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Abstract Background The relationship between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis and cancer metabolism reprogramming is becoming increasingly evident. Ubiquitin-specific protease 11 (USP11), a member of the deubiquitinating enzyme family, has been linked to various cancer-related processes. While USP11 is known to promote HCC metastasis and proliferation, the precise mechanisms, especially those related to cancer metabolism, remain unclear. Methods Through mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and ubiquitination assays, we identified USP11 as the key deubiquitinase for SREBF1.Lipogenesis was evaluated using Oil Red O and Nile Red staining, along with the detection of triglycerides and cholesterol. To assess HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, Transwell assays, EDU, colony formation, and CCK-8 were conducted. Xenograft models in nude mice were developed to verify the role of the USP11/SREBF1 axis in lipogenesis and tumor growth in vivo. Results USP11 directly interacts with SREBF1, and its silencing leads to the disruption of SREBF1 stabilization through K48-linked deubiquitination and degradation. Importantly, the truncated mutant USP11 (503–938 aa) interacts with the truncated mutant SREBF1 (569–1147aa), with K1151 playing a crucial role in this interaction. Higher levels of USP11 enhance lipogenesis, proliferation, and metastasis in HCC cells. Importantly, the knockdown of SREBF1 weakened the effects of USP11 in enhancing lipogenesis and tumorigenesis. Futhermore, the elevated expression of USP11 and SREBF1 in HCC tissue serves as an indicator of poor prognosis in HCC patients. Conclusions In summary, our study reveals that USP11 promotes HCC proliferation and metastasis through SREBF1-induced lipogenesis. These findings provide a foundation for novel therapies targeting lipid metabolism in HCC.

Abstract Solid stress, originating from rigid and elastic components of extracellular matrix and cells, is a typical physical hallmark of tumors. Mounting evidence indicates that elevated solid stress drives metastasis and affects prognosis. However, the molecular mechanism of how cancer cells sense solid stress, thereby exacerbating malignancy, remains elusive. In this study, our clinical data suggest that elevated stress in metastatic solid tumors is highly associated with the expression of cytoskeleton-associated protein 4 (CKAP4). Intriguingly, CKAP4, as a sensitive intracellular mechanosensor, responds specifically to solid stress in a subset of studied tumor micro-environmental elements through liquid–liquid phase separation. These micron-scaled CKAP4 puncta adhere tightly onto microtubules and dramatically reorchestrate their curvature and branching to enhance cell spreading, which, as a result, boosts cancer cell motility and facilitates distant metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, the intrinsically disordered region 1 (IDR1) of CKAP4 binds to microtubules, while IDR2 governs phase separation due to the Cav1.2-dependent calcium influx, which collectively remodels microtubules. These findings reveal an unprecedented mechanism of how cancer cells sense solid stress for cancer malignancy and bridge the gap between cancer physics and cancer cell biology.

Abstract Obstructed atomic insulator is recently proposed as an unconventional material, in which electric charge centers localized at sites away from the atoms. A half-filling surface state would emerge at specific interfaces cutting through these charge centers and avoid intersecting any atoms. In this article, we utilized photoemission spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations to study one of the obstructed atomic insulator candidates, NiP2. A floating surface state with large effective mass that is close to the Fermi level and isolated from all bulk states is resolved on the (100) cleavage plane, implying better catalytic activity in this plane than the previously studied surfaces. Density functional theory calculation results elucidate that this floating surface state is originated from the obstructed Wannier charge centers, albeit underwent surface reconstruction. Our findings not only shed lights on the study of obstructed atomic insulators, but also provide possible route for development of new catalysts.

Abstract Recently discovered Mn-based kagome materials, such as RMn6Sn6 (R = rare-earth element), exhibit the coexistence of topological electronic states and long-range magnetic order, offering a platform for studying quantum phenomena. However, understanding the electronic and magnetic properties of these materials remains incomplete. Here, we investigate the electronic structure and magnetic properties of GdMn6Sn6 using x-ray magnetic circular dichroism, photoemission spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. We observe localized electronic states from spin frustration in the Mn-based kagome lattice and induced magnetic moments in the nonmagnetic element Sn experimentally, which originate from the Sn- $$p$$ p and Mn- $$d$$ d orbital hybridization. Our calculations also reveal ferromagnetic coupling within the kagome Mn-Mn layer, driven by double exchange interaction. This work provides insights into the mechanisms of magnetic interaction and magnetic tuning in the exploration of topological quantum materials.

Abstract The charge density wave (CDW), as a hallmark of vanadium-based kagome superconductor AV3Sb5 (A = K, Rb, Cs), has attracted intensive attention. However, the fundamental controversy regarding the underlying mechanism of CDW therein persists. Recently, the vanadium-based bi-layered kagome metal ScV6Sn6, reported to exhibit a long-range charge order below 94 K, has emerged as a promising candidate to further clarify this core issue. Here, employing micro-focusing angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (μ-ARPES) and first-principles calculations, we systematically studied the unique CDW order in vanadium-based bi-layered kagome metals by comparing ScV6Sn6 with its isostructural counterpart YV6Sn6, which lacks a CDW ground state. Combining ARPES data and the corresponding joint density of states (DOS), we suggest that the VHS nesting mechanism might be invalid in these materials. Besides, in ScV6Sn6, we identified multiple hybridization energy gaps resulting from CDW-induced band folding, along with an anomalous band dispersion, implying a potential electron-phonon coupling-driven mechanism underlying the formation of the CDW order. Our finding not only comprehensively maps the electronic structure of V-based bi-layer kagome metals but also provides constructive experimental evidence for the unique origin of CDW in this system.

As a result of significant advances in geophysics, we have developed a rich arsenal of geophysical methods to infer the internal structure of the Earth. However, the method we could use to infer the internal structure of celestial bodies other than the Earth are still very limited, often relying on geodetic data from orbital probes, landers and astronomical observations. Among these geodetic method, solid tides are of great importance for the study of the celestial bodies' internal structure. Solid tidal deformation and the tidal dissipation provide key information about the internal structure of the rocky celestial bodies, especially the deep structure which contains core-mantle boundary and core. In this paper, we present a comprehensive overview of the research of the deep structure of rocky celestial bodies using solid tidal parameters, including tidal Love numbers and tidal quality factor. First, the basic theory of solid tides, tidal parameters, and viscoelastic models are introduced, and the relationship between the internal structural parameters of the celestial bodies and their solid tidal response is established. This is followed by a review and summary of existing work using solid tide parameters to study the internal structure of the rocky celestial bodies like Mercury, Venus, Mars, and the Moon. Examples include the study of the viscoelastic structure at the base of the lunar mantle using tidal parameters, and the use of tidal parameters to improve the uncertainty of the Martian core radius demonstrate that using solid tidal parameters is an effective method of constraining the deep structure of the celestial bodies. We further provide the contribution of high-precision observations to be acquired by future missions to the study of internal structure. However, there still are some problems in study the internal structure of celestial bodies by solid tidal parameters. For instance, the variability of dissipation strength between different viscoelastic models, the mismatch between short-period experimental data and macroscopic long-period theoretical calculations of viscoelastic models, and so on. We also discuss and analyzes these problems and provides a vision of future research direction.

Abstract The emergence of biomagnetism imaging has led to the development of ultrasensitive and compact spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) atomic magnetometers that promise high-resolution magnetocardiography (MCG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG). However, conventional optical components are not compatible with nanofabrication processes that enable the integration of atomic magnetometers on chips, especially for elliptically polarized laser-pumped SERF magnetometers with bulky optical systems. In this study, an elliptical-polarization pumping beam (at 795 nm) is achieved through a single-piece metasurface, which results in an SERF magnetometer with a high sensitivity reaching 10.61 fT/Hz1/2 by utilizing a 87Rb vapor cell with a 3 mm inner diameter. To achieve the optimum theoretical polarization, our design combines a computer-assisted optimization algorithm with an emerging metasurface design process. The metasurface is fabricated with 550 nm thick silicon-rich silicon nitride on a 2 × 2 cm 2 SiO2 substrate and features a 22.17° ellipticity angle (a deviation from the target polarization of less than 2%) and more than 80% transmittance. This study provides a feasible approach for on-chip polarization control of future all-integrated atomic magnetometers, which will further pave the way for high-resolution biomagnetism imaging and portable atomic sensing applications.

Abstract Recently, unconventional antiferromagnets that enable the spin splitting (SS) of electronic states have been theoretically proposed and experimentally realized, where the magnetic sublattices containing moments pointing at different directions are connected by a novel set of symmetries. Such SS is substantial, k‐dependent, and independent of the spin–orbit coupling (SOC) strength, making these magnets promising materials for antiferromagnetic spintronics. Here, combined with angle‐resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, a systematic study on CrSb, a metallic spin‐split antiferromagnet candidate with Néel temperature TN = 703 K, is conducted. The data reveal the electronic structure of CrSb along both out‐of‐plane and in‐plane momentum directions, rendering an anisotropic k‐dependent SS that agrees well with the calculational results. The magnitude of such SS reaches up to at least 0.8 eV at non‐high‐symmetry momentum points, which is significantly higher than the largest known SOC‐induced SS. This compound expands the choice of materials in the field of antiferromagnetic spintronics and is likely to stimulate subsequent investigations of high‐efficiency spintronic devices that are functional at room temperature.

Abstract Aim This cross‐sectional study investigates the factors that contribute to academic resilience among nursing students during COVID‐19 pandemic. Design A cross‐sectional study. Methods A survey was conducted in a general hospital between November and December 2022. The Nursing Student Academic Resilience Inventory (NSARI) model was used to assess the academic resilience of 96 nursing students. The Boruta method was then used to identify the core factors influencing overall academic resilience, and rough set analysis was used to analyse the behavioural patterns associated with these factors. Results Attributes were categorised into three importance levels. Three statistically significant attributes were identified (“I earn my patient's trust by making suitable communication,” “I receive support from my instructors,” and “I try to endure academic hardship”) based on comparison with shadow attributes. The rough set analysis showed nine main behavioural patterns. Random forest, support vector machines, and backpropagation artificial neural networks were used to test the performance of the model, with accuracies ranging from 73.0% to 76.9%. Conclusion Our results provide possible strategies for improving academic resilience and competence of nursing students.

Lysine succinylation (Ksu) has recently emerged as a protein modification that regulates diverse functions in various biological processes. However, the systemically and precise role of lysine succinylation in erythropoiesis remains to be fully elucidated. In this study, we noted a prominent increase of succinyl-CoA and lysine succinylation during human erythroid differentiation. To explore the functional significance of succinylation, we inhibited succinylation by either knock downing key succinyltransferases or overexpressing desuccinylases. Succinylation inhibition led to suppressed cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and disrupted erythroid differentiation. In vivo overexpression of the desuccinylases SIRT5 delayed erythroid differentiation. Furthermore, integrative proteome and succinylome analysis identifies 939 succinylated proteins with 3,562 Ksu sites, distributed across various cellular compartments and involved in multiple cellular processes. Significantly, inconsistencies between protein expression levels and succinylation levels were observed, indicating that the succinylation of certain proteins may function independently of expression. Mechanistically, we implicated KAT2A-mediated succinylation of histone H3 K79, leading to chromatin remodeling and subsequently erythropoiesis regulation. Specially, we identified CYCS as a key regulator of erythropoiesis, which depends on its succinylation sites K28/K40. Taken together, our comprehensive investigation of the succinylation landscape during erythropoiesis provides valuable insights into its regulatory role and offer potential implications for erythroid-related diseases.

Abstract Background Previous studies have demonstrated the role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation in various biological processes, our research is the first to elucidate its specific impact on LCAT mRNA stability and adipogenesis in poultry. Results The 6 100-day-old female chickens were categorized into high (n = 3) and low-fat chickens (n = 3) based on their abdominal fat ratios, and their abdominal fat tissues were processed for MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq. An integrated analysis of MeRIP-seq and RNA-seq omics data revealed 16 differentially expressed genes associated with to differential m6A modifications. Among them, ELOVL fatty acid elongase 2 (ELOVL2), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4), fatty acid binding protein 9 (PMP2), fatty acid binding protein 1 (FABP1), lysosomal associated membrane protein 3 (LAMP3), lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and solute carrier family 2 member 1 (SLC2A1) have ever been reported to be associated with adipogenesis. Interestingly, LCAT was down-regulated and expressed along with decreased levels of mRNA methylation methylation in the low-fat group. Mechanistically, the highly expressed ALKBH5 gene regulates LCAT RNA demethylation and affects LCAT mRNA stability. In addition, LCAT inhibits preadipocyte proliferation and promotes preadipocyte differentiation, and plays a key role in adipogenesis. Conclusions In conclusion, ALKBH5 mediates RNA stability of LCAT through demethylation and affects chicken adipogenesis. This study provides a theoretical basis for further understanding of RNA methylation regulation in chicken adipogenesis.

Abstract The low porosity of metal‐organic framework glass makes it difficult to prepare membranes with high permeability. To solve this problem, we fabricated a series of self‐supported zeolite glass composite membranes with different 4A zeolite loadings using the abundant pore structure of the zeolite. The 4A zeolite embedded in the zeolite glass composite membrane preserved the ligand bonds and chemical structure. The self‐supported zeolite glass composite membranes exhibited good interfacial compatibility. More importantly, the incorporation of the 4A zeolite significantly improved the CO2 adsorption capacity of the pure agZIF‐62 membranes. In addition, gas separation performance measurements showed that the (agZIF‐62)0.7(4A)0.3 membrane had a permeability of 13,329 Barrer for pure CO2 and an ideal selectivity of 31.7 for CO2/CH4, which exceeded Robeson's upper bound. The (agZIF‐62)0.7(4A)0.3 membrane exhibited good operational stability in the variable pressure test and 48 h long‐term continuous test. This study provides a method for preparing zeolite glass composite membranes.

The synthesis of high-performance rare-earth borides (e.g., RB2, RB4, R2B5, RB6, RB12, and RB66) typically necessitates sintering at high temperatures and high pressures for prolonged durations. Traditional methods, such as hot-pressing sintering and spark plasma sintering, are marked by high production costs and low efficiency. Here, using EuB6 as an example, we demonstrate the successful synthesis of rare-earth boride ceramics utilizing the one-step ultrafast joule heating technology. Using this method, we optimized the sintering temperature and duration and synthesized EuB6 ceramics with superior electronic and magnetic properties at 1600 °C in just 5 min. The EuB6 ceramics prepared under optimized conditions show distinct paramagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition, significant negative magnetoresistance, and enhanced magnetization. The combination of the one-step ultrafast Joule heating technology and boron thermal reduction method offers a simple and fast synthesis approach for fabricating polycrystalline EuB6 and may be extended to prepare other rare-earth and transition-metal borides.

Abstract BackgroundRecently, the growing demand for pediatric sedation services outside the operating room has imposed a heavy burden on pediatric centers in China. There is an urgent need to develop a novel system for improved sedation services. ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop and implement a computerized system, the Pediatric Sedation Assessment and Management System (PSAMS), to streamline pediatric sedation services at a major children’s hospital in Southwest China. MethodsPSAMS was designed to reflect the actual workflow of pediatric sedation. It consists of 3 main components: server-hosted software; client applications on tablets and computers; and specialized devices like gun-type scanners, desktop label printers, and pulse oximeters. With the participation of a multidisciplinary team, PSAMS was developed and refined during its application in the sedation process. This study analyzed data from the first 2 years after the system’s deployment. Implementation (Results)From January 2020 to December 2021, a total of 127,325 sedations were performed on 85,281 patients using the PSAMS database. Besides basic variables imported from Hospital Information Systems (HIS), the PSAMS database currently contains 33 additional variables that capture comprehensive information from presedation assessment to postprocedural recovery. The recorded data from PSAMS indicates a one-time sedation success rate of 97.1% (50,752/52,282) in 2020 and 97.5% (73,184/75,043) in 2021. The observed adverse events rate was 3.5% (95% CI 3.4%‐3.7%) in 2020 and 2.8% (95% CI 2.7%-2.9%) in 2021. ConclusionsPSAMS streamlined the entire sedation workflow, reduced the burden of data collection, and laid a foundation for future cooperation of multiple pediatric health care centers.

Abstract Emergent phenomena such as two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) and interfacial superconductivity and ferromagnetism are generally built on the interface between insulating oxide thin films and substrates, e.g., LaAlO3/SrTiO3, where the 2D profiles of these electronic states are precisely confined at the interface of two insulators. Herein we report a high-mobility electron gas state with unusual symmetry at the interface of the Sr2CrMoO6/SrTiO3 (110) heterostructures, the fermiology of which follows the cubic crystallographic symmetry rather than the two-dimensional interface itself, resulting in the identical Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations with applied magnetic field along all the twelve equivalent [110] crystallographic directions of SrTiO3, distinctly different from the 2D nature of the electron gas reported previously. Neutron diffraction verifies the predicted ferrimagnetic ordering between Cr and Mo moments. This, together with the magnetic hysteresis loops and negative magnetoresistance in low-field region, suggests possible spin polarization of itinerant electrons. Therefore, a quasi-3D profile, high mobility (up to 104 cm2 V−1 s−1) and possibly spin polarized electronic state is observed in the double-perovskite-based oxide heterostructures. This finding of the electronic properties in Sr2CrMoO6/SrTiO3 (110) heterostructure expands the knowledge of interfacial physics, as well as shines light on oxide-based electronics and spintronics research.

Abstract Quantum confinement is a restriction on the motion of electrons in a material to specific region, resulting in discrete energy levels rather than continuous energy bands. In certain materials, quantum confinement could dramatically reshape the electronic structure and properties of the surface with respect to the bulk. Here, in the recently discovered kagome superconductors CsV3Sb5, we unveil the dominant role of quantum confinement in determining their surface electronic structure. Combining angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurement and density-functional theory simulation, we report the observations of two-dimensional quantum well states due to the confinement of bulk electron pocket and Dirac cone to the nearly isolated surface layer. The theoretical calculations on the slab model also suggest that the ARPES observed spectra are almost entirely contributed by the top two layers. Our results not only explain the disagreement of band structures between the recent experiments and calculations, but also suggest an equally important role played by quantum confinement, together with strong correlation and band topology, in shaping the electronic properties of this material.

Abstract Objective To translate the Stressors in Breast Cancer Scale (SBCS) from English to Chinese and assess its psychometric properties. Methods The Brislin’s translation model was applied to perform forward translation, back translation, cross-cultural adaptation, Whereas the Chinese version of the SBCS was formed by conducting pre-testing. A cohort of 878 breast cancer patients participated in this methodological study. Content validity, construct validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and criterion-related validity were used to establish validity. Internal consistency reliability, split-half reliability, and test-retest reliability were used to establish reliability. Results The final scale contained five dimensions and 24 items, including interpersonal relationship and healthcare strains, worries and concerns about the future, physical appearance and sex strains, daily difficulties and health. The average content validity index of the scale was 0.975. The goodness-of-fit index (χ2/DF = 2.416, RMSEA = 0.057, GFI = 0.896, CFI = 0.947, IFI = 0.947, and TLI = 0.939) indicated that the model was well-fitted. The composite reliability (CR) of the dimensions ranged from 0.825 to 0.934, the average variance extracted (AVE) ranged from 0.539 to 0.712, and the correlation coefficients of each dimension with the other dimensions were less than the square root of the AVE for that dimension. The Criterion-related validity was 0.511. The Cronbach’s alpha was 0.938, and the dimensions ranged from 0.779 to 0.900. Split-half reliability was 0.853, with dimensions ranging from 0.761 to 0.892. Test-retest reliability was 0.855. Conclusions The Chinese version of the SBCS has good reliability and validity, which can be applied to the assessment of stressors in breast cancer patients in China.