Accelerated T-cell senescence and persistent inflammation in older adults with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the peripheral joints while also causing extra-articular complications. Adults with RA show premature aging of the immune system (immunosenescence). Here, we investigated whether senescence T-cell markers and inflammaging remain elevated in older adults with RA.

Ultrathin Amorphous Boron Nitride Films and Their Functional Integration in Lithium Metal Anodes.

Ultrathin amorphous materials are promising counterparts to 2D crystalline materials, yet their properties and functionalities remain poorly understood. Amorphous boron nitride (aBN) has attracted attention for its ultralow dielectric constant and superior manufacturability compared with hexagonal boron nitride. Here, we demonstrate wafer-scale growth of ultrathin aBN films with exceptional thickness and composition uniformity using capacitively coupled plasma-chemical vapor deposition (CCP-CVD) at 400 °C.

The go/no-go successive matching task and the emergence of arbitrary relational responding: A review.

Go/no-go successive matching (GNG-matching) tasks are one of several procedures used to establish conditional discriminations. This study presents a systematic review aimed at comparing procedures and outcomes of empirical studies using GNG-matching tasks for the emergence of symmetry, transitive, and global equivalence relations in humans and non-humans. A total of 22 articles were analyzed-nine with nonhumans and thirteen with humans.

Surface Reconstruction in Quasi-2D Perovskite Films Treated with Cesium Halide Nanocrystals: Halide Exchange or Phase Transformation.

The formation of heterostructure interfaces from quantum dots (or nanocrystals) and lower-dimensional (2D or quasi-2D) materials enables interfacial and optoelectronic property tuning. However, this strategy has not been sufficiently characterized, for example, the application of cesium halide nanocrystals to quasi-2D perovskite structures is underexplored, and the mechanisms of the resulting structural modifications and specific nanocrystal roles are not fully understood. Herein, the effects of postsynthetically surface-modifying quasi-2D perovskite films with CsX ( = Cl, Br, I) nanocrystals are examined to bridge this gap.

ECG-GraphNet: Advanced arrhythmia classification based on graph convolutional networks.

Background: Deep learning has significantly improved medical diagnostics, particularly in electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis, yet accurate classification of arrhythmias remains challenging.

Objective: We propose Electrocardiogram Graph Convolutional Network (ECG-GraphNet), a graph convolutional network designed to classify arrhythmias into 3 types: normal (N), supraventricular ectopic (S), and ventricular ectopic (V) beats.

Methods: ECG-GraphNet utilizes a novel graph representation of ECG data in which the P wave, QRS complex, and T wave are modeled as individual nodes.

Disordered Inverse Photonic Beads Assembled From Linear Block Copolymers.

Structurally colored colloids, or photonic pigments, offer a sustainable alternative to conventional dyes, yet existing systems are constrained by limited morphologies and complex synthesis. In particular, achieving angle-independent color typically relies on disordered inverse architectures formed from synthetically demanding bottlebrush block copolymers (BCPs), hindering scalability and functional diversity. Here, we report a conceptually distinct strategy to assemble three-dimensional inverse photonic glass microparticles using amphiphilic linear BCPs (poly(styrene-block-4-vinylpyridine), PS-b-P4VP) via an emulsion-templated process.

Record Open-Circuit Voltage in Perovskite/PERC Tandem Solar Cells via Novel a-Si Interlayer Passivation.

Monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem (PST) solar cells are rapidly emerging as next-generation solar cells with significant potential for commercialization. This study presents a proof of concept for a silicon diffused junction-based PST cell, utilizing a passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) cell with a low-temperature (<200 °C) laser-fired contact process to minimize thermal damage. By introducing amorphous silicon to the emitter surface of PERC bottom cell, the open circuit voltage (V) improve from 0.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Determinants of Stability in Spiro-OMeTAD-Based Hole-Transporting Layers in Perovskite Solar Cells: Mechanistic Insights and Strategic Perspectives.

Spiro-OMeTAD has remained the benchmark hole-transporting material (HTM) in state-of-the-art perovskite solar cells, owing to its favorable energy level alignment and excellent interfacial compatibility. However, its practical implementation is critically hindered by the intrinsic instabilities introduced by conventional dopants such as lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and 4-tert-butylpyridine (tBP). While these dopants enhance electrical conductivity, they concurrently initiate multiple degradation pathways-including ionic migration, radical deactivation, and moisture/thermal-induced morphological failure-thereby compromising device longevity and reproducibility.

Agrochemical fungicides as environmental drivers of antifungal resistance.

Once neglected, the debate on antifungal drug resistance has increased due to the emergence of antifungal resistant strains. Several factors are associated with the increase in resistance rates, and the use of fungicides in agricultural practice is probably an important cause. This review aimed to summarize studies performed with fungicides, which could show the correlation between the use of these agrochemicals and the development of cross-resistance to clinical antifungals in human/animal pathogenic fungi.

The nonlinear Fokker-Planck equation with nongradient drift forces and an anisotropic potential.

Studies regarding physical phenomena described by nonlinear Fokker-Planck equations usually consider the case where the drift forces acting on the physical system under investigation are derived from the gradient of a potential function. In the present manuscript, we investigate nonlinear Fokker-Planck equations, where the drift field has a component that is derived from the gradient of an asymmetric potential and another that corresponds to a nongradient force term. We consider the specific case of a two-dimensional, nonlinear Fokker-Planck equation where the drift field is obtained from an anisotropic, harmonic potential, besides the nongradient term.

Homotopy reservoir computing: Harnessing chaos for computation.

Reservoir computing (RC) has traditionally relied on tuning systems toward the edge of chaos to optimize their computational capability. In contrast, we propose a novel method that starts from a fully chaotic system and systematically tames it into a trainable reservoir using homotopy. Our approach constructs adaptive reservoirs whose internal dynamics evolve in real time with the input, yielding a new class of computational models: Homotopy Reservoir Computing (Homotopy RC).

Building Meaningful Relationships for Equity in the Publishing Ecosystem: Empowering Latin American Research Through Engagement.

Equity in scientific publishing requires removing financial barriers, structural transformation, and inclusive practices that empower researchers from historically marginalized regions. Here, we reflect on recent Wiley's initiatives supporting Brazilian researchers to integrate into the international publishing ecosystem, including discounted rates for open-access article processing charges, the Wiley-CAPES transformative agreement, and in-country capacity-building events. While some challenges persist, such as linguistic barriers and funding access, we underscore the importance of meaningful local engagement and the coordinated actions among publishers and funding agencies that are supporting a more equitable publishing ecosystem.

Picoliter ice particles by supersonic cryogenic jets for transdermal drug delivery: Extracellular vesicle application for skin diseases.

Transdermal drug delivery holds significant potential for treating skin conditions. Conventional methods utilizing needles or large unit drug delivery volumes often result in patient discomfort and inhomogeneous delivery. This study proposes a picoliter ice particle delivery (PIPD) technology that produces high-speed solid ice drug particles using controlled supersonic cryogenic jets for transdermal drug delivery.

Short-term memory errors are strongly associated with a drift in neural activity in the posterior parietal cortex.

Understanding the neural mechanisms behind short-term memory (STM) errors is crucial for unraveling cognitive processes and addressing deficits associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. This study examines whether STM errors arise from misrepresentation of sensory information or decay in these representations over time. Using 2-photon calcium imaging in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) of mice performing a delayed match-to-sample task, we identified a subset of PPC neurons exhibiting both directional and temporal selectivity.

Local nonequilibrium thermodynamics of polymer collapse dynamics.

Nonequilibrium thermodynamics plays a crucial role in understanding a wide range of physical and chemical processes. While significant advances have been made through frameworks, such as the fluctuation theorem, it remains challenging to define thermodynamic quantities, such as energy, entropy, and free energy, at the local level during nonequilibrium processes. Recently, Jinwoo and Tanaka [Sci.

Analysis of chromatin accessibility associated with azacitidine response in higher-risk myelodysplastic neoplasms.

Azacitidine, used in the treatment of higher-risk myelodysplastic neoplasms, is a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor that modifies epigenetic regulatory programs. The efficacy of azacitidine varies among patients, with approximately 50% of patients failing to respond. However, whether epigenomic factors affect responses to azacitidine has not been investigated.

iCardio: The Brazilian Population-Based Real-World Data Platform for Cardiovascular Disease.

Technological advances that contribute to improving organizations and systems' capability to manage care services and pathways are impactful in improving efficiency and reducing waste in health care. This narrative paper presents the implementation of iCardio, a dashboard of population real-world data-based analytical online open-access solution for the cardiovascular field in Brazil. The platform was developed using hospitalization data from patients who underwent cardiovascular operation or interventional procedures, identified by procedure codes reimbursed by the public health system.

Nanocircularity in Agriculture with BioC-Dots: Vinasse-Derived Carbon-Dots and Their Usage as Potential Metal Ion Sensors.

The sugar cane refining industry is crucial in producing sugar and biofuel ethanol. However, as demand for these products has grown, so has the generation of waste, with vinasse emerging as the primary pollutant. This study investigates the potential of utilizing vinasse as a raw material to produce carbon dots (BioC-dots), a high-value product.

Reduction of Nitrite at a Copper(II) Trans-κ-ONO Complex via Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer and Oxygen Atom Transfer.

Reduction of nitrite (NO ) to nitric oxide (NO) serves important roles in NO-dependent signaling as well as in the broad nitrogen biogeochemical cycle. In biological system, copper-containing nitrite reductases (CuNiRs) are well known to bind a nitrite anion to mediate the nitrite reduction to release NO, of which the mechanism still requires further understanding. Herein, synthetic copper(II) nitrite complex with a rare binding mode, [Cu(Pr-tren)(trans-κ-ONO)] (2), is characterized physicochemically and examined in proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) and oxygen atom transfer (OAT) to release NO.

Bidirectional shifts in Pm20d1 expression impact thermogenesis and metabolism.

Background: Peptidase M20 domain containing 1 (PM20D1) is a secreted N-fatty acyl amino synthase and hydrolase that controls tissue and blood levels of N-fatty acyl amino acids. In brown adipocytes, N-fatty acyl amino acids bind to mitochondria and act as uncouplers of mitochondria, independent of UCP1. Interventions aimed at increasing or inhibiting PM20D1 expression considerably impact energy balance and metabolism; however, little is known about naturally occurring variants of the PM20D1/Pm20d1 gene and their impact on phenotype.

's Exopolysaccharide Mitigates DSS-Induced Colitis Through Dectin-1-Mediated Immunomodulation and Microbiota Remodeling.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by the interplay between immune responses and dysbiosis in disease development. Aiming to provide additional insights into disease development and potential treatment strategies, the present study investigates the local effect of oral treatment with polysaccharides obtained from 's submerged culture in an experimental model of DSS-induced colitis and its impact on lesion resolution. : The structure and monosaccharide composition of polysaccharides were characterized through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).

Bioprinting Vascularized Constructs for Clinical Relevance: Engineering Hydrogel Systems for Biological Maturity.

Vascularization remains a critical challenge in tissue engineering, limiting graft survival, integration, and clinical translation. Although bioprinting enables spatial control over vascular architectures, many existing approaches prioritize geometric precision over biological performance. Bioprinted vasculature can be understood as a dynamic and time-dependent system that requires tissue-specific maturation.

Lyme-Borreliosis Disease: IgM Epitope Mapping and Evaluation of a Serological Assay Based on Immunodominant Bi-Specific Peptides.

Lyme borreliosis (LB) is a tick-borne infection of global relevance that remains underrecognized, hindering effective surveillance and diagnosis. This lack of awareness and the limited specificity and low antibody titters of current serological assays underscore the need for improved diagnostic tools. Here, we investigated the molecular fine specificity of IgM antibody responses to five proteins of .

From Carbon Nitrides to COFs: Opportunities and Prospects in Photocatalytic CO Reduction.

The continuing increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO), a major greenhouse gas and accelerating climate change are driving demand for innovative mitigation strategies. The photocatalytic CO reduction reaction (PCORR) presents a promising and sustainable route to convert CO into useful hydrocarbons and fuels utilizing sunlight, thereby mitigating CO emissions. This review examines the developmental aspects of light-driven CO conversion using organic polymeric photocatalysts, focusing on carbon nitrides (CNs), covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs), and covalent organic frameworks (COFs).

3D Conjugated Nonflat Biphenyl Side Chains: Their Exclusive Role in Inducing Negative Electrostatic Potential in Efficient Organic Solar Cells.

In nonfullerene acceptor (NFA) (so-called Y-series)-based organic solar cells (OSCs), reducing energy loss, particularly nonradiative energy loss, is critical for achieving high power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, at present, molecular design strategies for controlling and/or optimizing energy loss involve multiple complexities. Therefore, this study demonstrates that the introduction of simple, 3D conjugated nonflat biphenyl side chains into a Y-series NFA (yielding BPY) can improve high dipole moments-induced intermolecular interactions and negatively charged surface electrostatic potential driven by partially isolated negative charges.