Evaluation of mouse behavioral responses to nutritive versus nonnutritive sugar using a deep learning-based 3D real-time pose estimation system.

Animals are able to detect the nutritional content of sugar independently of taste. When given a choice between nutritive sugar and nonnutritive sugar, animals develop a preference for nutritive sugar over nonnutritive sugar during a period of food deprivation (Buchanan et al., 2022; Dus et al., 2011; 2015; Tan et al., 2020; Tellez et al., 2016). To quantify behavioral features during an episode of licking nutritive versus nonnutritive sugar, we implemented a multi-vision, deep learning-based 3D pose estimation system, termed the AI Vision Analysis for Three-dimensional Action in Real-Time (AVATAR)(Kim et al., 2022). Using this method, we found that mice exhibit significantly different approach behavioral responses toward nutritive sugar versus nonnutritive sugar even before licking a sugar solution. Notably, the behavioral sequences during the approach toward nutritive versus nonnutritive sugar became significantly different over time. These results suggest that the nutritional value of sugar not only promotes its consumption but also elicits distinct repertoires of feeding behavior in deprived mice.

Selective bright and dark mode excitation in coupled nanoantennas.

Coupled nanoantennas as metamaterial unit elements possess peculiar spectral and radiational behaviors. We show that nanoantennas made of two identical plasmonic slot resonators can greatly enhance the quality factors of resonance spectra and control radiation patterns through the selective excitation of bright and dark coupled modes. We confirm experimentally the enhanced quality factor of a bright mode in coupled nanoantennas. Adding phase modulators to the coupled microwave antennas, we demonstrate the "dark mode only" excitation of coupled microwave antennas with an incident plane wave. We also show that the bright-to-dark mode conversion and the related changes in radiation patterns can be controlled by the polarization of incident waves. In particular, we achieve leftward or rightward uni-directional radiation upon the injection of left or right circularly polarized waves.

Non-Phase-Transition Luminescence Mechanochromism of a Copper(I) Coordination Polymer.

A copper(I) coordination polymer, [Cu2I2L2]n (CP 1), shows luminescence mechanochromism with a color change from greenish-blue to yellow upon the application of pressure. Powder X-ray diffraction and Raman studies reveal that the changes in the bond lengths in crystalline CP 1 are the main cause of luminescence mechanochromism. The luminescence mechanochromic process of CP 1 preserves its crystallinity with a small lattice distortion, despite very high pressure, and it is a non-phase-transition process. After the addition of several drops of acetonitrile to the ground and compressed samples, the original greenish-blue emissive and crystalline states are restored. Therefore, the luminescence color conversion processes are fully reversible.

Reversible Crystal Transformations and Luminescence Vapochromism by Fast Guest Exchange in Cu(I) Coordination Polymers.

Six Cu(I) coordination polymers (CPs)-[Cu2I2L2]n (1), {[Cu2I2L2]·2MeCN}n (2), [Cu4I4L2]n (3), {[Cu4I4L2]·CH2Cl2}n (4), {[Cu4I4L2]·CHCl3}n (5), and {[Cu4I4L2]·C6H6}n (6)-were synthesized by self-assembly reactions of CuI and the flexible mixed N/S donor ligand 4-(2-(cyclohexylthio)ethoxy)pyridine (L). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that these 1D CPs form sets of supramolecular isomers; 1 and 2 are based on Cu2I2 rhomboids, while 3-6 are based on cubane Cu4I4 clusters. Crystal-to-crystal transformations of CPs 1-6 were reversible under heat or in an appropriate solvent (acetonitrile, dichloromethane, chloroform, or benzene). In addition, crystal transformations between CPs 1 and 3 occurred through addition of L or CuI. Moreover, CPs 3-6 exhibited reversible guest exchange and crystal transformations on exposure to the vapor of volatile organic compounds and heat. Remarkably, a guest molecule was exchanged by other guest molecules in the vapor phase within very short times and without the use of acetonitrile as a solvent, which normally plays a key role in trapped solvent exchange experiments.

Reversible transformation between cubane and stairstep Cu4I4 clusters using heat or solvent vapor.

The controlled self-assembly of CuI and an asymmetric ligand with mixed N/S donors, 2-(tert-butylthio)-N-(pyridin-3-yl)acetamide (L), afforded three Cu(I) coordination polymers (CPs), [Cu4I4L2(MeCN)2]n (1), [Cu4I4L2]n (2), and {[Cu4I4L2]⋅MeOH}n (3). X-ray analyses showed that CPs 1-3 are supramolecular isomers with 1, 2, and 3D structures, respectively. CP 1 adopts a stairstep Cu4I4 cluster, whereas CPs 2 and 3 are composed of cubane-like Cu4I4 clusters. Crystal-to-crystal transformations of 1 to 2 and 3 showed reversible transformations between different Cu4I4 clusters using heat or solvent (acetonitrile or methanol) vapor. CP 2 was reversibly transformed to 3 by the addition of methanol and heat. Therefore, the transformations between supramolecular isomers 1, 2, and 3 are completely reversible.

Babinet-inverted optical Yagi-Uda antenna for unidirectional radiation to free space.

Nanophotonics capable of directing radiation or enhancing quantum-emitter transition rates rely on plasmonic nanoantennas. We present here a novel Babinet-inverted magnetic-dipole-fed multislot optical Yagi-Uda antenna that exhibits highly unidirectional radiation to free space, achieved by engineering the relative phase of the interacting surface plasmon polaritons between the slot elements. The unique features of this nanoantenna can be harnessed for realizing energy transfer from one waveguide to another by working as a future "optical via".

Crystal structure of anilazine.

THE TITLE COMPOUND [SYSTEMATIC NAME: 4,6-di-chloro-N-(2-chloro-phen-yl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-amine], C9H5Cl3N4, is a triazine fungicide. The dihedral angle between the planes of the triazine and benzene rings is 4.04 (8)°. In the crystal, two weak C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds and short Cl⋯Cl contacts [3.4222 (4) Å] link adjacent mol-ecules, forming two-dimensional networks parellel to the (112) plane. The planes are linked by weak inter-molecular π-π inter-actions [3.6428 (5) and 3.6490 (5) Å], resulting in a three-dimensional architecture.

Crystal structure of triclopyr.

In the title compound {systematic name: 2-[(3,5,6-tri-chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-oxy]acetic acid}, the herbicide triclopyr, C7H4Cl3NO3, the asymmetric unit comprises two independent mol-ecules in which the dihedral angles between the mean plane of the carb-oxy-lic acid group and the pyridyl ring plane are 79.3 (6) and 83.8 (5)°. In the crystal, pairs of inter-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds form dimers through an R 2 (2)(8) ring motif and are extended into chains along [100] by weak π-π inter-actions [ring centroid separations = 3.799 (4) and 3.810 (4) Å]. In addition, short inter-molecular Cl⋯Cl contacts [3.458 (2) Å] connect the chains, yielding a two-dimensional architecture extending parallel to (020). The crystal studied was found to be non-merohedrally twinned with the minor component being 0.175 (4).

Crystal structure of propaquizafop.

The title compound, C22H22ClN3O5 {systematic name: 2-(propan-2-yl-idene-amino-oxy)ethyl (R)-2-[4-(6-chloro-quin-oxalin-2-yl-oxy)phen-oxy]propionate}, is a herbicide. The asymmetric unit comprises two independent mol-ecules in which the dihedral angles between the phenyl ring and the quinoxaline ring plane are 75.93 (7) and 82.77 (8)°. The crystal structure features C-H⋯O, C-H⋯N, and C-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, as well as weak π-π inter-actions [ring-centroid separation = 3.782 (2) and 3.5952 (19) Å], resulting in a three-dimensional architecture.

Vinclozolin: 3-(3,5-di-chloro-phen-yl)-5-ethenyl-5-methyl-1,3-oxazolidine-2,4-dione.

In the title compound, C12H9Cl2NO3, which is the fungicide vinclozolin, the dihedral angle between the oxazolidine ring mean plane [r.m.s. deviation = 0.029 Å] and the benzene ring is 77.55 (8)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked via C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [010]. The chains are linked by short Cl⋯Cl contacts [3.4439 (3) and 3.5798 (3) Å], resulting in a three-dimensional architecture.

Crystal structure of tolyl-fluanid.

The title compound, C10H13Cl2FN2O2S2 {systematic name: N-[(di-chloro-fluoro-methyl)-sulfanyl]-N',N'-dimethyl-N-p-tolyl-sulfamide}, is a well known fungicide. The dihedral angle between the mean plane of the di-methyl-amino group and that of the benzene ring is 32.3 (3)°. One Cl atom and one F atom of the di-chloro-fluoro-methyl-thio group are disordered over two sets of sites with an occupancy ratio of 0.605 (9):0.395 (9). In the crystal structure, two C-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds link adjacent mol-ecules, forming dimers with R 2 (2)(14) loops. C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link pairs of dimers into chains along the b-axis direction. These chains are joined by an additional C-H⋯O contact, generating a sheet in the ab plane.

Optical magnetic field mapping using a subwavelength aperture.

Local distribution of the optical magnetic field is a critical parameter in developing materials with artificially engineered optical properties. Optical magnetic field characterization in nano-scale remains a challenge, because of the weak matter-optical magnetic field interactions. Here, we demonstrate an experimental visualization of the optical magnetic field profiles by raster scanning circular apertures in metal film or in a conical probe. Optical magnetic fields of surface plasmon polaritons and radially polarized beam are visualized by measuring the transmission through metallic apertures, in excellent agreements with theoretical predictions. Our results show that Bethe-Bouwkamp aperture can be used in visualizing optical magnetic field profiles.

Bifenox: methyl 5-(2,4-di-chloro-phen-oxy)-2-nitro-benzoate.

In the title compound, the herbicide bifenox, C14H9Cl2NO5, the dihedral angle between the dichlorobenzene and nitro-benzene rings is 78.79 (14)°. In the crystal, C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds give rise to a three-dimensional network structure in which there are both a π-π inter-action [ring centroid separation = 3.6212 (16) Å] and a C-Cl⋯π inter-action [Cl⋯ring centroid = 3.4754 (8) Å]. In addition, short Cl⋯Cl contacts [3.3767 (11) and 3.3946 (11) Å] are present.

Napropamide.

THE TITLE COMPOUND [SYSTEMATIC NAME: N,N-diethyl-2-(naphthalen-1-yl-oxy)propanamide], C17H21NO2, crystallizes with two independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit in which the dihedral angles between the naphthalene ring systems and the amide groups are 88.1 (9) and 88.7 (3)°. Four C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds stabilize the crystal structure.

Fluazinam.

In the asymmetric unit of the title compound {systematic name: 3-chloro-N-[3-chloro-5-(tri-fluoro-meth-yl)pyridin-2-yl]-2,6-di-nitro-4-(tri-fluoro-methyl)-aniline}, C13H4Cl2F6N4O4, which is the fungicide fluazinam, the dihedral angle between the pyridine and benzene ring planes is 42.20 (4)°. In the crystal, pairs of N-H⋯F hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into inversion dimers which are linked by C-Cl⋯π [Cl⋯ring centroid = 3.3618 (4) A °] and N-O⋯π [O⋯ring centroid = 3.1885 (16) Å] inter-actions into chains along [100]. In addition, short Cl⋯Cl, O⋯Cl, and F⋯F contacts [3.4676 (7), 3.2371 (13) and 2.7910 (15) Å] are present which connect the chains, yielding a three-dimensional network.

Amitraz.

In the asymmetric unit of the title compound {systematic name: N'-(2,4-di-methyl-phen-yl)-N-[N-(2,4-di-methyl-phen-yl)carbox-imido-yl]-N-methyl-methanimidamide}, C19H23N3, which is a formamidine pesticide, there are two independent and conformationally similar mol-ecules, with the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the 2,4-di-methylbenzene rings in each mol-ecule being 41.63 (6) and 42.09 (5)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by a C-H⋯N hydrogen bond, as well as weak inter-molecular C-H⋯π and π-π inter-actions [ring centroid separation = 3.7409 (15) Å], giving one-dimensional chains extending down the b direction.

Buddlejasaponin IV induces apoptotic cell death by activating the mitochondrial­dependent apoptotic pathway and reducing α2ß1 integrin­mediated adhesion in HT­29 human colorectal cancer cells.

Colon cancer is one of the most frequent malignant neoplasms worldwide. Epidemiological studies suggested that the development of colon cancer can be prevented by plant­derived ingredients. In the present study, the chemopreventive activity of buddlejasaponin IV (BS­IV), isolated from the aerial part of Pleurospermum kamtschaticum, was investigated using cell viability, DNA fragmentation, caspase­3 activity, anoikis, cell adhesion, and flow cytometry assays and a murine lung metastasis model. Protein expression levels were detected by western blotting. Treatment with BS­IV significantly reduced cell viability and caused DNA fragmentation in HT­29 human colorectal cancer cells. BS­IV increased the ratio of Bax to Bcl­2 by significantly inhibiting Bcl­2 expression levels. BS­IV reduced expression levels of procaspase­9, procaspase­3, and full­length poly (ADP­ribose) polymerase (PARP) and increased cleaved PARP and nonsteroidal anti­inflammatory drug activated gene­1 expression levels and caspase­3 activity. In addition, BS­IV decreased the attachment of HT­29 cells to the extracellular matrix proteins collagen type I and IV and downregulated cell surface expression of α2ß1 integrin by inhibiting its glycosylation. BS­IV also reduced the expression and phosphorylation levels of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Akt, and the reduced FAK and Akt levels were rescued by treatment with a caspase­3 inhibitor Z­VAD­FMK. Furthermore, orally administered BS­IV inhibited the formation of tumor nodules in Balb/C mice intravenously injected with CT­26 murine colorectal cancer cells. Collectively, these findings indicated that BS­IV induces apoptosis via the mitochondrial­dependent pathway by increasing the ratio of Bax to Bcl­2 and activating caspases. BS­IV also induces anoikis by inhibiting α2ß1 integrin­mediated cell adhesion and signaling and inhibits the lung metastasis of colon cancer cells. Therefore, BS­IV may serve as a promising cancer chemopreventive agent.

Nanoscale patterning of colloidal quantum dots on transparent and metallic planar surfaces.

The patterning of colloidal quantum dots with nanometer resolution is essential for their application in photonics and plasmonics. Several patterning approaches, such as the use of polymer composites, molecular lock-and-key methods, inkjet printing and microcontact printing of quantum dots have been recently developed. Herein, we present a simple method of patterning colloidal quantum dots for photonic nanostructures such as straight lines, rings and dot patterns either on transparent or metallic substrates. Sub-10 nm width of the patterned line could be achieved with a well-defined sidewall profile. Using this method, we demonstrate a surface plasmon launcher from a quantum dot cluster in the visible spectrum.

Bioresmethrin: (5-benzyl-furan-3-yl)methyl 2,2-dimethyl-3-(2-methyl-prop-1-en-1-yl)cyclo-propane-1-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C(22)H(26)O(3), the dihedral angle between the cyclo-propane ring and the plane of the vinyl group is 88.2 (2)°. The dihedral angle between the phenyl and furan rings is 86.09 (8)°. In the crystal, weak inter-molecular C-H⋯π contacts together with very weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds stack the mol-ecules along the a axis.

Benzoximate.

IN THE TITLE COMPOUND [SYSTEMATIC NAME: (3-chloro-2,6-dimeth-oxy-phen-yl)(eth-oxy-imino)-methyl benzoate], C(18)H(18)ClNO(5), the phenyl and chloro-dimeth-oxy-phenyl rings are linked by the eth-oxy-imino-methyl benzoate system such that they are almost perpendicular to each other with the dihedral angle between them being 85.72 (9)°. In the crystal, C-H⋯O and C-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds between the phenyl and chloro-dimeth-oxy-phenyl rings generate R(2) (2)(8) rings which link the mol-ecules into zigzag chains along the b axis. Additional C-H⋯O contacts, together with weak inter-molecular C-H⋯π inter-actions, further link the mol-ecules into a three-dimensional network.