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Silicon spin qubits offer high-fidelity control and semiconductor manufacturing compatibility. However, the systematic generation and characterization of multiparticle entanglement, a core resource for quantum information science, remain elusive in such systems. Here, we demonstrate the complete preparation of all nine canonical families of four-qubit entanglement between donor spins in silicon, by designing hardware-efficient quantum circuits that use native multi-qubit operations. We employ advanced overlapping tomography and multifaceted verification to fully characterize these states. Our results confirm genuine multiparticle entanglement, resolve their entanglement structure, and assess their robustness under qubit loss. Moreover, we observe significant violations of multiparticle Bell-type inequalities for genuine four-qubit nonlocality. On the prepared Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger state, we further uncover a noise-induced entanglement dynamics from distillable to bound and finally to separable, with bound entanglement unlocked via joint measurement. This work generates diverse entanglement resources alongside their complete characterization, establishing a foundation for entanglement-enabled quantum applications in silicon.

Suicide is a leading cause of death for U.S. Veterans. Over 70% of Veteran suicide deaths involve firearms, compared to approximately 50% among non-Veterans. Veterans are also more likely to own firearms and store them unlocked and loaded-both risk factors for firearm suicide. Barriers to the adoption of secure firearm storage among Veterans are not fully known but may include stigma related to mental health concerns and familiarity with firearms. Veteran Service Officers (VSOs), who are trusted community messengers and the initial point-of-contact for many Veterans seeking resources, have rarely been included in efforts to promote firearm safety among Veterans. We developed a stakeholder-engaged Veteran case-based curriculum designed to engage VSOs in counseling Veteran clients at risk of firearm suicide. We utilized Design Thinking and Community Translation frameworks to engage a team of community-based stakeholders, comprised of Veterans and clinicians with expertise in suicide and community education in military populations, in four 30-90 minute feedback sessions. We led participants through a series of linked steps-including open-ended discussions and focused Design Thinking exercises-to collaboratively develop 3 sample Veteran client cases to empower VSOs with exposure to firearm safety counseling. Sessions were transcribed, and qualitative data were analyzed according to the Constant Comparative Method. This research was approved by the Mass General Brigham Institutional Review Board. Among participants (n = 7), 57.1% were Veterans (n = 4), 28.6% (n = 2) were licensed clinical psychologists that specialized in Veteran mental health, and 14.3% (n = 1) were both. Qualitative analysis revealed 7 primary themes. First, participants described strict protocols for secure weapon storage while on active duty. Second, participants voiced an apparent disconnect between active-duty storage requirements and the dearth of such protocols as a civilian. Third, participants described a feeling of hypervigilance after discharge as an explanation for the desire to have firearms accessible. Fourth, participants described the integration of firearms into the Veteran identity. Fifth, participants voiced different generational needs and drivers of uptake of VSO services between younger and older Veterans. Sixth, participants described barriers to firearm safety education, including complacency, perceived judgment, incongruous context, and a culture of silence in the military. Finally, participants described opportunities for firearm education, including openness to information relating to firearm safety. The contextual information and materials developed through this stakeholder-driven, iterative process will be used to implement the Veteran FIRST (Firearm Information and Responsible Storage Techniques) Intervention, a Veteran case-based curriculum that will equip VSOs with skills to counsel Veterans on firearm safety. This process enhanced our understanding of Veteran firearm beliefs and behaviors, was well-received by stakeholders, and offers promising directions for the development of future prevention efforts.

Conventional displacement reactions often suffer from drawbacks such as high background signal and low reaction rates. To overcome this limitation, we propose a G-quadruplex (G4) folding-aided displacement amplification (G4DA) strategy to illuminate the ratiometric fluorescence of allosteric Ag nanoclusters as bicolor signaling reporters (aAg554 and aAg610) for the rapid and sensitive detection of a specific targeting trigger (tT). The recognizable element is totally blocked in the stem of a modular hairpin for minimizing nonspecific background responses, while it can be exclusively unlocked by a short-stranded key effector via disturbing the sticky toehold. Preferably, red aAg610 emitters are developed only in two proximal template splits through directional complementary hybridization. Upon the effector invasion and affinity binding, the strand-exchange events are executed to drive progressive G4DA operation, which is kinetically sped up by the rapid intramolecular folding of rigid G4 structures with more stable geometry, thereby displacing tT for repetitive recycling amplification. During this process, the disassembly of a duplex complex switches red aAg610 into green aAg554 to produce reversely changed fluorescence for conformation-dependent ratiometric signaling. Without enzyme participation and tedious chemical modification, this G4DA-based approach is achievable with simplified operation, reaction dynamics, productive yield, and assay sensitivity, further suggesting a new methodological paradigm for potential biosensor, bioanalysis, and therapeutic applications.

The exponential growth of publicly available genomic data has created unprecedented opportunities for sequence-based discovery. Locating specific k-mers is fundamental to diverse applications, including metagenomic classification, pathogen and cancer detection, and variant calling yet efficient identification of multiple k-mer patterns across large sequencing data and massive databases remains a significant computational challenge. We implement two quantum algorithms for DNA multi-pattern string matching for k-mer detection, leveraging Grover's amplitude amplification under the idealized quantum random access memory (QRAM) framework. The first algorithm uses an enumerate-m oracle that sequentially checks a loaded text substring against all m patterns achieving O (√S) query complexity for S text positions but requiring O (m · L) work per oracle call. The second algorithm employs nested Grover search with an outer loop over text positions and an inner loop over pattern space, reducing oracle complexity to O(L) while performing O (√S · √m) in total. These asymptotic gains highlight the potential advantages that could be unlocked by future large-scale, low-noise QRAM architectures, positioning our results as a promising proof-of-concept foundation. This work introduces two quantum implementations of multi-pattern string matching tailored for k-mer detection. Leveraging quantum parallelism and Grover-inspired search primitives, our methods accelerate dictionary-based pattern matching, particularly in contexts involving large sequences, such as genomic data, and extensive pattern sets. While implementation challenges such as QRAM overhead remain, this study demonstrates both the promise and current limitations of quantum-enhanced string matching, establishing a foundational step toward quantum readiness in bioinformatics. To maximize accessibility and practical use, we provide our methodology at: https://github.com/Georgakopoulos-Soares-lab/quantum-multi-motif-finder.

Optical vortices (OVs) possess spiral wavefronts and quantized orbital angular momentum (OAM), allowing them to act as key carriers of information and enabling light to possess high-dimensional degrees of freedom. In the past decade, there has been a growing interest in investigating complex OVs. Nevertheless, conventional methods for generating such beams are limited by bulky setups, high costs, and restricted control. Optical metasurfaces have emerged as promising candidates to overcome these challenges in a compact and cost-effective platform with enhanced control. This review begins by presenting an advanced platform designed for manipulating OVs and then discusses emerging types of OVs, including composite, grafted, and comblike structured light beams, as well as multispectral and arbitrarily shaped OVs, along with nonlinear metasurface approaches. Next, we review the recent progress in OAM detection and mode discrimination, highlighting current challenges for highcapacity OAM systems. After that, we emphasize key applications ranging from OAM-based holography for optical encryption to super-resolution microscopy, structured-light trapping, and quantum state engineering. Finally, we critically identify the key challenges and future prospects for metasurface-enabled optical vortex technologies.

High-entropy boride ceramics hold great promise as ultra-high-temperature structural materials but are hindered by the well-known strength-toughness trade-off. Conventional extrinsic toughening approaches, such as composite reinforcement and microstructural refinement, offer limited improvements as they fail to modify the inherent intragranular tendency for brittle fracture. Here, we report an approach to overcome this limitation by constructing intragranular energy dissipation units through an extreme non-equilibrium process. By employing heavy direct current sintering with TiSi2 addition, high densification (> 93% relative density) was achieved at a substantially reduced sintering temperature of 1000°C and an ultrahigh heating rate exceeding 5300°C/min. This process promotes selective diffusion of cations, leading to compositional redistribution within grains and forming compositional gradients and dislocation networks. These microscopic features collectively hinder crack propagation. The resulting ceramic demonstrates attractive mechanical properties with a flexural strength of 887 MPa and a fracture toughness of 7.1 MPa·m1/2. These findings demonstrate a viable pathway for the intrinsic toughening of high-entropy ceramics through intragranular microstructural engineering.

Fluorescent organic dyes have long served as versatile scaffolds for developing multifunctional imaging tools in biomedicine. The pursuit of fluorophores in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II) represents a major Frontier, aiming to deepen our view into living systems. Current paradigms, predominantly focused on extending π-conjugation, are frequently hampered by synthetic complexity and aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ), creating a barrier to clinical translation. In this perspective, we contend that J-aggregation offers a promising and alternative strategy: a more facile and spectrally tunable route to high-performance NIR-II emission. We analyze the design principles regulating J-aggregate formation across diverse molecular scaffolds, from cyanines and boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) derivatives to emerging fluorophore scaffolds, and synthesize their recent applications in bioimaging, biosensing, and theranostics. We also discuss the key challenges of current NIR-II emissive J-aggregates (e.g., low fluorescence quantum yield, poor in vivo stability) in biomedical applications, alongside prospects for advancing their development toward routine use in biomedicine.

While Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. (Z. bungeanum) pericarps are a globally prized spice, their leaves are frequently discarded as agricultural waste. This study systematically characterizes the aromatic potential of leaf by-products compared with traditional pericarps under diverse extraction strategies, utilizing an integrated flavoromics and sensomics approach. Qualitative GC-MS-O analysis revealed that leaf-derived fractions possess superior aromatic diversity: leaf essential oil and volatile solvent extract yielded 71 and 68 odorants, respectively, significantly surpassing pericarp counterparts (65 and 43 compounds). Concurrently, HS-GC-IMS profiling confirmed that targeted extraction allows leaf-derived flavors to replicate and exceed traditional spice complexity. Specifically, the leaf solvent extract achieved aromatic parity with pericarps by effectively mirroring the core spicy-citrus profile through cuminaldehyde and limonene retention. Conversely, distilled leaf essential oil unlocked a distinctive herbal-woody sensory innovation, driven by eucalyptol and a broader variety of aldehydes and ketones. Sensomics validation, incorporating aroma recombination, omission experiments, and partial least-squares regression modeling, conclusively identified β-myrcene, limonene, caryophyllene, and humulene as core molecular markers dictating these perceptual shifts. Ultimately, this research provides a robust theoretical foundation for upcycling Z. bungeanum leaves into valuable flavoring resources, facilitating circular bio-economy practices by delivering functional equivalence and entirely novel sensory experiences for the global food industry.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6, n-3) deficiency is associated with impaired neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative disorders, yet conventional DHA supplements show limited efficiency in brain targeting. Lysophosphatidylcholine-docosahexaenoic acid (LPC-DHA) has attracted increasing interest because it aligns with MFSD2A-mediated transport and may improve DHA targeting to the brain. This review systematically summarizes sn-1/sn-2 LPC-DHA from a food and health perspective, covering its physicochemical features, biological rationale, preparation strategies, analytical characterization, safety concerns, regulatory progress, and application prospects. Particular emphasis is placed on synthesis of sn-1 LPC-DHA via enzymatic regioselective esterification of glycerophosphocholine (GPC), together with key constraints on yield and purity, including substrate solubility, water activity, oxidation, and acyl migration. We further highlight the need for standardized orthogonal analysis for reliable structural assignment. Current evidence supports the promise of LPC-DHA in maternal-infant nutrition, neurodegenerative intervention, and visual health, but stronger safety evaluation and clearer regulatory frameworks are still required.

Optimizing rice (Oryza sativa L.) plant architectype is an important approach to coordinating the source-sink relationship and unlocking yield potential. In this study, using the large-panicle rolled-leaf variety ST-12 and the small-panicle flat-leaf variety Nipponbare, we systematically compared plant architectype traits, photosynthetic characteristics, biomass accumulation, carbohydrate accumulation and remobilization, source-sink characteristics, and yield under two nitrogen levels in field conditions to test the hypothesis that excessive leaf rolling influences the accumulation and translocation of photosynthetic products and disrupts the source-sink balance. The results showed that Nipponbare exhibited significantly higher yield than ST-12 under both nitrogen levels, attributable to its higher number of productive panicles, grain-filling percentage, and thousand-grain weight. Although ST-12 had a higher single-leaf photosynthetic rate and leaf area index, its top three leaves were excessively rolled, reducing its canopy light interception and canopy photosynthetic rate, thereby leading to significantly lower stem NSC content at heading and biomass accumulation during grain filling compared with Nipponbare. Notably, ST-12 had higher contents of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in the stem at heading, directing more pre-anthesis photosynthetic products into structural carbon, while the translocation of non-structural carbohydrates to grains was not affected. Further analysis revealed that ST-12 had a lower source capacity, sugar-spikelet ratio, source-spikelet ratio, and source-sink ratio than Nipponbare, whereas its total spikelet number and sink capacity were significantly higher. Correlation analysis showed that source characteristic indices and the source-sink ratio were positively correlated with yield, grain-filling percentage, and thousand-grain weight, while sink characteristic indices were negatively correlated with these traits. In conclusion, excessive leaf rolling impairs canopy photosynthesis, leading to a large sink but weak source imbalance. For large-panicle varieties, a higher source-sink ratio, not simply larger sink size or total biomass, is the key to high yield.

Incretin-based obesity pharmacotherapies have revolutionized patient care but act predominantly by reducing food intake. Approaches that increase energy expenditure could improve efficacy but remain challenging to harness. Recently, neurokinin 2 receptor (NK2R) activation was shown to both lower food intake and stimulate energy expenditure in preclinical models. However, the endogenous NK2R ligand, NKA, crossreacts with other receptor family members that are linked to unwanted adverse effects. Therefore, understanding NK2R selectivity is the key to unlocking its therapeutic potential. Here we generated cryo-electron microscopy complexes of NK2R bound to NKA and several synthetic agonists to discover candidate interactions driving selectivity. Targeted receptor and ligand mutagenesis was then used to functionally validate the specific residues in the NK2R binding pocket and the C terminus of synthetic peptide agonists that were responsible for selectivity. These findings provide a structural framework for defining neurokinin selectivity and enable the development of improved NK2R agonists for clinical investigation.

Lignin is the most abundant renewable source of aromatic carbon, and yet it remains a mostly underutilized byproduct of the biorefinery and paper industries. Factors such as complexity and a heterogeneous structure make lignin recalcitrant to conventional valorization, the utility of which often requires harsh conditions and expensive catalysts. Electrochemical conversion has emerged as a highly promising, sustainable alternative due to the use of electricity produced by renewable sources to drive depolymerization under mild, ambient conditions. This review summarizes recent progress in this field and provides a comprehensive overview of the primary electrochemical pathways used to promote the valorization of lignin. Herein, we critically examine oxidative strategies that include both direct electrooxidation at the anode surface and indirect oxidation using redox mediators, and provide details of the key challenges of electrode deactivation and product overoxidation. We then discuss reductive strategies with a focus on electrocatalytic hydrogenolysis for C-O bond cleavage. Furthermore, we explore advanced integrated systems that combine electrochemistry with microbial, enzymatic, and photochemical processes to enhance selectivity and efficiency. Finally, this review addresses persistent challenges and offers future perspectives and suggests opportunities with an emphasis on the critical need for innovations in electrocatalyst design, green electrolytes, and integrated reactor engineering to unlock the full potential of lignin as a renewable feedstock for a circular carbon economy.

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Among ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), there exist cyclic peptides featuring rigid and highly linear biaryl linkages. These biaryl cyclic peptides often exhibit unique structural characteristics absent in conventional cyclic peptides, and many display valuable biological activities. Nevertheless, the supply of such biaryl-bridged cyclic peptides and their analogs has been constrained by their intrinsic rigidity. In this study, we report a systematic and comprehensive synthetic strategy for incorporating ten distinct natural and artificial biaryl/triaryl linkages into arbitrary peptide linkers, inspired by RiPP architectures. This unified synthetic platform, which combines electrochemical decarboxylative C-C bond formation with Larock macrocyclization, enables (i) systematic access to RiPP derivatives from readily available building blocks and (ii) facile preparation of fluorine-containing RiPPs, which are of particular importance in medicinal chemistry, as well as biaryl-bridged cyclic peptides spanning diverse ring sizes. In addition, several of the cihunamide analogs synthesized in this study exhibited antibacterial activity.

The ionic thermoelectric (i-TE) technology offers a compelling pathway for harvesting low-grade heat, distinguished by its exceptionally high thermopower and inherent material versatility. However, development in this field is constrained by the complex interplay among electrochemical, thermodynamic, and transport phenomena, which poses significant challenges to the fundamental understanding, accurate performance evaluation, and systematic screening of new materials. This review provides a systematic overview and outlook of the i-TE landscape, bridging fundamental principles with future applications. We begin by deconstructing the core components-electrolytes and electrodes-to elucidate the material design strategies that govern the performance. The discussion then progresses to a multi-scale evaluation of key metrics, from intrinsic i-TE properties to device-level energy conversion and storage capabilities. A central focus is placed on dissecting the persistent chemical and physical challenges, including ion selectivity, transport dynamics, and interfacial engineering. This review further surveys the emerging applications of i-TE, ranging from wearable power generation and active cooling to multimodal sensing and integrated multifunctional systems. Furthermore, we highlight the paradigm-shifting potential of synergistic systems, where coupling thermoelectric effects with electrochemical, photocatalytic, or hydrovoltaic processes unlocks unprecedented functionalities and performance enhancements. Ultimately, this review synthesizes current understanding to propose a strategic roadmap for this field. It outlines the key scientific and engineering perspectives on standardization, scalable manufacturing, and reliability that are essential to translate laboratory innovations into viable commercial technologies.

Metastasis‑associated protein 2 (MTA2), a crucial member of the metastasis‑associated family of transcriptional regulators, serves as a core component of the Mi‑2/nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase complex. It contributes to diverse human diseases through epigenetic regulation and integration of multiple signaling pathways. This paper systematically reviews the molecular and structural properties of MTA2 and investigates its functional mechanisms in both oncological and non‑oncological contexts, focusing on breast cancer, gastric cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, emphasizing its biological roles in cancer metastasis, drug resistance and tumor microenvironment remodeling. Building on existing research, the review highlights the clinical significance of MTA2 as a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in cancer and discusses targeted intervention strategies aimed at the MTA2‑related regulatory network. Finally, the development of highly specific inhibitors targeting MTA2 and the establishment of rapid MTA2 detection techniques for real‑time intraoperative margin assessment will fully unlock the clinical potential of MTA2.

Phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils is often limited by phytotoxicity and metal availability. This study evaluated the phytoremediation potential of Astragalus sinicus L. and its symbiotic rhizobia. A nationwide soil survey revealed significantly lower arsenic (As) in planted versus unplanted soils, and key factors governing metal retention were attenuated in planted soils, indicating plant-mediated interference. Pot experiments confirmed that A. sinicus L. cultivation significantly reduced soil cadmium (Cd) (33.33%), lead (Pb, 39.73%), copper (Cu, 12.92%), and As (23.70%). Among rhizobial isolates, Mesorhizobium sp. XS6-2 exhibited the highest heavy metal tolerance. Inoculation with XS6-2 increased plant biomass and specifically enhanced chromium (Cr) and Pb remediation. Microbiome analysis showed that XS6-2 reshaped the rhizosphere community and strengthened microbial interactions. Our findings demonstrate a potent plant-microbe synergy that alleviates phytotoxicity and increases metal availability, offering an effective strategy to advance phytoremediation.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) pose a significant health burden globally, and this burden is increasing with an ageing population. Despite this challenge, restorative treatments for NDs remain elusive. In these conditions, the brain is vulnerable to oxidative stress and inflammation due to a deficiency or reduction in antioxidative enzymes. Oxidative stress and inflammation damage neuronal cells, leading to neurodegeneration. Various studies have explored the neuroprotective effects of flavonoids in different in vitro and animal models, primarily due to their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Crude extracts and active metabolites of Semecarpus anacardium L. have shown potential in reversing dysregulated oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. S. anacardium L. extract (SAE) and its phytocomponents, such as butein, anacardic acid, and amentoflavone, have been experimentally demonstrated to modulate oxidative stress and neuroinflammation through coordinated activation of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant pathways and suppression of NF-ĸB-driven inflammatory signaling. At a molecular level, flavonoids from SAE induce the expression of p38 MAPK and Nrf2, as well as antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, inflammatory genes such as NF-ĸB, MAPK, AP-1, iNOS, and COX-2 are suppressed following treatment with SAE. NF-ĸB inhibition leads to neuroprotection via inhibiting the function of caspase-3 and apoptosis. Overall, this review discusses the protective role of SAE and its phytocomponents in mitigating neuronal oxidative stress, inflammation, and degeneration. Furthermore, this review highlights the translational potential of SAE and its phytocomponents as complementary therapeutic candidates for neurodegenerative disorders. However, variability in extract composition and limited pharmacokinetic characterization remain key barriers to clinical translation.

The processing of Mesona chinensis Benth generates substantial by-products (McBP), rich in dietary fiber, yet this resource remains largely underutilized across Asia. Despite extensive research on M. chinensis Benth, McBP is underutilized, and systematic studies are lacking. Unlocking the high-value utilization of McBP therefore represents a pressing challenge and a core objective in plant-derived food processing. To this end, we summarize its dietary fiber content and monosaccharide composition, specifically evaluating extraction methods coupled with modification strategies to enhance soluble dietary fiber ratios and functional properties. Furthermore, the review explores practical applications of McBP in food products and identifies critical knowledge gaps regarding physicochemical properties and interactions within complex food systems. This work offers valuable insights for developing modification methods to transform McBP from an agricultural waste stream into a functional food ingredient, thereby promoting its food applications in the food industry and innovative product development.