Search

Graphical Abstract:

In this study, we investigated the influence of post-deposition annealing (PDA) process on lithium phosphate (Li3PO4) solid-state thin films on silicon carbide (SiC) substrate in terms of materials and electrical properties. Li3PO4thin films were deposited through radio frequency (RF) sputtering and post-deposition annealing was performed in a temperature range of 200–400 °C. The Li3PO4thin films show typical amorphous structures, and no changes are observed even after 400 °C PDA process. The Li 1 s/P 2p ratio varies with changing the annealing temperature and the highest Li is detected under 300 °C annealing, where the ionic conductivity increases to 1.00 × 10−4 S/mm at the same temperature. The rectification ratio of the 300 °C annealed device is obtained as 1.45 × 103, which is 23 times higher value than as-deposited Li3PO4/SiC device without annealing. This result suggests that the delicate control of Li3PO4deposition could provide a significant enhancement on the electrical devices and the solid electrolyte batteries.

Understanding the propagation of waves and their scattering characteristics is critical in various scientific and engineering domains. While the majority of present work is based on numerical approaches, their high computational cost and discontinuity in the entire engineering workflow raise the need to resolve obstacles for fully utilizing the methods in an interactive and end-to-end manner. In this study, we propose a deep learning approach that can simulate the wave propagation and scattering phenomena precisely and efficiently. In particular, we present methods of incorporating physics-based knowledge into the deep learning framework to give the learning process strong inductive biases regarding wave propagation and scattering behaviors. We demonstrate that the proposed method can successfully produce physically valid wave field trajectories induced by random scattering objects. We show that the proposed physics-informed strategy exhibits significantly improved prediction results than purely data-driven methods through quantitative and qualitative evaluation from various angles. Subsequently, we assess the computational efficiency of the proposed method as a neural engine, showing that the proposed approach can significantly accelerate the scientific simulation process compared to the numerical method. Our study delivers the potential of the proposed physics-informed approach to be utilized for real-time, accurate, and interactive scientific analyses in a wide variety of engineering and application disciplines.

The most promising quantum algorithms require quantum processors that host millions of quantum bits when targeting practical applications1. A key challenge towards large-scale quantum computation is the interconnect complexity. In current solid-state qubit implementations, an important interconnect bottleneck appears between the quantum chip in a dilution refrigerator and the room-temperature electronics. Advanced lithography supports the fabrication of both control electronics and qubits in silicon using technology compatible with complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS)2. When the electronics are designed to operate at cryogenic temperatures, they can ultimately be integrated with the qubits on the same die or package, overcoming the ‘wiring bottleneck’3–6. Here we report a cryogenic CMOS control chip operating at 3 kelvin, which outputs tailored microwave bursts to drive silicon quantum bits cooled to 20 millikelvin. We first benchmark the control chip and find an electrical performance consistent with qubit operations of 99.99 per cent fidelity, assuming ideal qubits. Next, we use it to coherently control actual qubits encoded in the spin of single electrons confined in silicon quantum dots7–9and find that the cryogenic control chip achieves the same fidelity as commercial instruments at room temperature. Furthermore, we demonstrate the capabilities of the control chip by programming a number of benchmarking protocols, as well as the Deutsch–Josza algorithm10, on a two-qubit quantum processor. These results open up the way towards a fully integrated, scalable silicon-based quantum computer.

An MR angiography collateral map provided patient-specific collateral perfusion information to help inform the prognosis and guide management of acute ischemic stroke through a minimal MRI protocol.

The purpose of this study was to assess the intraobserver and interobserver variability in ultrasound (US) measurements of thyroid nodules. We performed a prospective study of the US examinations of 73 patients with 122 thyroid nodules greater than 5 mm in size. Ultrasound measurements in 4 dimensions (anteroposterior, transverse, longitudinal, and maximum diameters) and measurement of the estimated volume (using the ellipsoid formula) of each thyroid nodule were performed twice by 2 independent radiologists (A and B, with 10 years and 6 months of experience, respectively). The intraobserver and interobserver variability in measurements of thyroid nodules was assessed by a Bland‐Altman analysis of agreement. The absolute values for intraobserver and interobserver variability were compared by a paired ttest. The 95% intraobserver and interobserver limits of agreement for the anteroposterior, transverse, longitudinal, and maximum diameters and estimated volume of thyroid nodules were ±18.2%, ± 14.3%, and ±21.0%; ± 17.2%%, ± 17.3%, and 18.2%; ± 14.6%, ± 15.5%, and ±22.3%; ± 13.8%, ± 15.5%, and ±19.6%; and ±30.2%, ± 27.7%, and ±44.1%, respectively. The absolute values for intraobserver variability were lower than those for interobserver variability for all measurements. There was considerable intraobserver and interobserver variability in US measurement of thyroid nodules, which must be taken into account during follow‐up US examinations of patients with thyroid nodules.

“Small intestinal submucosa” (SIS) is a natural degradable biomaterial derived from the small intestine of vertebrates. Porcine SIS has been widely used in repairing various tissues and organs, especially in nervous tissues because intrinsic autonomic nerve plexuses are included in submucosal layer. However, little is known about active neurotrophic factors in this material. In this study, we proposed a method to prepare an extract from decellularized SIS and to identify and characterize the major neurotrophic factors in it. Decellularized SIS extract was obtained by sequential procedures: mechanical disassociation, degreasing, enzyme digestion, freeze-drying, freezer-milling, extracting, concentrating, and filtering. Contamination with cellular components in the SIS extract was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and the content of genomic DNA. Major neurotrophic factors in SIS extract was assessed quantitatively by ELISA. The effects of SIS extracts on cells were evaluated by observation of neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells. Decellularized SIS extract was obtained successfully by the proposed method and no cellular component was found within it. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), erythropoietin (EPO), glial cellderived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) were identified and characterized form SIS extract. The bioactivity of SIS extract was assessed in terms of neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells. In summary, we prepared a decellularized extract from porcine SIS and identified major neurotrophic factors present in it. SIS extract also had bioactivity with PC12 cells. From these results, we conclude that SIS may be useful to repair or improve nervous system function.

Abstract: Epoxy resin is used as a material for electrical and electronics molding in various forms but its thermal conductivity must be controlled with various additives on account of its lower conductivity than metal or ceramics. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) and silica were selected as the reinforcement and diluent filler for epoxy resins, respectively. The optimum amount of reinforcement filler, SiO2, was 50wt%. The thermal properties and thermal stability were observed according to silica ratio and particle size. An epoxy modified with a polyamide type hardener showed superior thermal conductivity to that modified with a cyclo-aliphatic amine type hardener. The thermal conductivity increased with increasing silica ratio and particle size. The thermal stability evaluation based on the particle size of silica was in the order of 14/18mesh (1.00–1.16mm)>8/10mesh (1.65–2.36mm)>28/35mesh (0.42–0.59mm). The optimum silica size of the diluent filler was 14/18mesh (1.00–1.16mm). An epoxy type resin transformer with excellent thermal properties and thermal stability could be designed when the mixing weight of epoxy resin was equal to that of the hardener. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Injectable dermal fillers are frequently used to reduce the appearance of various facial creases and rhytids. However, venous complications can develop while injecting dermal filler, especially in the nasoglabellar area. The aims of this study were to determine the anatomic patterns of the veins in the nasoglabellar area and to elucidate their detailed location with reference to various facial landmarks. Forty-one heads from Korean and Thai cadavers were dissected. When the anastomosing vein between the bilateral angular veins (AVs) was located in the nasoglabellar area, it was designated the intercanthal vein(ICV). The bilateral AVs continued as the facial vein without any communicating branches in 12 cases (29.3). At the radix of the nose, the AV communicated with the ICV, connecting them bilaterally. The ICV was found above (type IIA) and below (type IIB) the intercanthal line in 26 (63.4) and 3 (7.3) cases, respectively. The ICV can be regarded as a candidate causative site for the frequent complications associated with dermal filler injection in the nasoglabellar area, and utmost care should be taken when injecting in this area, such as when performing radix augmentation and softening wrinkles in the glabellar area.