What Kinds of Computations Can Young Children Perform Over Non-Symbolic Representations of Small Quantities?

Children can manipulate non-symbolic representations of both small quantities of objects (about four or fewer, represented by the parallel individuation system) and large quantities of objects (represented by the analog magnitude system, or AMS). Previous work has shown that children can perform a variety of non-symbolic operations over AMS representations (like summing and solving for an unknown addend), but are not able to perform further operations on the derived solutions of such non-symbolic operations. However, while the computational capacity of AMS has been studied extensively in early childhood, less is known about the computational capacity of the parallel individuation system.

Dual-Modal Memory Enabled by a Single Vertical N-Type Organic Artificial Synapse for Neuromorphic Computing.

Complementary neural network circuits combining multifunctional high-performance p-type with n-type organic artificial synapses satisfy sophisticated applications such as image cognition and prosthesis control. However, implementing the dual-modal memory features that are both volatile and nonvolatile in a synaptic transistor is challenging. Herein, for the first time, we propose a single vertical n-type organic synaptic transistor (VNOST) with a novel polymeric organic mixed ionic-electronic conductor as the core channel material to achieve dual-modal synaptic learning/memory behaviors at different operating current densities via the formation of an electric double layer and the reversible ion doping.

Cardiovascular safety of 5-fluorouracil and capecitabine in colorectal cancer patients: real-world evidence.

Background: Fluoropyrimidines, including 5-fluorouracil and capecitabine, are the most common chemotherapeutic agents for colorectal carcinoma. Although previous studies have suggested varying degrees of cardiotoxicity with these drugs, there is a notable lack of large-scale investigations with appropriate control groups. This study aimed to evaluate cardiovascular outcome among colorectal carcinoma patients treated with fluoropyrimidines.

Complete genome sequence of strain SOCE 003, a marine bacterium isolated from the surface seawater of Dapeng Bay.

is a heterotrophic bacterium commonly found in diverse marine environments. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of strain SOCE 003, which is 5,154,101 bp long, encoding 5,524 annotated protein-coding genes, 39 tRNAs, and 8 rRNAs. This genome information will help us understand the ecology of .

Integration of Motion and Stillness: A Paradigm Shift in Constructing Nearly Planar NIR-II AIEgen with Ultrahigh Molar Absorptivity and Photothermal Effect for Multimodal Phototheranostics.

The two contradictory entities in nature often follow the principle of unity of opposites, leading to optimal overall performance. Particularly, aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) with donor-acceptor (D-A) structures exhibit tunable optical properties and versatile functionalities, offering significant potential to revolutionize cancer treatment. However, trapped by low molar absorptivity (ε) owing to the distorted configurations, the ceilings of their photon-harvesting capability and the corresponding phototheranostic performance still fall short.

Innovative strategies for designing and constructing efficient fuel cell electrocatalysts.

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are one of the most promising energy conversion devices due to their high efficiency and zero emission; however, two major challenges, high cost and short lifetime, have been hindering the commercialization of fuel cells. Achieving low-Pt or non-precious metal oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts is one of the main research ideas in this field. In this review, the degradation mechanism of Pt-based catalysts is firstly explained and elucidated, and then five strategies are suggested for the reduction of Pt usage without loss of activity and durability: modulation of metal-support interactions, optimization of local ionomers and mass transport, modulation of composition, modulation of structure, and multi-site synergistic effects.

Redox and Photochemical Reactivity of Cerium(IV) Carbonate and Carboxylate Complexes Supported by a Tripodal Oxygen Ligand.

The protonolysis and redox reactivity of a Ce(IV) carbonate complex supported by the Kläui tripodal ligand [(η-CH)Co{P(O)(OEt)}] (L) have been studied. Whereas treatment of [Ce(L)(CO)] () with RCOH afforded [Ce(L)(RCO)] ( = Me (), Ph (), 2-NOCH ()), the reaction of with PhCHCOH resulted in formation of a mixture of Ce(IV) () and Ce(III) () carboxylate species. In benzene in the dark, was slowly converted into via Ce(IV)-O(carboxylate) homolysis.

A high-resolution three-year dataset supporting rooftop photovoltaics (PV) generation analytics.

This paper presents an open-source dataset intended to enhance the analysis and optimization of photovoltaic (PV) power generation in urban environments, serving as a valuable resource for various applications in solar energy research and development. The dataset comprises measured PV power generation data and corresponding on-site weather data gathered from 60 grid-connected rooftop PV stations in Hong Kong over a three-year period (2021-2023). The PV power generation data was collected at 5-minute intervals at the inverter-level.

Cortical HFS-induced neo-Hebbian local plasticity enhances efferent output signal and strengthens afferent input connectivity.

High-frequency stimulation (HFS)-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) is generally regarded as a homosynaptic Hebbian-type LTP, where synaptic changes are thought to occur at the synapses that project from the stimulation site and terminate onto the neurons at the recording site. In this study, we first investigated HFS-induced LTP on urethane-anesthetized rats and found that cortical HFS enhances neural responses at the recording site through the strengthening of local connectivity with nearby neurons at the stimulation site, rather than through synaptic strengthening at the recording site. This enhanced local connectivity at the stimulation site leads to increased output propagation, resulting in signal potentiation at the recording site.

Absorptivity Is an Important Determinant in the Toxicity Difference between Aristolochic Acid I and Aristolochic Acid II.

Inadvertent exposure to aristolochic acids (AAs) is causing chronic renal disease worldwide, with aristolochic acid I (AA-I) identified as the primary toxic agent. This study employed chemical methods to investigate the mechanisms underlying the nephrotoxicity and carcinogenicity of AA-I. Aristolochic acid II (AA-II), which has a structure similar to that of AA-I, was investigated with the same methods for comparison.

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of -Carboranyl Amines.

Carboranyl amines are distinct from typical organic amines. Due to the electronic influence of the carborane cage, they have low nucleophilicity and are reluctant to alkylate. Moreover, asymmetric synthesis of chiral carboranes is still in its infancy.

Direct cytosol delivery of mRNA by micron-sized co-assembly with designer oligopeptides.

Inefficient endosomal escape has been regarded as the main bottleneck for intracellular nucleic acid delivery. While most research efforts have been spent on designing various nano-sized particles, we took a different path here, investigating micron-sized carriers for direct cytosol entry. Using the spontaneous co-assembly of mRNA and the designer 27 amino acid oligopeptide named pepMAX2, micron-sized co-assemblies were obtained with various sizes by altering the concentration of NaCl salt and time for pre-incubation.

Implications of Pyrolytic Gas Dynamic Evolution on Dissolved Black Carbon Formed During Production of Biochar from Nitrogen-Rich Feedstock.

Gases and dissolved black carbon (DBC) formed during pyrolysis of nitrogen-rich feedstock would affect atmospheric and aquatic environments. Yet, the mechanisms driving biomass gas evolution and DBC formation are poorly understood. Using thermogravimetric-Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy, we correlated the temperature-dependent primary noncondensable gas release sequence (HO → CO → HCN, NH → CH → CO) with specific defunctionalization stages in the order: dehydration, decarboxylation, denitrogenation, demethylation, and decarbonylation.

Uptake and Transpiration of Solid and Hollow SiO Nanoparticles by Terrestrial Plant (Apium Graveolens var. secalinum).

Recent studies have raised concerns about the potential toxicity of amorphous silica (SiO) nanoparticles (NPs). This investigation explores the uptake, transport, and transpiration of silica NPs in Apium graveolens var. secalinum.

The overview of lactylation in the placenta of preeclampsia.

Background: Preeclampsia is a major challenge for obstetricians due to its severe impacts on maternal and fetal health. Lysine lactylation (Kla) derived from lactate is a novel type of post-translational modification which has been confirmed to affect the malignant progression of diseases as an epigenetic modifier. However, the systemic lactylome profiling of preeclampsia is still unclear.

Unveiling hidden reaction kinetics of carbon dioxide in supercritical aqueous solutions.

Dissolution of CO in water followed by the subsequent hydrolysis reactions is of great importance to the global carbon cycle, and carbon capture and storage. Despite numerous previous studies, the reactions are still not fully understood at the atomistic scale. Here, we combined ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations with Markov state models to elucidate the reaction mechanisms and kinetics of CO in supercritical water both in the bulk and nanoconfined states.

US Corn Belt enhances regional precipitation recycling.

Precipitation recycling, where evapotranspiration (ET) from the land surface contributes to precipitation within the same region, is a critical component of the water cycle. This process is especially important for the US Corn Belt, where extensive cropland expansions and irrigation activities have significantly transformed the landscape and affected the regional climate. Previous studies investigating precipitation recycling typically relied on analytical models with simplifying assumptions, overlooking the complex interactions between groundwater hydrology and agricultural management.

Interfacial Oxygen Vacancy-Copper Pair Sites on Inverse CeO2/Cu Catalyst Enable Efficient CO2 Electroreduction to Ethanol in Acid.

Renewable electricity-driven electrochemical reduction of CO2 offers a promising route for production of high-value ethanol. However, the current state of this technology is hindered by low selectivity and productivity, primarily due to limited understanding of the atomic-level active sites involved in ethanol formation. Herein, we identify that the interfacial oxygen vacancy-neighboring Cu (Ov-Cu) pair sites are the active sites for CO2 electroreduction to ethanol.

Temperature has an enhanced role in sediment NO and N fluxes in wider rivers.

Riverine NO and N fluxes, key components of the global nitrogen budget, are known to be influenced by river size (often represented by average river width), yet the specific mechanisms behind these effects remain unclear. This study examined how environmental and microbial factors influenced sediment NO and N fluxes across rivers with varying widths (2.8 to 2,000 m) in China.

Identifying genetic susceptibility loci associated with human coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multigenic condition influenced by both nature and nurture (60% to 40%). Prognosis of CAD is based on familial patterns. This study examined and analyzed the susceptibility of CAD to genetic variants in various Pakistani families.

Two-dimensional non-Hermitian skin effect in an ultracold Fermi gas.

The concept of non-Hermiticity has expanded the understanding of band topology, leading to the emergence of counter-intuitive phenomena. An example is the non-Hermitian skin effect (NHSE), which involves the concentration of eigenstates at the boundary. However, despite the potential insights that can be gained from high-dimensional non-Hermitian quantum systems in areas such as curved space, high-order topological phases and black holes, the realization of this effect in high dimensions remains unexplored.