Fundamentals, Synthetic Strategies and Applications of Non-Covalently Imprinted Polymers.

Molecular imprinting has emerged as an important and practical technology to create economical and stable synthetic mimics of antibodies and enzymes. It has already found a variety of important applications, such as affinity separation, chemical/biological sensing, disease diagnostics, proteomics, bioimaging, controlled drug release, and catalysis. In the past decade, significant breakthroughs have been made in non-covalently imprinted polymers, from their synthesis through to their applications. In terms of synthesis, quite a few versatile and facile imprinting approaches for preparing MIPs have been invented, which have effectively solved some key issues in molecular imprinting. Additionally, important applications in several areas, such as sensors, proteomics and bioimaging, have been well demonstrated. In this review, we critically and comprehensively survey key recent advances made in the preparation of non-covalently imprinted polymers and their important applications. We focus on the state-of-art of this technology from three different perspectives: fundamentals, synthetic strategies, and applications. We first provide a fundamental basis for molecular imprinting technologies that have been developed, which is extremely helpful for establishing a sound understanding of the challenges in molecular imprinting. Then, we discuss in particular the major breakthroughs within the last ten years (2014-2024), with emphasis on new imprinting approaches, what strengths the breakthroughs can provide, and which new applications the properties of the prepared non-covalently imprinted polymers are fit for.

Diversifying the benzenesulfonamide scaffold for potential V-ATPase inhibitors: synthesis and insecticidal activity evaluation.

Celangulin V is a natural ß-dihydroagarofuran derivative isolated from Celastrus angulatus which shows insecticidal activity in many agricultural pests. Using celangulin V as a molecular probe, we find out a new pesticide target: subunit H of V-ATPase. To explore the potential application of this novel target, lead sulfonamides have been found through virtual screening. Combined with the previous work, 46 sulfonamide derivatives are designed and synthesized. All target compounds are first screened for their insecticidal activities against Mythimna separata. The results of bioassay reveal that most of the designed compounds exhibit significant insecticidal activities against third-instar larvae of M. separata under the concentration of 10 mg/mL, and compound 8.4 shows the highest activity with LC50 value of 1.72 mg/mL, 15-fold smaller than that of celangulin V (25.89 mg/mL). Molecular docking results further indicated that compound 8.4 might serve as a potential inhibitor of the subunit H of V-ATPase. This study provides a potential sulfonamide candidate compound for the M. separata control.

Creating Digital Sci-Fi Narratives through Multimodal Composing to Promote Adolescent Students' STEM Education.

Much research has examined the incorporation of academic and scientific writing in science learning. However, less research has applied a narrative approach that represents events in a time sequence. Furthermore, modern technology has greatly extended students' modes of science expression beyond the printed texts. Yet, connecting students' rich experience in digital storytelling with their academic learning in science is still an area of needed research. This study focused on analyzing the products students generated as a way to examine how they integrated science in their multimodal sci-fi narratives. These narratives were created in a program designed to engage adolescents in integrated STEM and digital literacy learning. More specifically, this study developed a two-dimensional framework (science and integration) to evaluate the 35 products produced by 136 participants in 5 iterations of the program. Content and thematic analyses revealed that a wide variety of sophisticated mechanisms was applied for science integration, including: (1) building connections among diverse science topics; (2) leveraging innovative narrative techniques; (3) responding critically to socio-scientific problems; and (4) designing and redesigning multimodal elements. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43031-023-00072-7.

Physicochemical Effects of Sulfur Precursors on Sulfidated Amorphous Zero-Valent Iron and Its Enhanced Mechanisms for Cr(VI) Removal.

Amorphous zerovalent iron (AZVI) has gained considerable attention due to its remarkable reactivity, but there is limited research on sulfidated amorphous zerovalent iron (SAZVI) and the influence of different sulfur precursors on its reactivity remains unclear. In this study, SAZVI materials with an amorphous structure were synthesized using various sulfur precursors, resulting in significantly increased specific surface area and hydrophobicity compared to AZVI. The Cr(VI) removal efficiency of SAZVI-Na2S, which exhibited the most negative free corrosion potential (-0.82 V) and strongest electron transfer ability, was up to 8.5 times higher than that of AZVI. Correlation analysis revealed that the water contact angle (r = 0.87), free corrosion potential (r = -0.92), and surface Fe(II) proportion (r = 0.98) of the SAZVI samples played crucial roles in Cr(VI) removal. Furthermore, the enhanced elimination ability of SAZVI-Na2S was analyzed, primarily attributed to the adsorption of Cr(VI) by the FeSx shell, followed by the rapid release of internal electrons to reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III). This process ultimately led to the precipitation of FeCr2O4 and Cr2S3 on the surface of SAZVI-Na2S, resulting in their removal from the water. This study provides insights into the influence of sulfur precursors on the reactivity of SAZVI and offers a new strategy for designing highly active AZVI for efficient Cr(VI) removal.

Co-transport of degradable microplastics with Cd(â ¡) in saturated porous media: Synergistic effects of strong adsorption affinity and high mobility.

With the utilization of degradable plastics in the agricultural film and packaging industries, degradable microplastics (MPs) with strong mobility distributed in the underground environment may serve as carriers for heavy metals. It is essential to explore the interaction of (aged) degradable MPs with Cd(Ⅱ). The adsorption and co-transport behavior of different types of (aged) MPs (polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC)) with Cd(Ⅱ) were investigated through batch adsorption experiments and column experiments under different conditions, respectively. The adsorption results showed that the adsorptive capacity of (aged) PLA with O-functional groups, polarity, and more negative charges was stronger than that of PVC and aged PVC, which was attributed to the binding of (aged) PLA to Cd(Ⅱ) through complexation and electrostatic attraction. The co-transport results indicated that the promotion of Cd(Ⅱ) transport by MPs followed the order of aged PLA > PLA > aged PVC > PVC. This facilitation was more pronounced under conditions of stronger transport of MPs and favorable attachment of Cd(Ⅱ) to MPs. Overall, the combination of strong adsorption affinity and high mobility helped (aged) PLA act as effective carriers for Cd(Ⅱ). The DLVO theory well explains the transport behavior of Cd(Ⅱ)-MPs. These findings provide new insights into the co-transport of degradable MPs and heavy metals in the subsurface environment.

Supersaturation and phase behavior during dissolution of amorphous solid dispersions.

Amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) is a promising strategy to enhance solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. Due to higher free energy of ASD, supersaturated drug solution could be generated during dissolution. When amorphous solubility of a drug is exceeded, drug-rich nanodroplets could form and act as a reservoir to maintain the maximum free drug concentration in solution, facilitating the absorption of the drug in vivo. Dissolution behavior of ASD has received increasing interests. This review will focus on the recent advances in ASD dissolution, including the generation and maintenance of supersaturated drug solution in absence or presence of liquid-liquid phase separation. Mechanism of drug release from ASD including polymer-controlled dissolution and drug-controlled dissolution will be introduced. Formation of amorphous drug-rich nanodroplets during dissolution and the underlying mechanism will be discussed. Phase separation morphology of hydrated ASD plays a critical role in dissolution behavior of ASD, which will be highlighted. Supersaturated drug solution shows poor physical stability and tends to crystallize. The effect of polymer and surfactant on supersaturated drug solution will be demonstrated and some unexpected results will be shown. Physicochemical properties of drug and polymer could impact ASD dissolution and some of them even show opposite effect on dissolution and physical stability of ASD in solid state, respectively. This review will contribute to a better understanding of ASD dissolution and facilitate a rational design of ASD formulation.

Turning sewage sludge into sintering fuel based on the pyrolysis I: lipid content and residual metal.

The use of pyrolysis to produce oil from sludge by the evaporation-condensation process is a promising technique. However, the resulting lipids are prone to be acidized under exposure to oxygen, which can affect their quality and use. To eliminate the need for this oil separation process, the present work uses blended pyrolysis to preserve the oil in the char and to prevent it from deteriorating. At the same time, metals are eliminated to a secure level of combustion emissions. The sludge was pyrolyzed into a sintering fuel through blended pyrolysis with SiO2, Al2O3, and sand. These materials are the main components of the sintered ceramsite obtained. Therefore, the influence of these substances and residence time on lipid formation and metal residue in the char were investigated. Non-blended pyrolysis required a 40-min duration, whereas sand-pyrolysis required 10 min to achieve the same yield. The concentration of C16:0 produced by blended pyrolysis with sand reached 2177 mg kg-1, which is 57% higher than that of non-blended pyrolysis. Blended pyrolysis with SiO2 required at least 20 min to immobilize As metal. In summary, blended pyrolysis simplifies the process, reduces time, and produces char with lipid-rich and low metal leaching, which can be used as a sintering fuel.

Sorption of vanadium (V) onto natural soil colloids under various solution pH and ionic strength conditions.

Batch sorption kinetics and isothermal characteristics of V(V) were investigated on three natural soil colloids (manual loessial soil colloid (MSC), aeolian sandy soil colloid (ASC), and cultivated loessial soil colloid (CSC)) under various solution pH and ionic strength (IS) conditions. Colloids were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). AFM micrographs showed CSC with an aggregated shape with larger particle diameter as compared with ASC and MSC. XRD spectra revealed the presence of different minerals in natural soil colloids including biotite, kaolinite, calcite and quartz, which might contribute to sorption process. The sorption ability decreased with increase of colloidal particle size. The sorption was mainly attributed to complexation by active carboxylate and alcohol groups of colloidal components. Sorption kinetics and isotherms of V(V) onto natural soil colloids were best fitted with Pseudo-second-order and Freundlich models. Langmuir model indicated that sorption capacity of MSC and ASC was comparable (285.7 and 238.1 mg g-1); however, CSC exhibited the lowest sorption capacity (41.5 mg g-1) due to its larger particle diameter and aggregated shape. The maximum V(V) sorption capacity reached plateau values at a solution pH ranged between 5.0 and 9.0 for MSC and ASC, and 6.0-8.0 for CSC. Sorption capacity of V(V) onto natural soil colloids decreased with increasing IS. Based on result of this study we can conclude that sorption of V(V) onto natural soil colloids is pH- and IS-dependent. These findings provide insights on the remediation of vanadium-contaminated soils.