Additional Sites Research Articles

Diffusion and Spectroscopy of H2 in Myoglobin

The diffusional dynamics and vibrational spectroscopy of molecular hydrogen (H2) in myoglobin (Mb) is characterized. Hydrogen has been implicated in a number of physiologically relevant processes, including cellular aging or inflammation. Here, the internal diffusion through the protein matrix was characterized, and the vibrational spectroscopy was investigated using conventional empirical energy functions and improved models able to describe higher-order electrostatic moments of the ligand. Depending on the energy function used, H2 can occupy the same internal defects as already found for Xe or CO (Xe1 to Xe4 and B-state). Furthermore, four additional sites were found, some of which had been discovered in earlier simulation studies. Simulations using a model based on a Morse oscillator and distributed charges to correctly describe the molecular quadrupole moment of H2 indicate that the vibrational spectroscopy of the ligand depends on the docking site it occupies. This is consistent with the findings for CO in Mb from experiments and simulations. For H2, the maxima of the absorption spectra cover ∼20 cm−1 which are indicative of a pronounced Stark effect of the surrounding protein matrix on the vibrational spectroscopy of the ligand. Electronic structure calculations show that H2 forms a stable complex with the heme iron (stabilized by ∼−12 kcal/mol), but splitting of H2 is unlikely due to a high activation energy (∼50 kcal/mol).

Boosted photogenerated carriers separation in FeP/Cu3P/ZnIn2S4 photocatalyst for highly efficient H2 evolution under visible light

The development of efficient photocatalysts with effective charge separation and numerous active sites is a key challenge in photocatalysis. ZnIn2S4 based binary and ternary composite photocatalysts were successfully synthesized using microwave hydrothermal and calcination techniques, exhibiting excellent hydrogen production capabilities. Among these, the FeP/Cu3P/ZnIn2S4 composite photocatalysts demonstrated the highest hydrogen production performance, with an average rate of 1.613 mmol g−1 h−1, which was 4.42 times greater than that of pure ZnIn2S4. The enhanced hydrogen production of the FeP/Cu3P/ZnIn2S4 photocatalysts was attributed to the establishment of a p-n heterojunction at the ZnIn2S4 interface. Furthermore, the presence of FeP lowered the hydrogen production barrier in the system and provided additional active sites for the catalytic reaction.

Oxyfluorfen use in Combination with Clomazone or Quinclorac

Abstract Oxyfluorfen, a Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC)/Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) Group 14 herbicide that inhibits protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase, has shown significant potential in controlling barnyardgrass. Despite its current lack of labeling for use in midsouthern U.S. rice due to the potential for crop injury, the introduction of a trait in rice that confers resistance to oxyfluorfen could provide producers with an effective alternative site of action for weed control. Field experiments were conducted during the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons near Stuttgart, AR, and near Lonoke, AR, to determine the optimum rates of clomazone (280 or 336 g ha-1) and oxyfluorfen (673 or 840 g ha-1) to use in sequential preemergence (PRE) and postemergence (POST) applications on a silt loam soil and to assess the efficacy of oxyfluorfen when combined with clomazone and quinclorac PRE, followed by oxyfluorfen POST. No differences in barnyardgrass control were observed among treatments 14 days after emergence (DAE) in three site years, as all control was ≥90%. By 35 days after the postemergence application (DAPOST), all barnyardgrass control was ≥94% for herbicide treatments in all site years. All herbicide treatments resulted in lower barnyardgrass seed production than the nontreated in 2021. Contrasts revealed that oxyfluorfen applied PRE on a silt loam soil resulting in barnyardgrass control similar to clomazone or quinclorac alone at 14 DAE. Although oxyfluorfen combined with clomazone or quinclorac did not increase barnyardgrass control, an additional site of action for control of this weed could help reduce the evolution of resistance. Mixing oxyfluorfen with clomazone in a dry-seeded rice production system in the midsouthern U.S. would effectively control barnyardgrass and reduce the risk for resistance to both herbicides, further highlighting the potential of oxyfluorfen in rice production.

Structural and biophysical characterisation of ubiquitin variants that inhibit the ubiquitin conjugating enzyme Ube2d2.

The ubiquitin-conjugating E2 enzymes play a central role in ubiquitin transfer. Disruptions to the ubiquitin system are implicated in multiple diseases, and as a result, molecules that modulate the activity of the ubiquitin system are of interest. E2 enzyme function relies on interactions with partner proteins, and the disruption of these is an effective way to modulate activity. Here, we report the discovery of ubiquitin variants (UbVs) that inhibit the E2 enzyme, Ube2d2 (UbcH5b). The six UbVs identified inhibit ubiquitin chain building, and the structural and biophysical characterisation of two of these demonstrate they bind to Ube2d2 with low micromolar affinity and high specificity. Both characterised UbVs bind at a site that overlaps with E1 binding, while the more inhibitory UbV has an additional binding site that blocks a critical non-covalent ubiquitin-binding site on the E2 enzyme. The discovery of novel protein-based ubiquitin derivatives that inhibit protein-protein interactions is an important step towards discovering small molecules that inhibit the activity of E2 enzymes. Furthermore, the specificity of the UbVs within the Ube2d family suggests that it may be possible to develop tools to selectively inhibit highly related E2 enzymes.

The Influence of As-Cast Grain Size on the Formation of Recrystallized Grains and the Related Mechanical Properties in Al–Zn–Mg–Cu-Based Alloy Sheets

The influence of as-cast grain size on recrystallization and the related mechanical properties of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu-based alloys was investigated. Grain sizes ranging from 163 to 26 μm were achieved by adding Ti, Cr and Mn, and ZnO nano-particles, which acted as heterogeneous nucleation sites. A decrease in the as-cast grain size led to a corresponding reduction in the recrystallized grain size from 54 to 13 μm. Notably, as-cast grain sizes below 100 μm provided additional nucleation sites at grain boundaries, allowing for a reasonable prediction of recrystallized grain size. Finer grains also contributed to enhanced mechanical properties, with yield strength increasing as recrystallized grain size decreased without significant loss of elongation. Additional strengthening was observed due to η-precipitates at grain boundaries, further improving the properties of fine-grained sheets.

Added value of body MRI to detect primary abdominal malignancies in the diagnostic work-up of patients with adenocarcinoma of unknown primary

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the added benefit of body MRI (covering the chest, abdomen, and pelvis) to detect the primary tumour in patients with adenocarcinoma of unknown primary (ACUP) and a suspected abdominal malignancy in whom previous diagnostic work-up with CT and/or FDG-PET/CT did not yield a primary tumour diagnosis. Methods Thirty ACUP patients with a suspected primary tumour in the abdomen/pelvis (based on pathology and/or pattern of disease) underwent MRI (T2-weighted, DWI, pre- and post-contrast T1-weighted) after completion of their initial diagnostic work-up with CT and/or PET/CT. Effects of MRI to establish a primary tumour diagnosis (and to detect additional metastatic sites) were documented. Integration of all available imaging data, additional diagnostic procedures (e.g., endoscopy), histopathology, and whole genome sequencing served as the composite standard of reference. Results MRI rendered a possible primary tumour diagnosis in 16/30 (53%) cases, which aligned with the final clinical diagnosis in 9/16 (56%) of these cases, thus resulting in a confirmed primary tumour diagnosis in 30% of our total patient cohort. These included four gastrointestinal, two hepatobiliary, one pancreatic, one ovarian and one breast cancer. MRI revealed extra metastatic sites in five patients (17%). Conclusion MRI can be of added value in the diagnostic work-up of ACUP patients with a suspected primary tumour originating from the abdomen or pelvis, in particular to detect gastrointestinal or hepatobiliary malignancies. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results and identify specific ACUP patients that are most likely to benefit from MRI. Key Points QuestionCan body MRI help identify the primary tumour in patients with adenocarcinoma of unknown primary (ACUP)? FindingsIn this pilot of n = 30 ACUP patients with clinically suspected abdominal malignancies, body MRI was able to establish the primary tumour in 30% of cases. Clinical relevanceBody MRI can be of added value (as an adjunct to CT and/or PET/CT) in the diagnostic work-up of ACUP patients with a suspected primary tumour originating from the abdomen or pelvis, especially to detect gastrointestinal or hepatobiliary malignancies.

Population structure of Desmophyllum pertusum found along the United States eastern continental margin

ObjectiveThe connectivity and genetic structuring of populations throughout a region influence a species’ resilience and probability of recovery from anthropogenic impacts. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of population connectivity, more effective management can be prioritized. To assess the connectivity and population genetic structure of a common cold-water coral species, Desmophyllum pertusum (Lophelia pertusa), we performed Restriction-site Associated DNA Sequencing (RADseq) on individuals from nine sites ranging from submarine canyons off New England to the southeastern coast of the United States (SEUS) and the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Fifty-seven individuals and 3,180 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used to assess genetic differentiation.ResultsHigh connectivity exists among populations along the SEUS, yet these populations were differentiated from those to the north off New England and in Norfolk Canyon along the North Atlantic coast of the United States, as well as those in the GOM. Interestingly, Norfolk Canyon, located just north of North Carolina, and GOM populations exhibited low levels of genetic differentiation, corroborating previous microsatellite analyses and signifying gene flow between these populations. Increasing sample sizes from existing populations and including additional sampling sites over a larger geographic range would help define potential source populations and reveal fine-scale connectivity patterns among D. pertusum populations.

Rhesus Macaque Killer Cell Ig-like Receptor Domain 0 Glycans Impact Surface Expression and Ligand Specificity.

Defining the MHC class I ligands of rhesus macaque killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIRs) is fundamental to NK cell biology in this species as a model for infectious diseases and comparative immunogenetics. Several rhesus macaque KIRs belong to a phylogenetically distinct group with a three-amino acid deletion in domain 0 (D0). This deletion results in polymorphic differences in potential N-linked glycosylation (PNG) sites adjacent to a predicted KIR-MHC class I contact site. Whereas most KIRs have two tandem PNG sites in D0 (N36FTN39FT), the KIRs containing the deletion only have a single site in this region (N36FT). To discern the contribution of glycosylation to KIR expression and ligand recognition, we constructed PNG mutants for six lineage II KIR genes that eliminate or create sites for N-glycan addition at these locations. The impact of these mutations on total and surface expression was determined by immunoblotting and flow cytometry. Ligand engagement was assessed by coincubating reporter cell lines bearing chimeric KIR-CD3ζ receptors with target cells expressing individual MHC class I molecules and were corroborated by staining with KIR IgG-Fc fusion proteins. We found that N36FT is glycosylated in KIR with a single site, and at least one site is glycosylated in KIRs with two tandem sites. In general, for rhesus KIRs with a single D0 glycosylation site, that site contributes to surface expression. For KIRs with two tandem sites, the first site can contribute to ligand specificity. This study establishes that D0 glycosylation of rhesus macaque KIRs modulates surface expression and contributes to ligand specificity.

Deletion of mitochondrial DNA methyltransferase 1 contributes the development of murine heart failure under pressure overloaded

Abstract Background Mitochondrial DNA (mitDNA) has similarities to bacterial DNA, which contains inflammatogenic unmethylated CpG motifs. We found that mitDNA that escapes from autophagy causes inflammatory response and heart failure under pressure overload. DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) maintains methylation patterns in somatic cells. Deletion of DNMT1 results in embryonic lethality in mice and mitotic catastrophe in cultured cells. Additional possible translational start sites (ATG1, ATG2) are located upstream of the commonly accepted nuclear DNMT1 translational start site (ATG3) and there is a conserved mitochondrial translocation signal sequence between ATG1 and ATG3. The role of mitochondrial DNMT1 in the development of heart failure remains to be elucidated. Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the in vivo role of mitochondrial DNMT1 in the heart under pressure overload. Methods We generated HA-tagged DNMT1 constructs, 1) starting from ATG1 (termed as whole) 2) from ATG3 (nuclear) and 3) from ATG3 and mutated in the nuclear translocation sequence (mitochondrial) and transfected HEK293 cells with the constructs. Localization of HA-tagged proteins was assessed by immunocytochemistry. We also generated mitochondrial DNMT1-deficient mice by inserting mutations into the ATG1 and ATG2. The mice were subjected to pressure overload by means of transverse aortic constriction (TAC) to induce heart failure. Cardiac remodelling was assessed by echocardiography as well as histological analyses 4 weeks after operation. Results Whole, nuclear and mitochondrial DMNT1 translocated to both mitochondria and nuclei, only nucleus and only mitochondria, respectively. Mitochondrial DNMT1-deficient mice were born at Mendelian frequency and grew to adulthood. Those showed no cardiac phenotypes under baseline conditions. However, the mice exhibited severe systolic dysfunction, indicated by left ventricular fractional shortening, 2 weeks after surgery compared with control littermates (control littermates 47.9% versus Mitochondrial DNMT1-deficient mice 32.3%, p<0.05). Intermuscular cell infiltration was observed in TAC-operated mitochondrial DNMT1-deficient hearts. Conclusions Mitochondrial DNA methyltransferase 1 plays a protective role in failing hearts and mitDNA methylation might be a therapeutic target to treat patients with heart failure.

Dual Role of Ibuprofen and Indomethacin in Promoting Peripheral Nerve Regeneration In Vitro.

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) can result in significant losses of motor and sensory function. Although peripheral nerves have an innate capacity for regeneration, restoration of function after severe injury remains suboptimal. The gold standard for peripheral nerve regeneration (PNR) is autologous nerve transplantation, but this method is limited by the generation of an additional surgical site, donor-site morbidity, and neuroma formation at the site of harvest. Although targeted drug compounds have the potential to influence axonal growth, there are no drugs currently approved to treat PNI. Therefore, we propose to repurpose commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to enhance PNR, facilitating easier clinical translation. Additionally, calcium signaling plays a crucial role in neuronal connectivity and regeneration, but how specific drugs modulate this process remains unclear. We developed an in vitro hollow channel collagen gel platform that successfully supports neuronal network formation. This study evaluated the effects of commonly used NSAIDs, namely ibuprofen and indomethacin, in our in vitro model of axonal growth, regeneration, and calcium signaling as potential treatments for PNI. Our results demonstrate enhanced axonal growth and regrowth with both ibuprofen and indomethacin, suggesting a positive influence on PNR. Further, these drugs showed enhanced calcium signaling dynamics, which we posit is a crucial aspect for nerve repair. Taken together, these findings highlight the potential of ibuprofen and indomethacin to be used as treatment options for PNI, given their dual capability to promote axonal growth and enhance calcium signaling.

Revealing insights into the unexpected effects of ZnO on selective catalytic reduction (SCR) activity of the CeOx-WO3 catalyst

This study delved into the intriguing impact of zinc oxide (ZnO) on the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) performance of a CeOx-WO3 catalyst with a Ce/W molar ratio of 3:2 (denoted as CW). The introduction of ZnO, at low concentrations of 1 wt% or 3 wt%, resulted in a diminution of the catalyst’s surface acid sites, which hampered the adsorption of NH3 and negated the benefits of improved NH3 activation due to the enhanced oxidative capacity. Consequently, the proceeding of the SCR reactions was significantly impeded, with a marked decrease in NOx conversion to approximately 42 % at 200 °C, which was nearly half that of the virgin CW catalyst. In contrast, increasing ZnO loading to 5 wt% facilitated the formation of ZnWO4, which introduced additional strong acid sites and bolstered NH3 adsorption at moderate and high temperatures. This, in conjunction with the heightened reactivity of surface Ce4+, resulted in a resurgence of deNOx performance, with a NOx conversion increase of ∼ 13 % at 250 °C compared to the catalyst with 3 wt% ZnO. Conversely, escalating ZnO loading to 7 wt% disrupted the formation of ZnWO4 and the excess ZnO neutralized the catalyst’s acid sites, thereby hindering NH3 adsorption and reducing NOx conversion. These insights were instrumental for the prospective application of the CeOx-WO3 catalysts under heavy metal-rich conditions.

Core‐Shell Structured CoP@C Cubes as a Superior Anode for High‐Rate and Stable Sodium Storage

AbstractTransition metal phosphides have emerged as a class of promising anode materials of sodium‐ion batteries owing to their excellent sodium storage capacity. However, the limited electronic conductivity and significant volume expansion have impeded their further advancement. In this work, we propose a rational design of cube‐like CoP @C composites with unique core‐shell structure via in situ phosphating and subsequent carbon coating processes. The uniform carbon coating serves as a physical buffering layer that effectively mitigates volume changes during charge/discharge processes, and prevents particle agglomeration and fragmentation, thereby enhancing the structural stability of electrode. Moreover, the nitrogen‐rich carbon layer not only provides additional active sites for sodium ion adsorption but also improves the electrode conductivity and accelerates charge transport dynamics. Consequently, the as‐synthesized CoP@C exhibits a remarkable capacity retention rate of 94.8 % after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g−1 and achieves a high reversible capacity of 146.7 mAh g−1 even under a high current density of 4.0 A g−1.

Interface Engineering Induced by Low Ru Doping in Ni/Co@NC Derived from Ni-ZIF-67 for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Overall Water Splitting.

Electrochemical water splitting is a promising approach for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER); however, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remains a major bottleneck due to its high energy requirements. High-performance electrocatalysts capable of facilitating HER, OER, and overall water splitting (OWS) are highly needed to improve OER kinetics. In this work, we synthesized a trimetallic heterostructure of Ru, Ni, and Co incorporated into N-doped carbon (denoted as Ru/Ni/Co@NC) by first synthesizing Ni/Co@NC from Ni-ZIF-67 polyhedrons via high-temperature carbonization, followed by Ru doping using the galvanic replacement method. Benefiting from increased active surface sites, modulated electronic structure, and enhanced interfacial synergistic effects, Ru/Ni/Co@NC exhibited exceptional electrocatalytic performance for both HER and OER processes. The optimized Ru/Ni/Co@NC catalyst, with a minimal Ru mass ratio of ∼2.07%, demonstrated significantly low overpotential values of 34 mV for HER and 174 mV for OER at a current density of 10 mA/cm2 with corresponding Tafel slope values of 33.42 and 34.39 mV/dec, respectively. Further, the optimized catalyst was loaded onto carbon paper and used as anode and cathode materials for alkaline water splitting. Interestingly, a low cell voltage of just 1.44 V was obtained. The enhanced electrolytic performance was further elaborated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which confirmed that Ru doping in Ni/Co introduced additional active sites for H*, enhancing adsorption/desorption abilities for HER (ΔGH* = -0.30 eV), lowering water dissociation barrier (ΔGb = 0.49 eV) and reducing the energy barrier for the rate-determining step of OER (O* → OOH*) to 1.62 eV in an alkaline environment. These findings reflect the significant potential of ZIF-67-based catalysts in energy conversion and storage applications.

High Performance H2S Sensor Based on Ordered Fe2O3/Ti3C2 Nanostructure at Room Temperature.

The utilization of a heterogeneous nanojunction design has shown significant enhancements in the gas sensing capabilities of traditional metal oxide gas sensors. In this study, a novel room temperature H2S gas sensor employing Fe2O3 functionalized Ti3C2 MXene as the sensing material has been developed. This sensor exhibits a broad detection range (0.01-500 ppm), low detection limit (10 ppb), and rapid response/recovery times (10 s/15 s), making it ideal for ppb-level H2S detection. The exceptional gas sensitivity of Fe2O3/Ti3C2 composite to H2S can be attributed to several key factors. First, the unique layered frame structure of Fe2O3/Ti3C2 significantly amplifies the surface area of the hybrid material, enhancing the absorption and diffusion capabilities of H2S molecules. Second, the abundance of functional groups (-O, -OH, and -F) on the surface of Ti3C2 MXene nanosheets provides additional active sites for H2S adsorption, The density functional theory calculation confirms that the adsorption energy of the Fe2O3/Ti3C2 composite for H2S (-2.93 eV) is significantly lower than that of pure Fe2O3 (-2.37 eV) and Ti3C2 (-0.2 eV). Lastly, the remarkable metal conductivity of Ti3C2 MXene ensures efficient electron transfer, thereby enhancing overall sensing performance.

Identification and Ranking of Binding Sites from Structural Ensembles: Application to SARS-CoV-2

Target identification and evaluation is a critical step in the drug discovery process. Although time-intensive and complex, the challenge becomes even more acute in the realm of infectious disease, where the rapid emergence of new viruses, the swift mutation of existing targets, and partial effectiveness of approved antivirals can lead to outbreaks of significant public health concern. The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, serves as a prime example of this, where despite the allocation of substantial resources, Paxlovid is currently the only effective treatment. In that case, significant effort pre-pandemic had been expended to evaluate the biological target for the closely related SARS-CoV. In this work, we utilize the computational hot spot mapping method, FTMove, to rapidly identify and rank binding sites for a set of nine SARS-CoV-2 drug/potential drug targets. FTMove takes into account protein flexibility by mapping binding site hot spots across an ensemble of structures for a given target. To assess the applicability of the FTMove approach to a wide range of drug targets for viral pathogens, we also carry out a comprehensive review of the known SARS-CoV-2 ligandable sites. The approach is able to identify the vast majority of all known sites and a few additional sites, which may in fact be yet to be discovered as ligandable. Furthermore, a UMAP analysis of the FTMove features for each identified binding site is largely able to separate predicted sites with experimentally known binders from those without known binders. These results demonstrate the utility of FTMove to rapidly identify actionable sites across a range of targets for a given indication. As such, the approach is expected to be particularly useful for assessing target binding sites for any emerging pathogen, as well as for indications in other disease areas, and providing actionable starting points for structure-based drug design efforts.

Porphyrinoid-Functionalized ZnO Nanoflowers for Visible Light-Enhanced and Selective Benzylamine Detection at Room Temperature.

Functionalization of hybrid organic molecules as layers on ZnO nanoflowers (NFs) gives an excellent combination of sensing toward visible light and vapors of various volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In this work, hybrid organic molecules functionalized ZnO NFs were utilized for the photoinduced detection of benzylamine at room temperature. The ZnO NFs were synthesized via a facile solution route and functionalized with four different porphyrin-conjugated molecules namely (i) pyrene-porphyrin (PP), (ii) pyrene- porphyrinato zinc (ZnPP), (iii) triphenylamine- porphyrin (TP) and (iv) triphenylamine- porphyrinato zinc (ZnTP). The diameter of the flower-like structure was found to be ∼3.2 μm with the thickness of petals being ∼24.1 nm. The gas adsorption performance of the functionalized ZnO NFs on light activation at room temperature was studied by using a scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) system. The improved adsorption properties of the samples can be attributed to the heterojunctions and light activation. In particular, an enhanced response of ZnTP functionalized ZnO (ZnTPZ) toward benzylamine was observed. Further, static gas sensing experiments using ZnTPZ under various concentrations (1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 25 ppm) of benzylamine vapors both in dark and visible light conditions have exhibited a linear increase in the response. The selectively enhanced response of ZnTPZ compared to that of pristine ZnO was thus confirmed at 1 ppm of benzylamine. The sensitivity and limit of detection of the ZnTPZ sensor were calculated to be 0.0292 ppm-1 and 197 ppb, respectively. The coordination metal (Zn) has helped in effective charge transfer between benzylamine and ZnTPZ by providing additional active sites for interactions. Also, density functional theory calculations demonstrated the role of the hybrid organic molecules on the sensor surface in improving gas adsorption. Further, fresh cabbage was utilized for real sample analysis with the proposed sensor under visible light illumination conditions, and a linear response was obtained for low ppm evaluation at room temperature. Overall, the obtained results suggest the development of novel ZnTPZ-based light-activated gas sensors for low ppm benzylamine detection at room temperature. These kinds of sensors can be used to track the freshness of vegetables as they are transported from farms to commercial outlets.

The Effect of Carbodiimide Crosslinkers on Gelatin Hydrogel as a Potential Biomaterial for Gingival Tissue Regeneration

Connective tissue grafts for gingival recession treatment present significant challenges as they require an additional surgical site, leading to increased morbidity, extended operative times, and a more painful postoperative recovery for patients. Gelatin contains the arginine–glycine–aspartic acid (RGD) sequence, which supports cell adhesion and interactions. The development of gelatin hydrogels holds significant promise due to their biocompatibility, ease of customization, and structural resemblance to the extracellular matrix, making them a potential candidate for gingival regeneration. This study aimed to assess the physical and biological properties of crosslinked gelatin hydrogels using EDC/NHS with two crosslinker concentrations (GelCL12 and GelCL24) and compare these to non-crosslinked gelatin. Both groups underwent morphological, rheological, and chemical analysis. Biological assessments were conducted to evaluate human gingival fibroblast (HGF) proliferation, migration, and COL1 expression in response to the scaffolds. The crosslinked gelatin group exhibited greater interconnectivity and better physical characteristics without displaying cytotoxic effects on the cells. FTIR analysis revealed no significant chemical differences between the groups. Notably, the GelCL12 group significantly enhanced HGF migration and upregulated COL1 expression. Overall, GelCL12 met the required physical characteristics and biocompatibility, making it a promising scaffold for future gingival tissue regeneration applications.

Enhancing CO2 Electroreduction Precision to Ethylene and Ethanol: The Role of Additional Boron Catalytic Sites in Cu-Based Tandem Catalysts.

The electrocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable multicarbon (C2+) compounds offers a promising approach to mitigate CO2 emissions and harness renewable energy. However, achieving precise selectivity for specific C2+ products, such as ethylene and ethanol, remains a formidable challenge. This study shows that incorporating elemental boron (B) into copper (Cu) catalysts provides additional adsorption sites for *CO intermediates, enhancing the selectivity of desirable C2+ products. Additionally, using a nickel single-atom catalyst (Ni-SAC) as a *CO source increases local *CO concentration and reduces the hydrogen evolution reaction. In situ experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that surface-bound boron units adsorb and convert *CO more efficiently, promoting ethylene production, while boron within the bulk phase of copper influences charge transfer, facilitating ethanol generation. In a neutral electrolyte, the bias current density for ethylene production using the B-O-Cu2@Ni-SAC0.05 hybrid catalyst exceeded 300 mA cm-2, and that for ethanol production with B-O-Cu5@Ni-SAC0.2 surpassed 250 mA cm-2. This study underscores that elemental doping in Cu-based catalysts not only alters charge and crystalline phase arrangements at Cu sites but also provides additional reduction sites for coupling reactions, enabling the efficient synthesis of distinct C2+ products.

Soil liquefaction manifestations at Hatay Airport after the February 2023 Türkiye earthquake sequence

Hatay Airport was shaken by the Mw 7.8 and Mw 7.5 Pazarcık and Ekinözü-Elbistan Kahramanmaraş earthquake sequence on February 6, 2023. Two weeks after these events, Mw 6.3 Yayladağı-Hatay earthquake shook the site again. This paper presents the results of the reconnaissance assessment of soil liquefaction at the site, focusing on mostly three aspects: (a) the seismic response of the Hatay Airport, particularly the surface manifestations of seismic soil liquefaction in the form of soil ejecta; (b) the findings of site investigation studies performed before and after the seismic events, and (c) assessments for soil liquefaction susceptibility. Among the soil ejecta samples collected, three out of five are classified as clayey sand and fall within or near the boundary of the “further studies required” region on the susceptibility charts. The remaining two ejecta samples, composed of low and high-plasticity clay soils with PI values of 31 and 36% fall within the “not susceptible” region. The deviation from the current state of knowledge might be attributed to liquefaction-induced seepage eroding clayey soils to the ground surface or limitations in the current liquefaction susceptibility assessment methods for fine-grained soils, which may not accurately delineate the boundaries between susceptible and not-susceptible zones. Determining the most likely explanation requires additional site investigation studies, including CPT soundings, extending beyond the scope of this reconnaissance study. The documented case history and assessment results are expected to enhance the understanding of seismic soil liquefaction in fine-grained soils and contribute to the development of predictive models based on case histories for assessing liquefaction susceptibility and triggering.

The Influence of World Heritage Sites on Tourism Dynamics in the EU 27 Nations

Culture and tourism are crucial for economic growth and sustainable development, working together symbiotically. Culture boosts tourism by supporting heritage, production, and creativity, while cultural heritage, reflecting national identity and traditions, strengthens local economies. This study uses a panel data analysis to examine the impact of cultural factors on international tourist arrivals in 27 EU nations. The Driscoll–Kraay method reveals that UNESCO World Heritage Sites, government cultural expenditures, household recreation and cultural expenditures, real GDP per job, and bed capacity positively influence international tourist numbers. Regarding cultural factors, World Heritage Sites have the most significant influence, with each additional UNESCO site leading to a 0.22% rise in tourist numbers. The most crucial determinant of tourist arrivals is bed capacity, with a one percent increase leading to a 0.66% increase in tourist arrivals. Conversely, healthcare expenditures and political civil liberties have a negative impact on tourist arrivals. This study discusses managerial implications and offers recommendations for future research.