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Charge density wave (CDW) orders in vanadium-based kagome metals have recently received tremendous attention, yet their origin remains a topic of debate. The discovery of ScV 6 Sn 6 , a bilayer kagome metal featuring an intriguing 3 × 3 × 3 CDW order, offers a novel platform to explore the underlying mechanism behind the unconventional CDW. Here, we combine high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, Raman scattering and density functional theory to investigate the electronic structure and phonon modes of ScV 6 Sn 6 . We identify topologically nontrivial surface states and multiple van Hove singularities (VHSs) in the vicinity of the Fermi level, with one VHS aligning with the in-plane component of the CDW vector near the K ¯ point. Additionally, Raman measurements indicate a strong electron-phonon coupling, as evidenced by a two-phonon mode and new emergent modes. Our findings highlight the fundamental role of lattice degrees of freedom in promoting the CDW in ScV 6 Sn 6 . The mechanism of charge density wave order in V-based kagome metals has been debated. Here the authors use a range of experimental techniques combined with ab initio calculations to study the electronic structure and phonon modes of ScV 6 Sn 6 , revealing the dominant role of strong electron-phonon coupling.

The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness and complications of the laparoscopic procedure and open techniques in the treatment of recurrent inguinal hernias. The electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library were used to search for randomized controlled trials and comparative trials about laparoscopic and open procedures on recurrent inguinal hernia repair from January 1999 to September 2012. A total of 1,311 patients enrolled into 6 randomized controlled trials and 5 comparative studies were included in this meta-analysis. Our pooled data showed that the laparoscopic procedure was associated with a lower incidence of wound infection and a shorter sick leave. However, there were no differences in other complication rates or the operation time between the 2 methods. The laparoscopic technique in the treatment of recurrent inguinal hernia was associated with less wound infection rates and a faster recovery to normal activity, whereas other complication rates, including the re-recurrence rate, were comparable between these 2 methods. Laparoscopic and open procedures could be performed with equal operation time.

Background Although sunshine duration (SSD) has been associated with episodes of mental disorders, the existing evidence remains conflicting, and previous studies have overlooked the role of ambient temperature—a factor intertwined with sunlight exposure—in this association. The present study aimed to investigate the associations of SSD over short periods with risks of depressive, anxiety and schizophrenia episodes, and estimate the possible effect modification by ambient temperature. Methods Based on hospital admission data from the urban basic medical health insurance systems in China across 268 Chinese cities from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2017, we conducted a nationwide time-stratified case-crossover study. The primary outcomes were episodes of depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia. The individuals hospitalized for episodes of depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia were included based on ICD-10 diagnosis codes. In addition to daily SSD, SSD increases between neighboring days (SDIN) over consecutive days were calculated to capture multi-day relative increases in SSD. Individuals served as their own controls, and the estimations were obtained using the conditional logistic regression models. Results A total of 330,610, 221,332, and 817,296 hospital admissions for depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia were included, respectively. After considering the effect modification by temperature, significant negative associations between SSD and hospital admissions for depressive disorder and schizophrenia were found mainly in the cool season: per 1-h increase in 13-day moving average SSD was associated with decreases of 3.33% (95% CI: -5.85%, -0.73%) and 2.60% (95% CI: -4.21%, -0.96%) in hospital admissions for depressive disorder and schizophrenia, respectively. Ambient temperature showed inverse modification on the SSD-admission associations. When stratified by temperature, significant negative associations between SSD and hospital admissions for depressive disorder and schizophrenia were observed in low temperature stratum (< median), whereas no significant association was found in the high temperature stratum (≥ the median). Additionally, increases in 13-day moving average SDIN were associated with significant additional decreases in admissions for depressive disorder and schizophrenia. Conclusions Shot-term exposure to increasing SSD was associated with decreases in episode risks of depressive disorder and schizophrenia, and such associations were more apparent at low temperatures. Increasing the duration of sunlight exposure and reducing exposure to increasing temperature, especially in the cool season, may help reduce the burdens of depressive disorder and schizophrenia.

Neuromorphic vision based on photonic synapses has the ability to mimic sensitivity, adaptivity, and sophistication of bio‐visual systems. Significant advances in artificial photosynapses are achieved recently. However, conventional photosyanptic devices normally employ opaque metal conductors and vertical device configuration, performing a limited hemispherical field of view. Here, a transparent planar photonic synapse (TPPS) is presented that offers dual‐side photosensitive capability for nearly panoramic neuromorphic vision. The TPPS consisting of all two dimensional (2D) carbon‐based derivatives exhibits ultra‐broadband photodetecting (365–970 nm) and ≈360° omnidirectional viewing angle. With its intrinsic persistent photoconductivity effect, the detector possesses bio‐synaptic behaviors such as short/long‐term memory, experience learning, light adaptation, and a 171% pair‐pulse‐facilitation index, enabling the synapse array to achieve image recognition enhancement (92%) and moving object detection.

Iron is a critical yet limited nutrient for microbial growth. To scavenge iron, most microbes produce siderophores—diverse small molecules with high iron affinities. Different siderophores are specifically recognized and uptaken by corresponding recognizers, enabling targeted interventions and intriguing cheater-producer dynamics. We propose constructing a comprehensive iron interaction network, or “iron-net”, across the microbial world. Such a network offers the potentialfor precise manipulation of the microbiota, with conceivable applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry as well as advancing microbialecologyandevolutiontheories.Previously,oursuccessfulconstruction of an iron-net in the Pseudomonas genus demonstrated the feasibility of coevolution-inspired digital siderophore-typing. Enhanced by machine learning techniques and expanding sequencing data, forging such an iron-net calls for multidisciplinary collaborations and holds significant promise in addressing critical challenges in microbial communities.

As one of the most prominent gene families, R2R3-MYB transcription factors significantly regulate biochemical and physiological processes under salt stress. However, in Sophora alopecuroides, a perennial herb known for its exceptional saline alkali resistance, the comprehensive identification and characterization of SaR2R3-MYB genes and their potential functions in response to salt stress have yet to be determined. We investigated the expression profiles and biological functions of SaR2R3-MYB transcription factors in response to salt stress, utilizing a transcriptome-wide mining method. Our analysis identified 28 SaR2R3-MYB transcription factors, all sharing a highly conserved R2R3 domain, which were further divided into 28 subgroups through phylogenetic analysis. Some SaR2R3-MYB transcription factors showed induction under salt stress, with SaR2R3-MYB15 emerging as a potential regulator based on analysis of the protein–protein interaction network. Validation revealed the transcriptional activity and nuclear localization of SaR2R3-MYB15. Remarkably, overexpression of SaR2R3-MYB15 in transgenic plants could increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the accumulation of proline but decrease the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), compared with wild-type plants. Moreover, several salt stress-related genes showed higher expression levels in transgenic plants, implying their potential to enhance salt tolerance. Our findings shed light on the role of SaR2R3-MYB genes in salt tolerance in S. alopecuroides.

Codon usage bias refers to the preferential use of synonymous codons, a widespread phenomenon found in bacteria, plants, and animals. Codon bias varies among species, families, and groups within kingdoms and between genes within an organism. Codon usage bias (CUB) analysis sheds light on the evolutionary dynamics of various species and optimizes targeted gene expression in heterologous host plants. As a significant order of gymnosperms, species within Gnetales possess extremely high ecological and pharmaceutical values. However, comprehensive analyses of CUB within the chloroplast genomes of Gnetales species remain unexplored. A systematic analysis was conducted to elucidate the codon usage patterns in 13 diverse Gnetales species based on the chloroplast genomes. Our results revealed that chloroplast coding sequences (cp CDSs) in 13 Gnetales species display a marked preference for AT bases and A/T-ending codons. A total of 20 predominantly high-frequency codons and between 2 and 7 optimal codons were identified across these species. The findings from the ENC-plot, PR2-plot, and neutrality analyses suggested that both mutation pressure and natural selection exert influence on the codon bias in these 13 Gnetales species, with natural selection emerging as the predominant influence. Correspondence analysis (COA) demonstrated variation in the codon usage patterns among the Gnetales species and indicated mutation pressure is another factor that could impact CUB. Additionally, our research identified a positive correlation between the measure of idiosyncratic codon usage level of conservatism (MILC) and synonymous codon usage order (SCUO) values, indicative of CUB’s potential influence on gene expression. The comparative analysis concerning codon usage frequencies among the 13 Gnetales species and 4 model organisms revealed that Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Nicotiana tabacum were the optimal exogenous expression hosts. Furthermore, the cluster and phylogenetic analyses illustrated distinct patterns of differentiation, implying that codons, even with weak or neutral preferences, could affect the evolutionary trajectories of these species. Our results reveal the characteristics of codon usage patterns and contribute to an enhanced comprehension of evolutionary mechanisms in Gnetales species.

Nontrivial topology and unconventional pairing are two central guiding principles in the contemporary search for and analysis of superconducting materials and heterostructure compounds. Previously, a topological superconductor has been predominantly conceived to result from a topologically nontrivial band subject to an intrinsic or external superconducting proximity effect. Here, we propose a new class of topological superconductors that are uniquely induced by unconventional pairing. They exhibit a boundary-obstructed higher-order topological character and, depending on their dimensionality, feature unprecedently robust Majorana bound states or hinge modes protected by chiral symmetry. We predict the 112 family of iron pnictides, such asCa1−xLaxFeAs2, to be highly suited material candidates for our proposal, which can be tested by edge spectroscopy. Because of the boundary obstruction, the topologically nontrivial feature of the 112 pnictides does not reveal itself for a bulk-only torus band analysis without boundaries, and as such, it had evaded previous investigations. Our proposal not only opens a new arena for highly stable Majorana modes in high-temperature superconductors but also provides the smoking gun for extendeds-wave order in the iron pnictides.

Anomalous surface states with Fermi arcs are commonly considered to be a fingerprint of Dirac semimetals (DSMs). In contrast to Weyl semimetals, however, Fermi arcs of DSMs are not topologically protected. Using first-principles calculations, we predict that β-cuprous iodide (β-CuI) is a peculiar DSM whose surface states form closed Fermi pockets instead of Fermi arcs. In such a fermiological Dirac semimetal, the deformation mechanism from Fermi arcs to Fermi pockets stems from a large cubic term preserving all crystal symmetries and from the small energy difference between the surface and bulk Dirac points. The cubic term in β-CuI, usually negligible in prototypical DSMs, becomes relevant because of the particular crystal structure. As such, we establish a concrete material example manifesting the lack of topological protection for surface Fermi arcs in DSMs.