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Tectonic and climatic implications of the Aleutian Arc initiation ≥56 million years ago
Abstract The timing and origin of Aleutian subduction initiation remain poorly constrained, yet they are central to understanding late Paleocene to early Eocene plate tectonic reorganization in the Pacific and its possible climatic consequences. Here, we use geochronologic and geochemical data obtained on western Aleutian arc samples from four basal submarine sequences, spanning ~700 km, to constrain Aleutian subduction initiation to ≥56 Ma. Early forearc lavas have similar compositions to forearc basalts erupted during the initial stages of Izu-Bonin-Mariana subduction in the western Pacific. Collision of the Olyutorsky Arc with Kamchatka-Koryak margin and subduction of the Izanagi-Pacific Ridge are likely to have triggered Aleutian subduction initiation and a change in absolute Pacific plate motion from WNW to N between 57 and 55 Ma, as shown with a GPlates model. Our study shows that Aleutian subduction initiation is a key event at the beginning of a major ~10 Myr plate reorganization in the circum-Pacific ending with Hawaii-Emperor-Bend formation. These tectono-magmatic events may have contributed to contemporaneous global climatic events in the late Paleocene and early Eocene.
Urban compactness and carbon emissions: global evidence over the period 1975–2020
Functional implications of the conformational landscape of a multidrug transporter revealed by Zebrafish Abcb4 structures
Abstract The hallmark of multidrug resistance conferred by the human ABC transporter ABCB1 (hP-gp) is the recognition and efflux of a diverse range of drugs, though the precise mechanism of polyspecificity remains unresolved. In aquatic animals such as zebrafish, Abcb4, a functional homolog of hP-gp, plays a vital role in surviving environmental toxicants. Here, we show that DrAbcb4 exhibits comparable basal and drug-stimulated ATPase activity to hP-gp. Using cryo-EM, we capture five inward-facing DrAbcb4 conformations with varying separations between its two lobes, illustrating its open-and-close motion. The range of separation exceeds that seen in published P-gp structures that appear to be conformationally restricted. This global open-and-close motion is coupled with individual helix movement, resulting in a highly fluid substrate-binding pocket. These dynamic changes, likely underlying the polyspecificity of substrate recognition, predict unconventional protein-ligand interactions that are supported by structures of DrAbcb4 bound to the P-gp inhibitors tariquidar and elacridar, and the substrate vincristine.
Continuous glucose monitoring reveals improved hyperglycemia and altered hypoglycemia target attainment after gastrectomy in patients with type 2 diabetes
Brieflow: an integrated computational pipeline for high-throughput analysis of optical pooled screening data
Abstract Optical pooled screening (OPS) has emerged as a powerful technique for functional genomics, enabling researchers to link genetic perturbations with complex cellular morphological phenotypes at scale. However, OPS data analysis presents challenges due to massive datasets, complex multi-modal integration requirements, and the absence of standardized frameworks. Here, we present Brieflow, a computational pipeline for end-to-end analysis of fixed-cell optical pooled screening data. We demonstrate Brieflow’s capabilities through reanalysis of a CRISPR-Cas9 screen encompassing 5072 fitness-conferring genes, processing more than 70 million cells with multiple phenotypic markers. To accelerate biological interpretation, we additionally present MozzareLLM, a framework leveraging large language models to identify biological processes within phenotypic clusters and prioritize gene candidates for experimental validation. Our combined analysis recovers coherent biological modules missed by existing analytical approaches, including five core mitochondrial sub-programs absent from the original study. The modular design and open-source implementation of Brieflow facilitates the integration of new analytical components while ensuring computational reproducibility and improved performance for the use of high-content phenotypic screening in biological discovery.
Narrow band gap and room-temperature ferromagnetism in Cr-doped ZnO nanorods fabricated by electrochemical deposition
Universal rhythmic architecture uncovers two modes of neural dynamics
Abstract Understanding the organizing principles of brain activity can advance neurotechnology and medical diagnosis. Traditionally, neural activity is viewed as consisting oscillations in distinct frequency bands. However, emerging evidence suggests these oscillations often manifest as transient bursts rather than sustained rhythms. We examine the hypothesis that rhythmicity (sustained vs bursty) adds a further dimension to brain organization. Using a rhythmicity measure, we segment neurophysiological spectra from 859 participants across datasets, species, recording techniques, ages 18–88, sexes, brain regions, and cognitive states in health and disease. Our results reveal a universal rhythmicity-resolved spectral architecture with two categories: high-rhythmicity bands exhibiting sustained oscillations and new low-rhythmicity bands dominated by brief bursts. This architecture reflects two modes of operation: sustained bands suitable for maintaining ongoing activity, and transient bands which can signal responses to change. The rhythmicity-resolved architecture provides a unifying framework that bridges human and non-human findings, enables individualized spectral definitions, and offers a principled basis for understanding brain activity.
Using social media data to improve specific urban park activities: the case of park camping
Non-decameric NLRP3 reveals a TGN/MTOC-distal pathway of inflammasome activation
Abstract The NLRP3 inflammasome contributes to a wide range of conditions from infections to Alzheimer’s disease. NLRP3 forms an inactive decameric cage, that upon interaction with the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and microtubule organization center (MTOC), leads to inflammasome activation, yet whether non-decamer NLRP3 species form functional inflammasomes remains unclear. Here, we design a NLRP3 exon 3 deletion variant that forms low molecular weight NLRP3 assemblies. Spatially and dynamically highly resolved microscopy in THP-1 and human macrophages shows that nigericin, a K + -dependent NLRP3 stimulus, can trigger two distinct activation pathways: (i) the rapidly engaged decameric cage-dependent pathway; and (ii) a decameric cage-independent, TGN/MTOC-distal, and slow-reacting pathway employed by low molecular weight NLRP3 species, that dominates in human neutrophils. Collectively, our results delineate two parallel yet biologically distinct NLRP3 activation pathways, thereby providing a framework to understand NLRP3-driven inflammation across a wide range of pathological context and cell types.
Conserved mRNA expression patterns of the Klotho family in canine mammary tumors and human breast cancer
Improving protein and protein interactions using pseudo-dimers derived from monomeric proteins
Impact of alpha-ketoglutarate treatment on enhancing vase life of chrysanthemum by enhancing antioxidant systems and suppressing ethylene biosynthesis
Abstract Chrysanthemum is a globally valued cut flower with substantial commercial importance; however, its postharvest longevity is often limited by rapid senescence. This study investigated the application of alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG), a cost-effective and environmentally friendly metabolic intermediate, for extending the vase life of cut chrysanthemum flowers. The effects of 5 mM AKG (compared to a 0 mM control) on vase performance, physiological traits, biochemical composition, and the molecular regulation of ethylene biosynthesis were systematically evaluated. Our results demonstrated that 5 mM AKG significantly prolonged vase life by improving water balance and enhancing flower hydration through increased water uptake. The treatment effectively reinforced the antioxidant defense system by increasing the contents of glutathione, ascorbic acid, total phenolics, and flavonoids, while stimulating the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Consequently, AKG inhibited the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to a marked reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, electrolyte leakage (EL), and lipoxygenase (LOX) activity. Furthermore, AKG application suppressed ethylene (ETH) production by downregulating the activities of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (ACS) and oxidase (ACO), which was further confirmed by the reduced expression of CmACS1 and CmACO1 genes. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that 5 mM AKG represents a sustainable and eco-friendly strategy for enhancing the postharvest quality and longevity of cut chrysanthemums by integrating metabolic stability with hormonal regulation.
Event-based spatiotemporal networks for modelling emergent phenomena in complex systems
Effect of salicylic acid and silicon on physiological parameters and anatomical index of Scrophularia striata L. under drought stress
Soft mode origin of charge ordering in superconducting kagome CsV3Sb5
Abstract Charge-density-wave (CDW) order and superconductivity coexist in the kagome metals AV 3 Sb 5 (A=K, Cs, Rb), raising fundamental questions about the mechanisms driving their intertwined phases. Here we combine high-resolution inelastic X-ray scattering with first-principles calculations to uncover the origin of CDW formation in CsV 3 Sb 5 . Guided by structure factor analysis, we identify a soft phonon mode along the reciprocal M - L direction, with the strongest effect at the L point, where the elastic scattering intensity also grows most rapidly upon cooling. First-principles calculations incorporating lattice anharmonicity and electron-phonon coupling reproduce these observations and establish a soft-mode instability at the L point as the driving mechanism of CDW formation. Despite the weakly first-order character of the transition, our results unambiguously demonstrate that the CDW in CsV 3 Sb 5 originates from a softened phonon, clarifying its microscopic origin and highlighting the central role of lattice dynamics in kagome metals.
Taguchi L9 optimization of BsPdaC-CD production in Escherichia coli
The I gene defines a dynamic NLR cluster conferring broad potyvirus resistance in common bean
Abstract Common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) is a major grain legume for human consumption, but its production is severely constrained by viral diseases, especially those caused by bean common mosaic virus and bean common mosaic necrosis virus. The function of the dominant I gene conferring broad-spectrum resistance to potyviruses has been known for nearly a century, yet its molecular identity remains unresolved. Here, we combine chromosome-scale genome assemblies and two loss-of-function mutants to clone the I gene and show that it encodes a Toll/interleukin-1 receptor-like nucleotide-binding leucine-rich-repeat (NLR) (TNL) protein. I resides in a dynamic TNL-rich resistance cluster exhibiting dramatic differences in TNL copy number among genotypes. In one natural mutant, resistance is lost through the recent insertion of a non-autonomous Retand retrotransposon, providing a rare example of transposon-mediated R gene inactivation during seed propagation. More broadly, we show that Phaseolus genomes are enriched in Retand elements, representing a distinct legume genome evolution trajectory comparing to pea and faba bean. These findings resolve a long-standing question in common bean genetics and open avenues for crop improvement.