Editorial Material
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ariane Vartanian
Summary: An article in Nature Communications presents a method that utilizes an artificial-intelligence-guided robot to expedite the discovery and production of chiroptically active films.
NATURE REVIEWS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Franka Neumer, Orenci Urraca, Joaquin Alonso, Jesus Palencia, Vicente Varea, Stephan Theis, Maria Rodriguez-Palmero, Jose Antonio Moreno-Munoz, Francisco Guarner, Gigi Veereman, Yvan Vandenplas, Cristina Campoy
Summary: This study demonstrates that supplementation with inulin-type prebiotic oligosaccharides in infant formula during the first year of life can beneficially modulate the infant gut microbiota towards higher Bifidobacterium levels and reduce the duration of infections.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jaejin Park, Kyubeen Kim, Yujin Kim, Tae Soo Kim, In Sik Min, Bowen Li, Young Uk Cho, Chanwoo Lee, Ju Young Lee, Yuyan Gao, Kyowon Kang, Do Hyeon Kim, Won Jun Choi, Hyun-Beom Shin, Ho Kwan Kang, Young Min Song, Huanyu Cheng, Il-Joo Cho, Ki Jun Yu
Summary: This study presents a wireless, solar-powered, flexible optoelectronic device for neuromodulation in freely moving animals. The device uses high-efficiency, thin photovoltaics to harvest energy from various light sources and powers a Bluetooth system for long-term, on-demand use. The device demonstrated notable capabilities and showed potential for space-free neuromodulating applications.
Article
Biology
James Yu, Stephanie Dancausse, Maria Paz, Tolu Faderin, Melissa Gaviria, Joseph W. Shomar, Dave Zucker, Vivek Venkatachalam, Mason Klein
Summary: Detailed descriptions of behavior are crucial for understanding the structure and function of nervous systems. However, long-term continuous observation of individual animals is challenging. To address this issue, researchers have developed a robotic instrument that can automatically track and transport fly larvae, enabling long-term continuous observation and measurement of locomotion data. By utilizing this new system, researchers have been able to study the exploratory search behavior of fly larvae and identify individual variability in navigation efficiency.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Simon Reider, Christina Watschinger, Julia Laengle, Ulrike Pachmann, Nicole Przysiecki, Alexandra Pfister, Andreas Zollner, Herbert Tilg, Stephan Plattner, Alexander R. Moschen
Summary: The study focused on the prebiotic properties of a purified extract from European black elderberries for microbiota modulation. The ELDERGUT trial involved a 9-week longitudinal intervention with promising results in terms of individualized microbiome trajectories and significant changes in diversity indices. Associations with participant metadata were also identified.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ying Chen, Peng Pei, Zuhai Lei, Xin Zhang, Dongrui Yin, Fan Zhang
Summary: The research demonstrates a strategy for peptide-mediated delivery of fluorophores into the kidney for precise diagnosis of renal diseases. Additionally, a sensor designed for long-term kidney monitoring and urine analysis plays a crucial role in detecting early kidney injury and reporting on kidney dysfunctional progression.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Shouliang Guan, Huihui Tian, Yinan Yang, Mengcheng Liu, Jianfei Ding, Jinfen Wang, Ying Fang
Summary: The authors describe the fabrication, assembly, and long-term implantation of ultraflexible neural probes for simultaneous recording of neural activity and neuromodulation in rodents. These ultraflexible microelectrode arrays (MEAs) can stably record from a large number of neurons after chronic implantation, providing opportunities for understanding neural circuit mechanisms and developing next-generation brain-computer interfaces. The protocol outlines the process of preparing elastocapillary self-assembled ultraflexible MEAs, integrating them with optogenetic tools to form an optrode probe, and conducting in vivo experimental use in rodents' brains, enabling long-term electrophysiological recordings and optical modulation of neuronal activity. The protocol can be completed within 3 weeks and requires expertise in clean room facilities.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hojeong Park, Guangle Niu, Chao Wu, Chungwon Park, Haixiang Liu, Hyokeun Park, Ryan T. K. Kwok, Jing Zhang, Benzhao He, Ben Zhong Tang
Summary: This study developed a novel fluorescent dye that can accurately and long-term track the movement of mitochondria in neurons.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dongkyu Kang, Hyung Shik Kim, Soohyun Han, Yeonju Lee, Young-Pil Kim, Dong Yun Lee, Joonseok Lee
Summary: The authors designed a Nd-Yb co-doped nanomaterial as a near-infrared long-lifetime imaging-guided water-heating probe, demonstrating photothermal ablation in a glioblastoma pre-clinical model.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meng Zhang, Wenting Zhang, Yunfei Wei, Xinxin Duan, Meihua Li, Xiaoyu Hu, Yan Ma, Yu -Hui Zhang
Summary: In this study, we developed a novel peptide vehicle called mixLPV to deliver cell-impermeable organic fluorescent probes into live cells with high efficiency. The labeling system using mixLPV enabled multicolor live-cell superresolution imaging of subcellular structures with high specificity, brightness, and photostability, allowing for the observation of diverse dynamic interactions between them.
CELL REPORTS PHYSICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jingsheng Huang, Yuyan Jiang, Jingchao Li, Jiaguo Huang, Kanyi Pu
Summary: This study introduces two chemiluminophores with record long NIR emission, caged with different cleavable moieties to produce NIR chemiluminescence probes capable of detecting reactive oxygen species or enzyme reactions in deep tissues. These molecular scaffolds provide a new approach for in vivo turn-on imaging of versatile biomarkers.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Junwoo Jang, Jinwhan Kim
Summary: This paper discusses the challenging problem of hydrodynamic modeling for surface vehicles in an aquatic environment. It proposes a new method to improve the accuracy of long-term predictions by learning the valid data space and incorporating hallucinated replay.
Article
Oncology
Mehmet Gokceimam, Bora Kahramangil, Serkan Akbulut, Ozgun Erten, Eren Berber
Summary: This study describes the successful outcomes of robotic PRA with careful patient selection and precise surgical techniques. The operating time was found to be influenced by perirenal fat thickness.
ANNALS OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Antonio Pulina, Victor Rolo, Ana Hernandez-Esteban, Giovanna Seddaiu, Pier Paolo Roggero, Gerardo Moreno
Summary: The oversowing of legume-rich mixtures is an important management practice in Mediterranean silvo-pastoral farms, which enhances forage production, quality, and ecosystem service provision. However, it can be expensive due to high costs and low persistence. This study assessed the long-term impacts of legume-rich mixtures oversowing on pasture production using remote sensing. The results showed that oversowing significantly improved biomass production and stability. Remote sensing using Landsat images proved to be an effective tool for assessing grassland management practices in silvopastoral systems.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Ho-Jung Shin, Sang-Yong Son, Bo Wang, Chul Kyu Roh, Hoon Hur, Sang-Uk Han
Summary: This study compared the long-term outcomes of robotic and LG approaches in patients with gastric cancer. The results showed that after balancing covariates, there were no significant differences in long-term survival and recurrence-free survival between the two surgical methods, and robotic gastrectomy showed advantages in reducing blood loss.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zoe L. Sinclair, Nicola L. Bell, Jessica. R. R. Bame, De-Liang Long, Leroy Cronin
Summary: Polyoxopalladates (POPs) are a class of self-assembling palladium-oxide clusters that have different sizes, shapes, and compositions. The largest compound in this family, {Pd-84}(Ac), is an ideal molecule for exploring supramolecular behavior in aqueous media. Through molecular visualization and nuclear magnetic resonance studies, it has been found that {Pd-84}(Ac) forms a 1:7 host-guest complex with benzyl viologen (BV2+) in aqueous solution.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniel J. Kowalski, Catriona M. MacGregor, De-Liang Long, Nicola L. Bell, Leroy Cronin
Summary: Library generation experiments are important in chemistry for discovering new materials, methods, and models, but generating high quality libraries is challenging. This study demonstrates the automation of library generation workflows using coordination chemistry and automated hardware. Directed exploration and diversity analysis of a process space was achieved, leading to unexpected discoveries of new complexes. The engineering of serendipity through the appearance of unexpected ligands highlights the potential of this approach.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Zhan-Guo Jiang, Hui-Min Zeng, Xiangyu Zhang, Yuan Tan, You-Zhao Lan, Yu Wang, De-Liang Long, Leroy Cronin, Cai-Hong Zhan
Summary: By replacing the H2O ligands with polyoxometalate (POM) [H2W12O40](6-) {W12O40} pro-ligands, a novel nano porous 2D network {[Cu-2(OAc)(4)](2)(W12O40)}(n) was synthesized. The compound exhibited high efficiency as a homogeneous catalyst in the homo-coupling of terminal alkynes under mild conditions and low amounts. In situ DRIFTS results revealed the changes of alkyne substances during the catalytic process, while XPS results showed electron transfer from {W12O40} to Cu(ii) to promote the C-H activation step. A synergistic Cu(ii)-POM catalytic mechanism was proposed.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2023)
Letter
Chemistry, Physical
Yibin Jiang, Abhishek Sharma, Leroy Cronin
Summary: The discrete-dipole approximation (DDA) is widely used for studying the spectral properties of plasmonic nanostructures. However, its high computational cost limits its application in static geometries and makes it impractical for investigating spectral properties during structural transformations. In this study, we developed an efficient method called rank-one decomposition accelerated DDA (RD-DDA) to simulate spectra of dynamically evolving structures. The RD-DDA method can be used to directly investigate the optical properties of nanostructural transformations defined by atomic- or continuum-scale processes, which is crucial for understanding the growth mechanisms of nanoparticles and optimizing their optical properties.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
S. Hessam M. Mehr, Dario Caramelli, Leroy Cronin
Summary: Interpreting chemistry experiment outcomes is slow and biased, limiting data collection and progress in the field. A digital Oracle using probability demonstrated its ability to rediscover historically significant reactions and provide a quantitative criterion for discovery using expert chemists' intuition. This paradigm validates and formalizes the experience and intuition of expert chemists, improving the interpretation of high-dimensional data.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Abhishek Sharma, Daniel Czegel, Michael Lachmann, Christopher P. Kempes, Sara I. Walker, Leroy Cronin
Summary: Scientists propose assembly theory (AT) as a framework that connects physics and biology. In AT, objects are redefined and measured by their possible formation histories. This theory provides a unified language for explaining selection, evolution, and novelty generation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniel Salley, J. Sebastiain Manzano, Philip J. Kitson, Leroy Cronin
Summary: Before utilizing big data methods such as machine learning and AI in chemistry, it is crucial to establish an affordable and universal digitization standard. This can be achieved through the development of automated platforms and standardized hardware and software modules, enabling exploration in various fields of chemistry. These platforms can be categorized into discovery systems, synthesis and manufacturing systems, formulation discovery platforms, and materials discovery systems. The convergence of these platforms through shared technology and a unique programming language is essential for reliable synthesis, experiment design, collaboration, and verification of literature findings.
ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hsin Wang, J. Sebastian Manzano, Philip J. Kitson, Margaret Mullin, Chang-Gen Lin, Igor I. Slowing, Leroy Cronin
Summary: Nanomaterials exhibit unique properties that can be tailored based on their morphology and composition. To overcome the limitations of existing synthesis methods, a digital synthesis method is developed to capture and document the entire synthesis process, making it more accessible and reproducible. This method utilizes chemical description language and three single reactors to automate the synthesis of various nanomaterials, enabling researchers from different fields to easily access and reproduce these materials.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tingting Zhao, Nicola L. Bell, Greig Chisholm, Balamurugan Kandasamy, De-Liang Long, Leroy Cronin
Summary: In order to meet the increasing energy density demands of battery technology, the development of electrolytes with high electron storage capacity is crucial. Polyoxometalate (POM) clusters have the potential to act as electron storage electrolytes for flow batteries. However, little is known about the factors influencing the storage ability of these clusters, hindering their rational design. This study investigates large POM clusters and identifies key structural and speciation factors influencing their improved storage ability over previously reported clusters.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniel J. Kowalski, Catriona M. MacGregor, De-Liang Long, Nicola L. Bell, Leroy Cronin
Summary: Library generation experiments are crucial in chemistry for discovering new materials, methods, and models. This study demonstrates the automation of workflows using coordination chemistry for library generation. Validation of key synthetic operations, generation of focused libraries in chemical and process space, and development of a new workflow for prospecting library formation were conducted. The study showcases the directed exploration of process space and the engineering of serendipity for discovering unexpected compounds.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Przemyslaw Frei, Philip J. Kitson, Alexander X. Jones, Leroy Cronin
Summary: Performing chemical transformations in a standard way is important for accessibility to high value reagents. This study presents a new concept in reactionware design using 3D printing, allowing the generation of high value compounds. By treating integrated reactor sequences as modular, different synthetic pathways can be selected.
Article
Electrochemistry
Kristine Laws, Marcus Tze-Kiat Ng, Abhishek Sharma, Yibin Jiang, Alexander J. S. Hammer, Leroy Cronin
Summary: This study developed a closed-loop robotic platform driven by a probabilistic algorithm for synthesis and electrochemical characterization. It successfully explored the redox behavior of different polyoxometalates (POMs) precursors and identified 24 complex solutions with significantly different redox activity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Abhishek Sharma, Daniel Czegel, Michael Lachmann, Christopher P. Kempes, Sara I. Walker, Leroy Cronin
Summary: Scientists have struggled to reconcile biological evolution with the laws of physics. To understand the emergence of diverse forms without a design blueprint, a new framework called assembly theory (AT) has been proposed. AT redefines the concept of an object and incorporates selection and novelty generation into the physics of complex objects. It provides a powerful interface between physics and biology, revealing new aspects of physics at the chemical scale.
Article
Optics
Sara Restuccia, Graham M. Gibson, Leroy Cronin, Miles J. Padgett
Summary: This study demonstrates the measurement of optical activity in a sample using an unpolarized light source, with the help of a polarization-entangled photon source. This approach allows for low light measurement and the analysis of samples that may be perturbed by polarized light.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
David Lockey, Cole Mathis, Haralampos N. Miras, Leroy Cronin
