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The effect of Streptomyces fradiae strain JB-1 on Bactrocera dorsalis species complex pupal development in various soil levels

Redox-innocent scandium(III) as the sole catalyst in visible light photooxidations

Abstract In recent years, the catalytic activity of scandium triflate Sc(OTf) 3 has attracted significant attention due to its robust Lewis acidity and the oxophilicity of Sc 3+ . These features have led to impressive progress in developing diverse organic reactions, including C-C bond formation. The Sc 3+ also facilitates single electron transfer in photoinduced reactions either by coordination to an organophotoredox catalyst, which modifies its redox reactivity, or by the formation of a scandium–superoxide anion complex after electron transfer from a light-absorbing redox-active compound. The prior consideration of Sc 3+ as a redox-inactive/innocent metal ion initially hampered the investigation of the possibility of using Sc(OTf) 3 as a sole visible light photoredox catalyst. This work demonstrates the use of Sc(OTf) 3 as a visible light photocatalyst capable of direct and mild aerobic oxidative C-H functionalisation of aromatic substrates by oxidation of the benzylic position and direct cyanation of the aromatic ring.

Comparison of utilizing a hypertonic saline solution and mannitol to improve brain relaxation during craniotomy in patients with brain tumours: a prospective randomized controlled trial

GraphVelo allows for accurate inference of multimodal velocities and molecular mechanisms for single cells

Use of computer vision analysis for labeling inattention periods in EEG recordings with visual stimuli

Exploring the space of self-reproducing ribozymes using generative models

Abstract Estimating the plausibility of RNA self-reproduction is central to origin-of-life scenarios. However, this property has been shown in only a handful of catalytic RNAs. Here, we compare models for their generative power in diversifying a reference ribozyme, based on statistical covariation and secondary structure prediction, and experimentally test model predictions using high-throughput sequencing. Leveraging statistical physics methods, we compute the number of ribozymes capable of autocatalytic self-reproduction from oligonucleotide fragments to be over 10 39 , with sequences found up to 65 mutations from the original sequence and 99 mutations away from each other, far beyond the 10 mutations achieved by deep mutational scanning. The findings demonstrate an efficient method for exploring RNA sequence space, and provide quantitative data on self-reproducing RNA that further illuminates the potential pathways to abiogenesis.

Cross-modal adaptive reconstruction of open education resources

An 85-year record of glacier change and refined projections for Kennicott and Root Glaciers, Alaska

Abstract Long-term historical records of glacier mass change are key to advancing understanding of glaciers’ response to climate change and improving predictions of their future. Here, we use historical aerial photographs and new bed topography measurements to provide an 85-year record of glacier change on Kennicott and Root Glaciers in Alaska. At the glacier terminus, little change is observed in the two decades prior to 1957, followed by ongoing and accelerating mass loss with dynamically driven spatial variability. Glacier projections, constrained by these mass loss estimates, predict that Kennicott Glacier will lose 38 ± 14% to 63 ± 18% of its mass by 2100, relative to 2000, and Root Glacier will lose 38 ± 11% to 58 ± 12%, depending on the emissions scenario. These results differ by up to 22% from similar predictions made by projections calibrated from the past two decades of glacier change only. This highlights the importance of long-term glacier mass-loss records that help us better project far-reaching consequences of climate change related to sea level rise, water resources, natural hazards, climate, and culture.

Performance improvement of solar still by water mass splitting arrangement

Abstract The study explored the use of a black rubber mat as a cost-effective material for energy storage and water splitting, and its potential for enhancing potable water production. In this research, a solar still (SS) and a modified version incorporating a rubber mat were designed and tested. The rubber mat was placed at the bottom of the conventional tubular SS, and the performance of the experimental work was evaluated on 09-10-2019, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The yield of the standard solar still was 1.99 kg, while the modified version with the rubber mat attained a highest water generation of 0.60 kg, with a total output of 2.82 kg. The thermal efficacy was calculated for a modified model, which used a rubber mat, and was 54.80%, significantly higher than the 34.90% of the unmodified version, an improvement of 19.9%. Furthermore, with the addition of a black rubber mat, the upgraded solar’s second law (Exergy) efficiency still reached 2.94%, compared to 1.78% for the standard version, representing a 1.16% increase.

Transmission interference microscopy of anterior human eye

Abstract Cellular imaging of the human anterior eye is critical for understanding complex ophthalmic diseases, yet current techniques are constrained by a limited field of view or insufficient contrast. Here, we demonstrate that Ernst Abbe’s foundational principles on the interference nature of transmission microscopy can be applied in vivo to the human eye to overcome these limitations. The transmission geometry in the eye is achieved by projecting illumination onto the posterior eye (sclera) and using the back-reflected light as a secondary illumination source for anterior eye structures. Specifically, we show that the tightly localized illumination spot at the sclera functions analogously to a closed condenser aperture in conventional microscopy, significantly enhancing interference contrast. This enables clear visualization of cells and nerves across all corneal layers within an extended 2 mm field of view. Notably, the crystalline lens epithelial cells, fibers, and sutures are also distinctly resolved. In patients, Fuch’s endothelial dystrophy - a major ophthalmic disease affecting 300 million people - is highlighted under a transmission contrast, providing complementary information to traditional reflection contrast. Constructed using consumer-grade cameras, the instrument offers a path toward broad adoption for pre-screening and surgical follow-up, as well as for diagnosing corneal infections in low-resource settings, where anterior eye diseases are most prevalent.

The current situation and factors influencing the use of traditional Chinese medicine therapies among patients with chronic disease in china: a cross-sectional study

Conserved function of the HAUS6 calponin homology domain in anchoring augmin for microtubule branching

Abstract Branching microtubule nucleation is a key mechanism for mitotic and meiotic spindle assembly and requires the hetero-octameric augmin complex. Augmin recruits the major microtubule nucleator, the γ-tubulin ring complex, to pre-existing microtubules to direct the formation of new microtubules in a defined orientation. Although recent structural work has provided key insights into the structural organization of augmin, molecular details of its interaction with microtubules remain elusive. Here, we identify the minimal conserved microtubule-binding unit of augmin across species and demonstrate that stable microtubule anchoring is predominantly mediated via the calponin homology (CH) domain in Dgt6/HAUS6. Comparative sequence and functional analyses in vitro and in vivo reveal a highly conserved functional role of the HAUS6 CH domain in microtubule binding. Using cryo-electron microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations in combination with AlphaFold structure predictions, we show that the D. melanogaster Dgt6/HAUS6 CH domain binds microtubules at the inter-protofilament groove between two adjacent β-tubulin subunits and thereby orients augmin on microtubules. Altogether, our findings reveal how augmin binds microtubules to pre-determine the branching angle during microtubule nucleation and facilitate the rapid assembly of complex microtubule networks.

Multi-environment evaluation and identification of Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) genotypes for superior agronomic and nutritional potential in the North-Western Himalayas

Abstract Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn) is an important underutilized coarse cereal, grown for its excellent nutritional, health value and therapeutic effects. Despite its growing demand, there are limited studies that have focused on its genotypic variability and genotype-environmental interaction (GEI), particularly in the North-Western Himalayas. This study evaluated 24 Tartary buckwheat genotypes across five specific test environments (E1–E5) for 9 agronomic and 6 nutritional traits to estimate the effects of genotype (G), environment (E) and their interaction (GEI) using Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI), Genotype and Genotype × Environment Interaction (GGE) biplot, Weighted Average of Absolute Scores (WAAS), Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) and the Multi-Trait Stability Index. The results revealed significant GEI effects for all the evaluated traits. High heritability and genetic advance as a percentage of the mean for number of seeds per plant and seed yield per plant, suggested strong potential for genetic improvement. Based on mean performance, AMMI, WAAS, WAASBY and GGE analysis, genotypes G2, G13, G19, G1, G15 and G23 were found fairly stable alongside superior trait performance and nutritional content. Environmental analysis highlighted E2, E5 and E4 at Palampur (H.P.), as the most representative and discriminating environments. Multi-trait stability index analysis identified genotypes G2, G13, G1 and G19 as the most stable and ideal. These findings provide critical insights into the adaptability and performance of buckwheat genotypes under diverse agro-climatic conditions. Hence, these genotypes can serve as valuable resources for breeding programs aimed at developing high-yielding, nutritionally enhanced Tartary buckwheat varieties suitable for the North-Western Himalayan region.

Defective states of Hermite-Gaussian modes for long-distance image transmission and high-capacity encoding

Ink based graphene integration into commercial contact lenses

Synthetic nano-kirigami with high deformability for reconfigurable information displays

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic phases on emergency medical services reaction times in Southern Poland

Anti-restriction functions of injected phage proteins revealed by peeling back layers of bacterial immunity

Abstract Virus-host competition drives evolution of diverse antivirus defenses, but how they co-operate in wild bacteria and how bacteriophages circumvent host immunity remains poorly understood. Here, using a functional screening platform to systematically explore the functions of phage accessory genes, we describe how cell-surface barriers can obscure the phenotypes of intracellular defenses in E. coli isolates. LPS modification emerged as a major theme, with the discovery of several small phage proteins that modify specific O-antigen structures, removing barriers to phage adsorption. Bypassing O-antigen in wild E. coli strains revealed another layer of defense: Type IV restriction endonucleases (RE) that target modified DNA of T-even phages (T2, T4, T6). We further show how injected proteins Ip2 and Ip3 of T4 inhibit distinct subtypes of these Type IV REs. Extensive variability in Type IV REs likely drives the emergence of subtype-specific inhibitors through multiple rounds of adaptation and counter-adaptation.

Development, validation, and application of a dual-color fluorescent assay for high-throughput screening of anti-chikungunya drugs

Abstract Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), one of the arthropod-borne viruses, has been affecting the global population for more than 70 years since it was first described with more than 620,000 cases in 2024 alone. Despite its long-standing problem, the only treatment available for chikungunya-infected patients is supportive treatment to alleviate pain. Fluorescent molecules have been used in detecting viral infection in the host cells via immunofluorescence assays because of their sensitivity. This study aimed to use this assay to rapidly screen efficacy and cytotoxicity of several compounds in a high-throughput manner. The optimized conditions were to seed Vero cells at 10,000 cells/well, and infect them with CHIKV ECSA at MOI of 0.1. These conditions resulted in a good discrimination power between infected wells and uninfected wells and minimized the cytopathic effect on host cells. Validation using two compounds with known activity against CHIKV, cycloheximide (CHX), and acyclovir (ACY), showed that the assay could properly identify active compounds and inactive compounds correctly. There was also no significant difference between the results of 3 independent rounds of compound screening, thus showing the reproducibility of the assay. Traditional primary screening were performed in parallel with the dual-color fluorescent assay for 60 unknown compounds to evaluate inhibition performance of inhibition and approximate cytotoxicity assessment. The results showed excellent performance from the analysis of the ROC curves and general agreement between two approaches from the Bland-Altman plots. Overall, the developed assay required less labor while being able to screen more compounds than the traditional assay in one round of experiment. The assay is currently being tested to screen libraries of compounds and so far, has been able to identify 22 hits for further characterization.

Volcanism and long-term seismicity controlled by plume-induced plate thinning

Abstract Mantle plumes, the hot upwellings from the Earth’s core-mantle boundary, are thought to trigger surface uplift and the emplacement of large igneous provinces (LIPs). Magmatic centres of many LIPs are scattered over thousands of kilometres. This has been attributed to lateral flow of plume material into thin-lithosphere areas, but evidence for such flow is scarce. Here, we use abundant seismic data and recently developed methods of seismic thermography to map previously unknown plate-thickness variations in the Britain-Ireland part of the North Atlantic Igneous Province, linked to the Iceland Plume. The locations of the  ~ 60 Myr old uplift and magmatism are systematically where the lithosphere is anomalously thin at present. The dramatic correlation indicates that the hot Iceland Plume material reached this region and eroded its lithosphere, with the thin lithosphere, hot asthenosphere and its decompression melting causing the uplift and magmatism. We demonstrate, further, that the unevenly distributed current intraplate seismicity in Britain and Ireland is also localised in the thin-lithosphere areas and along lithosphere-thickness contrasts. The deep-mantle plume has created not only a pattern of thin-lithosphere areas and scattered magmatic centres but, also, lasting mechanical heterogeneity of the lithosphere that controls long-term distributions of deformation, earthquakes and seismic hazard.