Humidity-Sensing and Moisture-Steering Liquid Crystal Elastomer Actuator.

A liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) actuator capable of colorimetric humidity sensing is realized. The designed LCE features acid protonated amino azobenzene side groups in its structure, which endow the actuator with the hygroscopicity and act as the humidity reporter via color changes. Given that the protonated and deprotonated chromophore absorb visible light at different wavelengths, when the protonated LCE is under higher humidity, it absorbs more water that deprotonates azobenzene and leads to a change in color.

Current and Historical Resource Nitrogen Supply Affects the Eco-Physiological Traits and the Ionome of a Diazotrophic Cyanobacterium.

Diazotrophic cyanobacteria can overcome nitrogen (N)-limitation by fixing atmospheric N; however, this increases their energetic, iron, molybdenum, and boron costs. It is unknown how current and historic N-supplies affect cyanobacterial elemental physiology beyond increasing demands for elements involved in N-fixation. Here, we examined the changes in pigment concentrations, N-storage, and the ionome (i.

Efficacy of Conservative Therapy in Juvenile Recurrent Parotitis: A Retrospective Study.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic effect of conservative treatment in children with juvenile recurrent parotitis (JRP).

Methods: Clinical data from 55 children who were diagnosed with JRP from June 2019 to January 2022 were collected. On admission, patients underwent comprehensive examinations, and a questionnaire was completed by the patients and their parents.

Exposed weapons: A revised reconstruction of the facial anatomy and life appearance of the saber-toothed cat Megantereon (Felidae, Machairodontinae).

Megantereon was a widespread saber-toothed felid from the Pliocene and Pleistocene of the Old World and North America, but its rarity in the fossil record makes it complicated to restore its life appearance. Lack of complete specimens makes it necessary to combine information from fossils of different individuals to reconstruct their facial anatomy. In this work, we combine the analysis of skulls and mandibles of Megantereon from various fossil sites with the study of extant carnivorans through dissection, 3D scans, and the observation of live individuals.

Dynamic Lipidomics and Transcriptome Profiling Reveals the Transcriptional Regulatory Mechanism Governing TAGs Formation in Seeds of Safflower.

Safflower ( L.) is a valuable oil crop due to its bioactive ingredients and high linoleic acid content, which contribute to its antioxidant properties and potential for preventing atherosclerosis. Current research on safflower focuses on understanding the biosynthesis of seed oil through omics strategies, yet there is a lack of comprehensive knowledge of the dynamic changes in lipids and the regulatory mechanisms during seed development.

From 2D AgTe Monolayer to 1D AgTe Nanowires: Tellurium Concentration Modulated Structural and Electronic Properties Transformation.

Controllably modulating the structure of transition-metal chalcogenides (TMCs) from 2D to 1D and tuning their electronic properties has drawn particular attention currently due to their remarkable properties and potential applications. In this work, by precisely controlling the chemical concentration of Te atoms, the transformation from the 2D honeycomb AgTe monolayer to high-quality and well-defined 1D AgTe nanowires on the Ag(111) substrate has been successfully achieved. The combination of scanning tunneling microscopy measurements and first-principles calculations has confirmed that the mechanism underlying the entire dimensional transformation lies in the directional movement of Ag atoms in the 2D AgTe monolayer regulated by the concentration of Te atoms.

Robust Immobilization and Activity Preservation of Enzymes in Porous Frameworks by Silica-Based "Inorganic Glue".

The development of novel methods to enhance enzyme-carrier interactions in situ, at a feasible cost, and on a large scale is crucial for improving the stability and durability of current immobilized enzyme systems used in industrial settings. Here, a pioneering approach termed "silica-based inorganic glue" is proposed, which utilizes protein-catalyzed silicification to fix enzyme within porous matrix while preserving enzyme activity. This innovative strategy offers several key benefits, including conformational stabilization of enzymes, improved interactions between enzymes and the matrix, prevention of enzyme leakage, and mitigation of pore blocking.

Characteristics of OSA modified starch-based Pickering emulsion and its application to myofibrillar protein gel.

Background: Pickering emulsions prepared with octenyl succinic anhydride-modified starch (OSAS) show significant promise as replacements for animal fat. However, the underlying mechanism of incorporating an OSAS-based Pickering emulsion into a myofibrillar protein (MP) gel and its impact on the gel properties remain poorly understood. In this study, the effects of OSAS at varying concentrations (0-10.

Applying Ra and Ra to Trace Lateral Groundwater Discharge into Lake Qinghai, China.

Quantifying lacustrine groundwater discharge (LGD) is important for understanding the dynamics of lake ecosystems and their expansion. This study focuses on Lake Qinghai, employing radium isotope models to evaluate the contributions of both shallow and deep groundwater. The data indicate that the activity of Ra and Ra demonstrates a pronounced gradient, decreasing from the shoreline to the center of Lake Qinghai.

Water-Enabled Electricity Generation by a Smooth Liquid-Like Semiconductor Coating Surface.

Water energy-converting techniques that focus on interfacial charge separation and transfer have aroused significant attention. However, the water-repelling nature leads to a less dense liquid layer and a sharp gradient of liquid velocity, which limits its output performance. Here, a water sliding generator (WSG) based on a smooth liquid-like/semiconductor surface (SLSS) is developed that harnesses the full advantage of liquid sliding friction.

Environmental Conditions Modulate Warming Effects on Plant Litter Decomposition Globally.

Empirical studies worldwide show that warming has variable effects on plant litter decomposition, leaving the overall impact of climate change on decomposition uncertain. We conducted a meta-analysis of 109 experimental warming studies across seven continents, using natural and standardised plant material, to assess the overarching effect of warming on litter decomposition and identify potential moderating factors. We determined that at least 5.

The current landscape of 1,2,3-triazole-(fused) six-membered nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic ring hybrids with anticancer therapeutic potential.

Cancer, characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells potentially influencing almost all tissues in the body, is one of the most devastating and lethal diseases throughout the world. Chemotherapy is one of the principal approaches for cancer treatment, but multidrug resistance and severe side effects represent the main barriers to the success of therapy, creating a vital need to develop novel chemotherapeutic agents. The 1,2,3-triazole moiety can be conveniently constructed by "click chemistry" and could exert diverse noncovalent interactions with various enzymes in cancer cells.

Thermally Drawn Shape and Stiffness Programmable Fibers for Medical Devices.

Despite the significant advantages of Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs), material processing and production challenges have limited their applications. Recent advances in fiber manufacturing offer a novel approach to processing polymers, broadening the functions of fibers beyond optical applications. In this study, a thermal drawing technique for SMPs to fabricate Shape Memory Polymer Fibers (SMPFs) tailored for medical applications, featuring programmable stiffness and shape control is developed.

Structural Color Contact Lenses from Cholesteric Cellulose Liquid Crystals.

Colored contact lenses have gained popularity among young individuals owing to their ability to alter the appearance of the wearer's eyes. However, conventional lenses containing chemical dyes are susceptible to detachment of the pigment layer, which can lead to corneal damage. In this research, a novel cellulose-based structural color contact lens (SCCL) is presented that enhances aesthetic appeal via a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) layer.

Phylogenomic Insights into the Evolution and Origin of Nematoda.

The phylum Nematoda represents one of the most cosmopolitan and abundant metazoan groups on Earth. In this study, we reconstructed the phylogenomic tree for phylum Nematoda. A total of 60 genomes, belonging to eight nematode orders, were newly sequenced, providing the first low-coverage genomes for the orders Dorylaimida, Mononchida, Monhysterida, Chromadorida, Triplonchida, and Enoplida.

Tailoring Acid-Salt Hybrid Electrolyte Structure for Stable Proton Storage at Ultralow Temperature.

The critical challenges in developing ultralow-temperature proton-based energy storage systems are enhancing the diffusion kinetics of charge carriers and inhibiting water-triggered interfacial side reactions between electrolytes and electrodes. Here an acid-salt hybrid electrolyte with a stable anion-cation-HO solvation structure that realizes unconventional proton transport at ultralow temperature is shown, which is crucial for electrodes and devices to achieve high rate-capacity and stable interface compatibility with electrodes. Through multiscale simulations and experimental investigations in the electrolyte employing ZnCl introduced into 0.

Multi-Functional Bio-HJzyme Engineered Polyetheretherketone Implant with Cascade-Amplification Therapeutic Capabilities Toward Intractable Implant-Associated Infections.

Intractable implant-associated infections (IAIs) are the primary cause of prosthetic implant failure, particularly in the context of diabetes mellitus. There is an urgent need to design and construct versatile engineered implants integrated with cascade amplification therapeutic modality to significantly improve the treatment of diabetic IAIs. To address this issue, a multi-functional MXene/AgPO@glucose oxidase bio-heterojunction enzyme (M/A@GOx bio-HJzyme) coating is developed, which is decorated with an inert sulfonated polyetheretherketone implant (SP-M/A@G) via hydrothermal treatment and layered deposition.

Linking D-Band Center Modulation with Rapid Reversible Sulfur Conversion Kinetics via Structural Engineering of VS₂.

The rapid catalytic conversion toward polysulfides is considered to be an advantageous approach to boost the reaction kinetics and inhibit the shuttle effect in lithium-sulfur (Li─S) batteries. However, the prediction of high catalytic activity Li─S catalysts has become challenging given the carelessness in the relationship between important electronic characteristics of catalysts and catalytic activity. Herein, the relationships between the D-band regulation of catalysts with reaction kinetics toward polysulfides are described.

Critical Role of Nanomaterial Mechanical Properties in Drug Delivery, Nanovaccines and Beyond.

Nanomaterials have become essential in the daily lives, finding applications in food, skincare, drugs, and vaccines. Traditionally, the surface chemistry of nanoparticles (NPs) is considered the key factor in determining their interactions with biological systems. However, recent studies have shown that the mechanical properties of nanomaterials are equally important in regulating nano-bio interactions, though they have often been overlooked.

OsPIL15-Induced Delay in Rice Heading Date via Direct Binding to the OsLF Promoter is Dependent on Functional Phytochrome B.

Heading date of rice (Oryza sativa) is a key factor determining rice production and regional adaptability. We analysed the molecular mechanism of OsPIL15, encoding phytochrome-interacting factor-like protein, in delaying rice heading date. Overexpression of OsPIL15 delayed rice heading date by upregulating Hd1 and inhibiting Hd3a and RFT1 expression.

Molecular Design of Positively Charged 3D Covalent-Organic Framework Membranes for Li/Mg Separation.

3D covalent-organic framework (3D COF) membranes have unique features such as smaller pore sizes and more interconnected networks compared with 2D COF counterparts. However, the complicated and unmanageable fabrication hinders their rapid development. Molecular simulation, which can efficiently explore the structure-performance relationship of membranes, holds great promise in accelerating the development of 3D COF membranes.

Temperature-Robust Broadband Metamaterial Absorber via Semiconductor MOFs/Paraffin Hybridization.

The demand for temperature-robust electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption materials is escalating due to the varying operational temperatures of electronic devices, which can easily soar up to 100 °C, significantly affecting EMW interference management. Traditional absorbers face performance degradation across broad temperature ranges due to alterations in electronic mobility and material impedance. This study presented a novel approach by integrating semiconductor metal-organic frameworks (SC-MOFs) with paraffin wax (PW), leveraging the precise control of interlayer spacing in SC-MOFs for electron mobility regulation and the introduction of paraffin wax for temperature-inert electromagnetic properties.

Corner's Rules and Their Linkages With Twig Functions and Tree Productivity in Simple- and Compound-Leaved Tree Species.

Corner's rules are well known in describing inter-specific scaling relationships for plant organ size-related traits, from species with thick terminal stems, large leaves, and sparsely branched twigs to species with opposite traits; however, the implications of organ size on physiological functions and growth performance of trees remain unclear. Moreover, whether Corner's rules spectra differ between tree species with simple and compound leaves is not known. Here, we measured key twig morphological traits, physiological characteristics, and radial growth rates of 27 simple- and 6 compound-leaved tree species in a common garden in Northeast China.

Highly Sensitive Low-Frequency Acoustic Sensor Based on Functionalized Graphene Oxide.

Developing miniaturized low-frequency acoustic sensors with high sensitivity is crucial for diverse applications, including geological monitoring and aerospace exploration. However, the performance of low-frequency acoustic sensor is constrained by the limited mechanical robustness of traditional sensing films at nanoscale thickness. Here, a functionalized graphene oxide (GO)-based Fabry-Perot (FP) low-frequency sensor is proposed, with characteristics of compact size, resistance to electromagnetic interference high-sensitivity low minimum detectable pressure (MDP), and a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).