Browse Articles

Political polarization on the move: Analyzing geographical mobility between counties in the U.S.

Research on geographical polarization typically focuses on residential segregation by partisanship, where individuals with similar political affiliations cluster in the neighborhoods. Our study extends this line of research beyond residential spaces by investigating the influence of political leaning on geographical mobility in non-residential, activity spaces. Specifically, by analyzing human mobility patterns between counties, we explore the effects of political leaning and the strength of political leaning on the preference for politically similar locations. We find that while political leaning does not significantly impact mobility preferences, the strength of political leaning does, even after controlling for economic, demographic, and other contextual factors. Individuals traveling from counties with a strong political leaning are more likely to visit politically congruent destinations. This finding suggests that everyday travel may align with political preferences in counties with politically homogeneous populations. Our study highlights a new research avenue for research on geographical polarization by focusing on human mobility, providing unique insights into how political divisions influence spatial segregation.

A third-order relativistic algebraic diagrammatic construction method for double ionization potentials: Theory, implementation, and benchmark

We present a relativistic third-order algebraic diagrammatic construction [ADC(3)] approach for calculating double ionization potentials (DIPs). Inclusion of third-order terms significantly improves the performance of the algebraic diagrammatic construction method for DIPs. By employing the exact two-component atomic mean-field (X2CAMF) Hamiltonian in combination with a Cholesky decomposition representation of two-electron integrals and the frozen natural spinor framework for virtual space truncation, we achieve a significant reduction in both memory requirements and computational cost. The DIPs obtained using the X2CAMF Hamiltonian show excellent agreement with results from fully relativistic four-component calculations. We have validated the accuracy of our implementation through comparisons with available experimental and theoretical data for inert gas atoms and diatomic species. The effect of higher-order relativistic corrections is also explored. The efficiency of our implementation is demonstrated by computing the lowest DIP of the tungsten hexacarbonyl, W(CO)6, complex using a large basis set.

Ultrafast dynamic stark shift of an exciton-polariton condensate

Abstract Time-dependent spatial modulation of a quantum condensate plays a key role in the investigation of the dynamics of collective coherent systems. Cold-atom condensates were already manipulated into forming solitons, vortices and optical lattices via the dynamic Stark effect. In the solid-state framework, semiconductor microcavity exciton-polaritons present an excellent platform for observing nonequilibrium condensate dynamics. Furthermore, the dynamic manipulation of exciton-polariton condensates offers numerous potential implementations in all-optical logic devices. We report the first observation of the energy modulation of an exciton-polariton condensate via the dynamic Stark effect. A Stark pulse is employed to induce a transient, coherence-preserving blueshift in the energy of the condensate of femtosecond-scale duration. A novel approach is presented for discerning the Stark effect in a condensate from the uncondensed case according to distinctive features in differential reflectance spectra, including spectro-temporal oscillations enabling to detect the buildup of coherence. The ultrafast and non-invasive modulation of the exciton-polariton condensate demonstrated here opens new research avenues of nonequilibrium physics of solid-state condensates as well as opportunities for polariton-based elements in both classical and quantum information technologies.

The intergenerational inequality of East Asian Economies under education premium: A comparative analysis based on ISSP2009

Recent studies have verified that the welfare regime is an important factor influencing intergenerational inequality, with the conservative regime being the most immobile one among the three welfare regimes adopted by western developed countries. Compared with the west, the productivist welfare regime is classified for East Asian economies due to their restrained welfare provision. This paper aims to explore the intergenerational inequality under productivist welfarism and finds that, under a productivist regime, individuals exhibit lower intergenerational inequality than those under a conservative regime, both in terms of father-to-child socioeconomic status and in the influence of fathers’ socioeconomic status on children’s income. Further analysis, grounded in human-capital theory, suggests that the education premium exists under a productivist regime is linked, albeit partially, to this finding.

Langevin dynamics modeling for mechanistic insights into ultrasound triggered drug release from gold nanoparticle conjugates

Harnessing the responsiveness of metal nanoparticle–drug conjugates to external stimuli enables tunable therapeutic release with spatial and temporal accuracy. However, elucidating and modeling the underlying release mechanisms over experimentally relevant timescales remains a challenge. In this work, we present a minimal statistical model based on Langevin dynamics to study the long-timescale dynamics of drug release from citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (CIT–AuNPs) under ultrasound (US) exposure. In addition to interaction between participants due to Lennard-Jones and Coulomb potentials, the model incorporates various US-induced effects, revealing that acoustic streaming and cavitation are the driving forces for drug release. Complementary UV–visible and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy measurements confirm the release dynamics in the CIT–AuNP–drug conjugate during US exposure, while fluorescence spectroscopy quantifies the release efficiency. Together, these results highlight the efficacy of a minimal multiscale modeling approach in unraveling the physical mechanisms underlying US-mediated drug release and guiding the design of responsive nanocarrier systems.

Magnetic Hysteresis at 31 K in a Four-Coordinate Dysprosium(III) Amide Complex

Cycling molecular assemblies for Golgi imaging and disruption

Abstract The Golgi apparatus is a central hub for protein trafficking and signaling, yet its rapid imaging and cell-selective disruption remain challenging. Here, we report cycling molecular assemblies (CyMA) for fast Golgi imaging and cell-selective interference. CyMA precursors are acetylated amphiphilic thiopeptides that traverse plasma membrane and are deacetylated by intracellular thioesterases. This exposes thiols that undergo palmitoylation by Golgi-resident palmitoyl acyltransferases utilizing palmitoyl-CoA. The resulting palmitoylated peptides self-assemble into dynamic nanostructures (i.e., CyMA) localized at the Golgi. Their continuous, reversible S -acylation enables near-instantaneous Golgi imaging. Replacing fluorophore with a biphenyl motif promotes CyMA accumulation and disrupts functions such as protein modifications, trafficking, and secretion, leading to cell death. This study establishes dynamic supramolecular assembly as an active and selective strategy for Golgi-targeting, pleiotropically interfering with Golgi functions, which may be applicable to targeting other organelles by utilizing alternative enzyme switches to enable kinetic trapping.

When nonstandard meets standard: Language and affective dynamics in accent-diverse group interactions

Drawing on communication accommodation theory, this exploratory research examines how the arrival of a standard-accented newcomer influences nonstandard-accented participants’ linguistic patterns and positive affect during group interactions. While prior work often focuses on how newcomers adapt to groups, less is known about how a newcomer shifts existing group dynamics—especially in accent-diverse contexts. Across 49 WebEx group discussions involving 102 nonstandard-accented participants, a standard-accented confederate newcomer joined midway through each session. Study 1 examined changes in participants’ linguistic patterns, including linguistic style matching, speech mistakes, filler words, clout, and authenticity. Results showed that participants generally diverged from each other and converged toward the newcomer in linguistic style. They also made more speech mistakes, exhibited higher clout, and reduced authenticity, although they used fewer filler words—suggesting a disruption to existing interaction dynamics. Study 2 explored whether participants’ positive affect predicted perceived interaction quality after the newcomer’s arrival. Positive affect more strongly predicted perceived interaction quality than negative affect—suggesting that participants view the newcomer as more facilitative than disruptive. These findings highlight a complex dynamic of communication adaptation in accent-diverse interactions, where linguistic shifts are disrupted even as affect remains more positive. Implications for group integration and second-language training are discussed.

Electronic and thermal spin transport in single-molecule junctions based on a spin-crossover Fe(II) complex

Due to the switchable magnetic bistability between the low-spin (LS) and high-spin (HS) states, spin-crossover (SCO) complexes have become one of the most promising candidates for designing molecular spintronic devices. Here, based on density functional theory calculations combined with the non-equilibrium Green’s function technique, we explore the spin-dependent transport properties of a molecular junction constructed by an experimentally synthesized mononuclear SCO Fe(II) complex sandwiched between two gold electrodes with applied voltage or temperature bias. Under the small bias voltages, our results clearly reveal that the current through the molecular junction in the HS state is significantly larger than that in the LS state, with an IHS/ILS ratio reaching up to 30. Moreover, in the HS state, the current is dominated by the spin-down electrons, leading to a robust spin-filtering effect with a nearly 100% spin-polarized current, a behavior that proves insensitive to the contact structures between the molecule and electrodes. Furthermore, by applying temperature bias through the molecular junction in the HS state, two interesting spin caloritronic properties, including nearly perfect thermal spin filtration and negative differential thermal resistance, are observed. These theoretical findings suggest that the examined SCO Fe(II) complex holds potential applications in molecular spintronics and spin caloritronics.

Accelerated and Green Synthesis of <i>N,S</i> - and <i>N,O</i> -Heterocycles in Microdroplets

Natural variation in Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase OsPI4Kγ7 and its interaction with OsLIC balance rice yield and latitudinal adaptation

Occupational psychosocial risks as predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress among hospital employees

Workplace mental health is a growing concern in Malaysia’s healthcare sector, yet comprehensive psychosocial risk assessments across all staff remain limited. This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence and predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress among employees in four government tertiary hospitals in Kota Kinabalu, namely Hospital Queen Elizabeth, Hospital Queen Elizabeth II, Hospital Wanita dan Kanak-Kanak Sabah, and Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang. From 21 st March 2025–20 th April 2025, 233 staff members were selected via stratified random sampling. Data were collected using validated self-administered online questionnaires, including the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale and the Likelihood of Environment &amp; Occupational Exposure Scale towards Psychosocial Risk in the Workplace. Analyses involved descriptive statistics, bivariate comparisons, and multivariate logistic regression using SPSS version 29. Results revealed high prevalence rates of anxiety (43.8%), depression (37.8%), and stress (27.0%). Bivariate analysis revealed elevated odds of depression among Chinese ethnicity, diploma educated, high-income staff, HQE employees, medical and clinical roles, doctors, and shift workers. Anxiety was linked to medical departments and shift work, while stress was prevalent in younger staff with shorter tenure. High job demand, low control, and inadequate support increased depression, anxiety, and stress risk. Multivariate analysis identified high psychosocial risks related to job demand (OR 3.94), control (OR 3.72), and support (OR 2.87) as significant predictors of depression. High psychosocial risk in job demand (OR 3.01), control (OR 2.29), and support (OR 2.59) also predicted anxiety. Stress was closely linked to staff aged 20–39 years (OR 3.14), high psychosocial risk in job control (OR 4.45), and support (OR 2.68). Although the cross-sectional design and reliance on self-report limit causal interpretation, these findings highlight the value of regular psychosocial risk assessments and targeted interventions. Strengthening workplace support systems is crucial to improving mental well-being among Malaysia’s hospital workforce.

A coarse-grained, coupled oscillator toy model to describe low-frequency lattice-like vibrations of β-sheets in amyloid fibrils

We present a coupled-oscillator toy model that describes the low-frequency lattice-like vibrations observed in Raman and inelastic neutron scattering spectra of amyloid fibrils, silks, and other proteins that are rich in β-sheet structures. In this model, the strands of the β-sheets are treated as harmonically oscillating rods with uniform mass density that are coupled together by springs that represent the non-covalent bonds between the strands and sheets. The resulting equations that are derived can be used to determine the frequencies and intensities of longitudinal and transverse lattice modes, including those that derive from β-sheet accordion, buckling, shearing, and breathing motions. Remarkably, the spectra predicted by the model recapitulate key features observed in experimental low-frequency Raman spectra of amyloid fibrils and other protein assemblies with β-sheet structures between ∼5−100 cm−1. Overall, we anticipate that our model provides a relatively simple theoretical framework for understanding the origins of lattice-like modes in proteins and exploring how they spectroscopically report on supramolecular structural features such as β-sheet packing, ordering, and chirality.

Unified Synthesis Platform for 1,2,3-Trisubstituted Cyclopentadienyl Ligands Decouples Sterics from Electronics

Potential-dependent polaron formation activates TiO2 for the hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract Polarons play a crucial role in determining the (photo)electrocatalytic activity of semiconductors. Traditionally, polarons are introduced ex situ and irreversibly during catalyst synthesis, but herein we present a fundamentally different approach of introducing polarons in situ in a reversible manner using the external electrode potential. We study the potential-dependent polaron formation and its impact on electrocatalysis on a prototypical TiO 2 semiconductor electrode for the acidic hydrogen evolution reaction. By combining grand canonical ensemble density functional theory calculations with (in situ spectro) electrochemical experiments, we demonstrate notable changes in TiO 2 ´s electronic structure driven by the reduction of Ti 4+ to Ti 3+ surface polarons at reducing potentials. Our results show that potential-dependent polaron formation creates highly active sites for the hydrogen evolution reaction, breaks down the linear relationship between adsorption energy and electrode potential, and leads to complex electrochemical reaction kinetics. We discuss how the in situ polaron generation can be leveraged in improving semiconductor (photo)electrodes. Overall, our findings provide compelling evidence and an atomistic understanding of potential-dependent polaron formation in semiconductor (photo)electrocatalysis.

Cultural transmission of attitudes and behaviours from parents, peers and grandparents

This study investigates how attitudes and behaviours are transmitted across generations and social networks, focusing on the relative influence of parents, grandparents, and peers. Building on the influential work of Cavalli-Sforza and Feldman (1982), we aimed to disentangle vertical and horizontal pathways of cultural transmission and assess their contribution to the stability and variation of cultural traits in a contemporary population. We conducted a large-scale survey involving 1905 university students in Australia and 4000 of their parents, grandparents, and friends. Participants reported their attitudes and behaviours across domains such as religiosity, politics, environmentalism, health, and leisure. Responses were analysed using factor analysis, path modelling, correlational analysis, and simulations based on additive transmission models. Our results show that cultural resemblance is strongest for religiosity, political orientation, environmentalism, and health behaviours. These traits exhibited clear vertical transmission from parents to children, with additional indirect influence from grandparents. Peer similarity was also evident, suggesting horizontal transmission and/or peer selection. Traits such as media use, music, and reading habits showed weaker familial resemblance and appeared more influenced by non-familial or contextual factors. Simulations confirmed that cultural traits are more likely to be adopted when shared by both parents and peers, though for some traits (especially left-wing political views and non-religiosity) external influences predominated. The findings demonstrate that cultural transmission is domain-specific and shaped by both family structure and social networks. Vertical and horizontal pathways contribute jointly, but their strength varies by trait. These results underscore the importance of integrating biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors to understand the persistence and evolution of beliefs and behaviours over generations.

Morphological descriptors of nanoparticles: The link between atomistic structures and x-ray absorption spectra

Understanding and quantifying the morphology of nanoparticles are essential for linking their atomic structure to diverse applications and verifying theoretical models. While experimental information on the structure of nanoparticles in the size range below ∼5 nm can be extracted from x-ray absorption spectroscopy using a small number of descriptors—most commonly coordination numbers—developing an understanding of morphology descriptors from experimental data remains a challenge. Here, we introduce NanoGene, a genetic algorithm-based method for generating structurally diverse nanoparticle models guided by user-defined descriptors. We establish correlations among structural, size-related, and morphological descriptors and demonstrate how experimentally accessible parameters, such as coordination numbers, can be leveraged to infer otherwise inaccessible ones, such as the generalized coordination number or particle oblateness. Principal component and clustering analyses reveal the relative importance of descriptors, with the number of atoms emerging as a key discriminant of the nanoparticle structure. By providing both the methodology and an extensive dataset of nanoparticle geometries, this work offers a practical foundation for descriptor-based analysis and interpretation of experimental observations, bridging the gap between local atomic coordinates and global morphological characterization.

A comprehensive tandem repeat catalog of the human genome

Retraction: Gastroprotection studies of Schiff base zinc (II) derivative complex against acute superficial hemorrhagic mucosal lesions in rats

Mobility-induced phase separation in a binary mixture of active Brownian particles

In this paper, we report a Brownian dynamics simulation of the mobility-induced phase separation that occurs in a two-dimensional binary mixture of active soft Brownian particles, whose interactions are modeled by non-additive Weeks–Chandler–Andersen potentials inspired by Lennard-Jones potentials used for glass-forming passive mixtures. The analysis of structural properties, such as the radial distribution functions and the hexatic order parameter, shows that the high-density coexisting state in the binary case is spatially disordered, unlike the solid-like state observed for the monocomponent system. The characterization of the mean-square displacement of the active particles shows that both the low- and high-density coexisting states have diffusive behavior for long times. Therefore, the high-density coexisting states are liquid-like in the binary cases. Moreover, diffusive behavior is also observed in the high-density solid-like state for the monocomponent system, which is driven by the presence of active topological defects.