and environmental preservation. This work aims to ignite interest and lay a solid foundation for researchers to conduct in-depth studies on effective and self-adaptive regulation of cooling and heating.

Integration of transcriptome, gut microbiota, and physiology reveals toxic responses of the red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) to imidacloprid.

Imidacloprid enters the water environment through rainfall and causes harm to aquatic crustaceans. However, the potential chronic toxicity mechanism of imidacloprid in crayfish has not been comprehensively studied. In this study, red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) were exposed to 11.76, 35.27, or 88.17 µg/L imidacloprid for 30 days, and changes in the physiology and biochemistry, gut microbiota, and transcriptome of C. quadricarinatus and the interaction between imidacloprid, gut microbiota, and genes were studied. Imidacloprid induced oxidative stress and decreased growth performance in crayfish. Imidacloprid exposure caused hepatopancreas damage and decreased serum immune enzyme activity. Hepatopancreatic and plasma acetylcholine decreased significantly in the 88.17 µg/L group. Imidacloprid reduced the diversity of the intestinal flora, increased the abundance of harmful flora, and disrupted the microbiota function. Transcriptomic analysis showed that the number of up-and-down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) increased significantly with increasing concentrations of imidacloprid. DEG enrichment analyses indicated that imidacloprid inhibits neurotransmitter transduction and immune responses and disrupts energy metabolic processes. Crayfish could alleviate imidacloprid stress by regulating antioxidant and detoxification-related genes. A high correlation was revealed between GST, HSPA1s, and HSP90 and the composition of gut microorganisms in crayfish under imidacloprid stress. This study highlights the negative effects and provides detailed sequencing data from transcriptome and gut microbiota to enhance our understanding of the molecular toxicity of imidacloprid in crustaceans.

Continuous Tunable Energy Band Tailoring Boosts Extending the Sensing of the Waveband Based on (InxGa1-x)2O3 Solar-Blind Photodetectors.

Rising wide bandgap semiconductor gallium oxide (Ga2O3) displays huge potential in performing solar-blind photodetection, with constraint in narrow detection wavebands in nature, whereas bandgap modulation through the introduction of exotic atoms into Ga2O3 has an essential effect on the tunable performance of photodetectors and the detection waveband. Here, a novel method for the preparation of (InxGa1-x)2O3 alloy films is proposed, and the continuous tuning of the bandgap in the range of 3.70-4.99 eV is achieved by varying the In-doping content. Alloy-based metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors were fabricated, achieving a peak responsivity between 254 and 295 nm, superior performance compared to Ga2O3 photodetectors, with a photo-to-dark current ratio as high as 106, and a better optical image-sensing capability. This study offers new insight for high-performance detection of full solar-blind waveband ultraviolet light.

Molecular Insights into the Dual Promotion-Inhibition Effects of NaCl at Various Concentrations on the CO2 Hydrate Growth: A Molecular Simulation Study.

Hydrate-based CO2 storage in the ocean is considered a potential method for mitigating the greenhouse effect. Numerous studies demonstrated that NaCl exhibited the dual effects of promotion and inhibition in the nucleation and growth processes of CO2 hydrate, whose mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, the effects of NaCl at various concentrations on the CO2 hydrate growth and crystal are investigated. The independent gradient model based on Hirshfeld partition, electrostatic potential, and binding energy is conducted to study the interaction between ions and water molecules. The motion trajectories of ions are observed at the molecular level to reflect the impact of ion motion on hydrate growth. The results show that the influence of NaCl on hydrate growth depends on a delicate balance of dual promotion-inhibition effects. NaCl can combine more water molecules and provide a transport channel of CO2 to promote hydrate growth at low concentrations. Meanwhile, the promoting effects shift toward inhibition with increasing NaCl concentrations. In a word, this paper proposes a novel mechanism for the dual promotion-inhibition effects of NaCl on hydrate growth, which is significant for further research on hydrate-based CO2 storage in the ocean.

Target setting and performance analysis: Promoting e-waste collection in China under the collection target responsibility models.

The increasing volume of electronic waste (e-waste) poses significant challenges for efficient collection in China. Despite many measures were taken over the past two decades, the e-waste collection rate was still not high. To this end, the Chinese government issued a new policy, the collection target responsibility (CTR) policy. Under the CTR policy, however, it is essential for participants to know how to share the responsibility of collection and how much reasonable targets are set to ensure the efficiency of the collection models. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore the determination of optimal collection targets and the corresponding performance from the perspective of responsibility sharing to support the successful implementation of the CTR. Firstly, the study focuses on participants including the government, manufacturers, and recyclers, and develops three CTR models, independent collection model, government cost-sharing model, and enterprise collaboration model. Secondly, collection target equations for each model are established by employing dynamic differential game analysis, and corresponding collection performances are derived. Thirdly, through practical case simulations, the evolution of collection performance is dynamically analyzed to determine reasonable collection targets for the three models, as 23.8%, 32.3%, and 34.4%, respectively. The findings highlight the effectiveness of CTR in improving e-waste collection targets and performance, with the highest levels attained when the collection responsibilities are shared by government cost-sharing and enterprise collaboration. This study provides theoretical support for setting reasonable collection targets under CTR, and assists decision-makers in developing targeted CTR implementation measures.

Self-healing and shape-memory polymers based on cellulose acetate matrix.

The creation of self-healing polymers with superior strength and stretchability from biodegradable materials is attracting increasing attention. In this study, we synthesized new biomass-derived cellulose acetate (CA) derivatives by ring-opening graft polymerization of δ-valerolactone followed by the introduction of ureidopyrimidinone (Upy) groups in the polymer side chains. Due to the semicrystalline aliphatic characteristics of the side chain poly(δ-valerolactone) (PVL) and quadruple hydrogen bonds formed by the Upy groups, the stretchability of the resulting polymers was significantly enhanced. Moreover, the shape memory ability and self-healing property (58.3% of self-healing efficiency) were successfully imparted to the polymer. This study demonstrates the great significance of using biomass sources to create self-healing polymers.

This paper describes the first successful demonstration of self-healing polymers with superior strength and stretchability from a biodegradable material, cellulose acetate (CA). We initially introduced the ureidopyrimidinone (Upy) groups in the side chains of CA. However, the resulting polymer was not soluble and processable. In order to solve this issue, a new strategy based on the ring-opening graft polymerization of δ-valerolactone followed by the introduction of ureidopyrimidinone (Upy) groups was adopted. Due to the semicrystalline aliphatic characteristics of the side chain poly(δ-valerolactone) (PVL), the resulting polymers were soluble and processable. In addition, the quadruple hydrogen bonds formed by the Upy groups enhanced the stretchability of the resulting polymers. Moreover, the shape memory ability and self-healing property were successfully achieved due to the presence of PVL and Upy. The developed new strategy can be applied to a variety of polymers including biomass-based polymers and materials.

Symmetry-breaking malachite green as a near-infrared light-activated fluorogenic photosensitizer for RNA proximity labeling.

Cellular RNA is asymmetrically distributed in cells and the regulation of RNA localization is crucial for proper cellular functions. However, limited chemical tools are available to capture dynamic RNA localization in complex biological systems with high spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we developed a new method for RNA proximity labeling activated by near-infrared (NIR) light, which holds the potential for deep penetration. Our method, termed FAP-seq, utilizes a genetically encoded fluorogen activating protein (FAP) that selectively binds to a set of substrates known as malachite green (MG). FAP binding restricts the rotation of MG and rapidly activates its fluorescence in a wash-free manner. By introducing a monoiodo modification to MG, we created a photosensitizer (MG-HI) with the highest singlet oxygen generation ability among various MG derivatives, enabling both protein and RNA proximity labeling in live cells. New insights are provided in the transcriptome analysis with FAP-seq, while a deeper understanding of the symmetry-breaking structural arrangement of FAP-MG-HI was obtained through molecular dynamics simulations. Overall, our wash-free and NIR light-inducible RNA proximity labeling method (FAP-seq) offers a powerful and versatile approach for investigating complex mechanisms underlying RNA-related biological processes.

A Case of Acute HIV-1 and Monkeypox Coinfection After Condomless Insertive Anal Sex in the Previous 69 Days - Beijing Municipality, China, August-October, 2023.

What is already known about this topic?: The prevalence of monkeypox (mpox) infections is primarily observed among young men who engage in sexual activities with other men, and there is a possibility of sexual transmission. Co-occurring sexually transmitted infections have also been documented. What is added by this report?: In this report, we present a case of a patient in China who was simultaneously diagnosed with mpox, and acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The patient exhibited symptoms of fever and widespread papules on the trunk, face, and genital area. What are the implications for public health practice?: It is crucial for health agencies to prioritize HIV testing when mpox is suspected or diagnosed in individuals with recent engagement in high-risk sexual behavior.

Enhanced Absolute Recovered Energy under Low Electric Field in All-Inorganic 0-3 Nanocomposition Thick Films.

Inorganic thick-film dielectric capacitors with ultrahigh absolute recovered energy at low electric fields are extremely desired for their wide application in pulsed power systems. However, a long-standing technological bottleneck exists between high absolute energy and large recovered energy density. A new strategy is offered to fabricate selected all-inorganic 0-3 composite thick films up to 10 µm by a modified sol-slurry method. Here, the ceramic powder is dispersed into the sol-gel matrix to form a uniform suspension, assisted by powder, therefore, the 2 µm-thickness after single layer spin coating. To enhance the energy-storage performances, the composites process is thoroughly optimized by ultrafine powder (<50 nm) technique based on a low-cost coprecipitation method instead of the solid-state and sol-gel methods. 0D coprecipitation powder has a similar dielectric constant to the corresponding 3D films, thus uneven electrical field distributions is overcome. Moreover, the increase of interfacial polarization is realized due to the larger specific surface area. A maximum recoverable energy density of 14.62 J cm-3 is obtained in coprecipitation thick films ≈2.2 times that of the solid-state powder and ≈1.3 times for sol-gel powder. This study provides a new paradigm for further guiding the design of composite materials.

Guanosine diphosphate-mannose suppresses homologous recombination repair and potentiates antitumor immunity in triple-negative breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer with poor prognosis. TNBCs with high homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) scores benefit from DNA-damaging agents, including platinum drugs and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, whereas those with low HRD scores still lack therapeutic options. Therefore, we sought to exploit metabolic alterations to induce HRD and sensitize DNA-damaging agents in TNBCs with low HRD scores. We systematically analyzed TNBC metabolomics and identified a metabolite, guanosine diphosphate (GDP)-mannose (GDP-M), that impeded homologous recombination repair (HRR). Mechanistically, the low expression of the upstream enzyme GDP-mannose-pyrophosphorylase-A (GMPPA) led to the endogenous up-regulation of GDP-M in TNBC. The accumulation of GDP-M in tumor cells further reduced the interaction between breast cancer susceptibility gene 2 (BRCA2) and ubiquitin-specific peptidase 21 (USP21), which promoted the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of BRCA2 to inhibit HRR. Therapeutically, we illustrated that the supplementation of GDP-M sensitized DNA-damaging agents to impair tumor growth in both in vitro (cancer cell line and patient-derived organoid) and in vivo (xenograft in immunodeficient mouse) models. Moreover, the combination of GDP-M with DNA-damaging agents activated STING-dependent antitumor immunity in immunocompetent syngeneic mouse models. Therefore, GDP-M supplementation combined with PARP inhibition augmented the efficacy of anti-PD-1 antibodies. Together, these findings suggest that GDP-M is a crucial HRD-related metabolite and propose a promising therapeutic strategy for TNBCs with low HRD scores using the combination of GDP-M, PARP inhibitors, and anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.

Molecular Investigation and Preliminary Validation of Candidate Genes Associated with Neurological Damage in Heat Stroke.

Heat stroke (HS) is a severe medical condition characterized by a systemic inflammatory response that may precipitate multi-organ dysfunction, with a particular predilection for inducing profound central nervous system impairments. We aim to employ bioinformatics techniques for the retrieval and analysis of genes associated with heat stroke-induced neurological damage. We performed a comprehensive analysis of the GSE64778 dataset from the Sequence Read Archive, resulting in the identification of 1178 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We retrieved 2914 genes associated with heat stroke from the GeneCards database and 2377 genes associated with heat stroke from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). The intersection of the top 300 DEGs in the GSE64778 dataset intersected with the search results of GeneCards and CTD, yielding 25 final candidates for DEGs associated with heat stroke. Gene Ontology functional annotation results indicated that the target genes were mainly involved in apoptosis, stress response, and negative regulation of cellular processes and function in processes such as protein dimerization and protein binding. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis revealed a predominant enrichment of candidate target genes within the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Subsequent protein-protein interaction network analysis highlighted HSP90aa1 as a central gene, indicating its pivotal role by possessing the highest number of edges among the genes enriched in the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis performed on blood samples from patients validated the expression of Hsp90aa1 in individuals exhibiting early neurological damage in HS, consistent with the findings from the mRNA bioinformatics analysis. Additionally, the bioinformatics analysis of the upstream microRNAs (miRNAs) regulating HSP90aa1 and the target miRNAs associated with candidate long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) identified three lncRNAs, eight miRNAs, and one mRNA in the regulatory network. The DIANA Tools database and algorithms were employed for pathway enrichment and correlation analysis, revealing a significant association between LOC102547734 and MIR-206-3p, with the latter being identified as a target binding site Moreover, the analysis unveiled a correlation between MIR-206-3p and HSP90aa1, implicating the latter as a potential target binding site within the regulatory network.

Off-clamp vs on-clamp robot-assisted partial nephrectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare intra- and postoperative outcomes between off-clamp and on-clamp robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN), using data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or covariate-matched studies (propensity score-matched or matched-pair analysis). METHODS: A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-compliant literature review was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and CENTRAL for relevant studies comparing off-clamp to on-clamp RAPN. Primary outcomes were estimated blood loss, postoperative percentage decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and margin positive rate. Secondary outcomes were operative time, postoperative eGFR, length of stay, all postoperative complications, major complications, and need for transfusion. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to generate mean differences (MDs) or odds ratios (ORs). RESULTS: A total of 10 studies (2307 patients) were shortlisted for analysis. There was no significant difference in estimated operative blood loss between off-clamp and on-clamp RAPN (MD 21.9 mL, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.9 to 44.7 mL; P = 0.06, I2 = 58%). Off-clamp RAPN yielded a smaller postoperative eGFR deterioration (MD 3.10%, 95% CI 1.05-5.16%; P = 0.008, I2 = 13%) and lower odds of margin positivity (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.40-0.94; P = 0.03, I2 = 0%). No significant differences were found for all secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Off-clamp and on-clamp RAPN are similarly effective approaches for selected renal masses. Within the classic trifecta of PN outcomes, off-clamp RAPN yields similar rates of perioperative complications and may possibly offer better preservation of renal function and reduced margin-positive rates.

The Effects of Photobiomodulation on Knee Function, Pain, and Exercise Tolerance in Older Adults: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) enhances the benefits of exercise in older adults. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and Web of Science, dated to February 2023. STUDY SELECTION: All included studies were randomized controlled trials of PBMT combined with exercise co-intervention in persons 60 years and older. OUTCOME MEASURES: Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC-total, pain, stiffness and function), perceived pain intensity, timed Up and Go (TUG) Test, 6-min walk test (6MWT), muscle strength, and knee range of motion were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Two researchers independently performed data extraction. Article data were extracted in Excel and summarized by a third researcher. DATA SYNTHESIS: The meta-analysis included 14 of the 1864 studies searched in the database. No statistical differences were found between the treatment and control groups in terms of WOMAC-stiffness (mean difference [MD]=-0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.64 to 0.03), TUG (MD=-0.17, 95% CI -0.71 to 0.38), 6MWT (MD=32.2, 95% CI -44.62 to 109.01), or muscle strength (standardized mean difference=0.24, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.50). However, statistically significant differences were found for WOMAC-total (MD=-6.83, 95% CI -12.3 to -1.37), WOMAC-pain (MD=-2.03, 95% CI -4.06 to -0.01), WOMAC-function (MD=-5.03, 95% CI -9.11 to -0.96), visual analog scale/numeric pain rating scale (MD=-1.24, 95% CI -2.43 to -0.06), and knee range of motion (MD=1.47, 95% CI 0.07 to 2.88). CONCLUSIONS: In older adults who exercise regularly, PBMT can potentially provide additional pain relief, improve knee joint function, and increase knee joint range of motion.

Stress softening of nanoparticle-crosslinked hydrogels described using a physics-based damage model.

Despite the promising applications of hydrogels, their poor mechanical properties still greatly limit their further applications. To improve the mechanical properties of hydrogels, various strategies have been proposed. Hydrogels with nanoparticle-crosslinked polymer networks show excellent toughness, self-recovery, and other advantages, and thus have great prospects for use in tissue engineering, artificial muscles, flexible electronics, and other fields. There have been experimental and theoretical studies of its damage. However, the underlying microscale physical mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Herein, we established a physics-based constitutive model to describe the mechanical behavior of nanoparticle-crosslinked hydrogels under cyclic loading. The deformation-induced damage and the rate-dependent damage were explained by the network alteration and kinetics of chain dissociation/association, respectively. The kinetics dissociation/association theory was modified considering the polymer chains that wind around nanoparticles. The Mullins stress softening and recovery during cyclic loading were described. Cyclic loading tests on nanoparticle-crosslinked hydrogels were carried out to verify the proposed constitutive model. It is demonstrated that the model can well describe the mechanical behavior of nanoparticle-crosslinked hydrogels during cyclic loading.

Sustainable Utilization of Surfactant-Free Microemulsion Regulated by CO2 for Treating Oily Wastes: A Interpretation of the Response Mechanism.

Surfactant-free microemulsions (SFMEs) have been explored extensively to avoid the residual surfactant problem caused by traditional surfactant microemulsions. Many researchers focused on the SFMEs with tertiary amine, which exhibited the typical CO2 response behavior. In this study, the phase diagram of the SFMEs consisting of tripropylamine (TPA), ethanol, and water was readily prepared via the measurements of electrical conductivity. The CO2 response behavior of SFME was confirmed by determination of conductivity and measurement of the average diameter of SFME, which was mainly dependent on the protonation of TPA induced by the additional CO2. The transition of protonated TPA to a more hydrophilic nature from lipophilicity to hydrophilicity should be responsible for the variation of SFME average diameter. In addition, the SFMEs exhibited remarkable solubilizing capacity of crude oil, and three types of SFMEs achieved more than 80% oil removal rate in the washing process of oil sands. It was noted that both oil-in-water and bicontinuous SFMEs could be circularly utilized at least three times with a relatively high oil removal rate (%). Our work provided the insight perspective on the mechanism of SFMEs with a CO2 response behavior.

Clickable APEX2 Probes for Enhanced RNA Proximity Labeling in Live Cells.

Although APEX2-mediated proximity labeling has been extensively implemented for studying RNA subcellular localization in live cells, the biotin-phenoxyl radical used for labeling RNAs has a relatively low efficiency, which can limit its compatibility with other profiling methods. Herein, a set of phenol derivatives were designed as APEX2 probes through balancing reactivity, hydrophilicity, and lipophilicity. Among these derivatives, Ph_N3 exhibited reliable labeling ability and enabled two biotinylation routes for downstream analysis. As a proof of concept, we used APEX2/Ph_N3 labeling with high-throughput sequencing analysis to examine the transcriptomes in the mitochondrial matrix, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity. To further expand the utility of Ph_N3, we employed mechanistically orthogonal APEX2 and singlet oxygen (1O2)-mediated strategies for dual location labeling in live cells. Specifically, DRAQ5, a DNA-intercalating photosensitizer, was applied for nucleus-restricted 1O2 labeling. We validated the orthogonality of APEX2/Ph_N3 and DRAQ5-1O2 at the imaging level, providing an attractive and feasible approach for future studies of RNA translocation in live cells.