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Stepwise hydrogen spillover–engineered synergistic sites enable near-quantitative conversion of waste PET to p-xylene
Considering ecological traits of fishes to understand microplastic ingestion across Pacific coastal fisheries
Coastal fisheries are essential to Pacific Island communities, providing vital nutrition, livelihoods, and cultural value, yet microplastic (MP) contamination poses a growing threat to both ecosystem and human health. This study presents a regional assessment of microplastic contamination in coastal fish across four Pacific Island Countries and Territories (Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu), based on the compilation of four methodologically standardized datasets, enabling us to evaluate whether regional patterns of contamination are linked to the ecological traits of fish. A total of 878 fish from 138 species were analysed to reveal widespread ingestion (32.7% prevalence; 0.76 ± 0.05 MPs/individual), with Fiji exhibiting the highest contamination (74.5% frequency). Reef-associated invertivores such as Lethrinus harak showed elevated risks (80% contaminated in Fiji), driven by fiber-dominated particles (65–95%), while ecological traits (benthic feeding, reef habitats) increased exposure compared to nearshore pelagic species. Disparities emerged between nations, with Fiji’s sites exceeding global averages despite remoteness, whereas Vanuatu’s low fish contamination suggests restricted dispersal, successful waste management influences, or differential bioaccumulation pathways. Polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and nylon were the dominant (~11–43%) polymer types across all countries. The findings highlight the essential need to incorporate the Pacific Island data into global pollution assessments to better represent tropical Pacific marine ecosystems. This work establishes a standardized baseline for microplastics in the Pacific coastal fish, providing a framework to guide future research on ecological impacts while highlighting the need to integrate these data into regional and global plastics negotiations. The study underscores the importance of expanding monitoring to underrepresented PICTs to better understand contamination drivers in island ecosystems.
Hierarchical MXene/ACF/Ni-MOF ternary composites: Rational design and enhanced supercapacitive performance
Composite nanomaterials MXene/ACF/Ni3(HITP)2 with a three-dimensional network structure were synthesized using two-dimensional MXene nanosheets and one-dimensional structured acidified activated carbon fiber (ACF) as substrates. This design aims to enhance the specific surface area of the composites, expose more active sites, and provide efficient electron transport channels, thereby facilitating rapid ion transfer. MXene/ACF/Ni3(HITP)2 composites exhibit superior specific capacitance and multiplicity properties compared with ACF/Ni3(HITP)2 composites. In particular, the MXene/ACF/Ni3(HITP)2 composites exhibit a specific capacity of 159.6 F g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1, surpassing the 125 F g−1 observed for ACF/Ni3(HITP)2 composites under identical conditions. Symmetric supercapacitor devices assembled with MXene/ACF/Ni3(HITP)2 composites have a specific capacitance of 41.2 F g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1. Notably, after 5000 cycles at 3 A g−1, the initial capacitance retention remains above 93.8%. Beyond delivering high-performance electrodes, this approach effectively enhances the construction of electrode materials with elevated electrochemical activity and stable geometries.
Coherent Ising machine based on polarization symmetry breaking in a driven Kerr resonator
Abstract Time-multiplexed networks of degenerate optical parametric oscillators have demonstrated remarkable success in simulating coupled Ising spins, thus providing a promising route to solving complex combinatorial optimization problems. In these systems, referred to as coherent Ising machines, spins are encoded in the oscillator phases, and measured at the system output using phase-sensitive techniques, making intricate phase stabilization necessary. Here, we introduce an optical Ising machine based on spontaneous polarization symmetry breaking in a coherently driven fiber Kerr nonlinear resonator. In our architecture, the spins are encoded in the polarization state, allowing robust, all-intensity readout with off-the-shelf telecom components. By operating in a newly-discovered regime where nonlinearity and topology lock the system’s symmetry, we eliminate drift and bias, enabling uninterrupted Ising trials at optical speeds for over an hour, without manual intervention. This all-fiber platform not only simplifies the hardware but also opens a path to more stable, high-throughput coherent optical optimization devices for applications from finance to drug design and beyond.
Sustainable use of longan seed waste as a natural coagulant aid for low-cost and eco-friendly water treatment
Conventional water treatment relies on chemical coagulants like alum, which, despite being effective, generate harmful alumina residues and significant non-biodegradable sludge. Furthermore, alum is costly and associated with neurological risks and freshwater acidification. Seeking safer, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternatives, this study systematically evaluated the coagulation efficiency of Longan Seed Powder (LSP), derived from the abundant agricultural waste of the Dimocarpus longan fruit. LSP, primarily composed of 82.31% starch, was characterized, and its potential was assessed in systematic Jar test experiments conducted in 1 L batches using kaolin-based synthetic and raw river water. To ensure statistical robustness, all conditions were performed in triplicate (n = 3), using both untreated (negative) and alum-only (positive) controls for comparison. When tested alone, LSP achieved limited turbidity removal (<25%). However, when used as a coagulant aid, 0.5 mg/L LSP combined with 1 mg/L alum (pH 4) demonstrated powerful synergistic effectiveness. The optimal system achieved a 96.7% turbidity reduction in synthetic water, performance comparable to using alum alone at a fivefold higher dose (5 mg/L) (96.5% removal). In raw river water (initial 50 NTU), this combination reduced turbidity by 85.0% while minimizing changes in pH and TDS. The study confirms that LSP, through its starch-based functional groups, contributes to coagulation primarily via charge neutralization and polymer bridging. With a low production cost of just THB 9.78/kg (USD 0.30/kg), LSP is demonstrated to be an effective and economically viable natural coagulant aid. These findings support decentralized, eco-friendly water treatment systems by valorizing agricultural waste and significantly reducing chemical usage. This research provides the first systematic evaluation of the LSP-alum combination in both synthetic and natural waters.
Allylrhodanine-processed all-small-molecule organic solar cell achieves an 18.43% efficiency breakthrough
The relationship between METS-IR and the risk of diabetes incidence in rural adults in China: A retrospective cohort study based on dynamic population
Objective To evaluate the longitudinal association between the Metabolic Score for Insulin Resistance (METS-IR) and the risk of diabetes mellitus in rural Chinese adults. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 53,120 participants aged ≥18 years from 2018 to 2023. Participants were stratified by quartiles of the METS-IR metrics. Cox proportional hazards models assessed the association between METS-IR and incident diabetes. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models examined nonlinear trends. Subgroup analysis, interaction tests, and multiple sensitivity analyses were performed. Predictive ability was evaluated using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results During 176,413.4 person-years of follow-up (median 3.83 years), 14,397 participants developed diabetes. After multifactorial adjustment, METS-IR was significantly and positively associated with diabetes onset (hazard ratio (HR)=1.094,95% confidence interval (CI): 1.076–1.112, P < 0.001); those in the highest quartile group had a 1.435-fold higher risk compared to the lowest. RCS analysis revealed a nonlinear dose-response relationship. Kaplan-Meier curves confirmed increasing cumulative risk with higher METS-IR. Results remained robust across subgroups and sensitivity analyses. The area under the curve (AUC) for METS-IR predicting diabetes was 0.601 (1 year), 0.586 (3 years), and 0.599 (5 years). Conclusion METS-IR is significantly correlated with the onset of diabetes, and the relationship is nonlinear. While it demonstrates limited discriminatory performance as a standalone screening tool, it remains suitable for initial risk stratification in primary health care institutions with limited resources.
Labor Market Outcomes of People with HIV Pre- and Post-Diagnosis in the Netherlands
Abstract In the current era of effective antiretroviral therapy, HIV has become a manageable chronic condition. Little is known about the consequences of HIV on individuals’ labor market outcomes. We study the impact of an HIV diagnosis using linked clinical data (the Dutch ATHENA cohort) and administrative data. A causal effect is estimated by comparing outcomes of people with HIV diagnosed between 2010 and 2022 ( n = 5960) to a matched control group ( n = 59,600) in a difference-in-difference design. We find that people with HIV are less likely to be employed, work fewer hours, earn less income, and are more likely to receive disability benefits up to 7 years after diagnosis. These effects are more pronounced for those diagnosed with late-stage HIV disease. Those with a non-late stage diagnosis experience a deterioration of socioeconomic outcomes, despite being less likely to experience clinically relevant symptoms at diagnosis. These findings highlight the need for continued efforts in prevention and early detection of HIV.
Trust in science during the COVID-19 pandemic: A typology of internet users in South Africa
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of public trust in science, particularly in contexts with diverse cultural backgrounds such as South Africa. Given the increasing reliance on digital science communication and the formation of sub-publics, understanding how different groups of individuals perceive and trust science in this unique setting is crucial for developing effective communication strategies and addressing potential challenges to public trust. This study investigates South Africans’ trust in science and contact with science, as well as perceived changes in trust in science due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a survey among South African online users and latent profile analysis, we identified four population groups ( n = 1,541) with varying levels of trust and frequency of contact with science: the fully trusting (30%) , highly trusting (35%) , moderately trusting (28%) , and rather untrusting (8%) . Differences in the patterns regarding the five theoretically derived dimensions of trust in science, namely expertise, integrity, benevolence, transparency and dialogue orientation, are subtle: Those who trust the most have particularly high values for benevolence; those who trust less place their highest value on expertise. Variations in self-perceived changes in trust in science resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic suggest differences among groups in how they interpret science communication. This could inform the development of targeted communication strategies. Furthermore, the results point to cultural specifics and indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has been a key event for public trust in science in South Africa.
Realization of two-dimensional discrete time crystals with anisotropic Heisenberg coupling
Abstract A discrete time crystal (DTC) is an out-of-equilibrium phase of matter that spontaneously breaks discrete time-translation symmetry. Previous studies have been limited to a set of models with Ising-like couplings - and mostly only in one dimension - thus precluding our understanding of the existence (or not) of DTCs in models with more realistic interactions. In this work, by combining the latest generation of IBM quantum processors with state-of-the-art tensor network methods, we demonstrate the existence of a DTC in a two-dimensional system governed by anisotropic Heisenberg interactions. We uncover a rich phase diagram encompassing spin-glass, ergodic, and time-crystalline phases, and identify the interplay of initialization, interaction anisotropy, and driving protocols in stabilizing the DTC phase. By extending the study of Floquet matter beyond simplified models, we lay the groundwork for exploring how driven systems bridge the gap between quantum coherence and emergent non-equilibrium thermodynamics.
A novel methodology to characterize beat-to-beat alternations in whole-cell calcium currents
An automated high-throughput procedure to quantify the degree of electrical beat-to-beat alternants in human atrial myocytes from electrophysiological recordings of the transmembrane ion currents of calcium ions ( Ca 2+ ) is presented and discussed. The patch clamp technique in whole-cell mode was used to record the myocyte calcium signal. A database consisting of 24 patch clamp signals ( N = 24) of which 13 had a uniform behaviour and 11 had an alternating behaviour, was created. Several features were computed to characterize the transmembrane ion currents: peak amplitude, time constants, and area under the ion current trace. The presented algorithm includes a feature detector whose accuracy has been validated using simulated calcium signals generated by an electrical model that accurately represents the cardiomyocyte behaviour in a patch clamp experiment. Among these calculated features, a new index measure, called the “alternation index”, is proposed in this work to quantify the degree of electrical beat-to-beat alternants. The index has been shown to be a robust measure ( p ≤ 0.01 **) for cell detection with an alternating pattern. Good agreement was observed with alternations in other calculated features like the measurement of the inactivation of L-type calcium current ( I ca ) or the tail current ( I Tail ) generated by calcium extrusion upon repolarization.
Injured epithelial cell states impact kidney allograft survival after T-cell-mediated rejection
Abstract T-cell–mediated rejection (TCMR) remains a major cause of kidney transplant failure, despite being considered treatable. Its impact reflects a limited understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms and their clinical consequences. To address this, we induced acute TCMR in mouse kidney transplants and profiled molecular changes using single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), spatial transcriptomics and immunofluorescence. Results were compared with human snRNA-seq data from TCMR and stable allografts, as well as single-cell deconvolution analysis of bulk transcriptomic data from kidney transplant biopsies. Here we show that TCMR induces injured epithelial cell states in mouse kidney allografts, particularly in proximal tubules and thick ascending limbs. Spatial transcriptomics of these injured epithelial states demonstrated heterogeneous localization, interactions with immune cells and cellular microenvironments. Cross-species analysis confirmed similar severely injured epithelial states in human samples, whose abundances correlated with transplant survival and persisted despite TCMR resolution. Collectively, our results identify epithelial injury cell states as a determinant of outcome after TCMR.
Research on the thermal performance of wall insulation materials and their impact on energy consumption in nearly zero-energy buildings
This study explores the thermal performance of wall insulation materials and their impact on the energy consumption of nearly zero energy buildings (NZEBs) in the hot summer and cold winter climate zone of central and southern Anhui Province, China. A bidirectional environmental chamber was constructed at university to evaluate two graphite-enhanced insulation materials—graphite extruded polystyrene (XPS, extruded polystyrene board; GXPS, graphite extruded polystyrene board) and graphite expanded polystyrene (SEPS, graphite molded polystyrene board)—under simulated seasonal temperature and humidity conditions. Experimental results show that GXPS exhibits superior thermal insulation performance during winter and transitional seasons, with a thermal conductivity as low as 0.023 W/(m⋅K) and stable surface heat flux under large temperature differentials. In contrast, SEPS performs notably well in hot and humid summer conditions, featuring uniform internal temperature distribution and pronounced thermal inertia, which effectively delays heat transfer. Dynamic thermal response analysis reveals that GXPS has a fast cooling response suited for winter, while SEPS demonstrates delayed heating behavior that mitigates summer heat stress. Building energy simulation results indicate that a GXPS insulation thickness of 50 mm achieves optimal energy savings in the region, with annual energy reduction rates between 13.6% and 22.0%. The complementary thermal properties of GXPS and SEPS provide a promising envelope design strategy for regional NZEBs, contributing to energy efficiency improvement and supporting China’s carbon neutrality targets.
The representation of omitted sounds in the mouse auditory cortex
Abstract Humans and animals use predictions to optimize their behavior, however, the underlying neuronal implementation remains elusive. We address this using omitted sounds on the macro- and microscale of the auditory cortex of female, normal hearing mice using high-speed imaging. Neuronal responses to the omission of expected sounds were time-locked to expected stimulus onset, localized to layer 1-4 of higher auditory area (Temporal Association Area, TeA), and continued to rise until the following stimulus. The omission responses differed from offset and deviant responses in their temporal shape, size and spatial localization. Omissions and sequence statistics correlated with behavioral changes by timed pupil dilation and rapid facial motions. While stimulus responses showed partial entrainment, omission responses maintained a distinct, unentrained shape. The localized omission response in TeA is consistent with a hierarchical organization of predictive processing. However, the continued rise suggests an integrated, absolute prediction error, instead of a direct representation of prediction or prediction error, which would terminate with the omission.
In-vitro evaluation of probiotic potential of gut microbes isolated from retail chicken
Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that help to improve the host’s gut health when administrated in sufficient proportions and are now serving as effective alternatives to antibiotics for managing animal infections and enhancing production. The objective of this study was to isolate, identify and characterize lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains with excellent probiotic properties from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of retail broiler chickens. Samples were enriched in MRS broth at 37°C and plated on MRS agar to isolate distinct colonies of potential probiotic candidates. The isolates underwent a series of standard morphological and biochemical analysis to fulfill the criteria for presumptive identification of LAB and probiotic characteristics. These analyses included Gram staining, catalase testing, hemolytic activity assays, tolerance assays to NaCl, simulated gastric juice and bile salts, antagonistic activity assays, antibiotic susceptibility testing, cell adhesion assay and genotypic identification through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A total of 40 microbial strains were isolated from the GIT of 20 retail broiler chickens. Among these, 4 LAB strains showed the best probiotic results and were genotypically identified as Enterococcus faecium MCI7, Pedicoccus pentosaceus MCI10, Pediococcus pentosaceus MCC6 and Pediococcus pentosaceus MCC12. The selected strains exhibited non-hemolytic activity and were able to survive in simulated gastric juice at pH 3. Furthermore, the strains displayed bile salt tolerance in the presence of 0.3% bile salt for 4 hours, ranging from 21.91 to 32.77% and a wide range of antimicrobial activities against various pathogenic bacterial strains with inhibition zones ranging from 10 to 16.5 mm. Moreover, three P. pentosaceus strains (MCI10, MCC6, MCC12) were sensitive to most of the tested antibiotics and demonstrated good adherence abilities. Our study identified four LAB strains as promising probiotic candidates for poultry feed additives to effectively establish intestinal microflora, enhance meat quality and growth, and control pathogens.
A universal all-dry microfabrication method for sensitive electronic materials via an inorganic molecular lithographic mediator
“My childhood affected my ability to be resilient in both good and bad ways”: A mixed methods examination on the links between adverse childhood experiences, resilience, and transactional sex among young South African women
Background South African women are disproportionately impacted by HIV. Among these women, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are common and have been linked to HIV risk behaviors, including transactional sex (TS). Resilience—or multi-level processes related to overcoming adversity—provides a strengths-based lens that may buffer effects between ACEs and TS. Methods We conducted a convergent mixed methods study among women aged 18–25 years in Mpumalanga, South Africa. We used logistic regression to assess the association between ACEs and TS; and tested moderation effects of five resilience scales across social-ecological levels hypothesized to dampen the effect of ACEs on TS. In parallel, we conducted a photovoice study that utilized participant-generated images and narratives, and thematic and sequence analysis to explore how women exposed to ACEs perceive and use resilience to navigate TS relationships. Results Our analysis included 1,222 women aged 18–25 years, of whom 714 (58.43%) reported ACE exposure, with 519 (42.47%) reporting 1–2 ACEs and 195 (15.96%) reporting ≥3 ACEs; 340 (27.82%) reported TS. Women reporting ACE exposure had increased odds of TS compared to those without ACE exposure, controlling for confounders (AOR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.17–1.99, P = 0.002). Among women with histories of ACEs, women with ≥3 ACES had 2.55 times the odds of TS than those reporting 1–2 ACEs (95% CI: 1.79–3.63, P=<0.001). None of the resilience measures moderated effects between ACEs and TS. Through the photovoice study (n = 10), women described how ACEs necessitated resilience early in life; some applying it to avoid and others to sustain TS relationships. Conclusion We examined the interplay between resilience, ACEs, and TS. Although quantitative results showed resilience did not buffer negative effects of ACEs on TS, the photovoice findings suggest resilience was salient and influential in women’s lives. Future research should explore resilience measures and interventions that address the complex gender and power dynamics that exacerbate women’s exposure to TS and HIV.
Bridge helix of Cas12a is an allosteric regulator of R-loop formation and RuvC activation
Human movement patterns predict task-unrelated thought
The cognitive phenomenon, known as task-unrelated thought, reflects the attention shift of one’s mind away from the task at hand. Evidence suggests that task-unrelated thought occurs in 30–50% of people’s waking time. Previous research using the metronome response task shows that task-unrelated thought is related to variability in response time magnitude. However, those studies did not account for the time varying characteristics of an individual’s tapping behavior. In the current study, three research questions were investigated: (1) What is the relationship between task-unrelated thought and movement dynamics (finger tapping dynamics)? (2) How does the statistical structure of external stimuli influence task-unrelated thought? (3) Does this structure moderate the relationship between task-unrelated thought and finger tapping dynamics? Participants performed the metronome response task under four different metronome structures: NoTone, Persistent, Periodic, and Random. Participants synchronized their finger to the metronome tone for each condition and self-reported the occurrence of task-unrelated thought. Overall, an increase of the Hurst exponent resulted in a decrease of task-unrelated thought probability. The findings have implications that behavioral variability has value in detecting task-unrelated thought. Additionally, studies using the metronome response task should account for the impact of the tone structure being used. Future research is warranted in this field to truly understand the mechanism behind task-unrelated thought and its link to human movement variability.