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Reticulate allopolyploidy and subsequent dysploidy drive evolution and diversification in the cotton family
Abstract Polyploidy and subsequent post-polyploid diploidization (PPD) are key drivers of plant genome evolution, yet their contributions to evolutionary success remain debated. Here, we analyze the Malvaceae family as an exemplary system for elucidating the evolutionary role of polyploidy and PPD in angiosperms, leveraging 11 high-quality chromosome-scale genomes from all nine subfamilies, including newly sequenced, near telomere-to-telomere assemblies from four of these subfamilies. Our findings reveal a complex reticulate paleoallopolyploidy history early in the diversification of the Malvadendrina clade, characterized by multiple rounds of species radiation punctuated by ancient allotetraploidization (Mal-β) and allodecaploidization (Mal-α) events around the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) boundary. We further reconstruct the evolutionary dynamics of PPD and find a strong correlation between dysploidy rate and taxonomic richness of the paleopolyploid subfamilies (R 2 ≥ 0.90, P < 1e-4), supporting the “polyploidy for survival and PPD for success” hypothesis. Overall, our study provides a comprehensive reconstruction of the evolutionary history of the Malvaceae and underscores the crucial role of polyploidy–dysploidy waves in shaping plant biodiversity.
Clinical uremic syndrome scores and mortality in peritoneal dialysis: a multi-center retrospective study
The evolution of zero-sum and positive-sum worldviews
People and cultures differ in the extent to which they view the world as a zero-sum environment (where one person’s gain is another’s loss) or a positive-sum environment (where certain actions can benefit everyone). These beliefs shape individuals’ willingness to work, invest, collaborate, or show hostility toward out-groups, and accept or reject various social policies. We model dyadic interactions in a heterogeneous population where individuals biased toward a zero-sum worldview are more likely to invest in competition, while those biased toward a positive-sum worldview are more likely to invest in cooperation. The environment alternates stochastically between cooperative and competitive states. Without social influence, the more accurate worldview yields higher utilities and spreads throughout the population. However, assortative matching by bias can favor the positive-sum worldview even if a positive-sum environment is somewhat less likely. With peer conformity, inaccurate worldviews can persist after a structural change in the environment, leading to cultural evolutionary mismatch. In the presence of cultural authorities who can alter beliefs, either both worldviews can coexist or one excludes the other. Moreover, when assortative matching and conformity interact, authorities may profit by amplifying individuals’ biases, creating enclaves of similarly biased people who can pay the authorities enough to make investment in persuasive technology economically viable. Cultural evolutionary mismatch is more likely in cultures marked by strong peer conformity and high responsiveness to authority when the authority promotes a suboptimal worldview. This study demonstrates how real-world conditions, peer influence, and authority interventions can perpetuate or shift zero-sum and positive-sum worldviews-at times leading to inaccurate beliefs.
Structural basis for membrane microdomain formation by a human Stomatin complex
Abstract Biological membranes are not just passive barriers—they actively sense and respond to mechanical forces, in part through specialized proteins embedded within them. Among these are Stomatin-family proteins, which are known to influence membrane stiffness and regulate ion channels, yet how they achieve these functions at the molecular level has remained elusive. Here, we report the 2.2 Å cryo-electron microscopy structure of the human Stomatin complex in a native membrane environment. We find that Stomatin assembles into a 16-subunit ring-shaped homo-oligomer, forming a ~12 nm-wide cage that defines a mechanically distinct, curvature-resistant membrane microdomain. While the majority of the complex exhibits C16 symmetry, the C-terminal domains adopt two alternating conformations, producing a symmetry-broken hydrophobic β-barrel pore with local C8 symmetry. The membrane beneath the complex remains flat despite surrounding curvature, indicating localized membrane stiffening. The structure reveals a conserved network of inter-subunit salt bridges that stabilize the assembly. These findings provide a molecular framework for how Stomatin oligomers shape membrane architecture and mechanics, offering insight into their roles in mechanotransduction and diseases such as nephrotic syndrome.
The role of EM radiation in enhancing quantum factorial network performance for Wi-Fi hotspots
This study investigates the integration of electromagnetic (EM) radiation with quantum factorial networks to enhance Wi-Fi hotspot performance through a comprehensive experimental framework.A novel quantum factorial network architecture was developed, leveraging quantum superposition and entanglement principles to optimize wireless communication systems. The experimental methodology employed MATLAB/Simulink simulations with 100 network nodes operating at 2.4 GHz frequency, incorporating quantum enhancement coefficients and modified Maxwell equations for EM field propagation. Statistical analysis using ANOVA (F(2,297) = 156.7, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.51) demonstrated significant performance improvements: throughput increased from 1.2 Gbps to 3.0 Gbps (150% enhancement), latency reduced from 25 to 5 ms (80% improvement), and coverage expanded from 30 to 45 m (50% increase). Cross-validation between theoretical models and simulation results achieved correlation coefficients exceeding 0.98 across all performance metrics. The quantum enhancement factor ξq = 2.5 was validated through quantum state tomography with 95% confidence intervals. Real-world applicability was demonstrated across smart city infrastructure, industrial IoT environments, and healthcare systems. These findings establish quantum factorial networks as a viable solution for next-generation wireless communication, though scalability challenges and hardware requirements for quantum-enhanced nodes remain critical considerations for practical deployment.
NIPBL and STAG1 enable loop extrusion by providing differential DNA–cohesin affinity
DNA loop extrusion by cohesin has emerged as a critical pathway for chromosome organization. In vitro single-molecule experiments indicate that loop extrusion requires the assembly of a heteropentameric complex consisting of the SMC1/SMC3 heterodimer, STAG1, NIPBL, and the kleisin SCC1. The complexity of the complete extrusion machinery, consisting of multiple subunits, DNA binding sites, and ATPases poses substantial challenges for revealing the underlying biomolecular mechanism. As a result, a number of different models have been proposed, many of which do not agree on key mechanistic aspects, such as the details of DNA loading, holoenzyme assembly, or the consequences of ATP binding and hydrolysis. Here, we use mass photometry to comprehensively quantify all the key biomolecular interactions required for DNA loop extrusion. We find that STAG1 binds tightly to the trimeric complex formed by the SMC1/SMC3 heterodimer and SCC1, and together they weakly, but cooperatively, bind the DNA. Full-length NIPBL tightly binds DNA, acting as a DNA anchor during the mechanochemical loop extrusion cycle. Cohesin mutants incapable of head engagement, and those lacking DNA-binding domains in the ATPase heads show negligible differences in overall DNA-affinity, suggesting a minor role of these features for DNA binding. Instead, we find an ATP-modulated DNA binding site created by the interaction of STAG1 with SMC1/SMC3/SCC1, important for repeated grabbing and release of DNA critical to extrusion. Our results call for a careful reexamination of the proposed mechanisms and set energetic boundaries for future proposals.
Quantum tomography of a third-order exceptional point in a dissipative trapped ion
Heavy metal contamination from textile wastewater and its health impacts: a case study from West Bengal with sustainable remediation approaches
Abstract The presence of heavy metals in the environment is a common risk factor for a number of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders worldwide. We oversaw an inquiry in the Calcutta textile industry area from 2022 to 2023, which has been engaged in textile production for over a century. We investigated the impact of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and Zn) on soil, fruit, and other agro-samples as well as their toxicity in the waste of small-scale BD units. “The investigation was sparked by the gastrointestinal illnesses that the local population was suffering. In that area and its hinterland, people utilize surface water and eat everyday agro-products that are 50 times less rich in zinc than predicted and contain 2 to 40 times more Pb, Cd, and Ni than the WHO/FAO (2022) standard limit. The region’s soil tested positive for potentially harmful metals, indicating that there may be an epidemiological risk of cancer, ulcers, and gastrointestinal ailments. This finding was also verified by statistical analysis and 2 years of observations/surveys with residents. The remediation processes save public health, millions of liter of groundwater and the ecology of the earth at large.
Clinical outcomes in patients with muscle disorders and acute ischemic stroke
Objectives Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity in the United States, which prompts an exploration into its associated risk factors. Muscle disorders have been linked to an increased risk of stroke; however, research on stroke prevalence and clinical outcomes in this population is limited by small sample sizes. Although the diagnostic and treatment protocols for acute ischemic stroke are largely identical in patients with and without muscle disorders, it remains unclear whether clinical outcomes differ. This study aimed to address this gap using a large, nationally representative dataset. Materials and methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of the 2016–2022 National Inpatient Sample to compare clinical outcomes in patients with and without muscle disorders hospitalized for an acute ischemic stroke. Results Patients with pre-existing muscle disorders had significantly higher rates of intubation, PEG tube placement, and in-hospital mortality, as well as a lower likelihood of discharge to home, compared to those without muscle disorders. Conclusions These findings suggest that patients with muscle disorders experience worse outcomes following an ischemic stroke. Further research is needed to identify the underlying factors driving these disparities and to inform targeted strategies for improving outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Cognitive processes of ingroup favoritism across 20 countries: An eye-tracking investigation of culture, behavior, and cognition
Whether and to what degree culture modifies cognition has been an area of research often limited by possibilities to gather relevant data across societies. In this project, we leverage webcam-based eye-tracking to study cultural variations of cognitive processes underlying in-group favoritism. Participants (n = 1850, k = 20) are assigned to an in-group based on a color perception task, complete a group reinforcement stage, and then make decisions to allocate points between themselves and random matched players in a repeated decomposed dictator game, facing either an in- or an out-group member. During this task, we recorded eye-gaze with participants’ webcams. Results show substantial variation in behavioral in-group favoritism across cultures, linking discrimination based on group membership to higher societal uncertainty. Individual preferences for prosociality conditioned differences in visual search effort, but the directionality of the effect differs between countries. Individual-level predictors explained participants remaining colorblind toward others’ group membership, where society-level predictors did not. Overall, we demonstrate the importance of taking culture into account when assessing cognitive processes underlying behavior. Implications for globally oriented policymaking to reduce discrimination are discussed.
Conductivity hysteresis in MXene driven by structural dynamics of nanoconfined water
Tracking HPAIV H5 through a geographic survey of Antarctic seabird populations
Shipping noise tolerance in invertebrates: A case study of the shore crab Hemigrapsus oregonensis
Recent decades have seen significant alterations to ocean soundscapes. These changes are primarily driven by human-generated sources (i.e., anthropogenic noise), which is now recognized as a marine pollutant of emerging concern. In contrast to research on marine mammals and fish, studies on the effects of noise on marine invertebrates are limited, and while behavioural changes have been observed in some invertebrate taxa, few investigations have considered whether marine invertebrates can develop a tolerance to this pollutant. We examined the behavioral impacts of shipping noise on the shore crab Hemigrapsus oregonensis and whether they can develop tolerance to noise. Cohorts collected from sites with low and high noise levels were exposed to playbacks of ship noise in the laboratory. We measured initial responses to a simulated predator attack, time taken to seek shelter following the attack, and disruption during feeding. Our results indicated that ship noise significantly impacts shore crabs’ initial response after a simulated predator attack, with a 66% likelihood of movement in noise-exposed individuals compared to 32% in the controls. However, ship noise did not significantly impact whether the crabs retreated to shelter after a predator attack, nor did it disrupt feeding. The interaction between treatment and site type was not significant for any of the behavioral metrics, indicating no evidence of tolerance related to prior noise exposure. Finally, we assessed broader relationships between sound and marine arthropods’ behavior by combining our results with 71 data points extracted from 17 published studies. A meta-analysis of these data indicated that sound can have a positive, negative, or null effect on marine arthropods. Our results highlight the importance of considering marine invertebrates when evaluating the ecological impacts of anthropogenic noise, and suggest that more work is required to identify the contexts in which this emerging pollutant is particularly detrimental.
Transcription termination promotes splicing efficiency and fidelity in a compact genome
Splicing of terminal introns is coupled to 3′-end processing by cleavage and polyadenylation (CPA) in mammalian genes. Whether this functional coupling is universally conserved across eukaryotes is unclear. Here, we show using long read RNA sequencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that splicing inactivation does not result in widespread CPA impairment, and that inactivation of CPA has limited impact on splicing efficiency. The negative impact of CPA inactivation on splicing is mainly due to transcription termination defects that promote readthrough transcription, leading to splicing inhibition for downstream intron-containing genes. The deleterious effect of 5′ extensions on splicing is length-dependent and can be detected independently from CPA inactivation for endogenous or synthetic genes. Deficient termination can also promote usage of cryptic splice sites and long-range intergenic splicing events. These results argue against a broad coupling between splicing and CPA in S. cerevisiae but show that efficient CPA-mediated transcription termination is critical for splicing fidelity and efficiency in a compact genome.
Dual-targeted siRubicon delivery strategy triggers hepatocellular lipophagy for mitigating liver steatosis
Insights into the formation of Au@Pt dendritic core–shell nanoparticles with the aid of ultrasonication
Predictive value of adiposity measures and lipid-related indices for metabolic syndrome in Chinese elderly people at high risk of stroke
This study aims to explore the predictive value of adiposity measures and lipid-related indices for metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Chinese elderly people at high risk of stroke. A total of 7,693 community-dwelling individuals aged 60 years and older in Shanghai were included. Through ROC curve analysis, it was found that indices such as triglyceride glucose-waist circumference (TyG-WC), triglyceride glucose-waist-to-height-ratio (TyG-WHtR), and Lipid accumulation product (LAP) showed excellent performance in predicting MetS, with TyG-WC being the strongest predictor in both males (AUC = 0.90) and females (AUC = 0.90). These indices integrate information on both lipid metabolism and body fat distribution, allowing for more accurate identification of MetS. The study also revealed that ABSI had poor predictive performance. These findings suggest that the combined use of these indices may help identify MetS earlier and more accurately in elderly people at high risk of stroke, providing a basis for clinical intervention. Future research should validate the generalizability of these indicators in more diverse populations and explore their potential integration into clinical workflows.
Hierarchical network of thermal plumes and their dynamics in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection
The link between characteristic coherent structures and their statistical properties in turbulent flows remains largely unclear and is thus a central bottleneck for a better understanding of turbulent flows. Here, we demonstrate this link for the important problem of thermal convection. We show how the hierarchical plume network in the near-wall region of the flow, which becomes increasingly sparse with increasing distance away from the wall, is connected to the marginal stability of the thermal boundary layer and the resulting global heat transport. Our results, which are based on a series of direct numerical simulations for Rayleigh numbers up to R a = 10 11 in a relatively shallow layer, suggest a highly fluctuating thermal boundary layer that is composed of local building blocks in terms of plumes, which are the essential drivers of turbulent heat transport. These thermal plumes are found in a dynamically perpetual process of formation and aggregation that can be described, particularly well for Rayleigh numbers R a ≳ 10 9 , by a von Smoluchowski equation resulting in a gamma distribution of the local plume spacing, consistent with measurements. Similarity manifests with respect to the horizontal extension of the network, the vertical hierarchical plume clustering away from the wall and the number of plumes, over an order of magnitude of the thermal boundary layer thickness. Our findings suggest the dominance of dynamical local processes near the wall, rather than a global boundary layer instability.