The role of excitations in supercooled liquids: Density, geometry, and relaxation dynamics.

Low-energy excitations play a key role in all condensed-matter systems, yet there is limited understanding of their nature in glasses, where they correspond to local rearrangements of groups of particles. Here, we introduce an algorithm to systematically uncover these excitations up to the activation energy scale relevant to structural relaxation. We use it in a model system to measure the density of states on a scale never achieved before, confirming that this quantity shifts to higher energy under cooling, precisely as the activation energy does.

The impact of work-family conflict on job burnout among community social workers in China.

In China, for community social workers, work-family conflict has become a common phenomenon that may harm their well-being. Based on the analysis of a survey of community social workers in four cities in China, this study demonstrated that community workers' work-family conflict significantly affects burnout, role overload mediates the relation between work-family conflict and burnout, and cognitive crafting negatively moderates the relation between role overload and burnout. The conclusions validate the job crafting theory and enrich the research on job burnout under the JD-R model.

Enhanced spatial division multiple access BCI performance via incorporating MEG with EEG.

Spatial division multiple access (SDMA) is a way of encoding BCI systems based on spatial distribution of brain signal characteristics. However, SDMA-BCI based on EEG had poor system performance limited by spatial resolution. MEG-EEG fusion modality analysis can help solve this problem.

Associations of cMIND Diet with depressive and anxiety symptoms among old people in China: a nationwide study.

Purpose: The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet is a novel dietary approach that exhibits neuroprotective benefits. Studies have found that the MIND diet can effectively reduce the risk of depression and anxiety, but the relationship between them is unclear among older Chinese people. The objective of this research was to explore the association of the MIND diet with depression and anxiety among elderly Chinese individuals.

Two-Year Hypertension Incidence Risk Prediction in Populations in the Desert Regions of Northwest China: Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Hypertension is a major global health issue and a significant modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, contributing to a substantial socioeconomic burden due to its high prevalence. In China, particularly among populations living near desert regions, hypertension is even more prevalent due to unique environmental and lifestyle conditions, exacerbating the disease burden in these areas, underscoring the urgent need for effective early detection and intervention strategies.

Objective: This study aims to develop, calibrate, and prospectively validate a 2-year hypertension risk prediction model by using large-scale health examination data collected from populations residing in 4 regions surrounding the Taklamakan Desert of northwest China.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Potential of Photo-Responsive Nanomaterials in Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common musculoskeletal disease globally and is the main reason for the chronic pain and disability in people over sixty-five worldwide. Degradation of the articular cartilage, synovial inflammation and osteophyte formation are widely acknowledged as the primary pathological manifestations of OA. OA affects more than 300 million people all over the world, bringing extremely large socioeconomic burden.

Enhanced Tumor Ablation and Immune Activation Via Irreversible Electroporation and Functionalized Vermiculite Nanosheets.

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a minimally invasive, non-thermal tumor ablation technique that induces nanoscale membrane perforation, leading to immunogenic cell death (ICD). However, IRE alone is limited by uneven electric field attenuation, incomplete tumor ablation, and the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment. To address these challenges, a multifunctional nanomaterial, vermiculite nanosheets/calcium peroxide nanosheets (VMT/CaO NSs), is developed to enhance the efficacy of IRE.

Unlocking the Potential of Machine Learning in Co-crystal Prediction by a Novel Approach Integrating Molecular Thermodynamics.

Co-crystal engineering is of interest for many applications in pharmaceutical, chemistry and material fields, but rational design of co-crystals is still challenging. Although artificial intelligence has brought major changes in the decision-making process for materials design, yet limitations in generalization and mechanistic understanding remain. Herein, we sought to improve prediction of co-crystal by combining mechanistic thermodynamic modeling with machine learning.

Tribological Behavior and Mechanism of Silane-Bridged h-BN/MoS2 Hybrid Filling Epoxy Solid Lubricant Coatings.

To significantly improve the tribological performance of epoxy resin (EP), a novel h-BN/MoS composite was successfully synthesized using spherical MoS particles with lamellar self-assembly generated through the calcination method, followed by utilizing the "bridging effect" of a silane coupling agent to achieve a uniform and vertically oriented decoration of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanosheets on the MoS surface. The chemical composition and microstructure of the h-BN/MoS composite were systematically investigated. Furthermore, the enhancement effect of composites with various contents on the frictional properties of epoxy coatings was studied, and the mechanism was elucidated.

Fractal Dimension Analysis of Peripapillary Microvasculature in Primary Congenital Glaucoma.

Precis: In this prospective multicenter study, eyes with primary congenital glaucoma exhibited lower retinal vascular parameters compared to healthy controls, as assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography fractal dimension analysis.

Purpose: To study the retino-choroidal peripapillary microvascular pattern in primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) using fractal dimension (FD) analysis and compare it to healthy controls.

Methods: This was a prospective multicenter comparative study.

Applications and Predictors of Outcomes Following Stereo-Electroencephalography in Pediatric Patients With Drug-Resistant Epilepsy.

Aims: This study aims to evaluate the role of stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) in managing pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. We further explore prognostic factors influencing surgical outcomes following SEEG-guided resective or disconnective surgery.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on pediatric patients who underwent SEEG at the Pediatric Epilepsy Center, Peking University First Hospital, between July 2017 and July 2022.

Raman-Polarization-Fluorescence Spectroscopic Lidar for Real-Time Detection of Humic-like Substance Profiles.

Humic-like substances (HULIS) widely exist in the atmosphere and may strongly affect human health, environment, and climate. However, there are still no accurate methods for detecting the vertical distribution of HULIS. Here, a Raman-Polarization-Fluorescence Spectroscopic Lidar (RPFSL) was developed to simultaneously measure 64-channel broad fluorescence spectra (370-710 nm) of atmospheric aerosols at an excitation wavelength of 355 nm.

Phase Precession Relative to Turning Angle in Theta-Modulated Head Direction Cells.

Grid and place cells typically fire at progressively earlier phases within each cycle of the theta rhythm as rodents run across their firing fields, a phenomenon known as theta phase precession. Here, we report theta phase precession relative to turning angle in theta-modulated head direction cells within the anteroventral thalamic nucleus (AVN). As rodents turn their heads, these cells fire at progressively earlier phases as head direction sweeps over their preferred tuning direction.

Leveraging Large Language Models for Predicting Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury in Elderly Patients.

The objective of this work is to develop a framework based on large language models (LLMs) to predict postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) outcomes in elderly patients. Our study demonstrates that LLMs have the potential to address the issues of poor generalization and weak interpretability commonly encountered in disease prediction using traditional machine learning (ML) models. AKI is a severe postoperative complication, especially in elderly patients with declining renal function.

Carfilzomib inhibits the progression of hepatocellular cancer by upregulating GADD45α expression.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks among the most prevalent and lethal cancers affecting humans. Currently, there are limited effective treatments available for HCC. Carfilzomib, a proteasome inhibitor, is known to exert anti-HCC activities; however, its underlying mechanisms of action remain unclear.

Sonic Hedgehog potentiates BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) has remarkable potential to induce the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) towards the osteoblastic lineage. Additionally, research suggests that certain growth factors have the ability to potentiate BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) plays an indispensable role in the regulation of skeletal development.

Copper-catalyzed chemoselective C-H functionalization/dearomatization sequence: direct access to indole-based spirocyclic scaffolds.

Herein, a copper-catalyzed intermolecular [4+1] spiroannulation of indoles with alkynyldiazoketones affording various indole-based spirocyclic molecules a chemoselective C-H functionalization/dearomatization sequence was developed.

Rapid and Effective Neuronal Conversion of Human Glioblastoma In Vitro and In Vivo Using Potent Small Molecules.

Exploring effective, prompt and universally applicable approaches for inducing the differentiation of glioblastoma (GBM) into terminally differentiated cells, such as astrocytes or neurons that cease cell division, is pivotal for the success of GBM differentiation therapy. In this study, a neuronal-specific promoter-reporter system was employed to screen small molecules that promote neural differentiation. The cocktail YFSS, consisting of Y27632, Forskolin, SB431542 and SP600125, which selectively targets the ROCK, cAMP, TGF-β and JNK signalling pathways, respectively, was found to effectively trigger differentiation in human GBM cells.

Genome-wide analysis of SUMO conjugation pathway members in broccoli and the involvement of BoSIZ1 in response to ABA.

The small ubiquitin-like protein modifier (SUMO) is a conserved protein that modifies target proteins by attaching to them, changing their functions, localizations, and interactions. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the process of SUMOylation in broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), a highly nutritious vegetable that is widely consumed.

CYP2A6 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma via inhibiting SRC/Wnt/β-Catenin pathway.

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at advanced stages face limited treatment options, highlighting the urgent need for more effective early detection methods and advanced therapeutic modalities. Emerging evidence shows that multiple CYP450 proteins are involved in the pathogenesis of HCC. CYP1A2, CYP2E1 and CYP3A5 have been shown to modulate important signaling pathways, hereby inhibiting the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells.

Mitochondrial respiratory complex IV deficiency recapitulates amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is categorized into ~10% familial and ~90% sporadic cases. While familial ALS is caused by mutations in many genes of diverse functions, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of ALS, especially in sporadic ALS (sALS), are largely unknown. Notably, about half of the cases with sALS showed defects in mitochondrial respiratory complex IV (CIV).

A novel index evaluating left atrioventricular coupling function in chronic kidney disease with diabetes patients.

The left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI) evaluates the coupling function between the left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) chambers. However, little is known about LACI in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This study aimed to assess the impact of concurrent CKD and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on left atrioventricular coupling function compared to CKD patients without T2DM.

Targeted long-read sequencing enables higher diagnostic yield of ADPKD by accurate PKD1 genetic analysis.

Genetic diagnosis of ADPKD has been challenging due to the variant heterogeneity, presence of duplicated segments, and high GC content of exon 1 in PKD1. In our reproductive center, 40 patients were still genetically undiagnosed or diagnosed without single-nucleotide resolution after testing with a short-read sequencing panel in 312 patients with ADPKD phenotype. A combination of long-range PCR and long-read sequencing approach for PKD1 was performed on these 40 patients.