Negative Potential Research Articles

Revealing an Intercalation Nature of High-Capacity Conversion Cathode Materials for Fluoride-Ion Batteries by Operando Studies.

To improve the performance of high-energy-density electrode materials for all-solid-state fluoride-ion batteries (ASSFIBs), it is important to understand the structure and phase evolution during operation, which is closely correlated to capacity fading. In this study, an operando cell is designed compatible with laboratory X-ray diffraction (XRD) to monitor real-time structural changes of bismuth trifluoride (BiF3) cathodes and degradation of the ionic conductor BaSnF4 under negative potentials at 100 °C. Supported by ex-situ XRD, our results reveal a multi-step defluorination of BiF3: from orthorhombic (o-BiF3) to cubic (c-BiF3), then to distorted orthorhombic (o'-BiF3), and finally to metallic bismuth (Bi), indicating partial intercalation-type character. Formation of bismuth oxidefluoride (BiOF) beyond 200 mAh g-1 is attributed to oxygen impurities introduced via solid-state synthesis. operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) confirms a continuous reduction of Bi3+ to Bi0 with intermediate phases. Rietveld refinement quantifies the phase fractions and structural transitions, enabling a model for BiF3 defluorination. Comparison of operando XRD and XAS reveals that BaSnF4 contributes transport of both fluoride and oxygen impurities, leading to BiOF formation. BaSnF4 also exhibits a broad stability window, with degradation occurring below -200 mV, rather than the expected -50 mV vs. Sn/SnF2.

N, S coordination in Co single atom catalyst promoting CO2RR towards HCOOH at negative potentials

N, S coordination in Co single atom catalyst promoting CO2RR towards HCOOH at negative potentials

Electrophysiological comparison of left versus right stellate ganglia neurons.

Electrophysiological comparison of left versus right stellate ganglia neurons.

English

The study revealed the opportunity for biopesticides based on nanoemulsions derived from Kaempferia galanga and waste from patchouli oil distillation as an alternative control of bacterial leaf blight pathogen of rice to replace synthetic pesticides and support sustainable agriculture. Research conducted showed that the formula composition consisting of oil fraction [(87 mL patchouli oil distillation waste; 3 mL Tween 80) + water fraction (7.5 mL bioethanol; 2.5 mL K. galanga extract)] produced a stable and homogeneous biopesticide formula. In addition, it could suppress the development of the pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), which is shown by the highest inhibition zone compared to other formulas. Formula 1 features stable nano-sized particles that exhibit a negative zeta potential. Research conducted on rice plants demonstrated that the nanoemulsion biopesticide Formula 1 effectively suppressed the development of bacterial leaf blight. The most significant reduction in disease intensity, measured at a concentration of 2000 ppm, was 6.84% lower than bactericides. Furthermore, the application of this biopesticide did not adversely affect the growth of rice plants, as no significant differences were observed in growth variables

Phycocyanin-butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) anthocyanin nanoparticles as novel high internal phase Pickering emulsion stabilizers with antioxidant and UV shielding properties.

Phycocyanin-butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) anthocyanin nanoparticles as novel high internal phase Pickering emulsion stabilizers with antioxidant and UV shielding properties.

Utilizing tomato pomace-based pectins in the fabrication of selenium nanoformulations - Functional characterization and gastrointestinal stability.

Utilizing tomato pomace-based pectins in the fabrication of selenium nanoformulations - Functional characterization and gastrointestinal stability.

Enhancing efficacy of combretastatin A4 by encapsulation in solid lipid nanoparticles: Implications for anti-angiogenic cancer therapy.

Enhancing efficacy of combretastatin A4 by encapsulation in solid lipid nanoparticles: Implications for anti-angiogenic cancer therapy.

Removal of vanadium(V) ions from acidic water using reusable manganese oxide sorbents.

Removal of vanadium(V) ions from acidic water using reusable manganese oxide sorbents.

Melatonin-loaded lecithin and chitosan nanoparticles are cytotoxic to 4T1 breast cancer cells and safe in a BALB/c mouse model.

Melatonin-loaded lecithin and chitosan nanoparticles are cytotoxic to 4T1 breast cancer cells and safe in a BALB/c mouse model.

TPEN loaded poly (lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles promote neuroprotection and optic nerve regeneration.

TPEN loaded poly (lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles promote neuroprotection and optic nerve regeneration.

How can emotion and familiarity improve own-name oddball paradigms?

How can emotion and familiarity improve own-name oddball paradigms?

The phenomenon of virtual reality in the context of transformations of modern socio-cultural processes

The article is dedicated to a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon of virtual reality as an innovative sociocultural formation that significantly changes the ways of human existence, perception, communication, and interaction in the digital age. Virtual reality is viewed not only as a technological achievement but also as a space for new social practices, in which alternative models of experience, thinking, and interaction are formed. Special attention is given to how the virtual environment transforms the structure of culture, redefines educational and artistic processes, reshapes medical practice, and opens new opportunities for psychological rehabilitation. The study emphasizes the positive potential of virtual reality, particularly its ability to stimulate creativity, activate learning processes, develop empathy through simulating social situations, and create new forms of collaboration regardless of geographical limitations. Furthermore, virtual spaces offer the opportunity for deeper immersion in learning through the visualization of complex and abstract concepts, making the educational process more interactive and engaging. At the same time, the article focuses on a number of risks that arise from the hyperintegration of virtual technologies into everyday life, including social isolation, devaluation of real experiences, erosion of traditional communication, deepening digital inequality, violation of privacy, and the formation of dependency on artificially constructed impressions. Specifically, one of the greatest threats is the rapid increase in social distance between those who have access to advanced technologies and those who cannot take advantage of such opportunities. The article also examines the interaction of virtual reality with other innovative directions, such as neurotechnologies, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality, which together create a new paradigm of human-centered technologies. Thanks to the integration of these technologies, the possibilities for personalized and adaptive systems in education, therapy, and interaction increase significantly, allowing for even more precise adjustment of interfaces to the users' needs. The transformation of the concepts of corporeality, personal identity, authenticity, and subjectivity in a virtualized society is outlined. In parallel, new challenges emerge concerning the preservation of the authenticity of personal experience and the genuineness of interactions in the digital space. The conclusion is drawn about the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach to studying this phenomenon in order to create effective ethical, legal, and pedagogical mechanisms for its harmonious integration into societal life.

The promise of resurrection plants in enhancing crop tolerance to water scarcity.

Climate change affects the agricultural sector by modifying precipitation patterns, increasing extreme weather events, and geographically shifting agriculturally viable areas. These climate alterations substantially impact plant resilience to abiotic stress and, consequently, agricultural productivity. A better understanding of plant adaptations to tolerate extreme environmental conditions could pave the way for future advances in agricultural sustainability. One such adaptation is vegetative desiccation tolerance (VDT), which enables some species, known as 'resurrection plants', to undergo almost complete drying without losing viability. The current review discusses how incorporating different molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying VDT into crops might expand the time during which crops can continue growing under limiting water conditions and perhaps broaden the range of survivable negative water potentials that a crop can endure under drought stress. Such possibilities could alleviate the detrimental consequences of low water availability to crops. Understanding how plants survive extreme dehydration has the potential to enlighten new strategies to improve the climate resiliency of crops, thereby positively impacting worldwide food security and sustainability.This article is part of the theme issue 'Crops under stress: can we mitigate the impacts of climate change on agriculture and launch the 'Resilience Revolution'?'.

Bioadhesive Eudragit RL®100 Nanocapsules for Melanoma Therapy: A Repurposing Strategy for Propranolol

Background/Objectives: Cutaneous melanoma is a potent neoplasm whose advancement is linked to catecholamine-induced angiogenesis through β-adrenergic receptors. Propranolol (PROP), a non-selective β-blocker, holds potential in oncology, but its systemic side effects restrict its viability. This study aims to nanoencapsulate PROP in Eudragit RL®100 polymeric nanocapsules for topical melanoma treatment. Methods: Nanocapsules were created through interfacial deposition of preformed polymer and characterized in terms of particle size, zeta potential, pH, drug content, and encapsulation efficiency. In vitro evaluations include release profile, antioxidant activity, bioadhesiveness, hemolysis, cytotoxicity, and antitumor effect on melanoma cells. Additionally, migration assays were conducted. Results: The nanocapsules displayed an acidic pH, an average size of 151 nm, and a positive zeta potential. An encapsulation efficiency of 81% was achieved, even with the hydrochloride form of the drug. The release profile exhibited sustained release of PROP, showcasing enhanced antioxidant activity in the nanoencapsulated form. The formulations also exhibited significant bioadhesion with mucin and an in vitro hemolysis rate over 50%, attributed to the cationic polymer and surfactants present. Moreover, in the cell viability assays, the NC-PROP formulations significantly reduced melanoma cell viability. In the migration assay, both the nanocapsules with and without the drug significantly inhibited cell migration, supporting the potential therapeutic benefits of these formulations. Conclusions: The nanoencapsulation of PROP in Eudragit RL®100 presents a viable strategy for topical treatment of cutaneous melanoma, enhancing release duration and reducing systemic effects. The assessments indicated distinct physical properties and substantial therapeutic potential.

Mitigating fines migration in low salinity water flooding of clay rich sandstones using TiO2 Saponin Zr nanocomposites

Mitigating formation damage due to fines migration is crucial for maintaining reservoir productivity in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes. This research introduces a novel composite, Titanium dioxide nanoparticles coated with Saponin and Zirconium (TiO2@Saponin/Zr(IV)), synthesized via a sol–gel method, to address this challenge, particularly in low salinity water injection scenarios. Characterization through FT-IR confirmed successful functionalization, indicated by the Zr–O band at 480 cm−1 and saponin bands around 1030–1085 cm−1 and 2919–2850 cm−1. Zeta potential measurements showed that in low salinity brine, quartz and kaolinite exhibited highly negative potentials of − 32 mV and − 45 mV, respectively, while TiO2@Saponin/Zr(IV) displayed a positive potential of + 19 mV. Importantly, mixtures of quartz and kaolinite with TiO2@Saponin/Zr(IV) in low salinity conditions resulted in moderated zeta potentials of + 3 mV and − 2 mV, indicating surface charge modulation. Core flooding experiments further validated the composite’s effectiveness. Injecting high salinity water resulted in a minor permeability reduction from 90 to 78 mD, while low salinity water injection caused a drastic drop from 90 to 8 mD. However, with the introduction of 0.5 wt% TiO2@Saponin/Zr(IV) in low salinity water, the permeability reduction was significantly controlled, decreasing from 90 to 85 mD. These quantitative results demonstrate that TiO2@Saponin/Zr(IV) effectively mitigates fines migration by modifying surface charge and preserving permeability, offering a promising solution for formation damage control and enhanced oil recovery.

Investigation of singlet oxygen quantum yield of protonated water-soluble glycosylated porphyrin photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy.

In this study, we explored the photophysical properties of three forms of glycosylated porphyrin photosensitizers, mainly focusing on their ability to generate singlet oxygen for photodynamic therapy. Porphyrin derivatives are known for their efficacy in photodynamic therapy due to their ability to generate singlet oxygen, a reactive oxygen species crucial for cellular damage in cancer therapy. The three porphyrin molecules aredesignated as free-base (GPPOH), protonated (PGPPOH), and metalated (ZnGPPOH) glycosylated porphyrins. The singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ) values were determined through theUV-visible spectroscopic technique using a singlet oxygen quenchers, 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran, and anthracene1,3-dimethyl malonate. Our findings reveal that PGPPOH porphyrin photosensitizer exhibits the highest ΦΔ value, followed by ZnGPPOH and GPPOH, indicating a correlation between molecular structure and photodynamic efficiency. Photo-cytotoxicity studies alsodemonstrate that PGPPOH exhibits greater cell apoptosis in HeLa cells, while showing minimal cytotoxic effects in HEK cells than GPPOH and ZnGPPOH. PGPPOH has two positive charges in its core, which may preferentially localize it to cancer cells with negative mitochondrial membrane potential. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing porphyrin-based photosensitizers in therapeutic applications.

In Situ Monitoring of Molten Chloride Salt Chemistry and Corrosion Using a Microelectrode.

This study investigated, for the first time, the applicability of a borosilicate glass-coated tungsten microelectrode for in situ monitoring of localized surface electrochemical processes, such as corrosion. The diffusion of Eu3+ ions was analyzed via cyclic voltammetry from 400 to 550 °C. The microelectrode consistently overestimated diffusion coefficients compared to the macroelectrode results due to additional intrinsic glass electrode current (IGEC) originating from the borosilicate glass coating, as confirmed by EIS. Further analysis revealed that the effective capacitance of the borosilicate glass increases with temperature, and corrected diffusion values were obtained after subtracting the IGEC. To assess the microelectrode's performance for novel high-temperature scanning electron-chemical microscopy applications, approach curve tests were conducted near insulating alumina and corroding Ni-20Cr surfaces. The current response depended strongly on approach speed and temperature. Approaching the insulating alumina at lower temperatures and faster speeds induced artifacts likely from convection-driven interference and limited ionic mobility. Near the corroding Ni-20Cr surface, slower approach speeds enhanced deposition effects at more negative potentials. Additionally, time-dependent OCP profiling near Ni-20Cr captured the evolution of local redox potential gradients. These results emphasize the need to carefully optimize operational parameters and highlight the potential of microelectrodes for localized electrochemical measurements in molten salt environments.

Impairment of emotional processing from cumulative repetitive subconcussion: Evidence from event-related potentials and sLORETA in parachuters.

Impairment of emotional processing from cumulative repetitive subconcussion: Evidence from event-related potentials and sLORETA in parachuters.

Event-related potentials reveal hypnotherapy's impact on attention bias in social anxiety disorder

BACKGROUND Exploring hypnotherapy's potential to modulate attention bias offers promising avenues for treating social anxiety disorder (SAD). AIM To determine if hypnotherapy can alleviate social anxiety by influencing attention bias, specifically identifying the aspects of attention processes affected by hypnosis. METHODS In this study, 69 SAD participants were divided into three groups based on their Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale scores: Experimental group, control group, and baseline group. The experimental group (n = 23) underwent six weekly hypnosis sessions, while the control (n = 23) and baseline groups (n = 23) received no treatment. To evaluate alterations in SAD severity and attention bias towards threatening stimuli following hypnotherapy, we employed a combination of self-report questionnaires, an odd-one-out task, and electroencephalography recordings. RESULTS The experimental group showed significant reductions in P1, N170, N2pc, and late positive potential (LPP) brain wave activities during attention sensitivity and disengagement conditions. This indicates that hypnotherapy modulates early-stage face processing and later-stage emotional evaluation of threat-related stimuli in SAD patients. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight P1, N170, N2pc, and LPP as key neural markers in SAD treatment. By identifying these neural markers influenced by hypnotherapy, we offer insight into the mechanisms by which this treatment modality impacts attentional processes, potentially easing SAD symptoms.

DESIGN, FORMULATION, AND IN-VITRO CHARACTERIZATION OF LIPID-BASED NANO-BILOSOMAL VESICLES OF LOVASTATIN

Objective: This research work aims to develop the bilosomal vesicles for the delivery of lovastatin (LVS), a lipid-lowering agent known for its poor aqueous solubility and low absorption, which presents a major challenge in drug delivery and development. This study examinesthe potential of Bilosomes as an innovative vesicular drug delivery system to overcome these issues and limitations with LVS and enhance its therapeutic effectiveness. Methods: Preliminary studies were conducted to determine the suitable lipid, non-ionic surfactant, and bile salt components and their levels for bilosomal system development. Fifteen formulae were obtained by adopting a Box-Behnken surface design using Design Expert software, prepared using the thin film hydration technique, and characterized in terms of entrapment efficiency (EE%), vesicle size (VS), zeta potential (Zp), and cumulative in-vitro release % after 72 hours. The developed LVS-loaded bilosomal formulations were then optimized through the analysis of the characterization results to predict the optimized formula. Results: The maximum wavelength of LVS was determined at 238 nm after UV scanning, and the calibration curve constructed for LVS in dissolution medium showed a strong linear relationship between absorbance and concentration over the range of 2.5 to 20 µg/ml. The saturation solubility of LVS in Sorenson’s phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) containing 1% Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) was significantly enhanced (2.3 mg/ml) compared to its intrinsic solubility in pure water (0.0013 mg/ml), confirming that it was the best dissolution medium for the study. All Box-Behnken developed LVS-loaded bilosomal formulae exhibited high entrapment efficiencies (EE%), nano-size vesicles with polydispersity index (PDI) values, ranging from 0.218±0.006 to 0.495±0.028 indicating uniform size distribution, negative zeta potential (ZP) values ranging mV suggesting good stability, and cumulative release profile ranging from 19.89±0.049% to 43.27±0.024 % revealing sustained release patterns. Conclusions: This research paper employed Sorenson’s phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) containing 1% SLS as a good dissolution medium for LVS in which it showed greater solubility, and highlights the potentials of LVS-loaded Bilosomes with high EE%, vesicular nano-size, negative zeta potential values, and sustained release patterns as efficient drug delivery system for enhancing the solubility and stability of poorly water-soluble drugs such as LVS. Peer Review History: Received 6 February 2025; Reviewed 11 March 2025; Accepted 21 April; Available online 15 May 2025