Experimental signatures of the quantum-classical transition in a nanomechanical oscillator modeled as a damped driven double-well problem

We demonstrate robust and reliable signatures for the transition from quantum to classical behavior in the position probability distribution of a damped double-well system using the Qunatum State Diffusion approach to open quantum systems. We argue that these signatures are within experimental reach, for example in a doubly-clamped nanomechanical beam.Comment: Proceedings of the conference FMQT 1

Electroplating lithium transition metal oxides.

Materials synthesis often provides opportunities for innovation. We demonstrate a general low-temperature (260°C) molten salt electrodeposition approach to directly electroplate the important lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery cathode materials LiCoO2, LiMn2O4, and Al-doped LiCoO2. The crystallinities and electrochemical capacities of the electroplated oxides are comparable to those of the powders synthesized at much higher temperatures (700° to 1000°C). This new growth method significantly broadens the scope of battery form factors and functionalities, enabling a variety of highly desirable battery properties, including high energy, high power, and unprecedented electrode flexibility

Ethyl 5-[6-(furan-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thia­diazol-3-yl]-2,6-di­methylnicotinate

In the title compound, C17H15N5O3S, the plane of the triazolo–thia­diazole system forms dihedral angles of 15.68 and 4.46° with the planes of the pyridine and furan rings, respectively. In the mol­ecule, there is an intra­molecular C—H⋯N inter­action. The crystal structure also contains other inter­molecular inter­actions, such as C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, π–π stacking (centroid–centroid distances = 3.746 and 3.444 Å), non-bonded S⋯N [3.026 (2) Å] and C—H⋯π inter­actions

The amplitude of low frequency fluctuation and spontaneous brain activity alterations in age-related macular degeneration

BackgroundWet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) is a vision-threatening eye disease worldwide. The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) method was used to observe changes in spontaneous brain activity, which may help to investigate the underlying pathological mechanism of AMD.MethodsEighteen patients with wAMD and 18 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. The ALFF method was used on each subject and mean ALFF values were compared between groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to compare the two groups.ResultsALFF values in the temporal lobe and limbic lobe/parahippocampal gyrus were significantly higher than controls, while values in the postcentral gyrus were significantly lower. The under the curve of the ROC (AUC) of the three regions shows high accuracy of the diagnosis.ConclusionThe abnormal spontaneous brain activity of patients with AMD suggests scope for the use of ALFF in the diagnosis or prognosis in AMD

EZH2 inhibitors abrogate upregulation of trimethylation of H3K27 by CDK9 inhibitors and potentiate its activity against diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Aberrant expression of CDK9/cyclin T1 has been found in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and suggests that CDK9 is a potential therapeutic target for DLBCL. Here, we firstly demonstrated that CDKI-73, a novel cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) inhibitor, potently blocks CDK9, triggered apoptosis and dramatically repressed DLBCL cell growth owing to CDK9 inhibition. CDK9 inhibitors specifically elevated the trimethylation of H3K27, which we speculate was due to reduced expression of JMJD3/UTX. Considering the important role of the trimethylation of H3K27 in tumor progression, the synergistic effect of the combination therapy of CDK9 inhibitors with EZH2 inhibitors was investigated. EZH2 inhibitors reversed the upregulation of trimethylation of H3K27, and synergistically inhibited DLBCL and other solid tumors growth in vitro and in vivo. These findings provide a rational basis for the application of CDK9 inhibitors in combination with EZH2 inhibitors in clinical trials

Low- and high-thermogenic brown adipocyte subpopulations coexist in murine adipose tissue

Brown adipose tissue (BAT), as the main site of adaptive thermogenesis, exerts beneficial metabolic effects on obesity and insulin resistance. BAT has been previously assumed to contain a homogeneous population of brown adipocytes. Utilizing multiple mouse models capable of genetically labeling different cellular populations, as well as single-cell RNA sequencing and 3D tissue profiling, we discovered a new brown adipocyte subpopulation with low thermogenic activity coexisting with the classical high-thermogenic brown adipocytes within the BAT. Compared with the high-thermogenic brown adipocytes, these low-thermogenic brown adipocytes had substantially lower Ucp1 and Adipoq expression, larger lipid droplets, and lower mitochondrial content. Functional analyses showed that, unlike the high-thermogenic brown adipocytes, the low-thermogenic brown adipocytes have markedly lower basal mitochondrial respiration, and they are specialized in fatty acid uptake. Upon changes in environmental temperature, the 2 brown adipocyte subpopulations underwent dynamic interconversions. Cold exposure converted low-thermogenic brown adipocytes into high-thermogenic cells. A thermoneutral environment had the opposite effect. The recruitment of high-thermogenic brown adipocytes by cold stimulation is not affected by high fat diet feeding, but it does substantially decline with age. Our results revealed a high degree of functional heterogeneity of brown adipocytes

ENN's Roadmap for Proton-Boron Fusion Based on Spherical Torus

ENN Science and Technology Development Co., Ltd. (ENN) is committed to generating fusion energy in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner, which requires abundant aneutronic fuel. Proton-boron ( p-$^{11}$B or p-B) fusion is considered an ideal choice for this purpose. Recent studies have suggested that p-B fusion, although challenging, is feasible based on new cross-section data, provided that a hot ion mode and high wall reflection can be achieved to reduce electron radiation loss. The high beta and good confinement of the spherical torus (ST) make it an ideal candidate for p-B fusion. By utilizing the new spherical torus energy confinement scaling law, a reactor with a major radius $R_0=4$ m, central magnetic field $B_0=6$ T, central temperature $T_{i0}=150$ keV, plasma current $I_p=30$ MA, and hot ion mode $T_i/T_e=4$ can yield p-B fusion with $Q>10$. A roadmap for p-B fusion has been developed, with the next-generation device named EHL-2. EHL stands for ENN He-Long, which literally means ``peaceful Chinese Loong". The main target parameters include $R_0\simeq1.05$ m, $A\simeq1.85$, $B_0\simeq3$ T, $T_{i0}\simeq30$ keV, $I_p\simeq3$ MA, and $T_i/T_e\geq2$. The existing ST device EXL-50 was simultaneously upgraded to provide experimental support for the new roadmap, involving the installation and upgrading of the central solenoid, vacuum chamber, and magnetic systems. The construction of the upgraded ST fusion device, EXL-50U, was completed at the end of 2023, and it achieved its first plasma in January 2024. The construction of EHL-2 is estimated to be completed by 2026.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figure