Optical Control of Adaptive Nanoscale Domain Networks.

Adaptive networks can sense and adjust to dynamic environments to optimize their performance. Understanding their nanoscale responses to external stimuli is essential for applications in nanodevices and neuromorphic computing. However, it is challenging to image such responses on the nanoscale with crystallographic sensitivity. Here, the evolution of nanodomain networks in (PbTiO3)n/(SrTiO3)n superlattices (SLs) is directly visualized in real space as the system adapts to ultrafast repetitive optical excitations that emulate controlled neural inputs. The adaptive response allows the system to explore a wealth of metastable states that are previously inaccessible. Their reconfiguration and competition are quantitatively measured by scanning x-ray nanodiffraction as a function of the number of applied pulses, in which crystallographic characteristics are quantitatively assessed by assorted diffraction patterns using unsupervised machine-learning methods. The corresponding domain boundaries and their connectivity are drastically altered by light, holding promise for light-programable nanocircuits in analogy to neuroplasticity. Phase-field simulations elucidate that the reconfiguration of the domain networks is a result of the interplay between photocarriers and transient lattice temperature. The demonstrated optical control scheme and the uncovered nanoscopic insights open opportunities for the remote control of adaptive nanoscale domain networks.

Quantitative structure-retention relationships for pyridinium-based ionic liquids used as gas chromatographic stationary phases: convenient software and assessment of reliability of the results.

Ionic liquids, i.e., organic salts with a low melting point, can be used as gas chromatographic liquid stationary phases. These stationary phases have some advantages such as peculiar selectivity, high polarity, and thermostability. Many previous works are devoted to such stationary phases. However, there are still no large enough retention data sets of structurally diverse compounds for them. Consequently, there are very few works devoted to quantitative structure-retention relationships (QSRR) for ionic liquid-based stationary phases. This work is aimed at closing this gap. Three ionic liquids with substituted pyridinium cations are considered. We provide large enough data sets (123-158 compounds) that can be used in further works devoted to QSRR and related methods. We provide a QSRR study using this data set and demonstrate the following. The retention index for a polyethylene glycol stationary phase (denoted as RI_PEG), predicted using another model, can be used as a molecular descriptor. This descriptor significantly improves the accuracy of the QSRR model. Both deep learning-based and linear models were considered for RI_PEG prediction. The ability to predict the retention indices for ionic liquid-based stationary phases with high accuracy is demonstrated. Particular attention is paid to the reproducibility and reliability of the QSRR study. It was demonstrated that adding/removing several compounds, small perturbations of the data set can considerably affect the results such as descriptor importance and model accuracy. These facts have to be considered in order to avoid misleading conclusions. For the QSRR research, we developed a software tool with a graphical user interface, which we called CHERESHNYA. It is intended to select molecular descriptors and construct linear equations connecting molecular descriptors with gas chromatographic retention indices for any stationary phase. The software allows the user to generate several hundred molecular descriptors (one-dimensional and two-dimensional). Among them, predicted retention indices for popular stationary phases such as polydimethylsiloxane and polyethylene glycol are used as molecular descriptors. Various methods for selecting (and assessing the importance of) molecular descriptors have been implemented, in particular the Boruta algorithm, partial least squares, genetic algorithms, L1-regularized regression (LASSO) and others. The software is free, open-source and available online: https://github.com/mtshn/chereshnya.

Elastic strain mapping of plastically deformed materials by TEM.

A method for mapping elastic strains by TEM in plastically deformed materials is presented. A characteristic feature of plastically deformed materials, which cannot be handled by standard strain measurement method, is the presence of orientation gradients. To circumvent this issue, we couple orientation and strain maps obtained from scanning precession electron diffraction datasets. More specifically, orientation gradients are taken into account by 1) identifying the diffraction spot positions in a reference pattern, 2) measuring the disorientation between the diffraction patterns in the map and the reference pattern, 3) rotating the coordinate system following the measured disorientation at each position in the map, 4) calculating strains in the rotated coordinate system. At present, only azimuthal rotations of the crystal are handled. The method is illustrated on a Cr2AlC monocrystal micropilar deformed in near simple flexion during a nanomechanical test. After plastic deformation, the sample contains dislocations arranged in pile-ups and walls. The strain-field around each dislocation is consistent with theory, and a clear difference is observed between the strain fields around pile-ups and walls. It is further remarked that strain maps allow for the orientation of the Burgers vector to be identified. Since the loading undergone by the sample is known, this also allows for the position of the dislocation sources to be estimated. Perspectives for the study of deformed materials are finally discussed.

Antiviral activity of the host defense peptide piscidin 1: investigating a membrane-mediated mode of action.

Outbreaks of viral diseases are on the rise, fueling the search for antiviral therapeutics that act on a broad range of viruses while remaining safe to human host cells. In this research, we leverage the finding that the plasma membranes of host cells and the lipid bilayers surrounding enveloped viruses differ in lipid composition. We feature Piscidin 1 (P1), a cationic host defense peptide (HDP) that has antimicrobial effects and membrane activity associated with its N-terminal region where a cluster of aromatic residues and copper-binding motif reside. While few HDPs have demonstrated antiviral activity, P1 acts in the micromolar range against several enveloped viruses that vary in envelope lipid composition. Notably, it inhibits HIV-1, a virus that has an envelope enriched in cholesterol, a lipid associated with higher membrane order and stability. Here, we first document through plaque assays that P1 boasts strong activity against SARS-CoV-2, which has an envelope low in cholesterol. Second, we extend previous studies done with homogeneous bilayers and devise cholesterol-containing zwitterionic membranes that contain the liquid disordered (Ld; low in cholesterol) and ordered (Lo, rich in cholesterol) phases. Using dye leakage assays and cryo-electron microscopy on vesicles, we show that P1 has dramatic permeabilizing capability on the Lo/Ld, an effect matched by a strong ability to aggregate, fuse, and thin the membranes. Differential scanning calorimetry and NMR experiments demonstrate that P1 mixes the lipid content of vesicles and alters the stability of the Lo. Structural studies by NMR indicate that P1 interacts with the Lo/Ld by folding into an α-helix that lies parallel to the membrane surface. Altogether, these results show that P1 is more disruptive to phase-separated than homogenous cholesterol-containing bilayers, suggesting an ability to target domain boundaries. Overall, this multi-faceted research highlights how a peptide that interacts strongly with membranes through an aromatic-rich N-terminal motif disrupt viral envelope mimics. This represents an important step towards the development of novel peptides with broad-spectrum antiviral activity.

Simple-by-design approach for production of stabilizer-free cubosomes from phosphatidylglycerol and docosahexaenoic acid monoacylglycerol.

Docosahexaenoic acid monoacylglycerol represents a promising lipid constituent in the development of drug nanocarriers owing to its amphiphilicity and the beneficial health effects of this docosahexaenoic acid precursor in various disorders including cancer and inflammatory diseases. Here, we describe the formation and characterization of simple-by-design and stabilizer-free lamellar and non-lamellar crystalline nanoparticles (vesicles and cubosomes, respectively) from binary mixtures of docosahexaenoic acid monoacylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol, which is a ubiquitous amphiphilic component present in biological systems. At the physiological temperature of 37 °C, these single amphiphilic components tend to exhibit inverse hexagonal and lamellar liquid crystalline phases, respectively, on exposure to excess water. They can also be combined and dispersed in excess water by employing a high-energy emulsification method (by means of ultrasonication) to produce through an electrostatic stabilization mechanism colloidally stable nanodispersions. A colloidal transformation from vesicles to cubosomes was detected with increasing MAG-DHA content. Through use of synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering, cryo-transmission electron microscopy, and nanoparticle tracking analysis, we report on the structural and morphological features, and size characteristics of these nanodispersions. Depending on the lipid composition, their internal liquid crystalline architectures were spanning from a lamellar (Lα) phase to biphasic features of coexisting inverse bicontinuous (Q2) cubic Pn3m and Im3m phases. Thus, a direct colloidal vesicle-cubosome transformation was detected by augmenting the concentration of docosahexaenoic acid monoacylglycerol. The produced cubosomes were thermally stable within the investigated temperature range of 5-60 °C. Collectively, our findings contribute to understanding of the imperative steps for production of stabilizer-free cubosomes from biocompatible lipids through a simple-by-design approach. We also discuss the potential therapeutic use and future implications for development of next-generation of multifunctional vesicles and cubosomes for co-delivery of docosahexaenoic acid and drugs in treatment of diseases.

Evaluating C18 stationary phases with a positively charged surface for proteomic LC-MS applications using mobile phase acidified with reduced formic acid concentration.

We have recently demonstrated the ability of a C18 stationary phase with a positively charged surface (PCS-C18) to provide superior chromatographic separation of peptides using mobile phase acidified with a mere 0.01 % formic acid, significantly improving MS sensitivity. Here, we examined three columns packed with different PCS-C18 phases using the MS-favorable mobile phase acidified with low formic acid concentrations to establish the impact of separation performance and better MS sensitivity on peptide identifications. The surface charge interaction was evaluated using the retention of nitrate. The highest interaction was observed for the AdvanceBio Peptide Plus column. A surface charge-dependent shift in the retention time of peptides was confirmed with a change in formic acid concentration in the mobile phase. The separation performance of the columns with MS-favorable mobile phase acidified with low concentrations of formic acid was evaluated using well-characterized peptides. The loading capacity was assessed using a basic peptide with three lysine residues. Good chromatographic peak shapes and high loading capacity were observed for the Acquity Premier CSH C18 column, even when using a mobile phase acidified with 0.01 % formic acid. The extent of improvement in peptide identification when using reduced formic acid concentration was evaluated by analyzing the tryptic digest of trastuzumab and tryptic digest of whole bacteria cell lysate. Each column provided improved MS signal intensity and peptide identification when using the mobile phase with 0.01 % formic acid. The ability of the Acquity Premier CSH C18 column to provide better separation of peptides, even with a reduced formic acid concentration in the mobile phase, boosted MS signal intensity by 65 % and increased the number of identified peptides from the bacterial sample by 19 %. Our study confirms that significant improvement in the proteomic outputs can be achieved without additional costs only by tailoring the chemistry of the stationary phase to the composition of the mobile phase. Our results can help researchers understand the retention mechanism of peptides on the PCS-C18 stationary phases using low-ionic strength mobile phases and, more importantly, select the best-suited stationary phases for their LC-MS proteomic applications.

Molecular Recognition in Mechanochemistry: Insights from Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy.

Molecular-recognition events are highly relevant in biology and chemistry. In the present study, we investigated such processes in the solid state under mechanochemical conditions using the formation of racemic phases upon reacting enantiopure entities as example. As test systems, α-(trifluoromethyl)lactic acid (TFLA) and the amino acids serine and alanine were used. The effects of ball-milling and resonant acoustic mixing (RAM) on the formation of racemic phases were probed by using solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In a mixer mill, a highly efficient and fast racemic phase formation occurred for both TFLA and the two amino acids. RAM led to the racemic phase for TFLA also, and this process was facilitated upon employing pre-milled enantiopure entities. In contrast, under comparable conditions RAM did not result in the formation of racemic phases for serine and alanine.

Understanding the Regulatory Pathways Used to Develop, Evaluate, Authorize, and Approve New Drugs and Vaccines in the United States.

The United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the safety and quality of drugs and vaccines that are used in the U.S. Administration of the FDA falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The regulatory oversight of the FDA is complex and comprehensive, requiring the various roles and responsibilities to be divided across six main centers. The activities of two of these centers, the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) are the primary focus of this review.

The use of hemifusion to create asymmetric giant unilamellar vesicles: Insights on induced order domains.

The natural asymmetry of the lipid bilayer in biological membranes is, in part, a testament to the complexity of the structure and function of this barrier limiting and protecting cells (or organelles). These lipid bilayers consist of two lipid leaflets with different lipid compositions, resulting in unique interactions within each leaflet. These interactions, combined with interactions between the two leaflets, determine the overall behavior of the membrane. Model membranes provide the most suitable option for investigating the fundamental interactions of lipids. This report describes a comprehensive method to make asymmetric giant unilamellar vesicles (aGUVs) using the technique of hemifusion. In this method, calcium ions induce the hemifusion of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) with a supported lipid bilayer (SLB), both having different lipid compositions. During hemifusion, a stalk, or a more commonly seen hemifusion diaphragm, connects the outer leaflets of GUVs and the SLB. The lateral diffusion of lipids naturally promotes the lipid exchange between the connected outer leaflets. After calcium chelation to prevent further fusion, a mechanical shear detaches aGUVs from the SLB. A fluorescence quench assay is employed to test the extent of bilayer asymmetry. A fluorescence quenching assay tests bilayer asymmetry and verifies dye and lipid migration to a GUV's outer leaflet.

Graph Theoretical Description of Phase Transitions in Complex Multiscale Phases with Supramolecular Assemblies.

Phase transitions are typically quantified using order parameters, such as crystal lattice distances and radial distribution functions, which can identify subtle changes in crystalline materials or high-contrast phases with large structural differences. However, the identification of phases with high complexity, multiscale organization and of complex patterns during the structural fluctuations preceding phase transitions, which are essential for understanding the system pathways between phases, is challenging for those traditional analyses. Here, it is shown that for two model systems- thermotropic liquid crystals and a lyotropic water/surfactant mixtures-graph theoretical (GT) descriptors can successfully identify complex phases combining molecular and nanoscale levels of organization that are hard to characterize with traditional methodologies. Furthermore, the GT descriptors also reveal the pathways between the different phases. Specifically, centrality parameters and node-based fractal dimension quantify the system behavior preceding the transitions, capturing fluctuation-induced breakup of aggregates and their long-range cooperative interactions. GT parameterization can be generalized for a wide range of chemical systems and be instrumental for the growth mechanisms of complex nanostructures.

Dynamic Energy Budget model for E. coli growth in carbon and nitrogen limitation conditions.

The simulations and predictions obtained from mathematical models of bioprocesses conducted by microorganisms are not overvalued. Mechanistic models are bringing a better process understanding and the possibility of simulating unmeasurable variables. The Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) model is an energy balance that can be formulated for any living organism and can be classified as a structured model. In this study, the DEB model was used to describe E. coli growth in a batch reactor in carbon and nitrogen substrate limitation conditions. The DEB model provides a possibility to follow the changes in the microbes' cells including their elemental composition and content of some important cell ingredients in different growth phases in substrate limitation conditions which makes it more informative compared to Monod's model. The model can be used as an optimal choice between Monod-like models and flux-based approaches. KEY POINTS: • The DEB model can be used to catch changes in elemental composition of E. coli • Bacteria batch culture growth phases can be explained by the DEB model • The DEB model is more informative compared to Monod's based models.

Green synthesis of MIL53(Al)-modified paper-based analytical device for efficient extraction of neonicotinoid insecticides from environmental water samples.

BACKGROUND: There is a need to develop low-cost, reliable and portable devices to enhance the efficiency of microextraction techniques in complex samples. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have proven to be promising sorbents due to their well-documented properties. However, their green preparation and combination with paper-based substrates have not been satisfactorily explored to fabricate sustainable sorptive phases. RESULTS: In this work, the hybridization of a paper substrate (as a sustainable support) with MOFs (as a sorptive phase) was carried out by one-pot approach. Concretely, the selected MOF, MIL-53(Al), was in-situ growth onto the paper surface in aqueous solution without the need for high temperature or pressure, thereby aligning with the Green Analytical Chemistry principles. The optimized composite (MIL-53(Al)@cellulose paper) was characterized and evaluated as extraction sorbent for five neonicotinoids (NEOs) (thiamethoxam, clothianidin, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and thiacloprid). Furthermore, its feasibility was demonstrated by isolating these pollutants from environmental water samples, followed their determination by HPLC coupled to diode array detection. The whole method showed satisfactory analytical performance with recoveries between 86 and 114 %, suitable precision (with RSD lower than 14 %), and limits of detection ranged from 1.0 to 1.6 µg L-1. Besides, the greenness of the method was assessed by application of different existing metrics. The developed extraction device was affordable (<0.08 €/device) and mechanical and chemically stable, being possible its reuse more than 11 cycles, thus demonstrating its suitability for rapid screening of pesticides in environmental samples. SIGNIFICANCE: This report presents, for the first time, the green synthesis of MIL-53(Al)cellulose paper composite and its application as a sorptive phase for the extraction of NEOs from environmental water samples. We believe that the proposed strategy for fabricating these sustainable paper-based sorptive phases paves the way for further hybridizations with other MOFs or materials. Additionally, it opens up large possibilities for their application in extraction of pollutants or other hazardous compounds in aquatic environments.

Gait asymmetrical evaluation of lower limb amputees using wearable inertial sensors.

This study presents an analysis and evaluation of gait asymmetry (GA) based on the temporal gait parameters identified using a portable gait event detection system, placed on the lateral side of the shank of both lower extremities of the participants. Assessment of GA was carried out with seven control subjects (CS), one transfemoral amputee (TFA) and one transtibial amputee (TTA) while walking at different speeds on overground (OG) and treadmill (TM). Gait cycle duration (GCD), stance phase duration (SPD), swing phase duration (SwPD), and the sub-phases of the gait cycle (GC) such as Loading-Response (LR), Foot-Flat (FF), and Push-Off (PO), Swing-1 (SW-1) and Swing-2 (SW-2) were evaluated. The results revealed that GCD showed less asymmetry as compared to other temporal parameters in both groups. A significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between the groups for SPD and SwPD with lower limb amputees (LLA) having a longer stance and shorter swing phase for their intact side compared to their amputated side, resulting, large GA for TFA compared to CS and TTA. The findings could potentially contribute towards a better understanding of gait characteristics in LLA and provide a guide in the design and control of lower limb prosthetics/orthotics.

Recent progress for chiral stationary phases based on chiral porous materials in high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography separation.

Chirality is a fundamental property of nature. Separation and analysis of racemates are of great importance in the fields of medicine and the production of chiral biopharmaceutical intermediates. Chiral chromatography has the characteristics of a wide separation range, fast separation speed, and high efficiency. The development and preparation of novel chiral stationary phases with good chiral recognition and separation capacity is the core and key of chiral chromatographic separation and analysis. In this work, the representative research progress of novel chiral porous crystal materials including chiral covalent organic frameworks, chiral porous organic cages, chiral metal-organic frameworks, and chiral metal-organic cages used as chiral stationary phases of capillary gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography over the last 4 years is reviewed in detail. The chiral recognition and separation properties of the representative studies in this review are also introduced and discussed.

Recent developments in the application of immobilized artificial membrane (IAM) chromatography to drug discovery.

INTRODUCTION: Immobilized artificial membrane (IAM) chromatography is widely used in many aspects of drug discovery. It employs stationary phases, which contain phospholipids combining simulation of biological membranes with rapid measurements. AREAS COVERED: Advances in IAM stationary phases, chromatographic conditions and the underlying retention mechanism are discussed. The potential of IAM chromatography to model permeability and drug-membrane interactions as well as its use to estimate pharmacokinetic properties and toxicity endpoints including ecotoxicity, is outlined. Efforts to construct models for prediction IAM retention factors are presented. EXPERT OPINION: IAM chromatography, as a border case between partitioning and binding, has broadened its application from permeability studies to encompass processes involving tissue binding. Most IAM-based permeability models are hybrid models incorporating additional molecular descriptors, while for the estimation of pharmacokinetic properties and binding to off targets, IAM retention is combined with other biomimetic properties. However, for its integration into routine drug discovery protocols, reliable IAM prediction models implemented in relevant software should be developed, to enable its use in virtual screening and the design of new molecules. Conversely, preparation of new IAM columns with different phospholipids or mixed monomers offers enhanced flexibility and the potential to tailor the conditions according to the target property.

Binary bilayer simulations for partitioning within membranes.

Membrane proteins (MPs) often show preference for one phase over the other, which is characterized by the partition coefficient, Kp. The physical mechanisms underlying Kp have been only inferred indirectly from experiments due to the unavailability of detailed structures and compositions of ordered phases. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can complement these details and thus, in principle, provide further insights into the partitioning of MPs between two phases. However, the application of MD has remained difficult due to long time scales required for equilibration and large system size for the phase stability, which have not been fully resolved even in free energy simulations. This chapter describes the recently developed binary bilayer simulation method, where the membrane is composed of two laterally attached membrane patches. The binary bilayer system (BBS) is designed to preserve the lateral packing of both phases in a significantly smaller size compared to that required for macroscopic phase separation. These characteristics are advantageous in partitioning simulations, as the length scale for diffusion across the system can be significantly smaller. Hence the BBS can be efficiently employed in both conventional MD and free energy simulations, though sampling in ordered phases remains difficult due to slow diffusion. Development of efficient lipid swapping methods and its combination with the BBS would be a useful approach for partitioning in coexisting phases.

Statistical considerations for cardiovascular clinical trials straddling the continuum of pandemic phases.

In 2020, the NIH and FDA issued guidance documents that laid the foundation for human subject research during an unprecedented pandemic. To bridge these general considerations to actual applications in cardiovascular interventional device trials, the PAndemic Impact on INTErventional device ReSearch (PAIINTERS) Working Group was formed in early 2021 under the Predictable And Sustainable Implementation Of National CardioVascular Registries (PASSION CV Registries). The PAIINTER's Part I report, published by Rymer et al. [5], provided a comprehensive overview of the operational impact on interventional studies during the first year of the Pandemic. PAIINTERS Part II focused on potential statistical issues related to bias, variability, missing data, and study power when interventional studies may start and end in different pandemic phases. Importantly, the paper also offers practical mitigation strategies to adjust or minimize the impact for both SATs and RCTs, providing a valuable resource for researchers and professionals involved in cardiovascular clinical trials.

Exploring the relevance of the type of horizontal separator to optimize the extraction efficacy for the Arbequina variety.

The productivity of virgin olive oil depends not only on agronomic factors but also on the technological factors of the extraction process. The 'Arbequina' variety has extractability problems, which is a challenge for master millers anywhere. This work aims to evaluate the behavior of different decanters and seeks to modulate the effect of some processing parameters and their interactions with oil extraction efficiency in the case of 'Arbequina.' Fruit characteristics, processing parameters, and extractability were collected over 10 years from 38 decanters that belong to five different brands. The results have shown that fruit moisture is the most relevant factor for oil extractability, especially over 52%. Furthermore, extractability is positively correlated with malaxing temperature, addition of water, and total fat content in the fruit. However, the results show that before applying a regulation, the type of decanter must be considered. The model used in this study has allowed us to optimize the regulations for each type of decanter to reduce oil losses within the pomace, achieving an extraction efficiency within the range of 78%-91.5%. In fact, the best extraction efficiency results (91.5%) were obtained by processing at temperatures >26°C and water injection of 5%.

Scientific and technological analysis of exchange-spring magnets: Applications and trends.

In this work, a bibliometric study was carried out to perform a scientific and technological analysis of exchange-spring magnets, an alternative permanent magnet synthesized by reducing or eliminating the use of critical raw materials, such as rare earths. The bibliometric analysis utilized the Scopus database, Orbit-Intellixir, VOSviewer, Orbit-Intelligence and Loglet Lab 4 software for maturity analysis, keyword network representations, charts and graphs for scientific articles and/or patents. A special analysis was performed on nanocomposite and thin-films systems based on Nd-Fe-B, SmCo5 and Mn-Al-C alloys, either mixed or layered with a soft magnetic phase, where relevant information on their magnetic parameters was compilated in tables, highlighting the nanostructured systems that have been exhibited the best permanent magnet properties. The bibliometric analysis revealed that the primary production of scientific articles is concentrated in industrialized countries, and they are predominantly published in journals dedicated to magnetism. A patents analysis showed that Nissan motors is by far the main applicant, with most of its patents is focused on technological domains related to electrical machinery, apparatus, energy and metallurgy. On the other hand, the S-curve of maturity for scientific articles indicated that the study of exchange-spring magnets is entering a mature state. In contrast, patent production, following a bi-logistic model, is in a saturation stage for the second S-curve. Maturity analyses, employing S-curve, bi-logistic and multi-logistic models, were performed on nanocomposites and thin films based on Nd-Fe-B, SmCo5 and Mn-Al-C alloys, respectively. We found that the investigation in Nd-Fe-B-based alloys is close to enter to a scientific saturation stage, while an average growth stage is observed for the SmCo5 and Mn-Al-C-based alloys. This suggests that research on alternative magnets, capable of fulfilling technological applications where a Nd-Fe-B magnets are commonly used, is a topic of significant interest.

The feedstock anatomical properties determine biochar adsorption capacities: A study using woody bamboos (Bambuseae) and methylene blue as a model molecule.

Feedstock characteristics impact biochar physicochemical properties, and reproducible biochar properties are essential for any potential application. However, in most articles, feedstock aspects (i.e., taxonomic name of the species, part of the plant, and phenological phase) are scarcely reported. This research aimed at studying the effect of species and phenological stage of the feedstock on the properties of the derived biochars and, thus, adsorption capacities in water treatment. In this study, we analysed the anatomical characteristics of three different woody bamboo species [Guadua chacoensis (GC), Phyllostachys aurea (PA), and Bambusa tuldoides (BT)] in culms harvested at two different phenological phases (young and mature), and statistically correlated them with the characteristics of the six derived biochars, including their adsorption performance in aqueous media. Sclerenchyma fibres and parenchyma cells diameter and cell-wall width significantly differed among species. Additionally, sclerenchyma fibres and parenchyma cell-wall width as well as sclerenchyma fibre cell diameters are dependent on the phenological phase of the culms. Consequently, differences in biochar characteristics (i.e., yield and average pore diameter) were also observed, leading to differential methylene blue (MB) adsorption capacities between individuals at different phenological phases. MB adsorption capacities were higher for biochar produced from young culms compared to those obtained from matures ones (i.e., GC: 628.66 vs. 507.79; BT: 537.45 vs. 477.53; PA: 477.52 vs. 462.82 mg/g), which had smaller cell wall widths leading to a lower percentage of biochar yield. The feedstock anatomical properties determined biochar characteristics which modulated adsorption capacities.