Browse Articles

Organic Molecules in Zeolites for Long‐Lifetime Afterglow

ABSTRACT Organic afterglow materials based on host–guest assembly have recently attracted extensive attention for their promising applications in photobiology and optoelectronics, as well as their simple and versatile preparation. However, the poor stability of the host matrix limits their actual applications. In this study, a new class of long afterglow materials with AlPO 4 ‐5 zeolite as the host matrix and various aromatic acids (terephthalic acid, 2‐naphthoic acid, and 1‐pyrenecarboxylic acid) as guest molecules has been developed. The prepared composites exhibit tunable afterglow emissions across the visible spectrum from blue to green to red, with lifetimes of 919, 1540, and 74 ms and intensities approximately 42, 579, and 29 times higher than those of the corresponding pure organic molecular solid powders. Studies reveal that the efficient afterglow emission primarily stems from the effective dispersion and strong adsorption of organic molecules by the zeolite matrix, as well as the host–guest coordination interactions. Remarkably, the zeolite matrix endows the composites with excellent stability against radiation, solvents, acids, alkalis, and heat, together with potential for multimodal applications. Such a combination of properties is challenging to achieve with other matrix materials. This work establishes a novel strategy for developing long afterglow materials that integrate efficient emission, robustness, and multifunctionality.

Revisiting the inorganic component of bone: beyond the accepted concept of “mineral”

Abstract Bone is widely believed to be constructed of apatite with a composition close to that of hydroxyapatite. The mineral of bone is a made up of polycrystalline 5 nm-thick plates of a monoclinic crystal with a composition like that of apatite but differing from that mineral in most significant respects. Although it is a well-defined crystalline species with diagnostic shape, size, composition range and symmetry, it is not a new mineral because it is not known to grow in any known geological environment. It appears to be a different crystalline phase from apatite .

High‐Efficiency and Carbon‐Lean Electrochemical Desalination Enabled by Nucleophilic Engineering of Organic Molecular Electrode

ABSTRACT The worsening global freshwater crisis positions seawater desalination as a critical solution. However, conventional desalination technologies remain constrained by a persistent sustainability trilemma involving high energy consumption, chemical reliance, and substantial carbon emissions. Here, we present an electrochemical strategy that overcomes these constraints by delivering high‐performance desalination behaviors while generating substantial environmental and energy benefits. Our approach utilizes a molecularly nucleophilic‐engineered dinitro‐functionalized pyrenephenazine (PPZ‐2NO 2 ) organic electrode integrated in a capacitive deionization (CDI) cell, enabling real seawater desalination. The electron‐withdrawing nitro groups precisely modulate the electronic structure and electrochemical activity of the PPZ‐2NO 2 electrode, unlocking the full utilization of redox‐active sites. The resulting organic‐based CDI configuration possesses high salt ion adsorption capacity and ultrafast rate under low‐voltage operation without chemical additives. The validation at module scale demonstrates practical viability, producing industrial‐grade freshwater at a 97.2% yield ratio in compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, while achieving an exceptional seawater desalination capacity of 349.91 mg g −1 . Furthermore, the process operates with low energy consumption and a carbon footprint of only 0.147 t CO 2 eq per ton of salt removed, which is ∼61.18% lower than state‐of‐the‐art technologies. This work offers a molecular‐level design for carbon‐lean electrochemical desalination toward sustainable water‐energy integration.

A resilient and efficient authentication and key agreement protocol for medical IoT: the PSU-MAKA framework

Beyond PXRD Pattern Matching: Toward Rigorous Structure Determination in Covalent Organic Frameworks

ABSTRACT Widespread reliance on qualitative powder x‐ray diffraction (PXRD) pattern matching has led to systematic overinterpretation of covalent organic framework (COF) structures. As a result, structure–property relationships are often obscured, mechanistic conclusions can be misleading, and reported performance is not always reproducible. In this Perspective, we take a closer look at common weaknesses in current practice, focusing on mismatches between proposed structural models and the characterization data used to support them. Through representative case studies, we show how these inconsistencies arise and why they matter. We argue that more rigorous, evidence‐based approaches, achieved via complementary characterization techniques, are needed for reliable structure determination. We also emphasize the importance of transparent data reporting and deposition, and introduce a practical checklist to help authors, reviewers, and editors assess the strength of structural claims in COFs.

Task geometry alignment enables parameter independent and accurate genomic search

Abstract Standard sequence alignment models biological homology through the metric space of edit distance. While effective for global orthology, this rigid geometric assumption struggles with discrete biological realities–such as insertions/deletions (indels) and fragment-to-reference asymmetry–forcing a reliance on heuristic gap penalties. To address this, we propose Task-Geometry Alignment (TGA), a design principle that structurally aligns algorithmic representation with the intrinsic geometry of the biological task. We implement TGA in TGAlign , an expert-parameter-independent tool that tiles reference databases to match query lengths, encodes sequences into gap-robust syncmer profiles, and indexes them for high-speed Approximate Nearest Neighbor (ANN) search. Benchmarking against leading aligners (USEARCH, VSEARCH, MMseqs2) demonstrates performance strictly bounded by biological architecture. On standard substitution-heavy markers (COI), TGAlign achieves statistical parity with the state-of-the-art. Conversely, on sequence fragments and indel-heavy markers, TGAlign yields statistically significant accuracy improvements (up to 10% on 16S) while matching the peak performance of MMseqs2 on highly variable ITS datasets. By translating sequence comparison into dense matrix operations via ANN indexing, the current implementation maintains sub-millisecond query latency–an order-of-magnitude reduction over traditional aligners–providing a robust and scalable framework for post-alignment genomic search. Source code is available at https://github.com/JustinBooneLab/TGAlign and datasets are archived at Zenodo (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17973054).

Unconventional‐Phase Pd ₂₀ Te ₇ Octahedra With High‐Index Facets for Oxygen Reduction

ABSTRACT The high surface energy leads to a significant challenge in the chemical synthesis of high‐index faceted nanomaterials. While the preparation of unconventional‐phase palladium (Pd)‐based nanocrystals with high‐index facets is largely unexplored. Herein, we introduce ethylene glycol as the morphology and size controller for unconventional‐phase Pd 20 Te 7 nano‐octahedra (NOs) enclosed by {300}, {20}, and {23} high‐index facets. These facets endow Pd 20 Te 7 NOs with excellent electrocatalytic activity for alkaline oxygen reduction reaction. Their high mass activity of 1.91 A mg Pd −1 at 0.90 V (vs. RHE) demonstrates a 1.89‐fold enhancement relative to Pd 20 Te 7 nanoparticles (NPs). More importantly, the Pd 20 Te 7 NOs‐based membrane electrode assembly (MEA) achieves a peak power density of 0.59 W cm −2 and a mass activity of 14.33 A mg PGM −1 (PGM: platinum group metals), measured in H 2 ‐O 2 fuel cells at an internal resistance‐corrected voltage of 0.65 V, corresponding to a 1.22‐fold and 2.47‐fold enhancement compared to Pd 20 Te 7 NPs (0.49 W cm −2 and 5.81 A mg PGM −1 ). Furthermore, the Pd 20 Te 7 NOs‐based MEA demonstrates stable operation at 0.4 A cm −2 for nearly 1440 min under an ultralow Pd loading of 0.022 mg cm −2 on the cathode. This work offers a new avenue to rationally design and construct high‐index faceted nanocrystals for high‐efficiency catalytic applications.

Biobehavioral synchrony between three to four months old infants and psychologically healthy mothers during the face-to-face still-face paradigm

Abstract Human social interaction emerges through coordinated behavior, emotion, and physiology. Biobehavioral synchrony supports stress regulation, attachment, and socio-emotional development, yet its manifestation in psychologically healthy mother-infant dyads remains poorly understood. In particular, little is known about how behavioral and physiological modalities interact and how synchrony varies across contexts. To address this, 94 mother-infant dyads with 3-4-months-old infants participated in the Face-to-Face Still-Face paradigm while cardiac activity was recorded simultaneously in mothers and infants. Physiological synchrony was quantified using cross-correlations of heart rhythm and heart rate variability (HRV) time series, averaged in 10-second windows. We coded behavioral synchrony and assessed bonding via maternal self-report. Behavioral synchrony was higher during play but declined after the stressor, while physiological synchrony was primarily evident during play and lagged 10 s, with maternal responses following infant signals. Low behavioral synchrony corresponded to stronger negative physiological synchrony, indicating that physiological co-regulation persisted despite behavioral misalignment. Supporting theories of early co-regulation, higher behavioral synchrony was linked to fewer bonding difficulties. These findings suggest that low-risk mothers show coordinated physiological fluctuations with their infants, highlighting maternal responsiveness as a key co-regulatory mechanism, providing a framework to identify atypical parent-infant dynamics and guiding parenting interventions that support child development.

Inside Front Cover: Modular Assembly of Bioconjugates Enabled by a Pyridine‐Based Chemoselective Sequential Conjugation Platform

Conductive polyaniline coupled ZnBi2S3 nano chalcogenide for electrochemical detection of ciprofloxacin and photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics

Correction to “Rabies Virus‐Inspired Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for Targeted Imaging and Chemotherapy of Glioma”

Neuroprotective curcuminoids from Curcuma longa as multi-target-directed ligand therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease: an integrated in silico and in vivo approach

Au Single‐Atom Interlayer Bridge Promotes Cross‐Layer Charge Transport and Intrinsic Catalytic Dual‐Sites Activation for Efficient CO ₂ Photoreduction

ABSTRACT Layered photocatalysts are attractive for artificial photosynthesis, but their performance is often limited by inefficient charge transport across interlayer gaps and sluggish surface reaction kinetics. Herein, we propose a single‐atom interlayer bridge strategy by introducing Au single atoms into layered Bi 4 O 5 Br 2 (AuIB‐BOB) to address the above limitations. The incorporated Au atoms substitute Bi sites and are stabilized by a mixed O/Br coordination environment with an average local structure of Au 1 O 3 Br 2 , forming a covalent bridge between the Br − and [Bi 4 O 5 ] 2+ layers to provide an excellent pathway for cross‐layer charge transport. Thus, holes that would otherwise remain confined in the Br − layer are extracted and delivered to the surface O‐oxidation sites, while photogenerated electrons are retained and utilized at the surface Bi‐reduction sites. This directional charge redistribution considerably suppresses charge recombination, prolonging the average carrier lifetime from 19.5 to 109.7 ps. Meanwhile, the bridge‐mediated charge transport activates the intrinsic Bi reduction sites and O oxidation sites synchronously, promoting CO 2 adsorption/activation and H 2 O oxidation‐related processes. Without sacrificial agents or photosensitizers, AuIB‐BOB achieves a CO 2 ‐to‐CO evolution rate of 58.21 µmol g −1 h −1 in pure water. This work provides an atomic‐level paradigm for regulating cross‐layer charge transfer and unlocking intrinsic redox sites in layered photocatalysts.

ST-gaussian: improved 3D content generation based on stable diffusion and gaussian splatting

Outside Back Cover: Cycloazulenylene

Machine learning-guided rapid virtual screening and molecular dynamics validation of compounds against select Plasmodium falciparum targets

Bioleaching of olivine and enstatite with formation of Mg-oxalate mediated by engineered Gluconobacter oxydans

Abstract Carbon mineralization using ultramafic rocks is a promising approach for long-term carbon dioxide removal. Here, we investigate whether a genetically engineered strain of Gluconobacter oxydans (B58 ∆pstS, P112:mgdh) can simultaneously achieve carbon mineralization and bioleach critical elements. Olivine and enstatite were bioleached at low-temperature conditions (30 °C) and with 5% pulp density. Direct G. oxydans -mineral contact promotes Fe 2+ oxidation and leads to higher leaching efficiency compared to leaching with a cell-free biolixiviant. Importantly, G. oxydans facilitates the precipitation of magnesium oxalate, a compound with twice the carbon storage capacity of magnesite. Oxalic acid was detected in the G. oxydans -produced biolixiviant, and solid-phase Mg-oxalate formed most efficiently at low pH. SEM and XRD analyses reveal extensive olivine dissolution and secondary coating by Mg-oxalate and amorphous silica, which may inhibit further leaching. Mass balance calculations show that G. oxydans leached up to 75% of the Mg hosted in the starting materials, while only 11% of leached Mg reacted to sequester carbon as Mg-oxalate after 15 days. The enhanced sequestration potential of Mg-oxalate combined with bioaccelerated critical element leaching to offset costs represents a promising opportunity for global carbon storage that is worthy of further investigation. (193/200)

Plasma neuropilin-1 is associated with a favorable lipid profile and insulin sensitivity in a population-based sample of 50-year-old individuals

Abstract Membrane-bound neuropilin-1 (Nrp-1) has been implicated as a regulator of insulin resistance-related lipid metabolism, but little is known about its circulating form, soluble Nrp-1 (sNrp-1), in a metabolic context. Here we investigated the association between plasma levels of sNrp-1 and metabolic variables in 501 participants from the Prospective investigation of Obesity, Energy and Metabolism (POEM) study. Metabolic phenotyping included blood sampling, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan, magnetic resonance imaging for fat distribution, and a glucose tolerance test. Associations were examined using linear regression models and Spearman’s rank correlation. Plasma sNrp-1 levels were inversely associated with levels of total fatty acids, triglycerides and lactate, and positively associated with markers of insulin sensitivity. In human Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome (SGBS) adipocytes, we showed that treatment with recombinant Nrp-1 reduced phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase in the basal state and attenuated isoproterenol-stimulated glycerol release, a measure of total lipolytic activity. Based on these findings, we thus postulate that sNrp-1-mediated suppression of lipolysis could explain our observed association between plasma sNrp-1 and a favorable lipid profile in humans. Further studies are warranted to establish causality and to clarify the role of sNrp-1 in promoting insulin sensitivity in human adipose tissue.

Assessing the learning curve in laparoscopic TAPP repair for emergency inguinal hernia: a comparative study with open repair

Abstract Emergency inguinal hernia repair presents considerable surgical challenges, with a continuous debate regarding the best approach. This study analyzes the outcomes of laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair in comparison to open tension-free repair, while also assessing the learning curve associated with TAPP. A retrospective study was conducted on 71 patients undergoing emergency inguinal hernia repair (33 TAPP, 38 open). Outcomes included operative time, intraoperative complications, pain scores, hospital stay, return to activity, recurrence, and learning curve analysis comparing early (first 18) vs. late (last 15) TAPP cases. Operative time was longer with TAPP (98.3 ± 9.4vs.80.3 ± 11.4 min, p  = 0.006), with a 6.1% conversion rate. Visceral injuries were more common in TAPP (15.2%vs.2.6%, p  = 0.058), while vascular injuries were higher in open repair (10.5%vs.3.0%, p  = 0.218). TAPP had significantly lower pain scores at 6, 12, and 24 h ( p  < 0.05), shorter hospital stay (2.5 ± 0.5vs.4.8 ± 0.8 days, p  = 0.001), and earlier return to activities (5.5 ± 0.5vs.10.5 ± 1.0 days, p  = 0.001). Recurrence and readmission rates were comparable. Later TAPP cases showed shorter operative time (93.4 vs. 102.4 min, p  = 0.002), no conversions, and better pain control. TAPP is a feasible emergency repair option, for selected cases, with a clear learning curve which improves outcomes after 15–18 cases. However, larger prospective studies are required to confirm these findings

Species distribution modelling of Ornithodoros spp. in California with consideration of climate variation and identification of TBRF, EBA and ASFV vector–host interfaces

Abstract Predicting the distribution of Ornithodoros ticks is essential for understanding the spatial dynamics of tick-borne disease risk under environmental change. We developed species-specific distribution models for Ornithodoros coriaceus , Ornithodoros hermsi , and Ornithodoros parkeri across California using an ensemble approach combining Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) and Random Forest (RF) algorithms. Habitat suitability was estimated under present conditions and future climate scenarios (2061–2080), and binary maps were generated using model-specific thresholds to quantify changes in suitable area. Projected responses to climate change differed markedly among species. Suitable habitat for O. coriaceus decreased from 60,312 km² to 41,387 km² (− 31.4%), while O. hermsi increased from 25,194 km² to 30,390 km² (+ 20.6%), and O. parkeri expanded from 34,625 km² to 46,258 km² (+ 33.6%). Environmental drivers varied across species but were consistently dominated by temperature- and precipitation-related variables, alongside elevation, highlighting distinct ecological niches and sensitivities to climatic gradients. Integration of MaxEnt and RF binary outputs allowed identification of consensus areas of suitability, reducing model-specific uncertainty and improving robustness of spatial predictions. County-level summaries revealed substantial heterogeneity in both current and future distributions, with northern and montane regions showing the greatest increases in suitability for O. hermsi and O. parkeri , while contractions of O. coriaceus were concentrated in lower-elevation areas.These results demonstrate that climate change is likely to reshape the spatial distribution of Ornithodoros species in divergent ways, with important implications for vector-borne disease risk. Species-specific modeling frameworks such as this provide a critical foundation for targeted surveillance and adaptive management strategies in California.