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DSTGA-Mamba: a disentangled spatio-temporal graph attention Mamba model for traffic flow prediction
Ultrahigh current output performance in piezoelectric energy harvesters enabled by phase boundary–bandgap synergistic engineering
Reducing friction in machine oil via cesium-hybridized graphene oxide quantum dot additives
Abstract Friction and wear are among the most common causes of energy loss and component failure in mechanical systems, accounting for around 20–30% of total global energy consumption. Conventional lubricants fail to provide consistent performance in harsh conditions due to inadequate additive dispersion, agglomeration, and restricted surface reactivity. Recent advances in nanomaterial-based lubricants have shown promise, but it remains difficult to achieve significant friction and wear reduction at low additive concentrations while preserving stability. In this study, we synthesized and tested cesium-hybridized graphene oxide quantum dots (Cs-GOQDs) as novel lubricant additives. When incorporated into machine oil at 0.1 wt%, Cs-GOQDs reduced the coefficient of friction by 14.6% and the average wear scar diameter by 9.2%, demonstrating their effectiveness as nanolubricant additives TEM, FT-IR spectroscopy, FE-SEM, EDAX and XPS analysis revealed the production of a protective tribofilm and nanoscale rolling processes, which improved lubrication synergistically. These preliminary findings show that the innovative hybridized Cs-GOQDs provide an effective solution to overcome the limitations of conventional additives, opening up a new path for the development of next-generation nanolubricants with practical implications for energy efficiency and mechanical durability.
Unveiling cytochrome P450 enzymes that catalyze steroid side-chain cleavage in bacteria
Predictive topological modeling of the structure–property relationships in naturally occurring anti-cancer chalcones
Multiplex serology reveals age-specific immunodynamics of respiratory pathogens in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic
Fractional-order stochastic delayed neural networks with impulses: mean square finite-time contractive synchronization
Abstract This article presents a novel framework for mean square finite-time synchronization (MSFTSn) and mean square finite-time contractive synchronization (MSFTCSn) of fractional-order stochastic delayed neural networks (FOSDNNs) subject to hybrid control. The proposed hybrid control strategy is designed to guarantee synchronization of the error system within a finite time horizon. By combining continuous feedback with impulsive regulation, the hybrid mechanism effectively suppresses stochastic disturbances and compensates for time-delay effects, which significantly improves convergence rate and enhances contractive stability. The analytical approach integrates stochastic analysis with Lyapunov-based methods, the fractional Gronwall inequality, and an improved Razumikhin framework to establish novel synchronization criteria. In addition, a rigorous foundation is developed to address discontinuous neuron activation functions through set-valued map theory. Unlike integer-order models, the Caputo fractional derivative embeds past error trajectories, thereby capturing memory and hereditary properties of neural systems. This leads to a more realistic neural representation and reinforces the synchronization results. Theoretical findings demonstrate that hybrid control extends the range of stabilizing parameters beyond standard feedback schemes. Finally, numerical simulations are presented to validate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed strategy, confirming its strong applicability in realistic neural network models.
Protection of metal interfaces against hydrogen-assisted cracking
Abstract Enabling a hydrogen economy requires the development of materials resistant to hydrogen embrittlement (HE). More than 100 years of research have led to several mechanisms and models describing how hydrogen interacts with lattice defects and leads to mechanical property degradation. However, solutions to protect materials from hydrogen are still scarce. Here, we investigate the role of interstitial solutes in protecting critical crystalline defects sensitive to hydrogen. Ab initio calculations show that boron and carbon in solid solutions at grain boundaries can efficiently prevent hydrogen segregation. We then realized this interface protection concept on martensitic steel, a material strongly prone to HE, by doping the most sensitive interfaces with different concentrations of boron and carbon. These segregations, in addition to stress relaxations, critically reduce the hydrogen ingress by half, leading to an unprecedented resistance against HE. This tailored interstitial segregation strategy can be extended to other metallic materials susceptible to hydrogen-induced interfacial failure.
Exploring market-approved azoles as potential breast cancer therapeutics targeting the VEGFR-2 biotarget
Abstract Cancer is a complicated, deadly disease, ranking as the second leading cause of death globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported nearly 20 million new cases of cancer in 2022, and this burden is anticipated to be doubled by 2035. Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies and the leading cause of mortality among women globally. As per the GLOBOCAN 2022 database, breast cancer represented 25% of cancer incidence and around 20% of cancer deaths among women in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA). Although there have been significant developments in surgical, radiotherapeutic, and immunological strategies, chemotherapy remains the major therapeutic approach for cancer treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent necessity for the evolution of innovative and effective therapies against cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) is an essential regulator of angiogenesis, significantly influencing cancer proliferation and is considered among the most promising targets for cancer treatment. Notably, azole-based derivatives appeared as a promising pharmacophore in combating various diseases and possessed a significant potential to emerge as effective therapeutic options for cancer treatment. Pacing up the drug discovery process, drug repurposing has emerged as a prospective approach owing to its efficiency in saving both time and cost for proven drug kinetics and safety profile. Herein, molecular modelling simulations-coupled biological testing were applied to screen and investigate the potential inhibitory activity of some market-approved azoles against VEGFR-2 biotarget. The anti-fungal azole itraconazole emerged as a promising agent targeting VEGFR-2 to halt angiogenesis and tumour growth, warranting further preclinical and clinical investigations.
Molecular and epistatic interactions between pioneer transcription factors shape nucleosome dynamics and cell differentiation
Abstract Pioneer transcription factors (TF) bind nucleosome-embedded DNA motifs to activate new regulatory elements and promote differentiation. However, the complexity, binding dependencies and temporal effects of their action remain unclear. Here, we dissect how ectopic induction of the pioneer TF GATA6 triggers Primitive Endoderm (PrE) differentiation from pluripotent cells. We show that transient GATA6 binding exploits accessible regions to decommission enhancers and promote pluripotency gene silencing. Simultaneously, GATA6 targets closed chromatin and initiates extensive remodeling culminating in the establishment of fragile nucleosomes flanked by ordered nucleosome arrays and increased accessibility. This is enhanced by rapidly expressed PrE TFs (SOX17) and by pluripotency TFs repurposed for differentiation (OCT4/SOX2). Accordingly, depletion of OCT4 during GATA6 induction decreases Gata6 expression, alters GATA6 and SOX17 binding and impairs differentiation. Therefore, pioneer TFs orchestrate complex regulatory networks involving many if not all available pioneer TFs, including those required to support the original identity of differentiating cells.
Bioactive compounds from Sargassum horneri attenuates inflammation and obesity regulating by Nrf2/HO-1 and AMPK signaling pathways
Accelerated attainment of global air quality standards with disproportional health co-benefits under the 1.5 °C target
Different association of gBRCA1 and gBRCA2 variants with HER2-low status in invasive breast cancer: findings from a Ukrainian study
Photo-reversible amyloid nanoNETs for regenerative antimicrobial therapies
Abstract Drug-resistant bacterial infections, exacerbated by antibiotic resistance and biofilm resilience, disrupt tissue repair through dysregulated inflammation and impaired regeneration. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a crucial role in endogenous immunity by entrapping and eliminating pathogens, inspiring the development of synthetic biomaterials that replicate this function. However, current synthetic NETs face challenges in complexity, biocompatibility, structural integrity and effectiveness. Here, we present a NETs-mimicking hydrogel composed of reversible lysozyme amyloid flexible nanofibrils (FFs) enabling pathogen elimination and tissue regeneration. The FFs therein self-assemble from natural egg-white lysozyme endowing these nanoNETs with bioactivity against pathogens, and when duly labeled to respond to near-infrared irradiation, they disassemble into unfolded lysozyme monomers with antimicrobial activity. Notably, the hydrogel disassembly is followed by the controlled release of pre-dissolved Mg²⁺ ions, reprogramming macrophages toward a pro-regenerative phenotype and mitigating inflammation. In both murine and porcine models, these biocompatible nanoNETs demonstrate excellent antibacterial performance, accelerating healing of wounds infected by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Moreover, these nanoNETs boost in-vivo healing of MRSA-infected periprosthetic joints, preserving osteogenic and regenerative microenvironments. These results build on the reversible nature of flexible amyloids to introduce stimuli-responsive biocompatible nanoNETs with significant potential for antimicrobial and regenerative therapies in bacterial-resistant infections.
Historical change and spatial relation of cultural memory in Guangzhou from the perspective of heritage representation
All-metallic magnetic Purcell enhancement in a thermally stable room-temperature maser
Abstract Enhancing the spontaneous and stimulated emission rates of magnetic quantum emitters through the Purcell effect is essential for designing high-performance quantum devices based on high quality factor and small mode volume. At room temperature, structures constructed using high-index dielectric materials have been favored due to their ability to effectively confine electromagnetic fields. However, these dielectric resonators are plagued by an inherent sensitivity to thermal variations, which are unavoidable during the optical excitation or readout of the quantum states. Here, we propose to solve this issue with a dielectric-free, all-metallic toroidal split-ring resonator cluster of subwavelength size (≤ λ m /17), which exhibits a fundamental magnetic mode at approximately 1.45 GHz ( λ m ~ 207 mm) and a remarkably low mode volume ( $$8.1\times 1{0}^{-6}{\lambda }_{{{{\rm{m}}}}}^{3}$$ 8.1 × 1 0 − 6 λ m 3 ). Through experimental investigations, we demonstrate that the proposed resonator exhibits a high Purcell factor (5 × 10 6 ), and observe maser action when paired with a pentacene-based gain medium. We evidence the remarkable stability of the output pulse against thermal variations caused by thousands of consecutive optical excitations, by far surpassing that of masers based on dielectric resonators.
Reactive oxygen species-sensitive release of cephalexin from hyaluronic acid-g-cephalexin dimer copolymer for treatment of inflammation and infection of oral soft tissue cells
Patient-derived colon epithelial organoids reveal lipid-related metabolic dysfunction in pediatric ulcerative colitis
Abstract Ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with epithelial metabolic derangements which exacerbate gut inflammation. Here, we develop colon organoid (colonoid) lines from pediatric patients with endoscopically active UC, inactive UC, and those without intestinal inflammation to interrogate functional metabolic differences in the colon epithelia. We demonstrate that active UC colonoids exhibit hypermetabolic features and cellular stress, specifically during differentiation. Hypermetabolism in active UC colonoids is driven, in part, by increased proton leak, and excess lipid accumulation. Active UC colonoids exhibit heightened activation of the master lipid regulator PPAR-α and its transcriptional pathways. Pharmacological PPAR-α inhibition limits lipid accumulation, induces a metabolic shift towards glucose utilization, suppresses hypermetabolism, and reduces chemokine secretion and cellular stress markers. Collectively, our findings identify lipid-related metabolic dysfunction as a key pathologic feature of the pediatric UC epithelium and highlight the potential of patient-derived colonoids as a preclinical model for evaluating epithelial-targeted therapies addressing this dysfunction.