Browse Articles

LLM ethics benchmark: a three-dimensional assessment system for evaluating moral reasoning in large language models

Expanded CD16+CD56+Granzyme B+ NK like CD8+ T cells an off target effect of bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors in Waldenström macroglobulinemia

Effect of cervical cerclage on uterine artery doppler parameters and small for gestational age births

Abstract To evaluate the effect of vaginal cervical cerclage on uterine artery Doppler parameters and its association with small for gestational age births across different clinical indications. This prospective observational study included 140 singleton pregnancies undergoing cervical cerclage, stratified by indication: prophylactic (n = 39), ultrasound-based (n = 62), and rescue cerclage (n = 39). Uterine artery pulsatility index was measured preoperatively, postoperatively, and at six weeks post-procedure. Fetal growth parameters were monitored throughout pregnancy, with births below the 10th percentile classified as small for gestational age. All procedures utilized McDonald’s technique at a single tertiary center. Postoperative pulsatility index increased significantly in the prophylactic cerclage group (p < 0.001), but showed minimal change in the ultrasound-based and rescue groups. PI values normalized in all groups by six weeks. Small for gestational age births occurred in 7.9% overall (prophylactic 12.8%, ultrasound-based 4.8%, rescue 7.7%), with no significant difference (p = 0.410). Postoperative pulsatility index values above the 95th percentile were significantly more common in the prophylactic group (30.8%) than in ultrasound-based (6.5%) or rescue cerclage groups (2.6%) (p < 0.001). Cervical cerclage may cause early, transient uterine hemodynamic changes, particularly in women undergoing prophylactic cerclage for a history of painless mid-trimester loss. These changes typically resolve within six weeks and are not associated with adverse fetal growth outcomes, supporting an adaptive rather than pathological response. In clinical practice, transient postoperative Doppler elevations should be interpreted in light of indication and timing rather than regarded as alarming. These findings provide reassurance for clinical counseling on cerclage safety and emphasize the importance of indication-specific Doppler monitoring to guide follow-up and patient management.

Predictive modelling and high-performance enhancement smart thz antennas for 6 g applications using regression machine learning approaches

Machine learning guided process optimization and sustainable valorization of coconut biochar filled PLA biocomposites

Abstract This study focuses on the valorization of coconut shell biochar (CCB) as a sustainable reinforcement in polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites, targeting enhanced mechanical performance. PLA/CCB composites were fabricated by varying injection molding parameters at three levels: composition (Pure, 5 wt%, 10 wt%), injection temperature (135 °C, 145 °C, 155 °C), injection speed (50 mm/s, 60 mm/s, 70 mm/s), and injection pressure (30 bar, 40 bar, 50 bar). A Taguchi L27 orthogonal array was employed to systematically assess the effects of these parameters on tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and hardness. ANOVA results indicated that composition and injection temperature were the most influential factors, contributing 50.42% and 42.67% to tensile strength, and 38.58% and 20.14% to Young’s modulus, respectively. For hardness, composition dominated with a 78.3% contribution. To predict the mechanical responses, five machine learning models, including Linear Regression, Support Vector Regression (SVR), Random Forest Regression (RFR), Gradient Boosting, and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), were implemented. Gradient Boosting and XGBoost exhibited superior predictive accuracy, with R2 values of 98.77% for tensile strength, 96.28% for Young’s modulus, and 96.45% for hardness. The integration of Taguchi design, ANOVA-based analysis, and advanced machine learning techniques offers a robust framework for optimizing process parameters and valorizing CCB as a high-performance, eco-friendly reinforcement in biodegradable biocomposites.

Multiscale-engineered ferroelectric ceramics exhibiting superior electrocaloric performance

Spatial coding dysfunction and network instability in the aging medial entorhinal cortex

Abstract Across species, spatial memory declines with age, possibly reflecting altered hippocampal and medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) function. However, the integrity of cellular and network-level spatial coding in aged MEC is unknown. Here, we leveraged in vivo electrophysiology to assess MEC function in young, middle-aged, and aged mice navigating virtual environments. In aged grid cells, we observed impaired stabilization of context-specific spatial firing, correlated with spatial memory deficits. Additionally, aged grid networks shifted firing patterns often, but with poor alignment to context changes. Aged spatial firing was also unstable in an unchanging environment. In these same mice, we identified 458 genes differentially expressed with age in MEC, 61 of which had expression correlated with spatial coding quality. These genes were interneuron-enriched and related to synaptic plasticity, notably including a perineuronal net component. Together, these findings identify coordinated transcriptomic, cellular, and network changes in MEC implicated in impaired spatial memory in aging.

Anle138b binds predominantly to the central cavity in lipidic Aβ₄₀ fibrils and modulates fibril formation

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease is a specific neurodegenerative disorder, distinct from normal aging, with a growing unmet medical need. It is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain, primarily consisting of amyloid beta (Aβ) fibrils. Therapeutic antibodies can slow down the disease, but are associated with potential severe side effects, motivating the development of small molecules to halt disease progression. This study investigates the interaction between the clinical drug candidate small molecule anle138b and lipidic Aβ₄₀ fibrils of type 1 (L1). L1 fibrils were previously shown to closely resemble fibrils from Alzheimer’s patients. Using high-resolution structural biology techniques, including cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy enhanced by dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we find that anle138b selectively binds to a cavity within the fibril. This structural insight provides a deeper understanding of a potential drug-binding mechanism at the atomic level and may inform the development of therapies and diagnostic approaches. In addition, anle138b reduces fibril formation in the presence of lipids by approximately 75%. This may suggest a mechanistic connection to its previously reported activity in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease.

Stage-dependent cerebrocerebellar communication during sensorimotor processing

Abstract Cerebral cortex and cerebellum are essential for sensorimotor control, but the dynamics of their interactions remain unclear. Here, we investigated which pathways prevail during preparation and execution of spontaneous whisker movements in mice. During preparation, neuronal activity of primary motor (M1) and somatosensory (S1) cortex precede that of cerebellar crus regions, with a lead that is consistent with relaying a copy of motor commands. After movement onset, the phase of the signal inverts, indicating a dominant vector signaling from cerebellum to cerebrum. At this stage, Purkinje cell activity correlates more with S1 than M1, generating a prediction of sensory consequences during motor actions. A computational cerebello-cortical model could replicate the changes in dynamics and directionality. Optogenetic manipulations of pons and thalamus confirm the modeled predictions on stage-dependent dynamics. Together our data point towards a swap in direction of information flow between cerebrum and cerebellum when motor preparation switches to execution.

Probing catalyst-free hydroxyl radical generation at microbubble interfaces

Author Correction: In situ visualization of endothelial cell-derived extracellular vesicle formation in steady state and malignant conditions

Structural basis for sequence context-independent single-stranded DNA cytosine deamination by the bacterial toxin SsdA

Spectral tuning and nanoscale localization of single color centers in silicon via controllable strain

Adsorption-responsive bionic photothermal ion pump for reversible seawater lithium extraction

Floquet control of interactions and edge states in a programmable quantum simulator

Abstract Quantum simulators based on trapped ions enable the study of spin systems and models with rich dynamical phenomena. The Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model for fermions in one dimension is a canonical example that can support a topological insulator phase when couplings between sites are dimerized, featuring long-lived edge states. Here, we experimentally implement a spin-based variant of the SSH model using one-dimensional trapped-ion chains with tunable interaction range, realized in crystals containing up to 22 interacting spins. Using an array of individually focused laser beams, we apply site-specific, time-dependent Floquet fields to induce controlled bond dimerization. Under conditions that preserve inversion symmetry, we observe edge-state dynamics consistent with SSH-like behavior. We study the propagation and localization of spin excitations, as well as the evolution of highly excited configurations across different interaction regimes. These results demonstrate how precision Floquet engineering enables the exploration of complex spin models and dynamics, laying the groundwork for future preparation and characterization of topological and exotic phases of matter.

The mechanism of thioamide formation by the YcfA-YcfC system in 6-thioguanine biosynthesis

The intrinsic time tracker: temporal context is embedded in entorhinal and hippocampal functional connectivity patterns

Abstract Changes in task-evoked activity in the entorhinal cortex (EC) and hippocampus have been shown to track changes in temporal context at short and long timescales. However, whether spontaneous changes in EC and hippocampal neural signals—in the absence of task demands—likewise reflect the passage of time remains unknown. Here, we leveraged a dense-sampling study in which two individuals underwent daily resting-state fMRI for 30 days. Similarity in EC- and anterior hippocampal-whole-brain resting connectivity patterns was negatively correlated with the time interval between sessions, suggesting a spontaneous, slow-drifting neural signature of time. These changes could not be explained by other time-varying factors (including session-wise changes in mood, hormones, or motion). Hippocampal connectivity temporal drifts followed an anterior-to-posterior gradient, and anterolateral EC showed stronger temporal drift than posteromedial EC. Finally, posterior networks (including visual and default mode) primarily drove drifts in EC- and hippocampal-whole-brain connectivity over time. Collectively, these findings reveal a resting-state connectivity signature that reflects the passage of time in the absence of task demands and follows a functional gradient along the longitudinal axis of the hippocampus.

Interfacial chemistry-driven reaction dynamics and resultant microstructural evolution in lithium-based all-solid-state batteries

Abstract Achieving a comprehensive understanding of battery systems necessitates multi-length scale analysis, from the atomic- to macro-scale, to grasp the complex interplay of phenomena influencing performance. However, studies to understand these phenomena in all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) poses significant challenges due to the complex microstructural evolution involved, including the pore formation and contact loss resulting from cathode material breathing, chemical degradation at interfaces, and their interplay. Herein, we investigate the impact of chemical degradation on the reaction behavior and microstructural evolution of Ni-rich cathode particle (LiNi 0.6 Co 0.2 Mn 0.2 O 2 ) within composite cathodes of sulfide-based ASSBs, using a well-defined model system incorporating Li-In alloy anodes and a non-decomposable coating layer that solely alters the interfacial chemical reactivity. By using lithium difluorophosphate (LiDFP) to suppress chemical degradation, we observed that this suppression enhances the reaction uniformity among particles and homogenizes mechanical degradation, albeit increasing pore formation and tortuosity. In addition, unbridled chemical degradation induces significant reaction heterogeneity and non-uniform mechanical degradation, with fewer pores and lower tortuosity. These findings complement the understanding of mechanical degradation, which is traditionally described using the metrics of contact loss and tortuosity, and underscore the critical role of coating layers in promoting lithium conduction by maintaining contact with the cathode surface.

A blueprint for designing the next-generation of synthetic C1 microbes

Prenatal exposure to Zika virus shapes offspring neutrophil function in a sex-specific manner

Abstract Maternal viral infection during pregnancy can have lasting consequences on offspring immune development. Zika virus (ZIKV) is known to trigger maternal immune activation (MIA), yet its impact on fetal and postnatal innate immunity remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate how prenatal exposure to ZIKV influences offspring neutrophil function using a murine model of maternal infection. We identify a sex-dimorphic placental response to ZIKV and observed hyperinflammation in ZIKV-exposed male offspring following LPS challenge. Functional assays reveal impaired reactive oxygen species production and defective neutrophil extracellular trap formation in neutrophils from ZIKV-exposed offspring. Furthermore, we identify A20 as a key sex-dimorphic regulator of neutrophil activation and survival. Here, we show that maternal viral infection during pregnancy programs long-term offspring immunity in a sex-specific manner, providing insights into the developmental origins of differential susceptibility to infections and inflammatory diseases later in life.