Macromolecular condensation organizes nucleolar sub-phases to set up a pH gradient

Nucleoli are multicomponent condensates defined by coexisting sub-phases. We identified distinct intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), including acidic (D/E) tracts and K-blocks interspersed by E-rich regions, as defining features of nucleolar proteins. We show that the localization preferences of nucleolar proteins are determined by their IDRs and the types of RNA or DNA binding domains they encompass. In vitro reconstitutions and studies in cells showed how condensation, which combines binding and complex coacervation of nucleolar components, contributes to nucleolar organization. D/E tracts of nucleolar proteins contribute to lowering the pH of co-condensates formed with nucleolar RNAs in vitro. In cells, this sets up a pH gradient between nucleoli and the nucleoplasm. By contrast, juxta-nucleolar bodies, which have different macromolecular compositions, featuring protein IDRs with very different charge profiles, have pH values that are equivalent to or higher than the nucleoplasm. Our findings show that distinct compositional specificities generate distinct physicochemical properties for condensates.

Histone variant H2A.Z and linker histone H1 influence chromosome condensation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Chromosome condensation is essential for the fidelity of chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis. Condensation is associated both with local changes in nucleosome structure and larger-scale alterations in chromosome topology mediated by the condensin complex. We examined the influence of linker histone H1 and variant histone H2A.Z on chromosome condensation in budding yeast cells. Linker histone H1 has been implicated in local and global compaction of chromatin in multiple eukaryotes, but we observe normal condensation of the rDNA locus in yeast strains lacking H1. However, deletion of the yeast HTZ1 gene, coding for variant histone H2A.Z, causes a significant defect in rDNA condensation. Loss of H2A.Z does not change condensin association with the rDNA locus or significantly affect condensin mRNA levels. Prior studies reported that several phenotypes caused by loss of H2A.Z are suppressed by eliminating Swr1, a key component of the SWR complex that deposits H2A.Z in chromatin. We observe that an htz1Δ swr1Δ strain has near-normal rDNA condensation. Unexpectedly, we find that elimination of the linker histone H1 can also suppress the rDNA condensation defect of htz1Δ strains. Our experiments demonstrate that histone H2A.Z promotes chromosome condensation, in part by counteracting activities of histone H1 and the SWR complex.

Continuous Synthesis of Nanoscale Emulsions by Vapor Condensation (EVC)

Emulsions are widely used in many industrial applications, and the development of efficient techniques for synthesizing them is a subject of ongoing research. Vapor condensation is a promising method for energy-efficient, high-throughput production of monodisperse nanoscale emulsions. However, previous studies using this technique are limited to producing small volumes of water-in-oil dispersions. In this work, a new method for the continuous synthesis of nanoscale emulsions (water-in-oil and oil-in-water) is presented by condensing vapor on free-flowing surfactant solutions. The viability of oil vaporization and condensation is demonstrated under mild heating/cooling using diverse esters, terpenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, and alkanes. By systematically investigating water vapor and oil vapor condensation dynamics on bulk liquid-surfactant solutions, a rich diversity of outcomes, including floating films, nanoscale drops, and hexagonally packed microdrops is uncovered. It is demonstrated that surfactant concentration impacts oil spreading, self-emulsification, and such behavior can aid in the emulsification of condensed oil drops. This work represents a critical step toward advancing the vapor condensation method's applications for emulsions and colloidal systems, with broad implications for various fields and the development of new emulsion-based products and industrial processes.

Single Condensation Droplet Self-Ejection from Divergent Structures with Uniform Wettability

Coalescence-induced condensation droplet jumping has been extensively studied for anti-icing, condensation heat transfer, water harvesting, and self-cleaning. Another phenomenon that is gaining attention for potential enhancements is the self-ejection of individual droplets. However, the mechanism underlying this process remains elusive due to cases in which the abrupt detachment of an interface establishes an initial Laplace pressure difference. In this study, we investigate the self-ejection of individual droplets from uniformly hydrophobic microstructures with divergent geometries. We design, fabricate, and test arrays of truncated, nanostructured, and hydrophobic microcones arranged in a square pattern. High-speed microscopy reveals the dynamics of a single condensation droplet between four cones: after cycles of growth and stopped self-propulsion, the suspended droplet self-ejects without abrupt detachments. Through analytical modeling of the droplet in a conical pore as an approximation, we describe the slow isopressure growth phases and the rapid transients driven by surface energy release once a dynamic configuration is reached. Microcones with uniform wettability, in addition to being easier to fabricate, have the potential to enable the self-ejection of all nucleated droplets with a designed size, promising significant improvements in the aforementioned applications and others.

Selective Vapor Condensation for the Synthesis and Assembly of Spherical Colloids with a Precise Rough Patch

Patchy particles occupy an increasingly important space in soft matter research due to their ability to assemble into intricate phases and states. Being able to fine-tune the interactions among these particles is essential to understanding the principles governing the self-assembly processes. However, current fabrication techniques often yield patches that deviate chemically and physically from the native particles, impeding the identification of the driving forces behind self-assembly. To overcome this challenge, we propose a new approach to synthesizing spherical colloids with a well-defined rough patch on their surface. By treating polystyrene microspheres with vapors of a good solvent, here an acetone-water mixture, we achieve selective polymer corrugation on the particle surface resulting in a chemically similar yet rough surface patch. The key step is the selective condensation of the acetone-water vapors on the apex of the polystyrene microparticles immobilized on a substrate, which leads to rough patch formation. We leverage the ability to tune the vapor-liquid equilibrium of the volatile acetone-water mixture to precisely control the polymer corrugation on the particle surface. We demonstrate the dependence of patch formation on particle and substrate wettability, with the condensation occurring on the particle apex only when it is more wettable than the substrate, which is consistent with Volmer's classical nucleation theory. By combining experiments and molecular dynamics simulations, we identify the role of the rough patch in the depletion interaction-driven self-assembly of the microspheres, which is crucial for designing programmable supracolloidal structures.

Synthesis of 1,3,5-Triazepines and Benzo[f][1,3,5]triazepines and Their Biological Activity: Recent Advances and New Approaches

This review article discusses the recent progress in synthesizing seven-membered ring 1,3,5-triazepine and benzo[f][1,3,5]triazepine derivatives. These derivatives can be either unsaturated, saturated, fused, or separated. This review covers strategies and procedures developed over the past two decades, including cyclo-condensation, cyclization, methylation, chlorination, alkylation, addition, cross-coupling, ring expansions, and ring-closing metathesis. This review discusses the synthesis of 1,3,5-triazepine derivatives using nucleophilic or electrophilic substitution reactions with various reagents such as o-phenylenediamine, 2-aminobenzamide, isothiocyanates, pyrazoles, thiazoles, oxadiazoles, oxadiazepines, and hydrazonoyl chloride. This article systematically presents new approaches and techniques for preparing these compounds. It also highlights the biological importance of benzo[f][1,3,5]triazepine derivatives, which have been used as drugs for treating nervous system diseases. This review aims to provide researchers with the necessary information to create and develop new derivatives of these compounds as quickly as possible.

Glucose stress causes mRNA retention in nuclear Nab2 condensates

Nuclear mRNA export via nuclear pore complexes is an essential step in eukaryotic gene expression. Although factors involved in mRNA transport have been characterized, a comprehensive mechanistic understanding of this process and its regulation is lacking. Here, we use single-RNA imaging in yeast to show that cells use mRNA retention to control mRNA export during stress. We demonstrate that, upon glucose withdrawal, the essential RNA-binding factor Nab2 forms RNA-dependent condensate-like structures in the nucleus. This coincides with a reduced abundance of the DEAD-box ATPase Dbp5 at the nuclear pore. Depleting Dbp5, and consequently blocking mRNA export, is necessary and sufficient to trigger Nab2 condensation. The state of Nab2 condensation influences the extent of nuclear mRNA accumulation and can be recapitulated in vitro, where Nab2 forms RNA-dependent liquid droplets. We hypothesize that cells use condensation to regulate mRNA export and control gene expression during stress.

Corrigendum: State-resolved studies of CO2 sticking to CO2 ice

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1250711.].

Nanorough Is Not Slippery Enough: Implications on Shedding and Heat Transfer

Lowering droplet-surface interactions via the implementation of lubricant-infused surfaces (LISs) has received important attention in the past years. LISs offer enhanced droplet mobility with low sliding angles and the recently reported slippery Wenzel state, among others, empowered by the presence of the lubricant infused in between the structures, which eventually minimizes the direct interactions between liquid droplets and LISs. Current strategies to increase heat transfer during condensation phase-change relay on minimizing the thickness of the coating as well as enhancing condensate shedding. While further surface structuring may impose an additional heat transfer resistance, the presence of micro-structures eventually reduces the effective condensate-surface intimate interactions with the consequently decreased adhesion and enhanced shedding performance, which is investigated in this work. This is demonstrated by macroscopic and optical microscopy condensation experimental observations paying special attention at the liquid-lubricant and liquid-solid binary interactions at the droplet-LIS interface, which is further supported by a revisited force balance at the droplet triple contact line. Moreover, the occurrence of a condensation-coalescence-shedding regime is quantified for the first time with droplet growth rates one and two orders of magnitude greater than during condensation-coalescence and direct condensation regimes, respectively. Findings presented here are of great importance for the effective design and implementation of LISs via surface structure endowing accurate droplet mobility and control for applications such as anti-icing, self-cleaning, water harvesting, and/or liquid repellent surfaces as well as for condensation heat transfer.

Synthesis of a Cyclic Hexaamide Consisting of a Brominated m-Phenylene Repeating Unit

Aiming to synthesize a cyclic hexaamide, 4-bromo-3-(isobutylamino)benzoic acid was subjected to self-condensation reactions in the presence of either dichlorotriphenylphosphorane in 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane or tetrachlorosilane in pyridine. However, instead of the targeted cyclic hexaamide, the cyclic triamide and the cyclic tetraamide were obtained. The cyclic hexaamide was successfully synthesized via the self-condensation of the dimer, which was synthesized in five steps from 4-bromo-3-(isobutylamino)benzoic acid. A thorough screening of the self-condensation conditions was performed to improve the yield of the target macrocycle. In addition, the linear hexamer was synthesized by stepwise deprotection and condensation, and its cyclization afforded the cyclic hexaamide in good yield.

Reconstructive Methodology in the Synthesis of 2-Aminopurine

A fundamentally new synthetic approach to the synthesis of 2-aminopurine has been developed. It consists in the combination of the creation of a condensed polyazotic heterocyclic tetrazolopyrimidine structure, its transformation into triaminopyrimidine, and its subsequent cyclization into 2-aminopurine. The structure of the obtained compounds was established based on spectral characteristics, and the structure of the intermediate compound 5 was established directly by X-ray diffraction analysis.

CiRS-7 Enhances the Liquid-liquid Phase Separation of miRISC and Promotes DNA Damage Repair

Noncoding RNAs have been found to play important roles in DNA damage repair, whereas the participation of circRNA remains undisclosed. Here, we characterized ciRS-7, a circRNA containing over 70 putative miR-7-binding sites, as an enhancer of miRISC condensation and DNA repair. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments confirmed the condensation of TNRC6B and AGO2, two core protein components of human miRISC. Moreover, overexpressing ciRS-7 largely increased the condensate number of TNRC6B and AGO2 in cells, while silencing ciRS-7 reduced it. Additionally, miR-7 overexpression also promoted miRISC condensation. Consistent with the previous report that AGO2 participated in RAD51-mediated DNA damage repair, the overexpression of ciRS-7 significantly promoted irradiation-induced DNA damage repair by enhancing RAD51 recruitment. Our results uncover a new role of circRNA in liquid-liquid phase separation and provide new insight into the regulatory mechanism of ciRS-7 on miRISC function and DNA repair.

Pumping and sliding of droplets steered by a hydrogel pattern for atmospheric water harvesting

Atmospheric water harvesting is an emerging strategy for decentralized and potable water supplies. However, water nucleation and microdroplet coalescence on condensing surfaces often result in surface flooding owing to the lack of a sufficient directional driving force for shedding. Herein, inspired by the fascinating properties of lizards and catfish, we present a condensing surface with engineered hydrogel patterns that enable rapid and sustainable water harvesting through the directional pumping and drag-reduced sliding of water droplets. The movement of microscale condensed droplets is synergistically driven by the surface energy gradient and difference in Laplace pressure induced by the arch hydrogel patterns. Meanwhile, the superhydrophilic hydrogel surface can strongly bond inner-layer water molecules to form a lubricant film that reduces drag and facilitates the sliding of droplets off the condensing surface. Thus, this strategy is promising for various water purification techniques based on liquid-vapor phase-change processes.

Condensation of Benzyl Carbamate with Glyoxal in Polar Protic and Aprotic Solvents

The synthesis of substituted 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane via direct condensation is challenging. The selection of starting ammonia derivatives is very limited. The important step in developing alternative synthetic routes to these compounds is to investigate their formation process in detail. Here, we examined an acid-catalyzed condensation between benzyl carbamate and glyoxal in a ratio of 2:1 in a range of polar protic and aprotic solvents, and discovered a new process occurring during the cascade condensation of glyoxal with ammonia derivatives as well as discovered several processes hindering the formation of caged compounds. More specifically, a cyclic compound, N,N'-bis(carbobenzoxy)-3,6-diamino-1,4-dioxane-2,5-diol, was found to form at the early stage of condensation under low acidity conditions. The formation of this compound is governed by an easier condensation of alcohol groups compared to the amide ones. The condensation intermediates, N,N'-bis(carbobenzoxy)ethan-1,2-diol, N,N',N″-tris(carbobenzoxy)ethanol, and N,N',N″,N‴-tetrakis(carbobenzoxy)ethan, were obtained at a higher acidity. A range of solvents were identified: those that react with benzyl carbamate, those that promote the progress of side processes, and those that promote precipitation of condensation intermediates. A few byproducts were isolated and identified. It was found that DMSO exhibits a strong deactivating ability, while CH3CN exhibits a strong activating ability towards the acid-catalyzed condensation process of benzyl carbamate with glyoxal.

Prebiotic Syntheses of Organophosphorus Compounds from Reduced Source of Phosphorus in Non-Aqueous Solvents

Reduced-oxidation-state phosphorus (reduced P, hereafter) compounds were likely available on the early Earth via meteorites or through various geologic processes. Due to their reactivity and high solubility, these compounds could have played a significant role in the origin of various organophosphorus compounds of biochemical significance. In the present work, we study the reactions between reduced P compounds and their oxidation products, with the three nucleosides (uridine, adenosine, and cytidine), with organic alcohols (glycerol and ethanolamine), and with the tertiary ammonium organic compound, choline chloride. These reactions were studied in the non-aqueous solvent formamide and in a semi-aqueous solvent comprised of urea: ammonium formate: water (UAFW, hereafter) at temperatures of 55-68 °C. The inorganic P compounds generated through Fenton chemistry readily dissolve in the non-aqueous and semi-aqueous solvents and react with organics to form organophosphites and organophosphates, including those which are identified as phosphate diesters. This dual approach (1) use of non-aqueous and semi-aqueous solvents and (2) use of a reactive inorganic P source to promote phosphorylation and phosphonylation reactions of organics readily promoted anhydrous chemistry and condensation reactions, without requiring any additive, catalyst, or other promoting agent under mild heating conditions. We also present a comparative study of the release of P from various prebiotically relevant phosphate minerals and phosphite salts (e.g., vivianite, apatite, and phosphites of iron and calcium) into formamide and UAFW. These results have direct implications for the origin of biological P compounds from non-aqueous solvents of prebiotic provenance.

IDR-induced CAR condensation improves the cytotoxicity of CAR-Ts against low-antigen cancers

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell-based therapies demonstrate remarkable efficacy for the treatment of otherwise intractable cancers, particularly B-cell malignancies. However, existing FDA-approved CAR-Ts are limited by low antigen sensitivity, rendering their insufficient targeting to low antigen-expressing cancers. To improve the antigen sensitivity of CAR-Ts, we engineered CARs targeting CD19, CD22, and HER2 by including intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) that promote signaling condensation. The "IDR CARs" triggered enhanced membrane-proximal signaling in the CAR-T synapse, which led to an increased release of cytotoxic factors, a higher killing activity towards low antigen-expressing cancer cells in vitro, and an improved anti-tumor efficacy in vivo. No elevated tonic signaling was observed in IDR CAR-Ts. Together, we demonstrated IDRs as a new tool set to enhance CAR-T cytotoxicity and to broaden CAR-T's application to low antigen-expressing cancers.

Hormone-induced enhancer assembly requires an optimal level of hormone receptor multivalent interactions

Transcription factors (TFs) activate enhancers to drive cell-specific gene programs in response to signals, but our understanding of enhancer assembly during signaling events is incomplete. Here, we show that androgen receptor (AR) forms condensates through multivalent interactions mediated by its N-terminal intrinsically disordered region (IDR) to orchestrate enhancer assembly in response to androgen signaling. AR IDR can be substituted by IDRs from selective proteins for AR condensation capacity and its function on enhancers. Expansion of the poly(Q) track within AR IDR results in a higher AR condensation propensity as measured by multiple methods, including live-cell single-molecule microscopy. Either weakening or strengthening AR condensation propensity impairs its heterotypic multivalent interactions with other enhancer components and diminishes its transcriptional activity. Our work reveals the requirement of an optimal level of AR condensation in mediating enhancer assembly and suggests that alteration of the fine-tuned multivalent IDR-IDR interactions might underlie AR-related human pathologies.

Coordinating nucleoporin condensation and nuclear pore complex assembly

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is among the most elaborate protein complexes in eukaryotes. While ribosomes and proteasomes are known to require dedicated assembly machinery, our understanding of NPC assembly is at a relatively early stage. Defects in NPC assembly or homeostasis are tied to movement disorders, including dystonia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as well as aging, requiring a better understanding of these processes to enable therapeutic intervention. Here, we discuss recent progress in the understanding of NPC assembly and highlight how related defects in human disorders can shed light on NPC biogenesis. We propose that the condensation of phenylalanine-glycine repeat nucleoporins needs to be carefully controlled during NPC assembly to prevent aberrant condensation, aggregation, or amyloid formation.

Engineering Highly Vascularized Bone Tissues by 3D Bioprinting of Granular Prevascularized Spheroids

The convergence of 3D bioprinting with powerful manufacturing capability and cellular self-organization that can reproduce intricate tissue microarchitecture and function is a promising direction toward building functional tissues and has yet to be demonstrated. Here, we develop a granular aggregate-prevascularized (GAP) bioink for engineering highly vascularized bone tissues by capitalizing on the condensate-mimicking, self-organization, and angiogenic properties of prevascularized mesenchymal spheroids. The GAP bioink utilizes prevascularized aggregates as building blocks, which are embedded densely in extracellular matrices conducive to spontaneous self-organization. We printed various complex structures with high cell density (∼1.5 × 108 cells/cm3), viability (∼80%), and shape fidelity using GAP bioink. After printing, the prevascularized mesenchymal spheroids developed an interconnected vascular network through angiogenic sprouting. We printed highly vascularized bone tissues using GAP bioink and found that prevascularized spheroids were more conducive to osteogenesis and angiogenesis. We envision that the design of the GAP bioink could be further integrated with human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids, which opens new avenues to create patient-specific vascularized tissues for therapeutic applications..

Evaporation of alcohol droplets on surfaces in moist air

Droplets of alcohol-based formulations are common in applications from sanitizing sprays to printing inks. However, our understanding of the drying dynamics of these droplets on surfaces and the influence of ambient humidity is still very limited. Here, we report the drying dynamics of picoliter droplets of isopropyl alcohol deposited on a surface under controlled humidity. Condensation of water vapor in the ambient environment onto alcohol droplets leads to unexpectedly complex drying behavior. As relative humidity (RH) increases, we observed a variety of phenomena including enhanced spreading, nonmonotonic changes in the drying time, the formation of pancake-like shapes that suppress the coffee-ring effect, and the formation of water-rich films around an alcohol-rich drop. We developed a lubrication model that accounts for the coupling between the flow field within the drop, the shape of the drop, and the vapor concentration field. The model reproduces many of the experimentally observed morphological and dynamic features, revealing the presence of unusually large spatial compositional gradients within the evaporating droplet and surface-tension-gradient-driven flows arising from water condensation/evaporation at the surface of the droplet. One unexpected feature from the simulation is that water can evaporate and condense concurrently in different parts of the drop, providing fundamental insights that simpler models based on average fluxes lack. We further observed rim instabilities at higher RH that are well-described by a model based on the Rayleigh-Plateau instability. Our findings have implications for the testing and use of alcohol-based disinfectant sprays and printing inks.

Mineral-Mediated Oligoribonucleotide Condensation: Broadening the Scope of Prebiotic Possibilities on the Early Earth

The origin of life on earth requires the synthesis of protobiopolymers in realistic geologic environments along strictly abiotic pathways that rely on inorganic phases (such as minerals) instead of cellular machinery to promote condensation. One such class of polymer central to biochemistry is the polynucleotides, and oligomerization of activated ribonucleotides has been widely studied. Nonetheless, the range of laboratory conditions tested to date is limited and the impact of realistic early Earth conditions on condensation reactions remains unexplored. Here, we investigate the potential for a variety of minerals to enhance oligomerization using ribonucleotide monomers as one example to model condensation under plausible planetary conditions. The results show that several minerals differing in both structure and composition enhance oligomerization. Sulfide minerals yielded oligomers of comparable lengths to those formed in the presence of clays, with galena being the most effective, yielding oligonucleotides up to six bases long. Montmorillonite continues to excel beyond other clays. Chemical pretreatment of the clay was not required, though maximum oligomer lengths decreased from ~11 to 6 bases. These results demonstrate the diversity of mineral phases that can impact condensation reactions and highlight the need for greater consideration of environmental context when assessing prebiotic synthesis and the origin of life.

State-resolved studies of CO2 sticking to CO2 ice

Internal vibrations may affect the adsorption, scattering, and reactions of molecules impinging onto a surface. The energy of the ν 3 antisymmetric stretch vibration of CO2 slightly exceeds the desorption energy of CO2 bound to CO2 ice. We use supersonic molecular beam techniques and rovibrationally state-resolved excitation to determine whether this vibration affects condensation of gas phase CO2 to its ice. We detect sticking and CO2 ice formation using RAIRS and quantify the sticking probability using the King and Wells method with modulation of the vibrational excitation and Fourier transform based detection. We find that the influence of this vibration on the structure of the formed ice and on the sticking probability is negligible under our conditions. Based on our detection limit, we quantify the weighted average sticking probability at approximately 0.9 and the difference between the state-resolved and weighted average sticking probability as below 0.03%.

Condensation Goes Viral: A Polymer Physics Perspective

The past decade has seen a revolution in our understanding of how the cellular environment is organized, where an incredible body of work has provided new insights into the role played by membraneless organelles. These rapid advancements have been made possible by an increasing awareness of the peculiar physical properties that give rise to such bodies and the complex biology that enables their function. Viral infections are not extraneous to this. Indeed, in host cells, viruses can harness existing membraneless compartments or, even, induce the formation of new ones. By hijacking the cellular machinery, these intracellular bodies can assist in the replication, assembly, and packaging of the viral genome as well as in the escape of the cellular immune response. Here, we provide a perspective on the fundamental polymer physics concepts that may help connect and interpret the different observed phenomena, ranging from the condensation of viral genomes to the phase separation of multicomponent solutions. We complement the discussion of the physical basis with a description of biophysical methods that can provide quantitative insights for testing and developing theoretical and computational models.

Synthesis and Biological Activity of Some Bromophenols and Their Derivatives Including Natural Products

In addition to the first synthesis of the natural bromophenol butyl 2-(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)acetate (1), indene derivatives 34 and 35 were synthesized from 3-phenylpropenal derivatives in BBr3 medium. Five known natural bromophenols and some derivatives were synthesized by known methods. Cholinesterase (ChEs) inhibitors reduce the breakdown of acetylcholine and are used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia symptoms. The inhibition effects of all obtained compounds were examined towards acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and α-glycosidase enzymes. All synthesized compounds demonstrated the strong inhibition effects against both cholinergic enzymes. For determination of Ki values of novel bromophenols Lineweaver-Burk graphs were obtained. Ki values were found in the ranging of 0.13-14.74 nM for AChE, 5.11-23.95 nM for BChE, and 63.96-206.78 nM for α-glycosidase, respectively. All bromophenols and their derivatives exhibit effective inhibition profile when compared to positive controls.

Fundamentals of Monitoring Condensation and Frost/Ice Formation in Cold Environments Using Thin-Film Surface-Acoustic-Wave Technology

Moisture condensation, fogging, and frost or ice formation on structural surfaces cause severe hazards in many industrial components such as aircraft wings, electric power lines, and wind-turbine blades. Surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) technology, which is based on generating and monitoring acoustic waves propagating along structural surfaces, is one of the most promising techniques for monitoring, predicting, and also eliminating these hazards occurring on these surfaces in a cold environment. Monitoring condensation and frost/ice formation using SAW devices is challenging in practical scenarios including sleet, snow, cold rain, strong wind, and low pressure, and such a detection in various ambient conditions can be complex and requires consideration of various key influencing factors. Herein, the influences of various individual factors such as temperature, humidity, and water vapor pressure, as well as combined or multienvironmental dynamic factors, are investigated, all of which lead to either adsorption of water molecules, condensation, and/or frost/ice in a cold environment on the SAW devices. The influences of these parameters on the frequency shifts of the resonant SAW devices are systematically analyzed. Complemented with experimental studies and data from the literature, relationships among the frequency shifts and changes of temperature and other key factors influencing the dynamic phase transitions of water vapor on SAW devices are investigated to provide important guidance for icing detection and monitoring.

New Heterocyclic Compounds from Oxazol-5(4H)-one and 1,2,4-Triazin-6(5H)-one Classes: Synthesis, Characterization and Toxicity Evaluation

This paper describes the synthesis of new heterocycles from oxazol-5(4H)-one and 1,2,4-triazin-6(5H)-one classes containing a phenyl-/4-bromophenylsulfonylphenyl moiety. The oxazol-5(4H)-ones were obtained via condensation of 2-(4-(4-X-phenylsulfonyl)benzamido)acetic acids with benzaldehyde/4-fluorobenzaldehyde in acetic anhydride and in the presence of sodium acetate. The reaction of oxazolones with phenylhydrazine, in acetic acid and sodium acetate, yielded the corresponding 1,2,4-triazin-6(5H)-ones. The structures of the compounds were confirmed using spectral (FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, MS) and elemental analysis. The toxicity of the compounds was evaluated on Daphnia magna Straus crustaceans and on the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The results indicate that both the heterocyclic nucleus and halogen atoms significantly influenced the toxicity against D. magna, with the oxazolones being less toxic than triazinones. The halogen-free oxazolone had the lowest toxicity, and the fluorine-containing triazinone exhibited the highest toxicity. The compounds showed low toxicity against yeast cells, apparently due to the activity of plasma membrane multidrug transporters Pdr5 and Snq2. The predictive analyses indicated an antiproliferative effect as the most probable biological action. The PASS prediction and CHEMBL similarity studies show evidence that the compounds could inhibit certain relevant oncological protein kinases. These results correlated with toxicity assays suggest that halogen-free oxazolone could be a good candidate for future anticancer investigations.

Shower thoughts: why scientists should spend more time in the rain

Stormwater is a vital resource and dynamic driver of terrestrial ecosystem processes. However, processes controlling interactions during and shortly after storms are often poorly seen and poorly sensed when direct observations are substituted with technological ones. We discuss how human observations complement technological ones and the benefits of scientists spending more time in the storm. Human observation can reveal ephemeral storm-related phenomena such as biogeochemical hot moments, organismal responses, and sedimentary processes that can then be explored in greater resolution using sensors and virtual experiments. Storm-related phenomena trigger lasting, oversized impacts on hydrologic and biogeochemical processes, organismal traits or functions, and ecosystem services at all scales. We provide examples of phenomena in forests, across disciplines and scales, that have been overlooked in past research to inspire mindful, holistic observation of ecosystems during storms. We conclude that technological observations alone are insufficient to trace the process complexity and unpredictability of fleeting biogeochemical or ecological events without the shower thoughts produced by scientists' human sensory and cognitive systems during storms.

Synthesis, antioxidant effectiveness and docking study of new benzothiazolyl-chromenone based fluorophores

As the chromenones demonstrated significant push-pull fluorescent effects the development and description of novel push-pull fluorescent compounds based on chromenone with exceptional molar extinction coefficients the benzothiazolyl-chromenone based fluorophores were created by reflexing ethanol/piperidine over Knoevenagel's condensation. Many spectral methods, including ¹ HNMR, FT-IR, and (C, H, N) analysis, were used to demonstrate the molecular structures of the synthesized benzothiazolyl-chromenone based fluorophores. The synthesized fluorophores' UV-Vis absorption and emission spectra showed significant extinction coefficients, which were observed to be influenced by the substituted benzothiazole bridge in conjugation with the alkoxy donor moiety. It was discovered that the alkoxyl group-bonded substituents had an impact on the absorbance maximum wavelength. The benzothiazolyl-chromenone hybrids' achieved antioxidant efficacy is admirably comparable to that of both of the commonly used medications (BHT and vitamin C). In contrast to hybrids, hybrid 3c, which has a hexyloxy tail, has made good claims about its respectable action towards vitamins and reference medications. Additionally, the synthesized benzothiazolyl-chromenone based hybrids showed remarkable coordination with the antioxidant efficacy when docked studies of the hybrids towards the chosen 3NM8 protein were conducted.

Mechanochemical Synthesis and Molecular Docking Studies of New Azines Bearing Indole as Anticancer Agents

The development of new approaches for the synthesis of new bioactive heterocyclic derivatives is of the utmost importance for pharmaceutical industry. In this regard, the present study reports the green synthesis of new benzaldazine and ketazine derivatives via the condensation of various carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones with the 3-(1-hydrazineylideneethyl)-1H-indole using the grinding method with one drop of acetic acid). Various spectroscopic techniques were used to identify the structures of the synthesized derivatives. Furthermore, the anticancer activities of the reported azine derivatives were evaluated against colon, hepatocellular, and breast carcinoma cell lines using the MTT technique with doxorubicin as a reference medication. The findings suggested that the synthesized derivatives exhibited potential anti-tumor activities toward different cell lines. For example, 3c, 3d, 3h, 9, and 13 exhibited interesting activity with an IC50 value of 4.27-8.15 µM towards the HCT-116 cell line as compared to doxorubicin (IC50 = 5.23 ± 0.29 µM). In addition, 3c, 3d, 3h, 9, 11, and 13 showed excellent cytotoxic activities (IC50 = 4.09-9.05 µM) towards the HePG-2 cell line compared to doxorubicin (IC50 = 4.50 ± 0.20 µM), and 3d, 3h, 9, and 13 demonstrated high potency (IC50 = 6.19-8.39 µM) towards the breast cell line (MCF-7) as compared to the reference drug (IC50 = 4.17 ± 0.20 µM). The molecular interactions between derivatives 3a-h, 7, 9, 11, 13, and the CDK-5 enzyme (PDB ID: 3IG7) were studied further using molecular docking indicating a high level of support for the experimental results. Furthermore, the drug-likeness analysis of the reported derivatives indicated that derivative 9 (binding affinity = -8.34 kcal/mol) would have a better pharmacokinetics, drug-likeness, and oral bioavailability as compared to doxorubicin (-7.04 kcal/mol). These results along with the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of the reported derivatives will pave the way for the design of additional azines bearing indole with potential anticancer activities.

Role and Effect of Meso-Structuring Surfactants on Properties and Formation Mechanism of Microfluidic-Enabled Mesoporous Silica Microspheres

We have shown in a previous work that the combination of the emulsion solvent evaporation technique and droplet-based microfluidics allows for the synthesis of well-defined monodisperse mesoporous silica microcapsules (hollow microspheres), whose size, shape and composition may be finely and easily controlled. In this study, we focus on the crucial role played by the popular Pluronic^® P123 surfactant, used for controlling the mesoporosity of synthesised silica microparticles. We show in particular, that although both types of initial precursor droplets, prepared with and without P123 meso-structuring agent, namely P123⁺ and P123^- droplets, have a similar diameter (≃30 μm) and a similar TEOS silica precursor concentration (0.34 M), the resulting microparticles exhibit two noticeably different sizes and mass densities. Namely, 10 μm and 0.55 g/cm³ for P123⁺ microparticles, and 5.2 μm and 1.4 g/cm³ for P123^- microparticles. To explain such differences, we used optical and scanning electron microscopies, small-angle X-ray diffraction and BET measurements to analyse structural properties of both types of microparticles and show that in the absence of Pluronic molecules, P123^- microdroplets divide during their condensation process, on average, into three smaller droplets before condensing into silica solid microspheres with a smaller size and a higher mass density than those obtained in the presence of P123 surfactant molecules. Based on these results and on condensation kinetics analysis, we also propose an original mechanism for the formation of silica microspheres in the presence and in the absence of the meso-structuring and pore-forming P123 molecules.

Dropwise Condensation in Ambient on a Depleted Lubricant-Infused Surface

Durability of a lubricant-infused surface (LIS) is critical for heat transfer, especially in condensation-based applications. Although LIS promotes dropwise condensation, each departing droplet condensate acts as a lubricant-depleting agent due to the formation of wetting ridge and cloaking layer around the condensate, thus gradually leading to drop pinning on the underlying rough topography. Condensation heat transfer further deteriorates in the presence of non-condensable gases (NCGs) requiring special experimental arrangements to eliminate NCGs due to a decrease in the availability of nucleation sites. To address these issues while simultaneously improving heat-transfer performance of LIS in condensation-based systems, we report fabrication of both fresh LIS and a lubricant-depleted LIS using silicon porous nanochannel wicks as an underlying substrate. Strong capillarity in the nanochannels helps retain silicone oil (polydimethylsiloxane) on the surface even after it is severely depleted under tap water. The effect of oil viscosity was investigated for drop mobility and condensation heat transfer under ambient conditions, i.e., in the presence of NCGs. While fresh LIS prepared using 5 cSt silicone oil exhibited a low roll-off angle (∼1°) and excellent water drop (5 μL) sliding velocity ∼66 mm s^-1, it underwent rapid depletion as compared to higher viscosity oils. Condensation performed on depleted nanochannel LIS with higher viscosity oil (50 cSt) resulted in a heat-transfer coefficient (HTC) of ∼2.33 kW m^-2 K^-1, which is a ∼162% improvement over flat Si-LIS (50 cSt). Such LIS promote fast drop shedding as is evident from the little change in the fraction of drops with diameter <500 μm from ∼98% to only ∼93% after 4 h of condensation. Improvement in HTC was also seen in condensation experiments conducted for 3 days where a steady HTC of ∼1.46 kW m^-2 K^-1 was achieved over the last 2 days. The ability of reported LIS to maintain long-term hydrophobicity and dropwise condensation will aid in designing condensation-based systems with improved heat-transfer performance.

Pseudotumor Sarcoidosis: The Contribution of Thoracic MRI to the Presumption of Benignity of a Pulmonary Lesion Process

Sarcoidosis is a benign systemic disease; its diagnosis is based on a suggestive radiological presentation, and the isolation of an epithelioid and gigantocellular granuloma (EGGC) without caseous necrosis with the elimination of other causes of granuloma. However, sometimes the radiological presentation is atypical and misleading, posing problems in terms of differential diagnosis. In this report, we present a case of pseudotumor sarcoidosis, in which MRI played an essential role in characterizing the lesion and suggesting its benignity. We also discuss the role of MRI in evaluating atypical forms of sarcoidosis.

Extracellular vesicle-localized miR-203 mediates neural crest-placode communication required for trigeminal ganglia formation

While interactions between neural crest and placode cells are critical for the proper formation of the trigeminal ganglion, the mechanisms underlying this process remain largely uncharacterized. Here, we show that the microRNA-(miR)203, whose epigenetic repression is required for neural crest migration, is reactivated in coalescing and condensing trigeminal ganglion cells. Overexpression of miR-203 induces ectopic coalescence of neural crest cells and increases ganglion size. Reciprocally, loss of miR-203 function in placode, but not neural crest, cells perturbs trigeminal ganglion condensation. Demonstrating intercellular communication, overexpression of miR-203 in the neural crest in vitro or in vivo represses a miR-responsive sensor in placode cells. Moreover, neural crest-secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs), visualized using pHluorin-CD63 vector, become incorporated into the cytoplasm of placode cells. Finally, RT-PCR analysis shows that small EVs isolated from condensing trigeminal ganglia are selectively loaded with miR-203. Together, our findings reveal a critical role in vivo for neural crest-placode communication mediated by sEVs and their selective microRNA cargo for proper trigeminal ganglion formation.

Defect-Density-Controlled Phase-Change Phenomena

Juxtaposing hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity on the same surface, known as hybrid surface engineering, can enhance phase-change heat transfer. However, controlling hydrophilicity on hybrid surfaces in a scalable fashion is a challenge, limiting their application. Here, using widely available metal meshes with variable dimensions and by controlling the patterning pressure, we scalably fabricate hybrid surfaces having spot and gridlike patterns using stamping. Using fog harvesting in a controlled chamber, we show that optimized hybrid surfaces have a ∼37% higher fog harvesting rate when compared to homogeneous superhydrophobic surfaces. Furthermore, condensation frosting experiments reveal that, on grid-patterned hybrid surfaces, frost propagates at ∼160% higher velocity and provides ∼20% less frost coverage when compared to homogeneous superhydrophobic surfaces. During defrost, our hybrid surfaces retain more water when compared to superhydrophobic surfaces due to the presence of hydrophilic patterns and melt water pinning. We adapt our fabrication technique to roll-to-roll patterning, demonstrating wettability contrast on round metallic geometries via atmospheric water vapor condensation. This work provides guidelines for the rapid, substrate-independent, and scalable fabrication of hybrid wettability surfaces for a wide variety of applications.

Condensation and protamination of sperm chromatin affect ICSI outcomes when gametes from healthy individuals are used

STUDY QUESTION

Do defects in sperm chromatin protamination and condensation have an impact on ICSI outcomes?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Sperm protamination is related to fertilization rates in healthy donors, and the in vitro capacity of sperm to condense their chromatin is linked to blastocyst rates, both associations being more apparent in women <33 years of age.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Previous data on how sperm chromatin damage affects ICSI outcomes are inconsistent. Revealing which sperm factors influence embryo development is necessary to understand the male contribution to ICSI success and to develop novel sperm selection techniques or male-based treatments. Sperm chromatin is mainly condensed in protamines, which are cross-linked through disulphide bridges. This study aimed to determine whether sperm protamination and the integrity of disulphide bonds (condensation) are related to embryo development after ICSI.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

The design was a retrospective study with a blind analysis of sperm chromatin. Gametes were divided into two groups: double donation (DD) cohort and single donation (SD) cohort. Samples from 45 semen donors used in 55 ICSI cycles with oocyte donors (age range 19-33 years), generating 491 embryos, were included in the DD cohort. The SD cohort consisted of samples from 34 semen donors used in 41 ICSI cycles with oocytes from healthy females (single-parent families or lesbian couples, age range 20-44 years), generating a total of 378 embryos.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS

Donor sperm samples from DD and SD cohorts were used for standard ICSI, and embryo development was observed by time-lapse imaging. The incidence of thiol reduction (dibromobimane, DBB) and the degree of chromatin protamination (chromomycin A3, CMA3, indicating non-protaminated regions) in sperm were determined by flow cytometry at 0 and 4 h post-thawing.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Percentages ± standard deviation of CMA3 were 21.08 ± 9.09 and 35.01 ± 14.68 at 0 and 4 h post-thawing, respectively, in the DD cohort and 22.57 ± 9.48 and 35.79 ± 12.58, at 0 and 4 h post-thawing, respectively, in the SD cohort. Percentages of DBB+ were 16.57 ± 11.10 and 10.51 ± 8.40 at 0 and 4 h post-thawing (P < 0.0001), respectively, in the DD cohort and 17.98 ± 10.19 and 12.72 ± 8.76 at 0 and 4 h post-thawing (P < 0.0001), respectively, in the SD cohort. Female age correlated with fertilization rates, and the relation between sperm chromatin and embryo development was determined through multiple linear regression. While CMA3 was associated with fertilization rates, with no influence of female age, in the DD cohort (β1 = -1.036, P < 0.001 for CMA3; β2 = 0.667, P = 0.304 for female age), this was not observed in the SD cohort, where female age had a significant effect, masking the effects of CMA3 (β1 = -0.066, P = 0.804 for CMA3; β 2 = -1.451, P = 0.003 for female age). The in vitro capacity of sperm to condense their chromatin after 4 h of incubation was associated with blastocyst rates, independent of female age (DD cohort: β1 = -0.238, P = 0.008 for %DBB+ variation; β2 = 0.404, P = 0.638 for female age; SD cohort: β1 = -0.278, P = 0.010 for %DBB+ variation; β2 = -0.292, P = 0.594 for female age). The in vitro capacity of sperm to condense their chromatin was also related to the time required for the embryo to reach blastocyst stage in the DD cohort (P = 0.007). Finally, multiple logistic regression showed that both chromatin protamination and condensation, together with the age of the oocyte donors and the embryo recipients, had an impact on pregnancy achievement (P < 0.01) and on live birth rates (P < 0.01).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

The main limitation was the restrictive selection of couples, which led to a relatively small sample size and could influence the observed outcomes. For this reason, and to reduce Type I error, the level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.01. On the other hand, the use of cryopreserved samples could also be a limitation.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

This research demonstrated that protamination and condensation of sperm chromatin are related to embryo development after ICSI, but female age could be a confounding factor when oocytes from older females are used.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work was supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation scheme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 801342 (Tecniospring INDUSTRY; TECSPR-19-1-0003); La Marató de TV3 Foundation (214/857-202039); the Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain (IJC2019-039615-I); the Catalan Agency for Management of University and Research Grants, Regional Government of Catalonia, Spain (2017-SGR-1229); and the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, Spain (ICREA). The authors declare no competing interests.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.

Synthesis, structure elucidation, Hirshfeld surface analysis, DFT, and molecular docking of new 6-bromo-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine derivatives as potential tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitors

Novel 6-bromo-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine derivatives (2-4, 5a-13a, and 6b, 8b-13b) have been synthesized based on a developed systematic approach involving the condensation of 5-Bromo-2,3-diaminopyridine with a suitable aromatic aldehyde in the presence of molecular iodine in water, followed by alkylation reactions using different alkyl dibromide agents. The synthesized compounds were characterized by the NMR spectroscopy technique. The structures of 8a, 9a, 12a, and 11b were confirmed using monocrystalline X-ray crystallography. Theoretical calculations have been carried out using DFT and TD-DFT methods at the B3LYP/6-31G++(d,p) level of theory. Intermolecular contacts between units of 8a, 9a, 12a, and 11b were determined through the Hirshfeld surface analysis. The molecular docking study has been performed to determine the binding affinity of 8a, 9a, 12a, and 11b into the binding site of S. aureus tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase as a target enzyme, and the results revealed that 9a is the most potent compound among the selected compounds with a binding affinity of -8.74 Kcal/mol.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Bcl10 phosphorylation-dependent droplet-like condensation positively regulates DNA virus-induced innate immune signaling

B-cell lymphoma 10 (Bcl10) is a scaffolding protein that functions as an upstream regulator of NF-κB signaling by forming a complex with Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (Malt1) and CARD-coiled coil protein family. This study showed that Bcl10 was involved in type I interferon (IFN) expression in response to DNA virus infection and that Bcl10-deficient mice were more susceptible to Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection than control mice. Mechanistically, DNA virus infection can trigger Bcl10 recruitment to the STING-TBK1 complex, leading to Bcl10 phosphorylation by TBK1. The phosphorylated Bcl10 undergoes droplet-like condensation and forms oligomers, which induce TBK1 phosphorylation and translocation to the perinuclear region. The activated TBK1 phosphorylates IRF3, which induces the expression of type I IFNs. This study elucidates that Bcl10 induces an innate immune response by undergoing droplet-like condensation and participating in signalosome formation downstream of the cGAS-STING pathway.

Design, Synthesis and Anticancer Evaluation of New 1-allyl-4-oxo-6-(3,4,5- trimethoxyphenyl)-1,4-dihydropyrimidine-5-carbonitrile Bearing Pyrazole Moieties

AIM

pyrimidine and pyrazole have various biological and pharmaceutical applications such as antibacterial, antifungal, antileishmanial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and anti-cancer.

INTRODUCTION

In this search, the goal is to prepare pyrimidine-pyrazoles and study their anticancer activity.

METHODS

1-allyl-4-oxo-6-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1,4-dihydropyrimidine-5-carbonitrile bearing pyrazoles (4,6-8) have been synthesized. Firstly, the reaction of 1-allyl-2-(methylthio)-4-oxo-6- (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1,4-dihydropyrimidine-5-carbonitrile (1) with chalcones 2a-b produced the intermediates 3a-b. The latter was reacted with hydrazine hydrate to give the targets 4a-b. On the other hand, hydrazinolysis of compound 1 yielded the hydrazino derivative 5 which upon reaction with chalcones 2c-i or 1,3-bicarbonyl compounds afforded the compounds 6-8. Finally, the new compounds were characterized by spectral data (IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR) and elemental analysis. Moreover, they were evaluated for Panc-1, MCF-7, HT-29, A-549, and HPDE cell lines as anticancer activity.

RESULTS

All the tested compounds 3,4,6-8 showed IC50 values > 50 μg/mL against the HPDE cell line. Compounds 6a and 6e exhibited potent anticancer activity where the IC50 values in the range of 1.7- 1.9, 1.4-182, 1.75-1.8, and 1.5-1.9 μg/mL against Panc-1, MCF-7, HT-29, and A-549 cell lines.

CONCLUSION

New pyrimidine-pyrazole derivatives were simply synthesized, in addition, some of them showed potential anticancer activity.

Diverse roles of biomolecular condensation in eukaryotic translational regulation

Biomolecular condensates, forming membrane-less organelles, orchestrate the sub-cellular compartment to execute designated biological processes. An increasing body of evidence demonstrates the involvement of these biomolecular condensates in translational regulation. This review summarizes recent discoveries concerning biomolecular condensates associated with translational regulation, including their composition, assembly, and functions. Furthermore, we discussed the common features among these biomolecular condensates and the critical questions in the translational regulation areas. These emerging discoveries shed light on the enigmatic translational machinery, refine our understanding of translational regulation, and put forth potential therapeutic targets for diseases born out of translation dysregulation.

Investigation of Fluid Characteristic and Performance of an Ejector by a Wet Steam Model

In this paper, a wet steam model is utilized to study the fluid characteristic and performance of a supersonic ejector. The condensation process, which has been ignored by most researchers, is analyzed in detail. It is found that the most intensive condensation happens at the primary nozzle downstream and nozzle exit region. Moreover, the impacts of primary flow pressure and back pressure on ejector performance are studied by the distribution of Mach number inside the ejector. Furthermore, the results show that the secondary mass flow rate first grows sightly then remains almost unchanged, while the primary mass flow rate rises sharply and ejector entrainment ratio drops dramatically with the increase in primary flow pressure.

Analysis of Fuel Alternative Products Obtained by the Pyrolysis of Diverse Types of Plastic Materials Isolated from a Dumpsite Origin in Pakistan

The current energy crisis and waste management problems have compelled people to find alternatives to conventional non-renewable fuels and utilize waste to recover energy. Pyrolysis of plastics, which make up a considerable portion of municipal and industrial waste, has emerged as a feasible resolution to both satisfy our energy needs and mitigate the issue of plastic waste. This study was therefore conducted to find a solution for plastic waste management problems, as well as to find an alternative to mitigate the current energy crisis. Pyrolysis of five of the most commonly used plastics, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high- and low-density polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), was executed in a pyrolytic reactor designed utilizing a cylindrical shaped stainless steel container with pressure and temperature gauges and a condenser to cool down the hydrocarbons produced. The liquid products collected were highly flammable and their chemical properties revealed them as fuel alternatives. Among them, the highest yield of fuel conversion (82%) was observed for HDPE followed by PP, PS, LDPE, PS, and PET (61.8%, 58.0%, 50.0%, and 11.0%, respectively). The calorific values of the products, 46.2, 46.2, 45.9, 42.8 and 42.4 MJ/kg for LPDE, PP, HPDE, PS, and PET, respectively, were comparable to those of diesel and gasoline. Spectroscopic and chromatographic analysis proved the presence of alkanes and alkenes with carbon number ranges of C₉-C₁₅, C₉-C₂₄, C₁₀-C₂₁, C₁₀-C₂₈, and C₉-C₁₇ for PP, PET, HDPE, LDPE, and PS, respectively. If implemented, the study will prove to be beneficial and contribute to mitigating the major energy and environmental issues of developing countries, as well as enhance entrepreneurship opportunities by replicating the process at small-scale and industrial levels.

Condensation of 4-Tert-butyl-2,6-dimethylbenzenesulfonamide with Glyoxal and Reaction Features: A New Process for Symmetric and Asymmetric Aromatic Sulfones

The synthesis of substituted aza- and oxaazaisowurtzitanes via direct condensation is challenging. The selection of starting ammonia derivatives is very limited. The important step in developing alternative synthetic routes to these compounds is a detailed study on their formation process. Here, we explored an acid-catalyzed condensation between 4-tert-butyl-2,6-dimethylbenzenesulfonamide and glyoxal in aqueous H₂SO₄, aqueous acetonitrile and acetone, and established some new processes hindering the condensation. In particular, an irreversible rearrangement of the condensation intermediate was found to proceed and be accompanied by the 1,2-hydride shift and by the formation of symmetric disulfanes and sulfanes. It has been shown for the first time that aldehydes may act as a reducing agent when disulfanes are generated from aromatic sulfonamides, as is experimentally proved. The condensation between 4-tert-butyl-2,6-dimethylbenzenesulfonamide and formaldehyde resulted in 1,3,5-tris((4-(tert-butyl)-2,6-dimethylphenyl)sulfonyl)-1,3,5-triazinane. It was examined if diimine could be synthesized from 4-tert-butyl-2,6-dimethylbenzenesulfonamide and glyoxal by the most common synthetic procedures for structurally similar imines. It has been discovered for the first time that the Friedel-Crafts reaction takes place between sulfonamide and the aromatic compound. A new synthetic strategy has been suggested herein that can reduce the stages in the synthesis of in-demand organic compounds of symmetric and asymmetric aromatic sulfones via the Brønsted acid-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts reaction, starting from aromatic sulfonamides and arenes activated towards an electrophilic attack.

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity characterization of new imidazothiazolotriazine oxindolylidene derivatives containing various substituents in the oxindole ring

Condensation of 1,3-diethyltetrahydroimidazo[4,5-е]thiazolo[3,2-b][1,2,4]triazine-2,7-dione with isatins followed by framework rearrangement in the thiazolotriazine moiety was used to synthesize two new series of oxindolylidenetetrahydroimidazo[4,5-е]thiazolo- [3,2-b][1,2,4]triazine-2,7-diones and oxindolylidenetetrahydroimidazo[4,5-е]thiazolo[2,3-c][1,2,4]triazine-2,8-diones containing various substituents in the oxindole moiety. The obtained compounds were tested for antiproliferative activity. The greatest activity was observed in the case of 1-alkyl-7-methyloxindolylidene derivatives of imidazo[4,5-е]thiazolo[2,3-c]triazine, which not only inhibited the growth of more than half of the studied cell lines, but also caused cell death in the SF-539 cell line (central nervous system cancer, mean growth percent –7.82%) and MDA-MB-435 (melanoma, –30.97 and –13.64%).

Optimization of Evaporation and Condensation Architectures for Solar-Driven Interfacial Evaporation Desalination

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation is an ideal technology for seawater desalination, and the corresponding system is mainly composed of a solar evaporator and a condensing collector. The traditional scheme focuses on the evaporation efficiency of the evaporator. Still, it ignores the influence of condensing collection scheme on the overall efficiency, which is one of the obstacles to the practical use of solar seawater desalination. Here, we reported a new solar-driven interfacial evaporation seawater desalination system by studying the influence of the condensation architecture, i.e., vapor flow by a fan and an air pump, sidewall material, transparent cover shape and material, evaporation level, and transparent cover heating, on the apparent collection efficiency of the system. The apparent collection efficiency was up to over 90% after optimization. This study is expected to promote the practical application of solar evaporation desalination technology.

Hydrophilic reentrant SLIPS enabled flow separation for rapid water harvesting

Water harvesting from air has the potential to alleviate water scarcity in arid regions around the globe. To achieve efficient water harvesting, we prefer rapid vapor condensation and droplet collection simultaneously. Prior techniques are not able to separate the vapor and liquid flow, so the condensed droplets always hinder the vapor condensation. In this work, we report a flow-separation condensation mode on a hydrophilic reentrant slippery liquid-infused porous surface. The slippery reentrant channels absorb the condensed droplets, lock the liquid columns inside, and transport them to the end of each channel. As a result, the sustainable flow separation significantly increases the water harvesting rate.

Water harvesting from air is desired for decentralized water supply wherever water is needed. When water vapor is condensed as droplets on a surface the unremoved droplets act as thermal barriers. A surface that can provide continual droplet-free areas for nucleation is favorable for condensation water harvesting. Here, we report a flow-separation condensation mode on a hydrophilic reentrant slippery liquid-infused porous surface (SLIPS) that rapidly removes droplets with diameters above 50 μm. The slippery reentrant channels lock the liquid columns inside and transport them to the end of each channel. We demonstrate that the liquid columns can harvest the droplets on top of the hydrophilic reentrant SLIPS at a high droplet removal frequency of 130 Hz/mm². The sustainable flow separation without flooding increases the water harvesting rate by 110% compared to the state-of-the-art hydrophilic flat SLIPS. Such a flow-separation condensation approach paves a way for water harvesting.

Ultrascalable Surface Structuring Strategy of Metal Additively Manufactured Materials for Enhanced Condensation

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) enables unparalleled design freedom for the development of optimized devices in a plethora of applications. The requirement for the use of nonconventional aluminum alloys such as AlSi10Mg has made the rational micro/nanostructuring of metal AM challenging. Here, the techniques are developed and the fundamental mechanisms governing the micro/nanostructuring of AlSi10Mg, the most common metal AM material, are investigated. A surface structuring technique is rationally devised to form previously unexplored two-tier nanoscale architectures that enable remarkably low adhesion, excellent resilience to condensation flooding, and enhanced liquid-vapor phase transition. Using condensation as a demonstration framework, it is shown that the two-tier nanostructures achieve 6× higher heat transfer coefficient when compared to the best filmwise condensation. The study demonstrates that AM-enabled nanostructuring is optimal for confining droplets while reducing adhesion to facilitate droplet detachment. Extensive benchmarking with past reported data shows that the demonstrated heat transfer enhancement has not been achieved previously under high supersaturation conditions using conventional aluminum, further motivating the need for AM nanostructures. Finally, it has been demonstrated that the synergistic combination of wide AM design freedom and optimal AM nanostructuring method can provide an ultracompact condenser having excellent thermal performance and power density.

Microscale Confinement and Wetting Contrast Enable Enhanced and Tunable Condensation

Dropwise condensation represents the upper limit of thermal transport efficiency for liquid-to-vapor phase transition. A century of research has focused on promoting dropwise condensation by attempting to overcome limitations associated with thermal resistance and poor surface-modifier durability. Here, we show that condensation in a microscale gap formed by surfaces having a wetting contrast can overcome these limitations. Spontaneous out-of-plane condensate transfer between the contrasting parallel surfaces decouples the nanoscale nucleation behavior, droplet growth dynamics, and shedding processes to enable minimization of thermal resistance and elimination of surface modification. Experiments on pure steam combined with theoretical analysis and numerical simulation confirm the breaking of intrinsic limits to classical condensation and demonstrate a gap-dependent heat-transfer coefficient with up to 240% enhancement compared to dropwise condensation. Our study presents a promising mechanism and technology for compact energy and water applications where high, tunable, gravity-independent, and durable phase-change heat transfer is required.

Active condensation of filaments under spatial confinement

Living systems exhibit self-organization, a phenomenon that enables organisms to perform functions essential for life. The interior of living cells is a crowded environment in which the self-assembly of cytoskeletal networks is spatially constrained by membranes and organelles. Cytoskeletal filaments undergo active condensation in the presence of crosslinking motor proteins. In past studies, confinement has been shown to alter the morphology of active condensates. Here, we perform simulations to explore systems of filaments and crosslinking motors in a variety of confining geometries. We simulate spatial confinement imposed by hard spherical, cylindrical, and planar boundaries. These systems exhibit non-equilibrium condensation behavior where crosslinking motors condense a fraction of the overall filament population, leading to coexistence of vapor and condensed states. We find that the confinement lengthscale modifies the dynamics and condensate morphology. With end-pausing crosslinking motors, filaments self-organize into half asters and fully-symmetric asters under spherical confinement, polarity-sorted bilayers and bottle-brush-like states under cylindrical confinement, and flattened asters under planar confinement. The number of crosslinking motors controls the size and shape of condensates, with flattened asters becoming hollow and ring-like for larger motor number. End pausing plays a key role affecting condensate morphology: systems with end-pausing motors evolve into aster-like condensates while those with non-end-pausing crosslinking motor proteins evolve into disordered clusters and polarity-sorted bundles.

Co-Benefits of Pollutant Removal, Water, and Heat Recovery from Flue Gas through Phase Transition Enhanced by Corona Discharge

Pollutant removal and resource recovery from high-humidity flue gas after desulfurization in a thermal power plant are crucial for improving air quality and saving energy. This study developed a flue gas treatment method involving phase transition enhanced by corona discharge based on laboratory research and established a field-scale unit for demonstration. The results indicate that an adequate increase in size will improve the ease of particle capture. A wet electrostatic precipitator is applied before the condensing heat exchangers to enhance the particle growth and capture processes. This results in an increase of 58% in the particle median diameter in the heat exchanger and an emission concentration below 1 mg/m³. Other pollutants, such as SO₃ and Hg, can also be removed with emission concentrations of 0.13 mg/m³ and 1.10 μg/m³, respectively. Under the condensation enhancement of the method, it is possible to recover up to 3.26 t/h of water from 200 000 m³/h saturated flue gas (323 K), and the quality of the recovered water meets the standards stipulated in China. Additionally, charge-induced condensation is shown to improve heat recovery, resulting in the recovery of more than 43.34 kJ/h·m³ of heat from the flue gas. This method is expected to save 2628 t of standard coal and reduce carbon dioxide emission by 2% annually, contributing to environmental protection and global-warming mitigation.

Design and Synthesis of Novel Dual Cholinesterase Inhibitors: In Vitro Inhibition Studies Supported with Molecular Docking

The major cholinesterase enzymes, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), are important in the therapy of Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on the cholinergic hypothesis. As a result, in recent years, the investigation of dual cholinesterase inhibition methods has become important among scientists. In this study, novel N-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3,4-dimethoxy-N-(m-substituted)benzamide derivatives were synthesized. Then, inhibitory properties of these derivatives were examined in human AChE and BuChE in vitro and possible interactions were determined by molecular docking studies. All benzamide derivatives were exhibited dual inhibitory character and high BBB permeability. The most effective inhibitor was found as N7 for both AChE and BuChE with IC₅₀ values of 1.57 and 2.85 μM, respectively. Besides the most potent inhibitor was predicted as N7 in terms of binding energies with -12.18 kcal/mol and -9.92 kcal/mol, respectively. The reason for these results is that bromine (N7) is the bulkiest molecule among the other substituted groups. These derivatives could be exploited to develop new medications for the treatment of central nervous system-related diseases as AD by acting as dual inhibitors of AChE and BChE.