DFT-guided design of molecularly imprinted sensor for fluorescence and visualization dual-mode oxytetracycline detection.

Smart-controlled nanosystems for agricultural applications.

Non-covalent interactions in thiosemicarbazone coordination chemistry: From crystal engineering to functional materials

With the widespread deployment and extensive utilization of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) across various sectors, battery recycling has emerged as a critical concern for sustainable development. As the most valuable and resource-intensive component of LIBs, cathode materials play a central role in enabling resource conservation, reducing the ecological footprint and reinforcing environmental protection. This review summarizes recent advances in recycling technologies for LIB cathode materials, with particular emphasis on green and sustainable process design. Optimization strategies for conventional hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical routes are first discussed, highlighting efforts to lower energy consumption, chemical usage, and environmental emissions. Emerging direct regeneration and closed-loop recycling approaches are then reviewed, demonstrating their potential to preserve crystal structures, improve material reuse efficiency, and reduce overall processing intensity. Through comparative analysis, key challenges such as high energy demand, complex processing steps, and performance variability of recycled products are identified. Finally, future research directions are outlined, focusing on environmentally benign recycling chemistries, process integration, life-cycle-oriented evaluation, and high-value utilization of recycled cathode materials. These insights aim to guide the development of greener and more sustainable battery recycling technologies. • SLIBs exhibit remarkable value-added potential in the circular economy. • The recovery efficiencies of hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, and direct regeneration are systematically compared. • Green reagents and closed-loop systems contribute to the sustainable development in cathode material recovery.

Recent advances in polymeric nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery system across the blood-brain barrier in Alzheimer's disease.

Methods and strategies of bioengineered cell exosomes for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Structural diversity and functional versatility of bacterial lactate dehydrogenases: Guideline for designing robust industrial enzyme.

In recent years, nutrition and health have become topics of widespread societal concern, and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) have garnered significant interest as prebiotics. Composed of one to nine galactose units terminated by a glucose molecule, GOS exhibit remarkable thermostability, high water solubility, strong humectancy, and low caloric value. They provide various physiological benefits, including prebiotic activity, gut health maintenance, antibacterial, antiadhesive, and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as systemic regulation of blood sugar, lipids, immune homeostasis, and metabolic diseases. These properties support broad applications in the food industry, breeding field, material science, and medical science. Enzymatic production using β-galactosidases is the primary industrial method for GOS synthesis. This review provides an overview of recent advances in β-galactosidase biochemistry, crystal structures, catalytic mechanisms, molecular modification, immobilization, and heterologous expression, along with GOS physiological functions, production, applications, and whey utilization. Future opportunities for GOS research and development are also briefly discussed.

Tracking the current situation and key paths of phosphogypsum harmlessness.

Protein amyloid fibrils (AFs) have garnered significant attention in the food industry. However, the acid-thermal preparation method has obvious limitations, such as harsh reaction conditions and poor product homogeneity. Therefore, this review aimed to summarize recent research advances in the formation of AFs from various source proteins, with a focus on innovative strategies for optimizing preparation conditions. It also provided an in-depth analysis of the regulatory mechanisms governing the formation of AFs, influenced by environmental factors such as pH, ionic types and strength, heat conditions, and interactions between substances. The kinetic characteristics and morphological evolution of the AFs assembly process were elucidated at the molecular level. The overview of aforementioned formation mechanism lays theoretical foundation for the precise regulation of the functional properties of AFs. Furthermore, thanks to their excellent functional properties, AFs are increasingly applied and play a crucial in fields such as materials science, biomedicine, and food innovation. Therefore, this review presented the latest research trends and application prospects of AFs in these fields. Finally, while comprehensively analyzing the technical advantages, this review also objectively pointed out challenges in recent investigations, including difficulties in large-scale production and insufficient safety assessment, and put suggestions for development suggestions. This review provides valuable theoretical basis and technical reference for the efficient preparation of AFs from edible proteins through modification or environmental regulation strategies. It also holds its significant research value and broad application potential in the development of novel functional materials, personalized food products, and related fields.

Periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are one of the most dreaded complications of arthroplasty. Although relatively rare with an incidence of 1-2%, the absolute burden of PJIs is growing over time as the volume of performed arthroplasties increases. PJIs are associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Treatment is challenging and may require multiple revision surgeries, reimplantation, and/or amputation. The main issue is the delayed detection of PJIs, which permits progression of the infection into robust biofilms resistant to conventional antimicrobials. Early-detection strategies should focus on identifying infection during the pre-biofilm, planktonic phase, when it remains responsive to medical therapy. Implantable smart sensors are an innovative way to obtain local, real-time monitoring of the implant microenvironment to achieve this objective. In this translational review, an overview of PJIs and biofilm formation will first be provided. The current diagnostic approach to PJIs will then be reviewed along with its limitations to highlight opportunities for innovation. Fundamentals of smart sensor technology and examples of devices designed to detect markers of early infection will then be discussed. Research on smart sensors for the post-operative monitoring of orthopedic implants is in its infancy and has yet to be widely adopted into clinical practice. Strengths, limitations, and clinical significance of smart sensors in development will be discussed to inform recommendations on future directions. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is one of the most serious complications after hip and knee replacement surgery, yet current diagnostic tests often fail to detect infection early, when treatment is most effective. This review is the first to comprehensively evaluate the potential of implantable "smart sensors" that can monitor the joint environment in real time to detect early signs of infection. By comparing different sensor designs and highlighting both opportunities and limitations, our work bridges orthopaedic surgery, materials science, and bioengineering. These insights are significant for guiding future biomaterial-based diagnostics, with the long-term goal of improving outcomes for the rapidly growing population of patients undergoing joint replacement worldwide.

The density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) algorithm is a cornerstone computational method for studying quantum many-body systems, renowned for its accuracy and adaptability. Because DMRG provides a general framework applicable across various fields such as materials science, quantum chemistry, and quantum computing, one might expect a shared, flexible library to serve most users. Nevertheless, numerous independent implementations continue to appear, resulting in significant duplication of effort. To identify collaboration opportunities that can promote a more unified approach, we map the rapidly expanding DMRG software landscape and provide a comprehensive comparison of features across 37 existing packages. When comparing key features, such as parallelism strategies for high-performance computing and symmetry-adapted formulations that enhance efficiency, we found significant overlap among the packages. This overlap suggests opportunities for collaboration to modularize common functionality—e.g., tensor operations, symmetry representations, and eigensolvers—as the packages are mostly independent and share few third-party library dependencies. More collaboration on modularization could reduce duplication of effort, improve interoperability, and enable prioritization and quicker spread of new advances. We believe the current lack of modularity is more socially driven than a technical issue; hence, we see raising awareness about the existing implementations as a first step in the right direction. Ultimately, this work emphasizes the value of greater cohesion through modularity, which would benefit DMRG software and related tensor-network-centered software, enabling the solution of more complex and ambitious problems.

Chronic wound infections remain a major healthcare challenge due to persistent polymicrobial biofilms and the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. Conventional antimicrobial therapies often fail to eradicate biofilms, highlighting the need for innovative therapeutic strategies. Metal complexes have emerged as promising candidates owing to their multitarget antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities and potential for localize wound treatment. This review examines the role of metal complexes in combating biofilm-associated wound infections. Their mechanisms of action, including membrane disruption, redox imbalance, quorum-sensing inhibition, metabolic interference, and biofilm matrix destabilization, are discussed. The review further explores the integration of metal complexes into advanced transdermal and wound patch platforms, including polymeric matrices, nanocomposite systems and stimuli-responsive delivery systems designed to enhance localized drug release, improve wound retention, and minimize systemic toxicity. Current preclinical and translational developments are also highlighted. Metal-complex-based transdermal therapeutics represent a promising next-generation approach for managing chronic biofilm-mediated wound infections and overcoming antimicrobial resistance. However, successful clinical translation requires addressing challenges related to toxicity, formulation stability, manufacturing scalability, regulatory approval, and long-term safety. Future interdisciplinary efforts integrating microbiology, materials science, and clinical research will be essential to advance these technologies from laboratory to clinical practice.

Accurate counting of nanoparticles in microscopy images such as SEM and TEM is critical for advancing materials science and nanotechnology. Though many conventional as well as novel methods exist to count particles in microscopy images, the presence of overlapping particles poses significant challenges. This study introduces a novel computational approach to count nanoparticles in microscopy images, addressing limitations in handling particle overlap. The proposed method integrates distance transform, watershed segmentation, and U-Net machine learning. Distance transform enhances finding center points of the particles; watershed segmentation effectively separates overlapping particles; and U-Net enables robust particle segmentation from complex image backgrounds. The methodology was first developed using computer-generated grayscale images with varying particle sizes and overlap percentages, then validated on a dataset of 17 TEM images (1022 × 668 pixels) of Fe3O4 and silica-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles at 20 nm and 50 nm scales. Conventional convolution-based methods could accurately count non-overlapping particles but failed to give the accurate count when particles were overlapped. The accuracy of convolution-based methods also depended on kernel radius selection. Replacing convolution method with the distance transform and watershed method significantly improved the accuracy of particle counting in images with overlapping particles. The U-Net model, combined with a smooth blending algorithm, achieved a mean percentage error of 6.5% in particle counting on real TEM images. This approach demonstrates significant promise for applications in materials science, nanotechnology, and biology, where accurate particle quantification is essential. By addressing the limitations of conventional techniques, it offers a practical and efficient solution for automated nanoparticle analysis in microscopy images.

ATP-modulatory biomaterials: Design strategies and medical applications.

Artificial intelligence in revolutionizing food encapsulation: Applications ranging from discovery to deployment.

Exploration of self-cleaning and bactericidal properties of the fine micro-architectured wings of hemipteran planthopper, leafhopper, and spine soldier bug.

The molecular design of functional organic dyes as fluorescent chemosensors represents a dynamic frontier in materials chemistry, bridging synthetic dye chemistry with practical analytical applications. This review summarizes recent progress in the molecular design and photophysical properties of fluorescent sensors for metal ion detection, with particular emphasis on lead (Pb 2+ ) ions. The first part focuses specifically on Pb 2+ -responsive sensors, considering the high toxicity of lead and the need for selective chelation strategies. The second part systematically surveys diverse fluorophore backbones, including quinoline, pyrazoloquinoline, fluorescein, rhodamine, coumarin, pyrene, and Schiff base derivatives. Special attention is given to how specific structural modifications and the strategic incorporation of chelating units influence fluorescence responses and coordination selectivity. Key analytical parameters of sensor–ion systems, such as detection limits, binding constants, and complex stoichiometry, are compared across representative fluorophore-based sensorsFinally, the underlying metal-ligand interactions and fluorescence sensing mechanisms, including photoinduced electron transfer (PET), intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF), chelation-enhanced quenching (CHEQ) and excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), are discussed. The review concludes with an outlook on current challenges and future perspectives in the development of selective, sensitive, and practically applicable fluorescent sensors for Pb 2+ detection. • Comprehensive review of organic dye-based fluorescent sensors for metal ion detection, with a specific focus on highly toxic Pb 2+ ions. • Comparison of sensors with different fluorophore cores (fluorescein, rhodamine, quinoline, pyrene, coumarin, Schiff base), including their detection limits, complex stoichiometry, and binding constants. • Detailed overview of the coordination chemistry of Pb 2+ -selective sensors. • Insight into the fluorescence detection mechanism (PET, ICT, CHEF, CHEQ, ESIPT) as a key design element for improving sensor selectivity and sensitivity.

Traditional oral formulations often lead to significant fluctuations in plasma drug concentrations. In contrast, oral osmotic pumps achieve zero-order drug release driven by osmotic pressure, which is largely independent of physiological variables, offering an effective solution to optimize drug delivery outcomes. This review aims to summarize the structural types, functional mechanisms, and key factors influencing drug release of oral osmotic pumps, compare their performance disparities, and provide valuable references for subsequent research and development in this field. Oral osmotic pump systems were classified based on their structural designs, their mechanisms of action and key drug release-influencing factors were elaborated, and the characteristics and application potential of different systems were comparatively evaluated. Oral osmotic pump systems can be categorized into single-chamber, multi-chamber, and specific types, with push-pull osmotic pumps particularly suitable for poorly soluble drugs and targeted systems enabling site-specific therapy. Drug properties, osmotic pressure, semipermeable membrane characteristics, and release orifice parameters are critical factors governing drug release. Despite advantages such as stable release profiles and broad applicability, the system is limited by complex preparation processes and high costs. Oral osmotic pumps represent a highly valuable drug delivery technology. Future integration with intelligent technologies and advanced materials is expected to overcome existing challenges, facilitating more precise and efficient drug delivery.

To promote ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) as an advanced material with greater economic and environmental benefits, this study combined recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) and red mud (RM) to further reduce the proportions of mineral material. Compared to natural coarse aggregates (NCA), the introduction of RCA can lead to the formation of numerous weaker interfacial transition zones (ITZs) between RCA and the new cement matrix due to the presence of old adhered mortar, resulting in insufficient mechanical properties of RCA-UHPC. Herein, the addition of 10 wt% RM did not improve the mechanical properties of NCA-UHPC, but significantly narrowed the strength gap between RCA-UHPC and NCA-UHPC, reducing the difference in compressive and splitting tensile strength at 28 d from 32.6 MPa and 4.7 MPa to 2.9 MPa and 1.1 MPa, respectively. Microscopic results indicate that ultrafine RM particles can fill the ITZs between RCA and new cement mortar, reducing their width to an almost invisible level. In detail, RM particles can serve as fillers and nucleation sites to promote the formation of high-crystallinity CaCO 3 crystals that can fill micropores and improve the microstructure between the old adhered mortar and the RM layer. Additionally, the bonds between the RM layer and the new cement mortar can be slightly enhanced by the hydration reactions induced by RM’s pozzolanic activity. The increase in hydration products from the continuous pozzolanic reaction of RM contributes to improved bonding strength, as reflected in the higher mechanical properties observed at 56 days compared to the reference group without RM. In this study, the combination of 20 wt% RCA and 10 wt% RM in the UHPC matrix under standard curing achieves a trade-off, offering a promising strategy for the combined reuse of construction and solid waste in the construction industry.