Is high specific surface area essential for anode catalyst supports in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis?

Dispersing iridium onto high-specific-surface-area supports is a widely adopted strategy to maximize iridium utilization in anode catalysts of proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). However, here we demonstrate that the overall cell performance, including initial efficiency and long-term stability, does not benefit from the typical high specific surface area of catalyst supports. The conventional understanding that high iridium utilization on high-specific-surface-area supports increases activity holds only in aqueous electrolytes, while under the typical working conditions of PEMWE, the mass transport within the anode catalyst layers plays a more significant role in the overall performance.

Tunable Multistate Mechanoresistance in a Single-Molecule Junction Incorporating Energy-Dissipative Structures.

Mechanoresponsive molecular devices are capable of exhibiting dynamic responses to external mechanical stimuli, enabling applications in smart materials, nano-devices, and flexible electronics. However, energy conversion induced by mechanical stimuli requires efficient energy dissipation mechanisms. Traditional methods often involve bond breaking or incomplete energy release, which can lead to device failure during continuous operations.

Antiferroelectric SnO Network with Amorphous Surface for Electrochemical N Fixation.

Electrochemical nitrogen fixation-a sustainable pathway for converting abundant N into NH using renewable energy-holds transformative potential for revolutionizing artificial nitrogen cycles. Nevertheless, even the state-of-the-art catalytic systems also suffer from inadequate N adsorption capacity, which critically limits ammonia production rates and Faradaic efficiency (FE). To overcome this bottleneck, we strategically leveraged the antiferroelectric properties of SnO to establish dipole-dipole interactions with N molecules, synergistically enhancing both N adsorption and activation kinetics.

Exogenous Melatonin Regulates Hormone Signalling and Photosynthesis-Related Genes to Enhance Brassica napus. Yield: A Transcriptomic Perspective.

Melatonin, a multifunctional signalling molecule in plants, has been increasingly recognized for its role in improving stress tolerance, regulating hormone signalling, and enhancing crop productivity. Exogenous melatonin application represents a promising strategy to enhance crop productivity under global agricultural challenges. This study aimed to investigate the physiological and molecular mechanisms by which melatonin improves yield in Brassica napus.

Electrophysiological identification of 4 macrocyclic lactones as female-specific volatiles of the agarwood tree defoliator Heortia vitessoides (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).

Agarwood trees (Aquilaria spp.) are widely cultivated in tropical Asia for their valuable resin. The defoliator moth Heortia vitessoides Moore (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a devastating pest that significantly limits the productivity of agarwood plantations.

Semiopen Ag@Au Plasmonic Nanotube Arrays Synergizing Molecular Confinement and Multimodal SERS for Lung Cancer Breath Diagnostics.

Exhaled breath analysis offers noninvasive, early lung cancer detection via volatile organic compound (VOC) biomarkers, surpassing blood-based methods. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is ideal for this purpose, combining molecular fingerprint specificity with single-molecule sensitivity. However, conventional SERS substrates face a fundamental limitation: while porous materials such as metal-organic frameworks effectively adsorb VOCs through their subnanometer pores (0.

European Bioanalysis Forum recommendation on embracing a context-of-use-driven scientific validation for chromatographic assays in the light of ICH M10.

The International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use M10 guideline provides a global framework for bioanalytical method validation in studies intended for regulatory submission. While its structure ensures consistency and data reliability, the guideline also acknowledges that not all studies require the same level of validation. This paper examines where full compliance is essential and where scientific judgment allows for leaner, context-driven validation, such as in early-stage development, for additional matrices, metabolites, nonstandard biological matrices or studies intended for internal decision-making.

CRINKLY4: Multifaceted Roles Beyond Epidermal Cell Differentiation in Plant Development?

Receptor-like kinases (RLKs) play essential roles in plant growth and development. CRINKLY4 (CR4), one of the first reported RLKs in plants, is a well-known regulator of epidermal cell differentiation during leaf and seed development in maize. Within the last four decades, the functional landscape of CR4 has emerged across diverse developmental contexts and species, including dicots (e.

Advances of gas molecules against radiation damage.

There is an increasing population receiving radiotherapy every year, during which unexpected damage to normal tissues often occurs unavoidably. How to mitigate the radiation-induced injuries and enhance patients' life quality remains a pressing challenge. Recently, gas molecules employment has emerged as a novel therapeutic modality, garnering increasing interest from researchers.

Enhanced removal of Cr (VI) in constructed wetland with Fe-Ni-LDH-modified crayfish shell biochar: Performance, removal pathways and synergy mechanisms of substrate-microorganism.

In this study, Fe-Ni-layered double hydroxide modified crayfish shell biochar substrate (Fe-Ni-LDH@CSBC) was successfully prepared and introduced into constructed wetland (CW) to research the Cr(VI) removal mechanism through substrate adsorption and microbial action. Adsorption experiments demonstrated the equilibrium adsorption capacities of Fe-Ni-LDH@CSBC for Cr(VI) could reach 1058.48 (C=10 mg/L) and 1394.

Construction and verification of soil heavy metal establishment identification method based on dual-threshold of magnetic susceptibility.

Pollutants from industrial emissions and traffic accumulate in urban soils as road dust, carrying heavy metals (HMs) posing ecological and health risks. Magnetic susceptibility (MS), sensitive to ferromagnetic minerals, enables rapid HM contamination assessment. This study developed the Modified Dual-Threshold MS Evaluation Plot for Soil Contamination (M-Plot) using χ and χ% indices.

Blockade of metastasis by targeting circulating tumor cells with platelet encapsuled oncolytic adenovirus.

Host immune elimination largely limits the application of oncolytic viruses in clinics. Here, we rationally design a bioactive platelet-based oncolytic adenovirus delivery system. Upon loading adenoviruses, platelets are transformed to a pro-endocytosis status, which facilitates their internalization by circulating tumor cells (CTCs).

Dispersal across Wallace's Line: A case study in Endiandra.

Premise: Floristic exchanges between Oceania and tropical Asia have significant asymmetrical characteristics. Many groups of plants have dispersed southward from Asia to Oceania, whereas a northward dispersal from Oceania to tropical Asia (i.e.

Chemically Stable Tetrazine-Based Porous Organic Cages with Post-Synthetic Modification via Inverse-Electron-Demand Diels-Alder Reactions for SF/N and CO/N Separation.

Porous organic cages (POCs) have emerged as promising porous materials for a wide range of applications. However, their development is often limited by insufficient chemical stability and challenges in systematically functionalization. Herein, we reported the design and synthesis of a tetrazine-based POC (TC1) featuring rigid tetrahedral structure, prepared via a one-pot nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction.

Multi-Enzymatic Cascade Catalysis in Photodynamic Nanozymes for Augmenting Radiotherapy of Breast Cancer.

Overcoming resistance to radiotherapy remains a significant challenge in breast cancer management. A one-step coordinated synthesis of BODIPY-integrated photodynamic nanozymes (FZBNPs) that facilitate an orthogonal catalytic cascade for radiotherapy potentiation is presented. The engineered FZBNPs simultaneously alleviate tumor hypoxia through catalase-mimetic oxygen (O) generation and amplify reactive oxygen species (ROS) production via peroxidase-like activity, synergizing with BODIPY-mediated singlet oxygen (O) generation under 660 nm light irradiation.

Strong Trapping Capability and Diffusion Suppression Effect of Silicon Carbide Surface on Tritium: A First Principle Study.

Silicon carbide (SiC) has attracted considerable interest for use in electronics, aerospace, and nuclear energy applications owing to its excellent electrical and mechanical properties. In the nuclear industry, SiC serves as an effective tritium permeation barrier. However, a significant discrepancy remains between the experimentally measured diffusion coefficients and the theoretical predictions.

Bio-ethical issues of research in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This paper examines bioethical considerations of research conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where a notable scarcity persists in literature addressing region-specific bioethical issues. Although bioethics-related activities have encountered challenges surpassing existing protocol safeguards, emerging evidence demonstrates growing recognition of integrated scientific and ethical principles within African medical research. Maintaining research continuity in resource-limited settings necessitates bridging critical gaps between informed consent procedures and participants' actual understanding.

Chronological Changes in Intra-aneurysmal Signal Intensity on T1-weighted Black Blood Images after Endovascular Treatment for Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms.

Intra-aneurysmal thrombus formation is crucial for the healing of endovascularly treated aneurysms. This study evaluated whether T1-weighted black blood imaging can monitor thrombus formation by examining the relationship between chronological signal intensity changes and aneurysm occlusion status after flow diverter stenting and coil embolization. We retrospectively analyzed 78 patients with 83 aneurysms (flow diverter stenting: 28, coil embolization: 55) who underwent T1-weighted black blood imaging at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months post-treatment.

Indole-based natural product for plant protection: Discovery of alkaloid barrettin and its derivatives as novel antiviral and antifungal agents.

The extensive use of highly toxic and residual pesticides has a significant negative impact on agricultural production and the ecological environment. The development of new green antiviral agents has become a major demand for ensuring the development of green ecological agriculture. Indole alkaloids are widely present in nature and have diverse biological activities.

Foliar application of selenium nanoparticles enhance quality and mitigate negative plant-soil feedback in Panax notoginseng by modulating plant-microbiota interactions.

Developing a practical strategy to enhance the quality of medicinal herb while alleviating negative plant-soil feedback (NPSF) is critical for agriculture. In this study, we investigated the effects of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) on Panax notoginseng through a two-year field experiment. Four treatments were established: a control (SeNPs_0) and three SeNPs concentrations (3, 5, and 10 mg/L), which were foliar-sprayed every 15 days for a total of six applications.

Shiga Toxin Type 2 Aggravates G1/S Phase Cell Cycle Arrest, Mediating Caspase-Independent Cell Death under Hyperosmotic Conditions in the Kidney.

Shiga toxin (Stx) is a virulence factor produced by serotype 1 and Stx-producing (STEC). It causes severe renal damage, leading to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The main target organ of Stx, the kidney, plays a role in maintaining water homeostasis in the body by increasing an osmotic gradient from the cortex to the medulla.

Cystic Echinococcosis and Taenia spp. Infections in Nigeria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prevalence and Geographical Distribution.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) and Taenia spp. infections are major zoonotic helminthiases with substantial public health and economic burdens, particularly in endemic regions. Despite their classification as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), these tapeworm infections remain understudied in Nigeria.

Marine chitin valorization by ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents: Dissolution, green extraction and conversion.

Worldwide, marine shell waste generated from the seafood industry has emerged as a significant environmental challenge. Indeed, this shell waste represents an abundant source of various valuable products, particularly chitin. However, the extraction and subsequent processing of chitin are hindered by the inherently resistant structure of these chitin-rich feedstocks, coupled with strong hydrogen bonding between chitin chains.

Integrin β3 dysregulation impairs megakaryopoiesis and microparticle production via disrupting ROCK-dependent cytoskeletal dynamics.

Background: Megakaryocyte (MK) fragmentation into proplatelets (PPTs) and microparticles (MKMPs) is well established, yet the mechanisms underlying MKMP generation remain unclear.

Objectives: In order to investigate the role of integrin β3 and cytoskeletal dynamics during megakaryopoiesis and explore potential therapeutic targets for thrombocytopenia.

Methods: Proplatelet formation and MKMP release were evaluated both in vivo and in vitro under integrin β3 receptor impaired environment.