In a paper published in National Science Review, the team of Pro. Liu present an innovative computational framework, the sample-perturbed Gaussian graphical model (sPGGM), designed to analyse disease progression and identify pre-disease stages at the specific sample/cell level based on optimal transport theory and Gaussian graphical models. The proposed sPGGM provides a new single-sample way to identify the pre-disease state and discover signaling molecules leading to potential disease, which showcases exceptional effectiveness and robustness for both bulk and single-cell data analyses, offering a novel perspective for personalized disease prediction.

This collection of four pioneering studies showcases the transformative capabilities of the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO), whose unmatched sensitivity (>100 TeV) and hybrid detector system (KM2A/WCDA) are redefining ultra-high-energy (UHE) gamma-ray astronomy. Key breakthroughs include: (1) Identifying young star-forming region W43 as a Galactic cosmic-ray accelerator (up to hundreds of TeV), evidenced by extended emission coinciding with dense gas and OB stars; (2) Resolving particle acceleration to 300 TeV within the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) of composite SNR CTA1, revealing advection-dominated transport under ≈4.5 μG magnetic fields; (3) Detecting extended VHE emissions around pulsar J0248+6021, providing critical insights into PWN-to-halo evolutionary transitions; and (4) Unraveling the mysterious UHE source J0056+6346u, potentially powered by hidden pulsars or SNR candidate. These results leverage LHAASO's ​​exceptional detector performance​​ to constrain both particle transport dynamics and extreme acceleration mechanisms across the 1 TeV–1 PeV energy range. LHAASO is ushering in a new era of UHE astrophysics, bringing us closer than ever to solving century-old cosmic-ray mysteries.

Brain aneurysm is the leading cause of brain hemorrhages. To combat the growing cases of brain aneurysms in China, researchers are conducting a large-scale, national clinical study to evaluate the best surgical and endovascular treatments for unruptured brain aneurysms. The China Treatment Trial for Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm (ChTUIA) has enrolled up to 25,000 patients across 83 hospitals and is all set to refine the treatment guidelines for brain aneurysms in Chinese patients.

Abstract

Purpose – This study explores the contagion of greenwashing strategies among ESG mutual funds. It investigates how the greenwashing behaviors of peer funds within the same family influence a fund’s decision to engage in greenwashing. The research also examines the impact of greenwashing on genuine ESG funds and explores the mechanisms through which greenwashing strategies spread across ESG mutual funds.

Design/methodology/approach – This paper employs a two-stage least squares regression model with cross-fund returns standard deviation as an instrumental variable to disentangle the peer effects of greenwashing from family-level characteristics. The analysis incorporates various fund characteristics and introduces four contagion channels through which greenwashing may influence genuine ESG funds.

Findings – The study finds greenwashing behavior in ESG funds is positively influenced by similar practices within their fund family. Larger assets under management and older funds with higher management fees show resilience against greenwashing influences, while team-managed funds are more susceptible. Additionally, socially responsible investors struggle to distinguish between genuine and greenwashing ESG funds, which may contribute to the persistence of greenwashing practices.

Originality/value – This paper contributes to the literature by delineating the mechanisms of greenwashing contagion within ESG mutual funds. It also examines the demand-side incentives for adopting greenwashing strategies, offering insights into the implications for fund flows and investor behavior. This study is among the first to analyze the contagion effects of greenwashing strategies across an extensive network of ESG funds, enriching our understanding of the broader impacts of greenwashing in the context of socially responsible investing.

To overcome quenching and spatial localization in conventional plasmonic antenna–2D semiconductor hybrids, a plasmonic metasurface was developed. By applying Babinet’s principle to design hollow nano-antennas and inducing surface lattice resonances (SLRs), the research team minimized non-radiative losses and achieved large-area emission enhancement. This work presents a scalable approach for realizing low-power, high-brightness light emission in flexible optoelectronic devices.

New research uncovers the potential of fucoxanthin, a natural compound from brown algae, as a promising ingredient in cosmeceutical formulations. The study highlights its significant anti-aging and skin-protective properties.

Single Ga³⁺ species has been successfully located at the ion-exchanged sites of mesoporous hollow-structured ZSM-5. This catalyst shows a propane conversion of 97.4% and aromatic selectivity of 78.2%. BTX selectivity exceeded 88%, with a record turnover number (TON) of 57,479. Enhanced mass transport and coke resistance stem from its unique architecture, alongside clarified Ga³⁺/H⁺ synergy. This innovation enables efficient shale gas valorization, advancing green chemical processes.

The hook effect is best explained by how the analyte signal generated from the assay is compromised due to either antibody excess or antigen excess. Reporting false negatives can also impact clinical decisions that may have adverse effects on the patient. The clinical impact of the hook effect will lead to reporting either inaccurately low or false-negative results. Six different patient pools were tested using immunoassay screening methods and also the LC-MS/MS confirmation method. For the immunoassay screening method, 50 ​μL of each patient sample is pooled together for every 100 patient samples. If there is a sample with the hook effect, it would give a very low or a negative result when the pool is tested neat and it would give a positive result when the pool is tested in a 1∶100 dilution. The drugs tested included Cannabinoids, Benzodiazepines, Amphetamines, Ecstasy, EDP, Opiates, Heroin, Cocaine, Fentanyl, Oxycodone and a combined method for Buprenorphine/Norbuprenorphine. Patient Pool number 6 showed a positive Buprenorphine and Norbuprenorphine that was traced back to the sample with the hook effect based on the suggested protocol. The random and different patient pools were prepared by using a Gilson GX241 liquid handler. The neat result for Pool number 6 showed the immunoassay for Buprenorpone and Norpuprenorphine was “Not Detected” at 2.1 ​μg/L while the LC-MS/MS result was 2,780 ​μg/L (cut-off <10 ​μg/L). However, the result for the 1 in 100 dilutions of the pool for the immunoassay was “Detected” at 37 ​μg/L without multiplying by the dilution factor. The result for the LC-MS/MS was 2,970 ​μg/L. The suggested protocol is practical and cost-effective to avoid the clinical impact of reporting either inaccurately low or false-negative results. Also, can be used for testing when suspected samples with the hook effect are investigated.

Abstract

Objective

Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), is a highly sensitive targeted mass spectrometry technique that is used to validate discovery phase mass spectrometry data. Through this simple technique, relative protein expressions can be acquired without using commercially available antibodies.

Methods

Our previous work showed Gipie silencing of UM-HACC-2A (adenoid cystic carcinoma) cells resulted in upregulation of a plethora of immune proteins in immune cells in 3D ACC - immune co-culture model.

Results

MRM enabled determining relative protein expression of significantly upregulated immune proteins due to silencing of Gipie. Granzyme A, CD48, granzyme B, HLA class I, antigen B, HLA class I, antigen A, galectin 1, vimentin, endoplasmic reticulum chaperone BiP, and dipeptidyl peptidase 1 differential expressions were validated. Whereas coactosin-like protein expressions were found non-significant among control and Gipie silenced ACC.

Conclusions

This manuscript presents the validation data of previous discovery phase mass spectrometry and also accentuate the use of MRM in translational or preclinical studies in the field of biomedical sciences.