Browse Articles

The impact and mechanisms of green finance on agricultural carbon emissions in China

Backbone Steric Constraints Underlie High Passive Membrane Permeability of <i>N</i> ‐Alkyl Peptides

ABSTRACT N ‐Alkyl peptides have emerged as promising drug modalities, yet the structural determinants governing passive membrane permeability beyond amide hydrogen removal remain poorly understood. Here, we show that sterically constrained N ‐alkyl peptide backbones, generated by dual substitution at the amide nitrogen and the α‐carbon, play a critical role in promoting passive membrane permeability. By directly comparing N ‐alkyl peptides with oligo( N ‐alkyl glycines) lacking C α‐substituents, we isolated the backbone steric effects independently of amide hydrogen removal. N ‐Alkyl peptides bearing an N / C α‐dually substituted backbone architecture consistently exhibited enhanced permeability across a broad range of lipophilicity and diverse sequences. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed two cooperative mechanisms: conformational restriction that favors less hydrated states and steric limitation of backbone hydration by β‐carbons during membrane permeation. Together, these findings uncover a previously unrecognized structural basis for the high passive membrane permeability of N ‐alkyl peptides.

Coherence and fidelity aware routing in quantum networks

Abstract In quantum networks, routing mechanisms designed to deliver successfully multiple simultaneous requests to the destination under limited channel capacity should simultaneously consider resource usage optimization, entanglement-generation performance, and the quality of the end-to-end delivered entangled states. The routing approaches developed for quantum networks in the literature mostly consider the change in fidelity during routing. However, it should be noted that quantum states with the same fidelity value may have different levels of coherence. In this study, for the first time, a novel routing and purification approach for quantum networks is presented, using the end-to-end (E2E) relative entropy of coherence (REC) together with E2E fidelity to determine the purification level and the feasibility of candidate paths. In our study, the coherence- and fidelity-aware routing algorithm (CAFARA) is proposed. In CAFARA, the BBPSSW purification levels are determined for each candidate path and ordered from the lowest to the highest. This information is stored in a lookup table. Then, the lowest BBPSSW purification level that simultaneously satisfies the requested fidelity, REC, latency, and capacity constraints is selected. The E2E fidelity, REC, and required number of raw Bell pairs mentioned here are all stored together in the previously mentioned lookup table. This lookup table was constructed using imperfect initial Werner states, one-sided amplitude damping, Werner-state twirling, BBPSSW purification, and density-matrix-based entanglement swapping, and all calculations were completed before the routing process. As the final step, CAFARA selects the best path with the highest entanglement generation rate (EGR) from the selected feasible paths. In our study, the FARA-PostREC and FARA-NoREC algorithms were developed for comparison with CAFARA. While the FARA-PostREC algorithm uses the REC constraint during the final validation stage of the request, FARA-NoREC does not use any REC constraint; it uses only fidelity as the quality parameter of the paths and as the parameter for determining the purification level. In our simulations under varying link distance, channel capacity, network size, and request load, CAFARA achieved a better average request success rate than FARA-PostREC by reducing late-stage request drops related to coherence because it also uses REC during the purification-level determination stage while maintaining the required E2E fidelity and REC values. Although FARA-NoREC often accepts more requests and assumes that they are successfully delivered, the average final fidelity (AFF) and average final coherence (AFC) values of the requests considered successful are lower than those of the other algorithms; the AFC does not even satisfy the REC threshold. Overall, CAFARA provides a balanced trade-off between the quality-guaranteed request success rate, latency, purification overhead, and resource consumption.

Interfacial Raft‐Like Structures From Bottlebrush Polymers

ABSTRACT We investigated the interfacial behavior of amphiphilic random copolymer‐grafted bottlebrush polymers (RC‐BBPs) synthesized by copper‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition in a grafting‐to approach. RC‐BBPs stabilize the fluid–fluid interface by forming laterally confined, “raft‐like” structures that anchor the side‐chains parallel to the interface. These envisaged raft‐like structures, when adsorbed to a fluid–fluid interface, are inferred to leave bare interfacial regions that are inaccessible to adsorption of additional rafts. As such, RC‐BBPs prohibit dense interfacial packing and yield higher interfacial tensions and lower interfacial areal densities than compositionally uniform bottlebrush statistical copolymers (BSCPs). This interfacial assembly of bottlebrush polymer (BBP) rafts offers distinct advantages, since inter‐raft gaps reflect a lack of close‐packing that offers routes to mass transport, seen in this work as a &gt;6‐fold higher interfacial ion flux across RC‐BBP‐stabilized droplets relative to their BSCP counterparts. These results show that controlling the spatial distribution of BBPs via sequence randomness within the side‐chains—a previously overlooked structural parameter—produces a distinct, sparsely packed assembly of BBPs that preserves bare interfacial area to yield regulated, patchy, selective, or adaptive liquid–liquid interfaces.

Uneven mosquito control knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Malaysia shape sustainable dengue prevention across urban and rural settings

Single‐Atom Control of Aromaticity and Excited‐State Dynamics in Endohedral Zirconium–Antimony Zintl Clusters

ABSTRACT Three‐dimensional (3D) aromaticity provides a powerful framework for understanding the stability and electronic structures of superatomic clusters, yet how such aromaticity evolves during atom‐by‐atom structural growth remains poorly understood. Herein, we report two endohedral zirconium‐antimony Zintl clusters, [Zr@Sb 12 ] 2− and [Zr@Sb 13 ] 3− , that offer a rare one‐atom comparison of nuclearity‐dependent aromaticity and photodynamics. Structural and bonding analyses reveal that [Zr@Sb 12 ] 2− behaves as an integrated Sb 12 framework rather than three discrete Sb 4 fragments coordinated to Zr. Adaptive natural density partitioning (AdNDP) and magnetic‐response analyses establish a closed‐shell S 2 P 6 superatomic configuration, giving rise to pronounced spherical all‐metal aromaticity. In contrast, incorporation of one additional Sb atom reorganizes the framework into a cage‐like [Zr@Sb 13 ] 3− cluster, disrupts superatomic shell closure, and produces an S 2 P 4 configuration with strongly attenuated spherical aromaticity. Femtosecond transient absorption (fs‐TA) spectroscopy further reveals that the aromatic [Zr@Sb 12 ] 2− cluster exhibits markedly longer‐lived excited‐state species than [Zr@Sb 13 ] 3− . These findings establish a direct structure–aromaticity–dynamics relationship, demonstrating that single‐atom control of cluster nuclearity can regulate not only ground‐state aromatic stabilization but also excited‐state robustness in all‐metal superatoms.

The effect of friction and fracture on weak shock propagation in granular salt

Adaptive Hydrogenation of Alkynes Using CO as a Molecular Trigger to Selectively Produce Alkanes or <i>Z</i> ‐Alkenes

ABSTRACT The selective hydrogenation of alkynes to either alkanes or alkenes is an important step in synthetic processes across the entire chemical value chain with a broad range of applications especially for fine chemical and pharmaceutical production. While traditional developments aim at individual catalysts optimized for either one or the other product, catalytic systems capable of adaptively targeting both classes of products with high activity and selectivity could enable flexible production schemes. Here, we show that CO can be used as a molecular trigger to dynamically adjust the selectivity of supported palladium nanoparticles (NPs) in alkyne hydrogenation. In particular, Pd NPs immobilized on an imidazolium‐based supported ionic liquid phase (Pd@SILP) hydrogenate a wide range of structurally diverse alkynes, delivering synthetically relevant alkane or Z ‐alkene products under H 2 or H 2 /CO as feed gas, respectively. Reference experiments, kinetic studies including isotope labeling, and near‐ambient‐pressure XPS studies reveal that the rapid and robust selectivity switch originates from the reversible adsorption of CO competing with alkene at the Pd surface. In contrast to its notorious reputation as a catalyst poison in hydrogenation, these findings establish CO as an effective molecular trigger for adaptive catalysis, paving the way toward even broader applications for reversible selectivity control.

Enhancing identity stability in sperm motility analysis via density-adaptive tracklet stitching with YOLOv12n and BoostTrack++

Should Artificial Intelligence Direct Systemic Therapy Decisions in Pancreatic Cancer?

Unraveling A4GALT Mechanism and Its Modulation With Adamantyl‐Galactosylceramide Analogues: Advancing Fabry Disease Therapeutic Strategies

ABSTRACT Fabry disease (FD), one of the most prevalent lysosomal storage disorders in Europe, is caused by mutations in the GLA gene leading to deficient α‐galactosidase A activity with lysosomal accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and pharmacological chaperone therapy (PCT) are used in the clinic to treat FD but are limited in efficacy, underscoring the need for alternative therapeutic strategies. Inhibiting α‐1,4‐galactosyltransferase (A4GALT), the glycosyltransferase responsible for Gb3 biosynthesis, represents an attractive strategy. Here, we reveal the molecular mechanism of human A4GALT at atomic detail using QM/MM simulations. We reveal a conformational rearrangement involving a 3 10 ‐helix that stabilizes the donor substrate and promotes a front‐face S N i‐like catalytic mechanism, in which a short‐lived oxocarbenium‐ion intermediate forms. The simulations informed the synthesis of a panel of glycosylceramide substrate analogues. Among these, AdaGalCer (Ada = adamantyl) proved able to reduce Gb3 production in fibroblasts while simultaneously being converted by A4GALT into the galactosylated product AdaGb2. These results provide a clear path towards inhibiting A4GALT, paving the way for potential new and effective FD therapeutics.

GOLM1 silencing compromises mitochondrial function, proliferation, and invasion in lung cancer cells

Therapeutic Strategy Concerns for <i>BRAF</i> V600E–Mutated Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Topological Densification‐Reinforced Robust and Durable Protein Adhesive at Dynamic Interfaces

ABSTRACT Robust and durable adhesion is essential for effective tissue sealing and rapid hemostasis in modern clinical practice. However, most two‐component biomimetic systems often require complex multi‐step reactions and fail to maintain durable and strong adhesion under high‐velocity blood flow. Herein, we report a topological densification strategy to address this challenge by crosslinking an engineered lysine‐rich elastin‐like protein with a multifunctional ortho‐phthalaldehyde‐grafted star‐type crosslinker. Rapid covalent bonding of lysine amines creates a dense protein topological network and simultaneously reduces protein hydration by converting hydrated amine sites into less hydrophilic phthalimidine adducts. In contrast to conventional hydrogel adhesives, our formulation exhibits exceptionally strong and durable wet tissue adhesion reaching ∼252 kPa, a value that significantly exceeds many previously reported tissue adhesives and clinically used sealants. Notably, this platform achieves clamp‐free sealing of high‐pressure arterial haemorrhage in large animals and allows safe dural repair in confined spaces without risking postoperative nerve compression. This work establishes a versatile design principle for engineering durable, high‐performance bioadhesives suitable for demanding surgical settings.

A fully analytical virial framework for predicting thermodynamic properties of the CH₄–CO₂ binary gas mixture

Longitudinal Change in Cardiac Function After Doxorubicin and Dexrazoxane: A Report From Children's Oncology Group ALTE11C2

PURPOSE Dexrazoxane has been associated with preservation of left ventricular (LV) systolic function in relatively small studies of long-term childhood cancer survivors. What remains less clear is whether this association is also seen in larger populations over time and what effect dexrazoxane has on cardiomyopathy screening recommendations. METHODS We analyzed echocardiographic data from participants who received doxorubicin treatment and were enrolled on Children's Oncology Group protocols P9404, P9425, P9426, P9754, and Dana Farber Cancer Institute protocol 95-01. Except for P9754, all protocols featured up-front 1:1 random assignment with dexrazoxane administered uniformly as an intravenous bolus before doxorubicin (10:1 mg/m 2 dexrazoxane:doxorubicin dose). Blinded central echocardiogram remeasurements were used when possible; otherwise, data were abstracted from institutional reports. Differences and associations by ± dexrazoxane were estimated using generalized estimating equations and Cox proportional hazard models, adjusting for age, sex, doxorubicin dose, chest radiotherapy, and echocardiogram data type. RESULTS Among 895 patients (mean follow-up, 5.9 years, 230 with ≥10-year follow-up; median doxorubicin dose, 360 mg/m 2 ; 51% dexrazoxane-exposed) with evaluable echocardiograms (n = 2,279; 1,581 centrally remeasured; 698 report only), preserved LV systolic function was observed in patients treated with dexrazoxane (z-score difference 0.4 [95% CI, 0.2 to 0.5]) versus without. Dexrazoxane was also associated with decreased hazards of reduced LV function (fractional shortening &lt;30% or ejection fraction &lt;50%) occurring after 1 (0.58 [95% CI, 0.41 to 0.82]) and 5 years (0.54 [95% CI, 0.31 to 0.93]) postdiagnosis. Finally, dexrazoxane appeared to decrease the incidence of reduced LV function among those classified by current cardiomyopathy screening guidelines as high risk to rates like a lower-risk group (from 40 to 21.8 events/1,000 person-years; P = .001). CONCLUSION Dexrazoxane exerts a significant doxorubicin cardioprotective effect on LV systolic function long term and may reduce screening needs.

Inner Helmholtz Plane Reconstruction Enables High‑Voltage Sodium‑Ion Batteries

ABSTRACT Parasitic reactions at the cathode–electrolyte interface are the primary cause of rapid capacity fading in sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) under high voltage. Conventional electrolyte regulation strategies primarily focus on the bulk solvation structure, while neglecting the pivotal role of the inner Helmholtz plane (IHP) in cathode–electrolyte interfacial stability. Herein, we propose a modulator‐driven IHP reconstruction strategy to reshape the interfacial chemistry for high‐voltage SIBs. We employ 4‐amino‐2‐trifluoromethylbenzonitrile (ATMBN) as the molecular modulator, which possesses the dual functions of preferential adsorption within the IHP and induced enrichment of PF 6 − . This synergistic effect enables compositional reconstruction of the IHP, thereby facilitating the formation of a NaF/Na 3 N‐rich cathode–electrolyte interphase (CEI). Consequently, the Na 3 V 2 O 2 (PO 4 ) 2 F (NVPOF) cathode exhibits an ultrahigh capacity retention of 90.03% after 1000 cycles when charged to 4.5 V. Moreover, a 1.8 Ah NaNi 0.33 Fe 0.33 Mn 0.33 O 2 (NFM) || hard carbon (HC) pouch cell retains 80.33% of its initial capacity after 200 cycles within a voltage range of 1.5‐4.2 V. This work establishes a new paradigm for high‐voltage SIBs by harnessing the IHP to modulate cathode interfacial chemistry.

Perspectıves of mothers and expectant mothers on newborn screening tests: a qualitative study

Reply to: Therapeutic Strategy Concerns for <i>BRAF</i> V600E–Mutated Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Halogen Bonding as a Molecular Recognition Strategy for Genetic Code Expansion

ABSTRACT Aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) catalyze the attachment of amino acids (AAs) to their cognate tRNAs during protein synthesis. As aaRSs possess highly selective amino acid‐binding sites, a distinct enzyme is generally required for each amino acid in the genetic code. Recently, genetic code expansion (GCE) has emerged as a powerful strategy for incorporating non‐canonical amino acids (ncAAs) during ribosomal translation, enabling the production of proteins with novel structures and functions. In this study, we propose that aaRSs can recognize halogenated ncAAs through halogen bonding (XB), and that the stronger XB‐forming ability of iodine, compared with chlorine or bromine, enables the selective incorporation of 3,5‐diiodo‐ l ‐tyrosine into proteins. We demonstrate the successful generation of aaRSs that specifically recognize 3,5‐diiodo‐ l ‐tyrosine during translation, even in the presence of closely related amino acids such as 3,5‐dichloro‐, 3,5‐dibromo‐, and 3,5‐dimethyl‐ l ‐tyrosine. These results confirm that ncAA recognition by aaRSs occurs through XB. Overall, this study not only shows that XB can serve as a driving force for expanding the genetic code with ncAAs, but also demonstrates that aaRSs can be engineered to discriminate among structurally similar ncAAs that differ by only a single atom.