Bioinspired Design of Strong, Tough, and Highly Conductive Polyol-Polypyrrole Composites for Flexible Electronics

Inspired by the dynamic network structure of animal dermis, we have designed and synthesized a series of polyol-polypyrrole (polyol-PPy) composites. Polyols and polypyrrole are cross-linked by hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions to form a dynamic network, which helps to dissipate destructive energy. We have found a clear correlation between the mechanical properties of polyol-PPy composites and the polyols structure. Particularly, the PEE-PPy film shows both high strength and flexibility, leading to a remarkable tensile toughness comparable to cocoon silk. The combination of outstanding strength, ductility, and conductivity enables polyol-PPy composites (especially PEE-PPy) as potential electronic materials for making flexible electronics

DataSheet1_Effects of dissolved black carbon bound with goethite on physicochemical properties and adsorption capacity for imidacloprid: Adsorption versus coprecipitation.docx

Dissolved black carbon (DBC) is an important component of natural dissolved organic matter and can bind to iron minerals to form DBC-mineral complexes by adsorption and coprecipitation. However, reports regarding the difference in physicochemical properties between adsorbed and coprecipitated DBC-mineral complexes and their sorption capacity for polar organic pollutants are limited. Herein, goethite (Gt) and the adsorbed and coprecipitated complexes of DBC with Gt (SGt-DBC and CGt-DBC) were prepared, and their physicochemical properties and adsorption capacity for polar imidacloprid (IMI) were determined. The results showed that DBC could efficiently bind to Gt by coprecipitation or adsorption, leading to the aggregation of Gt particles, decreasing SSA, and increasing microporous volume, O-containing functional groups and negative charges. A greater effect was observed in CGt-DBC samples than SGt-DBC samples. CGt-DBC samples could more efficiently adsorb IMI than SGt-DBC samples, and CGt-DBC samples obtained the greatest Qmax with 68.4 mg/kg. The sorption mechanisms mainly involved hydrophobic partitioning, H-bonding, cation-π and p/π-π electron donor-acceptor interactions and electrostatic interactions. Additionally, the greater solution pH and Na+ concentration facilitated IMI adsorption on Gt and Gt-DBC samples; however, the Ca2+ solution obtained the opposite result. This effect on IMI adsorption was more pronounced for CGt-DBC samples. Therefore, the findings of this study provide a deep understanding of the interactions between Gt and DBC by adsorption and coprecipitation and their effect on the sorption of organic pollutants in natural soil and water environments.</p

Efficient Mini-Transporter for Cytosolic Protein Delivery

An efficient method to deliver active proteins into cytosol is highly desirable to advance protein-based therapeutics. Arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptides (RPPs) have been intensively studied for intracellular protein delivery, and their applications require further improvement on delivery efficiency, serum stability, and cytotoxicity. Designing synthetic analogs of RPPs provides an alternative way to achieve efficient cytosolic protein delivery. Herein we report the design and synthesis of a dendritic small molecule TG6, which is composed of one rigid planar core and four flexible arms with one guanidinium on each arm. Protein structure and function are well preserved in the TG6–protein conjugates, which are readily internalized into cytosol. Our study demonstrates that TG6 is a serum-stable and low-toxic molecular transporter delivering both small cargoes and large active proteins efficiently into cytosol

Efficient Co-Nanocrystal-Based Catalyst for Hydrogen Generation from Borohydride

Sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) has been proposed as a potential hydrogen storage material for fuel cells, and the development of highly active and robust catalysts for hydrolyzing NaBH₄ is the key for the practical usage of NaBH₄ for fuel cells. Herein we report Co-nanocrystal assembled hollow nanoparticles (Co-HNP) as an active and robust catalyst for the hydrolysis of NaBH₄. A hydrogen generation rate of 10.8 L·min^–1·g^–1 at 25 °C was achieved by using the Co-HNP catalyst with a low activation energy of 23.7 kJ·mol^–1, which is among the best performance of reported noble and non-noble catalysts for hydrolyzing NaBH₄. Co-HNP also showed good stability in the long term cycling tests. The mechanism of the catalytic hydrolysis of NaBH₄ on Co-HNP was studied by using ¹H and ¹¹B solid-state NMR, which provided unambiguous experimental evidence of the Co–H formation. The systematically designed NMR experiments unveiled the key role of Co-HNP in the activation of borohydride and the subsequent transfer of H^– to water for generating H₂ gas and helped to distinguish various hypotheses proposed for catalytic H₂ generation reactions. The porous hollow nanostructure of the Co-HNP catalyst provides large surface area and facilitates mass transfer. The facile preparation and outstanding performance of Co-HNP enables it as a very competitive catalyst for hydrogen production

Expression of Wnt2b, FZD5 and <i>β</i>-catenin mRNA in mouse retinas as a function of treatment duration.

<p>Wnt2b mRNA was greater in the FDM than in the control group, after 1, 2 and 4 weeks of treatment; Fzd5 mRNA also was significantly greater in FDM than control, but only after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, and <i>β</i>-catenin mRNA was greater in the FDM group than controls, but only after 1 and 4 weeks. Differences were also significant between FDM eyes and contralateral eyes at 1 and 4 weeks, and between contralateral and control eyes at 4 weeks. The expression level at week 0 was defined as 1, and the values were normalized to those of <i>β</i>-catenin mRNA levels. Retinas from both eyes of ten FDM mice and 6 control mice were used for each treatment duration. Data are presented as mean±SEM.(*<i>P</i><0.05).</p

Grouping and Exclusion of Mice Injected With DKK-1 or Norrin.

<p>*Sham-injection: needle penetration and withdrawal, without injection.</p

Comparison of axial length measurements by A-scan ultrasonography and by photographic imaging in control mice.

<p>The axial length measured by A-scan was less than that by photography, at 1 and 4 weeks of age. Six mice (12 eyes) were measured at each age. Data are presented as mean±SEM. (* <i>P</i><0.05 and ** <i>P</i><0.01).</p

pathway is involved in the development of FDM.

<p>Intravitreal drug administration began on the second day of occlusion and was repeated every three days for a total of four times (2nd, 5th, 8th and 11th days of FD). A total of 3 µl of DKK-1 (10 ng/µl) or Norrin (5 ng/µl) was injected into the vitreous chamber each time. Refraction and axial length were measured 3 days after the last injection. There were no differences, neither between no-manipulation (“no-manip” in the figure) and sham-injection (“sham-inj” in the figure), nor between these and injection with vehicle in the drugs-only group. DKK-1 significantly reduced the time-dependent increases in axial length, and significantly increased refractions (made them more positive or hyperopic), while Norrin had the opposite effect. Six mice were used in each group. Data are presented as mean±SEM.(* <i>P</i><0.05 and ** <i>P</i><0.01).</p

Form deprivation increased the retinal content of Wnt2b, Fzd5 and β-catenin proteins.

<p>(A) Wnt2b protein content in the FDM group was significantly greater than that in the control group, at 1, 2 and 4 weeks. (B) Fzd5 protein content in the FDM group was significantly greater than that in the control group, at 2 and 4 weeks. (C) Nuclear <i>β</i>-catenin protein content was significantly higher in the FDM group than in the control group at 1, 2 and 4 weeks. Significant differences between FDM eyes and contralateral eyes also were found at 4 weeks, and content was significantly higher in the contralateral eye group than in the control group at 1 and 4 weeks. Retinas from both eyes of fourteen FDM mice and 9 control mice were used for each treatment duration. Data are presented as mean±SEM. (* <i>P</i><0.05 and ** <i>P</i><0.01).</p

Effect of DKK-1 or Norrin on the Refraction and Axial Length.

<p>Data are presented as mean±SD.</p