Browse Articles

Ab initio study of structural, optoelectronic, magnetic, and mechanical properties of Cs2KXBr6 (X = Mo, W): HDPs for spintronic and energy applications

Abstract The structural, optoelectronic, magnetic, and mechanical investigations of Cs 2 KXBr 6 (X = Mo & W); halide double perovskites (HDPs), in the Fm-3m space group, have been conducted via an ab initio study. The formation energies per atom (eV) of Cs 2 KMoBr 6 and Cs 2 KWBr 6 are found to be − 1.72 and − 1.81, respectively. To reveal the accurate energy band gaps of the materials, the TB-mBJ potential is utilized. The electronic analysis reveals that both materials exhibit semiconducting behavior in both spin channels. The energy band gaps of Cs 2 KMoBr 6 are 1.7 eV (up-spin) and 2.8 eV (down-spin), and Cs 2 KWBr 6 are 1.6 eV (up-spin) and 3.3 eV (down-spin). The Phonon dispersion analysis and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations reveal the dynamical stability of the materials. The ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) natures of Cs 2 KWBr 6 and Cs 2 KMoBr 6 have been predicted, respectively. The net magnetic moment (µ B ) of the ground state of Cs 2 KWBr 6 and Cs 2 KMoBr 6 is 3 and 0, respectively. The mechanical analysis reveals that Cs 2 KWBr 6 exhibits higher structural stability compared to the Cs 2 KMoBr 6 material. The computed optical properties indicate that the materials have high absorption with a maximum of 140 cm −1 at 13.5 eV, a peak refractive index of 1.9 between 4.5 and 5.8 eV, and a maximum reflectivity of about 0.40 at high energy, which makes them promising candidates for high-energy region and moderate refractive indices, suggesting potential relevance for optoelectronic applications. In addition, the spin-dependent electronic structure and magnetic ordering indicate possible applicability in spin-dependent electronic systems. However, further device-level investigations are required to fully assess their technological performance.

Direct solar energy charging of metal||air batteries enabled by photo-coupled electrodes

Abstract The realization of solar-charging within rechargeable batteries has been a dream of several generations of scientists, marking a transformation in sustainable energy storage. The key challenge is that the photo-rechargeable electrodes need to simultaneously possess high photovoltaic efficiency and cycling stability. Herein, through dynamic reconfiguration of sp -hybridized carbon networks via direct photoexcitation, we present nitrogen-substituted graphdiyne as a metal-free photoelectrode for integrated solar-charging in rechargeable batteries. Nitrogen-substituted graphdiyne accelerates oxygen evolution reaction kinetics by the synergistic effect of improved intermediate adsorption and hole-mediated oxidation under light excitation. Nitrogen-substituted graphdiyne-based photo-coupled positive electrodes are applicable to multiple metal||air batteries (Zn||air, Li||O 2 , Mg||air, Fe||air, and Al||air), including a low charging voltage of 1.33 V and 96.9% energy efficiency in Zn||air batteries, along with stability over 230 cycles at 100 mA cm −2 . The Li||O 2 battery achieved an efficiency of 96.3%, while Mg||air, Fe||air, and Al||air systems exhibited reduced charging voltages. This research has pioneered a class of photoelectrodes whose active sites are directly and dynamically defined by light, opening avenues for high-efficiency solar-driven energy conversion and storage.

The revised three-step detour pathway in dolichol biosynthesis is evolutionarily conserved in budding yeast

The identification of SRD5A3 , a causative gene for congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs), together with its yeast ortholog DFG10 , established the prevailing model that dolichol is synthesized from polyprenol in a single step. Subsequently, a recent discovery of DHRSX in CDG patients revised this view and led to the proposal of a three-step detour pathway for dolichol biosynthesis. However, it remains unclear whether this pathway represents a conserved mechanism or reflects evolutionary diversity in eukaryotes. Here, we identified TDA5 as a yeast ortholog of DHRSX . Deletion of TDA5 caused glycosylation defects, reduced dolichol levels, and accumulated polyprenol. All these phenotypes were rescued by expression of DHRSX , but not by DFG10 or SRD5A3 . These findings show that Tda5 serves the same function as DHRSX in yeast, thereby demonstrating conservation of the three-step detour pathway in yeast and supporting a broader eukaryotic framework for dolichol biosynthesis.

Can immersive virtual reality magnify treatment outcomes of computerized script training on Cantonese speakers with chronic aphasia? Protocol of a randomized controlled trial

Background Aphasia persists in 20% of the stroke population. Speech therapy has been suggested to benefit the functional communication of people with aphasia (PWA). Virtual reality (VR) has been widely applied in motor/cognitive rehabilitation of stroke patients. The current proposal investigates the efficacy of VR-based computerized script training on the functional communication of PWA. Methods A three-armed assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) will recruit 120 PWA. They will be randomly assigned to 1) VR-based computerized script training, 2) computerized script training without VR, or 3) no treatment control. In the VR condition, PWA will practice in VR depicting everyday contexts, while in the non-VR group, PWA will practice with static photos. PWA in the control group will be assessed without training. Outcomes on functional communication, aphasia severity, and quality of life will be compared before/after treatment. The findings will provide empirical evidence to inform the development of effective and ecologically valid interventions for PWA. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06722092

Assessment of mechanical properties and UPV based strength estimation of clayey sand stabilized with seashell ash and recycled PET fibers

ARID1A loss drives gastric signet ring cell carcinoma by regulating mucin production and secretion

Projection-defined hypothalamic outputs differentially regulate thermogenesis and lipolysis

The ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) is a key regulator of energy homeostasis, linking central neural activity to peripheral metabolic function. Within the VMH, neurons expressing steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1; VMH SF1 ) are essential for regulating energy expenditure, yet the projection-defined pathways through which they differentially control distinct adipose depots remains unclear. Here, we use projection-specific optogenetic and chemogenetic manipulations in SF1-Cre mice to identify two anatomically and functionally distinct VMH SF1 output pathways with complementary metabolic roles. Activation of the VMH SF1 →rostral periaqueductal gray (rPAG) projection selectively stimulates thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue, elevating its temperature and thermogenic gene expression, whereas activation of the VMH SF1 →paraventricular thalamus (PVT) pathway promotes lipolysis in white adipose tissue without engaging thermogenic programs. Both effects require intact innervation and target-region activity. These findings reveal that VMH SF1 neurons direct distinct hypothalamic output pathways to differentially regulate thermogenesis and lipid mobilization, delineating a modular neural framework for flexible, state-dependent coordination of energy expenditure and substrate utilization.

Identification of métiers in a multi-gear, multi-species fishery

Accurate, gear-specific data is essential for fisheries management to quantify fishing pressure and ecosystem impacts, particularly in multi-gear fleets. In this study, we used electronic logbooks and sales notes from 2014 to 2023 to analyze the Portuguese multi-gear coastal fleet, obtaining information at a haul level. The objective was to identify and validate métiers down to level 6 according to the European Commission’s definition (a combination of gear specifications, target species, fishing area, and season). This fleet comprises approximately 500 vessels using various types of traps, nets, and longlines to catch around 200 species of fish and invertebrates. We identified 28 métiers across six main gear types. The most representative métier is the octopus ( Octopus vulgaris ) trap fishery, followed by the European hake ( Merluccius merluccius ) gillnet and the black scabbardfish ( Aphanopus carbo ) longline fisheries. A strong association was found between most métiers and variables such as fishing season, fishing area, depth, and sediment type. Traps and nets were mostly used in the northwest area, in mixed sediments or sand, whereas longlines were mostly operated in the central west area, in steeper slopes on sandy and rocky bottoms. The study highlights the complexity of quantifying gear-specific fishing effort in multi-gear fisheries, where technical interactions occur, and competitive relationships exist between different fishing fleets and gears that exploit the same fish stocks.

A comparison of vendor artificial intelligence solutions for automated post-processing of short-axis cine images in cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract Automated segmentation of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is integrated into clinical workflows, yet comparative performance across vendor AI solutions remains insufficiently characterized. This study assessed three models (two commercial, one research) for short-axis cine segmentation in a diverse cohort of 346 cases, including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), healthy volunteers, and other cardiac diseases. Clinical parameter agreement between AI-derived and expert-derived ventricular volumes and left ventricular mass (LVM) was evaluated using correlations and mean differences, segmentation agreement with Dice coefficient, and slice detection was characterized with false positive and negative rates (FPR/FNR). Papillary muscle (PM) inclusion was examined with subgroup analyses. AI-derived clinical parameters agreed strongly with expert measurements (r > 0.8). Nevertheless, inter-model biases included differing ventricular volume estimates. Midventricular segmentation was reliable (Dice > 80%), whereas apical slices were poor (Dice < 65%) with minor area impact (< 1cm 2 ). Basal slice detection varied substantially, with AI1 and AI2 over- and AI3 under-detecting slices (e.g. RV FPR: AI1 24%, AI2 14%, AI3 FNR: 32%), producing large area differences. Due to PM exclusion AI2 overestimated volumes and underestimated LVM – particularly LVH-cases. While AI-expert agreement is high, AI solutions are not interchangeable and produce clinically relevant differences to experts across cardiac regions and disease groups.

Trivalent ions kinetic-gating for producing high-concentration and shelf-stable plasmid DNA/PEI particles

Abstract Scalable, cost-effective manufacturing remains a major barrier to the clinical translation of viral vector–mediated gene therapies. The widely used transfection method for producing adeno-associated virus (AAVs) and lentivirus uses plasmid DNA (pDNA)/polyethyleneimine (PEI) particles loaded with multiple plasmids; however, these particles must be prepared at low concentrations and used immediately, limiting scalability and reproducibility. Here we show a kinetic-gating strategy in which transient binding of trivalent citrate ions slows complexation, modulating charge-neutralization kinetics and delaying particle nucleation, enabling the formation of stable, highly concentrated pDNA/PEI particles. By incorporating citrate, we prevent aggregation and achieve uniform assembly at high concentrations, enabling a ten-fold increase in DNA concentration (to 0.2 mg/mL) and reduced dosing volumes. The method is robust across mixing conditions, compatible with standard manufacturing workflows, and maintains AAV production efficiency across scales. These results establish a simple and generalizable approach to control polyelectrolyte assembly kinetics, improving the scalability and reliability of viral vector production.

CTCF directly binds G-quadruplex structures to regulate genome topology and gene expression

DNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-B-form secondary DNA structures that are prevalent at key regulatory regions in mammalian genome and are highly conserved across evolution. However, the mechanisms by which G4s contribute to distinct facets of genome function are not well understood. Here, we conduct a proteomics screen with G4s of diverse topologies to uncover G4 binding activities in genomic regulators of nucleosome remodeling, paraspeckle assembly, RNA splicing, and three-dimensional genome organization. Among the prominent hits, we identify the genomic architectural protein, CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), as one of the strongest G4 binders. Building on this finding, we perform extensive biochemical validation of CTCF–G4 interaction and identify a CTCF mutant, with pronounced affinity for G4s over its consensus double-stranded DNA motif. By implementing well-established approaches and developing additional G4 mapping tools, we define a comprehensive catalog of genomic G4s and demonstrate their close association with CTCF binding. Using genetic reconstitution of mouse embryonic stem cells with a G4-specific CTCF mutant, we define the role of G4s in regulating CTCF occupancy, chromatin looping, and gene expression. Our studies reveal that G4-linked chromatin loops are stronger, persistent, and less sensitive to CTCF depletion. Collectively, our work establishes the G4 binding activity of CTCF and provides key insights into the functional significance of G4 structures.

The pivotal role of social identification in explaining authentic leadership’s effect on team organizational citizenship behavior

Purpose The potential for authentic leadership to influence team organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) brings questions regarding the mechanisms underpinning such an effect into focus. Drawing on the social identity approach, we propose and investigate a moderated mediation model that authentic leadership increases team members’ OCB through increased team identification and that this mediated path is contingent on members’ professional identification. Methodology We tested our model first using a causality chain design (two recall experiments with 99 and 151 working professionals respectively) and then a multi-source field survey of 343 leaders and team members from 60 healthcare teams. Findings We find support for our moderated mediation model confirming that only in multidisciplinary professional teams characterized by weak professional identification among members does authentic leadership enhance member OCB through team identification. These findings allow us to explain ambiguities in the impact of authentic leadership in multidisciplinary professional teams, particularly in critical contexts such as healthcare. Originality/Novelty We integrate social identity theory with learning from the sociology of the professions to address important gaps in our knowledge of how professional identification influences intra-team extra-role dynamics across professional boundaries. Our investigation of the mechanisms through which authentic leadership influences OCB represents a particularly novel exploration, as we argue that professional identification can differentiate between positive and negative effects of authentic leadership via team identification. The paper’s novelty lies in explicating how professional identification conditions the indirect pathway between authentic leadership and OCB.

An extreme rainfall event over the United Arab Emirates in April 2024: Role of dynamic and thermodynamic drivers

Synergistic antenna-modulator integration for a monolithic photonic RF receiver

Neural representations of popularity and leadership status relate to conformity in daily life

Individuals are motivated to increase their social status. To succeed in this pursuit, people must track information about others in their social sphere, monitor group norms, and adjust their behavior strategically. This study employed functional MRI and ecological momentary assessment methods in a sample of 92 college students belonging to 9 social groups to elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying these processes and their relationship to conformity in the context of alcohol use. When young adults passively looked at faces of their real-life social group peers, brain systems implicated in valuation and social cognition spontaneously tracked information about the popularity and leadership status of the social targets in an interdependent manner. Individual differences in these neural valuations were systematically associated with varying levels of conformity. Students who had stronger responses to faces of peers with relatively higher popularity and leadership status than themselves in one key valuation brain region, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), were more likely to align their drinking behavior with their groups’ norms in everyday life. These results provide evidence for how brain systems involved in valuation and social cognition flexibly track information about peers’ popularity and leadership status in real-life social groups and contribute to a growing literature on the neural mechanisms through which social comparison processes shape conformity. Our study highlights the vmPFC as a central hub that spontaneously tracks status differences between the self and peers and uses this information to guide behavior to match group norms.

Associations between body composition and gut microbiota in female college students with and without dance training

Physical activity has been associated with gut microbiota variation and body composition phenotypes, but evidence in female dance students remains limited. This study compared body composition profiles and gut microbiota characteristics between female university students majoring in dance and those from non-dance majors. Seventy students were included (n = 35 per group). Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 970), and fecal samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Dance students exhibited significantly lower adiposity related parameters and central fat accumulation indices, including PBF, BFM, FMI, VFA, VFL, WC, WHR, WHtR, ABSI, and conicity index ( P  < 0.001), while showing higher SMM/WT, TBW/WT, and lower limb lean mass distribution ( P  < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in FFM, SMM, or SMI ( P  > 0.05). Gut microbiota composition differed between groups, with differential taxa observed across multiple taxonomic levels. Notably, Faecalibacterium and Lachnospiraceae_ND3007_group showed negative correlations with adiposity related indices and positive correlations with muscle and hydration related parameters, whereas Peptoniphilus , Ezakiella , and Fenollaria were positively correlated with adiposity related indices. In addition, Fusobacterium and Escherichia Shigella were positively associated with central adiposity measures. These findings indicate that female dance students exhibit distinct body composition profiles, while microbiome-related differences and associations appear modest and exploratory, warranting further validation in larger and well-controlled studies.

Meniscotibial ligament pockets on MRI are associated with radiographic severity of medial knee osteoarthritis

Abstract Meniscotibial ligament dysfunction has been proposed as a factor contributing to medial meniscus extrusion (MME), a key feature of medial knee OA. This study investigated meniscotibial ligament pockets, defined as fluid-equivalent signals on MRI, as MRI findings that may reflect changes at the meniscotibial ligament insertion, including possible detachment. We examined their prevalence across Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) grades and their anatomical distribution. Participants from the Kanagawa Knee Study without lateral knee OA underwent spoiled gradient–recalled MRI. The “pocket sign,” defined as a fluid-equivalent signal between the medial tibial cortex and the ligament attachment on axial and coronal images, was used as an MRI finding potentially related to meniscotibial ligament detachment. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated associations between pocket presence and clinical factors. Pocket location was classified relative to the medial collateral ligament (MCL). A subset underwent surgical assessment during knee arthroplasty. Pocket prevalence increased with KL grade, from 40% in KL grade 0 to 100% in KL grade 4. Higher KL grade was independently associated with pocket presence (OR 2.56 per grade increase, p  < 0.001). Age showed a limited and inconsistent association, whereas sex and BMI were not associated. In KL grade 0 knees, pockets were predominantly located anterior to the MCL and were associated with mild MME. Surgical findings supported the MRI results. Meniscotibial ligament pockets are present even in KL grade 0 knees and become more frequent with increasing radiographic severity. Their anterior predominance relative to the MCL suggests a characteristic distribution pattern. The pocket sign may serve as an MRI marker of meniscotibial ligament status.

National-level assessment of infrastructure-coupled roadside solar energy toward transportation decarbonization in China

Abstract Decarbonizing transportation requires approaches that embed renewable generation into existing infrastructure. Here we show that roadside photovoltaic deployment along China’s roads and railways can be quantified using a geospatial framework that links segmented transport corridors to meteorological grids. The approach maps 480,019 km of transport infrastructure to 4,133 meteorological grids and provides a scalable alternative to coarse regional averaging. Across all deployment scenarios, roadside photovoltaic systems could support 40.91-202.84 GW of installed capacity and generate 56.6-239.2 TWh of electricity annually. Under the baseline scenario, annual generation reaches about 100.6 TWh, equivalent to about 50% of current transport-sector electricity demand. The resulting carbon reduction reaches 33.62-143.97 Mt CO 2 annually. The results reveal strong regional heterogeneity, with North and Central China showing the highest near-term potential, while Northwest China could act as a generation-export region. These findings provide a basis for region-specific infrastructure planning and more coordinated transport-energy system integration.

Residual photoreceptors affect the response of a degenerate retina to electrical stimulation

Photovoltaic subretinal prosthesis can restore central vision in patients blinded by age-related macular degeneration with letter acuity matching its 100 µm pixel size. Improving resolution requires smaller pixels, but to still reach the target neurons, electric field should be less confined. However, wide-spreading field may engage adjacent photoreceptors and alter the visual perception. We studied the effects of residual photoreceptors on retinal responses to electrical stimulation using monopolar and bipolar photovoltaic arrays implanted subretinally in Long Evans rats with local photoreceptor loss, and compared that to RCS rats lacking all photoreceptors. Patterned retinal activation (880 nm, 0.5 to 10 ms) was assessed using visually evoked potentials under scotopic and photopic conditions, with and without the intravitreal injection of neurotransmitter blockers. Results were analyzed using a computational model of photoreceptor activation by various electric field configurations. We observed two mechanisms of photoreceptors engagement in electrical activation of the degenerate retina: 1) Dark-adapted photoreceptors near the implant can be simulated directly by a negative electric potential of the common return electrode along the edge of the array. 2) Light-adapted photoreceptors can reduce the stimulation threshold of bipolar cells within about 100 mm from the implant’s edge. Both effects may lead to reduced perceptual uniformity. Bipolar pixels with local return electrodes generate better confined electric fields than monopolar arrays and thus are less affected by the nearby photoreceptors. However, even such implants should be placed a few hundred micrometers from the edge of scotoma to minimize the unintended percepts.

Imaging strategies for follow-up during adjuvant nivolumab in esophageal cancer: A multicenter retrospective cohort study

Introduction Adjuvant nivolumab improves disease-free survival in patients with esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and resection, but recurrence risk remains high. Optimal follow-up strategies for early detection of recurrence during nivolumab treatment are lacking. Methods In this multi-center, retrospective cohort study, patients from three hospitals in the Netherlands who underwent surgical resection between September 2021 and October 2023 and received adjuvant nivolumab were included. Data on tumor type, treatment, and imaging intervals (every 3 months vs every 4 months) were collected. Primary outcome was disease recurrence, secondary outcomes included disease-free survival (DFS), and diagnostic yield of CT scans. Results Of 353 patients that underwent resection, 151 received at least one dose of adjuvant nivolumab (82% male; median age 66 years; 86% adenocarcinoma). A total of 27 patients (18%) developed on-treatment recurrent disease, which was detected by routinely performed CT scans in 67% and included distant metastasis in 89%. DFS was 89% at 4 months, 84% at 8 months, and 75% at 12 months, showing a gradual decline over time. The diagnostic yield of CT scans increased from 0% at baseline to 9% at 4 months. Conclusion Routine baseline CT imaging did not detect recurrences, while routine imaging during adjuvant nivolumab identified the majority of recurrences. The gradual decline in disease-free survival suggests that recurrences are distributed over time, supporting a routine imaging interval, such as every 3 or 4 months as used in our study. These real-world data may help inform clinicians, and future studies can further evaluate optimal imaging intervals.