Enhancing the Photoelectrochemical Activity of CuO/ZnO Junction Photocathodes for Water Splitting.

To facilitate fast transfer of photogenerated electrons and surface stability, the CuO photocathode needs to be coupled with another heterojunction material. Here, we propose CuO/ZnO heterojunctions as photocathodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. First, CuO was grown on a Cu substrate, either in the form of a foil or mesh gauge, via anodization followed by postheating treatment.

Highly-efficient full-color holographic movie based on silicon nitride metasurface.

Metasurface holograms offer various advantages, including wide viewing angle, small volume, and high resolution. However, full-color animation of high-resolution images has been a challenging issue. In this study, a full-color dielectric metasurface holographic movie with a resolution of 2322 × 2322 was achieved by spatiotemporally multiplexing 30 frames with blue, green, and red color channels at the wavelengths of 445 nm, 532 nm, and 633 nm at the maximum reconstruction speed of 55.

Metasurface absorber enhanced thermoelectric conversion.

Metasurfaces are artificial thin materials that achieve optical thickness through thin geometrical structure. This feature of metasurfaces results in unprecedented benefits for enhancing the performance of optoelectronic devices. In this study, we report that this metasurface feature is also essential to drive photo-thermoelectric conversion, which requires the accumulation of thermal energy and effective heat conduction.

A complete classification of evolutionary games with environmental feedback.

A tragedy of the commons, in which rational behavior of individuals to maximize their own payoffs depletes common resources, is one of the most important research topics in game theory. To better understand the social dilemma problem, recent studies have developed a theoretical framework of feedback-evolving game where individual behavior affects an environmental (renewable) resource and the environmental resource changes individual payoffs. While previous studies assumed that the frequency of defectors increases (prisoner's dilemma [PD] game) when the environmental resource is abundant to investigate an oscillating tragedy of the commons, it is also possible for other types of game to produce the social dilemma.

Insular environment-dependent introgression from an arid-grassland orchid to a wetland orchid on an oceanic island.

Adaptive introgression plays a vital role in allowing recipient species to adapt and colonize new environments. However, our understanding of such environment-dependent introgressions is primarily limited to specific plant taxa in particular settings. In Japan, two related orchid species, the autonomously self-pollinating and the outcrossing , typically inhabit dry grasslands and wetlands, respectively.

Combination of 3 probiotics restores attenuated adult neurogenesis in germ-free mice.

Gut microbiota plays an important role in regulating brain function and adult neurogenesis. Although probiotics have recently been reported as effective against certain psychiatric disorders, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In particular, the combination of 3 probiotic strains, Bacillus subtilis TO-A, Enterococcus faecium T-110, and Clostridium butyricum TO-A, hereafter referred to as ProB3, has been reported to potentially alleviate psychiatric symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

Arterial supply to the adrenal gland in the common marmoset ().

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) has attracted much attention as a nonhuman primate animal model for stress-related experiments. The adrenal gland plays a key role in stress responses and has abundant vasculature, through which the hypothalamic-pituitary axis hormonally controls its activity. Understanding the arterial supply pattern to the gland is fundamental to understanding its function and performing experiments.

Impact of smoking on gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in human and mice: Implications for COPD.

We aimed to elucidate the dynamic changes in short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced by the gut microbiota following smoking exposure and their role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis. SCFA concentrations were measured in human plasma, comparing non-smokers (n = 6) and smokers (n = 12). Using a mouse COPD model induced by cigarette smoke exposure or elastase-induced emphysema, we modulated SCFA levels through dietary interventions and antibiotics to evaluate their effects on inflammation and alveolar destruction.

Dysregulation of PI4P in the trans Golgi regions activates the mammalian Golgi stress response.

The Golgi stress response is an important cytoprotective system that enhances Golgi function in response to cellular demand, while cells damaged by prolonged Golgi stress undergo cell death. OSW-1, a natural compound with anticancer activity, potently inhibits OSBP that transports cholesterol and phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P) at contact sites between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus. Previously, we reported that OSW-1 induces the Golgi stress response, resulting in Golgi stress-induced transcription and cell death.

A novel scaffold for biofilm formation by soil microbes using iron-cross-linked alginate gels.

This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of alginate gels, specifically ferric-ion-cross-linked alginate (Fe-alginate) and calcium-ion-cross-linked alginate (Ca-alginate), as scaffolds for soil microbial attachment and biofilm formation in soil. Staining with crystal violet and observations with scanning electron microscopy showed that microorganisms formed biofilms on Fe-alginate surfaces in the soil. When the soil was incubated with Fe-alginate, microbial biomass, estimated by adenosine triphosphate content, increased not only in the Fe-alginate but also in the surrounding soil.

Ethnicity/caste and child anthropometric outcomes in India using the National Family Heath Survey 2015-16 and 2019-21.

Socioeconomic inequalities are known to negatively impact anthropometric outcomes among children, particularly in developing countries. This study, therefore, assesses the gap in anthropometric outcomes of children 6-59 months along the ethnicity-based social groups in India using the National Family Heath Survey 2015-16 and 2019-21. The paper utilizes logistic regression models, the exogenous switching treatment effect regression (ESTER) model, and the Blinder-Oaxaca Model to disentangle the role of ethnicity (referred to as caste in India) in influencing child anthropometric outcomes while accounting for socio/economic factors.

The distribution of monolignol glucosides coincides with lignification during the formation of compression wood in Pinus thunbergii.

The distributions of monolignol glucosides (MLGs) in compression and opposite woods of Pinus thunbergii were assessed using cryo-time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry to investigate their involvement in lignification. p-Glucocoumaryl alcohol (PG) was identified in the region of the differentiating xylem adjacent to the cambial zone only in compression wood, whereas coniferin (CF) was similarly localized in both compression and opposite woods. Their distribution from the phloem to the xylem was evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using serial tangential sections.

De novo sequencing allows genome-wide identification of genes involved in galactomannan synthesis in locust bean (Ceratonia siliqua).

Locust bean (Ceratonia siliqua) accumulates the galactomannan (GM) locust bean gum (LBG) in its seeds. LBG is a major industrial raw material used as a food thickener and gelling agent, whose unique properties mean that it cannot be readily replaced by other GMs. Whereas much is known about GM accumulation and the genes associated with GM biosynthesis in legumes, the genes involved in GM biosynthesis in C.

Hidden invaders: intraspecific cryptic invasion and hybridization of Dolichoderus thoracicus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Taiwan.

Biological invasions pose substantial threats to global biodiversity, agriculture, and ecological stability. Among these, intraspecific cryptic invasions, characterized by the spread of nonnative genotypes within a species, present unique challenges for detection and management. Despite the well-documented influence of invasive ants on ecosystems, instances of intraspecific cryptic ant invasions have rarely been documented.

Genetic variation in the RETN promoter, accompanied by latent sarcopenic obesity, led to insulin resistance in a Japanese cohort: the Toon Genome Study.

Aims/hypothesis: Resistin, inducing insulin resistance, is elevated in the sera of individuals with the G-A haplotype at c.-420 C>G (rs1862513) and c.-358 G>A (rs3219175).

A homozygous structural variant of is frequently associated with achromatopsia in Japanese patients with IRD.

Purpose: Achromatopsia (ACHM) is an early-onset cone dysfunction caused by 5 genes with cone-specific functions (, , , and ) and by , a transcription factor with ubiquitous expression. To improve the relatively low variant detection ratio in these genes in a cohort of exome-sequenced Japanese patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRD), we performed genome sequencing to detect structural variants and intronic variants in patients with ACHM.

Methods: Genome sequencing of 10 ACHM pedigrees was performed after exome sequencing.

Intestinal butyric acid-mediated disruption of gut hormone secretion and lipid metabolism in vasopressin receptor-deficient mice.

Objectives: Arginine vasopressin (AVP), known as an antidiuretic hormone, is also crucial in metabolic homeostasis. Although AVP receptor-deficient mice exhibit various abnormalities in glucose and lipid metabolism, the mechanism underlying these symptoms remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the involvement of the gut hormones including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and microbiota as essential mediators.

Effect of Linker Length on the Function of Biotinylated OSW-1 Probes.

The biotinylated probes based on anticancer saponin OSW-1 with varied linker lengths were synthesized and their cell growth inhibitory activity and affinity pulldown efficiency were evaluated. All probes demonstrated comparable cytotoxicity to the parent natural product, highlighting that the linker moiety had a minimal impact on cell uptake or target engagement. In contrast, when evaluated against the known target proteins, OSBP and ORP4, the biotinylated probe 3 with PEG5 linker enabled most effective enrichment of target proteins in the affinity pulldown assay, suggesting that the cytotoxicity and pulldown efficiency did not correlate among the probes studied.

High-fat/high-sucrose diet-induced renal changes in obese diabetic mice: a comparison with db/db and KK-Ay mice.

Many genetic and environmental factors are involved in the development and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and its pathology shows various characteristics. Animal models of DKD play an important role in elucidating its pathogenesis and developing new therapies. In this study, we investigated the pathophysiological features of two DKD animal models: db/db mice (background of hyperglycemia) and KK-Ay mice (background of hyperinsulinemia).

Genomic perspective on the bacillus causing paratyphoid B fever.

Paratyphoid B fever (PTB) is caused by an invasive lineage (phylogroup 1, PG1) of Salmonella enterica serotype Paratyphi B (SPB). However, little was known about the global population structure, geographic distribution, and evolution of this pathogen. Here, we report a whole-genome analysis of 568 historical and contemporary SPB PG1 isolates, obtained globally, between 1898 and 2021.

Moonlight function of antioxidants.

We take a wide variety of antioxidants, including polyphenols, daily from our diet. They are generally considered to be beneficial for our health. However, the intrinsic function of antioxidants in biological systems remain unknown.

MIBiG 4.0: advancing biosynthetic gene cluster curation through global collaboration.

Specialized or secondary metabolites are small molecules of biological origin, often showing potent biological activities with applications in agriculture, engineering and medicine. Usually, the biosynthesis of these natural products is governed by sets of co-regulated and physically clustered genes known as biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). To share information about BGCs in a standardized and machine-readable way, the Minimum Information about a Biosynthetic Gene cluster (MIBiG) data standard and repository was initiated in 2015.

Epigenetic control of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis by m4C DNA methylation in a cyanobacterium.

Epigenetic DNA modifications are pivotal in eukaryotic gene expression, but their regulatory significance in bacteria is less understood. In Synechocystis 6803, the DNA methyltransferase M.Ssp6803II modifies the first cytosine in the GGCC motif, forming N4-methylcytosine (GGm4CC).

Decoding continuous motion trajectories of upper limb from EEG signals based on feature selection and nonlinear methods.

Brain-computer interface (BCI) system has emerged as a promising technology that provides direct communication and control between the human brain and external devices. Among the various applications of BCI, limb motion decoding has gained significant attention due to its potential for patients with motor impairment to regain independence and improve their quality of life. However, the reconstruction of continuous motion trajectories in BCI systems based on electroencephalography (EEG) signals remains a challenge in practical life.