Browse Articles

A spatiotemporal defect-integrated deepfake video detection and forgery algorithm attribution model

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) coupled with machine learning for classification of paddy soils from non-granary cultivation systems

Abstract Soil nutrients variability plays a crucial role in paddy growth and yield. Insufficient information on soil nutrient content can lead to inefficient fertilizers application, resulting in either nutrient deficiency or excess in the soil. This study investigates the potential of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) combined with machine learning for rapid classification of paddy soils from non-granary cultivation systems in Sarawak, Malaysia. Soil samples from irrigated lowland, rainfed lowland, and upland areas were analysed using conventional physicochemical methods and LIBS to evaluate variability in soil properties and spectral characteristics. The LIBS spectra revealed distinct multi-elemental signatures dominated by Ca, Fe, K, and N, while P exhibited weak emission intensity due to both low concentration and intrinsic plasma emission limitations. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reduced spectral dimensionality, with the first four components explaining 74.38% of the total variance. However, PCA score plots showed substantial overlap among soil groups, indicating limited separability using unsupervised analysis. To address this, a supervised classification approach using Support Vector Machine (SVM) was implemented. The PCA-SVM model achieved an average classification accuracy of 76.42 ± 15.17% under repeated sample-level hold-out validation, which improved to 87.33 ± 12.80% using Leave-One-Sample-Out Cross-Validation (LOSOCV). These results demonstrate that, although intrinsic spectral differences among paddy cultivation categories are subtle, the integration of LIBS with machine learning facilitates effective extraction of discriminative spectral patterns. This study highlights the potential applicability of LIBS as a rapid, multi-element analytical approach for preliminary classification of non-granary paddy cultivation systems, particularly in heterogeneous and resource-limited agricultural environments.

Iris × germanica L. and Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) Schott, two novel strontium hyperaccumulators

Abstract We examined the uptake and the effects of strontium (Sr) and vanadium (V) on the growth of hydroponically cultivated species Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) Schott (NE) and Iris  ×  germanica L. (IG). Each species was cultivated in deep water culture tanks in solutions containing 0–80 mg/L NH₄VO₃ and subsequently 50–200 mg/L Sr(NO₃)₂ for two weeks. The accumulated ions in the plant parts were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed that across tested concentrations, neither strontium nor vanadium exerted any sizable effect on the growth of the two species. Both species efficiently accumulated Sr, with translocation factors (TF) consistently above 1 (approximately 1.2–2.2) and bioconcentration factors (BCF) ranging from approximately 6 to 9, meeting the criteria for classification as Sr hyperaccumulators. Total metal uptake reached values on the order of 10 3  mg/kg in both species at the highest concentrations tested. These results suggest that both NE and IG hold significant promise for Sr phytoremediation applications, demonstrating high tolerance to V and substantial root retention capacity, suggesting their potential utility in the phytostabilization of V-contaminated soils.

Atomic‐Precision Engineering and Visualizing of Chiral Electronic States in Nitrogen‐Doped Nanographenes

ABSTRACT As a fundamental phenomenon in nature, chirality has been extensively studied in molecular structures; however, it remains underexplored at the electronic level. Understanding how structural chirality transfers into electronic states is crucial for uncovering the essence of many chiral effects. In this study, we report the engineering and direct visualization of chiral electronic states within an otherwise planar, achiral hexa‐ peri ‐hexabenzocoronene (HBC) framework. By employing atomically precise asymmetric nitrogen doping of HBC through on‐surface synthesis, we fabricate a C 3 ‐symmetric triaza‐HBC on Au(111). Utilizing high‐resolution scanning tunneling microscopy and non‐contact atomic force microscopy, we resolve the chiral molecular structure of triaza‐HBC confined to the surface, as well as the chiral texture of the resulting interfacial electronic states and its evolution at different energies. Density functional theory calculations reveal that these electronic chiral features arise from the molecule's intrinsic chiral orbitals, which hybridize strongly with the metal substrate while still retaining their chiral character. This study not only demonstrates a clear transfer of chirality from molecular structure to the electronic landscape but also provides a versatile platform for the rational design of chiral electronic molecules and materials.

Early-life exposure to 27.5 GHz 5G millimeter-wave radiation induces skin-related biological responses in mice

A single reinforcement learning model to unify habit formation and Pavlovian-instrumental interaction

Abstract The conditioning paradigm has observed learning behaviors in animals. The theory which explains behaviors assumes that a brain appropriately combine two reinforcement learning systems, consisting of model-based and model-free system. There are two ways to combine systems: hybrid system, in which two systems work independently and are combined, and single system, in which two systems work cooperatively. While the former is widely discussed, the latter has not been sufficiently investigated in terms of its capabilities. Here, we propose a single system that integrates model-based and model-free systems to include the roles of Pavlovian conditioning. Our simulation results show that the proposed model can explain habit formation, Pavlovian conditioning, and Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer in a unified manner. This suggests the possibility of reproducing various phenomena in a single system.

Comparative bioactivities of Annona squamosa seeds and fruits: phytochemical insights and pharmacological evaluation

Interfacial Proton‐Coupled Electron Transfer Reverses Water Inhibition for Selective 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural Hydrogenation

ABSTRACT The selective aqueous hydrogenation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5‐bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) is pivotal for biomass valorization. While nanoscale zero‐valent iron (nZVI) offers a sustainable H 2 ‐free alternative, its efficiency is severely suppressed by a rigid interfacial water layer that impedes substrate access and drives non‐selective pathways. Herein, we surmount this limitation by engineering atomically dispersed Ni sites on nZVI to orchestrate a surface proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET). Mechanistically, single Ni atoms in the electron‐deficient state (Ni δ+ ) function as “electron pumps”, establishing a direct longitudinal inner‐sphere channel for electron delivery towards the −CHO group of HMF. Concurrently, the Ni δ+ sites facilitate prompt proton release by weakening hydrogen binding on adjacent lattice oxygen. Ni δ+ ‐induced electronic modulation transforms proximal lattice Fe into strong Lewis acids to polarize bulk water, creating a continuous lateral proton shuttle to the adsorbed HMF. This orthogonal PCET system drastically boosts electron selectivity from 10.6% (pristine nZVI) to 81.6%, achieving >95% HMF conversion (20–150 mM) with >95% BHMF selectivity under ambient conditions, outperforming pristine nZVI (<10% conversion) by orders of magnitude. This work demonstrates that engineering interfacial PCET pathways can reverse classical solvent inhibition, opening a general route for efficient aqueous hydrogenation.

Multidimensional analysis of nutritional status among children under 5 years in Africa, 1990–2024

Rational Formulation of Ether‐Lactone Electrolytes for Safe and Sustainable Ni‐Rich Lithium‐Ion Batteries

ABSTRACT This study reports the formulation of innovative electrolytes designed to improve safety, sustainability, and compatibility with LiNi 0.92 Mn 0.04 Co 0.04 O 2 (NMC92) cathodes. The use of bio‐based solvents (γ‐valerolactone, GVL) and safe, stable, innovative co‐solvents (diethylene glycol butyl ethyl ether, DEGBEE) is investigated in combination with imide‐ and borate‐based salts, demonstrating reduced flammability and enhanced transport properties. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal their advantageous solvation characteristics, highlighting increased lithium‐ion mobility in GVL‐based electrolytes due to diminished ionic clustering. Overall, the investigated electrolytes exhibit outstanding electrochemical performance with NMC92 cathodes in a half‐cell configuration, retaining above 80% of their initial capacity after 300 galvanostatic cycles at 1 C and an enhanced rate capability. This behavior is attributed to the inorganic nature of the resulting cathode‐electrolyte interphase, as confirmed by ex situ x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Finally, the suitability of this novel formulation for real‐scale application is evaluated at the pouch‐cell level, demonstrating similar performance to benchmark formulations while enhancing overall device safety and sustainability.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward postoperative fatigue syndrome among postoperative patients

Engineering Ag ₆ Cluster‐Based Donor–Acceptor Heterojunctions Into Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Frameworks for Photocatalytic H ₂ O ₂ Production

ABSTRACT Atomically precise coinage metal nanoclusters possess well‐defined structures and distinctive optoelectronic properties. However, their assembly through weak van der Waals interactions often results in inefficient charge migration and rapid electron–hole recombination. Hydrogen‐bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) offer an alternative strategy to integrate functional clusters into ordered crystalline materials while preserving molecular isolation. Herein, we report the first example of coinage‐metal‐cluster‐based donor–acceptor (D–A) heterojunction engineered into a HOF. A tailored Ag 6 cluster serves as the electron‐rich donor, and 4,4′‐bipyridine (BPY) acts as the electron‐deficient acceptor. Directional N─H···N hydrogen bonds guide the assembly into a crystalline Ag 6 ‐HOF , which retains the intrinsic structure of the Ag 6 clusters while creating hydrogen‐bonded channels for enhanced inter‐cluster charge transport. Photoelectrochemical studies and density functional theory calculations reveal an S‐scheme heterojunction, with the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) localized on the Ag 6 cluster and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) on the BPY linker. This electronic configuration promotes spatial charge separation, extends visible‐light absorption, and significantly boosts photocatalytic H 2 O 2 production compared to the individual components. The work demonstrates hydrogen‐bond‐directed assembly as a precise and versatile approach to design cluster‐based heterojunctional materials with tunable electronic structures and enhanced photocatalytic performance.

Tectonic controls governing reservoir heterogeneity within a stepped carbonate platform of the Sinian Dengying Formation in the Sichuan Basin, China

Solvent–Anion Counterpoised Electrolyte Enables High‐Rate Magnesium Metal Batteries

ABSTRACT Magnesium batteries are compelling post‐lithium energy storage candidates but suffer from sluggish charge transfer kinetics, fundamentally restricted by the high energy barrier of Mg 2+ desolvation. Herein, we address the compact and tenacious solvation sheath induced by the high charge density of Mg 2+ , characterized by strong electrostatic binding. To effectively weaken the coordination strength and lower the desolvation barrier, we utilize machine learning to identify electrolytes that energetically balance Mg 2+ ‐solvent and Mg 2+ ‐anion interactions. This counterpoise state leads to a comprehensive weakening of the solvation shell. As corroborated by in situ Raman spectroscopy, this environment facilitates a synchronous desolvation pathway and induces a robust MgH 2 ‐based solid‐electrolyte interphase, fundamentally accelerating interfacial kinetics. The screened amine‐based electrolyte empowers low‐overpotential Mg 2+ reduction of 0.06 V at 1 mA cm −2 , and full cells with high‐rate performance sustain 50 C cycling, and a Mg/fluorinated carbon cell delivers 918 mAh g −1 at 0.5 C. This paradigm shifts the design focus from individual solvation to collective energy equilibration in multivalent electrolytes.

Temporal changes in gene regulation during human tissue repair

Isomeric Nonpolar Amino Acid–Derived Metal–Organic Frameworks for Xenon/Krypton Separation

ABSTRACT Efficient xenon/krypton separation remains challenging due to their similar physicochemical properties. Herein, we demonstrate that ligand isomerism can be leveraged as an effective structural handle for constructing new metal–organic frameworks from readily available, low‐cost amino acids. Using leucine and isoleucine—two constitutional regioisomers among proteinogenic amino acids that possess the largest nonpolar alkyl side chains—we construct a pair of zinc‐based metal–organic frameworks, Zn‐LEU and Zn‐ILE, which share identical connectivity yet differ subtly in side‐chain branching. Zn‐ILE retains a more robust framework under a range of conditions, whereas Zn‐LEU undergoes a pronounced phase transformation under relatively mild conditions. This structural integrity, combined with a precisely tailored nonpolar pore environment (∼4.4 Å), enables Zn‐ILE to exhibit a ∼40% increase in Xe uptake and superior Xe/Kr selectivity over its isomer. Dynamic breakthrough experiments further validate the Xe/Kr separation performance under representative operating conditions, including humid streams and ultradilute xenon concentrations (400 ppm). We further formalize a cost‐normalized figure of merit that quantifies dynamic xenon capture per unit synthetic input, under which Zn‐ILE exhibits cost‐normalized Xe productivity of 2.21 × 10 −3  mmol USD − 1 , ranking among the most cost‐efficient MOF‐based xenon sorbents reported to date.

Diversity, richness, and species composition of fruit flies with new and first records from Meghalaya, India

Luminescent Donor‐Acceptor Radical With Propeller Chirality: Bright and Photostable Red Circularly Polarized Luminescence and Whispering Gallery Mode Resonance

ABSTRACT Luminescent radicals are an emerging class of materials for organic electronics, bioimaging, and quantum applications. Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) from luminescent radicals with propeller‐type chirality remains challenging because it is difficult to simultaneously achieve high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY), high stability, and high racemization barriers. A series of brominated chiral luminescent radicals, CzTTBrM, 2CzTTBrM, and 3CzTTBrM, was obtained by attaching carbazole donors to TTBrM. The donor‐acceptor‐type design induces red to near‐infrared (NIR) emission via charge transfer (CT) excited states with remarkably high PLQY (up to 76%) and high photostability. The new radicals possess high racemization barriers (Δ G ‡ (353K) = 27.9–29.1 kcal/mol), allowing the isolation of enantiopure compounds at room temperature. The enantiopure radicals exhibit CPL with broad emission across the red to NIR range (650–800 nm) and display B CPL values (0.76–1.1), nearly one order of magnitude higher than that of TTBrM (B CPL = 0.16). Moreover, doping these radicals into polystyrene microspheres produces whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonances, marking the first observation of WGM emission from luminescent radicals. This strategy establishes a versatile platform for integrating spin, chirality, and luminescence, offering new opportunities for applications in electroluminescence, bioimaging, and quantum photonics.

Bromide is a surprisingly potent larvicide for Anopheles gambiae in the laboratory

Catalyst‐Free, Divergent Cysteine Modification via Indole Isocyanide Photochemistry

ABSTRACT Chemoselective cysteine modification is pivotal for chemical biology and drug discovery. While photochemical strategies offer spatiotemporal control, most current methods rely on exogenous catalysts, complicating purification processes. Furthermore, the structural diversity of accessible conjugates remains limited. Here, we report an additive/catalyst‐free, visible‐light‐driven platform for divergent cysteine modification via indole isocyanide photochemistry. This strategy eliminates the need for external additives or photocatalysts, ensuring excellent biocompatibility and operational simplicity. A key practical advantage of this method is its compatibility with both solution‐phase and solid‐phase reaction systems, offering unmatched flexibility for diverse experimental setups. By leveraging the tunable structure of indole isocyanides, this photoreaction readily generates a diverse array of indole‐fused or indole‐spiro aza‐cycles at cysteine residues. We demonstrate broad utility of this method, ranging from site‐specific modification of peptides and proteins to the synthesis of cyclic peptides and the assembly of proteolysis‐targeting chimeras (PROTACs). Moreover, a chemical proteomics profiling employing indole isocyanide‐based photoprobe achieved selective modification of C77 within the therapeutic phosphatase target PPP5C. This interaction revealed a novel druggable pocket at the TPR–catalytic domain interface, uncovering a previously unknown allosteric inhibition strategy. Collectively, this work establishes a robust, versatile platform for advancing therapeutic discovery and chemical biology.