H-and J-aggregation of conjugated small molecules in organic solar cells

As H-and J-aggregation receive more and more attention in the research of organic solar cells(OSCs),especially in small molecular systems,deep understanding of aggregation behavior is needed to guide the design of conjugated small molecular structure and the fabrication process of OSC device.For this end,this review is written.Here,the review firstly introduced the basic information about H-and J-aggregation of conjugated small molecules in OSCs.Then,the characteristics of H-and J-aggregation and the methods to identify them were summarized.Next,it reviewed the research progress of H-and J-aggregation of conjugated small molecules in OSCs,including the factors influencing H-and J-aggregation in thin film and the effects of H-and J-aggregation on OPV performance.

Optimal and robust control of population transfer in asymmetric quantum-dot molecules

We present an optimal and robust quantum control method for efficient population transfer in asymmetric double quantum-dot molecules.We derive a long-duration control scheme that allows for highly efficient population transfer by accurately controlling the amplitude of a narrow-bandwidth pulse.To overcome fluctuations in control field parameters,we employ a frequency-domain quantum optimal control theory method to optimize the spectral phase of a single pulse with broad bandwidth while preserving the spectral amplitude.It is shown that this spectral-phase-only optimization approach can successfully identify robust and optimal control fields,leading to efficient population transfer to the target state while concurrently suppressing population transfer to undesired states.The method demonstrates resilience to fluctuations in control field parameters,making it a promising approach for reliable and efficient population transfer in practical applications.

Graphene effectively activating "dead" water molecules between manganese dioxide layers in potassium-ion battery

Aqueous potassium-ion batteries(APIBs),recognized as safe and reliable new energy devices,are considered as one of the alternatives to traditional batteries.Layered MnO_(2),serving as the main cathode,exhibits a lower specific capacity in aqueous electrolytes compared to organic systems and operates through a different reaction mechanism.The application of highly conductive graphene may effectively enhance the capacity of APIBs but could complicate the potassium storage environment.In this study,a MnO_(2) cathode pre-intercalated with K~+ions and grown on graphene(KMO@rGO) was developed using the microwave hydrothermal method for APIBs.KMO@rGO achieved a specific capacity of 90 mA h g^(-1) at a current density of 0.1 A g^(-1),maintaining a capacity retention rate of>90% after 5000 cycles at 5 A g^(-1).In-situ and exsitu characterization techniques revealed the energy-storage mechanism of KMO@rGO:layered MnO_(2)traps a large amount of "dead" water molecules during K~+ions removal.However,the introduction of graphene enables these water molecules to escape during K~+ ions insertion at the cathode.The galvanostatic intermittent titration technique and density functional theory confirmed that KMO@rGO has a higher K~+ions migration rate than MnO_(2).Therefore,the capacity of this cathode depends on the interaction between dead water and K~+ions during the energy-storage reaction.The optimal structural alignment between layered MnO_(2) and graphene allows electrons to easily flow into the external circuit.Rapid charge compensation forces numerous low-solvent K~+ions to displace interlayer dead water,enhancing the capacity.This unique reaction mechanism is unprecedented in other aqueous battery studies.

Critical Solvation Structures Arrested Active Molecules for Reversible Zn Electrochemistry

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries(AZIBs)have attracted increasing attention in next-generation energy storage systems due to their high safety and economic.Unfortunately,the side reactions,dendrites and hydrogen evolution effects at the zinc anode interface in aqueous electrolytes seriously hinder the application of aqueous zinc-ion batteries.Here,we report a critical solvation strategy to achieve reversible zinc electrochemistry by introducing a small polar molecule acetonitrile to form a“catcher”to arrest active molecules(bound water molecules).The stable solvation structure of[Zn(H_(2)O)_(6)]^(2+)is capable of maintaining and completely inhibiting free water molecules.When[Zn(H_(2)O)_(6)]^(2+)is partially desolvated in the Helmholtz outer layer,the separated active molecules will be arrested by the“catcher”formed by the strong hydrogen bond N-H bond,ensuring the stable desolvation of Zn^(2+).The Zn||Zn symmetric battery can stably cycle for 2250 h at 1 mAh cm^(-2),Zn||V_(6)O_(13) full battery achieved a capacity retention rate of 99.2%after 10,000 cycles at 10 A g^(-1).This paper proposes a novel critical solvation strategy that paves the route for the construction of high-performance AZIBs.

Large-scale interplant exchange of macromolecules between soybean and dodder under nutrient stresses

Parasitic plants and their hosts communicate through haustorial connections.Nutrient deficiency is a common stress for plants,yet little is known about whether and how host plants and parasites communicate during adaptation to such nutrient stresses.In this study,we used transcriptomics and proteomics to analyze how soybean(Glycine max)and its parasitizing dodder(Cuscuta australis)respond to nitrate and phosphate deficiency(-N and-P).After-N and-P treatment,the soybean and dodder plants exhibited substantial changes of transcriptome and proteome,although soybean plants showed very few transcriptional responses to-P and dodder did not show any transcriptional changes to either-N or-P.Importantly,large-scale interplant transport of mRNAs and proteins was detected.Although the mobile mRNAs only comprised at most 0.2%of the transcriptomes,the foreign mobile proteins could reach 6.8%of the total proteins,suggesting that proteins may be the major forms of interplant communications.Furthermore,the interplant mobility of macromolecules was specifically affected by the nutrient regimes and the transport of these macromolecules was very likely independently regulated.This study provides new insight into the communication between host plants and parasites under stress conditions.

Molecule aging induced by electron attacking

Here we propose a new concept of"molecule aging":with some special treatment,a molecule could be"aged"by losing some unknown tiny particles or pieces from atoms in the molecule,Such"aging"or loss of unknown tiny particles does not change apparently its molecular structure or chemical composition,but some physicochemical properties could be changed irreversibly.We further confirm such"molecule aging"via a long-term electron attacking to age water(H_(2)O)molecules.The IR spectra show no structural difference between the fresh water and the aged one,while the NMR spectra show that the electron attacking can decrease the size of water clusters.Such facts indicate that the electron attacking indeed can"affect"the structure of water molecule slightly but without damaging to its basic molecule frame.Further exploration reveals that the hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)activity of the aged water molecule is lower than the fresh water on the same Pt/C electrocatalyst.The density functional theory calculations indicate that the shortened O-H bond in H_(2)O indeed can present lower HER activity,so the observed size decrease of water clusters from NMR probably could be attributed to the shortening of O-H bond in water molecules.Such results indicate significantly that the molecule aging can produce materials with new functions for new possible applications.

Variation of microbiological and small molecule metabolite profiles of Nuodeng ham during ripening by high-throughput sequencing and GC-TOF-MS

The internal microbial diversity and small molecular metabolites of Nuodeng ham in different processing years(the first,second and third year sample)were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing technology and gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrography(GC-TOF-MS)to study the effects of microorganisms and small molecular metabolites on the quality of ham in different processing years.The results showed that the dominant bacteria phyla of Nuodeng ham in different processing years were Proteobacteria and Firmicutes,the dominant fungi phyla were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota,while Staphylococcus and Aspergillus were the dominant bacteria and fungi of Nuodeng ham,respectively.Totally,252 kinds of small molecular metabolites were identified from Nuodeng ham in different processing years,and 12 different metabolites were screened through multivariate statistical analysis.Further metabolic pathway analysis showed that 23 metabolic pathways were related to ham fermentation,of which 8 metabolic pathways had significant effects on ham fermentation(Impact>0.01,P<0.05).The content of L-proline,phenyllactic acid,L-lysine,carnosine,taurine,D-proline,betaine and creatine were significantly positively correlated with the relative abundance of Staphylococcus and Serratia,but negatively correlated with the relative abundance of Halomonas,Aspergillus and Yamadazyma.

Emerging molecules,tools,technology,and future of surgical knife in gastroenterology

The 21^(st) century has started with several innovations in the medical sciences,with wide applications in health care management.This development has taken in the field of medicines(newer drugs/molecules),various tools and technology which has completely changed the patient management including abdominal surgery.Surgery for abdominal diseases has moved from maximally invasive to minimally invasive(laparoscopic and robotic)surgery.Some of the newer medicines have its impact on need for surgical intervention.This article focuses on the development of these emerging molecules,tools,and technology and their impact on present surgical form and its future effects on the surgical intervention in gastroenterological diseases.

Precision medicine in inflammatory bowel disease:Individualizing the use of biologics and small molecule therapies

The advent of biologics and small molecules in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)has marked a significant turning point in the prognosis of IBD,decreasing the rates of corticosteroid dependence,hospitalizations and improving overall quality of life.The introduction of biosimilars has also increased affordability and enhanced access to these otherwise costly targeted therapies.Biologics do not yet represent a complete panacea:A subset of patients do not respond to first-line anti-tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-alpha agents or may subsequently demonstrate a secondary loss of response.Patients who fail to respond to anti-TNF agents typically have a poorer response rate to second-line biologics.It is uncertain which patient would benefit from a different sequencing of biologics or even a combination of biologic agents.The introduction of newer classes of biologics and small molecules may provide alternative therapeutic targets for patients with refractory disease.This review examines the therapeutic ceiling in current treatment strategies of IBD and the potential paradigm shifts in the future.

MOLECULES AND NEW INTERACTIONAL STRUCTURES FOR A(2+1)-DIMENSIONAL GENERALIZED KONOPELCHENKO-DUBROVSKY-KAUP-KUPERSHMIDT EQUATION

Soliton molecules(SMs)of the(2+1)-dimensional generalized KonopelchenkoDubrovsky-Kaup-Kupershmidt(gKDKK)equation are found by utilizing a velocity resonance ansatz to N-soliton solutions,which can transform to asymmetric solitons upon assigning appropriate values to some parameters.Furthermore,a double-peaked lump solution can be constructed with breather degeneration approach.By applying a mixed technique of a resonance ansatz and conjugate complexes of partial parameters to multisoliton solutions,various kinds of interactional structures are constructed;There include the soliton molecule(SM),the breather molecule(BM)and the soliton-breather molecule(SBM).Graphical investigation and theoretical analysis show that the interactions composed of SM,BM and SBM are inelastic.

Neural progenitor cells derived from fibroblasts induced by small molecule compounds under hypoxia for treatment of Parkinson’s disease in rats

Neural progenitor cells(NPCs) capable of self-renewal and differentiation into neural cell lineages offer broad prospects for cell therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. However, cell therapy based on NPC transplantation is limited by the inability to acquire sufficient quantities of NPCs. Previous studies have found that a chemical cocktail of valproic acid, CHIR99021, and Repsox(VCR) promotes mouse fibroblasts to differentiate into NPCs under hypoxic conditions. Therefore, we used VCR(0.5 mM valproic acid, 3 μM CHIR99021, and 1 μM Repsox) to induce the reprogramming of rat embryonic fibroblasts into NPCs under a hypoxic condition(5%). These NPCs exhibited typical neurosphere-like structures that can express NPC markers, such as Nestin, SRY-box transcription factor 2, and paired box 6(Pax6), and could also differentiate into multiple types of functional neurons and astrocytes in vitro. They had similar gene expression profiles to those of rat brain-derived neural stem cells. Subsequently, the chemically-induced NPCs(ciNPCs) were stereotactically transplanted into the substantia nigra of 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned parkinsonian rats. We found that the ciNPCs exhibited long-term survival, migrated long distances, and differentiated into multiple types of functional neurons and glial cells in vivo. Moreover, the parkinsonian behavioral defects of the parkinsonian model rats grafted with ciNPCs showed remarkable functional recovery. These findings suggest that rat fibroblasts can be directly transformed into NPCs using a chemical cocktail of VCR without introducing exogenous factors, which may be an attractive donor material for transplantation therapy for Parkinson’s disease.

First-principles study on the co-adsorption of water and oxygen molecules on chalcopyrite(112)-M surface

Chalcopyrite is a common copper-bearing mineral with antiferromagnetic properties.However,this property has rarely been considered in previous studies for detailed adsorption behaviors of molecules on chalcopyrite.Based on density functional theory(DFT),new adsorption pathways by H_(2)O and O_(2)on the chalcopyrite metal terminated(112)surface((112)-M)is found in this work.First,through simulating the adsorption of an isolated water molecule and monolayer water molecules,it is confirmed that H_(2)O molecules tend to adsorb on the surface Fe atoms more than on the surface Cu atoms.Then,we studied various adsorption behaviors of the O_(2)molecule.It is found that the adsorption on the hollow FeAFe site is the most stable case;however,O_(2)is undissociated.Two adsorption cases will happen when H_(2)OAO_(2)adsorb simultaneously on the surface.For the S site,the H_(2)O molecule thoroughly dissociated and formed SAO species,and the other case is H_(2)O undissociated adsorbing at the Cu site.For the former case,it is interesting that H_(2)O is dissociated before O_(2).

Catalytic Role of H I in the Interstellar Synthesis of Complex Organic Molecule

Using quantum chemical calculations,we model the pathways for synthesizing two purine nucleobases,adenine and guanine,in the gas-phase interstellar environment,surrounded by neutral atomic hydrogen(H I).H I is found active in facilitating a series of fundamental proton transfer processes of organic synthesis,including bond formation,cyclization,dehydrogenation,and H migration.The reactive potential barriers were significantly reduced in the alternative pathways created by H I,leading to a remarkable increase in the reaction rate.The presence of H I also lowered the reactive activation temperature from 757.8 K to 131.5–147.0 K,indicating the thermodynamic feasibility of these pathways in star-forming regions where some of the reactants have been astronomically detected.Our findings suggest that H I may serve as an effective catalyst for interstellar organic synthesis.

Experimental verification of nanonization enhanced solubility for poorly soluble optoelectronic molecules

Solubility enhancement has been a priority to overcome poor solubility with optoelectronic molecules for solution-processable devices. This study aims to obtain experimental data on the effect of particle sizes on the solubility properties of several typical optoelectronic molecules in organic solvents, including the solubility results of 1,3-bis(9-carbazolyl)benzene(m CP), 1,3,5-tris(1-phenyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)ben zene(TPBi) and 2-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-5-(4-biphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole(PBD) in ethanol and acetonitrile,respectively. Nanoparticles of m CP, TPBi and PBD with sizes from dozens to several hundred nanometers were prepared by solvent antisolvent precipitation method and their solubility were determined by using isothermal saturation method. The saturation solubility of nanoparticles of three kinds of optoelectronic molecules exhibited increase of 12.9%-25.7% in comparison to the same raw materials in the form of microparticles. The experimental evidence indicates that nanonization technology is a feasible way to make optoelectronic molecules dissolve in liquids with enhanced solubility.

Alkaline hydrogen production promoted by small-molecule modification on flowerlike Co_(2)(OH)_(2)CO_(3)

Developing a low-cost and high-efficiency nonprecious metal-based catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction(HER) is of great significance for the utilization of hydrogen energy.In this work,we report a molecular-modification strategy to fabricate a self-supported hydrogen evolution electrode,specially by grafting the macrocyclic molecules(HHTP=2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene) on the surface of a cobaltous dihydroxy carbonate(COC) seed layer.The HHTP-COC electrode is endowed with a rodlike structure,which provides favorable access for charge transportation and mass exchange.The macrocyclic molecule structure in HHTP can be grafted on COC and improve the electrical conductivity,while the interaction between HHTP and COC induces the rearrangement of charge configuration on the surface.Due to the combination effects of several aspects,the HHTP-COC electrode achieves astonishing HER activity,with a low overpotential of 61.0 mV(η_(10),at the current density of 10 mA cm^(-2)) and excellent stability in alkaline condition.This kind of interface engineering based on the organic molecules can be applied to the design and manufacture of electrocatalysts in the field of energy conversion and storage.

Soliton molecules,T-breather molecules and some interaction solutions in the(2+1)-dimensional generalized KDKK equation

By employing the complexification method and velocity resonant principle to N-solitons of the(2+1)-dimensional generalized Konopelchenko–Dubrovsky–Kaup–Kupershmidt(KDKK)equation,we obtain the soliton molecules,T-breather molecules,T-breather–L-soliton molecules and some interaction solutions when N≤6.Dynamical behaviors of these solutions are discussed analytically and graphically.The method adopted can be effectively used to construct soliton molecules and T-breather molecules of other nonlinear evolution equations.The results obtained may be helpful for experts to study the related phenomenon in oceanography and atmospheric science.

Generation of a blue-detuned optical storage ring by a metasurface and its application in optical trapping of cold molecules

A scheme for storage of cold molecules in a hollow optical ring generated by a metasurface grating is proposed.The characteristics and intensity distribution related to the ring’s structural parameters and fabrication error tolerance are theoretically studied. The optical potential and dipole force required for the ring to trap magnesium monofluoride(MgF)molecules are also calculated. The dynamic behavior of MgF molecules in the storage ring is simulated by a Monte Carlo method, which shows that a metasurface-based optical storage ring can be used to trap molecules and is an interesting platform for research into ultracold quantum gases and their quantum-state manipulation.

Therapies for Tau-associated neurodegenerative disorders:targeting molecules,synapses,and cells

Advances in experimental and computational technologies continue to grow rapidly to provide novel avenues for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Despite this, there remain only a handful of drugs that have shown success in late-stage clinical trials for Tau-associated neurodegenerative disorders. The most commonly prescribed treatments are symptomatic treatments such as cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor blockers that were approved for use in Alzheimer's disease. As diagnostic screening can detect disorders at earlier time points, the field needs pre-symptomatic treatments that can prevent, or significantly delay the progression of these disorders(Koychev et al., 2019). These approaches may be different from late-stage treatments that may help to ameliorate symptoms and slow progression once symptoms have become more advanced should early diagnostic screening fail. This mini-review will highlight five key avenues of academic and industrial research for identifying therapeutic strategies to treat Tau-associated neurodegenerative disorders. These avenues include investigating(1) the broad class of chemicals termed “small molecules”;(2) adaptive immunity through both passive and active antibody treatments;(3) innate immunity with an emphasis on microglial modulation;(4) synaptic compartments with the view that Tau-associated neurodegenerative disorders are synaptopathies. Although this mini-review will focus on Alzheimer's disease due to its prevalence, it will also argue the need to target other tauopathies, as through understanding Alzheimer's disease as a Tau-associated neurodegenerative disorder, we may be able to generalize treatment options. For this reason, added detail linking back specifically to Tau protein as a direct therapeutic target will be added to each topic.

Recent Progress of Surface Passivation Molecules for Perovskite Solar Cell Applications

Due to the solution processable nature,the prepared perovskite films are polycrystalline with considerable number of defects.These defects,especially defects at interface accelerate the carrier recombination and reduce the carrier collection.Besides,the surface defects also affect the long-term stability of the perovskite solar cells(PVSCs).To solve this problem,surface passivation molecules are introduced at selective interface(the interface between perovskite and carrier selective layer).This review summarizes recent progress of small molecules used in PVSCs.Firstly,different types of defect states in perovskite films are introduced and their effects on device performance are discussed.Subsequently,surface passivation molecules are divided into four categories,and the interaction between the functional groups of the surface passivation molecules and selective defect states in perovskite films are highlighted.Finally,we look into the prospects and challenges in design noble small molecules for PVSCs applications.

Variaiton in the composition of small molecule compounds in the egg yolks of Asian Short-toed Larks between early and late broods

The egg yolks of birds contain most of the maternally derived materials required for embryo development and are an important factor influencing embryo development and offspring viability.Individual variation in egg-laying date frequently occurs in passerines inhabiting highly seasonal environments.Females laying in early and late stages of the breeding season encounter different environment temperatures and food conditions,which can affect the levels of metabolities in their bodies,thereby altering the transmission of these materials to the eggs.We test a hypothesis that yolk small molecule compounds of Asian Short-toed Lark(Alaudala cheleensis)could vary between early(mid-May)and late(mid-June)broods.Using the UHPLC-MS/MS method,683 compounds belonging to 21 compound groups are detected in the yolks.The contents of 18 compounds are significantly different between early and late broods.Ten differential compounds are significantly higher in the early laid eggs,among whichγ-aminobutyric acid,creatine,prostaglandins,palmitoleic acid,linoleic acid,and trans linoleic acid are related to low environment temperature response.The eggs laid in late stage exhibit significantly higher levels of 5-L-glutamyl-L-alanine andγ-glutamate-leucine,1,3-dimethyluric acid and mannose,which may be attributed to females in the late group consuming more insects.We suggest conducting a comprehensive investigation to reveal the yolk small molecule compounds mediated maternal effects on offspring phenotypes under varying ecological conditions.