Browse Articles

Chimerism as a strategy to improve the resilience of boulder corals

High-performance Terfenol-D/PMMA phononic crystal sensor for tunable acoustic wave control and magnetic field detection

Synthesis of Type II Porous Liquids from Nonporous Metal–Organic Polyhedra Enhanced by Host–Guest Complexation

Abstract The synthesis of Type II porous liquids (PLs) from metal–organic polyhedra, a kind of excellent porous molecular sources, suffers from their strong crystallization tendency induced poor solubility. Herein, we propose a host–guest complexation enhanced dissolution strategy for constructing Type II PLs from MOPs with record‐high concentration. Benefitting from host–guest interactions between pillar[5]arene and n ‐alkyl chains, a Type II PL (P5‐PL) is developed by dissolving apolar n ‐dodecyl‐functionalized metal–organic polyhedra (MOP‐18) in polar liquid pillar[5]arene (P5‐L), exhibiting solubility much higher than all MOP‐based Type II PLs reported to date. MOP‐18, being nonporous in the solid state because of molecular packing‐induced pore blockage, displays permanent molecular porosity when molecularly and randomly dispersed in P5‐L to form P5‐PL, as confirmed by experimental and simulation results. P5‐PL demonstrates excellent CO 2 /N 2 separation capabilities, enabling the fabrication of mixed matrix membrane with superior CO 2 /N 2 selectivity. This strategy can be extended to the fabrication of additional Type II PLs, showing its universality. This synergistic design concept integrating supramolecular chemistry with PLs not only overcomes traditional tedious covalent modification but also enables high compatibility between apolar cage solutes and polar solvents, affording PLs with high porosity, low volatility and viscosity, and programmable tunability.

Hydration characteristics of cement blended with thermally reactivated recycled concrete demolition waste

Active avoidance of potential threat is reflected in oscillatory brain activity

A Modular Approach to Asymmetric Mg(I) Complexes Using a Unique Cyclopentadienyl Mg(I) Complex

Abstract The first Mg I complexes with non‐N ligands have been isolated and were fully characterized. Reaction of [(BDI*)MgNa] 2 ( III ) with MgCp* 2 gave quantitative conversion to (BDI*)MgMgCp* ( 1 ); BDI* = HC[ t BuC = N(DIPeP)] 2 , DIPeP = 2,6‐Et 2 CH‐phenyl) and Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl. A similar reaction with CaCp* 2 did not give (BDI*)MgCaCp* but led to insertion of the formal Mg° centre in the benzylic C─H bond, an oxidative addition that resulted in a mixed Mg/Ca hydride complex. The Cp* ligand in the unique (BDI*)MgMgCp* complex can be exchanged by addition of LM (M = Li, Na, K) complexes, resulting in formation of (BDI*)MgMgL and insoluble (Cp*M) n . This modular approach worked for Cp*/N(SiMe 3 ) 2 exchange but not for the substitution of Cp* by P(SiMe 3 ) 2 or other PR 2 ligands. Reaction of (BDI*)MgMgCp* with a bulky NaOAr reagent led to quantitative formation of (BDI*)MgMgOAr·THF, a first Mg I complex stabilized with an aryloxide ligand. All products have been fully characterized by X‐ray diffraction and NMR methods. A computational study gives insight in the thermodynamics of formation and electronic structures.

Experimental investigation of focal position in regular astigmatic eyes with zero spherical equivalent

SiR‐XActin: A Fluorescent Probe for Imaging Actin Dynamics in Live Cells

Abstract Imaging actin‐dependent processes in live cells is important for understanding numerous biological processes. However, currently used natural‐product‐based fluorescent probes for actin filaments affect the dynamics of actin polymerization and can induce undesired cellular phenotypes. Here, we introduce SiR‐XActin, a simplified jasplakinolide‐based, far‐red fluorescent probe that enables bright and photostable staining in various cell types without requiring genetic modifications. Due to its relatively weak binding affinity, the probe exhibits minimal cytotoxicity and labels actin filaments without significantly altering actin dynamics. Furthermore, SiR‐XActin is suitable for time‐resolved, live‐cell super‐resolution STED microscopy. Exchanging the SiR fluorophore in SiR‐XActin for other fluorophores yields probes in different colors. All these properties make SiR‐XActin and its analogs powerful tools for studying actin dynamics using live‐cell fluorescence microscopy.

Coarse slip bands and non-Schmid’s translational slip lead to shear bands formation in body-centered cubic HfNbTaTiZr high-entropy alloy

Five years of COVID vaccines: how a breakthrough created a public-health crisis

Multicenter analysis of the Mycoplasma pneumoniae resurgence in China 2023–2024

Design and Structural Transformations of Zinc(II) Knotted Cage Frameworks

Abstract Interwoven architectures feature in biomolecules such as proteins, DNA, and RNA. However, the high‐yielding syntheses and controlled structural transformations of artificial interwoven structures, particularly those exhibiting intricate topologies and bifurcated strands, remain a challenge. In this study, we present a rational design strategy that harnesses the rigidity of tailored ligands in combination with zinc coordination to direct the self‐assembly process, thus enabling the controlled synthesis of covalently linked trefoil perplexane and trefoil tetrahedral knotted cage frameworks. We further elucidate the role of structural rigidity in governing framework transformations, demonstrating two‐way interconversion between interwoven and non‐interwoven architectures, accompanied by tunable guest encapsulation and release. Notably, the incorporation of peripheral crosslinkers was found to lock the cage conformation, thereby regulating its guest binding properties. In addition, the sequence of subcomponent addition was found to be critical to the product outcome: Initial construction of a covalently‐linked knotted cage framework stabilizes kinetic intermediates during self‐assembly, providing access to distinct products.

Increased rainfall-runoff drives flood hazard intensification in Central Himalayan river systems

Abstract The Central Himalayan floodplain is one of the most flood-affected regions of the world, but we have limited knowledge of climate-change impacts on fluvial floods. Here, we provide the first large-ensemble, regional climate-change impact assessment of design floods for the Karnali River in Nepal and China, based on high-resolution modelling, considering climatic, hydrological and statistical uncertainties, needed for building local mitigation strategies. Our simulations project increases in the 1% annual exceedance probability flood magnitude of + 40% (P 10/90 : 33/48%) (medium-emissions) and + 79% (P 10/90 : 54/82%) (high-emissions) for 2060–2099, with rainfall-runoff contributing ≥ 90% of the additional flood water. We show that the uncertainty in the projections is linked to the relative differences between the magnitudes of the largest and more common events and argue that it is important to include both atmospheric only general circulation models and earth system Models in ensembles to capture the range of event and model uncertainty.

The Laccase‐Like Mechanism in Peroxymonosulfate‐Based Oxidation System for Water Decontamination: Dual‐Substrate Activation

Abstract This study demonstrates that direct electron transfer (DET)‐dominated peroxymonosulfate (PMS)‐based advanced oxidation processes (PMS‐AOPs) share a similar oxidation mechanism with laccase, including dual‐substrate activation, DET mechanism, polymerization of organic pollutants, and relatively high redox potential at active site. To verify this point, a detachable catalyst (MnPc/CNT) was used. Neither manganese phthalocyanine (MnPc) nor carbon nanotubes (CNT) could efficiently catalyze PMS to remove phenol (PE), whereas MnPc/CNT achieved complete PE elimination primarily through a DET mechanism. In this process, PE was mainly removed via polymerization. Importantly, galvanic cell experiments and density functional theory calculations showed that MnPc/CNT can simultaneously activate both PE and PMS, whereas MnPc or CNT alone cannot. This dual‐substrate activation phenomenon was seldom reported in PMS‐AOPs. Comparative studies showed that MnPc/CNT, FePc/CNT, and CoPc/CNT exhibited significantly higher PE removal efficiency than NiPc/CNT, CuPc/CNT, and ZnPc/CNT, which correlated with their higher open circuit potentials. Since current catalyst design strategies for PMS‐AOPs remain largely empirical and enzyme is highly efficient catalyst, this laccase‐like mechanism means that the laccase‐mimetic approach will be a promising direction for developing high‐performance catalysts.

A multi-biomarker approach to assess the exposure effects of MPs and/or sodium lauryl sulfate on Clarias Gariepinus

Abstract Pollutants impact fish health, leading to environmental diseases. Anionic surfactant detergents and MPs (MPs) consist serious threat in freshwater environments either lonely or in combination. However, their combined effects are not well studied. Our research therefore focuses on studying the harmful effects of the anionic surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and polyethylene MPs (PMPs) on the biology of freshwater African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), either alone or in combination. A 15-day exposure trial to PMPs (10 mg/L), SLS (4 mg/L), or their combination was conducted. Hematological, biochemical, antioxidant, and immunological markers were estimated. The erythrocytic morphology was investigated. The pathological harms were monitored, and the histological abnormalities were scored. In addition, histochemical appraisals of fibrosis and hypoglycemia in the liver and spleen were estimated. This was achieved by semi-quantification of polysaccharide deposits and the fibrotic collagen density and distribution pattern in the tissue micro-sections. On the one hand, our findings revealed deteriorated biological markers in C. gariepinus exposed to PMPs (10 mg/L) or SLS (4 mg/L) by close levels. Significant decreases in the hematological indices, while substantial increases in the biochemical markers were recorded. As well, significant decreases were recorded in the total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase, while an elevation was recorded in the level of IL-1β and IL-6 cytokines. Poikilocytosis of erythrocytes and severe hepatic and splenic pathological lesions were observed. Furthermore, high levels of fibrosis and hypoglycemia were detected. On the other hand, our findings showed antagonistic effects upon the combined exposure to PMPs (10 mg/L) and SLS (4 mg/L). Fluctuated non-significant differences were observed in hematology and biochemical markers. Mild erythrocytic poikilocytosis and moderate pathological lesions were scored in liver as well as spleen. In addition, moderate quantitative fibrosis, and hypoglycemia were estimated. Exposure to PMPs and SLS deteriorate the biology and pathology of C. gariepinus by severe effects. Interestingly, ameliorated biological alterations were recorded evidenced a surprising antagonistic effect of PMPs + SLS. Possibly, a chemical chelation between both reagents counteracted their singular effect inside the biological system, which retorted their harm. Therefore, further investigations by chemists on the probable chemical interaction between PMPs and SLS inside biological systems, which might change their physical or chemical characteristics, may explain the case.

Optimize a chain convenience store location prediction model by using MTS-machine learning methodology

Iron‐Catalyzed Tunable Double Bond Migration and Geometrical Isomerization in Olefins via a Spin‐Accelerated Alkyl Mechanism

Abstract Despite the central relevance of metal‐catalyzed alkene isomerization in academia and industry and the overarching role of iron in sustainable catalysis, highly efficient iron‐catalyzed positional and geometrical isomerizations of alkenes remain long‐sought‐after goals. Herein, we disclose the development of an easily accessible, well‐defined anilido‐aldimine iron(II) alkyl catalyst that efficiently and selectively performs, for the first time, tunable olefin migration over one and multiple carbon–carbon bonds and configurational alkene isomerization. This singular catalyst behavior also unraveled the implementation of productive regiodivergent and regio‐ and stereoconvergent olefin isomerization processes. Notably, with only 1 equiv. of Cy 2 NH·BH 3 (relative to Fe) under mild conditions, these reactions exhibited a broad substrate scope, including (hetero)aryl‐substituted and aliphatic alkenes of different substitution patterns and with diverse functionalities. They also displayed high regio‐ and stereoselectivities. Using experimental and computational approaches, a detailed mechanistic study of the positional isomerization regime suggested a redox‐neutral alkyl‐type mechanism via an isolable iron(II)‐hydride species. This study indicated the stereo‐ and rate‐determining β‐hydride elimination step occurs through a two‐state reactivity resulting in spin acceleration and a stereoselectivity correlated to these spin state changes. This work also elucidated the peculiar and critical role of the anilido‐aldimine skeleton on the reactivity.

Embodying an avatar with a dissimilar appearance enhances insight problem solving

Abstract Research on construal level theory suggests that psychological distance enhances creativity, as people tend to be more creative when considering events or objects that are spatially or temporally distant. With immersive technologies, individuals can use different forms of digital representations (or avatars) for work or entertainment in immersive virtual reality (IVR). We hypothesized that embodying an avatar with a dissimilar appearance, compared to a similar one, would induce psychological distance and thus enhance creative thinking and insight problem solving. To test this hypothesis, participants wore an IVR headset and completed creativity and problem-solving tasks while embodying avatars of varying similarity to themselves. The results showed that participants who embodied a dissimilar avatar solved more insight problems than those with a similar avatar. Theoretically, our findings provide further evidence for construal level theory. Practically, our findings suggest immersive technology can be applied to enhance human performance in insight problem solving tasks.

Algorithms and approximations for the modified Weibull model under censoring with application to the lifetimes of electrical appliances

Organic Polymer Semiconductor Photocatalysts: From Building Block Design to Controllable Assembly

Abstract Organic polymer semiconductors are emerging as a promising class of photocatalysts because their highly tunable molecular structures and flexible morphological control offer unique advantages for overcoming the efficiency bottlenecks of traditional inorganic materials. However, the development of organic polymer photocatalysts largely relies on empirical, trial‐and‐error approaches. The understanding of their structure–activity relationship is insufficient, which significantly hinders the rational design and performance prediction of polymer photocatalysts. This review systematically outlines the structure‐driven design strategies for polymer photocatalysts by focusing on two interconnected levels: molecular building block design and controllable assembly. Starting with the molecular building block design, strategies including monomer unit selection, functional group modification, and heteroatom doping are analyzed in detail for tuning the material's intrinsic electronic and photophysical properties. At the assembly level, we explore how strategies like morphological control, surface modification, and pore engineering can guide the controlled organization of polymers to optimize the final semiconductor architecture. By establishing the relationship between structure and properties at different scales, we aim to build a systematic structure–activity relationship for polymer photocatalysts, ultimately seeking to shift from empirical screening to rational design.