Browse Articles

Tunneling-barrier-controlled sensitive deep ultraviolet photodetectors based on van der Waals heterostructures

Right-Lateralization of the Visual Word Form Area after Left-Hemisphere Perinatal Stroke

In literate adults, an area along the left posterior fusiform gyrus that is often referred to as the “visual word form area” (VWFA) responds particularly strongly to written characters compared with other visually similar stimuli. Theoretical accounts differ in whether they attribute the strong left-lateralization of the VWFA to a left-hemisphere (LH) bias toward visual features used in script, to competition of visual word form processing with that of other visual stimuli processed in the same general cortical territory (especially faces), or to the well established left-lateralization of the language system. Here we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to test the last hypothesis by investigating lateralization of the VWFA in participants (male and female) who have right-hemisphere language due to a large LH perinatal stroke. Demographically matched controls were included for comparison. All participants had intact language skills and were proficient readers; age at testing ranged from 9.75 years to early adulthood. Activation maps contrasting activation during rapid presentation of pseudowords and pictures of places revealed left-lateralized fusiform activation in controls, as expected. In participants with left-hemisphere perinatal stroke and right-lateralized language, the VWFA was instead found in the right fusiform gyrus, despite the fact that the left-hemisphere tissue normally occupied by the VWFA was intact and responded normally to pictures of places. Region-of-interest analyses confirmed right-lateralization for visual word form processing, both relative to place stimuli and relative to a resting baseline. This provides compelling evidence that the lateralization of the VWFA indeed follows that of the frontotemporal language system.

Tuning Li occupancy and local structures for advanced Co-free Ni-rich positive electrodes

Abstract Structure evolution and surface reactivity have long been regarded as the most crucial points for studying Ni-rich positive electrodes for Li-ion batteries. Unfortunately, the influence of Li occupancy as a single factor on electro-chemomechanical stability has been overlooked and is missing, owing to the challenge of Li determination in the lattice. Here, a comprehensive analysis reveals different Li occupancies and related structural domains (Ni/Li exchange, Li a XO b , Li/Mn/X(Ni) ordering domains, X = Nb5+, W6+, and Mo6+) by using a combination of Li-sensitive characterization techniques. By introducing a Li-regulation strategy, the relative ratio of each domain is effectively tuned in the Ni-rich positive electrodes. Through tuning, two specific positive electrodes are designed, exhibiting notable improvement in battery cyclability. The specific Li structural units induce significant changes in redox mechanisms. This Li-occupancy-tuning approach highlights the necessity of focusing on Li distribution and opens up ideas for designing advanced Ni-rich positive electrodes with high durability.

Pathogenic germline variants in Chinese pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients

Structural basis for transcription activation through cooperative recruitment of MntR

Author Correction: Evidence for large thermodynamic signatures of in-gap fermionic quasiparticle states in a Kondo insulator

Solvent-regulable interfacial groups enable on-demand superhydrophobic/superhydrophilic silica aerogels

Perovskite spin light-emitting diodes with simultaneously high electroluminescence dissymmetry and high external quantum efficiency

Recent genetic drift in the co-diversified gut bacterial symbionts of laboratory mice

VITAP: a high precision tool for DNA and RNA viral classification based on meta-omic data

Irreproducible SEBS wrinkling based on spin evaporation enabling identifiable artificial finger pad electronics

Author Correction: Spatiotemporal transcriptome and metabolome landscapes of cotton fiber during initiation and early development

Validation of blood-based detection of breast cancer highlights importance for cross-population validation

Integration of multi-omics data accelerates molecular analysis of common wheat traits

Mutations in Gordonia amarae mycolic acid biosynthetic pathway confer resistance to Patescibacteria parasite Mycosynbacter amalyticus

Iron-complex-based catalytic system for high-performance water oxidation in aqueous media

Sedimentary DNA insights into Holocene Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) populations and ecology in the Ross Sea, Antarctica

Abstract We report 156 sediment metagenomes from Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) colonies dating back 6000 years along the Ross Sea coast, Antarctica, and identify marine and terrestrial eukaryotes, including locally occurring bird and seal species. The data reveal spatiotemporal patterns of Adélie penguin diet, including spatial patterns in consumption of cnidarians, a historically overlooked component of Adélie penguin diets. Relative proportions of Adélie penguin mitochondrial lineages detected at each colony are comparable to those previously reported from bones. Elevated levels of Adélie penguin mitochondrial nucleotide diversity in upper stratigraphic samples of several active colonies are consistent with recent population growth. Moreover, the highest levels of Adélie penguin mitochondrial nucleotide diversity recovered from surface sediment layers are from the two largest colonies, indicating that sedaDNA could provide estimates for the former size of abandoned colonies. SedaDNA also reveals prior occupation of the Cape Hallett Adélie penguin colony site by southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina), demonstrating how terrestrial sedaDNA can detect faunal turnover events in Antarctica driven by past climate or sea ice conditions. Low rates of cytosine deamination indicate exceptional sedaDNA preservation within the region, suggesting there is high potential for recovering much older sedaDNA records from local Pleistocene terrestrial sediments.

Phosphorylated tau 181 and 217 are elevated in serum and muscle of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Abstract Blood phosphorylated (p)-tau 181 and p-tau 217 have been proposed as accurate biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. However, blood p-tau 181 is also elevated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) without a clearly identified source. We measured serum p-tau 181 and p-tau 217 in a multicentre cohort of ALS (n = 152), AD (n = 111) cases and disease controls (n = 99) recruited from four different centres. Further, we investigated the existence of both p-tau species using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and mass spectrometry (MS) in muscle biopsies of ALS cases (IHC: n = 13, MS: n = 5) and disease controls (IHC: n = 14, MS: n = 5) from one cohort. Serum p-tau 181 and p-tau 217 were higher in AD and ALS patients compared to disease controls. IHC and MS analyses revealed the presence of p-tau 181 and 217 in muscle biopsies from both ALS cases and disease controls, with ALS samples showing increased p-tau reactivity in atrophic muscle fibres. Blood p-tau species could potentially be used to diagnose both ALS and AD.

Author Correction: Spatiotemporal transcriptome and metabolome landscapes of cotton somatic embryos

Microbiota-derived H2S induces c-kit+ cDC1 autophagic cell death and liver inflammation in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis