Characterization of Surfactant Spheroidal Micelle Structure for Pharmaceutical Applications: A Novel Analytical Framework.

We introduce an innovative theoretical framework tailored for the analysis of Pair Distribution Function (PDF) data derived from Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) measurements of core-shell micelles. The new approach involves the exploitation of the first derivative of the PDF and the derivation of analytical equations to solve the core-shell micelle structure under the hypothesis of a spheroidal shape. These analytical equations enable us to determine the micelle's aggregation number, degree of ellipticity, and contrast in electron density between the core-shell and shell-buffer regions after having determined the whole micelle size and its shell size from the analysis of the first derivative of the PDF. We have formulated an overdetermined system of analytical equations based on the unknowns that characterize the micelle structure. This allows us to establish a Figure of Merit, which is utilized to identify the most reliable solution within the system of equations.

Isolation and Structure Analysis of Chitin Obtained from Different Developmental Stages of the Mulberry Silkworm (Bombyx mori).

Chitin, a ubiquitous biopolymer, holds paramount scientific and economic significance. Historically, it has been primarily isolated from marine crustaceans. However, the surge in demand for chitin and the burgeoning interest in biopolymers have necessitated the exploration of alternative sources. Among these methods, the mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori) has emerged as a particularly intriguing prospect. To isolate chitin from Bombyx mori, a chemical extraction methodology was employed. This process involved a series of meticulously orchestrated steps, including Folch extraction, demineralization, deproteinization, and decolorization. The resultant chitin was subjected to comprehensive analysis utilizing techniques such as attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). The obtained results allow us to conclude that the Bombyx mori represents an attractive alternative source of α-chitin.

Self-Assembled Materials Based on Fully Aromatic Peptides: The Impact of Tryptophan, Tyrosine, and Dopa Residues.

Peptides are able to self-organize in structural elements including cross-ß structures. Taking advantage of this tendency, in the last decades, peptides have been scrutinized as molecular elements for the development of multivalent supramolecular architectures. In this context, different classes of peptides, also with completely aromatic sequences, were proposed. Our previous studies highlighted that the (FY)3 peptide, which alternates hydrophobic phenylalanine and more hydrophilic tyrosine residues, is able to self-assemble, thanks to the formation of both polar and apolar interfaces. It was observed that the replacement of Phe and Tyr residues with other noncoded aromatic amino acids like 2-naphthylalanine (Nal) and Dopa affects the interactions among peptides with consequences on the supramolecular organization. Herein, we have investigated the self-assembling behavior of two novel (FY)3 analogues with Trp and Dopa residues in place of the Phe and Tyr ones, respectively. Additionally, PEGylation of the N-terminus was analyzed too. The supramolecular organization, morphology, and capability to gel were evaluated using complementary techniques, including fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Structural periodicities along and perpendicular to the fiber axis were detected by grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering. Finally, molecular dynamics studies provided interesting insights into the atomic structure of the cross-ß that constitutes the basic motif of the assemblies formed by these novel peptide systems.

Thermochromic Printable and Multicolor Polymeric Composite Based on Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Perovskite.

Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (PVKs) are among the most promising materials for optoelectronic applications thanks to their outstanding photophysical properties and easy synthesis. Herein, a new PVK-based thermochromic composite is demonstrated. It can reversibly switch from a transparent state (transmittance > 80%) at room temperature to a colored state (transmittance < 10%) at high temperature, with very fast kinetics, taking only a few seconds to go from the bleached to the colored state (and vice versa). X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calometry, rheological, and optical measurements carried out during heating/cooling cycles reveal that thermochromism in the material is based on a reversible process of PVK disassembly/assembly mediated by intercalating polymeric chains, through the formation and breaking of hydrogen bonds between polymer and perovskite. Therefore, differently from other thermochromic perovskites, that generally work with the adsorption/desorption of volatile molecules, the system is able to perform several heating/cooling cycles regardless of environmental conditions. The color and transition temperature (from 70 to 120 °C) can be tuned depending on the type of perovskite. Moreover, this thermochromic material is printable and can be deposited by cheap techniques, paving the way for a new class of smart coatings with an unprecedented range of colors.

Dye-Derived Red-Emitting Carbon Dots for Lasing and Solid-State Lighting.

Carbon dots are carbon-based nanoparticles renowned for their intense light-emitting capabilities covering the whole visible light range. Achieving carbon dots emitting in the red region with high efficiency is extremely relevant due to their huge potential in biological applications and in optoelectronics. Currently, photoluminescence in such an energy interval is often associated with polyheterocyclic molecular domains forming during the synthesis that, however, present low emission efficiency and issues in controlling the optical features. Here, we overcome these problems by solvothermally synthesizing carbon dots starting from Neutral Red, a common red-emitting dye, as a molecular precursor. As a result of the synthesis, such molecular fluorophore is incorporated into a carbonaceous core while retaining its original optical properties. The obtained nanoparticles are highly luminescent in the red region, with a quantum yield comparable to that of the starting dye. Most importantly, the nanoparticle carbogenic matrix protects the Neutral Red molecules from photobleaching under ultraviolet excitation while preventing aggregation-induced quenching, thus allowing solid-state emission. These advantages have been exploited to develop a fluorescence-based color conversion layer by fabricating polymer-based highly concentrated solid-state carbon dot nanocomposites. Finally, the dye-based carbon dots demonstrate both stable Fabry-Perot lasing and efficient random lasing emission in the red region.

Raman, WAXS, and Solid-State NMR Characterizations of Regenerated Silk Fibroin Using Lanthanide Ions as Chaotropic Agents.

Bombyx mori silk fibroin (SF) has been reported as a convenient natural material for regenerative medicine, optoelectronics, and many other technological applications. SF owes its unique features to the hierarchical organization of the fibers. Many efforts have been made to set up protocols for dissolution since many applications of SF are based on regenerated solutions and fibers, but chaotropic conditions required to disassemble the packing of the polymer afford solutions with poor crystalline behavior. Our previous research has disclosed a dissolution and regeneration process of highly crystalline fibers involving lanthanide ions as chaotropic agents, demonstrating that each lanthanide has its own unique interaction with SF. Herein, we report elucidation of the structure of Ln-SF fibers by the combined use of Raman spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), and solid-state NMR techniques. Raman spectra confirmed the coordination of metal ions to SF, WAXS results highlighted the crystalline content of fibers, and solid-state NMR enabled the assessment of different ratios of secondary structures in the protein.

Travelling through the Natural Hierarchies of Type I Collagen with X-rays: From Tendons of Cattle, Horses, Sheep and Pigs.

Type I collagen physiological scaffold for tissue regeneration is considered one of the widely used biomaterials for tissue engineering and medical applications. It is hierarchically organized: five laterally staggered molecules are packed within fibrils, arranged into fascicles and bundles. The structural organization is correlated to the direction and intensity of the forces which can be loaded onto the tissue. For a tissue-specific regeneration, the required macro- and microstructure of a suitable biomaterial has been largely investigated. Conversely, the function of multiscale structural integrity has been much less explored but is crucial for scaffold design and application. In this work, collagen was extracted from different animal sources with protocols that alter its structure. Collagen of tendon shreds excised from cattle, horse, sheep and pig was structurally investigated by wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering techniques, at both molecular and supramolecular scales, and thermo-mechanically with thermal and load-bearing tests. Tendons were selected because of their resistance to chemical degradation and mechanical stresses. The multiscale structural integrity of tendons' collagen was studied in relation to the animal source, anatomic location and source for collagen extraction.

Mixed Organic Cations Promote Ambient Light-Induced Formation of Metallic Lead in Lead Halide Perovskite Crystals.

One major concern toward the performance and stability of halide perovskite-based optoelectronic devices is the formation of metallic lead that promotes nonradiative recombination of charge carriers. The origin of metallic lead formation is being disputed whether it occurs during the perovskite synthesis or only after light, electron, or X-ray beam irradiation or thermal annealing. Here, we show that the quantity of metallic lead detected in perovskite crystals depends on the concentration and composition of the precursor solution. Through a controlled crystallization process, we grew black-colored mixed dimethylammonium (DMA)/methylammonium (MA) lead tribromide crystals. The black color is suggested to be due to the presence of small lead clusters. Despite the unexpected black coloring, the crystals show higher crystallinity and less defect density with respect to the standard yellow-colored DMA/MAPbBr3 crystals, as indicated by X-ray rocking curve and dark current measurements, respectively. While the formation of metallic lead could still be induced by external factors, the precursor solution composition and concentration can facilitate the formation of metallic lead during the crystallization process. Our results indicate that additional research is required to fully understand the perovskite precursor solution chemistry.

The crystal structure of the killer fibre erionite from Tuzköy (Cappadocia, Turkey).

Erionite is a non-asbestos fibrous zeolite classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Group 1 carcinogen and is considered today similar to or even more carcinogenic than the six regulated asbestos minerals. Exposure to fibrous erionite has been unequivocally linked to cases of malignant mesothelioma (MM) and this killer fibre is assumed to be directly responsible for more than 50% of all deaths in the population of the villages of Karain and Tuzköy in central Anatolia (Turkey). Erionite usually occurs in bundles of thin fibres and very rarely as single acicular or needle-like fibres. For this reason, a crystal structure of this fibre has not been attempted to date although an accurate characterization of its crystal structure is of paramount importance for our understanding of the toxicity and carcinogenicity. In this work, we report on a combined approach of microscopic (SEM, TEM, electron diffraction), spectroscopic (micro-Raman) and chemical techniques with synchrotron nano-single-crystal diffraction that allowed us to obtain the first reliable ab initio crystal structure of this killer zeolite. The refined structure showed regular T-O distances (in the range 1.61-1.65 Å) and extra-framework content in line with the chemical formula (K2.63Ca1.57Mg0.76Na0.13Ba0.01)[Si28.62Al7.35]O72·28.3H2O. The synchrotron nano-diffraction data combined with three-dimensional electron diffraction (3DED) allowed us to unequivocally rule out the presence of offretite. These results are of paramount importance for understanding the mechanisms by which erionite induces toxic damage and for confirming the physical similarities with asbestos fibres.

Age-Related Properties of Aquaponics-Derived Tilapia Skin (Oreochromis niloticus): A Structural and Compositional Study.

In the last two decades, fisheries and fish industries by-products have started to be recovered for the extraction of type I collagen because of issues related to the extraction of traditional mammalian tissues. In this work, special attention has been paid to by-products from fish bred in aquaponic plants. The valorization of aquaponic fish wastes as sources of biopolymers would make the derived materials eco-friendlier and attractive in terms of profitability and cost effectiveness. Among fish species, Nile Tilapia is the second-most farmed species in the world and its skin is commonly chosen as a collagen extraction source. However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have been carried out to investigate, in depth, the age-related differences in fish skin with the final aim of selecting the most advantageous fish size for collagen extraction. In this work, the impact of age on the structural and compositional properties of Tilapia skin was evaluated with the aim of selecting the condition that best lends itself to the extraction of type I collagen for biomedical applications, based on the known fact that the properties of the original tissue have a significant impact on those of the final product. Performed analysis showed statistically significant age-related differences. In particular, an increase in skin thickness (+110 µm) and of wavy-like collagen fiber bundle diameter (+3 µm) besides their organization variation was observed with age. Additionally, a preferred collagen molecule orientation along two specific directions was revealed, with a higher fiber orientation degree according to age. Thermal analysis registered a shift of the endothermic peak (+1.7 °C) and an increase in the enthalpy (+3.3 J/g), while mechanical properties were found to be anisotropic, with an age-dependent brittle behavior. Water (+13%) and ash (+0.6%) contents were found to be directly proportional with age, as opposed to protein (-8%) and lipid (-10%) contents. The amino acid composition revealed a decrease in the valine, leucine, isoleucine, and threonine content and an increase in proline and hydroxyproline. Lastly, fatty acids C14:0, C15:0, C16:1, C18:2n6c, C18:3n6, C18:0, C20:3n3, and C23:0 were revealed to be upregulated, while C18:1n9c was downregulated with age.

3D bioprinted colorectal cancer models based on hyaluronic acid and signalling glycans.

In cancer microenvironment, aberrant glycosylation events of ECM proteins and cell surface receptors occur. We developed a protocol to generate 3D bioprinted models of colorectal cancer (CRC) crosslinking hyaluronic acid and gelatin functionalized with three signalling glycans characterized in CRC, 3'-Sialylgalactose, 6'-Sialylgalactose and 2'-Fucosylgalactose. The crosslinking, performed exploiting azide functionalized gelatin and hyaluronic acid and 4arm-PEG-dibenzocyclooctyne, resulted in biocompatible hydrogels that were 3D bioprinted with commercial CRC cells HT-29 and patient derived CRC tumoroids. The glycosylated hydrogels showed good 3D printability, biocompatibility and stability over the time. SEM and synchrotron radiation SAXS/WAXS analysis revealed the influence of glycosylation in the construct morphology, whereas MALDI-MS imaging showed that protein profiles of tumoroid cells vary with glycosylation, indicating that sialylation and fucosylation of ECM proteins induce diverse alterations to the proteome of the tumoroid and surrounding cells.

Collective Diffraction Effects in Perovskite Nanocrystal Superlattices.

ConspectusFor almost a decade now, lead halide perovskite nanocrystals have been the subject of a steadily growing number of publications, most of them regarding CsPbBr3 nanocubes. Many of these works report X-ray diffraction patterns where the first Bragg peak has an unusual shape, as if it was composed of two or more overlapping peaks. However, these peaks are too narrow to stem from a nanoparticle, and the perovskite crystal structure does not account for their formation. What is the origin of such an unusual profile, and why has it been overlooked so far? Our attempts to answer these questions led us to revisit an intriguing collective diffraction phenomenon, known for multilayer epitaxial thin films but not reported for colloidal nanocrystals before. By analogy, we call it the multilayer diffraction effect.Multilayer diffraction can be observed when a diffraction experiment is performed on nanocrystals packed with a periodic arrangement. Owing to the periodicity of the packing, the X-rays scattered by each particle interfere with those diffracted by its neighbors, creating fringes of constructive interference. Since the interfering radiation comes from nanoparticles, fringes are visible only where the particles themselves produce a signal in their diffraction pattern: for nanocrystals, this means at their Bragg peaks. Being a collective interference phenomenon, multilayer diffraction is strongly affected by the degree of order in the nanocrystal aggregate. For it to be observed, the majority of nanocrystals within the sample must abide to the stacking periodicity with minimal misplacements, a condition that is typically satisfied in self-assembled nanocrystal superlattices or stacks of colloidal nanoplatelets.A qualitative understanding of multilayer diffraction might explain why the first Bragg peak of CsPbBr3 nanocubes sometimes appears split, but leaves many other questions unanswered. For example, why is the split observed only at the first Bragg peak but not at the second? Why is it observed routinely in a variety of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals samples and not just in highly ordered superlattices? How does the morphology of particles (i.e., nanocrystals vs nanoplatelets) affect the appearance of multilayer diffraction effects? Finally, why is multilayer diffraction not observed in other popular nanocrystals such as Au and CdSe, despite the extensive investigations of their superlattices?Answering these questions requires a deeper understanding of multilayer diffraction. In what follows, we summarize our progress in rationalizing the origin of this phenomenon, at first through empirical observation and then by adapting the diffraction theory developed in the past for multilayer thin films, until we achieved a quantitative fitting of experimental diffraction patterns over extended angular ranges. By introducing the reader to the key advancements in our research, we provide answers to the questions above, we discuss what information can be extracted from patterns exhibiting collective interference effects, and we show how multilayer diffraction can provide insights into colloidal nanomaterials where other techniques struggle. Finally, with the help of literature patterns showing multilayer diffraction and simulations performed by us, we demonstrate that this collective diffraction effect is within reach for many appealing nanomaterials other than halide perovskites.

Small Angle X-Ray Scattering Data Analysis and Theoretical Modelling for the Size and Shape Characterization of Drug Delivery Systems Based on Vitamin E TPGS Micelles.

We developed a simple two-dimensional/two-components theoretical model that describes the structure and functionality of a VitE-TPGS system of micelles assuming a hydrophobic inner core and an outer hydrated hydrophilic shell. We then conceptually applied the developed methodology to a simple system of VitE-TPGS micelles unloaded and loaded with an active pharmaceutical ingredient, eltrombopag, to verify if the model could reliably monitor the size change of the micelle upon loading. The fit of laboratory Small Angle X-Ray Scattering data against such model allows us to extract absolute values of the micelles size under a spherical shape hypothesis as well as the distribution within the system between components and level of hydration. The intensity scale of the SAXS experimental data needs to be normalized to a reference standard (pure water) to get absolute scattered intensities. The mathematical model which has been developed under a general hypothesis of ellipsoidal micelles, is applied to our experimental data under the simplified spherical assumption, which suitably fits our experimental data.

Incorporation of PEG Diacrylates (PEGDA) Generates Hybrid Fmoc-FF Hydrogel Matrices.

Generated by a hierarchical and multiscale self-assembling phenomenon, peptide-based hydrogels (HGs) are soft materials useful for a variety of applications. Short and ultra-short peptides are intriguing building blocks for hydrogel fabrication. These matrices can also be obtained by mixing low-molecular-weight peptides with other chemical entities (e.g., polymers, other peptides). The combination of two or more constituents opens the door to the development of hybrid systems with tunable mechanical properties and unexpected biofunctionalities or morphologies. For this scope, the formulation, the multiscale analysis, and the supramolecular characterization of novel hybrid peptide-polymer hydrogels are herein described. The proposed matrices contain the Fmoc-FF (Nα-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl diphenylalanine) hydrogelator at a concentration of 0.5 wt% (5.0 mg/mL) and a diacrylate α-/ω-substituted polyethylene-glycol derivative (PEGDA). Two PEGDA derivatives, PEGDA 1 and PEGDA2 (mean molecular weights of 575 and 250 Da, respectively), are mixed with Fmoc-FF at different ratios (Fmoc-FF/PEGDA at 1/1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10 mol/mol). All the multicomponent hybrid peptide-polymer hydrogels are scrutinized with a large panel of analytical techniques (including proton relaxometry, FTIR, WAXS, rheometry, and scanning electronic microscopy). The matrices were found to be able to generate mechanical responses in the 2-8 kPa range, producing a panel of tunable materials with the same chemical composition. The release of a model drug (Naphthol Yellow S) is reported too. The tunable features, the different topologies, and the versatility of the proposed materials open the door to the development of tools for different applicative areas, including diagnostics, liquid biopsies and responsive materials. The incorporation of a diacrylate function also suggests the possible development of interpenetrating networks upon cross-linking reactions. All the collected data allow a mutual comparison between the different matrices, thus confirming the significance of the hybrid peptide/polymer-based methodology as a strategy for the design of innovative materials.

Halide perovskites as disposable epitaxial templates for the phase-selective synthesis of lead sulfochloride nanocrystals.

Colloidal chemistry grants access to a wealth of materials through simple and mild reactions. However, even few elements can combine in a variety of stoichiometries and structures, potentially resulting in impurities or even wrong products. Similar issues have been long addressed in organic chemistry by using reaction-directing groups, that are added to a substrate to promote a specific product and are later removed. Inspired by such approach, we demonstrate the use of CsPbCl3 perovskite nanocrystals to drive the phase-selective synthesis of two yet unexplored lead sulfochlorides: Pb3S2Cl2 and Pb4S3Cl2. When homogeneously nucleated in solution, lead sulfochlorides form Pb3S2Cl2 nanocrystals. Conversely, the presence of CsPbCl3 triggers the formation of Pb4S3Cl2/CsPbCl3 epitaxial heterostructures. The phase selectivity is guaranteed by the continuity of the cationic subnetwork across the interface, a condition not met in a hypothetical Pb3S2Cl2/CsPbCl3 heterostructure. The perovskite domain is then etched, delivering phase-pure Pb4S3Cl2 nanocrystals that could not be synthesized directly.

A novel X-ray diffraction approach to assess the crystallinity of regenerated cellulose fibers.

Here, a new accurate approach is presented to quantify the degree of crystallinity of regenerated cellulose textile fibers using wide-angle X-ray scattering. The approach is based on the observation that the contributions to the scattering from crystalline and amorphous domains of the fibers can be separated due to their different degree of orientation with respect to the fiber direction. The method is tested on Ioncell-F fibers, dry jet wet spun with different draw ratios from an ionic liquid solution. The analysis output includes, apart from an accurate estimate of the fiber crystallinity, the degrees of orientation of the cellulose nanocrystals and the cellulose chains in the amorphous domains.

The "End Life" of the Grape Pomace Waste Become the New Beginning: The Development of a Virtuous Cycle for the Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles and Removal of Emerging Contaminants from Water.

During the last decades, the demand for processes developed according to the Circular Economy Principles has increased, searching for an alternative life for wastes. For this purpose, a one-pot green approach is exploited during this work to synthesize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by using grape pomace waste from Vitis vinifera. A raw aqueous extract of grape seeds, skin, and stems is used for AuNPs synthesis. UV-Vis, XPS, SEM, and ATR-FTIR spectroscopies demonstrate the main role of the extract's polyphenolic components in stabilizing nanoparticles. XRD, DLS, and Zeta Potential analyses were used to characterize AuNPs. Moreover, the ionic strength, pH, and temperature role was investigated through the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) band observation to assess AuNPs' stability and photostability. For foreseeing the as-synthesized AuNPs' potential use in cosmetic and biomedical fields as multifunctional platforms, their antioxidant, and skin-lightening properties were tested, together with their sunscreen ability. A preliminary in-vitro evaluation is reported about the AuNPs' cytoprotective effects against H2O2 oxidative stress-induced in normal human dermal fibroblasts. Briefly, the possibility of reusing the grape pomace waste after the AuNPs synthesis as an adsorbent for the efficient removal of emergent contaminants is preliminarily discussed in the paper, further valorizing the use of waste according to a bio circular approach.

Aquaponics-Derived Tilapia Skin Collagen for Biomaterials Development.

Collagen is one of the most widely used biomaterials in health-related sectors. The industrial production of collagen mostly relies on its extraction from mammals, but several issues limited its use. In the last two decades, marine organisms attracted interest as safe, abundant, and alternative source for collagen extraction. In particular, the possibility to valorize the huge quantity of fish industry waste and byproducts as collagen source reinforced perception of fish collagen as eco-friendlier and particularly attractive in terms of profitability and cost-effectiveness. Especially fish byproducts from eco-sustainable aquaponics production allow for fish biomass with additional added value and controlled properties over time. Among fish species, Oreochromis niloticus is one of the most widely bred fish in large-scale aquaculture and aquaponics systems. In this work, type I collagen was extracted from aquaponics-raised Tilapia skin and characterized from a chemical, physical, mechanical, and biological point of view in comparison with a commercially available analog. Performed analysis confirmed that the proprietary process optimized for type I collagen extraction allowed to isolate pure native collagen and to preserve its native conformational structure. Preliminary cellular studies performed with mouse fibroblasts indicated its optimal biocompatibility. All data confirmed the eligibility of the extracted Tilapia-derived native type I collagen as a biomaterial for healthcare applications.

Type C mutation of nucleophosmin 1 acute myeloid leukemia: Consequences of intrinsic disorder.

BACKGROUND: Nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) protein is a multifunctional nucleolar chaperone and its gene is the most frequently mutated in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). AML mutations cause the unfolding of the C-terminal domain (CTD) and the protein delocalizing in the cytosol (NPM1c+). Marked aggregation endowed with an amyloid character was assessed as consequences of mutations. SCOPE: Herein we analyzed the effects of type C mutation on two protein regions: i) a N-terminal extended version of the CTD, named Cterm_mutC and ii) a shorter polypeptide including the sequences of the second and third helices of the CTD, named H2_mutC. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: Both demonstrated able to self-assembly with different kinetics and conformational intermediates and to provide fibers presenting large flexible regions. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: The present study adds a new piece of knowledge to the effects of AML-mutations on structural biology of Nucleophosmin 1, that could be exploited in therapeutic interventions targeting selectively NPMc+.