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REBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ (REBCO, RE = rare earth elements) cryomagnets have considerable potential for magnetic applications due to their high field trapping capacities over 10 T at temperatures below 77 K. The controlled nucleation of REBCO crystals for attaining superior performance decisively relies on the seeding strategy related to seed material and seeding assembly. Recently, buffer-assisted seeding approaches have been developed for reliable growth, in which buffer-crystals are by-products and discarded after splitting off from main crystals as ceramic waste though containing certain expensive matters such as RE, Ag and Pt. Here, for the first time, we succeeded in utilizing YBCO and NdBCO/Ag buffer-crystals as seeds for producing REBCO crystals under maximum processing temperatures of 1015 ℃ and 1053 ℃, respectively. YBCO specimens were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and secondary ion mass spectrometry. It was verified that the buffer-crystal was 5.5 K higher than the normal-crystal in peritectic temperature (T p). Furthermore, the highly distributed Mg element was identified in the upper middle part of buffer-crystal, which was diffused from the Mg-involved NdBCO seed in previous fabrication. It is the Mg existence that enhanced T p of the buffer-crystal and made it highly thermal stable in seeding YBCO growth. In contrast to expensive commercial film-seeds and multistep home-prepared crystal-seeds, buffer-crystal-seeds distinctively have cost- and time-saving benefits. Most importantly, the current success adds new value of reusability to buffer-assisted seeding approaches towards a sustainable fabrication of REBCO cryomagnets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: We aimed to determine whether preprocedural renal function affects the outcome of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) and whether this effect is modified by the onset‐to‐reperfusion time (OTR) and mediated by collateral status. Methods: Eligible patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) who underwent MT between August 2018 and August 2020 were reviewed. The main outcome was good functional outcome [defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of 0–2] at 3 months. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between renal function and good functional outcome. A moderation analysis and the Johnson‐Neyman technique were performed to assess the interaction between renal function and OTR to predict the outcome of AIS patients with MT. Results: Among 100 enrolled patients, 36 (36%) exhibited good functional outcome. A decreased preprocedural estimated glomerular filtration rate (pre‐eGFR) was significantly associated with worse functional outcome [adjusted OR, 1.059 (1.012–1.108); p, 0.014], and this effect was partly mediated by collateral circulation. An interaction between OTR and pre‐eGFR on functional outcome was observed (P for interaction, 0.22), and pre‐eGFR only had a significant effect on functional outcome when OTR exceeded 455.8 min. Moreover, the adverse effect of OTR on functional outcome became no longer significant when the pre‐eGFR was higher than 89.0 mL/min/1.73 mL/min/1.73 m². Conclusions: Renal function was related to functional outcome at 3 months, and this relationship could be modified by OTR. The results suggested that reducing OTR and improving collateral circulation may mitigate the adverse effect of reduced kidney function on functional outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to analyze the potential association between cognition reserve (CR) components, including education, working activity, and leisure time activity, and cognitive function in subjects with white matter hyperintensities (WMH). The study also explored the role of the frontoparietal control network (FPCN) in such association. Methods: White matter hyperintensities subjects with and without cognitive impairment (CI) were evaluated with multimodal magnetic resonance imaging, neuropsychological testing, and CR survey. FPCN patterns were assessed with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex seed‐based functional connectivity analysis. Results: Education was positively associated with cognitive function in WMH subjects with or without CI, whereas working activity and leisure time activity were positively associated with cognitive function only in those without CI. Similarly, education was associated with bilateral FPCN in both WMH groups, whereas working activity and leisure time activity were associated with bilateral FPCN mainly in the group without CI. Furthermore, FPCN partially mediated the association between education and cognitive function in both WMH groups. Conclusion: Education showed a positive impact on cognitive function in WMH subjects regardless of their cognitive status, whereas working activity and leisure time activity exhibited beneficial effects only in those without CI. The FPCN mediated the beneficial effect of education on cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stimulating superficial brain regions highly associated with the hippocampus by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may improve memory of Alzheimer's disease (AD) spectrum patients.Objective: We recruited 16 amnesic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and 6 AD patients in the study. All the patients were stimulated to the left angular gyrus, which was confirmed a strong link to the hippocampus through neuroimaging studies, by the neuro-navigated rTMS for four weeks.Methods: Automated fiber quantification using diffusion tensor imaging metrics and graph theory analysis on functional network were employed to detect the neuroplasticity of brain networks.Results: After neuro-navigated rTMS intervention, the episodic memory of aMCI patients and Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of two groups were significantly improved. Increased FA values of right anterior thalamic radiation among aMCI patients, while decreased functional network properties of thalamus subregions were observed, whereas similar changes not found in AD patients. It is worth noting that the improvement of cognition was associated with the neuroplasticity of thalamic system.Conclusion: We speculated that the rTMS intervention targeting left angular gyrus may be served as a strategy to improve cognitive impairment at the early stage of AD patients, supporting by the neuroplasticity of thalamic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High cognitive reserve (CR) protects against cognitive decline in individuals with white matter hyperintensities (WMH). However, the functional mechanisms remain relatively unknown. This work aimed to explore the effects of CR on the frontoparietal control network (FPCN) and cognitive function in subjects with WMH. One hundred and thirty-seven subjects with WMH and 95 control subjects without WMH underwent neuropsychological testing, CR assessments, and multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning. A mixed analysis of covariance with CR level (high CR vs. low CR) and WMH status (with WMH vs. without WMH) as fixed factors was performed on the FPCN. WMH volume was negatively correlated with global cognitive function in subjects with low CR not in those with high CR, suggesting a buffering effect of high CR. An interaction between CR and WMH was detected on the right FPCN in frontal regions. Specifically, control subjects with high CR had significantly higher functional connectivity (FC) in frontal regions than control subjects with low CR, whereas this relation was inverted in WMH subjects. Correlative analyses showed positive associations of the FC with cognitive performance in both WMH subjects and control subjects, although the associations were not significant after correction for multiple comparisons. In conclusion, CR differentially regulated the FPCN in frontal regions between subjects with WMH and those without WMH. This regulation supports the flexibility of CR in regulating brain function and may underlie the effects of CR on cognitive function in WMH subjects. • CR buffers the damaging effect of WMH on cognitive function. • CR interacts with WMH to regulate the frontoparietal control network (FPCN). • CR differentially regulates the FPCN between WMH subjects and control subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Large sized Ag-free SmBCO bulk with high performance was prepared in air. [•] An YBCO buffered NdBCO thin film on MgO substrate was used to guarantee a proper maximum processing temperature (T max). [•] We introduced Ba-rich Sm2Ba4Cu2O y (Sm242) phase into this work to ensure a high T c (over 94K). [•] Sm2Ba4CuBiO z (Sm2411) phase was employed to further reinforce J c (about 68KA/cm2). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]