@inproceedings{22003, abstract = {Let G be a finite, connected metric graph and let X be a subset of G. If X is sufficiently dense in G, we show that the Gromov-Hausdorff distance matches the Hausdorff distance, namely d_GH(G,X) = d_H(G,X). When the metric graph is the circle G = S¹ with circumference 2π, a recent study established the equality d_GH(S¹,X) = d_H(S¹,X) whenever d_GH(S¹,X) < π/6. Our results relax this hypothesis to d_GH(S¹,X) < π/3, and furthermore, we show that the constant π/3 is the best possible. We lower bound the Gromov-Hausdorff distance d_GH(G,X) by the Hausdorff distance d_H(G,X) via a simple topological obstruction: the existence of a possibly discontinuous function f: G → X with too small distortion contradicts the connectedness of G.}, author = {Adams, Henry and Majhi, Sushovan and Manin, Fedor and Virk, Ziga and Zava, Nicolò}, booktitle = {42nd International Symposium on Computational Geometry}, isbn = {9783959774185}, issn = {1868-8969}, keywords = {Gromov–Hausdorff distance, distortion, connectedness, Borsuk–Ulam theorem}, location = {New Brunswick, NJ, United States}, publisher = {Schloss Dagstuhl - Leibniz-Zentrum für Informatik}, title = {{Lower bounding the Gromov–Hausdorff distance in metric graphs}}, doi = {10.4230/LIPIcs.SoCG.2026.3}, volume = {367}, year = {2026}, } @article{21341, abstract = {We aim to characterise the mass-metallicity relation (MZR) and the 3D correlation between the stellar mass, metallicity, and star formation rate (SFR) known as the fundamental metallicity relation (FMR) for galaxies at 5 < z < 7. Using ∼800 [O III] selected galaxies from deep NIRCam grism surveys, we present our stacked measurements of direct-Te metallicities, which we used to test recent strong-line metallicity calibrations. Our measured direct-Te metallicities (0.1–0.2 Z⊙ for M★ ≈ 5 × 107 − 9 M⊙, respectively) match recent JWST/NIRSpec-based results. However, there are significant inconsistencies between observations and hydrodynamical simulations. We observe a flatter MZR slope than the SPHINX20 and FLARES simulations, which cannot be attributed to selection effects. With simple models, we show that the effect of an [O III] flux-limited sample on the observed shape of the MZR is strongly dependent on the FMR. If the FMR is similar to the one in the local Universe, the intrinsic high-redshift MZR should be even flatter than is observed. In turn, a 3D relation where SFR correlates positively with metallicity at fixed mass would imply an intrinsically steeper MZR. Our measurements indicate that metallicity variations at fixed mass show little dependence on the SFR, suggesting a flat intrinsic MZR. This could indicate that the low-mass galaxies at these redshifts are out of equilibrium and that metal enrichment occurs rapidly in low-mass galaxies. However, being limited by our stacking analysis, we are yet to probe the scatter in the MZR and its dependence on SFR. Large carefully selected samples of galaxies with robust metallicity measurements can put tight constraints on the high-redshift FMR and help us to understand the interplay between gas flows, star formation, and feedback in early galaxies.}, author = {Kotiwale, Gauri and Matthee, Jorryt J and Kashino, Daichi and Vijayan, Aswin P. and Torralba Torregrosa, Alberto and Di Cesare, Claudia and Iani, Edoardo and Bordoloi, Rongmon and Leja, Joel and Maseda, Michael V. and Tacchella, Sandro and Shivaei, Irene and Heintz, Kasper E. and Danhaive, A. Lola and Mascia, Sara and Kramarenko, Ivan and Navarrete, Benjamín and Mackenzie, Ruari and Naidu, Rohan P. and Sobral, David}, issn = {1432-0746}, journal = {Astronomy & Astrophysics}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, title = {{Rapid, out-of-equilibrium metal enrichment indicated by a flat mass-metallicity relation at z ∼ 6 from NIRCam grism spectroscopy}}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/202556597}, volume = {706}, year = {2026}, } @article{21481, abstract = {The Hα emission line in galaxies is a powerful tracer of their recent star formation activity. With the advent of JWST, we are now able to routinely observe Hα in galaxies at high redshift (z ≳ 3) and thus measure their star formation rates (SFRs). However, using classical SFR(Hα) calibrations to derive the SFRs leads to biased results because high-redshift galaxies are commonly characterized by low metallicities and bursty star formation histories, affecting the conversion factor between the Hα luminosity (LHα) and the SFR. We developed a set of new SFR(Hα) calibrations that allowed us to predict the SFRs of Hα-emitters at z ≳ 3 with very little error. We used the SPHINX cosmological simulations to select a sample of star-forming galaxies representative of the Hα-emitter population observed with JWST. We then derived linear corrections to the classical SFR(Hα) calibrations that took variations in the physical properties (e.g., stellar metallicities) among individual galaxies into account. We obtained two new SFR(Hα) calibrations that compared to the classical calibrations reduce the root mean squared error (RMSE) in the predicted SFRs by ΔRMSE ≈ 0.04 dex and ΔRMSE ≈ 0.06 dex, respectively. Using the recent JWST NIRCam/grism observations of Hα-emitters at z ∼ 6, we show that the new calibrations affect the high-redshift galaxy population statistics: (i) the estimated cosmic SFR density decreases by ΔρSFR ≈ 12%, and (ii) the observed slope of the star formation main sequence increases by Δ∂logSFR/∂logM★ = 0.08 ± 0.02.}, author = {Kramarenko, Ivan and Rosdahl, J. and Blaizot, J. and Matthee, Jorryt J and Katz, H. and Di Cesare, Claudia}, issn = {1432-0746}, journal = {Astronomy & Astrophysics}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, title = {{H α as a tracer of star formation in the SPHINX cosmological simulations}}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/202557114}, volume = {707}, year = {2026}, } @article{21710, abstract = {Early results from JWST suggest that Epoch of Reionization (EoR) galaxies produce copious ionizing photons, which, if they escape efficiently, could cause reionization to occur too early. We study this problem using JWST imaging and prism spectroscopy for 412 galaxies at 4.5 < z < 9.0. We fit these data simultaneously with stellar population and nebular emission models that include a parameter for the fraction of ionizing photons that escape the galaxy, fesc. We find that the ionization production efficiency, ξion = Q(H0)/LUV, increases with redshift and decreasing UV luminosity, but shows significant scatter, (log ion z, MUV) 0.3 dex. The inferred escape fractions averaged over the population are low, ranging from〈fesc〉 ≃ 2.6% ± 1.4% at 6 < z < 9 to 6.5% ± 2.2% at 4.5 < z < 6, with weak or no indication of evolution with redshift. This implies that in our models most of the ionizing photons need to be absorbed to account for the nebular emission. We compute the impact of our results on reionization, including the distributions for ξion and fesc, and the evolution and uncertainty of the UV luminosity function. Considering galaxies brighter than MUV < −16 mag would produce an intergalactic medium hydrogen-ionized fraction of xe = 0.5 at 5.3 < z < 5.8, possibly too late compared to constraints from from quasistellar object (QSO) sight lines. Including fainter galaxies, MUV < −14 mag, we obtain xe = 0.5 at 6.0 < z < 8.1, fully consistent with QSO and cosmic microwave background data. This implies that EoR galaxies produce plenty of ionizing photons, but that these do not efficiently escape. This may be a result of high gas column densities combined with burstier star formation histories, which limit the time massive stars are able to clear channels through the gas for ionizing photons to escape.}, author = {Papovich, Casey and Cole, Justin W. and Hu, Weida and Finkelstein, Steven L. and Shen, Lu and Arrabal Haro, Pablo and Amorín, Ricardo O. and Backhaus, Bren E. and Bagley, Micaela B. and Bhatawdekar, Rachana and Calabrò, Antonello and Carnall, Adam C. and Cleri, Nikko J. and Daddi, Emanuele and Dickinson, Mark and Grogin, Norman A. and Holwerda, Benne W. and Jaskot, Anne E. and Koekemoer, Anton M. and Llerena, Mario and Lucas, Ray A. and Mascia, Sara and Pacucci, Fabio and Pentericci, Laura and Pérez-González, Pablo G. and Pirzkal, Nor and Raghunathan, Srinivasan and Seillé, Lise Marie and Somerville, Rachel S. and Yung, L. Y.Aaron}, issn = {1538-4357}, journal = {The Astrophysical Journal}, number = {1}, publisher = {IOP Publishing}, title = {{Galaxies in the epoch of reionization are all bark and no bite-plenty of ionizing photons, low escape fractions}}, doi = {10.3847/1538-4357/ae3b25}, volume = {1000}, year = {2026}, } @article{21844, abstract = {Little red dots (LRDs) are a newly identified class of broad-line active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with a distinctive V-shaped spectrum characterized by red optical and blue UV continuum emission. Their high abundance at redshifts of z ∼ 6–8 and decline at lower redshifts suggest a transient origin. We propose that the spectral shape of LRDs originates from compact binary black hole systems, in which each black hole is surrounded by a mini-disk and embedded within a larger circumbinary disk. With a binary separation of ≲103 Schwarzschild radii, the Wien tail of a T ≃ 5000 K blackbody spectrum at the inner edge of the circumbinary disk produces the red optical emission, while the mini-disks power the UV continuum. Binary torques carve out a gap between the circumbinary disk and the mini-disks, setting the turnover wavelength of the V-shaped spectrum around the Balmer limit. This scenario naturally reproduces LRD spectra requiring only modest dust attenuation (AV ≲ 1 mag), resolving overestimated luminosities for LRDs in previous studies and alleviating a tension with the so-called Sołtan argument. This model predicts distinct spectral evolution as the binary orbit decays through binary disk interactions and gravitational-wave (GW) emission, linking early-stage “proto-LRD” binaries to the broader AGN population and late-stage “LRD descendants” to coalescing binaries detectable in GW experiments.}, author = {Inayoshi, Kohei and Shangguan, Jinyi and Chen, Xian and Ho, Luis C. and Haiman, Zoltán}, issn = {1538-4357}, journal = {The Astrophysical Journal}, number = {1}, publisher = {IOP Publishing}, title = {{The emergence of Little Red Dots from binary massive black holes}}, doi = {10.3847/1538-4357/ae548d}, volume = {1002}, year = {2026}, } @article{21930, abstract = {We present the discovery of extreme nitrogen enrichment by Wolf Rayet nitrogen (WN) stars in the metal-poor (∼10%Z⊙), lensed, compact (Reff ∼ 20 pc) galaxy RXCJ2248 at z = 6.1, revealed by unprecedentedly deep JWST/NIRSpec medium-resolution spectroscopy from the GLIMPSE-D Survey. The exquisite signal-to-noise ratio reveals multiple high-ionization nebular lines and broad Balmer and [O III] components (FWHM ∼700–3000 km s −1 ). We detect broadened He II λ1640 and λ4687 (FWHM ∼ 530 km s −1 ) and strong N III λ4642 emission consistent with a population of WN stars, making RXCJ2248 the most distant galaxy with confirmed Wolf Rayet (WR) features to date. We measure the multiphase nebular density across five ions, the direct-method metallicity ( 12 + log(O/H) = 7.753 ± 0.025 ), and a nonuniform elemental enrichment pattern of extreme N/O enhancement ( log(N/O) = 0.391 ± 0.037 from N+, N+2 , and N+3 ) but suppressed C/O relative to empirical C/N trends. We show that this abundance pattern can be explained by enrichment from a dual-burst with a low WR carbon/WN ratio, as expected at low metallicities. Crucially, these signatures can only arise during a brief, rare evolutionary window shortly after a burst (∼3–6 Myr), when WN stars dominate chemical feedback but before dilution by later yields (e.g., supernovae). The observed frequency of strong N emitters at high−z implies a ∼50 Myr burst duty cycle, suggesting that N/O outliers may represent a brief but ubiquitous phase in the evolution of highly star-forming early galaxies. The WN detection in RXCJ2248, therefore, provides the first direct evidence of WR-driven nitrogen enrichment in the first billion years of the Universe and a novel timing argument for the bursty star formation cycles that shaped galaxies at cosmic dawn.}, author = {Berg, Danielle A. and Naidu, Rohan P. and Chisholm, John and Atek, Hakim and Fujimoto, Seiji and Kokorev, Vasily and Furtak, Lukas J. and Kobayashi, Chiaki and Schaerer, Daniel and Adamo, Angela and Fei, Qinyue and Korber, Damien and Matthee, Jorryt J and Marques-Chaves, Rui and Martinez, Zorayda and Mcquinn, Kristen B.W. and Muñoz, Julian B. and Oesch, Pascal A. and Saldana-Lopez, Alberto and Stark, Daniel P. and Stephenson, Mabel G. and Hsiao, Tiger Yu Yang}, issn = {1538-4357}, journal = {The Astrophysical Journal}, number = {2}, publisher = {IOP Publishing}, title = {{A fleeting GLIMPSE of N/O enrichment at cosmic dawn: Evidence for Wolf Rayet N stars in a z = 6.1 galaxy}}, doi = {10.3847/1538-4357/ae5e4c}, volume = {1003}, year = {2026}, } @article{21896, abstract = {Redox-mediated flow batteries boost energy density by utilizing dissolved redox species as charge carriers for solid charge-storage materials. This strategy strongly depends on the thermodynamics and kinetics between the solid booster and dissolved redox species. Conventional electrochemical methods often convolute intrinsic reactivity with mass transport effects, introducing complexity in determining limiting steps. We propose a strategy that confines solid boosters within recessed microelectrodes and employs scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to estimate reaction kinetics between booster and dissolved active redox species. Confining the solid booster in the recessed microelectrode overcomes mass transport limitations of dissolved redox species and enables controlled polarization of the booster material, allowing deconvolution of key rate-determining factors. As an initial model system, Prussian blue-ferricyanide/ferrocyanide [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− was used as solid booster and dissolved redox active species, respectively. The methodology was further explored for copper hexacyanoferrate with N,N,N-2,2,6,6-heptamethylpiperidinyl oxy-4-ammonium chloride and nickel hydroxide with [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− and extended to Mn-based Prussian blue analogues in combination with organic redox species. Our results demonstrate that SECM coupled with the proposed recessed microelectrode strategy provides a powerful platform to disentangle interfacial kinetics and guide the rational design of solid booster-dissolved redox species and electrolytes for high-performance redox-mediated flow batteries.}, author = {Santana Santos, Carla and Jiyane, Nomnotho and Quast, Thomas and Ibáñez, Maria and Rubio‐Presa, Rubén and Peljo, Pekka and Schuhmann, Wolfgang}, issn = {2566-6223}, journal = {Batteries & Supercaps}, number = {5}, publisher = {Wiley}, title = {{Evaluating reaction kinetics between solid booster and dissolved active species in redox‐mediated flow batteries using scanning electrochemical microscopy}}, doi = {10.1002/batt.70303}, volume = {9}, year = {2026}, } @article{22264, abstract = {The correlation between galaxy stellar mass and gas-phase metallicity, known as the mass–metallicity relation (MZR), gives key insights into the processes that govern galaxy evolution. However, unquantified observational and selection biases can result in systematic errors in attempts to recover the intrinsic MZR, particularly at higher redshifts. We characterize the MZR at z ∼ 3–6 within a fully Bayesian framework using JWST/NIRSpec spectra of 191 galaxies from the RUBIES survey. We forward model the observed mass–metallicity surface using prospector-generated spectra to account for two selection biases: the survey selection function and the success in observing high signal-to-noise ratio emission lines. We demonstrate that the RUBIES selection function, based on F444W magnitude and F150W – F444W color, has a negligible effect on our measured MZR. A correct treatment of the non-Gaussian metallicity uncertainties from strong-line calibrations lowers the derived MZR normalization by 0.2 dex and flattens the slope by ∼20%; forward modeling the effect of emission line observability steepens the slope by ∼15%. Both of these biases must be taken into account in order to properly measure the intrinsic MZR. This novel forward-modeling process motivates careful consideration of selection functions in future surveys, and paves the way for robust, high-redshift chemical enrichment studies that trace the evolution of the MZR across cosmic time.}, author = {Lewis, Zach and Maseda, Michael V. and De Graaff, Anna and Leja, Joel and Wang, Bingjie and Rix, Hans Walter and Mcconachie, Ian and Cleri, Nikko J. and Bezanson, Rachel and Boogaard, Leindert A. and Brammer, Gabriel and Greene, Jenny E. and Hirschmann, Michaela and Katz, Harley and Labbé, Ivo and Matthee, Jorryt J and Miller, Tim B. and Naidu, Rohan P. and Oesch, Pascal A. and Setton, David J. and Suess, Katherine A. and Weibel, Andrea and Whitaker, Katherine E. and Williams, Christina C.}, issn = {1538-4357}, journal = {The Astrophysical Journal}, keywords = {Galaxy evolution, Chemical enrichment, Metallicity, Galaxy abundances, Scaling relations}, number = {2}, publisher = {IOP Publishing}, title = {{The mass–metallicity relation and its observational effects at z ∼ 3–6}}, doi = {10.3847/1538-4357/ae7bfc}, volume = {1005}, year = {2026}, } @article{22269, abstract = {The divisome apparatus synthesizes septal peptidoglycan (PG) during bacterial division. In Escherichia coli, the class A penicillin-binding protein (aPBP) called PBP1b has been implicated in division, but its role in the process has remained unclear. Here we show using in situ cryo-electron tomography, genetics and other imaging methods that PBP1b is required to produce a wedge-like density of PG at the division site and that loss of this structure weakens the division site, making it hypersusceptible to osmotic lysis. Surprisingly, the activator LpoB needed for general PBP1b function was not required for its role in division. Of the two PBP1b isoforms produced in cells, we show that the one with an extended cytoplasmic N terminus localizes to and functions at the division site, probably via recruitment by the FtsA component of the divisome. The conservation of aPBPs with extended cytoplasmic N termini suggests that other Gram-negative bacteria may use similar mechanisms for division site reinforcement.}, author = {Navarro, Paula P. and Vettiger, Andrea and Hajdu, Roman and Ananda, Virly Y. and López-Tavares, Alejandro and Schmid, Ernst W. and Walter, Johannes C. and Loose, Martin and Chao, Luke H. and Bernhardt, Thomas G.}, issn = {2058-5276}, journal = {Nature Microbiology}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, title = {{The penicillin-binding protein PBP1b fortifies the Escherichia coli division site against osmotic rupture}}, doi = {10.1038/s41564-026-02403-6}, year = {2026}, } @article{21385, abstract = {We prove that the average size of a mixed character sum (math. formular) (for a suitable smooth function w) is on the order of √x for all irrational real θ satisfying a weak Diophantine condition, where χ is drawn from the family of Dirichlet characters modulo a large prime r and where x 6 r. In contrast, it was proved by Harper that the average size is o(√x) for rational θ. Certain quadratic Diophantine equations play a key role in the present paper. }, author = {Wang, Victor and Xu, Max}, issn = {1473-7124}, journal = {Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh: Section A Mathematics}, pages = {1--15}, publisher = {Cambridge University Press}, title = {{Average sizes of mixed character sums}}, doi = {10.1017/prm.2026.10123}, year = {2026}, } @article{22364, abstract = {Finding the first generation of (Population III or Pop III) stars is one of the most ambitious and exciting challenges of astrophysics. JWST opened concrete prospects for their detection during the Epoch of Reionization, where increasing evidence suggests that residual Pop III formation may persist, even within pristine pockets of high-mass halos, due to inhomogeneous enrichment. However, the identification of Pop III stars within globally enriched environments will be challenging. We investigate the detectability of a subdominant Pop III component in/around massive (M⋆ ≳ 10^9 M⊙) galaxies at z ≈ 6.5–9 from the dustyGadget cosmological simulation suite, and the confusion arising from second-generation (Pop II) stars in their surroundings. We find that young (≲1 Myr), massive (MIII ∼ 6 × 10^5 M⊙) Pop III clusters forming within these galaxy environments are responsible for strong HeII1640 line emission (LHeII1640 ≳ 10^41 erg ^s−1), which would be detectable with ≈10(50) hr of medium-resolution observations with NIRSpec/IFU at z ≈ 6(10). These bright luminosities cannot be produced by standard Pop II populations alone. On the other hand, the dominant Pop II component within massive “hybrid” Pop III hosts powers strong metal line emission (L[OIII]5007 ≳ 10^42 erg s^−1), indicating that the detection of metal lines alone cannot exclude the presence of Pop IIIs in high-z galaxy environments. We further discuss candidate selection strategies based on Lyα, Hα, and Hβ emission, and how spatially resolved observations may enable the detection of isolated, pristine pockets in the outskirts of massive halos.}, author = {Venditti, Alessandra and Graziani, Luca and Schneider, Raffaella and Bromm, Volker and Muñoz, Julian B. and Di Cesare, Claudia and Valiante, Rosa and Calabrò, Antonello and Maiolino, Roberto and Finkelstein, Steven L. and Parente, Massimiliano and Saggini, Matteo and Chisholm, John}, issn = {1538-4357}, journal = {The Astrophysical Journal}, number = {2}, publisher = {IOP Publishing}, title = {{Catching the nebular needle in a polluted haystack: Line-emission signatures from population III-forming pockets around massive galaxies at the end of reionization}}, doi = {10.3847/1538-4357/ae7b2c}, volume = {1005}, year = {2026}, } @article{22372, abstract = {Neurons acquire polarity by specifying one neurite as the axon, whereas the others become dendrites. But how this fundamental asymmetry is established remains unclear1. Neuronal polarization has been thought to rely primarily on growth cones that sense external cues2. Here we show that growth cones alone do not direct this process and that the soma acts as a central organizer of neuronal polarization. Using live imaging and genetic loss-of-function approaches in vivo, combined with optogenetic control and local cytoskeletal perturbations in cultured neurons, we uncover a soma-initiated oscillatory program that primes axon selection. Periodic actin branching that depends on the actin-related protein 2/3 (ARP2/3) complex at the soma remodels a global actomyosin network, thereby generating an actin wave that retracts neurites before propagating into a single neurite tip. Exposure to this wave relaxes local actomyosin contractility, which drives a transient microtubule-based protrusion and biases this neurite towards axon fate. As the cell exits this oscillatory stage, this neurite can overcome global inhibition and extend independently of ARP2/3, whereas actomyosin activity suppresses axon formation in the remaining neurites so that they subsequently become dendrites. This soma-driven mechanism ensures the emergence of a single axon independent of environmental cues and underpins the unidirectional information flow in neuronal circuits.}, author = {Lin, Tien Chen and Coles, Charlotte H. and Alfadil, Eissa and Fäßler, Florian and Husch, Andreas and Dupraz, Sebastian and Pietralla, Thorben and Narita, Akihiro and Schelski, Max and Flynn, Kevin C. and Stern, Sina and Möhl, Christoph and Hilton, Brett J. and Vauti, Franz and Arnold, Hans Henning and Schur, Florian Km and Bradke, Frank}, issn = {1476-4687}, journal = {Nature}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, title = {{An intrinsic cytoskeletal oscillator establishes neuronal polarity}}, doi = {10.1038/s41586-026-10755-6}, year = {2026}, } @article{20670, abstract = {β-Barrel nanopores are involved in crucial biological processes, from ATP export in mitochondria to bacterial resistance, and represent a promising platform for emerging sequencing technologies. However, in contrast to ion channels, the understanding of the fundamental principles governing ion transport through these nanopores remains largely unexplored. Here we integrate experimental, numerical and theoretical approaches to elucidate ion transport mechanisms in β-barrel nanopores. We identify and characterize two distinct nonlinear phenomena: open-pore rectification and gating. Through extensive mutation analysis of aerolysin nanopores, we demonstrate that open-pore rectification is caused by ionic accumulation driven by the distribution of lumen charges. In addition, we provide converging evidence suggesting that gating is controlled by electric fields dissociating counterions from lumen charges, promoting local structural deformations. Our findings establish a rigorous framework for characterizing and understanding ion transport processes in protein-based nanopores, enabling the design of adaptable nanofluidic biotechnologies. We illustrate this by optimizing an aerolysin mutant for computing applications.}, author = {Mayer, Simon and Mitsioni, Marianna Fanouria and Robin, Paul and Van Den Heuvel, Lukas and Ronceray, Nathan and Marcaida, Maria Jose and Abriata, Luciano A. and Krapp, Lucien F. and Anton, Jana S. and Soussou, Sarah and Jeanneret-Grosjean, Justin and Fulciniti, Alessandro and Möller, Alexia and Vacle, Sarah and Feletti, Lely and Brinkerhoff, Henry and Laszlo, Andrew H. and Gundlach, Jens H. and Emmerich, Theo and Dal Peraro, Matteo and Radenovic, Aleksandra}, issn = {1748-3395}, journal = {Nature Nanotechnology}, pages = {116--124}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, title = {{Lumen charge governs gated ion transport in β-barrel nanopores}}, doi = {10.1038/s41565-025-02052-6}, volume = {21}, year = {2026}, } @article{21453, abstract = {1. Collective behaviours are a fascinating study area due to the emergent properties that can only arise in groups of interacting individuals. However, their quantitative study is often impaired by technical difficulties, creating either low-quality and sparse data or impractical data amounts, particularly when capturing large groups over long periods of time. Common challenges arise from recording group members with as little obscuring of each other as possible, as well as in generating manageable data amounts with as high as possible information content. 2. We here provide a multicomponent system that allows to record, analyse and simulate the long-term spatiotemporal activity patterns of insect collectives, especially ant colonies. Our Ant Observing System, ALTAA, comprises a flat-nest design to prevent occlusion of individuals, a recording system running on a low-power single-board-computer, and a set of computer programmes performing quantitative analyses to guide the formation and validation of rules underlying the observed collective patterns. Our system is scalable in that it allows parallel, continuous observation of a high number of colonies using low memory space, with colony maintenance requirements (e.g. feeding, nest humidity) being achieved at lowest possible disturbance by the experimenter. 3. We showcase the potential of the system in a study using the black garden ant, Lasius niger, where we analyse the spatiotemporal effects of different group sizes (1, 6, 10 ants), brood (larvae) presence or absence, as well as of different nest geometries, over a period of 1 week. We show that the ants' motion activity has a weak periodicity in the range of 20 to 120 min promoted by larval presence, and that ants are spatially attracted to their larvae, the water source and the walls. We also find that the presence of nestmates lowers an individual ant's motion activity. Observed data are compared to simulations of the temporal activity of the ants. 4. ALTAA provides a powerful toolkit to quantify and interpret spatial and temporal collective activity patterns in (social) insects over extended periods.}, author = {Oh, Jinook and Cremer, Sylvia}, issn = {2041-210X}, journal = {Methods in Ecology and Evolution}, number = {4}, pages = {1218--1234}, publisher = {Wiley}, title = {{ALTAA: Analysis of long-term activity patterns in ant colonies}}, doi = {10.1111/2041-210x.70277}, volume = {17}, year = {2026}, } @article{21726, abstract = {Quantum control of the many-body wavefunction is a central challenge in quantum materials research, as it could yield a precise control knob to manipulate emergent phenomena. Floquet engineering, the coherent dressing of quantum states with periodic non-resonant optical fields, has become an important strategy for quantum control. Most applications to solid-state systems have targeted weakly interacting or single-ion states, leaving the manipulation of many-body wavefunctions largely unexplored. Here we use Floquet engineering to achieve quantum control of a strongly correlated Hubbard exciton in the one-dimensional Mott insulator Sr2CuO3. A non-resonant mid-infrared optical field coherently dresses the exciton wavefunction, driving its rotation between bright and dark states. We use resonant third-harmonic generation to quantify ultrafast π/2 rotations on the Bloch sphere spanned by these exciton states. Our work advances the quest towards programmable control of correlated states and exciton-based quantum sensing.}, author = {Baykusheva, Denitsa Rangelova and Carmichael, Deven and Weber, Clara S. and Lu, I. Te and Glerean, Filippo and Meng, Tepie and De Oliveira, Pedro B.M. and Homes, Christopher C. and Zaliznyak, Igor A. and Gu, G. D. and Dean, Mark P.M. and Rubio, Angel and Kennes, Dante M. and Claassen, Martin and Mitrano, Matteo}, issn = {1476-4660}, journal = {Nature Materials}, pages = {937--943}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, title = {{Quantum control of Hubbard excitons}}, doi = {10.1038/s41563-026-02517-6}, volume = {25}, year = {2026}, } @article{22614, abstract = {This study presents a sustainable and non-destructive recycling strategy for synthetic fibres, specifically polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide 6 (PA6), polyamide 66 (PA66), and elastane (EL). Two deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were synthesised, enabling selective dissolution of EL without degrading the surrounding polymer matrices. The dissolved EL phase was subsequently recovered by centrifugation, demonstrating its potential for material reuse. Comprehensive characterisation confirmed that the process preserves fibre integrity. SEM imaging revealed no detectable changes in fibre morphology, while DSC and TGA analyses indicated that the thermal properties of both EL and synthetic polymers were preserved. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy verified the absence of measurable chemical modifications. Mechanical testing showed that solvent treatment did not compromise the tensile performance of PET, PA6, or PA66 fibres, confirming their suitability for fibre-to-fibre recycling. The recovered fibres were successfully re-extruded into continuous filaments, confirming their melt processability and enabling potential applications in textile yarns, technical fibres, nonwovens, and polymer components via melt-spinning or moulding. These results demonstrate that the proposed DES-based method offers a promising approach for the circular recycling of complex fibre blends and provides a viable pathway towards industrial implementation.}, author = {Depope, Nika and Depope, Al and Archodoulaki, Vasiliki Maria and Dabrowska, Alicja and Lendl, Bernhard and Mautner, Andreas and Ipsmiller, Wolfgang and Bartl, Andreas}, issn = {1879-2456}, journal = {Waste Management}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{DES formulation for recycling synthetic fibre textile waste containing elastane}}, doi = {10.1016/j.wasman.2026.115736}, volume = {224}, year = {2026}, } @article{22615, abstract = {Background and Objectives: Anti-immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecule 5 (IgLON5) disease is a novel and poten- tially treatable entity. Therefore, it is important to recognize all clinical symptoms and di- agnostic clues. We specifically investigated neuromuscular signs and symptoms and muscle biopsy pathology, providing a link between IgLON5 and clinical features of myopathy. Methods: All patients diagnosed with anti-IgLON5 disease in the Netherlands between 2016 and 2023 were included. Serum and CSF samples were tested with immunohistochemistry on rat brain and in-house cell-based assay using live cells. Biopsies of the vastus lateralis muscle were performed in patients with neuromuscular signs and symptoms and analyzed in Vienna to- gether with 3 biopsies of non-Dutch patients sent to Vienna for second opinion. Results: Twenty patients with anti-IgLON5 disease were included (10 male, 50%). The median age at onset was 61.5 years (range 45–85), and the median time from onset to diagnosis was 30 months (range 3–280). Neuromuscular symptoms were present in over half of the patients (11/20), including proximal limb weakness (n = 11), axial weakness (n = 1), muscle atrophy (n = 6), and fasciculations (n = 5). All 12 muscle biopsies (9 from the Dutch cohort, 3 external) showed mild myopathic alterations, 2 additionally presented target fibers and fiber type grouping (compatible with neu- rogenic myopathy), and 3 patients showed immune cell infiltration. We found a strong upregulation of IgLON5 expression in muscle fibers in all patients and also in different muscle disease controls, while immunoreactivity in healthy control muscle was faint/absent. Discussion: Our data support that IgLON5 might play a role in muscle regeneration, which might result in proximal myopathy as a prominent clinical feature in anti-IgLON5 disease. This finding broadens the clinical phenotype of anti-IgLON5 disease and can be an important clue for earlier diagnosis and start of immunotherapy.}, author = {Crijnen, Yvette S. and Endmayr, Verena and Franken, Suzanne C. and Van Der Beek, Nadine A.M.E. and Louter, Maartje and Ströbel, Thomas and Gelpi, Ellen and Koneczny, Inga and Shigemoto, Ryuichi and Lewerenz, Jan and Högl, Birgit and Wanschitz, Julia V. and Hofstadt-Van Oy, Ulrich He and Van Steenhoven, Robin W. and Nagtzaam, Mariska M.P. and Kerstens, Jeroen and Brenner, Juliette and Bastiaansen, Anna E.M. and Verdijk, Robert M. and Van Den Bosch, Thierry P.P. and Schreurs, Marco and Veenbergen, Sharon and Verbeek, Marcel M. and Roelen, Dave L. and Guasp, Mar and Sillevis Smitt, Peter A.E. and Sabater, Lidia and De Vries, Juna M. and Höftberger, Romana and Titulaer, Maarten J.}, issn = {2332-7812}, journal = {Neurology, Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation}, number = {5}, pages = {e200525}, publisher = {Wolters Kluwer}, title = {{Muscle regeneration failure may lead to clinical features of myopathy in anti-IgLON5 disease}}, doi = {10.1212/NXI.0000000000200525}, volume = {13}, year = {2026}, } @article{22613, abstract = {A phase plate has long been sought in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to maximize the image contrast of weakly-scattering objects like biomolecules. The laser phase plate (LPP) has recently demonstrated that an amplified, focused laser standing wave reliably phase shifts the electron beam, achieving phase-contrast TEM. Building on the single-beam LPP, here we introduce the crossed laser phase plate (XLPP): two laser standing waves which intersect in the diffraction plane. We present a theoretical model for the XLPP inside the microscope and show that, relative to the original LPP, it increases information transfer at low spatial frequencies while suppressing ghost images formed by Kapitza-Dirac diffraction. We also present a simple acquisition scheme, enabled by the XLPP, which further suppresses ghosts. Finally, we discuss practical considerations of XLPP design and show experimental results from a prototype. The results of this study chart the course for future developments of LPP hardware.}, author = {Petrov, Petar N and Zhang, Jessie T. and Axelrod, Jeremy J. and Olshin, Pavel K. and Müller, Holger}, issn = {2041-1723}, journal = {Nature Communications}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, title = {{Crossed laser phase plates for transmission electron microscopy}}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-026-74060-6}, volume = {17}, year = {2026}, } @article{22648, abstract = {Bifurcation characterizes the qualitative changes in parameterized dynamical systems and is one of the major topics in the field. In this work, we study combinatorial bifurcations within the framework of combinatorial dynamical systems—a young but already well-established theory. We introduce the Conley–Morse persistence barcode, a compact algebraic descriptor of combinatorial bifurcations. This barcode captures structural changes in a dynamical system at the level of Morse decompositions and provides a characterization of the nature of observed transitions in terms of the Conley index. The construction of the Conley–Morse persistence barcode builds upon ideas from topological persistence. Specifically, we consider a persistence module obtained from the Conley index of invariant sets indexed over a poset. Using gentle algebras, we prove that this module decomposes into simple intervals (bars) and compute them by adapting the zigzag persistence algorithm to our purpose.}, author = {Dey, Tamal K. and Lipiński, Michał and Soriano Trigueros, Manuel}, issn = {1615-3383}, journal = {Foundations of Computational Mathematics}, keywords = {Multivector field, Conley index, Morse decomposition, Bifurcation, Continuation, Zigzag persistence, Persistence barcode, Gentle algebra}, publisher = {Springer}, title = {{Conley-Morse persistence barcode: A homological signature of combinatorial bifurcations}}, doi = {10.1007/s10208-026-09766-6}, year = {2026}, } @article{22621, abstract = {We present very deep (≈11 hours on-source) JWST/MIRI low-resolution spectroscopy of the rest-frame optical emission of U37126, a UV-bright (MUV ≃ −20) mildly lensed (μ ≃ 2.2) galaxy at z = 10.255. The continuum emission is well detected in the NIRSpec and MIRI spectra, but no nebular recombination or metal emission lines are observed (EW0 (Hβ+[O III]) ≤ 300 Å and EW0 (Hα) ≤ 400 Å at 3σ). Combined with the exceptionally blue UV continuum slope, βUV ≃ −2.9, and flat Balmer break, these constraints indicate a stellar population dominated by very young and massive stars with a strongly suppressed nebular contribution. Comparisons with synthetic stellar population models indicate that U37126 requires a very high ionizing photon production efficiency, log(ξion/Hz erg−1) ≃ 25.75, and a nearly unity Lyman continuum escape fraction, of fesc ≥ 86% (3σ) based on the Hα flux limit and fesc = 0.94 ± 0.06 derived independently from fitting the spectral energy distribution (SED). The best-fit SED yields a (delensed) stellar mass of M★ ≃ 107.8 M⊙ and a star formation rate SFR ≃ 10 M⊙ yr−1 (specific SFR ∼ 160 Gyr−1). Together with its very compact size, reff ≃ 61 pc, this yields a very high stellar mass and SFR surface densities, ΣM★ ≃ 3 × 103 M⊙ pc−2 and ΣSFR ≃ 400 M⊙ yr−1 kpc−2. Together with the lack of detectable nebular emission, these properties suggest that U37126 is undergoing a so-called interstellar medium-naked starburst phase, possibly driven by an extremely efficient gas-to-star conversion followed by strong feedback that has cleared the remaining gas from its stellar core, which allowed most Lyman continuum photons to escape. Finally, we show that even a small fraction of galaxies such as U37126 (≃3–6%), with an extreme Lyman continuum production and escape, might contribute disproportionately (≃50–100%) to the ionizing photon budget during cosmic reionization.}, author = {Marques-Chaves, R. and Álvarez-Márquez, J. and Colina, L. and Kendrew, S. and Abdurro’Uf, Unknown and Blanco-Prieto, C. and Boogaard, L. A. and Castellano, M. and Caputi, K. I. and Crespo-Gómez, A. and Fontana, A. and Fudamoto, Y. and Fujimoto, S. and García-Marín, M. and Harikane, Y. and Harish, S. and Hashimoto, T. and Hsiao, T. and Iani, Edoardo and Inoue, A. K. and Langeroodi, D. and Lin, R. and Melinder, J. and Napolitano, L. and Östlin, G. and Pérez-González, P. G. and Prieto-Jiménez, C. and Rinaldi, P. and Rodríguez Del Pino, B. and Santini, P. and Sugahara, Y. and Varo-O’Ferrall, A. and Wright, G. and Zavala, J.}, issn = {1432-0746}, journal = {Astronomy & Astrophysics}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, title = {{PRISMS: U37126, a very blue ISM-naked starburst at z = 10.255 with a nearly 100% Lyman continuum escape fraction}}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/202659281}, volume = {711}, year = {2026}, }