Huizhou University

ABSTRACT This study provides the first comparative community‐ecological and demographic assessment of the two extant species of Tigridiopalma (Melastomataceae), both of which are classified as Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations (PSEP) and are endangered. Despite sharing similar morphological traits and habitat preferences, T. magnifica and T. exalata exhibit marked differences in floristic composition, community structure, and population dynamics, reflecting contrasting life‐history strategies and degrees of habitat specialization. By integrating analyses of floristic contribution, species associations, and demographic patterns, our findings highlight the importance of habitat context in shaping the persistence of narrowly endemic understory plants. Our results demonstrate that even closely related endangered species can adopt divergent ecological strategies. Tigridiopalma magnifica persists through broad biotic associations but appears constrained by seedling establishment, likely due to dense leaf litter or intense understory competition. In contrast, T. exalata relies on specific canopy tree associations but shows signs of reproductive limitation within resource‐poor niches. Effective in situ conservation therefore requires a shift from a species‐centric to an interaction‐centric framework, emphasizing the management of community processes rather than target species alone, specifically, facilitative interactions for T. magnifica and canopy filtering mechanisms for T. exalata .

KRAS, a frequently mutated oncogene, has been challenging to target therapeutically. Although covalent inhibitors like sotorasib against KRASG12C have been developed, their efficacy is often limited by acquired resistance. Targeted protein degradation offers a potential solution but has largely relied on large PROTAC molecules. Here, we report DJX-A-KM, a small-molecule degrader of KRASG12C, designed by incorporating an acrylamide warhead into the MRTX849 scaffold. It induces potent and sustained degradation of KRASG12C in cells and in vivo. Mechanistic investigation reveal that degradation is mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system, facilitated by covalent engagement with a E3 ligase, FBXO28, at cysteine 98. Antiproliferation assays demonstrate its potent inhibitory effects across multiple KRASG12C-mutant cancer models. This strategy also enables the development of pan-KRAS degraders against a broader spectrum of KRAS mutations. Our work presents a small-molecule degrader recruiting FBXO28 and provides a blueprint for exploring E3 ligases in protein degradation.

Abstract Catalyzing polysulfide conversion is vital to mitigate shuttle effects and boost reaction kinetics in Li–S batteries (LSBs). Transition metal dichalcogenides serve as efficient catalysts due to their strong polarity and adjustable electronic structures; however, their practical application remains challenged by sluggish conversion kinetics and insufficient lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) adsorption. Here, we propose a cation substitution strategy which induces lattice distortion for d – p hybridization modulation in cobalt disulfide (CoS 2 ) for realizing improved sulfur redox kinetics and polysulfide adsorption. The electronic structure modulation mechanism is revealed by rationally tuning the d – p hybridization degree via doping various cations (Cu 2+ , Ni 3+ , and Mn 3+ ). Among these cations, the Ni incorporation into CoS 2 lattice induces symmetric and moderate lattice distortion and manipulates the d ‐band center of Co sites, resulting in enhanced d – p hybridization and improved mass transfer and adsorption of LiPSs. Consequently, the Ni‐doped sulfur host exhibits an ultralow decay rate of 0.063% per cycle after 500 cycles at 2 C, and even at a demanding sulfur loading of 6.38 mg cm −2 , it retains a high reversible capacity of 501 mAh g −1 after 60 cycles. The pouch cell demonstration further substantiates its high practical potential of a considerable 203 Wh kg −1 energy density, delivering stable cycling performance with 73% capacity retention after 100 cycles. This work brings valuable design considerations in d – p hybridization modulation for advancing catalytic sulfur redox reactions in LSBs and paves the way for their practical applications as next‐generation energy storage systems.

ABSTRACT Predicting the modulus of short fiber‐reinforced composites is complicated by simultaneous variations in fiber length, orientation, and volume fraction during processing. This work refines the classical modified rule of mixtures (MROM) by introducing two concentration‐dependent weighting functions, and , which capture the evolution of effective fiber length, fiber‐fiber interactions, fiber orientation, and loading‐angle effects. A microstructural efficiency coefficient is further incorporated to describe reinforcement degradation from dilute to crowded fiber conditions. The model was validated using ethylene‐vinyl acetate/short carbon fiber composites with fiber volume fractions of 1.37%–16.80%. Young's modulus measured at loading angles of 0°, 45°, and 90° showed excellent agreement with predictions, with the refined formulation outperforming the classical MROM, particularly at higher loading angles. Overall, the refined framework provides a compact and physically grounded framework for accurately predicting stiffness and supports the design and optimization of short fiber‐reinforced polymer systems.