Browse Articles

Complete Recycling of Polyester Wastes with Dialkyl Carbonates

Abstract Chemical and biological recycling of spent polyesters is of great significance for solving problems caused by their accumulation, but generally suffering from requirements for high temperature, specific catalysts or enzymes, and incomplete depolymerization in most cases. Here, we report a novel strategy for complete depolymerization of polyesters (e.g., poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET) with dialkyl carbonates (e.g., dimethyl carbonate, DMC) into monomers over halide salts (e.g., tetrabutylammonium chloride, [N 4444 ]Cl) under mild conditions. We demonstrate that PET can be completely degraded into dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) using DMC over [N 4444 ]Cl at temperatures of 80∼120 °C. Based on this reaction, we have achieved highly efficient and complete depolymerization of PET in various PET blend textiles into DMT while preserving the structural integrity of other components including natural and synthetic components. Mechanistic studies reveal the key role of methoxy anion derived from DMC in cleaving the acyl C─O bond of polyesters. Techno‐economic assessment for recycling of spent PET wastes demonstrates excellent economic profit.

SPINI: a structure-preserving neural integrator for hamiltonian dynamics and parametric perturbation

Functional trait variations of the invasive plant Alternanthera Philoxeroides and the native plant Ludwigia peploides under nitrogen addition

Pendent No More: Direct Backbone Integration of Stenhouse Salt Enables Multi‐Responsive Commodity Polyurethanes

Abstract While donor‐acceptor Stenhouse adducts (DASAs) have shown exceptional photochromic properties at the molecular level, their integration into polymeric materials has been limited to pendent group architectures that compromise both switching efficiency and materials performance. Here, we report a versatile strategy to overcome these limitations by leveraging the symmetric design of Stenhouse salts—structural analogues of DASAs—for direct backbone integration into polyurethane backbones. This approach overcomes the synthetic hurdles and performance compromises typical of pendent DASA systems, producing mechanically robust materials with strain‐to‐break exceeding 1100% and tensile strengths up to 44 MPa, while delivering fully reversible colorimetric responses ( ΔE  > 50) to trace amounts of acids, bases, amines, and nerve agent mimics. Integrating the chromophores into the polymer backbone eliminates leaching and ensures high reproducibility alongside excellent mechanical properties. Moreover, incorporating photoacid generators allows for micrometer‐scale photolithographic patterning, enabling precise spatial and temporal control of chromophore switching under solar or UV light. These backbone‐integrated Stenhouse salt polyurethanes mark a significant advancement over pendent chromophore systems, transforming conventional elastomers into versatile, responsive materials for applications ranging from food packaging and security to protective gear and medical devices.

Selective cognitive effects of multilingualism emerge in visuospatial working memory in later life

Plasma power effect on oxygen reduction reactivity of copper/nitrogen-doped graphene core-shell prepared via plasma solution

Abstract Metal-carbon core-shell nanostructures have gained research interest, due to their valuable properties, such as high reactivity, stability, catalytic, optical, and electrochemical properties. However, the uses of metal-carbon core-shell nanostructures are limited due to the complicated synthesis processes. Therefore, developing a simple and fast method for synthesizing metal-carbon core-shell nanostructures is one of the main targets. In this work, the encapsulation of copper core by a nitrogen-doped graphene shell (Cu-NG) was successfully fabricated using a one-step solution plasma discharge process (SP) at different plasma powers. The structure of the prepared Cu-NG core-shell at different powers was confirmed and verified by X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman shift measurements. The structural analyses exhibited a fine core-shell structured nanoparticle with a size range of 5 to 15 nm, dependent on plasma discharge power. Notably, the N-doped graphene shell was favored at low power (120 W). The electrocatalytic activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of the obtained samples in an alkaline solution was acceptable. The effective ORR activity was possibly attributed to the synergistic effect of the copper core and N-doped graphene shell. This study provides eco-friendly and cheap alternative ORR catalysts with acceptable electrocatalytic activity.

Carbon‐Driven Interfacial Charge Redistribution in TiO ₂ ‐Ni(OH) ₂ Photoanodes for Formate Production From Plastics and CO ₂

Abstract Coupling photoelectrochemical (PEC) waste plastic reforming with CO 2 utilization to co‐produce value‐added chemicals offers a promising strategy to mitigate plastic pollution and carbon emissions. Yet, achieving high selectivity still requires highly active plastic‐reforming photoanodes and effective integration with CO 2 reduction photocathodes. Here, an ultrathin carbon interlayer was introduced into Ni(OH) 2 ‐TiO 2 (named Ni(OH) 2 /C/TiO 2 ) photoanode to modulate its interfacial electronic structure, thereby converting alkaline‐pretreated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into formate. The optimized photoanode delivered a formate yield 2.7 times that of bare Ni(OH) 2 /TiO 2 with a stable Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 96.2% across 0.4–1.2 V versus RHE. The enhancement mechanism of the carbon layer was elucidated by in situ characterization and theoretical calculations. The carbon layer modulated interfacial charge distribution at the photoanode, which not only facilitates charge transfer but also strengthens adsorption of PET‐derived ethylene glycol and stabilizes key intermediates, achieving high selectivity for formate. Additionally, a stable PEC tandem cell was assembled that co‐converted PET and CO 2 to formate without external bias, attaining a formate FE of 171.1% (FE max  = 192.2% at 0.3 V). This study provides insights into the role of carbon layers in optimizing interfacial reactions, guiding the development of an integrated PEC cell for simultaneous valorization of plastics and CO 2 .

Comparative effects of intermittent fasting and calorie restriction on cardiovascular health in adults with overweight or obesity

Abstract Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are a significant global health concern. Previous studies have demonstrated that lifestyle-based strategies such as 5:2 intermittent fasting (IF) and calorie restriction (CR) may improve blood pressure, lipid profiles, glycemic control, and cardiovascular risk scores. However, comparative evidence on their effects in real-world settings remains limited. This study aimed to compare the effects of 5:2 IF and CR on cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese adults. This longitudinal cohort study used data from the Iranian National Obesity Registry (IRNOR). A total of 82 participants were included (40 in the 5:2 IF group and 42 in the CR group). Participants followed either a 5:2 IF (500–600 kcal on fasting days, isocaloric on other days) or a daily CR approach (500–1000 kcal deficit). Cardiovascular risk factors including blood pressure indices, lipid profile components, glycemic markers, and CVD risk scores were compared between groups over three months. The mean age of participants was 35.55 ± 12.18 years (70.7% female). At the end of week 12, mean arterial pressure and rate-pressure product significantly decreased in both groups compared to that of the baseline (P < 0.05). The 5:2 IF group also experienced a significant decrease in serum triglyceride levels (P = 0.04). Additionally, at the end of the study, systolic blood pressure (123.78 ± 9.95 vs. 127.62 ± 12.16), pulse pressure (41.53 ± 6.76 vs. 46.51 ± 9.36), and the 30-year Framingham cardiovascular risk score for full CVD (19.17 ± 14.13 vs. 21.53 ± 15.10) and for hard CVD (10.31 ± 8.51 vs. 12.00 ± 9.88) were significantly lower in the 5:2 IF group compared to the amounts for the CR group (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in other metabolic parameters between the two groups (P > 0.05). Intermittent fasting regimen, particularly the 5:2 IF, may be associated with greater improvement in systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, and the 30-year cardiovascular risk score over three months. Other metabolic outcomes were similar between the groups. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Exploring emotional learning and its impact on student behavior, well-being, and resilience using structural equation modeling

Impact of mixing duration on growth and nutrient removal efficiency of Scenedesmus sp. in a novel raceway pond system

Bioorthogonal RNase L Recruitment Enables Targeted Inducible Degradation of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA

Abstract RIBOTAC (Ribonuclease Targeting Chimera) is a strategy that employs small molecules to selectively bind disease‐associated RNA and recruit endogenous RNase L for targeted RNA degradation. This study advances the concept of bioorthogonal cleavage reactions to develop a novel “bioorthogonal RIBOTAC” (boRIBOTAC). Focusing on SARS‐CoV‐2 viral RNA, we engineered a cleavable “cage” protective group into a critical site within the RIBOTAC molecule, rendering it inactive as ProRIBOTAC in its untriggered state. When therapeutic intervention becomes necessary or disease progression demands it, a bioorthogonal cleavage reaction selectively removes the protective group, activating the RIBOTAC and thus facilitating inducible degradation of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA. This research not only validates the feasibility of this boRIBOTAC and the inducible SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA degradation strategy but also demonstrates that the boRIBOTAC approach is poised to construct a controllable and effective RNA degradation platform. This platform is anticipated to provide significant technical reserves and practical prospects for addressing potential viral pandemics, chronic infections, and complex disease progressions, while also offering critical insights for future RNA‐targeted drug design.

Retraction Note: Selinexor (KPT-330) has antitumor activity against anaplastic thyroid carcinoma in vitro and in vivo and enhances sensitivity to doxorubicin

NHC‐Terphenyl Radicals and Anions: Tuning Stability and Redox Properties via Substituent Patterning

Abstract Herein, we report the influence of C2‐terphenyl substitution patterns (i.e., p ‐terphenyl versus m ‐terphenyl) on the redox behavior and stability of the corresponding radicals and anions derived from N ‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs). Three well‐known NHCs; SIPr ( 1a ), IPr ( 1b ), and Me‐IPr ( 1c ) (SIPr = C{N(Dipp)CH 2 } 2 , IPr = C{N(Dipp)CH} 2 ; Me‐IPr = C{N(Dipp)CCH 3 } 2 ; Dipp = 2,6‐ i Pr 2 C 6 H 3 ); were functionalized at the C2 position using 4‐bromo‐ p ‐terphenyl ( p ‐TerBr) and 5′‐bromo‐ m ‐terphenyl ( m ‐TerBr) under nickel catalysis, yielding the corresponding cations [(NHC) p ‐Ter]Br ( 2a – c ) and [(NHC) m ‐Ter]Br ( 3a – c ), respectively. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements of 2a – c reveal two distinct reversible redox events, while 3a – c exhibit one reversible and one irreversible or quasi‐reversible wave. Reduction of 2a – c and 3a – c with KC 8 readily affords stable radicals [(NHC) p ‐Ter] ● ( 4a – c ) and [(NHC‐ m ‐Ter] ● ( 5a – c ), isolated as crystalline solids. Further reduction of 4a – c produces diamagnetic anions [(NHC) p ‐Ter]K ( 6a – c‐K ), consistent with the electrochemical data. In contrast, 5b and 5c are unreactive toward KC 8 under similar conditions, while 5a (derived from the more electrophilic NHC 1a ) can be reduced to the corresponding anion [(SIPr) m ‐Ter]K ( 7a‐K ). Selected compounds have been characterized by spectroscopic techniques and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, with computational studies supporting the experimental findings. The results highlight how the NHC and the C2‐terphenyl substituent influence the properties and stability of the resulting species.

Benchmarking large language models against clinicians across hospital levels in cardiovascular decision-making: a cross-sectional vignette-based study

Dual‐Engineered DPP Polymers: Synergistic Hydrogen Bonding and Ring‐Fusion for High‐Mobility Organic Field‐Effect Transistors

Abstract Developing simple and effective molecular design strategies to optimize charge transport mobility remains a key challenge in high‐performance organic semiconductors. In this study, we integrate hydrogen bonding (H‐B) and ring‐fusion (R‐F) into a diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)‐based polymer, yielding a novel material, P‐HF. For comparison, a reference polymer (P‐B) and a hydrogen‐bonded analogue (P‐H) were synthesized. The synergistic effects of H‐B and R‐F dramatically not only enhance both inter‐ and intramolecular charge transport but also optimize the frontier orbital levels; H‐B strengthens intermolecular interactions, enabling localized ordered molecular packing and tighter π–π stacking, while R‐F further amplifies these effects meanwhile improving backbone planarity, extending π‐conjugation, and optimizing frontier orbital levels. As a result, P‐HF achieves an outstanding hole mobility of 5.02 cm 2 V −1 s −1 , surpassing P‐B (0.71 cm 2 V −1 s −1 ) and P‐H (2.13 cm 2 V −1 s −1 ), placing it among the highest‐performing DPP‐based polymers reported. This work demonstrates that combining R‐F and H‐B offers a viable strategy for designing high‐mobility conjugated materials, potentially advancing organic semiconductor development. This dual‐engineering strategy is particularly suitable for π‐conjugated polymers containing both hydrogen‐bonding sites and ring‐fused backbones.

Physics-informed hybrid reinforcement learning for estimating lithium-ion battery state of health

Abstract Although Data-driven methods are becoming widely applied for estimating the state of health (SOH) of lithium-ion batteries, they often suffer from a lack of interpretability and generalization capabilities. To address these limitations, this research proposes a hybrid methodology that combines Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks and Reinforcement Learning (RL) using Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) to enhance both SOH prediction accuracy and model interpretability. The proposed methodology begins by training an LSTM model on key battery features for two different operational profiles, thereby capturing the temporal dependencies present in battery degradation. To improve interpretability and adaptive learning, a hybrid model is then introduced, where a PPO agent corrects the LSTM predictions based on a reward function designed to account for physical and monotonic degradation constraints of the SOH. Additionally, two models are trained separately for comparison: a pure RL-based model and an LSTM-based model, which enables comparison between data-driven and control-driven learning. The models are initially trained and validated on the NASA battery dataset and further evaluated on a separate real-world dataset of CALCE CS2 battery cells to assess robustness. Experimental results demonstrated that the hybrid model significantly enhances the robustness and accuracy of SOH prediction, outperforming both standalone LSTM and RL models. Statistical metrics, such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), were reduced while $${R}^{2}$$ score has increased significantly. At the same time, interpretable results are improved through an RL feedback mechanism grounded in physical behavior.

Hyaluronic acid–chitosan conjugated PLGA nanoparticles for dual chemo-photothermal therapy of triple-negative breast cancer

A cross-sectional study on the epidemiology and risk factors for falls among the elderly in Chongqing based on the China elderly fall surveillance initiative

Leveraging spatial cues from cochlear implant microphones to efficiently enhance speech separation in naturalistic listening scenes

A Sonosensitive Heterometallic Polyoxometalate for Highly Efficient Chemo‐Sonodynamic Synergistic Cancer Therapy

Abstract Chemo‐sonodynamic synergistic therapy (CSDT) integrates the advantages of both chemodynamic therapy (CDT) and sonodynamic therapy (SDT), including specificity, non‐invasiveness, high penetration, and controllability, and it is especially suitable for deep‐seated tumors. However, there is still a lack of effective CSDT agents with long‐term stability, excellent water solubility, biocompatibility, and highly efficient catalytic activities. To address these challenges, we report a rare sonosensitive polyoxometalate (POM), H 11 [Er 2 Sb 2 W 7 O 23 (OH)(DMF) 2 (SbW 9 O 33 ) 2 ]·17H 2 O (ErSbW), featuring an atomically precise capsule‐like structure with good solubility, molecular stability, and biosafety under physiological conditions. In vitro studies reveal ErSbW's remarkable CDT efficiency in catalyzing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). More importantly, the efficiency can be further distinctly augmented by three times with the presence of ultrasound irradiation, suggesting a pronounced synergistic enhancement effect in ErSbW. Most notably, ErSbW‐mediated CSDT achieved complete eradication of deep‐seated tumors in a melanoma model at the dose of 35 µg kg −1 . This work not only provides a unique POM‐based molecular agent for CSDT but also demonstrates the great potential of POM materials in synergistic cancer therapies.