Browse Articles

Molten salt-assisted one-pot synthesis of Ag nanoparticles supported on clay minerals for enhanced antibacterial performance

Supercharging-enhanced nDIA-MS enables global profiling of drug-induced proteome solubility shifts

Quercetin alleviates incontinence-associated dermatitis via IKK/NF-κB pathway

On-surface synthesis platform for highly branched oligomers based on sequential C—C coupling and C—H activation of carbenes

Abstract On-surface synthesis is an emerging field for fabricating low-dimensional nanostructures. While carbenes are versatile reactive intermediates in solution-phase organic synthesis, they have rarely been explored in on-surface synthesis. Here, we demonstrate the versatility of carbenes in synthesizing highly branched zero-dimensional oligomers with distinct structures on a metal surface by combining bond-resolved scanning tunneling microscopy imaging, manipulation, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, surface infrared spectroscopy, and ab initio theoretical modeling. We synthesize highly symmetric branched oligomers through the C−C coupling of two carbene molecules to form a core of oligomers, followed by C−H activation of the core with up to four additional carbene molecules to create branches. Branched oligomers of lower symmetry are formed through cyclodehydrogenation of the highly symmetric oligomers. Our on-surface synthetic strategy based on C−H activation of carbene building blocks provides a platform for the design and synthesis of highly branched zero-dimensional oligomers with distinct structures.

Automated smart drip irrigation system in internet of things using adaptive residual hybrid network for precision farming

Evolutionary repurposing of a metabolic thiolase complex enables antibiotic biosynthesis

High reclassification rate of height-indexed left atrial volume in obese and overweight patients with cardiac pathologies in daily clinical practice

Abstract We sought to investigate the frequency of left atrial (LA) size reclassification in obese and overweight patients with heart disease, adjusting LA volume (LAvol) for height rather than BSA. Obesity is associated with cardiovascular diseases, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and atrial fibrillation, among others. Indexing LAvol in obese patients by BSA may misclassify LAvol and the diagnosis of LA dilation. We consecutively studied 253 patients, mean age of 64.3 ± 15.1 years, 146 men (57.7%) with cardiac pathologies. LAvol was measured by the biplane Simpson’s rule. We compared LAvol indexed by BSA, height and height², prevalence and degree of LA dilation among normal weight (< 25 kg/m²), overweight (≥ 25 < 30 kg/m²) and obese (≥ 30 kg/m²) patients. There were 111 (44%) normal weight, 59 (23%) obese and 83 (33%) overweight patients. Overall, the frequency of LA dilation was 58%, 64.2% and 63.8%, indexed by BSA, height and height², respectively. In obese patients these figures were 46%, 65% and 66.6%. Twelve of 30 (40%) obese and 7 of 33 (21%) overweight patients were reclassified from non-dilated to dilated LA when indexed either by height or height². Half (50%) of obese patients were upgraded by one grade, and 37.5% by two grades. Obesity, BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m² and atrial fibrillation were independent predictors of reclassification. Reclassification of LAvol indexed for height in obese or overweight patients with heart disease is very high. It seems appropriate to use LAvol indexed for height in these patients.

Global metagenomics reveals plastid diversity and unexplored algal lineages

The predictors of treatment adherence among hypertensive patients with cost-free access

Structural basis of pausing during transcription initiation in mycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract In bacteria, RNA polymerase (RNAP) often pauses during the early stages of transcription initiation. The structural basis for these transient pauses remains unclear. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the paused initiation complex (PIC) and initiation complex (IC) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( Mtb ), which include the RNAP core enzyme, the ECF σ factor σ E , transcription factor CarD, promoter DNA, and nascent RNA. Our structures with pre-melted scaffolds reveal an intermediate at the 6–7 nt stage compatible with a paused-like intermediate, associated with steric hindrance between the emerging RNA and the σ3.2 region. This clash triggers a swivel of the RNAP structural module and scrunching of the transcription bubble. We also observe positional rearrangement of the σ4 domain, suggesting a poised pre-escape state. In addition, complementary reconstructions with fully matched DNA scaffolds (N-IC and N-PIC) support the physiological relevance of the captured intermediates. Together, our results support the existence of a mechanistic checkpoint during transcription initiation and suggest an RNA-induced model how RNAP conformational dynamics regulate early transcription.

Physics-guided GNN-transformer model for multi-scale fatigue life prediction of concrete track slabs in high-speed railways

Bio-based oxalic acid production in Issatchenkia orientalis enables sustainable rare earth recovery

Evaluating the predictive accuracy of supervised machine learning models to explore the mechanical strength of blast furnace slag incorporated concrete

Hand-like autonomous flying robot for airborne grasping and interaction

Abstract Birds’ extraordinary aerial agility and environmental interaction enable complex tasks such as mid-air hunting, perching, and nest-building, inspiring the development of advanced aerial robots with similar manipulation capabilities. However, existing platforms often face challenges such as large size, heavy payloads, end-effector torque interference, and limited functionality, severely restricting their practical deployment. Drawing inspiration from the biological, structural, and actuation characteristics of human hands, we propose a hand-like robot that integrates flight and grasping, demonstrating the synergistic advantages of compact structure, agile flight, and versatile manipulation. We propose an autonomous framework including efficient mission planning and multi-level adaptive control, enabling the robot to precisely and smoothly perform human-like grasping, opening doors, forest perching, object transport, and interactive tasks. Additionally, the framework supports human-robot collaboration, empowering individuals with mobility impairment to conduct remote transportation and airborne operations. Outdoor tests, which include perching in various scenarios, navigating confined spaces, and transporting payloads across challenging terrain, validate the proposed vehicle’s potential in aerial delivery and manipulation tasks. These results demonstrate emerging possibilities for aerial operation, assistance, and delivery with integrated flight and manipulation abilities.

A deep learning ensemble framework for multi-subtype renal tumor classification using contrast-enhanced CT

A radiolabeled dendrimer non-invasively identifies and tracks innate immune cell activation in a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Clonal expansion of cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cells in lecanemab-associated ARIA

Social connections are differentially related to subjective age and physiological age acceleration amongst older adults

Abstract Human social connections are complex ecosystems formed of structural, functional and quality components. Weak social connections are associated with adverse age-related health outcomes, but we know little about the ageing-related processes underlying this. Using data from 7047 adults aged 50+ in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, we explore associations between diverse aspects of social connections and both older subjective age and accelerated physiological age using a validated physiological ageing combining cardiovascular, respiratory, haematologic and metabolic indicators. Doubly robust estimations using inverse-probability-weighted regression adjustment estimators show that living alone, low social integration and low social support are risk factors for physiological age acceleration. However, weak social connections did not have a statistically significant association with older subjective age. Analyses are robust to multiple sensitivity analyses and maintained four years later. We propose the hypothesis that accelerated physiological ageing may be a mechanism underpinning the relationship between weak social connections and age-related morbitidy and mortality.

A neutral cyclic aluminium (I) trimer

Abstract As part of the quest to develop metal-based redox chemistry beyond the d-block, low oxidation state aluminium complexes have gained wide recognition as discrete and versatile 2-electron reductants. Despite reports of monomeric, dimeric and tetrameric neutral structures, as well as a range of charged aluminyl compounds, neutral trimeric structures have remained notably absent. Furthermore, trimeric nuclearity has previously not been considered when investigating reaction mechanisms. Here, we report two neutral Al I trimers, cyclotrialumanes . The molecules are extensively characterised using both experimental and computational techniques, with the Al–Al bonds described as principally covalent in nature and the trimeric structure shown to be retained in solution. The cyclotrialumanes are highly reactive, activating a range of small molecules and unsaturated substrates (e.g. H 2 , alkyne, benzene). Most significantly, through a series of extraordinary reactions with ethylene, the cyclotrialumanes are shown to react directly as trimers, forming 5- and 7-membered Al–C ring systems.

Governing black soils for food and climate security