Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
Valence engineering enables cobaltosic oxide enhanced peroxidase-mimicking activity for efficiently detecting dopamine
Nanozymes as a promising alternative to natural enzymes are attracting enormous attention in past decades, yet their catalytic activities remain inferior to natural enzymes owing to the difficulties in performance improvement and precise control over composition, which greatly limits their practical application. Herein, by using metal organic frameworks as the sacrificial templates, we arbitrarily synthesize cobaltosic oxide (Co3O4) nanostructures with tunable valence states of Co sites via a one-step pyrolysis facilitated by a post-thermal treatment. It is found that through balancing the content between Co3+ and Co2+, partially reduced Co3O4 (R-Co3O4) exhibits the optimal peroxidase-like activity similar to natural horseradish peroxidase with Co2+ catalytically decomposing H2O2 while Co3+ adsorbs 3,30,5,50-tetramethylbenzidine. In addition, R-Co3O4 shows good stability in wide pH (2.58–10.04) and temperature (25.5–64.5 °C) ranges. Based on R-Co3O4 nanozymes, disposable paper-based bioassays are subsequently designed, exhibiting a good sensitivity to dopamine with a paper-based detection limit estimated to be 1.4 μM.
Tobacco smoking behavior and health outcomes among patients with chronic diseases: a comparative study of tobacco-producing and non-producing areas in southern Thailand
Pharmacokinetic interactions between three SGLT2 inhibitors and telmisartan: A focus on empagliflozin, ertugliflozin, and henagliflozin
Background Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) usually accompany with the occurrence of high blood pressure, necessitating a combination of treatments. This includes sodium-glucose co-transporter 2(SGLT2) inhibitors like empagliflozin, ertugliflozin, and henagliflozin, and antihypertensives like telmisartan. Both classes interact with transporters like P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), with telmisartan further inhibiting several, including organic anion transporting poly-peptide (OATP) 1B1/1B3. Objective Despite their common use, pharmacokinetic interactions between these drugs remain underexplored. This study aims to investigate the potential pharmacokinetic interaction between three specific SGLT2 inhibitors and telmisartan. Methods Rats were divided into twelve groups, with six rats per group, and received different combinations of empagliflozin, ertugliflozin, henagliflozin, and telmisartan. Drug concentrations were measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and mRNA expressions through quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results Our study manifested that telmisartan increased the plasma concentration-time curves (AUC 0-t and AUC 0–∞ ) and the maximum plasma concentrations (C max ) of empagliflozin, whereas the apparent clearance (CL z/F ) and apparent volume of distribution (V z ) significantly decreased(all p ＜ 0.05). Similarly, telmisartan increased the AUC 0-t , AUC 0-∞ and C max of henagliflozin and decreased the CL z/F (all p ＜ 0.05). When coadministered with ertugliflozin or henagliflozin, the AUC 0-t and AUC 0–∞ of telmisartan decreased significantly and the CL z/F increased significantly(all p ＜ 0.05). Furthermore, PCR results demonstrated that telmisartan decreased the expression of BCRP expression in liver, intestines and kidney, P-gp expression in the intestines and kidney and OATP1B2 expression in liver tissue. Conclusions Our findings highlight the importance of these drug interactions, which could inform dose adjustments to enhance safety in patients with T2DM and hypertension.
Cooperative Sulfate Binding Drives Hierarchical Assembly of Supramolecular Trimers
ABSTRACT Metallosupramolecular assembly traditionally employs rigid ligands to ensure structural predictability, yet flexible ligands‐based assembly remains a formidable challenge due to their conformational indeterminacy. In this study, we report a unique supramolecular trimer assembled from a flexible tripodal ligand, where each arm features a bis(urea) anion‐binding site and a terminal pyridine metal‐binding site. Upon coordination with sulfate and Pd 2+ or Pt 2+ , sulfate–bis(urea) hydrogen‐bonding directs the spatial arrangement of pyridine units. Single‐crystal x‐ray diffraction reveals racemic mixtures of supramolecular trimers with clockwise ( M ) or counterclockwise ( P ) helicity, composed of three stacked figure‐eight subunits and resembling the morphology of a Calochortus venustus tulip. Such assembly is co‐stabilized by metal–pyridine coordination (first‐sphere coordination), N–H···O/C–H···O H‐bonding with sulfates (second‐sphere coordination), and sulfate–Pd 2+ electrostatic attraction. The trimer remains stable in solution, as confirmed by NMR, DOSY, and ESI‐MS experiments. Concentration‐dependent NMR studies elucidate a multistep assembly pathway from a 1:1 sulfate complex, through a figure‐eight subunit, to the final architecture. Moreover, replacing the non‐coordinating pyridine unit with a chiral group successfully induces enantiopure trimers. This work establishes a paradigm of anion‐dictated assembly through cooperative first‐ and second‐sphere coordination, offering a new avenue for supramolecular assemblies.
Modulation of the interlayer Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction by wedging
The interlayer Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (IL-DMI) has recently attracted extensive interest as an indirect chiral coupling. Effective control requires modulation of both its strength and direction, posing significant challenges. This work experimentally demonstrates a wedge-based approach that modulates IL-DMI in magnetic heterostructures via a thickness gradient. By systematically varying the thickness gradients in the Pt underlayer and spacer layer, we directly tuned the magnitude while preserving the orientation. This wedge-shaped modulation strategy shows promising potential for advanced spintronic devices utilizing IL-DMI.
Self- and observer-rated functioning and psychiatric readmission: findings from multicenter longitudinal data
Direct and indirect mapping of the 12-item Short Form Survey version 2 (SF-12v2) onto the EQ-5D-5L utility scores in general Thai population
The SF-12v2 is widely used to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the general Thai population because it is brief and places a low burden on respondents. However, it does not provide utility scores required for economic analyses. The mapping approach is a solution to estimate the utility scores from the SF-12v2 response using several regression models. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a mapping algorithm to estimate EQ-5D-5L utility scores from the SF-12v2 items using a 2022 national dataset of 2000 Thai respondents. Four predictor sets incorporating SF-12v2 items/subscales and age as a covariate were investigated using direct and indirect mapping approaches. Direct mapping approaches included ordinary least squares, Tobit, censored least absolute deviations, generalized linear model (GLM), two-part models, adjusted limited dependent variable mixture model (ALDVMM), and beta mixture model, while multinomial logistic regression (MLOGIT) was investigated for indirect mapping. Model performance was evaluated using ten-fold cross-validated (post-CV) mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE). The ALDVMM-1 component with a predictor set comprising age and selected SF-12 items as categorical variables demonstrated the best predictive performance, yielding the lowest post-CV MAE and RMSE (0.0410 and 0.0625, respectively). However, MLOGIT showed poorer predictive performance. Therefore, the proposed ALDVMM-1 component-based mapping algorithm may facilitate the estimation of utility scores in studies where only the SF-12v2 was collected. Given that the mapping algorithm was developed from a predominantly healthy sample, it may be less reliable in populations with poorer health status, and further validation in populations with less healthy or clinical samples is warranted in future studies.
Glassy magnetic dynamics emerging in a robust diamagnetic state of Ba2Co3.5Cl1.5O7 single crystal: A new phase of the mixed-anion cobalt oxyhalide
Glassy magnetic states typically develop on top of a paramagnetic or weakly ferromagnetic background. However, their emergence in a diamagnetic state remains largely unexplored. In this study, we report a single-crystal investigation of a mixed-anion cobalt oxyhalide with an energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS)-estimated composition close to Ba2Co3.5Cl1.5O7, in which glassy magnetic dynamics emerge within a predominantly negative magnetic response. The composition Ba2Co3.5Cl1.5O7 refers to the EDS-estimated stoichiometry, whereas the crystallographic refinement follows a Ba2Co4ClO7-type structural model. Direct current magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed a pronounced diamagnetic response over a broad temperature range, accompanied by a freezing-like anomaly near 50 K. Assessments of alternating current susceptibility further showed an unusual dynamical behavior: the real component exhibited weak frequency dependence, whereas the imaginary component displayed strongly frequency-dispersive dissipation. The extracted Mydosh parameter, δTf = 0.035, significantly exceeded values typical of canonical spin glasses, indicating a noncanonical glassy magnetic state. These results establish Ba2Co3.5Cl1.5O7 as an unconventional glassy magnetic system and highlight mixed-anion cobalt oxyhalides as a platform for realizing frustrated magnetic relaxation in a diamagnetic state.
Forward model of rat electroencephalogram: influence of inhomogeneous and anisotropic skull
Between Eagle and Dragon: Affective representations of the United States and China in South Korean Media
Emotions are closely implicated in how states are represented and interpreted. This study examines the affective dimensions of South Korean media portrayals of the United States and China from 1992 to 2025, focusing on variation in evaluative tone and emotional intensity. Drawing on theories of affective framing and media agenda-setting, the analysis traces long-term patterns in valence and arousal using a large corpus of newspaper articles and a computational text analysis approach. The results indicate a persistent asymmetry. Coverage of the United States remains relatively stable, with moderately positive evaluations and low levels of emotional intensity, whereas portrayals of China become more negative and more affectively charged over time. These differences appear as sustained patterns rather than isolated fluctuations and are consistent with broader features of South Korea’s geopolitical context, including alliance relations, historical memory, and media environments. By documenting these patterns, this study contributes to the analysis of affect in media discourse and provides a framework for examining how major powers are represented in national contexts over time.
Visualization and Photo‐Programming of Chain Entanglements in Hydrogel Networks by Disulfide Exchange
ABSTRACT Polymer chain entanglement represents a fundamental topological constraint that dictates the physicochemical properties of hydrogels, yet spatially regulating and directly probing these constraints remain significant challenges. Here, we report a strategy for encoding and visualizing entanglement states within a lamellar hydrogel framework through the introduction of photo‐responsive disulfide bonds. Controlled dehydration induces temporary topological constraints, which are subsequently fixed through topological rearrangement via UV‐triggered disulfide exchange. Upon reswelling to equilibrium, these preserved states manifest as variations in lamellar spacing and corresponding color shifts. Using photomask patterning, the spatial distribution of the topological states can be mapped in two dimensions, and pH stimulation converts the patterned regions into three‐dimensional shape morphing. These results establish a direct link between microscopic topological constraints and macroscopic optical/mechanical responses, providing a platform for hydrogels with spatially defined anisotropy and an interpretable topological readout.
Multimode RF reflectometry for spin qubit readout and device characterization
We introduce a multimode superconducting inductor architecture that enables radio frequency reflectometry at multiple discrete frequencies up to 2 GHz, addressing limitations of conventional single-mode designs. The spiral inductor's distributed capacitance yields distinct resonant modes with varied impedance-matching conditions. By probing a quantum dot across several modes, we extract tunneling rates over a broad frequency range and identify signatures of nearby charge defects. Using a higher-order mode of the distributed inductor, rather than the fundamental mode, we demonstrate single-shot spin readout via a radio frequency single-electron transistor (RF-SET), achieving singlet-triplet readout with an integration time of 8 μs and a readout fidelity of 98%. These results establish multimode inductance as a scalable and flexible component for fast spin qubit readout and device-quality characterization.
Comparison of push-out bond strength and Si Qn species distribution in blood-contaminated calcium silicate cement
Abstract Calcium silicate-based cements (CSCs) play a pivotal role in endodontic applications due to their favorable properties. This study investigates how blood contamination, a common clinical challenge during endodontic procedures, affects the bonding performance and hydration of CSCs. Tooth specimens were filled with four CSC-containing products (ProRoot MTA: PM, Endocem MTA: EC, iRoot BP Plus: IB, and TheraCal LC: TC) and placed in either distilled water or blood for 7 days at 37 ℃. The push-out test and evaluations using an inverted microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were performed to measure the bond strength and fracture mode. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was used to measure the elemental composition and the Ca/Si ratio. 29 Si magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 29 Si MAS NMR) analysis was conducted to investigate the structures of the calcium silicate, and the mean silicate length (MCL) was calculated. Blood contamination significantly reduced bond strength for PM and increased bond strength for IB; no significant changes were observed with EC or TC. Blood contamination increased the Ca/Si ratio of each specimen, which was associated with decreased hydration and MCL values. It also influenced cohesive, mixed, and adhesive fractures among different groups. Blood contamination impaired the mechanical reliability of most hydration-dependent CSCs due to disrupted silicate polymerization, with the exception of IB, which exhibited an anomalous increase in push-out bond strength. From a clinical standpoint, these findings highlight the importance of hemostasis before CSC placement and suggest that future CSC formulations should improve resistance to blood contamination to enhance patient care.
Consumer awareness, trust and cultural challenges in the use of child car seats in Iran: Current status and improvement strategies
Background Injuries that occur on the road are greatly affecting young children across the globe. Learning about the myths future parents may have and the barriers they may face is important. This study aimed to assess parental awareness, trust, cultural factors, and barriers related to the use and correct use of child car seats among parents of young children in Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study included approximately 750 parents of children aged 1–3 years in Tabriz, Iran. The data were collected via a structured questionnaire conducted at 19 public health centers. An expert panel confirmed content validity (CVI = 0.89; CVR range: 0.71–1.00), and internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.82). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential methods, including chi-square tests, t-tests, ANOVA, and regression models. Results Although 92% of participants owned a car, only 47% owned a child car seat, and 55% reported rarely or never using one. Awareness of age and weight recommendations was high (85%), but knowledge of correct installation was lower (62%). Car seat use was significantly lower during city trips (45%) compared to out-of-city trips (82%) (d = 1.25). Consistent fastening of the child’s seatbelt during city trips was 28%. Significant predictors of fastening the seatbelt include Trust (β = 0.45), Education (β = 0.30), and Risk Perception. Major barriers included high cost (62%), lack of awareness (55%), and cultural practices such as holding children on laps (50%). Conclusion High vehicle ownership alone does not ensure child safety. Multilevel interventions combining skills-based education, affordability, product quality assurance, social norm change, and policy enforcement are needed to improve both the use and correct use of child car seats.
ScopeMap: An AI‐Assisted, Human‐in‐the‐Loop Workflow for Mapping Reaction Scope and Boundaries
ABSTRACT Assessing the generality of synthetic methods is a cornerstone of organic chemistry, yet traditional manual selection and current optimization‐driven algorithms often fail to delineate reaction boundaries, clustering instead in high‐reactivity regions. Herein, we introduce ScopeMap, an iterative, human‐in‐the‐loop workflow designed to efficiently map functional limits rather than merely maximizing performance. Leveraging a modified Centroidal Voronoi Tessellation (CVT) algorithm with a dynamic geometric repulsion potential, ScopeMap transforms negative experimental feedback into geometric constraints, actively steering sampling toward unexplored frontiers. Validated against a comprehensive dataset of biomimetic aldol reactions and a cobalt‐catalyzed coupling system, the workflow achieves greater substrate diversity with a smaller selection of examples. By utilizing a representative subset comprising fewer than 4% of the substrate space, it successfully predicts the reactivity of the reaction space with an F1 score exceeding 90%. Furthermore, we establish the U‐Score and R‐Score—metrics derived from spatial entropy and mean squared distance (MSD)—to provide a standardized framework for quantifying sampling uniformity and representativeness. This work offers a resource‐efficient paradigm for defining reaction generality, shifting the focus from exhaustive data enumeration to information‐dense boundary mapping.
GaN-based ultraviolet vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers operating under room-temperature continuous-wave current injection
GaN-based vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) have garnered considerable interest in recent decades, particularly in the blue-to-green spectral range. However, hindered by issues such as high optical absorption losses and inefficient thermal dissipation, the achievement of electrically injected ultraviolet (UV) VCSELs remains a challenge. In this study, to reduce the optical loss and enhance the gain of the active region, the device structure introduces a relatively thin, ∼20 nm, indium tin oxide current spreading layer and an optical adjustment layer of HfO2. Moreover, B+ implantation was employed to form a current confinement layer, replacing the conventional SiO2 layer, and an electroplated copper plate was used as a thermal sink, yielding a low thermal resistance of 209 K/W. Therefore, lasing of a GaN-based UV VCSEL was achieved at a wavelength of 380.1 nm and a threshold current density of 14.9 kA/cm2 under continuous-wave electrical injection for the first time to the best of our knowledge.
A physics-informed multi-modal transformer framework for predictive maintenance and remaining useful life estimation of electrical submersible pumps
Abstract Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESPs) are widely used in oil and gas production but are highly vulnerable to mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and thermal degradation under harsh downhole conditions. Unexpected ESP failures can result in severe production losses, costly interventions, and reduced operational reliability, highlighting the importance of predictive maintenance and Remaining Useful Life (RUL) estimation. Existing prognostic approaches often rely on single-modality data and lack physical consistency in degradation modeling. This study proposes HF-ESPNet, a physics-informed multi-modal transformer framework for joint ESP failure prediction and RUL estimation. The proposed model integrates heterogeneous operational data, including electrical telemetry, pressure, temperature, vibration indicators, well metadata, and maintenance history within a unified transformer-based architecture. Domain-specific physics-informed constraints related to hydraulic behavior, thermal dynamics, and vibration degradation are incorporated into the learning objective to improve physical consistency and prognostic reliability. The framework was evaluated using an anonymized real-world ESP dataset containing more than 58,000 multivariate time-series samples under diverse operational conditions. Experimental results demonstrate that HF-ESPNet outperforms conventional machine learning, deep learning, and transformer-based baseline models in both failure prediction and RUL estimation tasks. Ablation analysis further confirms the importance of vibration-derived features and physics-informed constraints in improving predictive robustness and degradation modeling accuracy. The results demonstrate that combining multi-modal representation learning, transformer-based temporal modeling, and physics-informed learning provides a robust and interpretable framework for ESP prognostics, supporting improved maintenance scheduling, reduced unplanned downtime, and enhanced operational reliability in oil and gas production systems.
A minimally invasive lab protocol for fibroblasts isolation from 1-mm skin punch biopsies in pediatric patients
Skin biopsies provide a valuable source of culturable cells for a broad range of clinical and biomedical research applications. However, conventional methods for establishing primary cell cultures typically require relatively large tissue specimens obtained through invasive procedures that involve intradermal anesthesia, suturing, and subsequent wound care. These factors are of particular concern when working with pediatric populations. To address these limitations, we developed a simplified protocol that reduces patient discomfort by minimizing the punch biopsy diameter to as little as 1 mm. Despite the markedly smaller sample size, this method consistently enables the successful establishment of primary fibroblast cultures, with no complications reported to date. This streamlined approach is compatible with basic cell culture facilities and provides a reliable source of fibroblasts for downstream applications. Overall, this protocol represents a meaningful advancement in both pediatric research and clinical practice.
Two-regime degradation associated with carrier compensation and structural instability in NiO/ <i>β</i> -Ga2O3 heterojunction diodes under 1864 MeV Ta-ion irradiation
We report a two-regime degradation behavior in NiO/β-Ga2O3 heterojunction diodes subjected to 1864 MeV Ta swift heavy ions (linear energy transfer in Si ≈ 75 MeV cm2/mg) over a fluence range from 1 × 108 to 1 × 1011 ions/cm2. At low fluences (≤1 × 109 ions/cm2), the devices retain rectification while exhibiting reduced forward current density (JF), increased specific on-resistance (Ron,sp), and enhanced reverse leakage current (JR), consistent with donor compensation in the β-Ga2O3 drift layer. Capacitance–voltage (C–V) analysis reveals a monotonic reduction in the net carrier concentration (Nnet) with carrier-removal rates (Rc) on the order of 107 cm−1, indicating a quasi-linear compensation regime. When the fluence approaches 1 × 1010 ions/cm2, rectification collapses and normal turn-on behavior is lost. The capacitance becomes weakly voltage dependent, suggesting deviation from linear compensation. Cross-sectional scanning transmission electron microscopy reveals densely distributed nanoscale latent tracks in the drift layer, while cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy shows pronounced ∼2 μm interfacial warping near the NiO/β-Ga2O3 junction. These results indicate a transition from a low-fluence quasi-linear carrier-compensation regime to a high-fluence failure regime associated with structural instability, where severe carrier compensation and failure-associated structural perturbations are both observed.