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Discovery of Late Intermediates in Methylenomycin Biosynthesis Active against Drug-Resistant Gram-Positive Bacterial Pathogens
Author Correction: A single residue in the yellow fever virus envelope protein modulates virion architecture and antigenicity
Behavior of layer jamming plate with tunable stiffness and its near wake structure in cross flow
Functional Group Transposition Enabled by Palladium and Photo Dual Catalysis
Anisotropic surface potentials induced by competitive ion adsorption enable the synthesis of branched cubic Pt mesocrystals
Abstract Creation of complex nanostructured materials through oriented attachment (OA) requires the manipulation of interparticle forces, including electrostatic repulsion, which depends strongly on surface potentials and can be modified through the effect of solution environment on interfacial chemistry. Here we show that time-dependent anisotropies in surface potential driven by competitive ion adsorption can alter facet-selectivity during OA. This phenomenon enables the synthesis of branched cubic Pt mesocrystals. Initially, Pt nanoparticles attach preferentially at their {100} facets to form a well-defined cubic core. Over time, changes in ion adsorption shift the attachment preference to the {111} facets, promoting branch formation. In both stages, anisotropic surface potentials generate electrostatic torques that align the particles prior to attachment. These findings demonstrate a generalizable strategy for directing the architecture of nanomaterials through time-resolved control of interfacial chemistry during OA, offering new pathways for the design of complex mesoscale structures.
Probabilistic dermal risk assessment for shallow groundwater users in agricultural settings of Saudi Arabia
Asymmetric, Organocatalytic 1,4-Addition of Pyridinyl Acetates with Crystallization-Enabled Diastereoconvergency
1D axial heterostructure of hydrogen-bonded framework and metal-organic framework by metalation reaction
Abstract Creating one-dimensional (1D) axial heterostructures of crystals formed from hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is challenging due to their distinct chemical bonds to construct each porous architecture. In this study, we applied the metalation process, exchanging H + with monovalent metal cations, to fabricate bulk crystal 1D axial heterostructures of HOF and MOF. Rod-shaped single crystals of HOFs with [N–H···N] hydrogen bonds were immersed in a Cu + solution to induce metalation, resulting in MOF | HOF | MOF crystals exhibiting a 1D axial heterostructure. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, gas sorption, and emission microscopy demonstrated that metalation began at both ends of the rod-shaped HOF crystals and took 48 hours to transform into MOF. The spatially and temporally controlled metalation facilitated the regulation of the sizes of HOF and MOF domains in the 1D axial heterostructure. The MOF | HOF | MOF crystals exhibited interface-controlled gas diffusion and various spatially-resolved photoluminescence behaviors depending on the distribution of each component.
Quantifying carbon reductions from mode substitution through shared electric mobility hubs in Greater Manchester
Abstract This study investigates the attitudes of 1139 participants towards eHUBS usage and daily travel patterns to assess the effectiveness of shared electric mobility hubs (eHUBS) in Greater Manchester. It explores the potential of eHUBS to replace conventional travel modes, including motor vehicles, public transport, and zero-carbon alternatives such as walking and cycling, while examining their integration with public transport and the associated carbon reduction benefits. Analysis indicates a consistent substitution rate of 30% to 35%, suggesting that eHUBS could increase public transport usage by 8% to 13% and reduce overall carbon emissions by 15% to 18% for journeys exceeding 5 km. The findings reveal that eHUBS, particularly e-bikes and e-cargo bikes, can enhance public transport utilisation for short-distance trips, while electric cars reduce reliance on motor vehicles for longer journeys. Although substituting walking and cycling with eHUBS marginally raises emissions for shorter trips, this impact is minimal compared to the overall reduction achieved. This study underscores the significant role of eHUBS in supporting modal shifts and emissions reduction, contributing to more sustainable urban mobility.
Monomicelle-Encapsulated Nanocrystals as Versatile Building Blocks for Hydrogen-Bonded Superlattices with Enhanced Mechanical Properties
Alignment of edge dislocations – the reason lying behind composition inhomogeneity induced low thermal conductivity
Assessment of the use of sodium alginate for soil improvement in coastal applications
Abstract Rising sea levels and intensifying coastal erosion necessitate sustainable soil improvement methods to protect vulnerable coastal zones. Previous studies have demonstrated that crosslinked sodium alginate can enhance soil strength. Nevertheless, for coastal applications, it is essential to characterise the effect of increasing alginate concentrations to identify an optimal dosage and to evaluate the stability of the calcium crosslink when exposed to seawater wet-dry cycles. This study explores the potential of sodium alginate as an environmentally friendly technique for improving the stability and performance of granular soils in coastal regions, with the overarching goal of assessing its durability under repeated seawater wet–dry cycles. The experimental work focused on quartzitic, poorly graded sands, beginning with comparisons between different sodium alginates, varying sodium alginate concentrations (1.4–10%) and two mixing methodologies (dry and wet) for treatment. This was followed by an assessment of the effect of seawater wet-dry cycles on the integrity and mechanical behaviour of treated specimens. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests demonstrated a linear increase in strength up to 2.3% alginate concentration, with an optimal UCS achieved at 4.6%. Higher alginate contents led to specimen deformation and reduced strength. Durability assessments involving up to 28 wet-dry cycles with artificial seawater revealed that although calcium alginate membranes maintained chemical stability, specimens exhibited 26–37% reductions in UCS, primarily due to membrane tearing from repeated expansion–contraction and crystallisation pressures from precipitated salts. SEM-EDS analyses confirmed structural damage and the accumulation of sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and calcium sulphate crystals. The results suggest that sodium alginate treatment can effectively improve clean sand strength but supplementary measures are necessary to reduce the permeability of the treated specimens, enhancing their durability under harsh coastal conditions.
Atropisomeric Indene (AtroInd) Libraries: Design, Catalytic Synthesis, and Applications
Micron-resolution fiber mapping in histology independent of sample preparation
Abstract Mapping the brain’s fiber network is crucial for understanding its function and malfunction, but resolving nerve trajectories over large fields of view is challenging. Here, we show that computational scattered light imaging (ComSLI) can map fiber networks in histology independent of sample preparation, also in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues including whole human brain sections. We showcase this method in new and archived, animal and human brain sections, for different sample preparations (in paraffin, deparaffinized, various stains, unstained fresh-frozen). We convert microscopic orientations to microstructure-informed fiber orientation distributions (μFODs). Adapting tractography tools from diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI), we trace axonal trajectories revealing white and gray matter connectivity. These allow us to identify altered microstructure or deficient tracts in demyelinating or neurodegenerating pathology, and to show key advantages over dMRI, polarization microscopy, and structure tensor analysis. Finally, we map fibers in non-brain tissues, including muscle, bone, and blood vessels, unveiling the tissue’s function. Our cost-effective, versatile approach enables micron-resolution studies of intricate fiber networks across tissues, species, diseases, and sample preparations, offering new dimensions to neuroscientific and biomedical research.
Antiplatelet therapy trends in Chinese ischemic stroke patients 2019–2024
Abstract To analyze the current status and trends of antiplatelet medication use among ischemic stroke (IS) patients in China. This cross-sectional study utilized data from the China Hospital Prescription Analysis Database (2019–2024), analyzing 1,505,850 prescriptions. Mann–Kendall tests were employed to analyze the trends of prescriptions and cost, while log-linear models assessed changes in medication proportions. Defined daily cost (DDC) was calculated to evaluate economic differences. Among 1,505,850 prescriptions analyzed, 63.5% were for male patients, and 64.6% were for patients aged 65 and older. The patients median age of the prescriptions were 69 years (IQR: 61–78).Total antiplatelet prescriptions increased significantly from 300,573 in 2019 to 336,142 in 2024 ( P = 0.024). Aspirin remained predominant (52.7%), while clopidogrel use declined significantly (46.6% to 40.9%, P = 0.002). Ticagrelor and indobufen showed rapid growth (both P < 0.001). Significant economic variations were observed: aspirin had the lowest DDC (¥0.57/DDD), while clopidogrel (¥3.60/DDD) and ticagrelor (¥6.61/DDD) decreased post-national centralized volume-based procurement policy ( P < 0.001). Regional disparities were notable, with Zhengzhou ( P < 0.001) and Hangzhou ( P = 0.008) showing the fastest growth, while Tianjin ( P < 0.001) and Shanghai ( P = 0.003) declined significantly. Cilostazol demonstrated 104% regional DDC variation (Shenyang ¥16.96/DDD vs. Harbin ¥8.29/DDD). Antiplatelet prescription counts in Chinese IS patients increased in the past five years, with aspirin remaining the most widely used and cost-effective option. The treatment landscape shows “traditional drug dominance with new drug growth”, marked by significant economic and regional variations, necessitating guideline-aligned and policy-informed optimization of medication strategies.