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Dominant inverse nonlinear energy cascades in coastal and inner shelf waters
As well known, almost 80% of the total oceanic kinetic energy is contained within the mesoscale eddies, but the cross-scale energy transfers linking eddy generation and dissipation remain an open question. The Earth rotation controls the generation of mesoscale eddies that transfer energy toward larger scales via an inverse cascade, but a transfer to small scale is needed for dissipation: a coexistence of transfers is indeed required. However, the turbulent energy cascade, responsible for oceanic circulation energy balance and nutrient mixing, involves such a large range of scales making extremely challenging the investigation of the full spectrum of processes. This study examines how energy and enstrophy cascade across ocean scales in the inner shelf of the Great Bay Area of the South China Sea using high-resolution numerical simulations. By applying coarse-graining techniques, the results reveal a predominant inverse energy cascade scenario driven by the interplay between background stratification and rotation, particularly in areas affected by the Pearl River’s freshwater influx. Geographical heterogeneity significantly influences these dynamics, with shallow inlets experiencing increased frictional drag and energy dissipation due to complex bathymetry, while open-water areas show heightened submesoscale activity. Seasonal monsoon cycles further modulate these processes, with summer winds amplifying nonlinear energy transfers through increased wind stress and river discharge, in contrast to the tidally dominated, quasi-steady flows observed in winter. Understanding how wind and tide affect ocean mixing can help to develop more accurate climate models and better strategies for protecting coastal ecosystems.
Class-attention pooling and token sparsity based vision transformers for chest X-ray interpretation
TRIM21enhances IL-17A signaling and drives autoimmune myocarditis by promoting TRAF3 lysosomaldegradation in cardiac fibroblasts
Myocarditis is a potentially fatal disease that can progress to inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMi), a condition that is a leading cause of noncongenital heart failure in young adults. However, the mechanisms driving the transition from acute myocarditis to DCMi remain poorly understood. Although IL-17A-mediated inflammation is a well-known driver of this progression, the intracellular regulators that sustain and amplify this response remain unclear. Here, we identify the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM21, which is upregulated in the hearts of DCMi patients and experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) mice, as a key amplifier of IL-17A-driven inflammation in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), promoting disease progression and fibrosis. TRIM21 deficiency significantly attenuates EAM progression, reducing inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrotic remodeling. Mechanistically, TRIM21 is induced by IL-17A in CFs and promotes K27-linked polyubiquitination and lysosomal degradation of TRAF3, a negative regulator of IL-17A signaling, thereby establishing a self-reinforcing IL-17A-TRIM21–TRAF3 positive feedback loop. Finally, specific knockdown of TRIM21 in CFs via the AAV9-Postn strategy effectively alleviates EAM severity. These findings identify TRIM21 as an intracellular mediator of sustained IL-17A signaling in myocarditis and highlight its potential as a therapeutic target for preventing progression to DCMi.
Lightweight target detection and multi target tracking for UAV inspection in open pit mines
Sensory integration, temporal prediction, and rule discovery reflect interdependent inference processes
Deciphering the structure of variable sensory input is key to building an accurate model of one’s environment. Humans can accumulate evidence from sequences of stimuli to estimate their sensory statistics, predict the timing of upcoming stimuli, but also discover rules governing sequence generation. However, whether these three forms of inference operate independently or synergistically remains untested. Here, we report selective interactions between sensory integration, temporal prediction, and rule discovery in humans. Participants were exposed to rhythmic sequences of 10 stimuli governed or not by a latent rule—a predictable change in stimulus statistics after five stimuli—and then asked to predict the 10th stimulus from incomplete sequences. Individual differences in sensory integration timescale for rule-free sequences predicted efficient rule discovery. Conversely, discovering the latent rule shaped the timescale and format of sensory integration for rule-based sequences. Tampering with the rhythmicity of stimulus presentation impaired rule discovery without affecting sensory integration accuracy. Selective perturbations of recurrent neural networks trained in the same conditions confirmed these specific interactions. Together, these findings provide insights into the flexibility of human inferences based on variable yet predictable sensory input.
Metabolomics reveal taste quality differences of black teas and the impact of withering on quality formation
Single-cell transcriptomics of the <i>Drosophila</i> ring gland identifies the SoxN–Vvl complex as a key regulator of juvenile hormone biosynthesis
Juvenile hormone (JH) is essential for maintaining juvenile status and promoting reproduction in insects, yet the transcriptional regulation of JH biosynthesis remains poorly understood. Previous transcriptomic studies of the Drosophila ring gland—which is composed of the corpus allatum (CA), prothoracic gland (PG), and corpora cardiaca (CC)—have treated the ring gland as a single tissue. As a result, these approaches lacked the resolution necessary to dissect JH biosynthesis and its regulation in a cell-type-specific manner. To overcome this limitation, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of 7,919 cells isolated from the larval ring glands. This analysis resolved distinct transcriptional profiles for the CA, PG, and CC, and enabled the identification of CA-specific transcription factors. Among them, SoxNeuro (SoxN), was found to be essential for JH biosynthesis and functionally important for both metamorphosis and reproduction. We further demonstrate that SoxN physically interacts with Ventral veins lacking (Vvl) to form a transcriptional complex that directly regulates Jhamt , a rate-limiting enzyme in JH biosynthesis, via a defined promoter region. Together, this work presents a single-cell transcriptomic atlas of the Drosophila ring gland and identifies the SoxN–Vvl complex as a critical regulator of JH biosynthesis, offering insight into the transcriptional control of insect endocrine function.
Identification of key hub genes in spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury via integrated bioinformatics analysis and in vivo validation
A method to study and enhance the energy efficiency of soft electrostatic actuators
Actuators drive robotic motion, and their energy conversion efficiency is a key performance metric that informs power consumption. Soft electrostatic actuators promise new opportunities for bioinspired and wearable robotics, being driven by electrical signals and producing high-speed, muscle-like motion. Unlike electromagnetic motors, for which efficiency has been systematically studied, efficiency of soft actuators lacks a standardized definition and measurement method, highlighting the need for a unified framework for the evaluation of their efficiency. Here, we propose a comprehensive method to study electrical-to-mechanical energy conversion in soft electrostatic actuators by analyzing closed cycles on planes spanned by work-conjugate variables: voltage–charge and force–position; our experimental setup allows us to prescribe and measure in real-time all work-conjugate variables and thus, to evaluate efficiency as function of load, electric potential, frequency, and actuator materials. We introduce a practical work cycle to evaluate actuators, and, using Peano-HASEL (Hydraulically Amplified Self-healing ELectrostatic) actuators as a model system, we reveal that efficiency is highly dependent on applied voltage, force, and actuation frequency; within the tested range of parameters, we measure a maximum efficiency of 63.6%, which is more than three times the previously reported value for HASEL actuators. We further study energy losses inherent in mechanical and electrical cycles. We show the general applicability of our method across different electrostatic actuators by applying it to a pure-shear dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA), demonstrating efficiencies up to 62.9%. This comprehensive method will facilitate the study and development of electrostatic actuators for the next generation of highly efficient soft robots.
When LLMs speak ZigBee: exploring low-latency and reasoning models for network traffic generation
Evolutionary bioenergetics of sporulation
Energy is required for the expression and maintenance of complex traits. In many habitats, however, free energy available to support biosynthesis is in vanishingly short supply. As a result, many taxa have evolved persistence strategies that support survival in unfavorable environments. Among these is sporulation, an ancient bacterial program governed by a large genetic network that requires energy for both regulation and execution. Yet sporulation is a last resort, initiated when cellular energy is nearly exhausted. To resolve this paradox, we quantified the energetic cost of sporulation in units of ATP by integrating time-resolved genome, transcriptome, and proteome profiles. The full cost of the spore cycle, including both formation and revival, ranks among the most energy-intensive processes in the bacterial cell, requiring almost 10 10 ATP and consuming about 10% of the total energy budget. The majority of this cost arises from translation, membrane synthesis, and protein turnover. Despite its considerable upfront investment, sporulation enables long-term survival and becomes optimal when harsh conditions extend over timescales of months or longer. This trade-off between immediate cost and delayed benefit helps explain when sporulation is maintained or replaced by alternative strategies. By incorporating our estimates into mechanistic models, we show how metabolic constraints shape sporulation efficiency, while genome-wide mutation accumulation data reveal that even modest energetic burdens can become visible to selection, influencing the evolutionary fate of this complex and widespread trait.
Exploring associations of three evaluative subjective wellbeing measures (Cantril’s ladder, life satisfaction, happiness) with 15 childhood and demographic factors across 22 countries
Abstract Despite a vast literature on subjective wellbeing (SWB), issues remain, including (a) debates around which concepts best represent it, (b) a disjointed understanding of relevant factors, and (c) limited appreciation of cross-national variation regarding (a) and (b). We address these points using data from the Global Flourishing Study on three constructs pertaining to evaluative SWB specifically (Cantril’s ladder, life satisfaction, and, perhaps more ambiguously, happiness), examining associations with 15 childhood and demographic factors across 202,898 participants from 22 countries. Key findings include, for (a) life satisfaction being the best performing construct (in correlations with overall flourishing), (b) all factors being significantly associated with all constructs (with the largest variation observed for employment status among demographic factors and self-reported health among childhood factors), and (c) patterns varying substantively across countries (suggesting the general trends are not universal but differ according to local socio-cultural dynamics). The findings advance the methodological, socio-demographic, and cross-national understanding of evaluative SWB.
Ufd2p promotes efficient crossover formation by destabilizing Top2p during meiosis
Proper crossover (CO) formation in meiosis serves dual roles in ensuring accurate chromosome segregation and generating genetic diversity. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying CO number and distribution remain incompletely understood. Previous studies have implicated the ubiquitin–proteasome system in CO regulation, but specific regulators and mechanisms are poorly defined. Here, we identify the E3 ubiquitin ligase Ufd2p as a key regulator promoting efficient CO formation through a focused genetic screen in Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Deletion of UFD2 significantly reduces CO frequency by enhancing the strength of CO interference. Integrated multiomics analysis indicates that Ufd2p targets Topoisomerase II (Top2p) for ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation during meiosis. Deletion of UFD2 results in Top2p accumulation, which resolves DNA negative supercoils excessively and enhances CO interference in the nucleus, ultimately reducing CO numbers. We further show that the mammalian homolog of Ufd2p, UBE4B, plays a conserved role in promoting efficient CO formation by regulating TOP2A-dependent DNA negative supercoils dynamics. Notably, expression of mouse or human UBE4B in yeast restores CO formation and meiotic progression in UFD2 deletion cells, demonstrating functional conservation across species. Together, our work identifies Ufd2p as a previously uncharacterized regulator of CO formation and provides important insights into the conserved molecular mechanism, which operates through Top2p-mediated supercoils homeostasis.
Physiological and biochemical markers associated with root lignification and micronutrient uptake in wheat genotypes with contrasting resistance to Gaeumannomyces tritici
Abstract Take-all disease, caused by Gaeumannomyces tritici , is one of the most destructive root diseases of wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) worldwide. This study aimed to clarify the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying take-all resistance through analysis of root lignification, manganese and iron concentration in roots and seeds, and defense enzyme activities. In the first step, 17 bread wheat genotypes were evaluated under controlled greenhouse conditions in both control and infected treatments. Resistant genotypes showed higher mean root lignin content, root manganese and iron concentration, and root dry weight, which were significantly correlated with lower disease severity under greenhouse conditions. Seed Mn levels were positively correlated with root lignin (r = 0.579, p = 0.015) and negatively correlated with disease severity (r = –0.601, p = 0.011), suggesting that inherent seed nutrient reserves influence early defense activation. In the second step, five representative genotypes (two resistant and three susceptible) were analyzed for defense-related enzymes. G. tritici infection significantly induced phenylalanine ammonia lyase and peroxidase activities and total protein content in resistant genotypes, suggesting that enzymatic activity contributes to enhanced lignin biosynthesis. Stepwise regression identified root manganese concentration and total protein as the strongest predictors of lignin content, highlighting their potential role in structural defense. These findings suggest a possible dual role for manganese and iron in cell wall lignification and defense-related metabolism. The integration of seed and root micronutrient levels, lignin deposition, and enzyme activity provides a comprehensive framework for understanding take-all resistance and offers practical biochemical markers for breeding resistant wheat cultivars.
A microfluidic band-pass filter for flexible fiber separation
The control of particle trajectories in structured microfluidic environments has significantly advanced sorting technologies, most notably through deterministic lateral displacement (DLD). While previous works have largely targeted rigid, near-spherical particles, the sorting of flexible, anisotropic objects such as fibers remains largely unexplored. Here, we combine experiments and simulations to demonstrate how tilted pillar arrays enable efficient, length-based separation of flexible fibers. We find that these arrays act as band-pass filters, selectively inducing lateral migration in fibers whose lengths are close to the array period. Fibers significantly shorter or longer exhibit small lateral deviation. This migration arises from the interplay of fluid–structure interactions between fibers and the complex flow and steric interactions with the pillars. Depending on their length, fibers exhibit distinct transport regimes: short fibers zigzag in between pillars following the flow, intermediate length fibers exhibit wrapping and jumping from one pillar to another, leading to lateral displacement, and long fibers deform extensively, following mixed zigzag-jump trajectories with small lateral migration. We identify the mechanical tension that develops in the fiber when wrapped around the pillars as the driving mechanism of cross-streamline transport. Leveraging this band-pass effect, we designed a highly efficient separation device to collect monodisperse fiber suspensions. Our findings not only expand the functional scope of DLD-like systems but also open avenues for understanding transport of anisotropic objects in porous media.
Microscopic insight into the role of PVDF in improving the phototronic properties of a tin-derived perovskite in their nanocomposite
Intramolecular noncovalent trans ring restricting free rotation of σ single bond enhances photosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide
Solar energy–driven hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) synthesis from atmospheric oxygen and water represents a sustainable and highly promising avenue for the production of this essential chemical. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) offer a molecular platform for the direct conversion of solar energy to H 2 O 2 , however, they are persistently plagued by the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers, a phenomenon induced by σ-bond rotation under light irradiation, which typically leads to sluggish conversion kinetics and suboptimal efficiency. We herein present a molecular engineering strategy involving the construction of noncovalent trans rings (Nc-TRs) within COFs. This approach entails the precise introduction of noncovalent interactions between donor and acceptor moieties, thereby constraining the free rotation of σ bonds and substantially suppressing the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. Experimental and theoretical investigations demonstrate that the incorporation of Nc-TR within TAPT-DHBD COFs reduces the molecular dihedral angle from 37.33° to 0°, thereby optimizing molecular coplanarity and prolonging the photogenerated charge carrier lifetime by 820% compared to TAPT-TPD COFs devoid of Nc-TRs. Our findings further reveal that TAPT-DHBD COFs exhibit 5.0-fold and 3.6-fold enhancements in H 2 O 2 photocatalytic conversion kinetics and solar-to-chemical conversion (SCC) efficiency, respectively, relative to TAPT-TPD COFs. We further demonstrate that H 2 O 2 solutions generated in the flow-type photocatalytic system under solar irradiation exhibit a record-high antibacterial efficacy of 10 7 cfu s −1 , and achieve a 100% wound healing rate within 7 d, markedly outperforming commercial physiological saline.
Associations of chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis with tinnitus
Spatial control of myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation modulates cardiac thick filament mechanosensing
The heart can adapt its performance in response to changing metabolic demands of the rest of the body. A central mechanism intrinsic to the heart is to modulate the function of the cardiac contractile proteins via posttranslational modifications. Although phosphorylation of the cardiac myosin motor-associated regulatory light chain (RLC) by cardiac myosin light chain kinase (cMLCK) has been recognized as a key signaling pathway to increase myocardial contractile function, little is known about its molecular mechanism of action. Here, we show that phosphorylation of RLC is not a stochastic process but a spatially tightly controlled mechanism in the cardiac sarcomere. Myosin motors in the region of the thick filament associated with cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C) are the primary target for phosphorylation by cMLCK. Moreover, we show that phosphorylation of RLC likely only leads to activation of one of the two myosin motors of the dimeric cardiac myosin molecule. Using a combination of structural measurements using bifunctional fluorescent probes on the RLC and spatially explicit modeling we show that RLC phosphorylation increases the force-dependent recruitment of the myosin motors. We propose that RLC phosphorylation exerts its functional effects via increasing the gain of the mechanosignaling between different zones of the thick filament. A better mechanistic understanding of the role of RLC phosphorylation likely underpins the development of therapeutic interventions for both heart disease and heart failure.