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Silencing PIM1 inhibits ENO1-induced AKT activation and attenuates fibrillogenesis during spinal cord injury-induced skeletal muscle atrophy
Hard input, soft management and student engagement: How institutional actions promote innovation ability and academic performance among top innovative talent
The training and cultivation of innovative talent, especially top-quality talent, cannot be explained fully by reference to a simple linear input‒output model. Research that can open the “black box” that characterizes this process has important theoretical and practical significance with respect to efforts to promote the development of high-quality education. By reference to a sample consisting of 1,500 graduating doctoral students who participated in a national stratified sampling survey in China, we develop a structural equation model with the goal of investigating the different roles played by the hard inputs and soft management employed by institutions in the task of cultivating top-quality innovative doctoral students as well as the specific paths associated with this influence. Our analysis reveals that promoting learning initiative among doctoral students and regulating their level of scientific research engagement are important ways in which various institutional inputs, especially soft management measures, can affect the intrinsic innovation ability of doctoral students, whereas efforts to encourage doctoral students to pursue top-quality academic achievements on the basis of their acquisition of relevant capabilities are related mainly to the hard inputs provided by institutions.
The impact of RNA chemical probing reagents on RNA-binding proteins
The YoungFitT project: Study protocol for a randomized mixed-methods trial of physical exercise and mind-body interventions, with or without virtual reality, in university students
Background Mental health issues among young university students have increased in recent years, driven by academic stress and sedentary lifestyles. The YoungFitT Project aims to explore well-being strategies and the psychobiological mechanisms behind their effects on university students. The project includes two studies: the first evaluates the effectiveness of High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Qigong (QG) on psychological well-being and cognitive functions, and also explores whether socio-demographic, mental (mindful thinking, sleep quality), physical (physical fitness, physical activity), physiological (heart rate variability), and biological (microbiota) factors mediate or moderate intervention effects on university students. Given that immersive virtual reality (VR) can enhance adherence and provide additional benefits, the second study will explore the feasibility and efficacy of HIFT-VR, MBSR-VR, and QG-VR on university students’ psychological well-being and cognitive functions. Methods Two mixed-methods randomized controlled trials will be conducted. In Study 1, participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups (HIFT, MBSR, QG) using a 1:1:1 ratio. Psychological, cognitive, physical, physiological, and biological measures will be evaluated two weeks before and after the interventions. The interventions include three weekly sessions for 12 weeks. Subsequently, a follow-up will be conducted 12 weeks after the intervention to assess psychological well-being. Study 2 is a proof-of-concept study in which VR interventions will be co-designed with input from university students and professionals. Twelve participants from each study will also complete semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences and perceived impact. Discussion The proposed interventions are expected to produce differential effects on psychological well-being and cognitive function. VR environments may enhance adherence and offer added benefits over conventional training. Findings will inform effective, personalized strategies for the mental and physical health of university youth. Trial registration www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT06406283; Registration date: 2024/05/06.
NMR-guided identification of CYP11A1–Adrenodoxin interactions that differentially govern cholesterol and vitamin D3 metabolism
An analysis of spatial distribution characteristics and driving factors of traditional villages in the Loess Plateau
By revealing the spatial distribution characteristics and driving mechanisms of 1,027 traditional Chinese villages in the Loess Plateau, as announced in six batches up to 2023, this article provides a theoretical basis for formulating scientific and differentiated protection and development strategies. Utilizing the ArcGIS 10.8 platform and the GeoDetector model, this study comprehensively applies methods including the nearest neighbor index, standard deviation ellipse, kernel density estimation, and spatial autocorrelation to systematically analyze the spatial pattern of traditional villages, and quantitatively reveals their key driving factors and interactions through the GeoDetector. The results show: (1) Traditional villages in the Loess Plateau present a significant clustered spatial distribution (Nearest Neighbor Index R = 0.47, Moran’s I = 0.189), with an overall pattern of “dense in the east and west, sparse in the center,” primarily concentrated within an elliptical area with an flattening ratio of 0.664 and a directional angle of 84.5°, and with high-density areas located in Shanxi Province, the Yellow River basin along the Shanxi-Shaanxi border, and the Hehuang Valley. (2) Spatially, five major core clusters are formed, presenting a layered structure of “core clustering, gradient transition,” and exhibiting a non-stable diffusion trend towards the periphery. (3) The spatial differentiation is a result of the synergistic driving of human and natural factors, with human factors having a stronger overall explanatory power. Among them, the density of cultural heritage sites (q = 0.546) is the primary driving factor, followed by annual precipitation (q = 0.458), population size (q = 0.457), and urbanization rate (q = 0.354). The interaction between factors is significant and mostly shows non-linear enhancement, for instance, the interactive explanatory power of population size and the density of cultural heritage sites is as high as 0.852.
Understanding semaglutide action in the brain
Molecular basis for Gβγ-SNARE-mediated inhibition of synaptic vesicle fusion
Correction: Exploring a method for extracting concerns of multiple breast cancer patients in the domain of patient narratives using BERT and its optimization by domain adaptation using masked language modeling
Mosquito-targeted malaria control
The structural characteristics of cellular phospholipid acyl chains required for ABCA1-mediated HDL formation
Association between physical activity level and cardiovascular disease: An empirical analysis based on CHARLS data in 2018
Objective Cardiovascular disease (CVD) was a global public health challenge. This study aimed to investigate the association between physical activity level (PAL) and CVD among middle-aged and older adults in China, to provide evidence to inform strategies for CVD prevention and management. Methods The diagnosis of CVD was based on self-reported physician-diagnosed heart disease or stroke, while PAL were classified using calculations derived from a structured questionnaire. Both datasets were obtained from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) survey. A multivariate logistic regression model was used for the primary correlation analysis. Additionally, restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression was employed to examine the potential nonlinear association between PAL and CVD. Results The final analysis included 9,015 participants, 1,069 of whom were diagnosed with CVD, yielding a prevalence of 11.86%. After adjusting for all covariates, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for the moderate PAL group (600−3000 MET-minutes/week) and the high PAL group (>3000 MET-minutes/week) were 0.79 (95% CI: 0.64–0.97) and 0.72 (95% CI: 0.60–0.87), respectively, compared to the low PAL group (<600 MET-minutes/week). Furthermore, restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a significant linear relationship between PAL and CVD (nonlinear P > 0.05), indicating that the OR for CVD decreased with higher levels of PAL. Conclusions This study revealed a negative correlation between PAL and the prevalence of CVD. Furthermore, our findings suggested that middle-aged and older adults should maintain moderate to high levels of physical activity, as this was associated with a lower risk of CVD.
Inhibiting myosin in glioblastoma
A molecular basis underpinning TRBV28+ T-cell receptor recognition of MR1–antigen
Non-exchangeable hydrogen (δ2H) stable isotope ratios in fauna provide enhanced dietary, isotopic niche and home range reconstruction at Aqaba Castle, Jordan
Bone collagen of terrestrial and marine animals (n = 218) recovered from Ottoman period contexts at Aqaba Castle, Jordan (16th–19th centuries CE), were analyzed for δ13C, δ15N, and δ2H isotope ratios. While δ13C and δ15N values showed considerable overlap among species in the hyperarid environment, δ2H values exhibited less overlap, enhancing stable isotopic niche differentiation. In domesticates, δ2H values show trophic enrichments of +18.4‰ from herbivores to omnivores (dogs), and +26‰ to cats which had the highest δ2H values. Fish δ2H values show a positive relationship with increasing trophic level but also moderately correlate with body size (r = 0.61, R2 = 0.37). The offset between collagen δ2H and rainfall (δ2Hmw) values is smaller for camels (−1.4‰), sheep (−4.5‰), and goats (+6.8%), than for chickens (−18.5‰) and cattle (−27.0‰) due to more frequent consumption of 2H-depleted groundwater by the latter species, because of their higher water requirements. Similarities between local precipitation and bone collagen δ2H values for most terrestrial herbivores suggest the utility of δ2H values for geographic provenancing. This is explored by overlapping gazelle and chukar collagen δ2H values over a regional δ2Hmw isoscape, tentatively suggesting these species inhabited the water-stressed highland environments surrounding Aqaba Castle. This study demonstrates the advantages of incorporating bone collagen δ2H values alongside δ13C and δ15N values as a useful environmental proxy, enhancing interpretations of animal dietary behaviour, trophic levels, water sources, and wild animal home ranges.
Base editing tackles trinucleotide repeat diseases
Repurposing clofazimine as an antibiotic to treat cholera: Identification of cellular and structural targets
Preparation of cardan joint by selective laser sintering and properties of polyamide-12 and portland cement powder mixture
A homogeneous mixture of polyamide-12 (PA-12) and Portland cement (PC) powder material was prepared using the Sinterit sifter. Many techniques were used to detect morphological and functional properties. The scanning electron microscope confirms the proper mixing of both components. Thermal testing indicates that at 453.15 K, the change in molecular weight occurred more rapidly. The results of differential scanning calorimetry confirm that as the molecular weight increases, the glass transition temperature and melting temperature increase while the crystallization temperature of the material decreases. According to the results, a mixture of PA-12 and PC powder exhibits excellent mechanical properties, making it suitable for various applications. Thermally, mechanically, and chemically, they are often the best choice in the most demanding applications that require both high mechanical strength and durability at high temperatures. Due to this, polyamide powders and cement mixtures with narrow particle sizes show promise for additive manufacturing and selective laser sintering. This study focuses on developing a new mixture material by combining cement additives with PA-12 to reduce costs and enhance the mechanical properties of sintered specimens (cardan joints). The blended material will cost less than pure PA-12 because cement is significantly cheaper than PA-12.