Spontaneous Formation Research Articles

Deeply Discharged, Quiescently Stable, and Long-Life Zn Anode by Spontaneous SEI Formation.

Zn ion batteries (ZIBs) are a promising candidate in safe and low-cost large-scale energy storage applications. However, significantly deteriorated cycling stability of Zn anode in high depth of charge or after long-term quiescence impedes the practical application of ZIBs. Aiming at the above issue, a spontaneous solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation of Zn4(OH)6SO4·xH2O (ZHS) on Zn powder is achieved in pure ZnSO4 electrolyte by facile and rational interface design. The stable and ultrathin ZHS SEI plays a crucial part in insulating water molecules and conducting Zn2+ ions, intrinsically suppressing the severe hydrogen evolution and dendrite formation on the Zn powder anode. The ZHS-Zn anode delivers a stable cycling at a high DOD of 50% for over 500h, as well as a lifespan of over 200h after 40-days of resting at a DOD of 25%. Benefiting from the high utilization of Zn anode, the energy density of the Zn-MnxV2O5 full cell is up to 118WhKg-1. This facile method can fabricate the ZHS-Zn anode as long as 1m, revealing its feasibility in large-scale production and commercialization.

Engineering Biomimetic Protein Camouflage for Delivering Peptide/siRNA Nanocomplexes.

For cationic nanoparticles, the spontaneous nanoparticle-protein corona formation and aggregation in biofluids can trigger unexpected biological reactions. Herein, we present a biomimetic strategy for camouflaging the cationic peptide/siRNA nanocomplex (P/Si) with single or dual proteins, which exploits the unique properties of endogenous proteins and stabilizes the cationic P/Si complex for safe and targeted delivery. An in-depth study of the P/Si protein corona (P/Si-PC) formation and protein binding was conducted. The results provided insights into the biochemical and toxicological properties of cationic nanocomplexes and the rationales for engineering biomimetic protein camouflages. Based on this, the human serum albumin (HSA) and apolipoprotein AI (Apo-AI) ranked within the top 20 abundant protein species of P/Si-PC were selected to construct biomimetic HSA-dressed P/Si (P/Si@HSA) and dual protein (HSA and Apo-AI)-dressed P/Si (P/Si@HSA_Apo), given that the dual-protein camouflage plays complementary roles in efficient delivery. A branched cationic peptide (b-HKR) was tailored for siRNA delivery, and their nanocomplexes, including the cationic P/Si and biomimetic protein-dressed P/Si, were produced by a precise microfluidic technology. The biomimetic anionic protein camouflage greatly enhanced P/Si biostability and biocompatibility, which offers a reliable strategy for overcoming the limitation of applying cationic nanoparticles in biofluids and systemic delivery.

Formation of two-dimensional mixed monolayers of integrated-cellulose nanofibers and starch nanoparticles using cellulose acetate and soluble starch

In this study, mixed monolayers comprising starch and cellulose nanofibers are prepared on the water surface and effectively controlled their surface morphologies. Through the spreading of cellulose acetate on the water surface, we achieve the preparation of integrated films with the spontaneous formation of nanocellulose. It is confirmed that starch, which is insoluble in the spreading solvent, is solubilized through a soluble treatment and spreads into a monolayer on the water surface. Upon mixing the nanocellulose integrated layer and starch particle layer, the morphology changes based on the mixed ratio of these components. In the monolayer film of a 1:1 mixture of cellulose acetate and soluble starch, the morphology predominantly consists of fibers, with particulate aggregates incorporated here and there. Furthermore, when the ratio changes to 1:5, the mixed monolayer transforms into a single particle layer, while the mixed monolayer evolves into a fibrous integrated film at a ratio of 5:1. Meanwhile, from the evaluation of the surface pressure-area isotherms, it is predicted that both components constitute an ideal mesoscopic miscible system. In addition, in the subphase temperature dependence of the cellulose acetate:soluble starch = 1:1 mixed monolayer, fibers are promoted under low-temperature conditions, and substantial domains are formed under high-temperature conditions. Notably, the mixed film remains amorphous at all ratios and exhibits low surface free energy, simultaneously suggesting hydrophobic and oil-repellent properties.

Enthalpy-Driven Self-Healing in Thin Metallic Films on Flexible Substrates.

Self-healing microelectronics are needed for costly applications with limited or without access. They are needed in fields such as space exploration to increase lifetime and decrease both costs and the environmental impact. While advanced self-healing mechanisms for polymers are numerous, practical ways for self-healing in metal films have yet to be found. A concept for an autonomous intrinsic self-healing metallic film system is developed, allowing the healing of cracks in metallic films on flexible substrates. The concept relies on stabilizing metastable thin films with high mixing enthalpy via segregation barriers. This allows the films to possess autonomous intrinsic self-healing capabilities triggered by cracking at temperatures not detrimental to flexible microelectronics. The effect will be shown on metastable Mo1-xAgx thin films, stabilized via a Mo segregation barrier. Without a segregation barrier, the system is known to exhibit spontaneous Ag particle formation on the surface. This property is controlled and directed to heal cracks and partially restore the electro-mechanical properties of the multilayer system. This mechanism opens up the field of self-healing thin metallic films that could profoundly impact the design of future microelectronics.

Microscopic behavior of nano-water droplets on a silica glass surface

Recent advancements in computational science and interfacial measurements have sparked interest in microscopic water droplets and their diverse behaviors. A previous study using nonlinear spectroscopy revealed the heterogeneous wetting phenomenon of silica glass in response to humidity. Building on this premise, we employed high-resolution atomic force microscopy to investigate the wetting dynamics of silica glass surfaces at various humidity levels. Our observations revealed the spontaneous formation of nano-water droplets at a relative humidity of 50%. In contrast to the conventional model, which predicts the spreading of nanodroplets to form a uniform water film, our findings demonstrate the coexistence of nano-water droplets and the liquid film. Moreover, the mobility of the nano-water droplets suggests their potential in inducing the transport of adsorbates on solid surfaces. These results may contribute to the catalytic function of solid materials.

Zonal jets and eddy tilts in barotropic geostrophic turbulence

The spontaneous formation of zonal jets is a distinctive feature of geostrophic turbulence with the phenomenon witnessed in numerous numerical studies. In such systems, strong rotation anisotropises the spectral evolution of the energy density such that zonal modes are favoured. In physical space, this manifests as eddies zonally elongating and forming into zonal jets. In the presence of large scale dissipation, the flow may reach statistical stationarity such that the zonal structure persists in the zonal and time mean, and is supported by a flux of eddy momentum. What is unclear is how the excitation of Rossby waves arranges the underlying eddy momentum stresses to support the mean flow structures. To study this, we examine a steady-state flow in the so-called ‘zonostrophic’ regime, in which characteristic scales of geostrophic turbulence are well separated and there are several alternating zonal jets that have formed spontaneously. We apply a geometric eddy ellipse formulation, in which momentum fluxes are cast as ellipses that encode information about the magnitude and direction of flux; the latter is described using the tilt angle. With the aid of a zonal filter, it is revealed that the scales responsible for providing the momentum fluxes associated with the jet structure are much smaller than the characteristic scales identified, and occupy a region of the energy spectrum that has been typically associated with isotropic dynamics.

Sustainable 3D printing by reversible salting-out effects with aqueous salt solutions

Achieving a simple yet sustainable printing technique with minimal instruments and energy remains challenging. Here, a facile and sustainable 3D printing technique is developed by utilizing a reversible salting-out effect. The salting-out effect induced by aqueous salt solutions lowers the phase transition temperature of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) solutions to below 10 °C. It enables the spontaneous and instant formation of physical crosslinks within PNIPAM chains at room temperature, thus allowing the PNIPAM solution to solidify upon contact with a salt solution. The PNIPAM solutions are extrudable through needles and can immediately solidify by salt ions, preserving printed structures, without rheological modifiers, chemical crosslinkers, and additional post-processing steps/equipment. The reversible physical crosslinking and de-crosslinking of the polymer through the salting-out effect demonstrate the recyclability of the polymeric ink. This printing approach extends to various PNIPAM-based composite solutions incorporating functional materials or other polymers, which offers great potential for developing water-soluble disposable electronic circuits, carriers for delivering small materials, and smart actuators.

Investigating the mechanism of chloroplast singlet oxygen signaling in the Arabidopsis thaliana accelerated cell death 2 mutant

ABSTRACT As sessile organisms, plants have evolved complex signaling mechanisms to sense stress and acclimate. This includes the use of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during dysfunctional photosynthesis to initiate signaling. One such ROS, singlet oxygen (1O2), can trigger retrograde signaling, chloroplast degradation, and programmed cell death. However, the signaling mechanisms are largely unknown. Several proteins (e.g. PUB4, OXI1, EX1) are proposed to play signaling roles across three Arabidopsis thaliana mutants that conditionally accumulate chloroplast 1O2 (fluorescent in blue light (flu), chlorina 1 (ch1), and plastid ferrochelatase 2 (fc2)). We previously demonstrated that these mutants reveal at least two chloroplast 1O2 signaling pathways (represented by flu and fc2/ch1). Here, we test if the 1O2-accumulating lesion mimic mutant, accelerated cell death 2 (acd2), also utilizes these pathways. The pub4–6 allele delayed lesion formation in acd2 and restored photosynthetic efficiency and biomass. Conversely, an oxi1 mutation had no measurable effect on these phenotypes. acd2 mutants were not sensitive to excess light (EL) stress, yet pub4–6 and oxi1 both conferred EL tolerance within the acd2 background, suggesting that EL-induced 1O2 signaling pathways are independent from spontaneous lesion formation. Thus, 1O2 signaling in acd2 may represent a third (partially overlapping) pathway to control cellular degradation.

Beyond Metallic Electrode: Spontaneous Formation of Fluidic Electrodes from Operational Liquid in Highly Functional Droplet-Based Electricity Generator.

The droplet-based electricity generator (DEG) has facilitated efficient droplet energy harvesting, yet diversifying its applications necessitates the incorporation of various to the DEG. In this study, we first propose a methodology for advancing the DEG by substituting its conventional metallic electrode with electrically conductive water electrode (WE), which is spontaneously generated during the operation of the DEG with operating liquid. Due to the inherent conductive and fluidic nature of water, the introduction of the WE maintains the electrical output performance of the DEG while imparting functionalities such as high transparency and flexibility. So, the resultant WE applied DEG (WE-DEG) exhibits high optical transmittance (∼ 99%) and retains its electricity-generating capability under varying deformations, including bending and stretching. This innovation expands the versatility of the DEG, and especially, a sun-raindrop dual-mode energy harvester is demonstrated by hybridizing the WE-DEG and photovoltaic (PV) cell. This hybridization effectively addresses the weather-dependent limitations inherent in each energy harvester and enhances the temperature-induced inefficiencies typically observed in PV cells, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency. The introduction of the WE will be poised to catalyze new developments in DEG research, paving the way for broader applicability and enhanced efficiency in droplet energy harvesting technologies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Spontaneous nanotube formation of an asymmetric glycolipid

Over the past decades, advances in lipid nanotechnology have shown that self-assembled lipid structures providing ease of preparation, chemical stability, and biocompatibility represent a landmark on the development of multidisciplinary technologies. Lipid nanotubes (LNTs) are a unique class of lipid self-assembled structures, bearing unique properties such as high-aspect ratio, tunable diameter size, and precise molecular recognition. They can be obtained either by the action of external factors to already formed vesicles or spontaneously, the latter depending strongly on subtle molecular features. Here, we report on the spontaneous formation of supported lipid nanotubes of a particular type of glycolipid, ohmline, whose hydrophobic core displays remarkable asymmetry. The combination of bulk and surface-sensitive techniques indicates that below its main transition, ohmline displays an interdigitated gel phase, likely driven by the unique asymmetry in its hydrophobic core. Enhanced order packing by interdigitation favors the formation of ohmline nanotubes in agreement with chiral-based models of nanotube formation. The findings presented in this work call for additional studies to link lipid molecular structure-assembly relationships, whose understanding is relevant for the controlled design of lipid nanotubes networks in particular and controlled design of soft-matter nanomaterials in general.

Nodular/Keloidal Scleroderma with No Systemic Involvement-A Case Report and a Review of the Literature.

Nodular or keloidal scleroderma is a rare condition with unclear cause and sporadic mentions in the medical literature. It was first recognized in the 19th century, yet its classification is still debated due to the limited number of reported cases. This rare variant of scleroderma is associated with either progressive systemic sclerosis or localized morphea. Clinically, it presents with asymptomatic nodules or plaques, resembling spontaneous keloid formation, often found on the trunk and proximal extremities. Recent literature reviews show a predominance of women with a mean age of 44 years. Diagnosis relies on clinical and histopathological findings, which usually show overlapping features of both scleroderma and true keloids, secondarily to an excessive fibrosing reaction attributed to collagen formation. We present an unusual case of a 70-year-old female patient who displayed the coexistence of two distinct subtypes of morphea (nodular/keloidal and linear), and exclusive skin involvement, which contrasts with the typical presentation of nodular/keloidal scleroderma, often associated with organ-specific disease. However, recent publications have diverged from previous ones regarding systemic sclerosis, with no systemic involvement reported between 2018 and 2024, which we evaluated in our descriptive literature review. With less than 50 cases reported in total, our case underlines the importance of recognizing this rare disease, ensuring appropriate evaluation, treatment, and follow-up.

Mechanical and electrochemical properties of (MoNbTaTiZr)1-xNx high-entropy nitride coatings

High-entropy materials possess high hardness and strong wear resistance, yet the key bottleneck for their practical applications is the poor corrosion resistance in harsh environments. In this work, the high-entropy nitride (HEN) coatings of (MoNbTaTiZr)1-xNx (x = 0-0.47) were fabricated using a hybrid direct current magnetron sputtering technique. The research focus was dedicated to the effect of nitrogen content on the microstructure, mechanical and electrochemical properties. The results showed that the as-deposited coatings exhibited a typical body-centered cubic (BCC) structure without nitrogen, while the amorphous matrix with face-centered cubic (FCC) nanocrystalline grain was observed at x = 0.17. Further increasing x in the range of 0.35-0.47 caused the appearance of polycrystalline FCC phase in structure. Compared with the MoNbTaTiZr metallic coating, the coating containing nitrogen favored the high hardness around 13.7-32.4 GPa, accompanied by excellent tolerance both against elastic and plastic deformation. Furthermore, such N-containing coatings yielded a low corrosion current density of about 10−8-10−7 A/cm2 and high electrochemical impedance of 106 Ω·cm2 in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution, indicating the superior corrosion resistance. The reason for the enhanced electrochemical behavior could be ascribed to the spontaneous formation of protective passive layers over the coating surface, which consisted of the dominated multi-elemental oxides in chemical stability. Particularly, noted that the (MoNbTaTiZr)0.83N0.17 coating displayed the highest hardness of 32.4±2.6 GPa and H/E ratio at 0.09, together with remarkable corrosion resistance, proposing the strongest capability for harsh-environmental applications required both good anti-wear and anti-corrosion performance.

Theoretical study of the influence of GaOx interfacial layer on the GaN/SiO2 interface property

The spontaneous formation of a Ga-oxide (GaOx) intermediate layer at the GaN/SiO2 interface has been reported during the SiO2 deposition on the GaN substrate. In this study, we have performed first-principles calculations and unveiled atomic and electronic structures of the GaN/SiO2 interface with 1-nm thick GaOx intermediate layer. Our calculations show that the top-layer Ga atoms on the GaN side are terminated with the O atoms on the GaOx side, leading to the clean GaN/GaOx interface and the absence of the electronic state in the midgap region. However, strongly localized states, which are originated from O atoms lone-pair orbitals in the –GaOSi– local structures, emerge in the gap near the valence-band maximum of GaN. These in-gap states become hole traps in GaN MOS devices, leading to a degradation in device controllability and operational speed.

Robust spatial self-organization in crowds of asynchronous pedestrians.

Human crowds display various self-organized collective behaviours, such as the spontaneous formation of unidirectional lanes in bidirectional pedestrian flows. In addition, parts of pedestrians' footsteps are known to be spontaneously synchronized in one-dimensional, single-file crowds. However, footstep synchronization in crowds with more freedom of movement remains unclear. We conducted experiments on bidirectional pedestrian flows (24 pedestrians in each group) and examined the relationship between collective footsteps and self-organized lane formation. Unlike in previous studies, pedestrians did not spontaneously synchronize their footsteps unless following external auditory cues. Moreover, footstep synchronization generated by external cues disturbed the flexibility of pedestrians' lateral movements and increased the structural instability of spatial organization. These results imply that, without external cues, pedestrians marching out of step with each other can efficiently self-organize into robust structures. Understanding how asynchronous individuals contribute to ordered collective behaviour might bring innovative perspectives to research fields concerned with self-organizing systems.

Mechanistic Investigation of Enzyme Triggered Release from a Xyloglucan Matrix Tablet for Controlled Colonic Drug Delivery

The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying drug release from a controlled colonic release (CCR) tablet formulation based on a xyloglucan polysaccharide matrix and identify the factors that control the rate of release for the purpose of fundamentally substantiating the concept and demonstrating its robustness for colonic drug delivery. Previous work demonstrated in vitro limited release of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) and caffeine from these tablets in small intestinal environment and significant acceleration of release by xyloglucanase, an enzyme of the colonic microbiome. Targeted colonic drug delivery was verified in an animal study in vivo. In the present work, interaction of the xyloglucan matrix tablets with aqueous dissolution media containing xyloglucanase was found to lead to the spontaneous formation of a hydrated highly viscous gummy layer at the surface of the matrix which had a reduced drug content compared to the underlying regions and persisted with a nearly constant thickness that was inversely correlated to the enzyme concentration throughout the duration of the release process. Enzymatic hydrolysis of xyloglucan was determined to take place at the surface of the matrix leading to matrix erosion and a relation for the rate of enzymatic reaction as a function of bulk enzyme concentration and the concentration of dissolved xyloglucan in the gummy layer was derived. A mathematical model was developed encompassing aqueous medium ingress, matrix metamorphosis due to xyloglucan dissolution and matrix swelling, enzymatic hydrolysis of the polysaccharide and concomitant drug release due to matrix erosion and simultaneous drug diffusion. The model was fitted to data of reducing sugar equivalents in the medium reflecting matrix erosion and released drug amount. Enzymatic reaction parameters and reasonable values of medium ingress velocity, xyloglucan dissolution rate constant and drug diffusion coefficient were deduced that provided an adequate approximation of the data. Erosion was shown to be the overwhelmingly dominant drug release mechanism while the role of diffusion marginally increased at low enzyme concentration and high drug solubility. Changing enzyme concentration had a rather weak effect on matrix erosion and drug release rate as demonstrated by model simulations supported by experimental data, while xyloglucan dissolution was slow and had a stronger effect on the rate of the process. Therefore, reproducible colonic drug delivery not critically influenced by inter- and intra-individual variation of microbial enzyme activity may be projected.

Cu-optimized long-range interaction between Co nanoparticles and Co single atoms: Improved Fenton-like reaction activity

The interplay between multi-atom assembly configurations and single atoms (SAs) has been gaining attention in research. However, the effect of long-term range interactions between SAs and multi-atom assemblies on the orbital filling characteristics has yet to be investigated. In this context, we introduced copper (Cu) doping to strengthen the interaction between cobalt (Co) nanoparticles (NPs) and Co SAs by promoting the spontaneous formation of Co–Cu alloy NPs that tends toward aggregation owing to its negative cohesive energy (−0.06454), instead of forming Cu SAs. The incorporation of Cu within the Co–Cu alloy NPs, compared to the pure Co NPs, significantly expedites the kinetics of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) oxidation processes on Co SAs. Unlike Co NPs, Co–Cu NPs facilitate electron rearrangement in the d orbitals (especially dz2 and dxz) near the Fermi level in Co SAs, thereby optimizing the dz2–O (PMS) and dxz–O (SO5−) orbital interaction. Eventually, the Co–Cu alloy NPs embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon (CC@CNC) catalysts rapidly eliminated 80.67% of 20mg/L carbamazepine (CBZ) within 5min. This performance significantly surpasses that of catalysts consisting solely of Co NPs in a similar matrix (C@CNC), which achieved a 58.99% reduction in 5min. The quasi in situ characterization suggested that PMS acts as an electron donor and will transfer electrons to Co SAs, generating 1O2 for contaminant abatement. This study offers valuable insights into the mechanisms by which composite active sites formed through multi-atom assembly interact at the atomic orbital level to achieve high-efficiency PMS-based advanced oxidation processes at the atomic orbital level.

Critical Size and Internal Force Analysis of Tendril-inspired Spontaneous Helicalization Mechanism

Tendrils initially exhibit straight morphologies before gradually transforming into helical conformations during longitudinal growth. Tendril-inspired helical structures possess advantageous physical properties and functions including versatile morphologies, adaptability, enhanced strength, and scalability. With advancements in nanoscience and nanotechnology, helical architectures across various length scales have been discovered or artificially synthesized. However, the fundamental mechanisms underlying the formation and evolution of helical structures remain elusive. This lack of mechanistic insight has impeded the controlled design and fabrication of helical structures, especially three-dimensional functional devices with integrated helical motifs. Here a mechanical model is systematically proposed for the spontaneous formation of the helical structures, based on the hypothesis of decoupled curling and warping phases. Applying nonlinear elasticity theory, a detailed analysis of the energetics and thermodynamics is presented, accounting for the large deformation that may emerge during planar curling. Additionally, differential relations between internal forces and associated displacements induced by bending and twisting of a slender curved beam under out-of-plane loading are derived, obtaining solutions via Laplace and inverse transforms. The theoretical solutions closely match ex- perimental evidence from shape memory polymers. Furthermore, the theoretical model is utilized to guide the fabrication of the smart helical antenna proposed in our previous work, and discuss the influence of configuration changes on the electromagnetic properties. Elucidating these fundamental mechanisms will facilitate the development of next-generation technologies exploiting helical architectures for diverse applications including flexible electronics, optics, and soft robotics.

Comparison of different bone substitutes in the repair of rat calvaria critical size defects: questioning the need for alveolar ridge presentation.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of biomaterials in bone healing of critical bone defects created by piezoelectric surgery in rat calvaria. Histomorphologic analysis was performed to assess bone regeneration and tissue response. Fifty animals were randomized into five groups with one of the following treatments: Control group (n = 10), spontaneous blood clot formation with no bone fill; BO group (Bio-Oss, Geistlich Pharma; n = 10), defects were filled with bovine medullary bone substitute; BF group (Bonefill, Bionnovation; n = 10), defects were filled with bovine cortical bone substitute; hydroxyapatite group (n = 10), defects were filled with hydroxyapatite; calcium sulfate group (n = 10), defects were filled with calcium sulfate. Five animals from each group were euthanized at 30 and 45 days. The histomorphometry calculated the percentage of the new bone formation in the bone defect. All data obtained were evaluated statistically considering P < .05 as statistically significant. The results demonstrated the potential of all biomaterials for enhancing bone regeneration. The findings showed no statistical differences between all the biomaterials at 30 and 45 days including the control group without bone grafting. In conclusion, the tested biomaterials presented an estimated capacity of osteoconduction, statistically nonsignificant between them. In addition, the selection of biomaterial should consider the specific clinical aspect, resorption rates, size of the particle, and desired bone healing responses. It is important to emphasize that in some cases, using no bone filler might provide comparable results with reduced cost and possible complications questioning the very frequent use of ridge presentation procedures.

Liver cancer development driven by the AP-1/c-Jun~Fra-2 dimer through c-Myc

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death. HCC incidence is on the rise, while treatment options remain limited. Thus, a better understanding of the molecular pathways involved in HCC development has become a priority to guide future therapies. While previous studies implicated the Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) (Fos/Jun) transcription factor family members c-Fos and c-Jun in HCC formation, the contribution of Fos-related antigens (Fra-) 1 and 2 is unknown. Here, we show that hepatocyte-restricted expression of a single chain c-Jun~Fra-2 protein, which functionally mimics the c-Jun/Fra-2 AP-1 dimer, results in spontaneous HCC formation in c-Jun~Fra-2hep mice. Several hallmarks of human HCC, such as cell cycle dysregulation and the expression of HCC markers are observed in liver tumors arising in c-Jun~Fra-2hep mice. Tumorigenesis occurs in the context of mild inflammation, low-grade fibrosis, and Pparγ-driven dyslipidemia. Subsequent analyses revealed increased expression of c-Myc, evidently under direct regulation by AP-1 through a conserved distal 3' enhancer. Importantly, c-Jun~Fra-2-induced tumors revert upon switching off transgene expression, suggesting oncogene addiction to the c-Jun~Fra-2 transgene. Tumors escaping reversion maintained c-Myc and c-Myc target gene expression, likely due to increased c-Fos. Interfering with c-Myc in established tumors using the Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal motif inhibitor JQ-1 diminished liver tumor growth in c-Jun~Fra-2 mutant mice. Thus, our data establish c-Jun~Fra-2hep mice as a model to study liver tumorigenesis and identify the c-Jun/Fra-2-Myc interaction as a potential target to improve HCC patient stratification and/or therapy.

Guest-guided anchoring patterns of cyclodextrin supramolecular microcrystals on droplet surfaces

The growth of cyclodextrin inclusion complexes (ICs) on oil/water interfaces represents a beautiful example of spontaneous pattern formation in nature. How the supramolecules evolve remains a challenge because surface confinement can frustrate microcrystal growth and give rise to unusual phase transitions. Here we investigate the self-assembly of ICs on droplet surfaces using microfluidics, which allows directly visualizing packing, wetting and ordering of the microcrystals anchored on the surface. The oil guests of distinct molecular structures can direct the assembly of the ICs and largely affect anchoring dynamics of the ICs microcrystals, leading to a range of behaviors including orientating, slipping, buckling, jamming, or merging. We discuss the behaviors observed in terms of the flexibility of the building blocks, which offers a new degree of freedom through which to tailor their properties and gives rise to a striking feature of anchoring patterns that have no counterpart in normal colloidal crystals.