Metal- and covalent-organic framework mixed matrix membranes for CO₂ separation: a perspective on stability and scalability

Membrane technology has attracted great industrial interest in carbon capture and separation owing to the merits of energy-efficiency, environmental friendliness and low capital investment. Conventional polymeric membranes for CO₂ separation suffer from the trade-off between permeability and selectivity. Introducing porous fillers...

The future of cardiovascular magnetic resonance: All-in-one vs. real-time (Part 1)

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) protocols can be lengthy and complex, which has driven the research community to develop new technologies to make these protocols more efficient and patient-friendly. Two different approaches to improving CMR have been proposed, specifically “all-in-one” CMR, where several contrasts and/or motion states...

Exploration and exploitation of the uncommon pH profile of the dynamic covalent interactions between boronic acids and N-acetylneuraminic acids

In this review, the chemical mechanisms behind the interactions between boronic acids and N-acetylneuraminic acids, which have been widely utilized in biomedicine in recent decades, will be examined. It will also be highlighted that the affinity of boronic acids for N-acetylneuraminic acids is dependent on pH and is complementary to their...

MRI Contrast Agents in Glycobiology

Molecular recognition involving glycoprotein-mediated interactions is ubiquitous in both normal and pathological natural processes. Therefore, visualization of these interactions and the extent of expression of the sugars is a challenge in medical diagnosis, monitoring of therapy, and drug design. Here, we review the literature on the...

Mn(III) porphyrins as potential MRI contrast agents for diagnosis and MRI-guided therapy

Mn(III) porphyrins have great potential as Gd-free MRI contrast agents because both the cation and the ligand have interesting properties. The redox properties of the Mn(III)-ion can be exploited for the preparation of reactive oxygen species for therapy. Moreover, the porphyrin ligand allows these complexes to have a high affinity for tumor...

Engagement in Human-Agent Interaction: An Overview

Engagement is a concept of the utmost importance in human-computer interaction, not only for informing the design and implementation of interfaces, but also for enabling more sophisticated interfaces capable of adapting to users. While the notion of engagement is actively being studied in a diverse set of domains, the term has been used to...

Relaxivity of manganese ferrite nanoparticles

Manganese ferrite nanoparticles are superparamagnetic and have very high saturation magnetization, which makes them candidates for application as MRI contrast agents. Because these nanoparticles are very effective enhancers of transverse relaxation, they are particularly suitable as negative (T₂-weighted) contrast agents. The...

The chemical consequences of the gradual decrease of the ionic radius along the Ln-series

In the periodical system, the lanthanides (the 15 elements in the periodic table between barium and hafnium) are unique in the sense that their trivalent cations have their valence electrons hidden behind the 5s and 5p electrons. They show a gradual decrease in ionic radius with increasing atomic number (also known as the lanthanide...

A systematic review and meta-analysis of thermal coagulation compared with cryotherapy to treat precancerous cervical lesions in low- and middle-income countries

Background: Thermal coagulation is gaining popularity for treating cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in screening programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to unavailability of cryotherapy. Objectives: Assess the effectiveness of thermal coagulation for treatment of CIN lesions compared with cryotherapy, with a focus on...