Browse Articles

Nonreciprocal scattering and implications for thermal emission control on a mid-infrared spatiotemporally modulated metasurface

Dynamic partitioning of a critical elongation factor between LEC and SEC regulates cellular snRNA and proliferation-related mRNA transcription

A network-based map of the chemical exposome connects molecular interactions to public health

Mining of natural diversity enables efficient and expressible peptide asparaginyl ligases

Multilayer-induced stress manipulation for superior piezoelectric performance and temperature stability in lead-free piezoceramics

The history and function of a circular RNA

Sponge-inspired catalyst design for durable acidic CO2 reduction at low K+ concentration

Ultra-dispersive metasurfaces enabled by convergence-phase design using simplified nanopillar arrays

Author Correction: Far-field phonon coupling in valley metamaterial circuits

Structural basis for phosphorylation and allosteric regulation of bacterial glycogen phosphorylase by histidine phosphocarrier protein

Meltable Semiconductive Lead–Thiolate Coordination Polymers with Long Alkyl Chains

ABSTRACT Meltable organic–inorganic hybrid semiconductors are attractive for their potential for melt‐based processing. Although meltable semiconducting metal halide perovskites have been extensively studied, meltable semiconducting coordination polymers (CPs) remain scarce, despite their excellent structural designability and the tunability of their optoelectronic properties. We report a new family of meltable semiconductive Pb(II) benzenethiolate CPs bearing long alkyl chains, formulated as [Pb(SPhOC 6 ) 2 ] n ( KGF‐34(C6) ; HSPhOC 6 = 4‐hexyloxybenzenethiol). For comparison, we also synthesized the classical analogue [Pb(SC 6 ) 2 ] n ( KGF‐59(C6) ; HSC 6 = 1‐hexanethiol). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed that both KGF‐34(C6) and KGF‐59(C6) adopt 2D architectures, albeit with distinct inorganic (–Pb–S–) n networks. A comprehensive characterization of the semiconducting properties, combined with first‐principles calculations, revealed that KGF‐34(C6) exhibits significantly higher photoconductivity, a narrower band gap, and a larger band dispersion than KGF‐59(C6) , attributable to differences in their inorganic (–Pb–S–) n network structures. Furthermore, both KGF‐34(C6) and KGF‐59(C6) exhibit multiple phase transitions, including melting and liquid crystalline formation, enabling the fabrication of optoelectronic devices via melt processing. Notably, this is the first report of meltable semiconducting CPs comprising benzenethiol‐derived ligands. These findings offer a rational design strategy for developing melt‐processable semiconductive materials based on metal–benzenethiolate CPs.

Probing molecular diversity and ultrastructure of brain cells with fluorescent aptamers

Balancing acceleration and turnover in [1 + 1] tetra-imine bis-calix[4]pyrrole reactor for Huisgen cycloadditions

Abstract Tailored molecular cages can confine reactive partners and enhance their reaction rates. However, for bimolecular reactions, product inhibition is commonly observed. We report a tetra-imine bis-calix[4]pyrrole cage with two chemically non-equivalent polar hemispheres that promote azide-alkyne Huisgen cycloadditions. This cage forms 1:1 and 1:2 complexes with para-substituted pyridine- N -oxides, including ternary hetero-complexes with an azide and an alkyne moiety into proximity. Here, we show that cage confinement accelerates the regioselective formation of 1,4-triazoles. A global kinetic model allows the determination of the intra-vessel rate constant (k intra ) without direct quantification of the “Michaelis” ternary complex. Modest acceleration is observed for one pair of reactants, yet the cage can still turn over because the product is weakly bound. Extending the azide linker by one methylene dramatically enhances acceleration and introduces product inhibition. Comparisons with a related octa-imine cage reveal how subtle geometric changes tune the balance between transition-state stabilization and product release.

A self-supervised electrocardiogram foundation model for empowering cardiovascular disease prediction and genetic factor discovery

Author Correction: Ultra-coherent meta-emitter tailors arbitrary thermal wavefront

DDA-BERT: end-to-end training for data-dependent acquisition mass spectrometry-based proteomics

Quantitative live imaging reveals PRICKLE1 controls junctional neural tube morphogenesis independent of Planar Cell Polarity

Abstract Neurulation, the process that forms the neural tube - the precursor to the brain and spinal cord - is frequently disrupted in congenital malformations. Primary and secondary neurulation are integrated at a junctional zone, yet the cellular dynamics linking these programs remain unknown. Using high-resolution quantitative live imaging in transgenic quail embryos, we show that the junctional neural tube forms through two coordinated processes: mediolateral convergence and EMT-driven ingression of medial neuroepithelial cells. We demonstrate that PRICKLE1, a core PCP protein, orchestrates these behaviors independently of planar polarity cues. PK1 is enriched at the apical cortex of medial cells, where it drives actomyosin accumulation and apical constriction. This function is essential for both convergence and cell ingression but is uncoupled from classical PCP axis establishment. Our findings redefine the molecular basis of junctional neurulation and implicate impaired EMT as a central cause of localized neural tube defects.

Augmented prediction of multi-species protein–RNA interactions using evolutionary conservation of RNA-binding proteins

Abstract RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play critical roles in the regulation of gene expression. Recent studies have begun to detail the RNA recognition mechanisms of diverse RBPs. However, given the array of RBPs studied so far, it is implausible to experimentally profile RBP-binding peaks for hundreds of RBPs in multiple non-model organisms. Here, we introduce MuSIC ( Mu lti- S pecies RBP–RNA I nteractions using C onservation), a deep learning-based framework for predicting cross-species RBP–RNA interactions by leveraging label smoothing and evolutionary conservation of RBPs across 11 phylogenetically diverse species ranging from human to yeast. MuSIC outperforms state-of-the-art computational methods, and achieves highly accurate prediction of RBP-binding peaks across species. The prediction confidence is higher in the metazoan species, partially reflecting differences in RBP conservation patterns. Finally, the effects of homologous genetic variants on RBP binding can be computationally quantified across species, followed by experimental validations. The target transcripts with disrupted binding events are enriched in the ubiquitination-associated pathways. To summarize, MuSIC provides a useful computational framework for predicting RBP–RNA interactions cross-species and quantifying the effects of genetic variants on RBP binding, offering insights into the RBP-mediated regulatory mechanisms implicated in human diseases.

Targeting insulo-frontal pathway to reduce stress-evoked cognitive rigidity

Abstract Cognitive rigidity often follows chronic stress and is prevalent in stress-related psychiatric disorders, yet the underlying neural circuit mechanisms remain unclear. Using attentional set-shifting tasks (AST) in mice, we identified projection from the anterior insular cortex to the medial prefrontal cortex (aIC→mPFC) as key regulators of adaptive decision-making. The aIC→mPFC neurons show heightened activity following incorrect, but not correct, trials. This elevated activity persists into subsequent trials, providing a salience signal that enhances mPFC outcome-dependent updating and promotes convergence of neural activity patterns across trials. Optogenetic manipulation of aIC→mPFC projections during the pre-decision phase disrupts mPFC updating and impairs AST performance. Moreover, chronic stress disrupts the outcome-dependence of aIC activity and impairs cognitive flexibility. Crucially, selectively reinforcing aIC→mPFC activity after incorrect trials via optogenetics enhances mPFC updating, improves neural activity convergence across trials, and restores cognitive flexibility in stressed mice. These findings revealed a previously unrecognized role of the aIC→mPFC circuit in linking trial outcomes to adaptive decision-making and identified this pathway as a promising target for treating stress-induced cognitive rigidity.

Application of nanopore adaptive sampling for metagenomic detection of tick-borne RNA viruses