Browse Articles

Regulating and Deciphering the Selective Synthesis of Metallacages in Microdroplets

An Insight into the Relation of Spin-Polarization and Oxygen Evolution Enhancement with a Monolayer Chiral Covalent Organic Framework Model Catalyst

<i>In Situ</i> Identification of Dynamic Active Sites in the Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction Reaction

Crystal Growth Modulation of Tin–Lead Halide Perovskites via Chaotropic Agent

Electronic Configurational Transformation of Network Modifiers in Aluminate Glass above Megabar Pressures

Controlled Molecular Orders in Layered Multiple Porphyrins

Porous Gold Nanoumbrellas with Adjustable Apical Angles for Selective Electrosynthesis of Styrene Epoxide from Styrene

Molecular Engineering of Terminus, Conjugation, and Energetics for Thermally Stable Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells

Liquid–Solid Interface Reactions Drive Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance in Ag₂Se

Mixed-Solvent Crystallization Expands the Chemical Space of 2D Perovskites and Enables Phonon-Limited Exciton Transport

Pre-hatching social interactions mediated by acoustic signals. Dynamics of click emission and hatching synchronization in birds

The present paper analyzes the sounds emitted by pre-hatching chicks, focusing on those named as “clicks,” which are thought to mediate pre-hatching social interactions and hatching synchronization. Representative acoustic signals were analyzed under three incubation conditions: (1) isolated pre-hatching chicks (n = 13), (2) pre-hatching chicks in contact with others of the same age (n = 14), and (3) pre-hatching chicks in contact with other of different age (n = 10 for each group: leader and follower). Customized MATLAB software was developed to (a) identify and isolate clicks from other recorded sounds, (b) represent them as temporal series of stochastic point processes, and (c) determine whether click emission dynamics resembled white noise or exhibited characteristics of informative signals. Mathematical methods were applied to analyze (a) temporal dynamics, (b) clustering patterns (via hierarchical clustering and log–log scaling), and (c) scaling properties (via power spectral density analysis) of clicks under each condition. The results reveal developmental-dependent changes in click temporal patterns. As hatching approaches, clicks evolve from isolated events to highly organized hierarchical clusters. Contacting chicks displayed greater temporal organization than isolated ones. Significantly, contact with more advanced chicks accelerated click dynamics in less developed embryos, while older embryos showed a slight delay, suggesting reciprocal social interactions. Spectral analysis revealed long-range correlations consistent with fractional Gaussian noise. These findings confirm that click sequences (a) exhibit physical characteristics of informative signals, (b) function as communication signals, and (c) align developmental processes among pre-hatching chicks. The study underscores the value of fractal analysis in describing physiological signals and expands our understanding of prenatal social interactions. The results suggest that acoustic signals may influence both hatching coordination and central nervous system development. This work provides insight into the evolutionary advantage of embryo communication and highlights the importance of studying how environmental disruptions may affect these critical prenatal processes.

Quantifying the Localization of Charges Generated upon Molecular Doping of Conjugated Polymers

Sex differences in performance and pacing in the greatest Quintuple Iron ultra-triathlon race in history: The IUTA World Championship 2024 in France

Background Pacing in ultra-triathlon has been investigated by analyzing lap times from Double to Deca Iron ultra-triathlon for World Cup races but not for a World Championship. The present study aimed to investigate pacing in ultra-triathletes competing in the fastest and largest World Championship in Quintuple Iron ultra-triathlon ever held in history. Methods A total of 11 female and 24 male finishers who completed the 2024 Quintuple Ultra Triathlon World Championship in Colmar, France, were analyzed. Independent t-tests assessed sex-based performance variations with effect sizes (Cohen’s d). A two-way ANOVA evaluated the effects of sex and performance quartiles on cycling and running, with eta squared (η²) used to measure effect sizes. Results Overall, men were slower in swimming and cycling and faster in running and overall race time. The variability in lap times was similar in cycling for both women and men but higher in running for women. There was a significant interaction between sex and performance quartiles in cycling but not running. For cycling, the variability in performance was higher in men compared to women; for running, it was similar for both women and men. Conclusions The finding that women outperformed men in swimming and cycling, likely due to the elite nature of the World Championship, which featured a highly selected and committed female cohort with a high completion rate. While both sexes showed consistent pacing in cycling, women exhibited greater variability in running, possibly due to more frequent breaks.

Ultrafast Tyrosinase-Mediated Biotinylation of Living Cell Surface Analysis Reveals Novel Cell Surface Proteins Responsible for Influenza A Virus Entry

Recovery strategy of fault distribution network considering collaborative optimization of recovery and repair

For the fault recovery and emergency repair after multiple faults in the distribution network, this paper proposes a fault distribution network recovery strategy considering the collaborative optimization of recovery and emergency repair. Initially, due to the difference and uncertainty between the system load demand and the distributed generation (DG) output, a bilayer dynamic fault recovery with phase type in time scale was constructed. The upper layer considers the recovery of the distribution network during faults, optimizing network reconfiguration schemes using DG outputs predicted by deep stochastic configuration network in conjunction with time-varying load demands. The lower considers the economic effect of the loss during repair and determines the optimal fault repair sequence. Furthermore, an enhanced Nutcracker Optimization algorithm to solve the bilayer model was proposed, determining the dynamic combination of the fault reconfiguration scheme and the repair sequence. Finally, to validate this strategy, this paper conducted simulations using the IEEE 33-node system. The experimental results under multiple strategies show the feasibility and effectiveness of this paper strategy, which ensures the effective recovery of fault nodes after power failure.

Structure and Nitrite Reductase Activity of the Di-iron Protein ScdA in <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>

Genomic regions and candidate genes associated with seed nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur accumulation identified in the soybean ‘Forrest’ by ‘Williams 82’ RIL population

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) are essential nutrients for plant health. Deficiencies in N, P, or S in plants lead to lower seed production and seed quality in grain crops, including soybean seed. Soybean seed is a source of protein, oil, essential amino acids, and minerals. These nutrients are essential for plant health, and maintaining N, P, and S levels in soybean seed is crucial for higher seed nutritional value and amino acids quality. There is limited information on genomic regions, candidate genes, and molecular markers associated with soybean seed N, P, and S. Two field experiments were carried out in two locations using a ‘Forrest’ × ‘Williams 82’ recombinant inbred lines (RIL) population. A 306 RIL population and 2075 SNP markers were used to create the genetic map. The results showed a wide range of N, P, and S concentrations in both locations among RIL population lines. Based on the broad-sense heritability (H2), 91.7% of seed N concentration variation was due to genetic effects, followed by 48.2% for S seed concentration, and a heritability of close to zero for seed P concentration. Eleven QTL were identified for seed N, seven QTL for seed P, and nine QTL for seed S in two locations. All these QTL had a significant linkage to the trait as their LOD ranged from 2.5 to 6.48 in 2018 and from 2.75 to 128.72 in 2020. Two QTL for seed N (qN-02-[IL-2020] on Chr 4, and qN-03-[IL-2020] on Chr 4 were identified at the marker Gm04_4687302-Gm04_7672403 and Gm04_7672403, and their LOD were 45.06 and 96.98, and their contribution to the phenotypic variation were 45.85% and 48.37%, respectively. The low heritability of P indicated a major interactions between the trait (P) and environment. Except for the seed N, P, and S QTL, identified on Chr 16, 11 QTL reported here were not previously identified and therefore are novel. Several functional genes encoding N-, P-, and S-proteins, enzymes, and transporters were identified and located within the QTL interval. To our knowledge, the QTL identified here on Chr 2 and 6 are novel and were not previously identified. Therefore, QTL, genes, and molecular markers discovered in this research will provide breeders with new knowledge and tools for soybean selection for optimum seed mineral nutritional qualities. Also, this new findings advance our knowledge of physiology and genetics of seed N, S, and P candidate genes for genetic engineering application.

Practical Ligand-Enabled C–H Halogenation of (Hetero)Benzoic and (Hetero)Aryl Acetic Acids

Retraction: The ING4 Binding with p53 and Induced p53 Acetylation were Attenuated by Human Papillomavirus 16 E6

Ultralong Room-Temperature Qubit Lifetimes of Covalent Organic Frameworks