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Al3+-mediated aggregation-induced enhancement of photosensitization performance of gold nanoclusters
Photocatalytic oxidation driven by photosensitizers has demonstrated significant potential in the realm of green chemistry. In recent years, metal nanoclusters with well-defined atomic structures have garnered attention as promising photosensitizers owing to their distinctive photoelectronic properties. Nevertheless, enhancing the efficiency of photosensitization remains a critical challenge that impedes its practical implementation. This study reveals that the addition of Al3+ can concurrently augment both the luminescence and photosensitization abilities of glutathione-protected gold nanoclusters. Time-resolved spectroscopic investigations indicate that Al3+ induces intermolecular aggregation of gold nanoclusters, thereby promoting the radiative transition of the excited triplet state and enhancing the energy transfer efficiency to molecular oxygen. The strategy presented herein offers a convenient approach for developing high-performance metal nanocluster-based photosensitization systems.
Integrated lithium niobate photonic computing circuit based on efficient and high-speed electro-optic conversion
Inside Front Cover: Is a Malleable Active Site Loop the Key to High Substrate Promiscuity? Hybrid, Biocatalytic Route to Structurally Diverse Taxoid Side Chains with Remarkable Dual Stereocontrol (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 36/2025)
Multi-dimensional model and interactive simulation of intelligent construction based on digital twins
Tunable d0 topological magnetic states in multiferroic monolayer In2NO2
Achieving and manipulating robust topological magnetic states has been a focus in condensed matter physics and materials sciences, exhibiting great potentials in next-generation information storage. Here, the d0 topological magnetic states are demonstrated in multiferroic monolayer In2NO2, where the magnetism originates from the p-orbital. Due to the small magnetic moment and delocalization feature of d0 magnetism, the skyrmions exist under an out-of-plane magnetic field in the range of 1.0–5.0 T, persisting at temperatures up to 150 K. The bimerons are generated by applying an in-plane magnetic field. With increasing tensile strain, the density of both skyrmions and bimerons can be significantly increased in In2NO2. Moreover, by constructing the In2NO2/MoSe2 heterostructure, the ferroelectric switching on and off skyrmion phase is utilized for encoding binary states “0” and “1.” These findings enrich the material family with d0 topological magnetic states for developing topologically physical devices.
Support-tuned iridium reconstruction with crystalline phase dominating acidic oxygen evolution
Abstract The dynamic reconstruction of oxygen evolution electrocatalysts dictates their performance, yet conventional Ir-based materials face an inherent activity-stability trade-off due to surface amorphization into hydrous IrOx phases accompanied by lattice oxygen mechanisms. Here, we uncover a distinct reconstruction pathway for supported Ir nanoparticles, where a TiOx@Ti substrate drives a bulk phase transition from metallic Ir to crystalline rutile IrO2 during electrocatalysis. Unlike surface-limited amorphization, this support-guided crystallization shifts the reaction mechanism from involving lattice oxygen mechanism to the complete adsorbate evolution mechanism, as confirmed by mechanistic and structural analyses. Consequently, the Ir/TiOx@Ti catalyst achieves both high activity and durability in acidic media, demonstrated in three-electrode systems and proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers. This work redefines support roles in electrocatalyst reconstruction, demonstrating that bulk phase engineering—rather than surface modification—resolves the long-standing efficiency-durability conflict in acidic oxygen evolution.
Umbilical cord-derived exosomes alleviate spinal cord injury by regulating microglial polarization through miR-340-5p-mediated modulation of the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway
Wobulation using a tunable electrowetting prism applied to structured illumination microscopy
Sub-pixel shifting technologies are attractive for enhancing the resolution of cameras and projectors. Conventional techniques, such as wobulation and pixel shift, rely on mechanical moving parts or cumbersome optical systems. As a solution, we demonstrate “electrowetting wobulation,” in which a tunable electrowetting prism is used to laterally shift a projected image. This technique overcomes challenges of other pixel shifting techniques, as the electrowetting prism is transmissive, can achieve high framerates, and has no mechanical moving parts. We apply electrowetting wobulation to an optical sectioning structured illumination microscope and demonstrate lateral shifting of a structured pattern while maintaining optical sectioning, which requires high quality images. We characterize the optical sectioning strength across multiple spatial frequencies, as well as demonstrate enhanced sectioning in an autofluorescent pollen grain, and find electrowetting wobulation is a promising technology to improve the resolution of conventional imaging systems.
Ultrahigh pressure compaction-resistant thin film crosslinked composite reverse osmosis membranes
Abstract In this study, we present a class of thin-film crosslinked (TFX) composite reverse osmosis (RO) membranes that resist physical compaction at ultrahigh pressures (up to 200 bar). Since RO membranes experience compaction at virtually all pressure ranges, the ability to resist compaction has widespread implications for RO membrane technology. The process described herein involves crosslinking a phase inverted porous polyimide (PI) support membrane followed by interfacial polymerization of a polyamide layer, thereby forming a fully thermoset composite membrane structure. We explore a range of phase inversion membrane formation parameters such as PI concentration, solvent-cosolvent ratios, coagulation bath composition, and crosslinking methods in addition to interfacial polymerization reaction chemistry and conditions. Overall, TFX membranes exhibit significantly less compaction compared to hand-cast and commercial high-pressure RO membranes, experiencing less than 10% decline in water permeance and maintaining salt rejection over 99% for NaCl solutions up to 180,000 mg/L with 200 bar applied pressure.
Correction: Regulator of G protein signaling-1 facilitates ovarian cancer development by modulating NF-kB signal pathway
Emission quantum coherence and interference of excitons in cuprous oxide
Emission coherence is crucial for quantum photonic technologies like single-photon emitters. However, emission from most bulk semiconductors suffers from severely limited coherence times under non-resonant excitation, typically in the femtosecond to picosecond range. In this study, we investigate the temporal coherence properties of excitons in cuprous oxide (Cu2O) using interferometric Fourier spectroscopy. We reveal a coherence time of approximately 24 ps and a homogeneous linewidth of 0.017 nm (55 μeV) at 4.7 K under non-resonant two-photon excitation. We also analyze the impact of relaxation, scattering, and the experimental setup on the decrease in coherence time. The 1S orthoexciton shows robust photoluminescence intensity and negligible spectral diffusion over 120 min. These results suggest that Cu2O presents itself as an exceptional material for generating indistinguishable single photons, demonstrating considerable potential for advanced applications in quantum photonics.
Temporal transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial morphology primes activity-dependent circuit connectivity
Abstract Synaptic connectivity during development is known to require rapid local regulation of axonal organelles. Whether this fundamental and conserved aspect of neuronal cell biology is orchestrated by a dedicated developmental program is unknown. We hypothesized that developmental transcription factors regulate critical parameters of organelle structure and function which contribute to circuit wiring. We combined cell type-specific transcriptomics with a genetic screen to discover such factors. We identified Drosophila CG7101, which we rename mitochondrial integrity regulator of neuronal architecture (Mirana), as a temporal developmental regulator of neuronal mitochondrial quality control genes, including Pink1. Remarkably, a brief developmental downregulation of either Mirana or Pink1 suffices to cause long-lasting changes in mitochondrial morphology and abrogates neuronal connectivity which can be rescued by Pink1 expression. We show that Mirana has functional homology to the mammalian transcription factor TZAP whose loss leads to changes in mitochondrial function and reduced neurotransmitter release in hippocampal neurons. Our findings establish temporal developmental transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial morphology as a prerequisite for the priming and maintenance of activity-dependent synaptic connectivity.
Impact of charcoal production on soil micronutrients, enzyme activities, microbial composition, and biomass phosphorus in a derived savannah ecosystem of Nigeria
Abstract Soil functions as the active force managing diverse biogeochemical processes in tropical forest ecosystems, including storing and recycling nutrients and decomposing organic matter. Anthropogenic activities, mainly deforestation on charcoal production, have substantially disrupted these processes, leading to notable changes in microbial activities, enzyme functions, and the availability and soil nutrient status of the derived savannah in southwestern Nigeria. While there is increasing recognition of charcoal’s impact on soil properties, there remains a noticeable research gap in understanding its specific effects on some associated soil microbial properties, soil enzymes, and micronutrients in charcoal production sites. Our investigation assesses soil nutrition, microbial composition, and some selected associated P and S enzymes under charcoal production sites of derived Savanna, Nigeria. Soil samples were systematically collected at 0–15 cm, 15–30 cm, and 30–45 cm in locations associated with charcoal production (CPS) and non-production sites (NPS). The objective was to assess the microbial biomass content in phosphorus and activity levels of microorganisms in soil, focusing on their production of phosphorus and sulfur enzymes, and to examine the overall nutrient release in these diverse environments. The findings revealed Biomass phosphorus (B p ), Phosphatase (Pho), Thiosulfate dehydrogenase (Tsd), Dimethyl sulfoxide reductase (Dsr), and micronutrients (Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Fe) were significantly higher in CPS than in NPS. Phytase (Phy) followed a consistent trend at both sites with significant differences among means. Except for copper (Cu), the cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) concentrations declined as the soil depth increased in the CPS and NPS across the three locations. This indicates that charcoal production sites in the derived savannah forest of southwestern Nigeria significantly impact soil properties and microbial activities. The higher Bp, Pho, Tsd, and Dsr levels in CPS suggest increased microbial activity and nutrient availability compared to NPS. Additionally, the variation in micronutrient concentrations with soil depth indicates differences in nutrient distribution and availability between the two sites. These findings underscore the importance of further ecosystems to understand the effects of charcoal production on soil ecosystems and to fully develop sustainable management practices that mitigate these impacts.
Record magnetic field generation by short-pulse laser-driven capacitor-coil targets
Magnetic fields generated by capacitor-coil targets driven by intense short-pulse lasers have been characterized using ultrafast proton radiography. A 1-kJ, 15-ps laser at a center wavelength of 1053 nm irradiated the back plate of the capacitor with an intensity of ∼8.3 × 1018 W/cm2, creating ultra large currents in the connecting coils. High-quality proton data obtained in the axial probing geometry show definitive signatures of magnetic field generation, allowing precision measurement of the field distribution and strength. The data show a coil current of 120 ± 10 kA producing 200 ± 20 Tesla magnetic fields at the coil center at 1.127 ns after the laser drive. This sets a record for magnetic field generation by the short-pulse-powered capacitor-coil targets.
SlimVar for rapid in vivo single-molecule tracking of chromatin regulators in plants
Abstract Epigenetic regulation occurs over many rounds of cell division in higher organisms. However, visualisation of the regulators in vivo is limited by imaging dynamic molecules deep in tissue. We report a technology—Variable-angle Slimfield microscopy (SlimVar)—that enables tracking of single fluorescent reporters to 30 µm depth through multiple Arabidopsis thaliana root tip cell layers. SlimVar uses rapid photobleaching to resolve tracked particles to molecular steps in intensity. By modifying widefield microscopy to minimise optical aberrations and robustly post-process few-photon signals, SlimVar mitigates performance losses at depth. We use SlimVar to quantify chromatin-protein assemblies in nuclei, finding that two homologous proteins key to epigenetic switching at FLOWERING LOCUS C ( FLC ) —cold-induced VERNALISATION INSENSITIVE3 (VIN3) and constitutively expressed VERNALISATION 5 (VRN5)—exhibit dynamic assemblies during FLC silencing. Upon cold exposure, the number of assembly molecules increases up to 100% to a median of ~20 molecules. Larger VRN5 assemblies preferentially colocalise with an FLC lacO transgenic reporter during prolonged cold and persist after return to warmth. Our findings support a hybrid model of epigenetic memory in which nucleation of histone trimethylation is assisted by dynamic protein assemblies over extended durations. SlimVar offers molecular insights into proteins expressed at physiological levels in tissues.