Browse Articles

Uncovering the poisonous aconitine containing plants in homemade herbal liquor using a convergent approach

A 3.8 V Quaternary Ammonium‐Based Dual‐Ion Battery Enabled by a Conjugated Ladder Polymer

Abstract Rechargeable batteries based on nonmetal charge carriers like NH 4 + recently have attracted intensive attention due to high safety, environmental friendliness, low cost, and fast kinetics. However, NH 4 + electrolytes suffer from a narrow electrochemical potential window, making it challenging to construct high‐voltage and energy‐dense devices. Here we report a quaternary ammonium (NR 4 + )‐based dual‐ion battery (DIB) working at a high voltage of 3.8 V, which was enabled by a conjugated ladder polymer poly(benzobisimidazobenzophenanthroline) (BBL) anode for NR 4 + storage and a graphite cathode for anion uptake. The BBL functions as an efficient NR 4 + host by carbonyl/enol transformation, delivering a high capacity of 120 mAh g −1 , low average potential, high stability, and excellent rate performance. In the redox process, the electronic and ionic conductivities of BBL change periodically, accompanied by the formation of radical anion ( ●− ) and diradical dianion ( 2●− ). In combination with an anion‐intercalation graphite cathode, the assembled graphite//BBL DIB exhibits a maximum energy/power density up to 232 Wh kg −1 and 6865 W kg −1 based on mass of graphite, superior rate performance, and high cycling stability without capacity attenuation. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of NR 4 + as cation carrier and its efficient host, which will inspire novel designs for high‐performance nonmetallic energy storage devices.

Association between air pollution and female sexual function among Chinese women in a nationwide observation study

Fused‐Heterocycle‐Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks With Enhanced Chemical and Photochemical Stability for Photocatalysis

Abstract Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have attracted significant interest for their potential in photocatalytic solar fuel generation. However, their intrinsic stability—particularly the photochemical stability, which influences the durability of their photocatalytic performance—remains a critical challenge. Here, we present the construction of four robust fused‐heterocycle thiazole‐linked COFs (TZ‐COFs 14–17) through a facile one‐pot three‐component reaction using chrysene‐6,12‐diamine, aldehydes, and sulfur monomers. The incorporation of thiazole linkages within the fused‐ring building blocks imparts exceptional chemical and photochemical stability to these COFs. They demonstrate high stability in strong acid (12 M HCl), strong base (12 M KOH and 1 M MeONa), reducing (1 M NaBH 4 ), and oxidizing (1 M H 2 O 2 ) agents, along with superior photostability under light degradation tests. Significantly, the in situ formed thiazoles introduce new, robust protonation sites compared to commonly used imine linkages, which improve the hydrophilicity, expand the range of light absorption, and lower the exciton binding energy of the framework. TZ‐COF‐17 achieves an impressive hydrogen evolution rate of up to 33.27 mmol g −1  h −1 , surpassing many previously reported COF photocatalysts.

Research on microchannel fabrication in UV curable resin using combined beam processing

Deep learning steganography for big data security using squeeze and excitation with inception architectures

High‐Pressure Synthesis of Crystalline Double‐Layer Carbon Nitride Networks Stabilized in Bi ₇ C ₁₀ N ₁₈ (N _3(1‐ <i> _x </i> ₎ O ₃ <i> _x </i> )

Abstract Application of high‐pressure conditions in chemical synthesis has proven to access a wide range of novel nitrogen‐rich compounds and to overcome the stability of the dinitrogen molecule. In the present work, we report the high‐pressure high‐temperature (HPHT) synthesis of Bi 7 C 10 N 18 (N 3(1‐ x ) O 3 x ), which features double‐layers of poly‐ N ‐(1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐ yl )‐guanidine [C 4 N 6 x ‐ ] n and non‐polymerized guanidinate anions CN 3 5‐ . The structure model was determined by means of synchrotron single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and is fully corroborated by theoretical calculations. The poly‐ N ‐(1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐ yl )‐guanidine illustrates an example of a 2D polymerized anionic C─N network and represents the first intermediate between highly charged CN 3 5− anions and fully condensed graphitic carbon nitride networks achieved by HPHT conditions. This opens a pathway to a widely varied family of hydrogen‐free nitridocarbonates, which has the potential to develop into an alternative synthesis route to classical polycondensation reactions.

Ru Single Atoms Anchored in Metal Borides Enable Hydrogen Spillover for Superior Electrochemical Ammonia Production

Abstract The electrochemical reduction of nitrate represents a promising and sustainable route for valuable ammonia generation. However, a vital challenge in the nitrate reduction reaction is an insufficient supply of active hydrogen ( * H) and slow kinetics at a low working potential, which result in low production efficiency and high energy consumption. Here, we report the single‐atom Ru‐decorated nanoporous metal borides as a high‐performance electrochemical nitrate reduction electrocatalyst utilizing an atomic‐scale hydrogen spillover effect. Notably, the Ru SA /np‐Ni 3 B exhibits a high NH 3 Faradaic efficiency of 96.2%, an NH 3 yield of 30.4 mg h −1  mg −1 , and an energy efficiency of 39.1% at −0.1 V versus RHE. In situ electrochemical characterizations and theoretical calculations reveal that single‐atom Ru anchored in nanoporous Ni 3 B not only can efficiently dissociate water into * H and simultaneously promote the * H spillover for increasing * H coverage on the surface but also can optimize surface states of Ni 3 B active centers, which synergistically reduces the hydrogenation energy barrier for converting nitrate into valuable ammonia products. A two‐electrode electrolyzer integrating nitrate reduction reaction with furfuryl alcohol oxidation reaction achieves current density of 1 A cm −2 at −1.72 V with 100 h stability, improving the energy efficiency and economy of the system.

The role of cerebral oxygenation in pediatric lower respiratory tract infections based on insights from time domain near infrared spectroscopy tissue oximetry

Controlling dodder (Cuscuta planiflora) in Egyptian clover with silica nanoparticles and a novel bioherbicide

Abstract Dodder (Cuscuta planiflora) is a major parasitic plant species affecting the productivity of Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), an important forage crop in Egypt. A field trial was executed on Egyptian clover heavily infested with dodder during the winter seasons of 2021/2022 and 2022/2023. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cultivar choice and seven dodder control treatments on dodder growth performance as well as growth and yield components of Egyptian clover under infestation conditions. Results indicated that Helali was the most tolerant cultivar to dodder infestation. Moreover, treatments using Fusarium incarnatum-based bioherbicide, silica nano-particles (Si-NPs), and chemical herbicide (glyphosate) effectively controlled dodder after parasitism. The application of Si-NPs at 22 and 30 g fed−1 and bioherbicide at 20 and 30 kg fed-1 effectively reduced dodder biomass while increased biomass and seed yield of infested clover. The interaction between the Helali cultivar and Si-NPs at 30 g fed−1 was the most effective in reducing dodder biomass. Anatomical investigation of the stem revealed that Helali exhibited the greatest tolerance against dodder penetration. The electrophoretic protein profile indicated an unchanged protein pattern for Helali under infestation conditions. These findings suggest that Helali possesses a robust defense system and genetic diversity, making it the most tolerant cultivar to dodder infestation in conjunction with the high efficacy of the dodder control treatments used in this study.

On-device AI for climate-resilient farming with intelligent crop yield prediction using lightweight models on smart agricultural devices

A Bioinspired Diazafluorenone Catalytic System for Aerobic Oxidative Deamination of Primary Amines

Abstract Copper amine oxidases (CAOs) catalyze aerobic oxidation of primary amines into carbonyl compounds, which is an important biological process as well as a useful transformation for organic synthesis. A new bioinspired organocatalyst, 1,8‐diazafluoren‐9‐one (DFO), has been discovered, which exhibits impressive characteristics, including simple structure, high robustness, and strong electrophilicity, enabling it to effectively mimic the function of copper amine oxidases. Oxidative deamination of α‐amino amides presents an attractive approach to access α‐keto amides; however, it is difficult to achieve due to their electron‐withdrawing nature and steric effect. The diazafluorenone displays high catalytic activity in this transformation, producing various biologically significant α‐keto amides in moderate to excellent yields. Furthermore, the diazafluorenone catalyst is able to promote direct oxidation of benzylamines into aromatic aldehydes, instead of the generally formed product‐reactant imines, which leads to no greater than 50% yields of the desired aldehydes. The current aerobic oxidative deamination proceeds via a pathway similar to the biological process, involving transamination, hydrolysis/aminolysis, and aerobic oxidation.

Chondrule formation by collisions of planetesimals containing volatiles triggered by Jupiter’s formation

Abstract Chondrules are spherical or subspherical particles of crystallized or partially crystallized liquid silicates that constitute large-volume fractions of most chondritic meteorites. Chondrules typically range $$0.1-2\,$$ 0.1 - 2 mm in size and solidified with cooling rates of $$10-1000\,\mathrm{K\,h^{-1}}$$ 10 - 1000 K h - 1 , yet these characteristics prove difficult to reconcile with proposed formation models. We numerically show that collisions among planetesimals containing volatile materials naturally explain both the sizes and cooling rates of chondrules. We show that the high-velocity collisions with volatile-rich planetesimals first induced in the solar nebula by Jupiter’s formation produced increasing amounts of silicate melt for increasing impact velocities above $$2\,\mathrm{km\,s^{-1}}$$ 2 km s - 1 . We propose that the expanding gas formed from volatile materials by collisional heating dispersed and cooled the silicate melt, resulting in droplet sizes and cooling rates consistent with the observed sizes and inferred cooling rates. We further show that the peak melt production is linked to the onset of Jupiter’s runaway gas accretion, and argue that the peak age of chondrules points to Jupiter’s birth dating 1.8 Myr after CAIs.

Chemical composition and in vitro bioactivities of hydroalcoholic extracts from Turnera pumilea, Hyptis lantanifolia, and Ageratina popayanensis cultivated in Colombia

Pregnancy variables that impact postpartum quality of life: a multicenter prospective study

Potential of tadalafil and tadalafil-cellulose nanocomposite in preventing postsurgical abdominal adhesions in a rat cecal abrasion model

Abstract The formation of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions is a significant challenge in veterinary practice worldwide. Thus, several attempts have been made to identify agents that prevent the occurrence of these postsurgical adhesions. However, finding an ideal and effective agent remains a challenge. Herein, we investigate the potential of tadalafil and tadalafil/cellulose composite as promising therapeutics for preventing postsurgical intra-abdominal adhesions. A cecal abrasion model was established in 30 rats, which either left untreated or treated with tadalafil, cellulose, or tadalafil/cellulose. After 2 weeks, the adhesion formation was evaluated based on gross appearance, oxidative stress markers, pro-inflammatory cytokines, histopathological analysis, and immunohistochemical staining. Compared to the adhesion group, gross and histopathological findings revealed that both the tadalafil and cellulose groups significantly decreased adhesion formation, with better results observed after tadalafil treatment. Importantly the tadalafil/cellulose treatment completely prevented adhesion formation. Additionally, the treated groups showed reduced levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), while increasing the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) compared to the adhesion group. Furthermore, the treated groups reduced the expression of macrophage markers. These findings suggest that the intra-abdominal application of tadalafil and tadalafil/cellulose following abdominal surgery holds promise as a clinical strategy to prevent postsurgical intra-abdominal adhesions, with tadalafil/cellulose demonstrating superior efficacy.

Structural Differentiation of Homologous Anisodimensional Frameworks Driven by Site‐Selective Polymerization

Abstract Theoretically, distinguished from the dimensional isomers in reticular chemistry, structures with different dimensions can also be formed by site‐selective polymerization using identical building blocks bearing a high density of reactive sites. Unfortunately, the spatial confinement imposes significant challenges for molecular building blocks to achieve dimensional differentiation via their intrinsic site‐selective reactivity. In this work, we first report the dimensional differentiation of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) driven by site‐selective polymerization of identical molecular building blocks with a high density of reactive sites. This unique phenomenon was demonstrated for the first time to originate from the role of aniline in enhancing the reversibility of the reaction system and modulating the conformational flexibility of the monomers. We systematically elucidated the mechanism underlying this dimensional differentiation and successfully demonstrated the generality of the synthetic strategy. Moreover, the residual benzaldehyde in the frameworks generated via the site‐selective polymerization of the building blocks can serve as exciton acceptors, significantly enhancing the photocatalytic performance. This work not only offers a novel strategy for regulating the dimensionality of COFs but also provides a valuable reference for precisely controlling the conformational flexibility of building blocks to enable topological transformations.

A comparative analysis of parametric survival models and machine learning methods in breast cancer prognosis

Abstract Accurate prediction of breast cancer survival is critical for optimizing treatment strategies and improving clinical outcomes. This study evaluated a combination of parametric statistical models and machine learning algorithms to identify the most influential prognostic factors affecting the survival of patients. Two commonly used parametric models, log-gaussian regression and logistic regression, were applied to assess the relationship between survival and a set of clinical variables, including age at diagnosis, tumor grade, primary tumor site, marital status, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage, race, and receipt of radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Machine learning methods, such as neural networks, support vector machines (SVMs), random forests, gradient boosting machines (GBMs), and logistic regression classifiers, were employed to compare the predictive performance. Among these, the neural network model exhibited the highest predictive accuracy. The random forest model achieved the best balance between model fit and complexity, as indicated by its lowest akaike information criterion and bayesian information criterion values. Across all models, five variables consistently emerged as significant predictors of survival: age, tumor grade, ajcc stage, marital status, and radiation therapy use. These findings highlight the importance of combining traditional survival analysis techniques with machine learning approaches to enhance predictive accuracy and support evidence-based personalized treatment planning in breast cancer care.

Genotypic diversity and nutritional profiling of Bael [Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa] genotypes in India

Host-specific leaf-mining behaviour of holometabolous insect larvae in the early Permian

Abstract Leaf-mining is a complex insect feeding behaviour that provides various advantages for reproduction success. The evolutionary origin within the holometabolan clade was hypothesised to have first occurred in the early Mesozoic. We re-examined the controversial feeding trace of Asteronomus maeandriformis, which is abundant in an early Permian plant fossil assemblage from central Germany. We applied multiple optical and chemical analysis techniques to unravel the distinctive morphological patterns of these insect traces. The feeding traces represent tunnels within the leaf laminae, pointing to an endophytic feeding style. In addition, we found numerous oviposition sites that exhibit a direct association with the tunnels and were most likely produced by the same organisms. At the investigated locality, more than 80% of the abundant foliage of Autunia conferta (Peltaspermales) was affected, indicating a host-specific mass infestation by the producer. Our results unequivocally show that endophytic feeding behaviour evolved in the holometabolan clade at least by the earliest Permian and, therefore, more than 40 Ma earlier than hypothesised. The findings reveal complex organism interactions in late Palaeozoic ecosystems that may have evolved in response to global environmental change, leading to drier conditions in the palaeotropics.