Bis(2,6-dihy­droxy­benzoato-κ2 O 1 ,O 1′)(nitrato-κ2 O,O′)bis­(1,10-phenanthroline-κ2 N,N′)samarium(III)

The title mononuclear complex, [Sm(C7H5O3)2(NO3)(C12H8N2)2], is isostructural with that of other lanthanides. The Sm atom is in a pseudo-bicapped square-anti­prismatic geometry, formed by four N atoms from two chelating 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands and by six O atoms, four from two 2,6-dihy­droxy­benzoate (DHB) ligands and the other two from a nitrate anion. π–π stacking inter­actions between phen and DHB ligands [centroid–centroid distance = 3.528 (4) and 3.812 (3) Å], and phen and phen ligands [face-to-face separation = 3.420 (10) Å] of adjacent complexes stabilize the crystal structure. Intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds are observed in the DHB ligands

Atmospheric humidity regulates same-sex mating in Candida albicans through the trehalose and osmotic signaling pathways

Sexual reproduction is prevalent in eukaryotic organisms and plays a critical role in the evolution of new traits and in the generation of genetic diversity. Environmental factors often have a direct impact on the occurrence and frequency of sexual reproduction in fungi. The regulatory effects of atmospheric relative humidity (RH) on sexual reproduction and pathogenesis in plant fungal pathogens and in soil fungi have been extensively investigated. However, the knowledge of how RH regulates the lifecycles of human fungal pathogens is limited. In this study, we report that low atmospheric RH promotes the development of mating projections and same-sex (homothallic) mating in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans. Low RH causes water loss in C. albicans cells, which results in osmotic stress and the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and trehalose. The water transporting aquaporin Aqy1, and the G-protein coupled receptor Gpr1 function as cell surface sensors of changes in atmospheric humidity. Perturbation of the trehalose metabolic pathway by inactivating trehalose synthase or trehalase promotes same-sex mating in C. albicans by increasing osmotic or ROS stresses, respectively. Intracellular trehalose and ROS signal the Hog1-osmotic and Hsf1-Hsp90 signaling pathways to regulate the mating response. We, therefore, propose that the cell surface sensors Aqy1 and Gpr1, intracellular trehalose and ROS, and the Hog1-osmotic and Hsf1-Hsp90 signaling pathways function coordinately to regulate sexual mating in response to low atmospheric RH conditions in C. albicans

Amorphous SiO₂ Nanoparticles Encapsulating a SiO Anode with Strong Structure for High-Rate Lithium-Ion Batteries

Constructing a robust structure is crucial for addressing the inherent flaws of SiO-based anode materials, such as significant volume expansion and high ion and electron resistance. Therefore, in this article, we synthesized a SiO-based composite denoted as SiO–SiO2@C via a facile liquid-phase method. This composite possessed a sturdy three-dimensional structure and dual functionality. The superstructure was formed by the carbon-coated amorphous SiO2 nanoparticles surrounding the SiO particles, which endowed the structural stability of SiO–SiO2@C. It is worth noting that the SiO–SiO2@C composite manifested a high ICE of 75.7% and an impressive reversible capacity of 1061.0 mA h g–1 at 0.2 A g–1 after 100 cycles, with a 97% capacity retention compared to the second discharge. Furthermore, this electrode showed exceptional cycle performance of 430.5 mA h g–1 after 700 cycles at 2 A g–1 and rate performance with an average reversible capacity of 703.4 mA h g–1 at 3 A g–1. Overall, the prepared SiO–SiO2@C electrode material displayed a huge opportunity for lithium-ion battery anodes