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Enantioselective Alkyl–Acyl Radical Cross-Coupling Enabled by Metallaphotoredox Catalysis
Hydration-induced stiffness enabling robust thermal cycling of high temperature fuel cells cathode
Cold hardiness of Corythucha marmorata (Hemiptera: Tingidae) on the functional crop Helianthus tuberosus
Abstract The invasive phytophagous lace bug, Corythucha marmorata, threatens the functional food crop Helianthus tuberosus, but its overwintering ecology on this plant is poorly understood. This study evaluated the cold hardiness of C. marmorata at various life stages, focusing on the differences between female and male adults. C. marmorata overwinter as adults on H. tuberosus, based on a four-year winter field investigation. The supercooling and equilibrium freezing points of C. marmorata decline with development. Female adults showed the greatest supercooling capacity. The lower lethal temperature (female − 15 °C, male − 16 °C) is above the supercooling point (− 26 °C). The low temperature exposure mortality of C. marmorata female and male adults exhibited different regularities. We conclude that C. marmorata belongs to chill susceptible insects. October to February is the most recommended period for C. marmorata control by harvesting H. tuberosus. Weed removal, such as Erigeron bonariensis, Erigeron canadensis, and Ambrosia trifida, is an early control measure. These results enhance our understanding of C. marmorata’s cold tolerance and inform targeted pest management strategies for H. tuberosus crops.
Radiative pumping vs vibrational relaxation of molecular polaritons: a bosonic mapping approach
Abstract We present a formalism to study molecular polaritons based on the bosonization of molecular vibronic states. This formalism accommodates an arbitrary number of molecules N, excitations and internal vibronic structures, making it ideal for investigating molecular polariton processes accounting for finite N effects. We employ this formalism to rigorously derive radiative pumping and vibrational relaxation rates. We show that radiative pumping is the emission from incoherent excitons and divide its rate into transmitted and re-absorbed components. On the other hand, the vibrational relaxation rate in the weak linear vibronic coupling regime is composed of a $${{\mathcal{O}}}(1/N)$$ O ( 1 / N ) contribution already accounted for by radiative pumping, and a $${{\mathcal{O}}}(1/{N}^{2})$$ O ( 1 / N 2 ) contribution from a second-order process in the single-molecule light-matter coupling that we call polariton-assisted Raman scattering. This scattering is enhanced when the difference between fluorescence and lower polariton frequencies matches a Raman-active excitation.
A web-based tool for rapid and accurate craniometric differentiation of clouded leopard species
Abstract The illegal wildlife markets of Southeast Asia are bolstered by organised criminal networks and the region’s rich density of charismatic wildlife. Forensic tools identifying species and their origins are vital to combat wildlife crime. However, many require expensive technology and skilled personnel, limiting their use in rural trade hotspots. This study introduces a replicable statistical framework, using skull morphometrics, to distinguish related species with simple measurements. We developed a web-based classifier trained on clouded leopard (Neofelis spp.) skulls from museum collections across Europe, Asia and the U.S.A., a genus often targeted in wildlife trade. Our categorical predictive model, based on two key metrics, the fronto-nasal “pit” and m1 talonid morphology achieved 97% accuracy (p < 0.005). A continuous predictor model, using postorbital width, achieved 80.6% accuracy for males and 85.6% for females (both p < 0.05). These models were encoded into a free, user-friendly web app, enabling practitioners in remote areas to distinguish these two species easily. This tool not only supports anti-trafficking efforts but also enables museum curators to correctly assign provenance to clouded leopard skulls with uncertain origins.
Structural mimicry of UM171 and neomorphic cancer mutants co-opts E3 ligase KBTBD4 for HDAC1/2 recruitment
Abstract Neomorphic mutations and drugs can elicit unanticipated effects that require mechanistic understanding to inform clinical practice. Recurrent indel mutations in the Kelch domain of the KBTBD4 E3 ligase rewire epigenetic programs for stemness in medulloblastoma by recruiting LSD1-CoREST-HDAC1/2 complexes as neo-substrates for ubiquitination and degradation. UM171, an investigational drug for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, was found to degrade LSD1-CoREST-HDAC1/2 complexes in a wild-type KBTBD4-dependent manner, suggesting a potential common mode of action. Here, we identify that these neomorphic interactions are mediated by the HDAC deacetylase domain. Cryo-EM studies of both wild-type and mutant KBTBD4 capture 2:1 and 2:2 KBTBD4-HDAC2 complexes, as well as a 2:1:1 KBTBD4-HDAC2-CoREST1 complex, at resolutions spanning 2.7 to 3.3 Å. The mutant and drug-induced complexes adopt similar structural assemblies requiring both Kelch domains in the KBTBD4 dimer for each HDAC2 interaction. UM171 is identified as a bona fide molecular glue binding across the ternary interface. Most strikingly, the indel mutation reshapes the same surface of KBTBD4 providing an example of a natural mimic of a molecular glue. Together, the structures provide mechanistic understanding of neomorphic KBTBD4, while structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis of UM171 reveals analog S234984 as a more potent molecular glue for future studies.
Environmental and energy analysis of chromium recovery from residual tanned leather using alkaline thermal hydrolysis
Abstract The leather industry efficiently uses livestock byproducts but struggles with pollution, especially from chromium in waste. Innovations in chromium recovery can prevent contamination and offer economic benefits, aligning with circular economy principles. However, environmental assessments like life cycle assessment (LCA) are crucial for sustainability. This study evaluates the environmental and energy implications of chromium recovery from leather waste using LCA. Findings indicate that recovering 1 kg of chromium through thermal hydrolysis with an alkaline method results in $ 8.42E-02 resource damage, 4.28E-06 DALY to human health, and 1.60E-08 species year ecosystem damage, according to the ReCiPe method. Sodium hydroxide significantly contributes to environmental damage, highlighting the need for sustainable strategies. With a weighted impact of 201.04 mPt/kg, human health accounts for 62% of the burden, and resource depletion 34%. Recovered chromium reduces environmental damage by 95.65% overall compared to raw production, demonstrating substantial sustainability benefits. The energy assessment shows sodium hydroxide dominates consumption, using 98% of total demand, with 98% from non-renewable sources. Despite energy challenges, chromium recovery reduces environmental impact compared to crude production, promoting ecological resilience.
A unique mechanism of snRNP core assembly
Atomic-level investigation of KCNJ2 mutations associated with ventricular arrhythmic syndrome phenotypes
Anomalous transient enhancement of planetary ion escape at Mars
A new numerical method for calculating residual deformation in mined-out areas considering water–rock interaction and its application
A deep learning framework for instrument-to-instrument translation of solar observation data
Development of low cost ZnO based chemi resistive biosensor for the detection of vitamin B6 mediated by quantum dots
Abstract In this study, we developed a chemi-resistive sensor for vitamin B6 mediated by CdTe quantum dots (Cadmium Telluride QDs) utilizing ZnO-based thin films through the spin-coating sol–gel technique annealed at 500 °C. The sensor successfully recognized vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) in concentrations ranging from 2 to 10 µM by employing CdTe quantum dots (Cadmium Telluride QDs) on the ZnO thin film. This detection was achieved by implementing an amperometric (I–V) method, typically operating at a working voltage below 2 V. From the slope of the calibration curve, the sensitivity, and the limit of detection values are estimated to be 7.56 ± 0.92 nA/µM and 0.906 µM (n = 5), respectively. This study conducted electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in conjunction with current–voltage (I–V) measurements. The results obtained from EIS are consistent with the current response observed in the I–V measurements. The sensing mechanism primarily relies on the charge transfer phenomenon (electrostatic attraction) between the analyte (vitamin B6 mediated by CdTe quantum dots) and the ZnO thin film. In summary, our work introduces a simple, rapid, and cost-effective ZnO thin film-based sensing device for detecting vitamin B6, mediated by CdTe QDs. This sensor holds promise for a wide range of applications, from pharmaceutical quality control to point-of-care diagnostics and routine vitamin B screening.
Bilateral in-situ functionalization towards Ah-scale aqueous zinc metal batteries
Evaluation of owners’ and veterinarians’ attitudes toward veterinarian dressing styles in a teaching hospital in Taiwan
Abstract This study examined preferences for veterinarian dressing styles from both pet owners’ and veterinarians’ perspectives. A questionnaire was distributed to investigate the attitudes of pet owners and veterinarians toward six different dressing styles, four hairstyles, and nine appearance-related subjects toward both male and female veterinarians. A total of 211 pet owners and 92 veterinarians were included. Our results indicated that veterinarian dressing style affected the first impression of pet owners. Pet owners considered wearing a white coat or surgical scrubs an appropriate dressing style for veterinarians. While owners had no sex preference for veterinarians (p < 0.001), they had different attitudes towards various hairstyle for female and male veterinarians. Although any hairstyle, except for a bald hairstyle, was regarded as appropriate for female veterinarians among owners, male veterinarians with short hairstyles were considered more appropriate than other hairstyles. Wearing glasses, a name tag, a stethoscope, a watch, or sneakers tended to leave a neutral or appropriate impression. Wearing an earring, necklace, ring, or tattoo was considered very inappropriate by some owners. Overall, the owners were stricter than the veterinarians on different hairstyles but more permissive on appearance-related subjects.
Effective extracellular payload release and immunomodulatory interactions govern the therapeutic effect of trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd)
Use of cover data to model species abundance distributions through continuous probability functions
Abstract Species abundance distribution (SAD) models describe the abundances of the species within ecological communities. SAD modelling has been developed using frequency distributions that require the use of count data (number of individuals). However, many organisms, such as most plants, cannot be counted. Instead, abundance is estimated using cover values. We show here how SAD approaches conceived for modelling frequency distributions based on counts can be modified to deal with continuous distributions and provide an application using relative plant cover as a continuous measure of abundance. We applied several SAD models using continuous probability functions to investigate how plant SADs changed along a wide (2,500 m) elevational gradient in the Alborz Mountains (Iran). We found that most communities were adequately fitted by the Weibull distribution, whose parameters changed along the gradient in response to the interplay between biotic and environmental filtering processes. The use of continuous probability functions in SAD modelling should be encouraged in research dealing with plant communities and other organisms for which counting individuals is theoretically or practically impossible.
Reactive ZIF-L Crystal Surface for Organophosphorous Degradation and Acetylcholinesterase Reactivation
Inhibition of tau neuronal internalization using anti-tau single domain antibodies
Abstract In Alzheimer’s disease, tau pathology spreads across brain regions as the disease progresses. Intracellular tau can be released and taken up by nearby neurons. We evaluated single domain anti-tau antibodies, also called VHHs, as inhibitors of tau internalization. We identified three VHH inhibitors of tau uptake: A31, H3-2, and Z70mut1. These VHHs compete with the membrane protein LRP1, a major receptor mediating neuronal uptake of tau. A31 and Z70mut1 bind to microtubule binding domain repeats, which are involved in the interaction with LRP1. VHH H3-2 is the only VHH from our library that reduces the internalization of both monomeric tau and tau fibrils. VHH H3-2 binds a C-terminal tau epitope with high affinity. Its three-dimensional structure in complex with a tau peptide reveals a unique binding mode as a VHH-swapped dimer. These anti-tau VHHs are interesting tools to study tau prion-like propagation in tauopathies and potentially develop novel biotherapies.