Browse Articles

Decreased ALKBH5 in neutrophil correlates with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis and ALKBH5 modulates neutrophil autophagy

Efficient Assembly of Functional RNA by <i>in Situ</i> Phosphate Activation and Loop-Closing Ligation

Investigating the effect of foliar spraying of zinc nanoparticles and biostimulants on modulating the effect of water deficit stress in sugar beet by using Integrated Biomarker Response Version 2

Programmable Higher-Order Topological Phases in Open-Shell Metal–Organic Frameworks

Evaluating the performance of large language models versus human researchers on real world complex medical queries

Understanding Electrochemical CO ₂ Reduction Selectivity of Cu Binary Alloys from Electronic Structure Descriptors

Computer intelligence based model for mental health detection among Indian farming communities

A Stable Radical in Cationic Dinuclear Rare-Earth Triple-Decker Complexes Featuring Switchable Magnetic Properties

Modeling and analysis of fascioliasis disease with Katugampola fractional derivative: a memory-incorporated epidemiological approach

Iridium-Catalyzed Twofold C–H/C–H Activation and Annulation: Access to Anti-Kasha Emission and Photosensitive-Phosphorescent Materials

High-energy ion beams generated with high efficiency using laser-driven 3D microstructures

Abstract Laser-driven ion acceleration in plasma is being proposed as a source of ion beams with a high peak current that can be useful in many fields of science and medicine. Using this method, high proton energies have been achieved by increasing the laser power and by using ultrathin (≤ 200 nm) foils. However, this approach is limited by survivability of the nanotargets to laser prepulses and by difficulty in controlling the plasma acceleration properties. Here, we introduce a new target platform using two-photon polymerization, 3D laser-printed “clone” microstructures with average densities lower than solid that are relatively insensitive to the laser prepulse. Two types of microstructured targets consisting of either a multilayered log-pile or a stochastic arrangement of one micron diameter wires are used. Both demonstrate a higher energy and higher yield proton acceleration compared to thin solid-density foil targets by the robust target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA) mechanism. We find that when such 10–20 μm thick structures are irradiated with a petawatt laser, protons with energies up to 110 MeV and a laser-to-proton conversion efficiency of ~ 10% are obtained. Our work suggests that such microstructures optimized for 60–200 MeV compact proton accelerators are promising for future radiotherapy and other applications.

Reversible On-Demand Activation of Acid-Catalyzed Dynamic Polymers for Gradient-Driven Reshaping

A novel computational model for human macular pigment optical density and its relationship to foveal structure

Abstract Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) models enhance understanding of macular xanthophyll distribution, particularly relevant to age-related macular degeneration. This study investigates an existing model and introduces a novel, more accurate and biologically relevant approach. MPOD spatial profiles of 48 eyes were obtained using dual-wavelength autofluorescence imaging, with structural data from OCT and OCT-angiography. MPOD data were analyzed using (a) an existing sum of exponential and Gaussian model (M EG ) and (b) a novel sum of three Gaussians model (M 3G ). Extracted parameters generated individualized MPOD models, from which gradients and volumes were derived. M 3G -derived variables were analyzed against OCT/OCTA data using factor analysis and multiple regression. M 3G demonstrated a superior fit to MPOD data (SSE = 2.60 × 10 − 3 ) compared to M EG , (SSE = 35.7 × 10 − 3 ) enabling automated fitting consistent over small and large datasets. M 3G provided meaningful variables, including MPOD gradients, volumes and critical point eccentricities. Correlations included those between dependent variables of critical point eccentricities and central macular pigment volume with foveal avascular zone and foveal pit radii. The excellent data fit of M 3G enables automated extraction of physiologically relevant parameters. Its three-component configuration is consistent with the location of macular xanthophylls. M 3G is similar to models of foveal structure, suggesting a fundamental relationship.

Virtual Ligand-Assisted Screening for the Generation of Ketyl Radicals from Alkyl Ketones via Photoexcited Palladium Catalysis

Competing effect of activity and non-inert crowding on the dynamics of self-propelled tracer particles

Rational Design of Conductive MOF-Based Diatomic Electrocatalysts for Selective Ammonia Synthesis

In search for non precious metal oxide electrodes with the case of BaMoO3 thin films for hydrogen evolution reaction

Abstract Non-precious metal oxides are inexpensive catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in water electrolysis to realize the global-scale green hydrogen production. Here, we report on perovskite BaMoO 3 thin films fabricated by pulsed laser deposition. The metallic films, grown on single crystalline NdGaO 3 substrates, have the expected stoichiometry, are crystalline, and epitaxially grown in (001) direction. Relatively low electrochemical activity is found and the thin films rapidly degrade under HER conditions, contrary to expectations from the literature. Our research highlights that the processing conditions and the processing related properties of a material can have considerable effect not only on the activity, but also on the stability. In particular, stability assessment is key in identifying promising, alternative HER catalysts. In search for alternative materials, degradation needs to be investigated from the very first and specifically include catalyst characterization after electrochemical aging experiments. Attention must be paid to investigate the intrinsic properties of a material, to be aware of processing related properties of a catalyst, and to complement the performance analysis with detailed materials characterization.

Autonomous Switching of Self-Propelled Motion Modes of Hinokitiol-Fueled Elastomer Matrices

Floristic assessment and soil-vegetation dynamics in an arid zone: a case study of the old Katameya-Ain Sokhna Road, Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract In the hyper-arid deserts of Egypt, where extreme environmental conditions prevail, understanding the symbiotic relationship between the sparse vegetation cover and the underlying soil is crucial for unraveling the mechanisms of plant survival and ecosystem functioning. This study investigates vegetation composition, environmental drivers, and their interactions in an unprotected area of Egypt’s northern Eastern Desert, which has recently experienced substantial anthropogenic disturbances. Primary threats to vegetation include road construction, unregulated quarrying, and overexploitation of natural resources. To represent the habitats present in the study area, 20 stands were selected. In each stand, the existing plant species were recorded, soil samples were taken from each stand, and multivariate statistics (DCA) were conducted to show the relationship between the distinctive plant indicators for each stand, as well as the most influential soil factors in each stand. Then, the state of the vegetation cover in previous years (2014) was compared with the state in the study year (2024). A total of 75 plant species were documented, with Asteraceae (15 species) and Fabaceae (6 species) representing the most diverse families. Perennials (73%), chamaephytes (44%), and Saharo-Arabian species (71%) dominated the flora. Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) revealed that the studied stands were divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D). Each group was ecologically similar to the other. Each group of stands had distinctive plant indicators and the soil factors most closely associated with them. Based on the IUCN Red List, conservation status assessments were provided for each species (65 species were unevaluated, while only 11% of the total species are classified as Least Concern, with no taxa appearing in the threatened category). The presence of invasive non-native taxa, such as Beta vulgaris and Centaurea calcitrapa , which threaten native biodiversity, was noted. Analysis of the Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) revealed a reduction in vegetation cover between 2014 (SAVI range: -0.523911 to 0.860437) and 2024 (SAVI range: -0.574714 to 1.08698). The recorded plant species include 16 medicinal plants. Escalating habitat destruction and anthropogenic pressures underscore the urgent need for targeted conservation strategies to safeguard biodiversity in this vulnerable region.

Synthesis of Acyclic All-Carbon Quaternary Stereocenters through Nickel-Catalyzed Enantioselective C(sp ³ )–H Amination