Erbium-based nanoparticles (Er-NPs) were synthesized by Pulse Laser Ablation in Liquid (PLAL) and then heated at temperatures between 200°C-1000°C. A crystal structure transition from mixed cubic-monoclinic phase to pure cubic Erbium oxide (Er2O3) phase is observed at 600°C, accompanied by strong volume compaction of the Er-NPs. Through careful examination of their morphology, crystal structure, and chemical composition, we investigated the effects of post-synthesis thermal annealing on the 4f-4f optical transitions associated with Erbium ions (Er3+). Our results indicate that thermal treatment conducted in a N2 atmosphere at ∼600°C promotes the stabilization of Er-NPs in their favorable oxidation state for optimal red photoluminescence (PL) around 665 nm. This is connected to the thermo-activated elimination of hydroxyl groups, the atomic densification that significantly reduces the Er-NP size and crystal disorder, as well as the stabilization of oxygen ligands leading to cubic crystal symmetry. The contribution of several competing mechanisms to the observed PL is outpaced by energy transfer processes to the 4f emitting levels of Er3+, whose efficiency becomes optimal for reduced interatomic distances. The improved properties of Er-NPs demonstrate their potential as next-generation tunable nanomaterials for integration in optical sources, display devices, as well as in high-reliability and temperature-resistant thermal sensors.

Alpha-2-macroglobulin (α2M) is a conserved plasma glycoprotein traditionally known for its broad-spectrum protease inhibitory activity. However, emerging evidence indicates that its activated form, α2M*, generated via proteolytic cleavage or nucleophilic attack, functions as a versatile signaling ligand. By engaging specific cell-surface receptors, most notably low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), α2M* orchestrates a diverse array of intracellular programs, including the PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK/ERK, and JAK/STAT cascades, as well as mechanosensitive YAP/TAZ signaling. These pathways collectively govern fundamental cellular processes such as proliferation, metabolic reprogramming, cytoskeletal remodeling, and inflammatory adaptation across various cell types, including macrophages, cardiomyocytes, and malignant cells. Altogether, this review synthesizes current knowledge on α2M activation, structural transitions, receptor interactions, and downstream signaling, highlighting the expanding functional landscape of α2M* as a potent regulator of intracellular communication with implications for physiology and disease.

Natural strategies for structural transition during metamorphosis display remarkable efficiency and mechanical sophistication. In butterflies, the transition from pupa to adult involves not only dramatic morphological transformation but also a finely tuned mechanical breakthrough. In this combined experimental and theoretical investigation, we report a pre-cracked fracture mechanism in the butterfly Idea leuconoe, where the adult butterfly exits through a structural weak link-referred to as a suture-embedded within the pupal shell. This suture functions as a precracked line, enabling a rapid and well controlled rupture during eclosion. First, we observed that the butterfly's legs, strategically oriented inside the pupal cavity, engage with the inner wall of the pupal shell to form a natural force amplification system. Acting in a lever-like configuration, small muscular forces are converted into substantial opening torques, allowing a rapid emergence. Second, we validated that the inversed-V-shaped pupal sutures facilitates concentration of stress along the suture direction, thereby promoting crack initiation and propagation. Combining time-lapse video recordings, anatomical observations, and mechanical modeling, we revealed that this system achieves both mechanical efficiency and controllability during eclosion. Beyond shedding light on a biomechanical secret of insect development, these insights may inspire robotic systems with embedded fracture-guiding protective shells.

Branched-chain polyamines (BCPAs), exemplified by N⁴-bis(aminopropyl)spermidine, are distinctive polycations that occur predominantly in thermophilic bacteria and euryarchaeal archaea. Their dedicated aminopropyltransferase, BpsA (EC 2.5.1.128), extends spermidine into branched architectures via sequential decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine (dcSAM)-dependent reactions. Accumulated evidence demonstrates that BCPAs engage nucleic acids with substantially higher affinity than linear polyamines such as spermidine, and they uniquely induce strong DNA compaction accompanied by B→A→C structural transitions. These interactions greatly enhance the resistance of DNA to thermal, chemical, and physical damage. Genetic and physiological analyses in Thermococcus kodakarensis further show that loss of BCPA biosynthesis compromises growth at very high temperatures, disrupts temperature- and membrane-associated stress responses, and alters transcriptional and translational regulation; intriguingly, the linear tetraamine thermospermine can partially substitute for BCPA in several of these functions. Beyond cellular physiology, immobilized BCPAs enable sensitive nucleic-acid capture and direct PCR and isothermal DNA amplification from highly dilute solutions, demonstrating their potential utility in molecular diagnostics and environmental DNA workflows. This review synthesizes current knowledge of BCPA distribution, biosynthesis, structure-function relationships, cellular roles, and emerging biotechnological applications, and highlights key open questions in the field.

The low-energy effective Hamiltonian of a cylindrical HgTe nanowire grown along the [001] crystallographic direction is constructed by using the perturbation theory. Both the anisotropic term and the bulk inversion asymmetry term of the Kane model are taken into account. Although the anisotropic term has converted the crossing between the $E_{1}$ and $H_{1}$ subbands into an anticrossing at $k_{z}R\!=\!0$, the gap-closing-and-reopening transition in the subband structure can still occur at finite wave vectors $k_{z}R\!\approx\!\pm0.24$ for critical nanowire radius $R\!\approx\!3.45$ nm. The bulk inversion asymmetry does not contribute to the low-energy effective Hamiltonian, i.e., there is no spin splitting in the $E_{1}$, $H_{1}$, and $H_{2}$ subbands for a [001] oriented cylindrical nanowire.

Abstract Perovskite oxides, recognized for their excellent ambient stability, tunable synthesis, and wide bandgap characteristics, show promising applications in electronic and optoelectronic devices as semiconductor channels and transparent conductive electrodes. This work employs first-principles density functional theory (DFT) to systematically investigate the influence of hydrostatic pressure (0-60 GPa) on the structural, electronic, mechanical, and optical properties of perovskite-type LiTaO₃. Upon increasing the pressure to 35 GPa, discontinuous variations in lattice parameters and volume, combined with a near-zero formation enthalpy (ΔH ≈ 0), clearly indicate a structural phase transition from the R3c to the Pnma phase. The absence of imaginary phonon modes and the fulfillment of mechanical stability criteria confirm the thermodynamic and mechanical stability of both phases. Analysis of elastic properties reveals that the high-pressure Pnma phase exhibits more pronounced anisotropy. Electronic structure calculations show that the R3c phase at 0 GPa has a direct bandgap of 3.205 eV, which decreases only slightly under pressure, while at the transition pressure of 35 GPa, the Pnma phase adopts an indirect bandgap of 1.26 eV. This reduced bandgap enhances light absorption in the visible to near-infrared range, suggesting potential applications in solar cell absorber layers and near-infrared LEDs. The phase transition also induces characteristic changes in the optical spectrum: the double-peak feature near 7.5 eV merges into a single peak, and all major spectral features exhibit systematic blue shifts and enhanced intensities.Physica ScriptaThese optimizations highlight the potential of LiTaO₃ for vacuum ultraviolet applications, such as spacecraft monitoring and high-resolution lithography. The evolution of elastic properties with pressure is also distinctive: in the R3c phase (0-34 GPa), the bulk modulus varies non-monotonically, while shear and Young's moduli decrease, indicating shear softening. At 35 GPa, elastic instability emerges, accompanied by anomalous negative values in shear and Young's moduli. Beyond this point, the Pnma phase shows markedly increased moduli, indicating improved rigidity and ductility. Elastic anisotropy analysis further reveals enhanced spatial heterogeneity under pressure. This study elucidates the phase-transition-mediated mechanical evolution of LiTaO₃, underscoring its potential in flexible electronics.

A shape-transforming three-dimensional DNA nanoscaffold was constructed to mimic the confined microenvironment of a carboxysome for carbon dioxide (CO2) fixation. The DNA scaffold, designed as a shallow hexagonal prism (SHP), exhibited a structural transition between open and closed states through DNA linker hybridization, allowing direct comparison of identical enzyme populations under distinct microenvironments. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) was covalently immobilized onto the SHP through a modular CLIP-GCN4 adaptor composed of a CLIP-tag and GCN4 peptide. The quantitative and site-specific assembly of the adaptor-fused RuBisCO (CG-RuBisCO) was confirmed by AFM imaging and electrophoretic mobility assays. The efficient structural transformation from the open to closed state was verified by fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis. In the closed state, RuBisCO enzymes were brought into self-contacting proximity, thereby mimicking the natural carboxysomal environment at the molecular level. A quantitative comparison between the CO2-fixing reaction in the open and closed states revealed that the profiles for both states were comparable. This reconfigurable DNA-based compartment enables quantitative control over the number of enzymes and their spatial proximity, providing a versatile platform that facilitates the analysis of the effects of nanoscale confinement and spatial organization of enzymes on metabolic efficiency within synthetic microcompartments.

Multi-scale structural and oxidative evolution of wheat gluten during baking-like dry heating.

Effect of diacylglycerol on the gel properties and microstructure of Nemipterus virgatus surimi: Purity and concentration.

Stabilization mechanisms, cell density, and survival of probiotic encapsulation prepared with thiolated hyaluronic acid-whey protein complex: For potential colon targeting probiotic delivery system.

Enhancement of gel properties of soy protein isolate by Polygonatum odoratum polysaccharide: Insight into aggregation, conformation, and interaction.

Enhancement of structural phase transition temperature of methylammonium lead iodide perovskite by Cesium (Cs) incorporation: Impact on optoelectronic property

Raman scattering investigation of the pressure induced structural phase transition in KNbO3

Thermal Stability, Polymorphism, and Spectroscopic Properties of [Mn(DMSO)6](ReO4)2.

Environmental assessment of energy structure transition

Abstract The life cycle of Avianca Brasil Airlines is investigated by employing complex network analysis. Various network parameters are discussed including average path length, clustering coefficient, connectance, and network similarity. These factors are compared with financial data to characterize the company’s network evolution over the years. Our results show that the airline network evolved toward a small-world configuration, maintaining short path lengths and increasing clustering, while two major hub relocations marked the most pronounced structural transitions. We further note that a later period of rising operational costs coincided with network expansion to more cities and a decrease in connectance, reflecting a sparser configuration. The present study highlights the importance of network-oriented strategies in the highly competitive airline industry. Graphic abstract We investigate the rise and fall of Avianca Brasil through the lens of complex network theory. By reconstructing the airline’s domestic flight network from 2010 to 2019, we reveal how strategic decisions, including hub relocations and route expansions, impacted the structure and efficiency of its operations. Key metrics such as path length, clustering coefficient, and network similarity show that the company evolved toward a small-world topology while expanding its market presence. This map depicts the domestic flight network of Avianca Brasil as of September 2013, showcasing its small-world characteristics and hub-centric structure.

Abstract Bismuth-based glasses have emerged as eco-friendly, lead-free alternatives for advanced optical and shielding applications. In this study, zinc–bismuth borate glasses with the nominal composition (30 − x )Bi 2 O 3 –30B 2 O 3 –40ZnO– x MO (where MO signifies Sm 2 O 3 or CuO, x = 0, 5 mol%) were synthesized via the melt-quenching technique. The investigation focused on the quantitative impact of Sm 2 O 3 and CuO doping on the physical, structural and spectroscopic properties of the matrix. The impacts on density, molar volume, structural, mechanical, and photoluminescence properties were extensively investigated. Examination methodologies included X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and ultrasonic velocity measurements. XRD analysis confirmed the amorphous nature of the synthesized glasses. FTIR spectra indicated an increase in the cross-link density of the Bi 2 O 3 –B 2 O 3 –ZnO network, evidenced by the emergence of [BO 4 ] units and an increased presence of [BiO 6 ] and [BiO 3 ] groups, which collectively enhanced the covalent character of the chemical bonds. Ultrasonic measurements revealed that both longitudinal and shear velocities increased with Sm 2 O 3 doping but decreased with the addition of CuO. This trend is attributed to the enhanced structural connectivity and rigidity induced by Sm 3+ ions. Consequently, mechanical properties (including elastic moduli, microhardness ( H u ), Poisson’s ratio, and Debye temperature) showed a significant improvement with Sm 2 O 3 substitution. A direct correlation was observed between microhardness and the softening temperature T s , the increase in T s with Sm 2 O 3 and CuO content indicates improved cross-linking and a reduction in non-bridging oxygen (NBO) atoms, aligning with density and FTIR data. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra obtained in the UV–Visible–NIR range exhibited four characteristic emission bands for Sm 2 O 3 -doped glass at 565, 602, 648, and 702 nm, corresponding to the 4 G 5/2 to 6 H 5/2, 7/2, 9/2, 11/2 transitions. Additionally, universal emission peaks were observed at 380 and 405 nm (Bi 3+ ions), 462 nm (band-edge excitation), 469 nm (Zn interstitials/vacancies), and 543 nm (oxygen vacancy defects). The enhancement in ultrasonic velocities was linked to the structural transition of boron from threefold (BO 3 ) to fourfold (BO 4 ) coordination, increasing network stiffness. Finally, PL intensity was significantly enhanced by Sm 3+ doping but showed a decrement with Cu 2+ incorporation. The outcomes demonstrate that Sm 2 O 3 doping greatly improves mechanical and optical properties, making these glasses acceptable for photonic purposes.

Thermally induced protein modifications in mealworm: Gastrointestinal digestibility and derived bioactive peptides with antioxidants and ACE/DPP-IV inhibitory activities.

Active nematics are out-of-equilibrium systems in which energy injection at the microscale drives emergent collective behaviors, from spontaneous flows to active turbulence. While the dynamics of these systems have been extensively studied, their potential for controlling the organization of embedded soft particles remains largely unexplored. Here, we investigate how passive droplets suspended in an active nematic fluid self-organize under varying activity levels and packing fractions. Through numerical simulations, we uncover a rich phase diagram featuring dynamic clustering, activity-induced gelation, and a novel activity-driven deformability-induced phase separation regime where activity stabilizes dense droplet assemblies. We find that droplet deformability plays a key role in enabling this regime, as it allows droplets to absorb the stress exerted by the surrounding active fluid. Crucially, we demonstrate that temporal modulation of activity enables precise control over structural morphological transitions. Our results suggest new routes to design adaptive smart materials with tunable microstructure and dynamics, bridging active nematics with applications in programmable colloidal assembly and bio-inspired material design.

Natural disasters pose major challenges to economic development, yet empirical evidence on their growth effects remains mixed. This study examines whether the macroeconomic impact of disasters depends on infrastructure development, using electricity access as a conditioning variable. Employing a balanced panel of 108 countries from 1996 to 2022, we estimate a panel threshold regression to capture nonlinear disaster–growth relationships. The results indicate that disaster impacts vary systematically across infrastructure regimes. In very low electricity-access contexts, disaster intensity is associated with short-run growth responses consistent with reconstruction-driven dynamics in a very limited subset of observations. Once basic electricity access is achieved, this association weakens and becomes statistically indistinguishable from zero. Beyond this lower regime, the analysis also reveals a broader structural transition in which disaster impacts gradually decouple from economic growth as infrastructure coverage expands. These findings suggest that disaster effects are nonlinear and contingent on development stage. By distinguishing between statistical thresholds and economically meaningful transition zones, the study reconciles mixed evidence in the disaster–growth literature and highlights electricity access as a key determinant of economic resilience.