Neural Quantum Embedding via Deterministic Quantum Computation with One Qubit.

Quantum computing is expected to provide an exponential speedup in machine learning. However, optimizing the data loading process, commonly referred to as "quantum data embedding," to maximize classification performance remains a critical challenge. In this Letter, we propose a neural quantum embedding (NQE) technique based on deterministic quantum computation with one qubit (DQC1).

On-Demand Nanoliter Delivering Platform via Electrical-Activated Microdroplet Assembling.

Precise delivery of nanoliter-scale reagents is essential for high-throughput biochemical assays, yet existing platforms often lack real-time control and selective content fusion. Conventional methods rely on passive encapsulation or stochastic pairing, limiting both throughput and biochemical specificity. Here, we introduce an on-demand nanoliter delivery platform that seamlessly integrates electrical sensing, triggered droplet merging, and passive sorting in a single continuous flow.

Quantum-Size Effect Induced Andreev Bound States in Ultrathin Metallic Islands Proximitized by a Superconductor.

While Andreev bound states (ABSs) have been realized in engineered superconducting junctions, their direct observation in normal metal-superconductor heterostructures-enabled by quantum confinement-remains experimentally elusive. Here, we report the detection of ABSs in ultrathin metallic islands (Bi, Ag, and SnTe) grown on the s-wave superconductor NbN. Using high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy, we clearly reveal in-gap ABSs with energies symmetric about the Fermi level.

Integrating population-level and cell-based signatures for drug repositioning.

Motivation: Drug repositioning presents a streamlined and cost-efficient way to expand the range of therapeutic possibilities. Drugs with human genetic evidence are more likely to advance successfully through clinical trials towards FDA approval. Single gene-based drug repositioning methods have been implemented, but approaches leveraging a broad spectrum of molecular signatures remain underexplored.

MRI Assessment of Radiation-Induced Delayed-Onset Microstructural Gray Matter Changes in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients.

Background: The dynamic progression of gray matter (GM) microstructural alterations following radiotherapy (RT) in patients, and the relationship between these microstructural abnormalities and cortical morphometric changes remains unclear.

Purpose: To longitudinally characterize RT-related GM microstructural changes and assess their potential causal links with classic morphometric alterations in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Study Type: Prospective, longitudinal.

Effects of sini decoction-mediated cellular mitochondrial autophagy on M1 macrophage polarization and its impact on a mouse model of peripheral artery disease.

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Sini Decoction on a murine model of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and to explore its potential mechanisms of action related to mitochondrial autophagy and M1 macrophage polarization. A total of 36 specific-pathogen-free Kunming mice were used to establish a PAD model and were randomly assigned into four groups: the experimental group (EG, administered Sini Decoction via gavage), the control group (CG, administered rapamycin via gavage), the model group (MG, administered 0.9% sodium chloride solution via gavage), and the normal group (NG, administered 0.

The Shared Neural Substrates of Emotional Mimicry and Emotional Contagion: an ALE Meta-analysis and MACM Analysis.

Emotional contagion is an important aspect of social interaction. Traditional theories suggest that it relies on mimicry of facial or emotional movements. To address the question of whether there is a distinction between emotional contagion and emotional mimicry, we conducted a meta-analysis using the ALE algorithm to identify brain regions activated by the two tasks.

Sulfate Promotes Amine Salt Ozonation in Atmospheric Aerosols.

Low molecular weight amines promote sulfate (SO and HSO) formation through acid-base reactions, contributing to fine particulate matter (PM). Heterogeneous ozonation converts nontoxic amine salts into highly toxic products, yet the ozonation activation mechanism is unclear. This work reveals a sulfate-dominant ozonation mechanism of amine salts in fine PM by combining advanced mass spectrometry and ab initio calculation methods.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Mechanisms of Pathogenicity.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), the leading cause of death globally. HCM can precipitate heart failure (HF) by causing the cardiac tissue to weaken and stretch, thereby impairing its pumping efficiency. Moreover, HCM increases the risk of atrial fibrillation, which in turn elevates the likelihood of thrombus formation and stroke.

Microautophagy: definition, classification, and the complexity of the underlying mechanisms.

Recently, rapid progress in the field of microautophagy (MI-autophagy) revealed the existence of multiple subtypes that differ in both intracellular membrane dynamics and molecular mechanisms. As a result, a single umbrella term "microautophagy" has become too vague, even creating some confusion among researchers both within and outside the field. We herein describe different subtypes of MI-autophagic processes and propose a systematic approach for naming them more accurately.

Hybrid Endovascular Repair Combined With Surgical Hematoma Evacuation for a Giant Ruptured Spontaneous Femoral Artery Pseudoaneurysm.

Spontaneous femoral artery pseudoaneurysms (SFAPs) represent a rare vascular entity. We report the successful hybrid management of a large, wide-necked ruptured SFAP in an 85-year-old male. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) confirmed a massive pseudoaneurysm originating from the distal right superficial femoral artery (SFA) with severe circumferential arterial calcification.

Depressive Symptoms and Their Association With Quality of Life in Older Adults With Cataracts: A National Survey in China.

Background: Depression is common among older adults with cataracts and is associated with significant functional impairment. However, the complex interrelationships among different depression symptoms are often overlooked by conventional mood disorders research based on total scores of depression measures. This study examined the interrelationships between different depressive symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in older adults with cataracts based on a national survey.

A machine learning based dual-energy CT elemental decomposition method and its physical-biological impacts on carbon ion therapy.

Background: Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) enhances material differentiation by leveraging energy-dependent attenuation properties particularly for carbon ion therapy. Accurate estimation of tissue elemental composition via DECT can improve quantification of physical and biological doses.

Objective: This study proposed a novel machine-learning-based DECT (ML-DECT) method to predict the physical density and mass ratios of H, C, N, O, P, and Ca.

New strategies for tumor diagnosis and therapy with ultrasound assisted by nanomaterials.

With the development of nanomedicine and ultrasound technology, ultrasound-enhanced contrast agents and treatment platforms based on nanomaterials have become important tools for tumor diagnosis and treatment, owing to their high safety profile, low cost and excellent biocompatibility. This review comprehensively discusses the classification and mechanism of nanomaterials in enhancing ultrasound imaging and treatment. It encompasses organic nanomaterials, including nanobubbles and polymer nanoparticles, and as well as inorganic nanomaterials, such as metal nanoparticles and metal oxide nanoparticles.

The X-Age Project to construct a Chinese aging clock.

The global surge in the population of people 60 years and older, including that in China, challenges healthcare systems with rising age-related diseases. To address this demographic change, the Aging Biomarker Consortium (ABC) has launched the X-Age Project to develop a comprehensive aging evaluation system tailored to the Chinese population. Our goal is to identify robust biomarkers and construct composite aging clocks that capture biological age, defined as an individual's physiological and molecular state, across diverse Chinese cohorts.

Neural basis of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for neuropathic pain relief.

Existing treatments for chronic pain often prove ineffective and carry adverse side effects, highlighting the need for better analgesics, including non-pharmacological treatments. We demonstrate that transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), when repeatedly applied during the early phase of nerve injury in mice, produces sustained analgesic effects by activating the dorsal column nucleus (DCN)-thalamic-cortical pathway, which transmits vibration, discriminative touch, and proprioception. Mechanistically, TENS selectively activates glutamatergic neurons in the DCN (DCN) via exciting Aβ low-threshold mechanoreceptors (Aβ-LTMRs) in dorsal root ganglia (DRGs).

The response of dissolved organic matter dynamics to flood events in tidal estuaries.

Tidal estuaries serve as critical zones for biogeochemical connectivity between terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems. With climate change magnifying the impact of flood events on riverine system, dissolved organic matter (DOM) cycling, the largest reactive elemental pool in ecosystems, in tidal estuaries tend to be more complex and remain poorly understood. To address this gap, the response of DOM dynamics to flood events in a typical tidal estuary was explored.

Global prevalence, incidence and years lived with disability of polycystic ovary syndrome highlights disease burden among adolescents.

Research Question: What is the global, regional and national burden of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), particularly in adolescents, based on data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study?

Design: Prevalence, incidence and years lived with disability (YLD) for PCOS were extracted from the GBD 2021 database, standardized via Bayesian meta-regression, and stratified by age, region and Socio-Demographic Index (SDI). Temporal trends (1990-2021) were presented, and future projections (to 2045) were modelled using autoregressive integrated moving average models.

Results: Between 1990 and 2021, the global prevalence of PCOS increased from 36.

Metabolic saboteurs: Tire wear particles hijack energy economy of zooplankton.

Tire wear particles (TWP) represent a significant source of marine microplastic pollution and have been shown to pose a considerable threat to marine organisms. In this study, the marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis was employed as a model organism to systematically assess the effects of micron-sized and nano-sized TWP, as well as their leachates, on rotifer behavior, and underlying molecular mechanisms. The results revealed that TWP exposure significantly reduced rotifer motility, evidenced by decreased swimming speed and acceleration.

Targeting Fibrotic Scarring by Mechanoregulation of Il11ra1/Itga11 Fibroblast Patterning Promotes Axon Growth after Spinal Cord Injury.

Fibrotic scarring remains a critic obstacle to axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI). Current strategies primarily concentrating on eliminating extracellular matrix (ECM) components neglect their dispensable roles in maintaining tissue integrity. Here, it is reported that the mechanical strength of an integrated hydrogel composed of hyaluronic acid-graft-dopamine and HRR peptide directs fibroblast migration, determining ECM deposition.

Localized Gradient Conductivity Enabled Ultrasensitive Flexible Tactile Sensors with Ultrawide Linearity Range.

The high sensitivity and wide linearity are crucial for flexible tactile sensors in adapting to diverse application scenarios with high accuracy and reliability. However, conventional optimization strategies of constructing microstructures suffer from the mutual restriction between the high sensitivity and wide linearity. Herein, a novel design of localized gradient conductivity (LGC) with partly covered low-conductivity (low-σ) carbon/Polydimethylsiloxane layer on high-conductivity (high-σ) silver nanowires film upon the micro-dome structure is proposed.

"Sandwiched Individuals" Exploring the Push and Pull Factors Influencing Retention Among Mid-Career Nurses: An Integrative Review.

Aim: To systematically analyse international empirical literature and establish a comprehensive understanding of the push and pull factors influencing retention and turnover among mid-career nurses.

Design: An integrative review.

Data Sources: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE (Ovid), and CINAHL (EBSCO) were searched for studies published between January 2001 and November 2024.

The Relationship Between Human Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins and the Risk of Delirium: A Study Based on Genetic Data.

Background: Delirium is an acute cognitive disturbance that is linked to increased healthcare costs, extended hospitalization, and a greater incidence of adverse outcomes, including cognitive decline. Despite its clinical importance, existing strategies for predicting and managing delirium remain inadequate. This study, therefore, sought to investigate the potential relationship between cerebrospinal fluid proteins and delirium via Mendelian randomization (MR) and to identify potential therapeutic targets.

Dependence and Precarity in the Gig Economy: A Longitudinal Analysis of Platform Work and Mental Distress.

While there is a growing body of literature examining platform dependence and its implications for mental health, much of the research has focused on gig workers with small sample sizes. The lack of large-scale quantitative research, particularly using longitudinal representative data, limits a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic relationship between platform dependence and mental distress. This study uses nationally representative data from the UK and fixed effects models to explore the heterogeneity of gig work, specifically examining differences in mental distress between high-dependence workers (those solely engaged in gig work) and low-dependence workers (those also employed in other jobs).

Quality of life in patients with euthymic bipolar disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies.

Introduction: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic psychiatric condition associated with significant impairments in quality of life (QoL). Although relevant studies have been conducted, findings on QoL among euthymic BD patients have been inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify QoL impairments across different domains in euthymic BD patients compared to healthy controls and examine potential moderators.